Page 114 of Beautiful Storm

“So tonight you’re mine,” he whispers as I close my eyes and breathe him in, the idea of that settling inside me. I hum in response, my way of saying yes, until he palms my face, making me open my eyes to stare at him. “But tomorrow we’re going to talk. I want more, Amelia. And I think you do too.”

My jaw drops as the air rushes from my lungs, and I’m just about to speak when Luke presses his mouth to mine.“Tomorrow,” he whispers against my lips. “Don’t think until tomorrow.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Luke

After cleaning ourselves up, Amelia yawns, so I jokingly carry her to bed, tucking her in like a child. She tries to resist, but to no one’s surprise, the second her head hits the pillow, her eyes drift shut.

“I just need a minute,” she whispers groggily, and I bite back a grin, waiting until her breathing slows before I sneak away, pausing at the door to glance back at her. She rolls to get comfortable, and I finally smile until her hand wraps protectively around her stomach and my body tenses.

While I could never regret what just happened, a heaviness settles in my chest, the truth of her reasoning weighing me down. Jelly Bean is my number one priority, but I can’t hide away from the fact that I’m falling for Amelia. Being with her again, having that connection, that pull, made my feelings stronger, and it’s too late to go back.

But where do we go from here?

I walk quietly into the living room and fall onto the couch, covering my face with my hands. This is more emotion than I’veever allowed myself to feel and there's a reason for that. I’m not sure I’m equipped to handle it. For years I’ve played the role of the easy going playboy, the comedian, the guy without a care in the world. And I played it well because I truly believed I was him.

It was easier to be that guy.

Itiseasier to be that guy.

But I was kidding myself to think I could stay that way forever.

Now I’m a husband and soon to be a dad. And as terrifying as that is, it’s the most real version of me that’s ever existed.

How do I stop myself from fucking it up?

I’m saying all the right things, but what if I’m wrong? What if I hurt her again?

I’m mid-spiral when the sound of my name cuts into my thoughts.

“Luke?” Amelia’s soft voice echoes through the silence, and at first I wonder if she’s talking to herself until she calls out again, her tone a little more frantic. “Luke?”

“I’m here. I’m here.” I jump up from the couch and jog into her room, pausing at the threshold. Amelia’s gaze drops to my naked chest before meeting my eyes, but there’s no lust in her expression. Instead she seems confused.

“I thought you’d gone.”

I smile at her sleepy state and shake my head. “Not yet.” I laugh until her face drops. “Wait. I didn’t mean that. I wasn’t planning on leaving.”

“Good.” She nods, a smile finally gracing her lips before she stretches through a yawn. “Is it tomorrow yet?”

“It’s not.” I smile. “You’ve barely been asleep.” Amelia pouts and it’s so goddamn beautiful it takes me a second to continue. “And youneedto sleep. You’ve got filming tomorrow and I have practice. We may not be playing this week, but I still need to keep up my A game.”

“I know. I know. But…if we’re not talking until tomorrow, will you stay?”

My eyes flash to the couch, thinking about how much I hated it last night, and despite loving it a little more now, I’m still not sure I can sleep there. “Ah…”

“With me.” Amelia giggles. “Here.” She pulls the sheet away from her body and pats the bed beside her. And this is it. Other than when I snuck into her bed at five a.m. this morning, I have never slept with another woman. Ever. And yet, with Amelia, it’s not as big a deal.

“That sounds a lot more appealing.” I slide in beside her and she curls into me but moves her hand awkwardly across my abs as though she doesn't know what to do with it. I grab her palm and settle it over my heart before pressing a kiss to her hair.

She moans happily, and that little sound breaks my resolve and I can’t wait anymore.

“I changed my mind. I want to talk now.” Amelia raises her brows as she glances up at me but doesn’t argue. “I may not know what the fuck I am doing, but I want us to spend a day together. On a date. I want to go back to the beginning. To do all the things we skipped. What do you say?”

Amelia stares at me with wide eyes before blinking a few times, and just when I think I’ve broken her, the most breathtaking smile lights up her face. “For the infamous Luke Bennett, that means more than a proposal, so… yes, I’d love to.”

Thank fuck.

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