Twins on the Way

by Janice Maynard

  Probably just as well. He didn’t want to see disappointment or regret in her beautiful eyes. She asked for faith and he had none. All he could give her was this.

  Moving over and into her stopped time for a moment. He forced himself to release the breath he’d been holding. Strong, slender legs wrapped around his waist. “The babies?” he croaked.

  He’d heard the doctor’s assurances. Sex was fine. Sex was healthy for the mom and for the dad. But still he worried.

  Cassidy cupped her hand behind his neck and pulled him down for a kiss. “They’re good. I’m good. It’s all good, Gavin.”

  Maybe it was and maybe it wasn’t. Falling so deeply into the dream of having Cass forever wasn’t good at all. He couldn’t believe life happened in such a way. A chance meeting in an alley. A reckless night of sex and laughter. That was the stuff of movies.

  Cassidy squeezed him with her inner muscles. “You’re thinking,” she complained. “Come back to me.”

  That she read him so well was also unsettling. Shutting his brain to the endless sequences of events that could lead to disaster, he chose to live in the moment. She was warm and soft, so soft. Would he be able to take her like this in another four weeks? In eight?

  Perhaps it would have to be from behind soon. That notion made him shudder. Tonight he had done his best to go slowly...to slide with purpose over the spot that ensured her pleasure.

  But the madness beckoned now. His lungs strained for air. His loins ached. “Come with me, Cass,” he pleaded. She didn’t answer, not verbally. But he heard her breath catch and felt her tremble against him.

  Wildly, he thrust, chasing something just out of reach. She was his. He wanted it to be so. It had to be so. The fleeting thought that some faceless man might have fathered her babies made him insane.

  He cried out her name when he came. The physical release was something more than pleasure, something less than peace. He felt incomplete and incoherent. Wanting something so badly and knowing he was the only obstacle in the way.

  Cass’s hands petted him, smoothed his shoulders, glided over his back. “Sleep with me,” she cajoled.

  It was the easiest request she’d ever asked of him.

  “Yes,” he muttered. He was loath to separate his body from hers.

  In the end, he simply rolled to one side and dragged her against him before covering them both with the quilt.

  Cassidy yawned. “Did you have any luck with the computer stuff?”

  She was relaxed and warm and on the verge of sleep. “We’ll talk about it in the morning,” he said.

  “Okay...good night, Gavin.”

  I love you, Cass...

  Thirteen

  Gavin awoke sometime later to the realization that Cassidy was climbing out of bed. “Where are you going?” he mumbled, not happy about losing his bedmate.

  “I have to pee,” she whispered.

  He grinned in the dark. Being a woman was no easy task. But then he sobered. Cass would need someone at her side to care for her in the months ahead. She was strong and self-sufficient, but pregnancy was hard, especially with twins. He would keep her here as long as she would stay.

  His present circumstance pointed out the flaw in his plan. He’d said no more sex...and yet here he was. A little voice inside his head posited the notion that Cassidy might be trying to lull him into complacence. That perhaps she thought by appealing to his masculine hungers she could win him over and make him believe what she wanted him to believe.

  When she returned to the bed, her feet were cold. He rubbed them with both of his, shoving aside the thoughts that troubled him. He couldn’t hold her without wanting her. His sex rose strong and eager.

  “Cass?”

  “Hmm?”

  “You feel up to round two?”

  She reached between them and gave him a naughty squeeze. “I could be persuaded...”

  * * *

  As Gavin eased her thighs apart and caressed her before entering her, Cassidy blinked back tears, hating the ready emotions that ambushed her without warning. Growing up, she’d never been a girlie girl when it came to feelings. Her dad had been very fair in that way. He expected Cassidy and Carlo to suck it up.

  Scraped knees, disappointments with school friends, anything that could upset a kid...Gianni Corelli insisted his children put on a brave face. Cassidy had received no exemption for being a girl.

  These past few weeks, she barely knew herself. Laughter turned easily to tears and vice versa.

  The hardest thing right now was not letting Gavin see how emotional she was about their lovemaking. Being intimate with him made her soar with happiness. But in the aftermath, her doubts and worries returned full force.

  He brushed his thumb across her cheek, finding dampness. “What’s wrong, Cass?”

  Inside her, he flexed and thickened, their connected bodies a precious reminder of her pregnancy. “Not a thing. Don’t mind me. I’ve never been pregnant before. These mood swings take some getting used to.”

  “You could have said no.”

  “I didn’t want to say no. I wanted you.”

  “It’s tough on a guy’s ego when the woman cries.”

  “Haven’t you heard of happy tears?”

  “Is that what these are?” He caught one with his fingertip. “Are you happy right now?”

  She swallowed hard. Was she happy? She was making love to the only man she’d ever been with, the man who had—with her—created two miracles. Two new lives. She should be over the moon. But life wasn’t that simple. Not when she knew Gavin wasn’t prepared to take her word about the paternity of her children. His children.

  Even knowing the reasons behind his inability to trust, it hurt.

  She swallowed her reservations and her disappointment. Suck it up. “I’m happy,” she said, only half lying. “I already love these babies, and I’m happy to be here with you.”

