The Strong Family Romance Collection

by Cami Checketts

  “You’re an incredible big brother.”

  “Thanks.” The collar of his button-down shirt felt suddenly too tight, and he tugged at it. She’d been so insightful when they’d first met, and she’d seemed to instantly sense that he and Austin were father and son. Should he tell her the truth? That would show trust in her and their relationship, right? But how could he tell her the truth when he hadn’t even told his own son or siblings?

  “What about love?” she asked quietly, breaking effectively into his thought stream.

  “Love?” His voice squeaked. He grabbed his glass of water and downed a large swallow.

  Her brows drew together as she watched him. “Have you ever been in love?” She bit at her lip as if worried she was overstepping.

  Gavin set his glass down but didn’t release it, his fingers gripping the cool glass. “I leave the girlfriends to Austin,” he tried to joke. He’d thought he was ready to open up more but this was torture.

  Her gaze was far too perceptive. “You’re an incredibly appealing man in every which way. Are you telling me that women don’t chase you? That you’ve never wanted to chase one of them back?” There was a hint of jealousy in her voice now.

  Gavin should’ve focused on that jealousy and maybe tried to tease her, but he had cold sweat on his back and was trying to figure out if he could keep developing his relationship with Kari without ever telling her about Janielle. Was that wrong? Maybe if she’d only been a high school fling it would be okay, but Janielle was the mother of his son. “I, um …” He blew out a breath, then plunged—well, as deep as Gavin could handle plunging. “I had a girlfriend in high school.”

  She relaxed into her chair and all hints of jealousy disappeared from her face. “High school?” It wasn’t disdain in her voice, but definitely dismissal, no concern about a high school girlfriend. If only she knew. “Not since then?”

  “No.” He shook his head, wondering if he’d just dodged a machine gun hailstorm of bullets. She’d asked, and he’d answered. If she chose not to delve deeper, that couldn’t be on his head, could it? He went with it, relieved and only feeling a little guilty that he wasn’t divulging his secrets even as in his mind he claimed to want a relationship with her.

  She tilted her head and studied him. “Crazy. You’ve truly never fallen in love, never had your heart broken?”

  He was sweating again, but he could answer the first question truthfully. “No, I’ve never been in love.” He’d fancied himself in love with Janielle but knew now it was all shallow and physical.

  “I made you out to be this tragic hero.” She gave him a soft, but conflicted smile. “I guess I was wrong about that, huh?”

  He thought he returned her smile, but he couldn’t be sure. It wasn’t lying because he had definitely not been any sort of hero regarding Janielle. “I know it probably sounds lame, that I haven’t … been in love,” he rushed to say, “but I’ve just been so focused on my family and business, and years really fly by quickly when you’re busy and driven, you know?”

  Her brow relaxed and her smile was more genuine. “I can definitely relate to that. I can’t believe I’ve been out of college for four years now.”

  “And you truly haven’t dated since college?” he clarified.

  She shook her head shortly. “We’re quite a pair, aren’t we?”

  He reached for her hand. “A good pair,” he managed to get out in only a slightly husky voice.

  The waiter brought their desserts, and he pulled back. This night was going fabulously. He’d shared, she’d shared, and they were really bonding. Maybe the great oak really had fallen. Maybe he could have a lasting relationship with Kari.

  As he took a bite of the creamy pudding type dessert with rich caramel and hints of banana and pumpkin, he knew he was deluding himself. If he wanted a relationship with her, the story of Janielle and Austin would have to come out. The dessert turned too sweet and sticky in his mouth. That revelation was not going to be fun. He’d avoid it as long as he could.

  Kari loved the night in Vail with Gavin. They’d chatted easily, shared significant glances, and she felt closer to him than ever. She had to admit it was nice to know that he hadn’t dated every woman within driving distance and she was the one who had captured him. Better than nice. Yet she still wondered if there was something in his past he wasn’t sharing. Maybe it didn’t have to do with a woman, but she’d been so certain he’d been hurt somehow.

  She forced the worries away as he walked her up to the door of her suite. “Do you … want to come in?” she asked.

