Fatal Series 00 - Fatal Destiny

body went rigid. “What?”
    “I saw Harry.”
    “About?”
    She lifted her head off his shoulder so she could see his face. “Birth control.”
    His expression was so impassive that Sam couldn’t get a read on what he was thinking. “And?”
    “He gave me a shot that lasts three months.”
    Nick didn’t say anything for the longest time. “Oh,” he finally said. “I thought you wanted, I mean, I thought we wanted…”
    “I do. We do. But I need to be stronger before we go there again. I was feeling desperate, and I went to him before I came to you, which was wrong. I know it was. I just… I need some time, Nick.”
    “Did you think I wouldn’t understand that?”
    “I was afraid you’d be disappointed, and I couldn’t bear that. Not again.”
    “Sam, honey, when are you ever going to learn that you can’t possibly disappoint me? The only time you even come close is when you keep stuff from me. Important stuff that we should decide together.” The last part he said in a stern tone that got her attention, but when she ventured a glance at him, he was looking at her with nothing but love and concern.
    “I’m working on that. I swear I am.”
    He sighed, hugged her tighter and pressed his lips to her forehead. “I can’t even imagine what you’ve been through with four miscarriages. One about killed me.”
    Hearing that and seeing the raw pain on his face made Sam wince. “Sometimes I wonder if it just isn’t in the cards for me.”
    “If that’s the case, we have other options, and I’ve told you before I’m fine with adopting or hiring a surrogate. Whatever you want. We’ll figure it out when we’re ready.”
    “I’m not sure I have it in me to try again.”
    “Nothing has to be decided today.”
    Sam took a moment, chose her words carefully and fought to keep her emotions out of the mix. “I want you to really understand, before you say ‘I do’ on Saturday, that it’s very possible I won’t want to try again to have a baby.”
    “You might feel differently—”
    Sam rested a finger over his lips. “And I might not. I need to know you’re okay with that. Discovering the plumbing actually works changes everything.”
    “No, it doesn’t. I’ve told you all along that we’ll play this any way you want to play it.”
    “You need to be sure.”
    “I’m very sure that I love you, that I can’t possibly live without you and I’ll take you any way I can get you, even if we never have a baby the old-fashioned way.”
    “You’re not mad about the shot?”
    “I wish you’d talked to me about it first, but I understand why you did it. Just remember—whatever is going on, we can always find a way to work it out. Look at everything we’ve already gotten through together.”
    “Our life can’t always be as wild as it’s been lately, can it?”
    “Jesus, I hope not.”
    Sam laughed and realized she felt lighter since she’d told him the truth. She should’ve known he would get it. Didn’t he always? “I love you,” she said. “I love you more than anything in this world.”
    “I love you too, and I can’t wait until you’re my wife.”
    “Only four more days—still time to change your mind,” she said with a teasing smile.
    “Not happening.” He kissed her then with all the pent up passion and desire that had been put on hold the last few weeks. “Let’s make another deal,” he said when they resurfaced.
    “What other deal?”
    “The next time something happens—something bad or upsetting—let’s go through it together. Let’s not do it alone like we did this time.”
    She nodded. “Deal.”
    “How about a soak in the Jacuzzi?”
    “Oh, yes,” she said, sighing at the thought of it. “Please.”

Chapter 5
    Even though she’d intended to spend the evening with the Gardner file, Sam couldn’t seem to work up the energy to get out of the tub. The combination of the warm water, the wine, the company and the clearing of the air with Nick had left her more relaxed than she’d been in weeks.
    His finger tracing a circle on her arm drew her out of the languid state she’d drifted into. “What happened here?” he asked of the bruise.
    “The shot.”
    He winced. “Ouch,” he said, gently pressing his lips to the mark.
    “All better.”
    “You must’ve been truly desperate to subject yourself to a shot.”
    Remembering the needle, Sam shuddered. “Truly.”
    His lips continued to move on her arm, leaving goose bumps in their wake.