Page 46 of Secret Baby for Dr. Grump

“Yes, Riley. It’s my building. It’s where they produce what I sell.”

“You own the whole building?” she asks, her voice filled with awe.

“Yes, I do.”

“What do you sell?”

“Let’s walk around while I explain.”

Olivia’s quiet, but there’s no missing the awed look on her face, much like how awed she was when she stepped into my penthouse suite for the first time. But this isn’t meant to be a brag. This is meant to show her that I’m not just a doctor—and that me being one has a greater purpose.

“Riley, this is where they reproduce the device I patented. Patented means it’s my original creation. Do you want to know what the device is for?”

At her nod, I try to explain in simpler terms that the device is for monitoring neurological behavior without having to go to the hospital and getting attached to a piece of heavy equipment. While it might not be as thorough as the heavier equipment, it can monitor enough to warn a patient if something’s not right so they can head to the hospital right away for further checkup.

I then direct them to the IT area, where my group of programmers is located. I explain that I came up with the idea for software that helps analyze the images the device produces at a basic level, and my team is working on developing it for easier access to the public. Riley is engrossed with everything I’m saying, seemingly interested in the idea of helping other people out.

Olivia, in the meantime, is staring at me point-blank. When her stare doesn’t waver, I finally look at her.

“What?”

She hesitates, then says, “You’re amazing.”

I soften. “I am?” Then, because I can’t resist, I keep going. “Why?”

“Because despite already doing all of this and having everything, you’re still dedicated to being a neurosurgeon.”

I don’t expect her answer to be so sincere and it catches me off guard. I nod, my throat dry.

“I was a doctor first. The technology helps, but it’s just an asset. Being a doctor is more important.”

“My point stands. That’s amazing. You’re amazing.”

Emotion rises inside me, creating a lump in my throat. Wanting to keep things light, I sidle closer and whisper in her ear.

“Amazing enough to let me touch you again?”

Her breath hitches, softly enough that only I get to hear it. Her eyes flash with heat, too, confirming that I’m not the only one not over it. I expect her to rebuff me, though…not to turn her head so she can whisper back, her lips deliberately brushing against my earlobe.

“That depends on how late Riley sleeps tonight.”

Shit. Just like that, I’m hard as a rock and having a difficult time with my tightening pants. I glare at Olivia, who bites back her laughter and takes pity on me as she steps away to catch up to Riley, who’s just a few steps ahead.

The building’s main office provides a welcome distraction, with Riley oohing and aahing over the big, polished desk and chair. But she grows bored soon enough and sends me a pleading look.

“Can we get cake after this?” The pleading look then turns toward Olivia. “Please, Mom? Like the cupcakes that Luke got us the last time?”

I glance at the time, then at the amused Olivia. I answer for her. “Only if you eat dinner first, missy.”

“Sweet!”

Now Riley’s obsessed with comparing strawberry shortcakes to cupcakes, and I humor her as I take the cake side and say that bigger is better. Olivia takes Riley’s side, arguing that cupcakes make for better bites. We’re still debating when we reach the lobby, where I spot a familiar figure approaching us.

“Luke, hey. Fancy seeing you today. Do you guys have a meeting?”

I shake my head and greet Henry Milton, then introduce him to the two. “Henry, these are Olivia and Riley, my guests for today. This is Henry, the head of our customer service team.”

Olivia tilts her head. “You have a customer service team?”

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