Twins on the Way

by Janice Maynard

  Gavin had a funny look on his face. “I’m glad you approve.”

  “May I drive?” She looked at him beseechingly, her fingers itching to touch the controls.

  He shook his head. “No, Cass. These mountain roads aren’t like your straight desert highways. And this is a lot of car to handle.”

  She faced him toe to toe. “Please? Pretty, please? I’ll be as careful as an old lady on her way to church.”

  They were so close she could feel the heat of his body. That heat brought back a lot of memories. They weren’t touching, not at all. But they might as well have been. Arousal bloomed hot and vicious, making her catch her breath. When she would have backed away, Gavin took her wrist, his thumb pressed firmly against her wildly racing pulse.

  “If it means that much to you, then okay. You can drive.” The words were husky, as though his throat was as constricted as hers. “But keep it under thirty-five.”

  “Yes, Gavin,” she said meekly.

  His snort of laughter told her he wasn’t fooled by her docility.

  As she slid behind the wheel, Gavin went to the passenger side and sat down, handing her the key fob. When she started the engine, she felt the power vibrate through her veins. She closed her eyes for a moment, enjoying the sensation.

  Her companion tapped her on the cheek. “Hello in there. Do you think we could get this party started?”

  She shot him a look. “You’re so impatient.” Stroking the dashboard, she sighed. “This is one sexy car. It deserves to be appreciated.”

  “Appreciate it on your own time. I’m starving.”

  * * *

  Gavin liked his car. A lot. But it took on a whole new persona with Cassidy behind the wheel. Her face was a study in delight. She showed no hesitance at all in backing around and sending the car hurtling down the driveway. When Gavin grabbed the door handle instinctively, she laughed out loud.

  If Cassidy thought his car was sexy, that was nothing compared to how he regarded the whole experience from the passenger seat. Watching her drive his Porsche was almost as good as taking her hard and fast and hearing her cry out when he made her come.

  Perhaps dinner en famille was not the best idea he’d ever had. What would she say if he asked her to turn around and go back to his house?

  He never had the chance to find out. They arrived at the Silver Beeches Lodge in no time at all. Cassidy eyed the elegant hotel with appreciation. “Fancy,” she said, climbing out of the car.

  “It’s the family business. My oldest brother, Liam, and our mother, Maeve, keep it filled to capacity. Don’t be surprised if you bump into a movie star or a politician.”

  “I get the impression that your family owns a big chunk of the town.”

  He took her arm as they climbed the wide, shallow front steps. “Kavanagh ancestors built the town of Silver Glen. So in a way, yes. But it has expanded over the years.”

  “But hasn’t lost its alpine charm.”

  “That’s the idea. The business owners want to attract a certain clientele, so the shops are high-end and the paparazzi aren’t welcome.”

  In the grand lobby of the hotel they ran into Conor. Gavin introduced Cassidy to his younger brother and watched as Cass dazzled him, as well. Conor looked gobsmacked. Since Conor had a certain reputation with the ladies, that was saying a lot.

  Cassidy bubbled over with enthusiasm, giving Conor a quick blow-by-blow of driving the Porsche.

  Conor looked over at Gavin with a raised eyebrow. “You let her drive your precious car? Damn it, man. You won’t even let me think about driving it.”

  Gavin cuffed Conor on the back of the head. “Cass is a lot cuter than you are. Buy your own damn car.”

  The brothers squabbled amicably as they flanked Cass arm in arm and headed for the hotel dining room. The obsequious maître d’ unbent enough to offer a smile as he led them across the floor to where Maeve Kavanagh was already seated at a table for four.

  Maeve stood and greeted both of her sons with a kiss. “You’ve made an old woman very happy. I’ve been looking forward to this all day.”

  Given that Maeve was a vibrant woman in her early sixties, neither Gavin nor Conor paid much attention to her theatrics. Cassidy, however, blanched. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t be intruding on family time.”

