Page 181 of Dirty Husband

---

For once, I got to save him. That feels better than anything.

"I'm glad your mind is in the gutter." He pulls me a little closer. So my thoughts return to the room. So I sink into his lap.

"Aren't we going to dinner?" I run my fingers along his collar. Down his tie. I want to fuck him. Okay, to have him fuck me. But I want a quiet dinner too. I want all of it. Everything. "We can't be late."

"We can't?"

I shake my head with absolutely no conviction.

He smiles. "I better make this fast."

I shake my head.

He slips his hand under my robe. "I've been thinking."

"Yeah?"

"About us. Our future. Our life."

I stare into his deep blue eyes. "Something specific?"

His gaze flits to the floor. His cheeks flush. His chest caves.

Is he actually… shy?

Shepard Marlowe, a man with the power to destroy anyone in his way, a man who makes me come so hard I see stars, is shy.

This has never happened.

Ever.

Warmth spreads through my torso. And something else. A fierce need to protect him. From anyone and everything. "You've been thinking."

He nods.

I run my fingers along his jawline. To his chin. Gently, I tilt his head so we're eye to eye. "Whatever it is, you can tell me."

He nods. "I'm ready."

"You're ready?"

"Yeah." His blush deepens. "To start trying."

"Trying… Oh." Oh. My head fills. My heart swells. My body screamsyes, let's start right now.

"I know your charity is taking up a lot of time. If you want to wait—"

"No."

"No?"

"Yes. Now. Let's start. Let's try." My fingers curl in his hair.

"Right now?"

I nod.

"Your IUD?"

---