Page 73 of Dr. Stone

“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.”