Conor rubbed the heel of his sneaker in the grass. “So what are you going to do?”
“About what?”
“Don’t be dense. About Cassidy.”
“I appreciate your concern, Conor. I really do. But I don’t need help with my love life.”
“Do you? Love her, I mean?”
There was no humor on Conor’s face, no teasing, no sibling jostling for position. Only a deep compassion that made Gavin ache. His brother’s empathy made him feel naked, stripped of all defenses.
Gavin swallowed hard. “How can I? If you add up the time she and I have spent together, it wouldn’t even equal a week.”
“That’s your excuse?”
“It’s not an excuse, damn it. It’s the truth.”
Conor shook his head. “This is a worst-case scenario for you, isn’t it? Love at first sight. Throwing caution to the wind. Poor Gavin. Maybe you should leave her alone after all. I’m not sure you can handle the fallout if you really are in love. Good luck, bro. You’re gonna need it.”
Sixteen
Gavin stood beneath the stinging spray of the shower and wrestled with his desires and his fears. Cassidy was a fun one-night stand. He had acted completely out of character that night. He needed time to decide what to do. But the clock was ticking, because Cassidy carried two small lives in her womb. Those babies wouldn’t wait for Gavin to make a decision.
Conor’s words had impacted Gavin. In a good way. But they didn’t change the facts of the case. Cassidy wanted nothing more than to work by her father’s side in the family business. She didn’t need Gavin’s money, because she had plenty of her own. Las Vegas and Silver Glen were miles apart in every way that counted.
So, the questions were pretty simple: Did Gavin love Cassidy? Did he trust her completely? Did he want to step out of the dark into a world of light and happiness? And was he willing to do whatever it required to make her his?
* * *
As she drove the short distance from the casino to the Corelli mansion, Cassidy thought about something Carlo had said recently. She’d been trying to convince him that she and her father had forgiven him. But Carlo had pointed out that it was much harder to forgive himself.
He was so right. Cassidy could forgive Gavin his doubts, but she had a hard time excusing her own actions. She should have been completely honest and told Gavin that she had fallen in love with him. Maybe her admission would have made it easier for him to embrace his impending fatherhood and to admit he had feelings for her, as well. But maybe not.
She pulled into the garage and shut the door behind her. In the kitchen, she kicked off her sandals and poured herself a large glass of water. Drinking it slowly, she stood at the island and gazed around the room she had come to take for granted. She’d spent much of her time here over the years. Doing homework, playing cards with her brother, begging the housekeeper to teach her how to cook.
Now she was going to be a mother. But she had no guide to follow. Her own mom had died a long, long time ago.
She wanted more than anything for her babies to grow up knowing they were loved. Sharing custody was not ideal, but she hoped Gavin would be a real father. Someone for the children to lean on. And selfishly, she clung to the hope that one day Gavin might find it in his heart to trust her and forgive her and give her another chance.
She finished her drink and put the glass in the dishwasher. The sofa in the living room was comfortable, so she headed that way with the thought of taking a nap. But when she rounded the corner in the hall, she stopped dead. Gavin Kavanagh sat in one of the velvet-covered wingbacks, his hands behind his head, his legs outstretched in front of him.
Everything about his posture shouted relaxation.
“Gavin. You scared me to death.”
“Carlo let me in. Sorry,” he drawled. But he didn’t look sorry at all.
His gaze zeroed in on her protruding stomach. Slowly, he rose to his feet. “My God. You’re really pregnant.”
The awe and wonder in his voice touched her. “Pretty sure you already knew that.”
He shook his head. “That’s not what I meant. Really as in very. Very pregnant.” His hand hovered over her belly. “May I?”
“Of course.” Most people didn’t even ask. For whatever reason, pregnant women seemed to be fair game. But Gavin had helped create the little duo she carried.
Gavin settled his palm against the curve of her considerable baby bump. “Do you know yet about the sexes?”
His hand hadn’t moved, but being so close to him was arousing. “No. Next week, I think.”
At that exact moment, one of the twins kicked...hard.
Gavin jerked his hand away. The momentum nearly made him trip over an ottoman. “Was that one of the babies?”
She took his hand and put it back. “Yes. Be patient and you’ll feel it again. It’s amazing.”
As she had promised, another large ripple briefly distended the surface of her belly.
Gavin’s eyes met hers. “Incredible,” he said hoarsely.
They were standing so close she could inhale the scent of him. His streaky brownish-blond hair was longer than when she last saw him. She touched the silky strands just above his ear. “You need a haircut.”
“No time,” he muttered. He took her hands in his. “Cassidy?”
“Yes?”
“I know the babies are mine.”
Shock left her speechless.
He grimaced. “I’ve known it all along in my heart, but my head was slow to catch up. I’m sorry.”
“I understood. It hurt. It really hurt, because you were the only man I’d ever trusted enough to be intimate with. I understood, though, after talking with your mother, that I was paying for another woman’s sins.” His admission healed a tear in her heart, but it wasn’t what she really wanted.