  Maeve had the grace to look abashed and backpedaled quickly. “I was thrilled when Gavin told me he was bringing a guest, my dear.” Once everyone was seated, Maeve continued. “I love to see my boys, but we get overloaded with testosterone around here. It’s a treat to have another woman at the table. Where are you from, Cassidy?”

  Cassidy glanced at Gavin quickly, but answered easily enough. “I met your son when he was in Vegas for a conference. My father owns a large casino there.”

  “I see.”

  Gavin could practically feel the wheels turning in his mother’s head. She lived for matchmaking. Gavin could have hidden Cassidy away indefinitely, but by trotting her out at the first opportunity, he was hoping to demonstrate that he had nothing to hide.

  When Conor reached for a second roll, his mother tapped his hand sharply. “You’ll ruin your dinner. Chef has prepared something special for us.”

  Gavin grinned widely, glad to have his sibling around to deflect some of the maternal radar. Though all of Maeve’s seven sons were grown with lives and careers of their own, Gavin’s mother saw no reason to let them off the hook if she thought they were making mistakes, large or small.

  “Tell me, Cassidy,” his mother said. “What do you do for a living?”

  Cass sat primly, her spine rigid as she answered. “I recently finished a business degree. My plan all along has been to step up beside my father in the family business.”

  Gavin smiled at his mother. “You and Cass have a lot in common. Both of you are astute businesswomen.”

  Maeve leaned conspiratorially in Cassidy’s direction. “Beware compliments from a Kavanagh male, my dear. There’s usually a hidden agenda.”

  “I’m not a bit surprised.” Cassidy gave Gavin a look that made him squirm.

  Fortunately, the server arrived with Caesar salads, and the conversation drifted to less volatile subjects. Cassidy seemed hungry, which Gavin took as a good sign. She’d told him she usually felt better later in the day, so he hoped she would enjoy tonight’s meal.

  “What are we having, Mom? You mentioned a chef special?”

  “You’ll see,” Maeve said with a smile. “But let’s just say he had it flown in this morning from Prince Edward Island, so it’s fresh and wonderful.”

  When the salad plates had been cleared away, the server returned, bearing a large silver tray. He deposited it carefully in the center of the table with a flourish. “Colville Bay oysters. Enjoy!”

  Maeve thanked the man. Conor whistled in delight. Gavin felt a sharp pang of hunger and couldn’t wait to dig in.

  Cassidy, however, had a far different reaction. She jumped to her feet, nearly overturning her chair. Her face turned an alarming shade of green, and her eyes filled with panic. “Excuse me, please.”

  In the wake of her abrupt departure, Gavin felt two sets of eyes on him. “I’ll go see if she’s okay,” he said, feeling his throat flush with embarrassment and anxiety.

  Maeve laid a hand on his arm, her gaze thoughtful but kind. “She’s probably in the ladies’ room. I’ll check on her. You two boys eat. But save some for me.”

  Conor rubbed his chin. “Anything you want to tell me, bro?”

  Gavin stared at the mucous-like crustacean and felt his own stomach flip-flop. “Nothing,” he said. “Nothing at all.”

  Nine

  Cassidy hunched over the commode, dry-heaving. If she had ever been this miserable, she couldn’t remember. But when she opened the door of the stall and found
Maeve Kavanagh sitting in a small chair at the ornate vanity, her stomach plummeted even farther.

  “Mrs. Kavanagh. I didn’t hear you come in.”

  Gavin’s elegant mother, her auburn chignon only slightly threaded with gray, smiled gently. “Are you pregnant, dear?”

  Cassidy swallowed hard and tried not to think about oysters. “No, ma’am. Of course not.”

  Maeve shook her head. “I’m not completely oblivious to the fact that my sons have sex lives. I choose not to dwell on the subject, but I am not naive. Gavin has never brought a girl home before.”

  “He didn’t bring me, either. I showed up at his house for a visit, that’s all.”

  “And that explains why you rushed from the dinner table?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude.” Cassidy was disheveled and ill and upset, but she couldn’t fault Maeve’s concern for her son. “I may be coming down with something. You probably shouldn’t be near me.”