  He didn’t answer. At least not verbally. But he rolled to his back and took her with him, settling her astride his hips. “Cry if you have to, Cass, as long as they’re happy tears.”

  She wasn’t able to climax this time. And she was pretty sure he realized it. Exhaustion and worry and a brand-new her combined to rob her of the response she wanted to give.

  As he went rigid and choked out her name, his hands bruising her hips, she leaned forward and kissed him, feeling the trembling he couldn’t hide. Maybe Gavin didn’t trust her. Maybe he didn’t love her. And maybe he didn’t want to be a dad.

  But one thing was clear. He wanted her. Every bit as much as she wanted him.

  * * *

  Morning found her once again hunched over the kitchen sink. Only this time Gavin accompanied her from the bedroom. In fact, as soon as he realized she was in distress, he scooped her up and carried her down the hall, both of them naked as the day they were born.

  When he fetched saltines and plain tea and put them at her elbow, he kissed her nape. “Will you be okay if I go get your robe?”

  She nodded, her breathing shallow as she willed away the nausea. But this time she lost the battle. While he was gone, she emptied her stomach. When he returned, she had just finished cleaning up the sink. Weak and weary, she let him tuck her into the robe and tie the sash.

  “I need to sit down,” she muttered. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about gaining too much weight if this trend kept up.

  Gavin had donned a robe that matched hers. He brought her untouched tea and crackers to the table. “Try to eat something, Cass. You’ll feel better.”

  “My head knows that, but my stomach keeps voting hell, no.”

  Gavin chuckled quietly. But he was smart enough to let her be miserable in peace as she nibbled and sipped. It was a full half hour before she could actually swallow without any fear
of gagging.

  By that time, the sun was all the way up and Gavin’s cozy kitchen was filled with warm, beautiful light.

  He leaned his chair back on two legs and studied her face. “Your color is better. More death-warmed-over than zombie corpse.”

  “You do know how to flatter a girl.”

  “Should I tell you how nicely that robe shows off your cleavage?”

  She glanced down, mortified. The lapels gaped, exposing her chest almost to the navel. “Why didn’t you say something?”

  His quick grin was full of masculine appreciation. “I was enjoying the view.”

  Slowly, she stood up, gratified that the room spun for only a couple of seconds. “I think I’ll go take a shower.”

  Gavin touched her hand. “I have something to tell you about the casino. It’s not good. Do you want to hear it right off or when you’ve had a chance to get dressed and your stomach quits doing acrobatics?”

  She stared at him. Now the queasy feeling in the pit of her belly had nothing to do with pregnancy. “How bad?”

  “Bad enough.” His expression was sober.

  Sinking back into her chair, she braced herself mentally. “I’ve always believed in ripping off the Band-Aid as quickly as possible. Don’t keep me in suspense. What did you find out?”

  “It took longer than I expected. You’ll be glad to know that the casino’s online security is actually damned impressive. I had to dig pretty deep to find answers.”

  “You’re stalling.”

  He shrugged. “It’s your brother.”

  She gaped at him. “Carlo?”

  “Do you have another brother?”

  The news was too incredible for her to quibble over his sarcasm. “But why?”

  “I haven’t a clue. Your father was on target about the amount. From what I could tell, the money has been moved ten to twenty thousand dollars at a time to three separate offshore accounts.”

  “I can’t believe it.” She knew Carlo. He might not have her work ethic, but he wasn’t a criminal.

  “The only other explanation is that he might have inadvertently given someone access by sharing his passwords and usernames.”

  “He wouldn’t have done that. My father taught us from the time we were in high school to keep that stuff absolutely private.” Yet she had shared hers with Gavin. She had infinite trust in him.

  “Well, then, I think we’ve found the source of the theft. How do you want to handle this?”

  A shiver ran down her spine as she imagined her father’s reaction to the news that his beloved son was stealing. “I’ll have to tell Daddy in person. This is not the kind of thing you can do over the phone.”

  “We, the Kavanaghs I mean, have a small jet that we share with a couple of other businesses. It’s parked on an airstrip outside of town. My brother Patrick is a licensed pilot if you’re game. It would be quicker than flying commercial out of Asheville, and more comfortable than first class.”

  “You own a jet?” Even Gianni Corelli wasn’t that much of a high roller.

  “We share a jet,” Gavin said.

  “Same difference,” she muttered. She had barely adjusted to the change in time zones and now already she was going to head back across the country. The idea made her tired just thinking about it. But there was no point in delaying. Especially if money was continuing to disappear.

  “How soon can we leave?” she asked.

  “I’ll contact Patrick. Depending on his schedule and if the jet’s not already spoken for, we could fly out this afternoon.”

  “Make the call,” she said, her stomach in a knot.

  Gavin leaned across the table and squeezed her hand. “I won’t let your father badger you or upset you. It’s not good for you or the babies.”

  His gentle kindness in the midst of everything that was going on made her want to throw herself into his arms. Instead, she summoned a smile. “Thank you, Gavin. I appreciate your help.”