He shook his head. “That whole business when I was about to graduate from college...well...let’s just say it shook me...made me doubt myself when it came to women.”
“I can’t imagine what you went through.”
“The thing is, Cass...” When he stumbled to a halt, she frowned. She had never seen Gavin unsure of himself.
“What are you trying to say?”
He shrugged, his expression bleak. “I fell in love with you. I am in love with you. I know I hurt you by not trusting you about the babies, but I want you to know the truth. Even if you don’t feel the same way.”
She wanted to throw herself at him, but he looked more miserable than lovesick. “We both had some hurdles to face, Gavin. This situation has been tough for both of us.”
“Spending five nights in jail was tough. But spending even five more minutes without you in my life will kill me. I love you, Cass. So damned much.” He ran his thumb over her cheek. “My body recognized the truth that very first night. You were this perfect woman I had dreamed up, but you were real.”
She had to blink to clear tears from her eyes. “Trust me, I’m not perfect.”
“Perfect for me,” he said, the words deep and firm. His gray eyes were clearer and more open than she had ever seen them.
“Oh, Gavin.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling a deep tide of gratitude wash over her. “I can’t hug you like I want to,” she complained. “I feel like a cow and I’m only five months along.”
He kissed her softly, his lips lingering over hers until they both sighed. “It might be easier lying down.”
She grinned. “Spoken like a man.”
“Am I wrong?” He lifted an innocent eyebrow.
“Not at all.”
Hand in hand, they walked down the hall to her bedroom. She wanted to shove him up against the nearest wall and demand that he ravage her, but this sweet reunion disarmed her completely.
With the door safely locked behind them, his hands went matter-of-factly to his shirt buttons. They undressed in silence as a huge lump of emotion clogged her throat. “I love you, too,” she whispered. “Why else would I still be a virgin all this time if I hadn’t been waiting for Mr. Right?”
He was nude now, his erection lifting against his abdomen. Freezing for one long second, he took a deep breath, staring meaningfully at her stomach. “Not exactly a virgin, Cass.”
“You know what I mean.” She wanted to cover herself with her hands, but as a full-fledged adult with a family on the way and the most amazing man in the world about to make love to her, she stood proudly in front of him.
Sweetness winnowed away, replaced by raw passion. The look in his eyes made her tremble.
He raked both hands through his hair, his expression agitated. “Is it okay? I don’t want to hurt you...or them.”
She went to him, resting her cheek against his chest, hearing the steady thump of his heart. “You won’t. You can’t. Be with me, Gavin. In all the ways there are. I want you so much.”
He lifted her into his arms, not visibly strained by the fact that he carried not one but three individuals. Folding back the covers on her bed with one hand, he put her down gently and joined her.
“I won’t ever walk away from you again.” Reclining on his hip, he bent and kissed her belly. “You’re beautiful inside and out, Cass. Funny and smart and full of life. We have things to discuss, but first things first.”
He wouldn’t move on top of her even though she coaxed. Instead, he spooned her. Lifting her leg over his, he entered from behind.
The position was interesting. But she soon lost any interest in Sex 101 when Gavin began to move inside her. The weeks of grief and stress melted away. Against all odds, she and Gavin were together again.
He held her firmly but gently, his body worshipping hers. The desultory pace began to make her frantic. Moving restlessly against him, she tried to get him to take the hint. “Please, Gavin. I’m so close.”
He nipped the back of her neck with sharp teeth. “Don’t rush me, woman. I’ve missed you. I want to savor the moment.”
With his body surrounding her, she had no recourse but to close her eyes and reach for the tantalizing ripples of completion. When the end came, there was no doubt. She cried out, the whip of pleasure sharp and wicked. Already Gavin groaned and shuddered as they rode the wave together.
* * *
Gavin’s heart thundered in his chest. His mouth was dry as cotton. But he held Cass’s breast in his hand, so he didn’t move, not even to disconnect their bodies. His head rested on her pillow, his thighs cradling hers.
When he thought he could speak, he muttered in her ear. “How do you feel?”
She yawned and stretched, turning on her back to look up at him. Her molten chocolate eyes glowed with happiness. “Shattered. Complete. Sexually sated. Giddy. Shall I go on?”
“Brat.” He plucked at her nipple. The temptation to initiate round two was strong. But he had things to tell her.
When it looked as if she might fall asleep, he said her name. “Cassidy.”
“Hmm?” She didn’t even open her eyes.
“I know how important it is to you to work alongside your father and your brother. I’m prepared to move my entire business to Vegas so you can fulfill your dream.”
Her eyes flew open. “You can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“Because I won’t let you. I don’t want to take you away from your family and Silver Glen. I won’t.”
He could see that her indignation was genuine. The generosity it encompassed humbled him. “In that case,” he said, “I have one other proposition to offer. What if we split our time between both states? And what if you join me as an equal partner in The Silver Eye?”
Any trace of drowsiness fled from her gaze. “Why?”
“I like the thought of working with you.”
“I’m sorry, but the answer is no.”
His heart fell to his knees. “Oh.”
