“How was work?” I manage to ask because the dinner is burning and I’m fucking starving. Sex will have to wait.
“Amanda was a nightmare today and Lex won’t leave me alone. He keeps showing up randomly and hanging out like he has nothing better to do,” he grumbles.
I chuckle at his narrowed stare.
“Want me to rough him up a bit? Make him leave you alone?”
Elliot’s eyebrows rise and he shakes his head. “No, eventually he’ll just go away. He’s made friends with some of the patients, so I can’t get rid of him just yet. Plus, he makes Amanda smile…sometimes. I’d hate to kill what little joy she may have residing inside of her.”
Fucker thinks I don’t know that Lex and him are friends. I even like the asshole. Lex has a way of growing on people––like mold, Elliot had said one day.
He moves toward the fridge and fills a cup with wine and then sips at it. He leans against the counter as he watches me cook.
“So, I was speaking to a colleague today who works at a surrogacy center and I wanted to discuss this with you before I chicken out.”
I turn off the stove and fold my arms across my chest, tilting my head as I take in what he’s trying to say. Elliot’s been good about not keeping things inside like he used to. It took a while, but now he’s mostly an open book.
“Gotta spell it out nice and slow for me, Eli. You saying you want to discuss having kids?” I ask, feeling my stomach clench in excitement.
“Well, yes.”
I run a hand along my jaw and Elliot arches an eyebrow at me.
“Do you have anything you’d like to say about it, Luke? This does involve you.”
“Yeah, well here’s the thing. I can’t have children without being married, Eli. I need to be respectable. What will people think when they don’t see a ring on my finger, and I have a baby in my arms?”
He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Fine.”
I push away from the counter. “You gonna ask me or am I gonna ask you?”
He grumbles under his breath, and I feel my spirits start to sink. Does this guy really not want to marry me? I live with him for fuck’s sake and we’re discussing babies.
“You don’t wanna marry me, Eli? Just say it, yeah?”
His eyes snap open and he gapes at me. “Of courseI want to marry you, Luke. It was supposed to be a surprise. That’s all.”
My eyebrows hit my hairline. “Huh?”
“This weekend, the trip to the beach, the hotel room…” he huffs. “I was going to ask you then.”
My lips curl up in a grin and I drag him close to me. “Yeah?”
“Yes of course. We wouldn’t want you to feel like you’re not respectable.”
I press my face into the side of his neck and inhale his scent.
“We’re gonna get married.”
He melts into me. “Yes.”
I squeeze him tightly. “We’re gonna have babies.”
“Yes.”
I grunt and slide my hands down his pants, gripping his ass. “You’re making me horny with all this commitment and responsibility talk, Doc.”
Elliot snorts but arches his hips into mine and I groan.