Dean puts out his hands and glances at them, then he raises his chin and pins me with a red-hot gaze. “Is that something you like? Watching?”I grip the tub’s edge. His voice is low and silky and glides over my body like a caress. He’s ensnaring me in his net, and I suspect he doesn’t even know it. I have no choice but to respond truthfully. “It’s not something I’ve done often. But yes, the idea of watching people have sex turns me on . . . What about you?”He leans over and rakes his fingers over the tops of his thighs, as if he’s desperately trying not to stroke himself. “I’m turned on right now. Does that count?”Jesus. He’s killing me. And maybe he does know it. “Depends. Are you turned on by the idea of stepping outside this bathroom and watching other people have sex?”He licks his lips and nods. “I am.”Coupled with the memory of last night’s masterful kiss, his admission leaves me breathless. “I am too.” What neither of us is saying is that we’re turned on not just by the setting but also by each other. I, for one, am not ready to take that leap. Still, I can help him explore a part of himself he may never have considered until now—and experience my own pleasure in the process. “Would you like to go out there and watch? With me?”His nostrils flare, and his eyes flash with unbridled need. “I would.”I bite back a moan. Well, that escalated perfectly.

In the bedroom, Natalia’s muttering to herself as she double-checks the contents of her overnight bag.I throw up my hands. “What do you need Sudoku for?”“To pass the time,” she says between breaths.“Natalia, I think you’re going to be a little too busy for Sudoku. And when the baby arrives, you’ll be lucky if you have enough time to wipe your ass properly.”“Oh my God. Just shut up. Shut up,” she says, scrunching up her face and placing a hand on her lower back. “And here I thought I was the drama queen.”

“Oh, the electric stimulator! I definitely need that.”I flinch my head back. “The what?”She dons a devilish expression, then huffs and puffs. “Paulo and I took this New Age birthing class that encourages the partner who isn’t in physical labor to experience simulated contractions. It’s supposed to bring us closer together and teach him empathy. Supposedly it reduces my pain too.”“No shit!”“Who knows?” she says, shrugging her shoulders. “But it’s the least he could do considering he’s the reason we’re in this mess.”

Suddenly Natalia leans forward and howls. Seriously. As though she’s lost the rest of her pack and calling out to them is the only way to guarantee a reunion. “Oh God, oh God, oh God. Jesus Cristo! Shiiiiiiiiiiit.”The bad news is that she’s in pain.The good news is that she forgot to hit the dial on the device.“Natalia,” Solange says, her voice cutting through the panting and grunting in the car. “Sweetie, you forgot to hit the dial.”Where’s a fucking spare sock when you need one?“Oh!” Natalia says, looking as if activating the device has given her a new lease on life. “Here you go, Dean.”“Jesus. Fucking. Christ. What. The. Fuck?”

Solange gestures at the bags and containers. “What’s all this anyway?”“Food, obviously,” her mother says. “We’re going to need something to eat while we wait.”“Nothing too heavy,” Lina’s mom says. “Sandwiches. A little salad. Some fruit.”Solange groans. “This isn’t a cookout, for God’s sake.”“Shhh,” I tell her, gently smacking the top of her hand. “If they want to share their gifts with us, who are you to complain?”Her mouth falls open, but her eyes are sparkling with amusement. “Did you just hit me?”“It was a love tap, that’s all.” I cringe on the inside when the L word slips out. “I meant a friend tap, of course.”“Thanks for the clarification,” she says, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she gives me an eye roll in excruciatingly slow motion.

Max rises from his seat and puts an arm around his girlfriend, effectively halting her progress. “Let’s go get some coffee. That’ll take your mind off this until we hear something.” He gestures at the group. “Anyone else want a cup?”“Definitely,” Solange says.“Me too,” I add, settling my paper plate on my lap. “Cream and sugar for me. Black, no sugar, and superhot for Solange.” When I look up, everyone’s staring at me. “What?”“That’s very specific,” Max says, giving me a shit-eating grin. “So noted.”