Page 38 of Tristan’s Temptation

“Is there…anything I should know?” It was a little late to be asking but hell, he probably should know.

She gave a little sniff. “I’m clean.”

“So am I.”

“I know. I checked your med files.”

He should be offended. Really, he should. But he wasn’t. At least she’d been cautious. “So if you’re clean and I’m clean, what’s the problem?”

She sighed heavily. “I am a woman of childbearing age, Tristan.”

“But you’re on birth control.”

She nibbled on her bottom lip.

“You’re…not on birth control.” Hell. “Why the hell aren’t you on birth control?” She was a woman—a damn attractive woman—of childbearing age. She made him hard with a glance. A word. A breath. She should be on birth control. Perhaps a double dose.

Why the vision of a little girl with her adorable nose and unruly mop of hair skated through his mind, he couldn’t say. Why that vision gave him a warm sensation in his gut and made him want to grin was an even deeper mystery.

“Why would I be on birth control when I’m not seeing anyone?”

“You’re seeing me!”

“I wasn’t a week ago.”

“But you’ve had boyfriends.” It was a statement, not a question. A woman like her always had boyfriends. Though now he thought about it, the only “boyfriend” he’d ever heard her speak of was Bosco and he didn’t count. Aw hell. “You have had boyfriends. Haven’t you?”

“Of course I’ve had boyfriends.” Again, she looked away. He was beginning to really dislike when she looked away. “Just not for a while.”

“How long?” He swallowed the sudden lump in his throat, dreading her answer.

“A while.”

“How long?”

Her response was a mulish frown.

“Do you want another spanking?” He was teasing, but not really. Even though his hand ached, he was up to the task should the need arise.

She grimaced and rubbed her ass. “No, I don’t want another spanking.” She shot him a saucy little grin. “At least not for a while.”

“Then tell me.”

“Six years.”

Six years. Hell. Six years. She hadn’t been with another man since she’d met him. That was… Wow. That was incredible.

“That makes me so horny,” he finally said and she laughed.

“Everything makes you horny.” She stood, reaching down to help him up as well. “Do you want some cake? I’m going to have some after I freshen up.”

“Did I make you hungry?”

“That was quite a workout. But then, you always make me hungry. But I’ve been fantasizing about this cake since I bought it at Donna’s this afternoon.”

“Ooh. You didn’t mention it was from Donna’s.”

“Chocolate Death.”