  Maeve grinned, taking fifteen years off her age. “Are you carrying Gavin’s child?”

  “No. Really.”

  “Your commitment to the lie is impressive, but I can do this all night. Tell me, honey. Tell me the truth.”

  Cassidy’s legs lost their starch and she sank onto an ottoman that matched the decor. “Okay. Yes. I’m pregnant.”

  “And is Gavin the father?”

  “Yes. But he doesn’t think so...or to be exact, he’s not sure. He wants a paternity test.”

  Maeve winced. “How old are you, Cassidy?”

  “Twenty-three.”

  “And did you want to become pregnant?”

  “No, ma’am. Not at all. But now that I am, I’m going to do everything in my power to take care of this baby.”

  “And what do your parents think about all this?”

  “My mother died when I was very young. My father is furious.”

  “Poor dear.” Gavin’s mother shook her head. “I would like to help you, if I can.”

  Cassidy held out her hands. “I know you mean well, but this is something Gavin and I have to work out between us. Please don’t be angry. You’re very kind. But I feel disloyal enough already for telling you without Gavin’s consent.”

  “I understand. And I won’t let on that I know. But I think I can shed some light on my son’s attitude. Why don’t you come to tea with me tomorrow? Here at the hotel. We can get to know each other.”

  “I’m pretty sure Gavin wouldn’t like that.”

  “He brought you here for dinner tonight, didn’t he? He may not be willing to admit yet that he’s going to be a father, but deep down I’d say he acknowledges the truth.”

  “There are things you don’t know,” Cassidy said. Like the fact that she and Gavin had been impetuous and foolish in the midst of a night of wild, crazy sex.

  “I could say the same. I’ll expect you tomorrow, Cassidy. Don’t disappointment me.”

  By mutual consent the two women returned to the dining room. Cassidy was relieved to see that the oysters had disappeared. In their place were four servings of innocuous chicken piccata with fresh asparagus and brown rice. The scent actually made her stomach growl in a good way, something she thought was a statistical impossibility on this particular occasion.

  As the men stood and helped the ladies to be seated, Gavin gave her a searching look. She smiled weakly. “Sorry about that.” What else could she say? To attempt any sort of explanation would only make matters worse.

  Fortunately, Maeve took over the conversation, directing the attention away from Cassidy. “Tell us about your trip, Conor.”

  Gavin jumped in eagerly, clearly happy to add to the diversion. “I haven’t seen you since you got back.”

  Conor, too, seemed content to oblige. “I had a great time.”

  “Where did you go?” Cassidy asked.

  “Switzerland. Lucerne to be exact. I was one of five judges in a junior alpine skiing event.”

  Gavin passed Cassidy the basket of homemade rolls. “Conor used to ski competitively. Now he runs the ski resort here in Silver Glen.”

  “Did you ever ski for the US?” she asked, studying the physical similarities between Gavin and his brother. Both men were muscular and fit, but Conor was a bit taller and leaner.

  Conor shook his head. “I thought about it, of course. But I ski for the love of it...and sometimes competition gets in the way. I did make the US team as a sixteen-year-old, but I blew out my knee before I had a chance to take it all the way.”

  “I’m impressed,” Cassidy said. “I’ve been known to fall off a bicycle. Sports were never my thing. I’m more of a bookworm, I guess.”

  Conor leaned forward, enthusiasm on his face. “I bet I could teach you to ski. We have a great bunny slope, and once you build up your confidence, you’d be surprised how much you’ll enjoy it.”

  “I don’t think so.” Gavin’s abrupt comment drew three confused stares.

  Cassidy kicked him under the table. “What Gavin means is that I’m probably a hopeless cause. And I won’t be around long enough for lessons. But it’s sweet of you to offer.”

  Apparently Gavin thought learning to ski was not on the list of approved activities for expectant mothers. But if he wasn’t even willing to believe that he was the father of her baby, she sure as heck wasn’t going to take his advice on what she could and could not do.

