It was what he’d expected she’d say, but still, he couldn’t see why it would be a problem. “What are you worried will happen?”
She lifted one shoulder and let it drop. “We’ve talked about this being a practical arrangement, and that we’ll be able to walk away after five years if we want. So, wouldn’t the best thing be to keep those boundaries clear?”
That sounded sensible on the surface, but he had a feeling there was a deeper reason. “You think we’ll fall in love if we sleep together again.”
“Not necessarily fall in love,” she said, her brows drawn together, “but maybe things would be...messier.”
In general, he agreed—making love was a big step, and once you’d taken it, there was no going back. And yet... “We’ve already crossed that line. Is holding back now really going to help?”
She circled her throat with her delicate hand. “It’s different now.”
“Yeah, I know.” He reached over and unwrapped her hand from her throat, then held it between his. “We’ve done this thing completely backward. Getting pregnant, then getting married, then getting to know each other.”
“And I think adding intimacy in the middle of that is almost like throwing a grenade in. It’s volatile and unpredictable.”
“Point taken.” He wondered if she’d deliberately used military imagery to help him see her meaning. Either way, it had worked. “How about we focus on getting to know each other and then revisit the topic in the future.”
“I’m happy to revisit it, but I can’t see anything that will make me change my mind. If we want that clean break at the end, it might be safer to not cross the line again.”
He wasn’t sure if she was suggesting they both have lovers outside the marriage, or that they both be celibate for the five years—neither of which was a palatable option—but now wasn’t the time to push it. The day they wed and moved in together already had enough intensity for any twenty-four-hour period.
“Noted,” he said. “We’ll revisit once we’re more settled.”
They chatted about simpler subjects as they ate, but there was one topic that was important and couldn’t wait for another day.
He put his plate down and brushed off his hands. “Do you have plans for tomorrow?”
“I was going in to the office for a few hours.” She picked up a stray chili and popped it in her mouth.
“Tomorrow is Saturday,” he clarified in case she’d lost count of the days amid the wedding preparations. “Do you often go in on the weekends?”
She finished chewing and found another chili while she spoke. “Sometimes. Depends what I have on my plate. But I was planning on heading in tomorrow because I took time off today for the wedding.”
His brows drew together. “Does Malcolm expect you to make that time up?”
“He hasn’t said anything.” She shrugged.
“I’m guessing not, since he was there, too.”
“Ah, but he’s the boss. Things are always different for those in power—they follow a different set of rules entirely. I can’t afford to let things slide just because of a wedding ring.”
“I think you’re forgetting something.” He gave her a cocky grin. “I own half the company, too.”
“You’re pulling the boss card?” she asked, her tone halfway between surprised and amused.
“Sure, why not?”
She shook her head. “That’s not a free pass for me, Nick. If anything, it means I have to be more careful. Once they know, the rest of the staff will be watching, waiting for signs of favoritism. Everything will need to be business as usual at work—I wouldn’t risk my reputation.”
“Tell me this. Do you have time off saved up?”
“Some.”
“Why do I get the feeling it’s more than some?” he asked mildly.
“There’s always more work to be done and never really a good time to take the hours off. Besides, I take pride in my job and like to see that the work gets done. That’s more important than the number of hours in my contract.”
“Is there anything on your desk that can’t wait until Monday?”