Free Exchange Rate by Bonnie R. Paulson

raised my eyebrows, careful to roll my eyes at the table and not meet anyone’s gaze. Complete embarrassment would choke me up and I didn’t need to add more shame on top of it.
    Poor Bodey might be getting a defective wife. Yet, at the same time, would we want a child in the conditions we lived in? Or didn’t live actually, but rather survived?
    John cleared his throat again. “That’s good. I think. I’m not sure how it works, but it makes sense that if you haven’t had your period then maybe the odds are you can’t get pregnant. Reproduction isn’t exactly my specialty.” He offered an uncomfortable chuckle. “So, we can head out tomorrow after breakfast. I’ll start packing first thing. Take your... well, take your time.”
    He rose from the table. “I’m going to scout out the items outside and see if any more of their supplies are portable. Maybe you guys could find yourselves different clothes. Your dress won’t be comfortable to travel in, Kelly.” He nodded curtly, obviously finished with our biology discussion.
    John left. His exit relieved us and we both released our air on a whoosh. Bodey met my gaze and we giggled. Grabbing hands, we leaned into each other, our lips meeting. We were married. There was nothing wrong with how we wanted to touch and be with each other.
    I reveled in the warmth of his skin. “Can we go to our room now?” For far too long, I’d been begging Bodey to be with me. And he hadn’t, for whatever reason, and now that we were married, he had to. It was his job or something.
    He stood, pulling me with him. “Yes, I don’t want to wait any longer.” And a rush of warmth filled me. He really did want me as badly as I craved him. His control impressed me. Especially when I considered all the times I threw myself at him.
    I dropped my jaw in mock shock. Following him up the stairs, I teased. “You mean, you’re willing to do this? I don’t want you to feel forced or coerced.” Secretly, I just wanted him to tell me he wanted to. Just some confirmation I wasn’t the only one craving touch.
    Bodey turned when we reached the door to the master bedroom. He pushed open the panel and held my gaze. “Willing? You’re all I think about. Everything about you. Every single detail.” He tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear, cupping my neck to draw me close. His lips grazed mine. “I love you.”
    He didn’t let me answer as he dipped his head and our lips melded together, dancing and playing but with a ferocity of need I hadn’t enjoyed before. Bodey always held himself back, like he was scared of hurting me or something. Or maybe he was afraid of wanting too much.
    I gave as good as I got and we tumbled to the bed, our arms working at our waists to get closer. A shower would’ve been nice, but since it wasn’t an option, we ignored that need and met others.
    Somehow, I hoped the door was closed. As uncomfortable as everyone was just talking about sex, I doubted John would survive walking in on us. If John did walk in on us, Bodey might be the one that didn’t survive because of embarrassment.
    ~~~
    B odey pulled his shirt over his head, shrugging the hem down over his chest and back. “Yeah, I can’t believe I waited that long.” He grinned, watching me pull on a borrowed shirt and my tights. I hadn’t found a pair of jeans or cargo pants yet, but I would. The Scoggins had stored clothes almost as much as they’d hoarded first aid supplies. I felt closer to him than I had before, like the bliss had been the cement to bind us together.
    For our first time together, I hadn’t expected it to be so much fun. Where had the theory gone where life was supposed to go from bad to worse to worst? Walking in the woods and dealing with Charlie and the fire and Shane’s group chasing us had been worse, but Mom had died the year before so I knew what worst truly was.
    Being married to Bodey didn’t qualify as negative and being together had slammed us clear over the line