As he climbed into bed, Mac glanced over at Michelle and saw that she was frowning as she read through her magazine. He watched her for a minute, but when the frown only deepened, he reached out and rested his hand on her thigh.
"Everything okay?" he asked.
She glanced up at him and then back down at her magazine. "I'm just a little…perturbed."
"By what?"
She sighed and pointed at the article she was reading. "It's about the average number of lovers people have in their lives. And the number is…higher, than I expected."
"What is it?"
"Seven."
He watched her intently. "And you've had less?"
Michelle nodded. "Three."
Mac wondered if he was walking into dangerous territory, but he couldn't stop himself from asking. "Before me or including me?"
She looked over and smiled at him. Leaning closer, she kissed his cheek and snuggled against his chest, letting her magazine fall to the side. "Including you." She laced her fingers through his. "You, Tony and my college boyfriend. That's it."
Mac brought his other hand to her hair, his fingers running through it gently. "Was it a long time between your boyfriend and meeting Tony?"
She nodded. "A few years. David…it didn't end well. Until I met Tony, I wasn't sure I'd get involved with anybody ever again."
He willed himself to keep his fingers going through her hair. "That bad?"
She was silent for a long time. "He convinced me I was nothing without him," she whispered. "It took me a long time to get the courage to leave him. Scariest thing I've ever done in my life."
Mac held her tighter, kissing the top of her head. "I'm sorry," he murmured.
She placed a gentle kiss on his chest. "It's okay. I've had two of the most amazing men since then. And I wouldn't trade either of you." They were both silent for a minute, and then she smirked. "You've had more, haven't you?"
"More what?"
"Lovers."
She looked up just in time to see a faint blush rise to his cheeks as he cleared his throat. "Yes. A few."
"It can't be that bad."
His blush deepened. "According to your article, my number is…just about average."
Michelle's smirk grew into a grin. "Higher or lower?"
"Lower…" He sighed. "Six."
She laughed, and kissed him. "It's okay, Mac. I don't care how many women you've been with before me. You're mine now. That's all that matters."
He saw the truth of her words in her eyes, and he kissed her deeply. "I was hoping you'd be my last," he said quietly, his mouth moving to her neck.
Michelle's eyes closed as she shifted her body closer. "I'd really like that."
He rolled until he was on top of her. "Good," he whispered. "Because I have no intention of letting you go."
Her only response was to hold him tighter.