"Whatever you want, Reyna, it’s yours. If you want to continue with the divorce, I will do it. I won’t like it, but whatever you want, whatever you need, it’s yours."
He wanted to stay married? "What are you asking?"
He laughed softly. "I'm sorry, I'm new at speaking my heart. I guess I'm not very good at it yet. What I want is you, Reyna. I want to love you and our babies under one roof. And like I said, if you still want the divorce, I will give it to you. Hell, now that I think about it, maybe we should go through it because that wedding, that marriage wasn't real. We could do it again. Only this time, it would be real."
Was I dreaming?
He gave his head a quick shake. "Wait, I know I'm getting ahead of myself here. I have so much hope in my chest, Reyna, it's a fucking miracle it hasn't exploded. But the anticipation is about to kill me. If you can't commit to anything right now, I totally get it. But is there hope for me?"
I nodded. And then my nod became a giddy head bob, and I wrapped my arms around him. Maybe this would be a mistake. Maybe it wasn't going to work out. But I couldn't say no to hope. I couldn't say no to the possibility of having James and the babies and me live as a happy family. I had to take the leap of faith. So I did. I leapt into his arms.
His arms banded around me, his head nestled against my neck. “Please tell me this means you’re giving me another chance.”
“Yes. It’s a second chance for both of us. Or a first chance, if you think about it.”
He lifted his head. “Because before, it wasn’t supposed to be real?”
I nodded.
He smiled, and it was the first time I didn’t see tension in his eyes, feel it radiate off him. His guard was down too.
“Can I kiss you—”
I grabbed his face and pulled him toward me until our lips connected. His mouth took mine, but not in the torrent of emotion I’d have expected. He was soft, gentle, thorough.
He maneuvered me until he lifted me to sit on the table, and he stared down on me. “I said I wouldn’t hurt you ever again. I don’t want to, but I’m afraid I might. My nature—”
“Sometimes, people who love each other hurt each other. We just need to be willing to apologize and forgive.”
He nodded. “It won’t be because I want to hurt you.” His fingers stroked my cheek. “I don’t ever want to hurt you. Or the babies.” He sucked in a breath. “Jesus fuck... two babies.”
I laughed. “I know, right?”
He kissed me again, and I clung to him, not wanting to let go. I wanted to kiss him forever.
“Reyna.” His lips trailed along my jaw. “I want you so bad.”
I slid my hand down his lounge pants to cup him. He was hard and long, and my body sang with the sensation of wanting to get naked with him. “So you do. I want you too.”
He rested his forehead against mine. “What about the babies?”
“I don’t think they’ll understand what’s going on.”
His cheeks reddened. “What I meant is it safe?”
I nodded. “Yes. In fact, I read that my libido will increase shortly. And near the end, I’ve heard some couples have lots of sex to induce labor.”
“But it won’t do that now, right? I mean... they’re not big enough.”
“It will be fine, James. Unless you don’t find me attractive—”
His lips were on mine, preventing me from finishing my sentence. “You’re so fucking beautiful. Even more so now.” His hands rubbed my belly. “Would it be pervy to say that it turns me on seeing you pregnant?”
I snorted. “It sounds like something a man would find sexy. My big, virile man’s seed knocked me up.”
He laughed. “It’s stupid when you say it like that.” He blushed again. “But fuck, I feel like a real man.”
“You are a real man. Maybe you could take me to your room and show me how you got me like this.”