Page 78 of Accidental Doctor Daddy

A lazy smile tugged at my lips, recalling how Amanda agreed to watch the twins all night so I didn’t have to rush home. No crying babies, no bottles, no reason to panic if I wasn’t there to soothe them. I missed them, sure, but the novelty of having zero responsibilities for once felt heady and luxurious. Dom and I used that freedom well.

I had the soreness to prove it.

I shifted, blinking away the morning haze, and spotted him in the doorway, leaning against the frame with a cocky expression. He wore only a pair of low-slung pajama pants, and the sight made my pulse skip.

“Morning,” he said softly, voice still rough with sleep.

“Morning,” I replied, propping myself on an elbow. “You always wake up this early? Or did you never sleep?”

A low chuckle rumbled in his chest. “I slept, eventually. Hard not to, after that workout you gave me.”

“You know, if you keep bragging about your stamina, I’ll hold you to higher standards.”

“Wouldn’t dream of disappointing you,” he teased. Then, his expression softened as he crossed to the bed, sitting on the edge. “How do you feel about leaving the twins with the nanny all night?”

I pursed my lips, scanning the sleek décor of his bedroom. Everything screamed modern, expensive, and carefully curated, from the minimalist furniture to the abstract art on the walls. It was worlds away from the cozy cluttered chaos of my place.

“Honestly, it’s weird,” I admitted. “A part of me freaks out thinking they might need me. But the other part is like, ‘Hallelujah, a full night of grown-up time’.”

He nodded, sympathy in his gaze. “I remember those conflicting emotions. But trust me, they’re fine. Amanda’s a pro, and you deserve a break.”

My heart fluttered at his gentle reassurance. I let out a sigh, pushing a stray lock of hair behind my ear. “Thank you for this weekend. I needed it.”

Dom smiled, leaning down to press a soft kiss to my forehead. “Anytime. Coffee?”

“You’re a god among men.”

He chuckled and fetched me a cup. Rich and satisfying. Like Dom.

Eventually, I swung my legs over the side, letting the plush rug sink beneath my toes. “So,” I said, shooting him a playful glance, “what’s for breakfast in the land of luxury? You have a private chef, or do I get to rummage through your presumably well-stocked fridge?”

He chuckled. “No private chef, just me. But you’re welcome to rummage. I think there’s some fruit, maybe eggs.” He shrugged, as though unsure what exactly lived in his own fridge.

“Of course, the brilliant Dr. Mortoli can’t remember what groceries he has,” I teased. Standing, I glanced around for my scattered clothes—evidence of last night’s fervor. “Bet you can recall the entire anatomy of the human body, though.”

He smirked. “I’d be a lousy surgeon if I couldn’t.”

I tugged on one of his T-shirts—soft, smelling of him—and followed him through the spacious apartment, taking in the panoramic view of Manhattan. “Still can’t believe how big this place is,” I muttered, trailing behind him. “Makes my apartment look like a dollhouse.”

He paused near the open-concept kitchen, turning with a fond smile. “You said that last night, too, remember?”

I shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “Well, it’s still true.” The memory of “last night” made my cheeks flare, but I swallowed the flutter in my chest. “So, your medical device company? Is that how you can afford this place?”

Dom’s lips twitched, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Still can’t believe you thought I was exaggerating when I told you about it on vacation.” He opened the fridge, rummaging for ingredients. “But yes, that’s how. I built a company around my inventions. Still own the majority of shares, though I barely do more than a quarterly check-in these days.”

“So you just…what, decided to keep working the ED for kicks?” I leaned against the marble countertop, crossing my arms.

He shrugged, pulling out a carton of eggs and some vegetables. “Saving lives directly is what keeps me going. If I sat in a boardroom all day, I’d go crazy. The ED is where I thrive.”

I watched him with a half-smile, noticing how comfortable he seemed talking about something that would be a bragging pointfor most. He rummaged for a pan, totally relaxed in his domain, but I see the spark in his eyes when he talked about helping people.

“And you plan to jump ship for administration?” I pressed, arching a brow. “Thought you said the ED was your first love.”

“Emergency surgery is. But it’s a young man’s game, Ella. I’m still at my peak, but eventually, my body will fail. I’ve seen it happen to other surgeons—they hit the wall. A tremor in their hand, losing focus at a critical moment. They’re natural signs of aging, but…” He sighed. “That’s my nightmare. So, I’d rather move into an admin role while I’m still ahead, help shape policy and patient care on a larger scale.”

“Damn,” I murmured, leaning closer. “You’re unstoppable, you know that? Medical devices, top surgeon, future hospital exec. Gonna run for president next?”

He let out a laugh that crinkled the corners of his eyes. “I take back what I said about aging out of surgery. I have a new nightmare.”

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