Cass shook her head with a rueful smile. “My whole life has been focused on the Corelli casino, in part because of competition with my brother. But the truth is, I’ve found other goals, other dreams. Carlo and I are in a good place now, and he’s going to make my father and me proud.”
“So what will you do?”
“That depends on you, I think.”
He stared at her blankly. “How?”
“Did you perhaps intend to propose to me? But you forgot that part?”
He put a hand to his forehead, feeling the gradual return of hope. “It’s entirely possible,” he said, his smile rueful. “Seeing you again scrambled my brain. Will you marry me, Cassidy Corelli, and have my babies?”
“Only if you understand that my being pregnant and in love with you is not a sacrifice. That I’m a grown woman making a decision about my future without coercion or regret.”
“Then you’re saying yes?”
“With pleasure, my sweet Gavin.”
“There’s one more thing,” he said, stroking her rounded belly.
She rolled her eyes. “Sheesh. And they say women talk too much.”
“Don’t be a smart-ass when I’m being romantic.”
“Sorry,” she said, trying to look penitent and failing miserably. The happiness she felt was written all over her face.
Some of the sparkle even rubbed off on him. He ran his fingers across her brow, through her short, dark curls, his chest tight with emotion. There were so many ways he could have missed out on meeting her. If his friend hadn’t gotten sick. If Gavin hadn’t agreed to do the speech. If Gavin hadn’t decided to take a walk around Vegas that night.
And now here he was...with Cass...having babies together. Making plans to get married. In love. It wasn’t anything he’d anticipated, or anything he’d thought he wanted. But it was the best thing that had ever happened to him.
He tried not to let the sight of her soft, warm, curvy body sidetrack him. “What would you think about going to the wedding chapel and letting your cousin marry us? For real this time.”
Cassidy’s chin wobbled. “Seriously? I’d love it. But what about your family?”
“We can have a big fancy reception later...in Silver Glen. But today, I only want you, my love.”
“Oh, Gavin...”
“Oh, Cassidy...” He mocked her teasingly, but he knew how she felt.
“There’s only one thing.”
His shoulders tensed. What now?
“Tell me,” he said, bracing for the worst.
Long lashes fluttered in sync with a cajoling smile. “Can I please take a nap before we get married?”
* * *
Five hours later, Cassidy walked by Gavin’s side as they approached Robbie’s Elvis-themed wedding chapel. Gavin squeezed her hand. “Are you sure about this, sweetheart?”
She nodded, leaning her head against his shoulder. “Not a doubt in my mind.” While she napped, Gavin had checked out marriage procedural details. With no waiting period and no blood tests, all they had to do was show up in person and procure the license.
After that, Gavin had spirited her away to an extremely posh maternity boutique to shop for a wedding gown. Despite trying on at least a dozen possibilities, in the end she had chosen a 1920s style dress in ivory pleated silk that left her shoulders bare except for narrow straps. The empire bodice was covered with bugle beads and antique crystals that caught the light when she moved.
A small fascinator concocted of lace and a single faux magnolia blossom perched on the side of her head, completing the look.
She looked in the trifold mirror, glancing over her shoulder to get the back view. “What do you think, Gavin?” She had pooh-poohed the idea that it might b
e bad luck for him to see her gown. She had been separated from him for several long weeks. Now she didn’t want to let him out of her sight.
His eyes glittered with desire. “It’s perfect...almost.”
She frowned. “Almost?”
She stood on a six-inch-high circular platform. Gavin went down on one knee and drew a red leather box from his pocket. “I forgot to give you this.”
This was a flawless solitaire set in a plain platinum band. The clarity and purity of the stone shot a thousand tiny rainbows across the room when he slipped the ring onto her left hand. “Now it’s official,” he murmured, kissing her knuckles.
When the door of the wedding chapel swung open, Cassidy snapped back to the present. Robbie’s expression was priceless. “More games, Cass?” he asked with a baffled look.
She shook her head. “Nope.” Handing over an envelope of cash, she smiled. “This is the real deal. Gavin and I want you to marry us.”
Robbie glanced down at her very pregnant belly, revealed tastefully in ivory silk. “Left it a bit late, didn’t you?”
She laughed. “Better late than never.”
This time, although the setting was familiar, everything else seemed brand-new. Gavin’s deep voice repeating vows. Robbie’s much higher tenor stumbling only slightly as he spoke his parts of the ceremony.
When it was her turn, she wasn’t nervous at all. “To have and to hold, from this day forward...” She spoke the words reverently, steadily, so very grateful that her family was going to be complete.
Through it all, Gavin stared at her with a look she never thought to see from the quiet, brooding Kavanagh male. It was one part fierce possession and one part pride.
Afterward, when the paperwork was signed and the formalities completed, Robbie got a funny look on his face.
Cassidy stared at him. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
Sheepishly, her cousin reached under the counter and produced a bottle of very familiar-looking champagne. “I forgot the bubbly,” he said. “And you actually paid for it this time.”
Twins on the Way Page 16
