Jamison said nothing, but something unmistakable shifted in his eyes. He stayed perfectly still, her hand gently lifting his chin, his gaze meeting Ivy’s as she looked down at him. Up close, her features were flawless, every detail impossibly delicate.
“Do you really trust me that much?” he finally asked, breaking the silence.
“I do. Even when Celeste Quinn was flirting with you, I never worried. You’re smart, talented, and of course women are drawn to you–I’m not blind. But if I was the jealous, insecure type, you couldn’t do your job. After all, it’s not just female doctors you work with; there are plenty of nurses too. You spend way more time with them than you do with me.”
There was more she didn’t say out loud–that he always claimed the finance world was a mess, with all sorts of tangled relationships, but wasn’t the medical field just the same? Scandals about doctors cheating with other doctors, or nurses falling for married men and driving out their wives, made headlines all the time.
Truth was, wherever people gathered, there was drama. Every profession had its ugly side, but there was more good than bad. She couldn’t control anyone else’s choices, only hold to her own principles–staying true to herself no matter what.
“Whatever you wanted me to swear just now, I can promise you too,” Ivy continued. “I’ll be faithful to you, and to our marriage. If there ever comes a day I don’t love you anymore, I’ll tell you honestly–I’ll never lie or cheat.”
She raised her hand, half-smiling. “And if that’s not enough, I can make a solemn vow right now: if there ever comes a day I-”
Before she could finish, Jamison reached up and covered her mouth, just as she’d done to him moments ago.
“I don’t care what happens–I’d never wish anything bad on you. Don’t say things like that. Words can be unlucky,” he murmured, his voice soft and gentle, the irritation gone.
Ivy’s eyes dropped to his, searching his gaze and catching the subtle shift in his mood. They shared a quiet smile. She took his hand in hers, squeezed it, and whispered, “Let’s hope this is the last time we ever have to discuss this.”
Jamison grinned. “No promises. If anyone ever bothers you at work or makes you uncomfortable, I’ll still try to talk you into finding a new job.”
She thought for a moment, then nodded. “Fair enough. If I can’t handle it, if it starts affecting my life, I’ll seriously consider it.”
That seemed to settle things between them; Jamison’s features finally relaxed. He leaned in, aiming for a kiss.
Ivy tipped her head back, warning, “No kissing on the lips.”
“I wasn’t-”
“Nope. Not allowed,” she insisted.
He sighed, then relented, pressing a kiss to her cheek instead and pulling her into a tight embrace.
She melted against him, her head drooping onto his shoulder, her voice soft and lazy. “I’m starting my internship next week…”
“So soon?”
“After lying in the hospital all month, I’m going stir-crazy. I should’ve started ages ago.”
Jamison hesitated, then nodded. “Alright. But don’t push yourself too hard. You’re still recovering.”
“I know.”
They held each other for a while longer before Ivy slipped from his arms. “Come on, let’s go to bed.”
Jamison shot her a playful look. “Didn’t you say we needed boundaries? Now you’re asking me to sleep with you?”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re the one who insisted there are only three ways to transmit germs. When I say ‘sleep,’ I mean literally sleep. Nothing else.”
Jamison just stared, momentarily speechless. He hadn’t dared hope for anything more–after all, Ivy was still recovering from her procedure. The doctor had said she’d need at least two months to fully heal before they could be intimate again.
He’d have to channel monk-like restraint for a while.
But after a fight and a reconciliation, it was only natural to crave a little comfort. So when they finally crawled into bed together, Dr. Ludwig couldn’t resist. He managed to find every possible excuse to snuggle up to her, making the most of every innocent touch.