  Gavin’s gaze dipped, then rose again. He resolutely shook his head.

  Kari’s stomach plunged. “Oh. Okay.” She swallowed and pulled her key card out of her dress coat pocket, waving it in front of the sensor. The door beeped and Gavin pressed it down and swung it open, holding it for her. “Thank you for dinner,” she said, far too brightly. He’d claimed they were a great pair, but he didn’t even want to come inside and give her a goodnight kiss. That stung. It dug deep into her insecurities.

  He nodded, still not saying anything. His dark eyes looked stormy. She gave him a radiant but fake smile, then walked through the door. There was still tomorrow and Sunday to hopefully grow closer and maybe kiss more, and they definitely needed a firm commitment on more time together. Maybe he was just worn out tonight. It had been a big day. Yet she’d stay up all night if it meant one simple kiss from him.

  Gavin followed her through the door. Her head whipped up, and hope sprang inside of her. He let the door swing closed and then turned to her. His chest was rising and falling quickly. He looked simply incredible in a dusky blue dress shirt, black pants, and a black coat.

  “I don’t know that I’m strong enough to come in here,” he admitted in a gravelly voice.

  “Strong enough?” she repeated. “You’re stronger than any man I’ve ever met.”

  He gave her his half smile and then lifted his hand and slowly trailed his fingers along her collarbone. Warm shivers erupted at his touch. Kari tossed her coat at the nearby coach. Gavin slid out of his coat and set it down. He eased in closer and bent his head, and his lips caressed the spot his fingers had just vacated. Kari moaned and leaned her head back, making sure he had full and complete access to her neck and throat.

  Gavin slowly, achingly kissed his way out to where the dress met her shoulder and then back up, along the side of her neck, and across her jawline. Kari was panting for air, hot all over, and regretting spending any time in her imaginary world. Who knew being close to an inspiring and perfect man could feel like this?

  Gavin’s lips moved up her chin until they hovered at her cheek, centimeters from her lips. “Kari,” he sort of groaned out.

  Kari dug her fingers into his hair and tugged their lips into alignment. “Kiss me,” she begged.

  “Ah, Kari.” He didn’t kiss her, but he stayed right there, a breath away. His dark eyes were full of desire for her, and his strong arms wrapped around her lower back, holding her tight against him, but he didn’t capture her mouth like she was longing for him to do.

  Kari didn’t know how to convince him, short of pushing herself on him. She thought of something she’d used in a book once, and what had worked the first night they’d kissed. Parting her lips, she carefully—and, she hoped, seductively—ran the tip of her tongue along her top lip.

  Gavin’s breath came out hard and fast and he groaned, “Kari.”

  “Kiss me, Gavin,” she murmured.

  He rested his forehead against hers, breathing in short gulps. “What if … I’m not strong enough?”

  “I don’t understand.”

  Gavin’s lips pressed together. “You’re so innocent and beautiful. I want to hold you and kiss you until the sun comes up tomorrow.”

  She smiled, thinking that was a perfect idea.

  “But I don’t know if I’m strong enough … to stop.”

  Kari felt heat rush through her that burned so hot, she knew it was a
s dangerous as it was alluring. Not stop? But he wouldn’t, she wouldn’t, no matter how appealing and enticing the idea of not stopping could be. Now she was the one unable to catch a full breath. “I’m not worried,” she said decisively. “You’re too good of a man, and you care too much about me to not stop.”

  Gavin’s eyes still looked conflicted, but his mouth softened. “Really?”

  “Yes. You’re going to give me a kiss for the history books, and then you’re going to say good night and leave me longing for you until I see you tomorrow.”

  “Is that right?” He smiled. It wasn’t his full smile, but she knew how hard those were to earn. It was a tender and incredible smile that she loved to see on his handsome face.

  “Yes, sir,” she murmured, pulling his head toward hers.

  “I think I’m falling for you, Kari Love,” he murmured.

  Kari’s eyes widened, but she had no chance to respond as he bowed his head, captured her mouth with his own, and gave her a kiss that no history book could accurately record. The kiss was pure and beautiful, full of adoration that made her certain nothing would ever come between them.