  Over dessert, Cassidy’s energy level plummeted. Suddenly it was all she could do to keep her eyes open.

  Gavin noticed right away and made their excuses. As everyone stood, Conor and Maeve gave Cassidy a hug. Maeve patted Cassidy’s arm. “Don’t forget our teatime tomorrow.”

  “I won’t,” Cassidy said, wincing inwardly.

  As they left the hotel, Gavin took her arm. “Do you want the top up?” he asked. “It will be cool now that the sun has set.”

  In the mountains, even a warm spring day turned chilly after dark. “No,” she said. The valet had the car waiting. As Cassidy slid into the passenger seat, she leaned back and sighed. “I have my scarf. And I want to see the stars.”

  Gavin drove home on a slightly different route than the one they had taken earlier. At a pull-off overlooking Silver Glen, he stopped the car. Below them, the little town looked like a postcard, serene and beautiful.

  “You’re lucky to live here,” Cassidy said. “I love the desert and the excitement of Vegas, but this is charming.”

  “It’s home,” he said.

  The laconic response was all she was going to get out of him. His silence seemed ominous. Her heart sank as she realized that Gavin was no closer than ever to embracing her news. Any enjoyment she had squeezed out of the evening winnowed away beneath a wave of depression.

  If she could only believe he would come around to caring for her and believing her, she would take a chance and stay. But she was deeply afraid that his past had damaged his ability to love and trust anyone other than his immediate family.

  Now that Maeve had guessed about the baby, things were going to be even more complicated. Gavin would no doubt believe that Cassidy had blabbed the truth against his wishes. He would see that move as an attempt to ingratiate herself with his mother.

  Back at the house, she excused herself and said good-night. She didn’t realize Gavin had followed her until he appeared in the doorway to her bedroom, a scowl on his face.

  “What are you doing?” he asked, the words harsh.

  She shrugged, stepping out of her shoes and wiggling her toes in the carpet. “What does it look like? I’m packing. There’s no reason for me to stay after I have tea with your mother tomorrow. I came here to give you the news face-to-face, and I’ve done that. When the baby comes, you can give me the name of a lab you trust, and I’ll show up when and where I need to.”

  “I t
old you I’d let you stay for a while.”

  She faced him bravely, hurt by his deliberate aloofness, but unable to find a way forward. “It’s better if I go home.”

  “You can’t go home, remember? Your father kicked you out.”

  “I have friends. I’m sure one of them will take me in.”

  “Male or female?”

  Her temper flared. “Does it matter?”

  On Gavin’s face she saw a mix of emotions that was impossible to decipher. The only one she recognized clearly was hunger. He didn’t want to want her, but he did. His trousers tented unmistakably.

  The clear evidence of his need should have reassured her. Instead, it made her sad. If all they had between them was lust, she might as well cut Gavin loose and make her own way.

  A baby needed stability. And as for Cassidy, she needed a man who at least respected her. Not someone who thought she was laying a trap.

  He took a step forward with a look in his eyes that sent a shiver of primal apprehension down her spine. “Yes,” he said, the word hoarse. “It matters.”

  Dragging her up against his chest, he wrapped his arms around her and found her mouth with his. Yearning. Excitement. An intimate knowledge of what it felt like to be possessed by this man. All those things made her melt against him despite the antagonism between them.

  They might be at odds over her pregnancy, but this one thing hadn’t changed.

  Gavin held her firmly, his kisses coaxing and insistent. His body was telling her something he wasn’t ready to admit. She was made for him and vice versa. It was as if the universe had picked out two people with the best possible sexual compatibility and tossed them together to see what would happen.

  He nuzzled the side of her neck, making her squirm, breathless and wanting. “Let me go,” she said.

  The fact that she wrapped her arms around his neck tightly probably negated the demand.

  Gavin walked her toward the bed. “You’re already pregnant,” he said. “It’s not like we’re going to make it worse.”