He grinned as we turned into his bedroom, and he kicked the door closed behind us. “Not gonna happen. But I do have a big box of condoms in my suitcase. I’ll suit up for now, but we need to come up with a game plan that doesn’t involve a piece of latex blocking me from feeling every sweet inch of you.”

“I can get the shot. I only have to worry about it every three months instead of every day.”

Axel put me down and took my face in his hands. He kissed me until my knees were weak and then patted my butt. “Good. Now get your sweet ass on my bed like a good girl and wait for me to come fuck you.”

“Caveman!”

I heard him chuckling as he went into his closet, and I looked around his bedroom. It was distinctly masculine but very warm and appealing. The furnishings were cherry wood, and the bedding was navy blue with cream and chocolate accents. I flipped off the overhead light and pulled the blanket dress from my body before climbing between his sheets in the darkened room.

Axel came into the room and flicked on the bedside lamp. I noticed that he set down a huge box of condoms on the nightstand and wondered absently how often he got laid. No, best not to think about that right now. He slid under the sheet with me and pulled my body close to his. “God, this feels good,” I told him. “Having you hold me like this.” It had been years since we’d been together, but it felt good. Natural.

He brushed my hair away from my face as he leaned over me. “I like having you in my bed, Blaire.”

“I like being here,” I told him softly. “Ax, can you turn the lamp off?”

“Why, baby? I like looking at you when we make love.”

“Please?” I asked him, trying to hold back the desperate tears that were suddenly stinging my eyes.

He traced a finger over the frown lines on my forehead. “What are you embarrassed about, Blaire Bear?” God, he could still read me so well.

I sighed. “I have… stretch marks,” I admitted, my hands going unconsciously to my belly.

Understanding lit his eyes. “From the baby?” he asked, and I nodded. “Blaire, you don’t have to be ashamed of anything on your body with me.”

I gave him a wry smile. “We just got back together, and I don’t want to spoil the illusion just yet. I want you to think I’m sexy like you used to.”

His eyes crinkled up as he smiled at me. “You could have big hairy boils on your stomach, and you would still be the sexiest woman in the world to me.”

I giggled and said, “Well, it’s not quite as bad as that.”