“No, it doesn’t. I’ve told you all along that we’ll play this any way you want to play it.”

“You need to be sure.”

“I’m very sure that I love you, that I can’t possibly live without you and I’ll take you any way I can get you, even if we never have a baby the old-fashioned way.”

“You’re not mad about the shot?”

“I wish you’d talked to me about it first, but I understand why you did it. Just remember—whatever is going on, we can always find a way to work it out. Look at everything we’ve already gotten through together.”

“Our life can’t always be as wild as it’s been lately, can it?”

“Jesus, I hope not.”

Sam laughed and realized she felt lighter since she’d told him the truth. She should’ve known he would get it. Didn’t he always? “I love you,” she said. “I love you more than anything in this world.”

“I love you too, and I can’t wait until you’re my wife.”

“Only four more days—still time to change your mind,” she said with a teasing smile.

“Not happening.” He kissed her then with all the pent up passion and desire that had been put on hold the last few weeks. “Let’s make another deal,” he said when they resurfaced.

“What other deal?”

“The next time something happens—something bad or upsetting—let’s go through it together. Let’s not do it alone like we did this time.”

She nodded. “Deal.”

“How about a soak in the Jacuzzi?”

“Oh, yes,” she said, sighing at the thought of it. “Please.”

Chapter 5

Even though she’d intended to spend the evening with the Gardner file, Sam couldn’t seem to work up the energy to get out of the tub. The combination of the warm water, the wine, the company and the clearing of the air with Nick had left her more relaxed than she’d been in weeks.

His finger tracing a circle on her arm drew her out of the languid state she’d drifted into. “What happened here?” he asked of the bruise.

“The shot.”

He winced. “Ouch,” he said, gently pressing his lips to the mark.

“All better.”

“You must’ve been truly desperate to subject yourself to a shot.”

Remembering the needle, Sam shuddered. “Truly.”

His lips continued to move on her arm, leaving goose bumps in their wake. “I’m sorry you let it get to that point. I wish you’d told me.”

She combed her fingers through his hair. “I know I should have. But to be honest, I was afraid you’d charm me out of it.”

“I might’ve tried.”

“I want so badly to give you a family, Nick.”

“A family doesn’t necessarily mean a baby.”

“What do you mean?”