  * * *

  Gavin did his best to keep an eye on Cassidy without her catching on that he was hovering. She sat in her wide comfy seat with her legs curled beneath her. They had both dressed for the upcoming meeting with her dad. Cass wore a scoop-necked, short-sleeved ivory angora sweater with black dress pants and chunky coral jewelry. With her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, she looked young and beautiful.

  He’d seen the look in his brother’s eyes when he introduced Cassidy to Patrick. It was a masculine reaction that couldn’t be masked. Cass made an impression.

  She’d been charming and friendly before Patrick took the pilot’s seat. Now her gaze was glued to the small window as they soared across the miles. He had a feeling she wasn’t really seeing anything in particular. She was pale and subdued.

  Her profile made him ache. So feminine, so sweet. But not weak. Far from it. She was smart and focused, despite the recent upheaval in her life. Once this business with her father and brother was settled, Gavin had a decision to make.

  He knew in his gut that Cassidy’s babies were his. And he knew there was no conspiracy. Or at least he was almost sure. Making love to Cassidy last night had stripped everything down to life’s most basic level. She wasn’t a liar or a cheat. He’d known that all along, though he hadn’t been willing to admit it. Now life had dropped something wonderful in his lap. Something he hadn’t asked for...something he hadn’t expected.

  Maybe sometimes, knowing someone had nothing to do with the calendar and everything to do with recognizing a person’s character. If he followed up on his one wild night in Vegas...if he gave himself over completely to the idea that he and Cass were soul mates, his whole life would change.

  Was he willing to place his trust in such an ephemeral dream?

  Quietly, he unfastened his seat belt and crouched in the aisle beside her seat. “Hey,” he said quietly. “You feeling okay?”

  She had her arms clasped around her waist in a protective posture. She nodded slowly. “I’m fine.”

  “I’m not so sure you are.”

  “Since when is the oh-so-practical Gavin Kavanagh a mind reader?”

  “I’m beginning to figure out how yours works.”

  Finally, he coaxed a smile from her. “It’s dangerous for a man to think he understands women,” she said.

  “Is that so?”

  She patted his arm. “We are mysterious creatures.”

  “Like unicorns?”

  “Don’t make fun of me. Besides, there’s a difference between mythical and mysterious. I’m very real.”

  Their gazes clashed, hers mischievous, his rueful. “It’s taken me a little while to accept that. Everything about that night in Vegas seemed like a dream.”

  “For me, too, Gavin. I am a pretty responsible person most of the time. So I can’t really explain what happened except to say that you were so terribly earnest and sweet when you rescued me.”

  “I’m not sweet,” he growled, insulted by her description. “I did what any man would do.”

  “My brother is big and brawny and three inches taller than you. But even though you thought he was some kind of thug, you rushed in and did battle for my honor.”

  “Somebody’s been reading too many romance novels.”

  “Don’t disparage an entire genre. Whether you like it or not, you acted like a hero.”

  He shook his head, wishing he hadn’t gone down this particular path. Which meant that changing the subject was in order. “Have you planned out what you’re going to say to your dad?”

  She rubbed her temples, the line of her mouth grim. “I’d like to say yes, but the truth is, I’m dreading it. The last time I saw him, he was yelling and throwing me out of his house.”

  “Would you like me to be there with you when you talk to him?”

 
Shock colored her face. “In what capacity?”

  He knew what she wanted him to say. But he couldn’t do it. Not quite yet. Maybe he had it in him to face down a bully, but this thing with Cassidy was another story. “As a friend,” he said. “For now.”

  Seeing her disappointment at his answer made his stomach hurt. She called him a hero, but the truth was, he was afraid. Afraid to find out that he was being used...that he was blind to her faults...that she’d lied about who she was.

  Only moments before, she had laughed and teased him, despite her anxiety about this trip to Vegas. Now, thanks to him, she had closed herself behind a veil of indifference.

  “Yes,” she said. The single word flat. “That would be helpful.” She deliberately turned her face away from him, shutting him out.

  But he deserved it.

  When they landed in Vegas, Patrick stayed behind to take care of the formalities. Gavin had ordered a car to pick them up. It whisked them in short order to Cassidy’s father’s casino.

  Gavin paid the fare and took Cass’s arm. “How do we do this?”

  She stood on the street, staring up at the building as if she had never seen it before. “I sent a text to my father’s secretary. He’s in his office. We’ll go up and get it over with.”

  With his hand at her back, he followed her through the crowds to a private elevator at the back of the building. As the small cube whisked them upward, he leaned against the wall and studied his companion. Was it his imagination, or could he see a small baby bump?

  The thought made his heart race. Imagining Cassidy rounded and glowing in the advanced stages of pregnancy was a kick to the gut...in a good way.

  “Cass,” he said impulsively.

  She lifted her chin. She had been studying her shoes intently. “Yes?”

  “When we get back to Silver Glen, you and I need to settle some things.” He was trying to tell her that he was on board...that he was ready to accept fatherhood. But she took it the wrong way.

  What little color there was in her cheeks faded. He saw her throat work as she swallowed. “You’re right,” she said quietly. “But let me get through this first.”