Page 91 of My Ex's Brothers

But looking at Amelia, for the first time, I feel the need to be honest.

“Yes,” I say solidly. She nods. “Ican’t,” I say, and her eyebrows furrow.

“Oh. I’m sorry, I?—”

I shake my head. “Vasectomy. Got it when I was twenty.”

“Oh…” Her expression shifts to one less sympathetic, but still shocked. “And your wife knew that?” she asks.

I shrug. “Yup. Changed her mind later, thought she could change mine. She couldn’t. She left.”

“I’m sorry, Richie. I’m sure it wasn’t…easy.”

Normally, I’m not so forthcoming with people. But there’s something about Amelia that beckons me to spill my fucking guts.

“It’s a little more complicated than that,” I say, swallowing hard. “I have certain…preferences,” I say carefully. “Preferences that did not align with my wife’s change of heart.”

“Like…sexual preferences, you mean?” She scoots a little closer to me, and I put my arm around her waist without thinking.

I should tell her. If we are going to do this—whatever this is—she should know. I should lay all my cards out for her. I’m just afraid that if I do, it may change whatever is between us, and I kind of like what’s between us right now.

“Like a fetish?” she asks curiously.

“More like a kink.” I shrug. “I like the idea of knocking you up, but not the reality of it.” I look at the floor, not wanting to see the look of disgust on her face that I know will be there.

“Oh, I see,” she says softly. “Yeah, I guess that uh…puts a damper on things if you’re someone who wants kids.”

“Mhmm,” I say, feeling strangely vulnerable.

It’s quiet for a moment before she clears her throat. “That’s kind of a relief, actually,” she says.

I look up at her in surprise. “What?”

“I mean, at least if I fuck you I don’t have to worry about getting pregnant again.” She gives me a smirk, and just like that, the tension lifts.

“You trying to get into my pants, baby girl?” I tease her.

She shrugs. “Maybe.”

I turn, shaking my head as I pull her against me. “You’re a fucking brat, you know that?” I say as she settles against me.

“I’m just saying, it could be worse. You could have a kink for like, cheese or something.”

“Cheese?” I ask with a laugh. “What the fuck is a cheese kink?”

“I don’t know.” She laughs. “Maybe it’s like a sexual attraction to Brie,” she says. “Or like, you need the scent of Parmesan to get your motor going.”

She giggles and I shake my head.

“You are something else, Amelia,” I tease her, drawing her lips closer to mine.

She sighs. “See, this feels right,” she says softly.

“It does.” I ghost my lips over hers and she shudders against me. “So why do you fight it?” I ask.

“I think I just don’t know how to let go,” she admits.

“I can help you with that,” I say as I crush my mouth against hers. She doesn’t startle or push me. She relents, relaxing against me with a moan. “If you let me.”

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