Page 119 of Buckled in Barbwire

“Too late,” she quips. “You already spilled the beans. I’m gobbling them up.”

My molars grind. “Not helping, wife.”

“Fine, I’ll chill.” Paisley sighs, slumping against me. “There’s actually something I wanted to talk to you about.”

My heart lurches. “Good or bad?”

“I think it’s good, depending on how you feel.”

My grip on her tightens. “Tell me.”

“Well, uh…” My wife drops her gaze. “I have a doctor’s appointment in two weeks.”

I grip her chin to reunite our eye contact. “For what?”

“Just an annual exam, but I was thinking I could remove my birth control implant.”

I go still and stare at her. This gorgeous woman whofound the patience to deal with me. My pulse thunders while I try to gather enough composure to respond.

“Say something,” she whispers.

I lunge to soothe her concern, crushing our mouths together. “Yes.”

Paisley blinks at me. “Really?”

“There’s little else I want more than getting my baby in your belly. I wasn’t sure how long you wanted to wait. You’re still really young.”

“Not that young,” she argues.

“Younger than me and kids change things. Wasn’t sure you were ready. I sure as shit didn’t want to pressure you.”

“You’re not.” She confirms that with a gentle kiss.

The outlook of our future settles deep in my gut. That uplifting visual clogs my throat. To make matters worse, moisture collects in my eyes. Fuck, I’m going to cry about us trying for a baby. How far the mighty have fallen. Damn glad for it too.

At least until my wife notices.

Her keen focus studies my unraveling grip on my emotions. “What’s wrong?”

“Not a thing.” I scrub at my eyes.

“Are you—?”

I tip my face to the sky, hiding the evidence. “No, it’s the chlorine.”

She cups my cheeks, forcing me to reveal my glassy eyes. “You wanna be a daddy?”

I sniffle, gulping at the pressure squeezing me. “Only if you’re the mommy.”

Paisley rests her forehead on mine and exhales. “That sounds like domestic paradise.”

“Our parents will be thrilled,” I chuckle.

She nods against me. “We’ll never hear the end of it.”

Temptation sets my hands into motion along her body again. “How about we start practicing the best positions?”

“Now?”

---