Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 227

He leaned in and kissed her even more deeply. “Stephanie, if you don’t want to, we won’t. I respect your choice.”

It was her body, her freedom. He would never force his own desires on her.

He wouldn't pressure her into having a child for him.

They could just be child-free if it came to that.

“Then from now on, we’ll use protection.”

“…”

Did this man have a one-track mind today?

What she meant was that their temporary relationship didn't warrant having a child.

But Jonathan sounded like he was ready to schedule a vasectomy.

A flicker of concern crossed Stephanie's eyes. “But you still have a fever…”

His fever had broken earlier, but now it felt like his temperature was rising again.

Infections often came and went, and his wounds had been left untreated for three whole days before being cleaned and dressed. He needed to rest and recover carefully.

She was worried he couldn't handle it.

Jonathan’s eyes darkened, his voice growing raspy. “Isn’t that even better?”

He pressed his lips to her ear, his voice a whisper only she could hear. “Have you ever felt that heat?”

“…” Stephanie’s face turned completely red.

Oh god, she wanted to dig a hole and crawl into it.

Her mind had gone straight to the gutter.

Stephanie’s heart was pounding, the air stolen from her lungs by his kisses.

She made one last attempt to resist. “Can’t we just rest and wait until you’re better?”

Jonathan’s throat bobbed, and he breathed into her ear, “But I can’t wait.”

Stephanie made a final plea. “...Can you at least let me take a shower first?”

At that, Jonathan finally let her go.

…

The glass in the bathroom fogged over with a white mist, making Stephanie feel as if she were in a misty, ethereal wonderland.

He returned about ten minutes later, but the bathroom door was still closed.

Does it really take a woman that long to shower?

Jonathan waited for another ten minutes, his eyes constantly glancing toward the bathroom.

To pass the time, he noticed a delivery box in the corner and decided to open it for her.

But when he opened the package and a folded mattress popped out, Jonathan froze.

He instantly regretted opening it.

Jonathan was about to fold the mattress back up, but before he could, the bathroom door clicked open, and Stephanie stepped out.

She was wearing a pink bathrobe, tied at the waist.

Seeing Jonathan crouching by the single mattress she’d bought a few days ago, Stephanie’s lips curved into a smile.

She walked toward him, her expression sweet and innocent. “Oh, this mattress looks quite nice, doesn’t it? Why don’t you try it out tonight and see if it’s comfortable enough?”

Jonathan’s face darkened instantly!

She actually wanted him to sleep on the floor?!