good.”
I gasp as he thrusts once, twice, three times—
“Fuck!” He propels into me, burning a trail through me as my clit bumps against the bed.
He slaps one cheek of my ass as he releases.
I try to grind into the bed to sate my clit, but I can’t move with his weight bearing down on me.
No orgasm this time.
I can live with that. In fact, I feel wonderful because I gave him what he wanted.
He stays buried inside me for a few moments, breathing heavily. I don’t move or speak.
I wait.
And wait.
Until he pulls out.
Then—
“Shit. Shit, shit, shit.”
I look over my shoulder. “What? What is it?”
“I forgot the damned condom.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
I swallow audibly. I forgot the condom, too. He and I both know I have one in my purse, just as he has one in his pocket. This is just as much my fault.
I’ve been on the pill since college, and I know I’m clean. I’ve had all the tests, and I haven’t been sexually active in more than a year. He has nothing to fear from me.
Braden, however, has probably had myriad sexual partners. I turn over, pull my sweats and panties back up, and sit on the bed. “Do I have reason to worry?”
“Not from me. I get tested every three months.”
“Every three months? Whatever for?” Then I clamp my hand over my mouth because I really don’t want to know the answer to that question.
“Because it’s good policy, Skye, that’s why. What about you?”
“I’m good. Clean.”
“That’s not what I’m concerned about.”
“What’s the problem, then?”
“Pregnancy. I don’t want a kid. You carry a rubber around in your purse. Does that mean…?”
“Extra protection. I’m on the pill.”
Still naked, he sits down next to me. “Thank God.”
He’s distant tonight. He’s always a little distant, but tonight more so. I itch to cover his hand with my own, but something stops me, as if an invisible barrier exists between us despite the acts we just shared.
I let out a nervous laugh. “The good news is we don’t have to use condoms anymore.”
“I always use condoms.”
Again, he puzzles me. Most men are thrilled not to use condoms. “Why? If we’re both clean, and I— Oh.” I press my lips together.
“Finish what you were going to say, Skye.”
I inhale and let out a stream of breath slowly. “I’m not the only woman you’re sleeping with, am I?”
“This week you are.”
A wave of sadness explodes inside me. I do my best to stifle it. I will not cry in front of Braden. I have no hold on him. I don’t want to give him up, but I won’t be part of a harem, either, no matter what kind of silly emotion I’m feeling.
Silence for a few more seconds. Then—
He turns to me, his eyes serious. “That’s never happened to me before.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve never forgotten to put on a condom.”
I’m not sure how to reply, so I don’t.
He’s still naked and not making any move to get dressed. Maybe I’ll get that orgasm after all. I won’t push it, though. Instead, in my head I’m dissecting his words.
I’ve never forgotten to put on a condom.
The operative word is “never.” Braden has had a lot of sex. I mean, look at him. Plus, he’s a billionaire. And he’s never forgotten a condom until tonight?
His desire for me overtook his rational thought.
What other meaning can there be?
Though I’m tempted to smile, I don’t.
Finally, I think of the perfect thing to say.
“Did you enjoy it?”
He huffs harshly. “Not using a condom? Hell yeah. You felt amazing.”
“Then why use them?”
“It’s hard to explain.”
“Try.”
“I’m not sure. It’s kind of a…” He closes his eyes. A few seconds later, he opens them and meets my gaze. “We’ve done enough talking for one night. I owe you a climax.”
The magic words.
I’m ready to strip and fall back onto the bed with my legs spread…but I don’t. Instead, “I don’t want you to sleep with anyone else while you’re sleeping with me.”
Yeah, I don’t know what I’m thinking. I probably just gave up a climax when I’m still in single digits.
His gaze burns into mine. He was in a dark mood when he arrived, and it’s become darker. I won’t back down, though. As much as I want that orgasm, I deserve to be the only one in his bed, and not just because that’s what I want. I deserve it because I don’t want to be exposed to anything someone else might be carrying, condom or not.
“I told you. You’re the