Page 110 of Beautiful Storm

Luke frowns and his brows crease almost comically. It would be cute if my heart wasn’t threatening to beat out of my chest. He doesn’t say anything for the longest moment and then… “Maybe I am?” he rasps, his voice cracking. “Or at least, maybe I’m on my way there.”

“What?” I shake my head as I step back. “Don’t be ridiculous. Is this about the sex?”

“What sex?”

“This morning.”

“Amelia,” he chuckles as he speaks, “that wasn’t sex. If we had sex, you wouldn’t be questioning my feelings right now.”

“What does that mean? Luke, do you realize how crazy that sounds? You don’t love me. You can’t and— Oh.” I let out a gasp and freeze, my eyes flashing to my stomach as a strange sensation takes over me.

“Amelia—”

“Wait.” I grab Luke’s arm as if holding him in place is going to silence him. “Please.”

He does as I ask, and we both stand quietly while I pray to get the sensation again. I’m just about to give up and continue with our conversation when it happens.

“Luke,” I whisper, a fresh layer of tears pricking the back of my eyes as I glance up at him. “I felt Jelly Bean kick.” I’ve felt movement before like a swish through my middle, but this was definitely a karate move.

“What?” he asks in awe, his voice so soft I wouldn't have heard it if I wasn’t paying attention. If I thought his eyes reflected love before, it’s nothing compared to the intense stare he’s pinning me with now.

“Bean’s kicking,” I confirm, trying to ignore the butterflies threatening to take over me. “Do you… ah… do you want to feel?”

I don’t know if he’ll be able to feel anything, but at this moment, now, I want him to know that he can. To extend a small branch to show him that I know he’s here. That it’s not just me.

His eyes drop to my stomach before moving back to my face. “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

The word has barely left my lips when Luke’s huge hand slides through the gap in my robe, before he tentatively palms my stomach, making me giggle.

“You won’t feel it like that. Here.” I place my hand over his and push down, adding a little pressure. And then we wait.

Seconds tick by with neither of us moving a muscle until it happens again, softer this time, but still, my eyes light up as a giddy excitement runs through me. “Did you feel that?” I ask.

Luke frowns, his silence breaking my heart.

“I’m sorry.” I frown along with him. “Maybe it’s too early to feel it from the outside?”

“Don’t be sorry.” He waves off my concern. “Your euphoric expression is more than enough. For now. I can’t remember the last time I saw you that happy, thatexcitedabout something.”

My nose scrunches at his compliment and I shy away. “It’s surreal but also wonderful and I’m sorry.”

“Don’t. Be. Sorry,” Luke repeats pointedly before laughing. “I’m happy that I was here for it.” He reaches up and cups my face again, his gaze rendering me speechless until I remember that it shouldn’t.

Our eyes bounce back and forth until I can’t take it anymore, the tension overwhelming me.

“Luke,” I whisper, shaking my head.

“I can’t stop thinking about you, Amelia. I’ve never let another woman consume me like you do. And it’s not because you’re carrying my child. It’s been like that since we were kids. I may have thought I hated you, but I couldn’t get you out of my mind.”

I suck in a breath, trying not to gasp while his words take over me, working hard to fill my self-doubt. But it’s still there.

“What if it’s fleeting? What if I allow myself to want you and you change your mind?”

“Jesus. What the fuck did he do?”

“Who?”

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