The box made the softestthudagainst the nightstand, but it was enough.
Carmen stirred, her hair a mess across my pillow, eyes fluttering open like I’d disturbed her spiritual hibernation. I smiled at the sight, happy to see the result of my work.
She blinked at me, still groggy. “What’s that?”
“Plan B,” I said, tugging my shirt over my head. “You’re welcome.”
She squinted at the nightstand, then back at me. “You brought me the morning-after pill like it was a croissant.”
“Would you prefer a croissant?” I walked to the closet, pulling out a clean pair of pants. “Because I can absolutely get you one. Pain au chocolate, almond, the works.”
“Shut up, Theodore.” She sat up slowly, wincing. “My hips hurt.”
“Yeah, that’ll happen when you try to ride out three years of sexual frustration in one night.” I tossed a wink over my shoulder. The thought of last night made my dick jump.
“Don’t act like you didn’t contribute,” she mumbled, picking up the box and inspecting it like she didn’t entirely trust my ability to follow directions. It didn’t matter anyway; she couldn’t even read Italian.
“I double-checked the dosage and the expiration date,” I said, fastening my belt. “We’re good. You’ll live.”
“Yeah, you keep saying that.” She narrowed her eyes. “That’s a low bar.”
I walked back to the bed and kissed her temple. “Sweetness. I love you so much. I swear to you I’ll never give you anything that would hurt you. Now, please take the pill before I change my mind. The thought of you pregnant is tempting me.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She tore the packaging open. “I hope you picked up condoms, too.”
“Mm.” I grinned.No, I didn’t.“Hey, there’s a work thing tonight. Small party. Client side. I want you to come.”
She let out a very real groan. “Theodore, I’ve been here less than forty-eight hours and already had back-breaking sex, found out you’re trying to get me pregnant,possiblygot pregnant, and took Plan B before coffee. Can I take some time to process this?”
“So, you’ll come?”
She threw a pillow at me, which I dodged, much to her annoyance. She groaned, “Will there be snacks, at least?”
“Yes.”
“Alcohol?”
“Definitely.”
“Then I’ll think about it.”
I walked over and leaned against the bedpost, looking down at her. “You should wear that black dress I got you for your birthday last year. I know you brought it.”
“Black? yuck.”
I scoffed. “You love black. And it loves your fine ass right back.”
She tilted her head, amused. “So this is about you showing me off?”
“Maybe a little,” I admitted. “But mostly, I just want you there. I like it when you’re around. You soften the edge on everything.”
Her expression flickered, but she covered it with a smirk. “You really wanna bring me to your fancy work party, all dressed up after catching feelings yesterday, cause your employee flirted with me?”
“Yes. Because I want him and everyone to knowyou’remine.”
She hummed and flopped back onto the pillows. “Fine. But I’m not talking to anyone unless I’m tipsy.”
“Deal,” I said, already planning to have her favorite champagne sent up while she got ready.
