Pulse - McHugh Gail - Страница 50

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An hour, and a not-so-awkward drive later, Gavin pulled into the driveway of his childhood oasis. Located just outside the city, the grand, Tudor-style home sat on the shores of Sheldrake Lake in the plush hills of Croton, New York. It was one of the few places Gavin always found reprieve. However, as the rich, crimson glow of the sky started to fade into darkness, Gavin wasn’t sure this evening would bring much peace. As Emily slipped from the car and reached for his hand, Gavin could tell her mood had shifted. His heart sank like a rock as he swallowed her up in his arms, cradling her protectively against his chest. Her body trembled with that all-too-recognizable fear Gavin had unfortunately come to know.

“I swear to you everything’s going to be all right, baby,” he whispered, pressing his lips against the top of her head. The promise came out as easy and instinctive as the love he had for her.

“I hope so,” she answered meekly, tears in her eyes when she looked at him. “It’ll kill me if your relationship with your mother becomes messed up by this.”

“I don’t want you worrying,” he said, tracing figure eights on the small of her back. “Everything’s going to be fine with my mother. My father knows how to work her. Thirty plus years of marriage does that.”

Emily gave a weak nod, wanting to believe him. She pulled in a slow breath and tangled her fingers in his as they began to climb the cobblestone steps up to the front door.

Gavin stopped, able to tell she was still a mess. “Twenty questions.”

“Now?” Emily asked, confusion jumping over her expression.

“Yes now. You need it.” Gavin circled his arms around her waist, pulling her into him. “I’ll make sure you’re not thinking about anything that has to do with my mother by the time I’m done with you.”

Emily shook her head, a light giggle escaping her lips. “Oh, there’s no doubt in my mind you’ll have me thinking about something else. Go ahead. I know you get to go first.”

A slow grin slid across Gavin’s mouth. He already knew the answer to his first question. Emily always had her face buried in one. “Books or movies?”

Emily rolled her eyes. “What do you think?”

“I have no idea.” Gavin shrugged, attempting to play stupid with his sexy bookworm. “That’s why I’m asking.”

“Books,” Emily sighed. “You’re not as observant as I thought.”

Gavin chuckled. “That all depends on what I’m observing.” He held Emily closer, enjoying that she looked somewhat annoyed. He’d definitely taken her mind off the mother situation. “Your turn.”

“Bond or Bourne?”

Gavin’s mouth twitched into a smirk. “As in James or Jason?”

“You’re a quick one.”

“I’m as quick as they come, sweets.” Gavin brushed his lips against hers. “And of course I’m a James Bond man. Remember? My balcony?”

“I have not a clue what you’re talking about,” Emily replied with a furrowed brow.

“It seems you’re not as observant as I thought.” Emily stared at him blankly, and Gavin took the opportunity to dramatically roll his eyes. “The night we first played bottle caps on my balcony. You came out. I scared you. I said, ‘No. It’s Gavin. Gavin Blake.’”

“Oh my God. You’re such a geek,” Emily laughed, hugging him. “James Bond says it the other way around.” Emily deepened her voice, adding a British accent. “‘It’s Bond, James Bond.’”

Gavin frowned. His sexy bookworm was right. “Okay. You win. But it was still double O seven-ish.”

Still maintaining the British accent, Emily said, “Yes, it was. Kind of. Go ahead, Blake, Gavin Blake. It’s your turn.”

Yeah. Emily was definitely making him feel like a geek. Smiling, he shook his head. “Granite or marble?”

“Umm… granite.”

“Why did your answer sound like a question?”

“I don’t know.” Emily shrugged. Lately, he had a freakishly odd fascination with those types of questions. She figured he was just excited to get his architect magazines. “I don’t usually sit around thinking about stuff like that.”

Gavin kissed her, and although Emily shivered, he could tell it wasn’t his doing. She was getting cold. “I wouldn’t expect you to. Come on. We’ll go in now.”

She nodded.

Confident he’d taken Emily’s mind off his mother, Gavin turned the handle to find it was locked, so he rang the bell.

With a genuine, warm smile, Gavin’s father opened the door. He shook Gavin’s hand and pulled Emily in for a hug. Flicking his light blue eyes down to his watch, Chad closed the door. “You’re quite early. Your mother’s still at the grocery store picking up a few items for dinner.”

Gavin looked at Emily, the confused expression in her eyes alerting him she was onto him. She stared, scrutinizing his face as she searched for answers he wasn’t ready to give. He brought his attention back to his father, feeling like a fool caught in a web of lies. Clearing his throat, he helped Emily slip off her coat. “When I spoke to her earlier, I could’ve sworn she said five.”

“Nope. Seven fifteen.” Chad reached for Emily and Gavin’s coats and hung them in the foyer closet. “Bad hearing at your age is a sign of working long hours. You and your brother need a break.”

Grinning, Gavin crossed his arms. “Pop, I just got back from a break. I’m cool. Really.”

Chad shrugged, his tone holding nonchalance. “Eh, another can’t hurt. You’re young. Live it up.” Slapping Gavin’s back as he led them into the den, he let out a full, hearty chuckle. “Don’t tell your mother I said that, though.”

Gavin smirked, depositing himself and Emily onto the chenille sofa. “She’d put you on restriction from watching CSI if she knew you were trying to get me to play hooky.”

“She’d do worse than that, but I’d rather not go into details.” Smiling, he clapped once and looked at Emily. “I know you can’t have any liquor, but can I offer you something else? We have raspberry iced tea, water, and a few juices.”

“I’ll take a water, Mr. Blake. Thank you.”

With a loving gleam in his eyes, he smiled. “You’re part of our family now, so I insist on you not calling me Mr. Blake. Pop seems to be the cool name for me among my kids, including my daughter-in-law. You’re no different. Good?”

His acceptance of her and the situation spread warmth through Emily’s chest. In that moment, she understood where Gavin had acquired the charm and charisma he was born with. “Good. I’ll take a water, Pop.” The word felt foreign leaving her lips.

He shot her a wink and started for the kitchen. “Very good. I’m going to get the appetizers started. Son, a cold bottle of Sam Adams?”

“Yeah. That’ll work,” Gavin answered as his father disappeared around the corner. Sliding Emily’s hand over his lap, Gavin pushed her hair away from her neck and leaned into her ear. “You look beautiful.”

Turning to face him, she lifted a slow, suspicious brow. “Oh do I? I wouldn’t have thought so considering you didn’t want to fool around earlier.” She watched him gnaw at his bottom lip, his vibrant blue eyes revealing more than they should. For a second, her heart took a nosedive, her words falling from her mouth faster than she could comprehend. “I scheduled an appointment at a local gym with an instructor who helps pregnant women keep in shape. I won’t gain that much weight.”

Gavin reared back. “You think it has to do with your weight?”

“I’ve gained a few pounds. What else am I supposed to think? You’ve never turned down sex with me, Gavin. My hormones are raging right now, and yours… well, yours are usually no better than a teenage boy. You said you were sick last night, and then before, you just… didn’t want to. Admit you’re turned off.” Emily looked down, her voice trailing. “Oh, and nice try with the whole having to be here early excuse.”

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