Page 129 of Beautiful Storm

“Hi, I—”

He doesn’t say a word before pulling me into his arms and wrapping me in his hold, allowing me to breathe him in. And God, is he the air that I didn’t know I needed.

“Are you okay?” he asks, holding me at arm’s length so he can look me in the eyes. “I didn’t see anyone taking a photo of us or I would have paid them off, and I would have been here sooner but I wanted to wait until morning. You said you were tired. But God, it’s a mess. I was walking through the airport today and the whispers were everywhere. Please tell me you’re alright.”

“I’m fine.” I smile to reassure him before adding, “Unless you count the fact that I was recognized at the local store this morning and told I was a lying whore. Okay, she didn’t actually say that, but the look she gave me screamed it in my face and it’s only a matter of time. Oh, and my mom called. It turns out she told my dad about our baby and you, and he thought it would bea great idea to speak to the media and tell them who I was. Have you actually seen the article? The photo is so clear and—”

“I’m sorry.”

“What?” I may have been staring at him since he walked through the door, but for the first time, I stop and really focus on him. And the regret in his expression guts me. “Oh, Luke. You have nothing to be sorry about. You didn’t do this.”

“I know, but it’s because of me that they made a big deal out of it. If you were walking down the street, pregnant with some other man’s baby, no one would have batted an eyelash.”

“Depends. If it was Preston’s they might have.”

“Amelia,” Luke growls, making me smile for the first time since my mom called. “Can we please not mention—”

“No, hear me out. This was always going to be my life. If I’d stayed with Preston, I would have been photographed. It’s something that’s always lingered in the back of my mind. But that’s not what bothers me in all this.”

“Okay?” His expression turns puzzled. “What is?”

“That we lost our bubble. It was nice knowing that we had this huge secret only a few people knew.”

The corners of Luke’s lips pull into a small grin before he reaches for my hand and tugs me toward him. “Yeah, it was. But we can keep that up.”

“How? The world will know soon enough.”

“True, but we can still keep secrets. Like the secret of me sneaking into your office to pleasure you while you’re editing the show.”

“What?” I bite back a laugh while that pleasure pools between my legs.

“Or the secret of what we’re going to name our kids or their due dates.”

“Kids?” I raise an eyebrow. “Plural?”

Luke laughs out loud as he tugs me again until I’m engulfed in his arms. “The point is that they don’t know everything. We’ve got some secrets left.”

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For being you.”

A spark flickers across his eyes but before I can process it, it’s gone. “You’re always welcome.” He smiles instead, but it barely lasts more than a second before it’s replaced by a scowl. “Now, who the fuck looked at you like you were a whore?”

His serious expression has my insides melting as I stare at the man that’s worked his way back into my heart, or maybe he’s the man that never truly left it.

“It was harmless, but thank you.”

“It’s not harmless if it hurts you.”

“I’m sure it’s not the worst that will happen.”

“Fuck, I hate that but you’re right. I want you to stay at my place.”

“Luke.”

“No, wait. Now it’s your turn to hear me out. You can come and go as you please, parking in my garage without anyone ever knowing. You’ll have more space. We can set up an office for you on the days you don’t feel up to going to the stadium. And…” He pauses, leaving me in suspense.

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