  He pulled back, stared broodily at her, and murmured, “Good night. I’ll be longing for you until tomorrow.”

  Kari sighed with a mixture of happiness and longing. Gavin let out a low growl in his throat, and she was ninety-nine percent certain he was going to pin her against the wall and kiss her until the sun rose again. His dark eyes burned into hers, and his hands were warm and perfect as they slid to her hips.

  Suddenly, his eyes shuttered and his jaw tightened. Gavin pulled back and was out the door before she could whisper her own goodnight.

  Kari deflated, leaning against the wall for support. She was falling hard for that man, but no matter what he’d said at dinner, there was absolutely no way her tortured hero didn’t have secrets to share. How was she going to pry them out of him without pushing him away?

  Chapter Fifteen

  Gavin was jumpy and oddly nervous the next day as everybody got into their assigned spots for the weddings. Did Kari think he was a weirdo flipping out about not being strong enough to stop? Then he’d almost proven his fears founded and been unable to stop. All he’d wanted to do last night was yank her in close and kiss her in ways that would shock an innocent beauty like Kari to the core. If only he was brave and crazy enough to beg her to elope with him. He was too responsible to be either, even though Kari consumed his every thought. He passed a hand over his face.

  “You okay?” Heath muttered next to him.

  Gavin straightened and forced as big of a smile as he was capable of without Austin or Kari being his focus. “Yeah. Sorry, man.”

  He, Nick, Stetson, Austin, and Trey all stood up next to Heath and Jed. With the crowd gathered for the double weddings, it was too big to hold them in the church, so they were in the main floor of his lodge, cleared of its normal furnishings. Ella and Mama walked down the aisle with the appropriate music playing, and Mama went to sit with Kari while Ella headed to the opposite side of the preacher.

  Kari caught Gavin’s eye. She gave him an appealing smile, and he found himself returning it. He was afraid he’d been a little stiff this morning at the big family luncheon before the event, but she didn’t appear to be upset with him. He knew that any awkwardness was his fault. Kari was guileless, loving, and trusting. He didn’t deserve a beautiful sweetheart like her, but hadn’t he suffered long enough for his mistake with Janielle? He’d tried to repent and had never made the same mistake again. Last night was as close as he’d ever come, but he’d walked away from Kari, even though she was more tempting to him than Janielle had been as a hormone-driven teenager. What if this was the Lord’s gift to him, showing him He’d forgiven Gavin by bringing Kari into his life?

  The music changed, and Cassie and Hazel came down the aisle with Papa rolling between them. The two women glowed with happiness and love. Cassie’s dark eyes and Hazel’s green eyes focused on their future husbands, full of joy and promise. Gavin was happy for them. His gaze was drawn back to Kari, who smiled sweetly at him. Her blue eyes drew him in just as surely as they had the first day they’d met. He found his face breaking into a bright smile. Kari’s smile grew.

  Nick muttered to him, “Whoa, cowboy, it’s not your wedding day.”

  Gavin’s lips tightened. He ignored his brother and tried to pay attention to the double ceremony. It was unconventional, as most brides wanted their own special day, but neither Hazel nor Cassie were the type of women who wanted extra attention, and when they’d presented their double wedding idea to Mama, she’d been ecstatic about it.

  The wedding finished with the pronouncement of husband and wife, and Heath and Jed each took their brides and kissed them as if no one else was in the room. Gavin’s neck felt hot. Would Kari expect him to kiss her like that in front of their families and friends? Eloping sounded better and better. He pulled at his collar. What was he even doing thinking about marriage? He met Kari’s gaze again, and suddenly all the lines in her books about “melting” made sense to him. She made him want to melt into a puddle at her feet and beg her to have mercy on his heart. Was he truly worthy of a fun, angelic woman like Kari?

  He started her direction, ignoring Nick’s knowledgeable chuckle behind him as Kari gifted him with an incredible, alluring smile. He felt like this was his time, his moment. He’d tell Kari how incredible she was, how he’d fallen for her, and they could start planning their future. Together they’d reveal his secrets to Austin and his siblings.

