Page 38 of Dr. Stone (Billionaires’ Club #9)
THIRTY-THREE
Jace
Brandon was completely knocked out, breathing heavily against me. His small body was molded to my bare chest, one tiny fist pressed firmly like he’d claimed me. A light trail of drool rested on my skin as he breathed in slow, even rhythms.
I kept my voice low, continuing to read the latest cardiovascular journal on my phone like it was Goodnight Moon . I just needed to finish this last section, then I could finally put the little tyke to bed.
“The new hybrid procedure, a robotic-assisted valve repair combined with limited thoracotomy, has demonstrated an eighty-two percent reduction in perioperative mortality in early trials…”
I paused, eyebrows lifting in fascination. Glancing over at Brandon, I couldn’t help but snicker softly—apparently, he thought this stuff was a sedative. The poor kid was completely out, pacifier on the floor, the tiniest snore escaping him.
The moment brought me a sense of joy I didn’t think I’d ever felt before.
“So, groundbreaking cardiac innovation puts you to sleep. Noted,” I muttered under my breath. “If only this worked on the damn dog.”
I glanced up, seeing Andie curled in the oversized chair in the opposite corner. She looked like an angel. Hair spilled down one shoulder, head tilted and resting on her palm. Her legs tucked beneath her like she’d only meant to sit for a second before her body gave out.
“Well, shit. I start reading about hybrid surgical techniques, and the whole damn room passes out,” I whispered, half to Brandon, half to myself.
But then, silence. Something about it hit harder than I was ready for.
I was holding a boy who wasn’t mine and staring at a woman I never meant to fall for.
Every thought I’d had about Andie since that first night came rushing back—whatever had drawn me to her then was still here, only now, it cut deeper.
This was peace. And God help me, I didn’t want it to end.
Brandon stirred when I moved but didn’t wake. I carried him to bed, lowered him into the crib, and pulled the blanket over his legs. Smoothing the wisps of hair from his forehead, I grinned when he didn’t even flinch.
“Sleep tight, little man,” I whispered.
I turned back to Andie—still knocked out, looking more attractive than I could explain.
I should’ve left her there, but something about her unguarded softness, her face free of the tension she wore like armor, made it impossible.
I bent down, slid one arm beneath her knees, the other around her back, and lifted her gently.
She stirred a little, then relaxed her head against my chest. A sigh escaped her lips as she instinctively curled into me—the same way Brandon had—undoing me in ways I wasn’t prepared for.
I carried her down the hall, pulled back the covers, and eased her onto the bed. She looked so damn peaceful I didn’t want to wake her—but selfishly, I wished she would’ve stirred, now that the house was quiet, so we could pick up where we left off.
Oddly, as much as I ached for her in my arms—making love to her until sunrise—there was something even more intense about just standing here, caught in feelings I didn’t recognize. She murmured something as I tucked her in, then went still again.
Tonight, I’d read about a breakthrough surgery that could change how we save lives. But this? This felt like a breakthrough I never saw coming. Andie and her son. This quiet life I never thought I wanted.
It was cracking me open. And for the first time in years, I didn’t want to close back up.
I pulled the blanket one last time, smoothing it gently over her thigh before stepping back. Still flushed from earlier, but deeper in sleep, she was stunning. After that night on the yacht, I’d passed out so fast I never really saw her like this—her true, natural beauty.
If we could make this work, I could be the happiest bastard on the planet.
I smiled at the thought. We were heading somewhere together. And the best part? I wasn’t scared anymore of failing her, of screwing it up, of not being enough.
I quietly gathered my clothes, crossed the room, and reached for the doorknob.
“Jace?” Andie’s soft, sleepy voice stopped me.
“Yeah, gorgeous?” I turned and smiled at her warm eyes.
Her lazy grin held more than just desire, and damn it if I didn’t love her in that moment.
She propped on one elbow. “Were you going to leave without saying goodbye?”
“I didn’t want to wake you,” I said. “You looked peaceful, and after tonight, I thought keeping the house quiet was best.”
Her lips curved. “Tonight was definitely unexpected. I’m sorry about that.”
I sat on the bed beside her. “I’m the one who insisted Duke stay part of your life. I just never expected the little bastard would make sure I stayed miserable if I wanted to be part of it, too.”
She chuckled, studying me. I could feel her eyes moving over me like she was seeing something new.
“Sorry I fell asleep on you while you were reading,” she murmured with a faint tease.
I smiled. “I’m still baffled how a breakthrough on valve repairs could knock you both out. At least Brandon was riveted for about twelve seconds.”
Her gentle smile softened into something deeper.
“I heard you reading,” she said, fingertips tracing along my bicep. Her serious eyes met mine. “And I saw the way you were with him earlier, when you didn’t know I was watching.”
My throat tightened. “Yeah?”
“It was…” she inhaled. “Something I never expected to see.”
I slid my hand into her hair, aching to pick up where we’d left off, but wanting something more now. Not just sex.
“I didn’t expect it either,” I admitted.
Her eyes searched mine. “So, now what?”
I looked at her—bare legs tangled in cotton sheets, hair wild, eyes glowing softly in the lamplight—and felt that pull in my chest.
Brushing my fingers along her jaw, I whispered, “Now? I’m going to sit with you. And if you fall asleep again, I’m staying this time.”
She caught my hand. “Then lie down.”
She didn’t let go, just shifted to her side, lifting the blanket in invitation. I hesitated, because once I slid into that bed, I wasn’t just lying down with her. I was letting go of every wall I’d built.
She watched me, quietly waiting—like she’d rather I walk now than later if I couldn’t choose her fully.
But the thought of losing her scared me more than anything. So I slid in beside her.
She smiled softly. “You okay? It’s strange how sex seems easier for us than just cuddling.”
“No shit.” I laughed nervously, hand finding her waist beneath the thin shirt. I kissed her forehead, then met her eyes. “And the answer is no, gorgeous. I’m not okay at all.”
That made her grin. “Me neither.”
She settled against me, her head on my shoulder, her leg brushing mine. Her breath warmed my skin. Every sense came alive. Fucking had been easier. But this—the quiet, unspoken intimacy—was stronger.
Her fingers traced lazy circles on my chest. “Jace?”
“Yeah, gorgeous?”
“You really want to do this, huh? After tonight? Go down this road?”
“Maybe tonight happened to shake off the last of my nerves. I don’t want to hurt you. I’m terrified I’ll screw something up, and I couldn’t forgive myself if I did. But I also can’t stay away. I want more. I need more.”
“Then let’s take it slow,” she reassured. “You can go home if you’d like, or we can try to have sex quietly,” she laughed at how dead that moment was, “or we can just lay here.”
“I just don’t want to wake you when I get up at three to head home and get ready for work.”
“Three in the morning? Why?”
“Two surgeries back-to-back.”
She frowned. “Baby, if you need real sleep, go home. We’ll?—”
I kissed her hand. “I like when you call me baby,” I admitted, shocked I even cared. “And I’ll be fine. Maybe tomorrow you and Brandon can come over to my place?”
“I’d love that, but what about Duke?”
“Jake owes me for assisting tomorrow, so he can skip guys’ night and dog-sit. I’ll stand up the boys for you.”
The night had taken a turn I never saw coming, but I was glad it had. Duke was going to be an issue, but I’d figure him out. For now, I was happy. For the first time in years, I couldn’t wait to fall asleep with someone in my arms—and wake up actually looking forward to what came next.