Jared playfully collapsed on top of me, and groaned with frustration.

I kept my hand over my eyes, too embarrassed and frustrated to speak.

Jared eased onto his side and pulled my hand from my face. “You’re blushing.”

“I know.”

Jared kissed my hand. “I’m starting to think there is a reason for all the interruptions.”

I grimaced. “What is that supposed to mean?”

He chuckled. “Here,” he said, holding my sweater.

I pulled the thin lime green fabric from his hand and sat up.

“The only thing the constant interruptions mean is that one of us needs to change the locks,” I grumbled, jerking my sweater over my head and buttoning my jeans. I smiled as an errant thought crossed my mind. “We have an entire week in Nicaragua.”

“With Cynthia,” Jared pointed out. “I’m there to work, you forget.”

I felt the crease between my eyebrows deepen. “You promised it was going to be a real vacation.”

Jared took my hand and held it between his, sitting higher on his elbow. “It will be. For you and Cynthia.”

I rolled my eyes and reached for my phone, sitting up to through the numbers. I sent Beth a text message, giving her the all clear and to let her know I would be at study group later.

Jared slipped his shirt over his head and then pulled me onto his lap. My phone buzzed and I smiled at Beth’s apology-ridden reply. I tried to send her back my unconditional forgiveness, but my attention was drawn to the nibbling at my neck.

“I thought you said it was a good thing we were interrupted,” I smiled, tilting my head against his tickling breath.

Jared’s head jerked up to face me. “I never said that. I said I was beginning to think there was a reason for it.”

“And by that you mean…?” I prompted.

“I was thinking about what Eli said. Surpassing a certain point of intimacy could hinder my ability to protect you.”

“He also said they weren’t sure because we’re different.”

“I’m not sure we should chance it,” he frowned.

“What are you saying? That we can never…?”

He pressed his forehead to my cheek. “I’m saying that it might not be a good idea to test Eli’s theory while we’re in the middle of a war.”

“War,” I grumbled.

“Nina….”

I stood up and walked to the other side of the room, crossing my arms. “No, I get it. Abstinence it is, then. I don’t want you upset that I’m not taking things seriously, again.”

“Nina,” he said, patient, “I’m not happy about it, either. But I have to put your safety first.”

“You sound like a Planned Parenthood commercial,” I snapped.

Jared burst into laughter. “That’s not the safe I was referring to.”

“I know,” I said, narrowing my eyes at his infuriating amusement.