  Before he could go to Kari, he instinctively had to know that Austin was okay. Austin was never a burden, as Gavin simply loved being with his son. Yet when the entire family was around, it was easier than ever to care for Austin. All of the siblings adored him, and in their minds, they were helping Mama out, not realizing that it was Gavin who had full responsibility for their supposed brother.

  Gavin pulled up short when he saw Austin chattering away to a thin, blond woman with a disproportionately huge chest. The woman was much too skinny and she’d obviously had plastic surgery on her chest and possibly her nose since he’d last seen her, but her face was still as beautiful as ever. There was no doubt who it was.

  “Janielle,” Gavin breathed out. “No!”

  “Gavin?” Kari’s melodic voice wheeled him around.

  Gavin swallowed hard and said to her, “Kari. I’m sorry.” Her eyes widened in confusion but he simply couldn’t wait and explain. He stormed toward Austin and his son’s biological mother. His stomach churned as he dodged around or pushed through groups of people. The buffet tables set up just inside the arched doors of the restaurant were being filled with food, the chairs from the wedding were being moved around tables that staff were rolling out, music had started, and there was an air of festivity in the crowd. Not for him. Whatever Janielle was doing here, it could only mean trouble. He’d never gotten all the details of how Mama had gotten Janielle to sign away her parental rights, but she had admitted in one of their conversations on the subject that a significant sum of money had been involved. His gut tightened. This woman would not hurt his son.

  When he reached them, Austin was prattling away like he’d found his latest girlfriend. Gavin wanted to hurl. Janielle glanced over at him. Her eyes were a cold blue, and her features were sharp. He’d once thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world, no matter what she’d done he’d dreamt of her for years after she ditched him. Now she looked like a fake, overly made-up Barbie doll. She couldn’t hold a candle to Kari. Kari’s looks weren’t all about her exterior perfection, though; she glowed from the inside out.

  “Gavin,” Janielle greeted him coolly. “You look good.” Her eyes trailed over him, making him feel dirty and uncomfortable. “I’ve come for my son.”

  Gavin’s gut churned with anger. “You have no play here,” he said through his clenched jaw.

  Austin stopped talking and cocked his head. “You lost your son? I’m sorry. We can help y
ou find him. Right, Gav?” He looked up at Gavin, so trusting and adorable.

  Gavin wrapped his arm around Austin’s shoulder and drew him closer to him, farther away from her.

  “Gav?” Janielle’s eyebrows went up. “He doesn’t know?”

  Gavin didn’t want to share anything with her, but he shook his head shortly.

  Janielle’s smile grew cunning. She bent down to Austin’s level. “Sweet, adorable little boy,” she drawled out. “You’re my son, and Gavin’s your daddy.” She looked back up at Gavin with a knowing smirk.

  Gavin sucked in a breath. No! He wanted to scream. Austin couldn’t find out like this, and Janielle couldn’t have any hope of getting back in Austin’s life.

  Austin simply shook his head. “Sorry, lady, but you’re messed up. My mama and papa are right over there.” He pointed over to where the crowd was surrounding Heath and Hazel, Jed and Cassie, and Mama and Papa. As the hosts, Mama and Papa were probably the only people who knew everyone in the room.

  Gavin had always been close to his mama, appreciated and loved her, and he wanted her to come hug him and make this all right again. He squared his shoulders and stared at Janielle. This was his mistake that Mama had miraculously fixed years ago. He was a grown man who was raising his son and running a multimillion-dollar resort on his own. He was more than capable of dealing with garbage like this.

  He gripped his son’s shoulder. “Austin. Go find …” He glanced around for one of his siblings.

  Kari was only a couple of feet away. Her gaze was wary, but she was here. He wished he could tell her how much that meant to him. Later. But suddenly he was terrified. He’d almost convinced himself late last night and this morning that he’d been redeemed of his sins, that he had a chance to be with someone as incredible and pure as Kari. Yet here was Janielle, showing up and ruining all the hope and joy Kari had created. What if this was a horrible sign from God that Gavin hadn’t been forgiven or made amends for anything?