Page 89 of Secret Baby for Dr. Grump

God. It’s like getting whiplash. “You what? Luke…”

He shrugs. “It’s the best hospital in the state for me, but I’m fine working in other places since they also offer great facilities. I have connections and I can still land on my own two feet. That’s what power does and I’ve decided to wield it. But that power, it doesn’t matter, Liv. I could have no hospital accepting me right now, and I would still choose to step back.”

“Luke…” Because he loves me. But I still ask, anyway. “Why?”

Just like that, the intensity in his eyes magnify into such pure light, the love clear and bright. I stagger from the emotions brimming from him and sweeping me off my feet, even more so when he finally answers.

“Because I don’t mind losing the job, Liv, or my career. But I can’t stand the thought of losing you.”

I open my mouth, but no words come out. Luke doesn’t seem to mind as he ambles closer until there are only inches of space between us. I know the moment he inhales my scent because it sets my skin on fire and quivers my knees.

Then he whispers in my ear. “I’m still mad at you, you know.”

I blink and look up. “You are?”

He nods solemnly, his hand cupping my cheek. Before I can think about it, I lean into the contact. “For not telling me. For pushing me away. I get it, but it hurt.”

I hurt at his words, too, and how much I hurt him, but I find my hands reaching out. Drawing him closer.

“I’m sorry. Luke, I’m sorry for hurting you.”

“I get it. You were trying to protect me.”

But I’m starting to understand now that Luke can protect me, too, and it doesn’t have to be me alone. It’s what he’s been telling me from the start: that we’re a team, and not just when it comes to Riley. And now I get it.

He grumbles, interrupting my train of thought.

“Sorry won’t do.” His hands find my waist. He looks down, frowning, no, pouting. “I need kisses to make it all better.”

Oh, God.

Laughter spurts out of my throat, unbidden but so welcome. My heart heals itself, the cracks slowly mending as he leans his head—and on instinct, I close the remaining distance between us and kiss him as I mean it.

Because I mean it, with all my heart and soul. And I let him feel it until we’re sinking, soaring, flying.

“Is that enough?” I say in between pauses of breath.

His hands grip me tighter as he shakes his head and takes more. “I might need more convincing. And an answer to my proposal.”

The glinting ring snags my attention again, still hooked to his pinky. But he’s much brighter and more interesting to me, so I tiptoe and kiss him harder, involving my tongue this time until his groan echoes in the room. I laugh in his mouth, my joy bursting from my seams.

“Is that enough, Luke? To convince you and as an answer?”

In response, he initiates the next kiss, attacking me with a fervor that leaves me moaning and trembling.

“Fuck. Yes. You’re really going to marry me? You’re really going to be my wife?”

How can one say no to that desperate question?

And really, how can one say no to Luke?

He believes in me when I sometimes don’t even believe in myself. He lifts me while letting me still be myself. He makes me realize that while I will sometimes be at my lowest and need to land on my own two feet, there’s no harm in having a support system—in accepting his and Riley’s love and help.

“What do you think?”

His eyes implore mine. “Say yes, baby. Make all the hurt go away.”

I grin. I hold out my ring finger.

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