Dani blinked slightly. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I know,” he said. He honestly didn’t want to give her time to overthink her decision to stay with him.
Something soft flickered across her expression again, and he realized that look was rapidly becoming addictive. “Okay,” she said quietly. Jonnas watched her leave his office, waiting untilshe disappeared down the hallway before finally looking at Elias, who was staring at him with entirely too much amusement.
“What?” Jonnas muttered.
Elias folded his arms. “You’re absolutely screwed.”
“I’m aware,” Jonnas mumbled.
“No, I don’t think you are.” Elias’s grin faded slightly. “You already love her.” The statement hit him like a punch to the chest, and Jonnas immediately opened his mouth to deny it, but stopped. Because no, he probably couldn’t deny it anymore—not honestly. Not after the way his chest tightened every time she looked overwhelmed. Not after the relief he felt when she agreed to come home with him. And not after the instinctive need clawing through him every second he spent near her.
Love—the word should’ve felt insane. Instead, it settled heavily into place like something inevitable. Jonnas leaned back against his desk slowly. “Fuck.”
Elias laughed softly. “Yeah. That’s usually how it starts.” For the first time in his life, Jonnas Black realized he didn’t just want Dani safe—he wanted her happy. He wanted her resting against his chest while he worked late on the couch. He wanted to hear her sleepy voice in the mornings. He wanted their baby in his arms, and his home filled with her. And suddenly, terrifyingly, forever didn’t sound long enough.
Dani
Dani spent the next four hours in a complete state of emotional chaos, which honestly shouldn’t have surprised her anymore. Not after accidentally admitting to Jonnas that she liked being taken care of, and not after agreeing to go home with him. Elias basically looked her dead in the eyes and implied that Jonnas was in love with her, and that part especially kept replaying in her head.
You already love her. She had overheard Elias say that to him after she left his office. The terrifying thing was that Jonnas hadn’t denied it. Every time she remembered that, her stomach flipped so hard she thought she might pass out.
“Earth to Dani.” Dani blinked hard as Brenda waved a hand in front of her face at the nurses’ station. “You’ve entered the void again,” Brenda said suspiciously.
“I’m just tired,” Dani defended.
“You’re glowing,” Brenda said.
“Oh my God,” Dani muttered. “Why does everyone keep saying that?”
Brenda narrowed her eyes. “Because you look like you got kissed stupid during your lunch break.”
Dani nearly inhaled her own tongue. “I did not!”
“Honey, I worked labor and delivery for twelve years before transferring here.” Brenda smirked knowingly. “I know the difference between nausea and dickmatized.” Dani choked on air as she tried to protest everything Brenda was saying. The older nurse burst out laughing. “You younger girls are too easy.”
“I hate this hospital,” Dani grumbled.
“No, you hate that the hot administrator finally knocked you up and now keeps staring at you like you hung the moon.” Dani froze, and Brenda’s eyes widened instantly.
“Oh my God,” she whispered. “It is Jonnas, isn’t it? I was just guessing, but I’m right, aren’t I?”
“I’m quitting,” Dani whispered back.
“No, you are not.” Brenda leaned across the desk dramatically. “You’re giving me details immediately.”
“There are no details,” Dani drawled.
“You’re pregnant with his baby. That feels like a detail,” Brenda insisted, looking way too delighted. Dani wanted the floor to open up and consume her whole. Before Brenda could interrogate her further, a familiar deep voice sounded from behind her.
“Why does she look traumatized?” Dani’s soul left her body instantly. Brenda looked entirely too pleased as Jonnas stepped up beside Dani, holding her coat folded over one arm. His suit jacket was gone, sleeves rolled up again, tie loosened slightly, and she noticed that he looked unfairly good. Especially when his eyes immediately softened the second they landed on her, making Dani’s pulse stumble.
“Your timing is horrible,” she muttered weakly. Brenda made a tiny squealing noise, and Dani contemplated murder.
Jonnas finally glanced toward Brenda. “Something funny?”
“Oh, absolutely,” Brenda replied.
