by Gail McHugh
Gavin flicked his gaze from her lips to her eyes, a smirk spreading across his face. “I know what you’re doing.”
“Oh, do you?” Deadpanned, Emily stared at her nails, trying for disinterest. “Am I doing it well?”
“Very,” Gavin whispered, leaning closer. “And if you keep doing it this well, we’re about to leave so I can show you how well I can do it. But I won’t hold any punches, Miss Cooper. I’ll be relentless, only stopping once you beg me to.”
Emily smiled and puckered her lips again. “Do you like when I beg?”
“Is that your question for the game?” Gavin’s gaze drifted from her saucy eyes to her lips. Damn her. She was getting good at this shit. “You only get one. Choose wisely.”
“Yes, that’s my question for the game.” Emily sighed and crossed her legs. “Now answer the question, Mr. Blake. Do. You. Like. When. I. Beg?”
With the answer on the tip of his tongue, which he wished was gliding along Emily’s body, the receptionist opened the door and called Emily’s name.
Emily giggled as she watched Gavin stand and adjust his pants. Unable to help it, she giggled all the way into the back office.
After turning on a sonogram machine, flipping off the lights, and draping an exam sheet over a less-than-comfortable-looking table, Unprofessional Hair-flipper turned to Emily. “I need you to unzip your jeans, pull them down just below your pubic bone, and lay down for me.”
Taking a seat next to the table, Gavin lifted a brow, a slow smirk curling his lips as he watched Emily do as she was told. “This might turn out to be a little more entertaining than I anticipated. My stone is very hard right now.”
Emily’s eyes landed on the girl, who was blushing a deep shade of crimson, as she hopped onto the table. Shimmying in an effort to get comfortable, Emily looked at Gavin and belted out a laugh. “Leave it to you to continue getting sexual in a doctor’s office after you lost at your own game.”
Gavin shrugged. “The game will resume once we leave, and I never claimed to have limits when it comes to women who love stone over brick.”
Wide-eyed and staring at Gavin, the unnamed blonde cleared her throat. “Dr. Richards will be right in.” She hurried out of the darkened office.
Smiling, Emily shook her head. “You scared her off.”
Gavin leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees. “I turned her on.”
“Oh my God. Could you be a little more conceited?”
Another casual shrug. “I call it self-assured.”
Emily rolled her yes. “You also said you weren’t a stalker, and now look at us.”
“You’ve rendered me speechless, and that doesn’t happen all too often.” Gavin chuckled. “I couldn’t conjure a comeback if I wanted.”
Emily grinned, and a moment later, the doctor breezed through the door, his tall, lengthy build towering over Emily as he approached. Clipboard in hand, he slid his glasses up the bridge of his nose and looked at Emily, the wrinkles under his eyes pulling together as he smiled “Good to see you again, Miss Cooper.”
“Hello, Dr. Richards.”
“I see you took two pregnancy tests that came out positive, but you’re not quite sure as to when your last period was.” Emily nodded. He placed the clipboard on a counter, washed his hands, and slid on a pair of gloves. Reaching for a small white bottle, he gave it a good shake. “A little cold,” he warned, squirting a blob of aqua gel onto Emily’s stomach. She jumped and shivered when it hit her. The doctor looked at Gavin as he started pressing what looked like a microphone against the gel. “Father?”
With a weak smile, Gavin flicked his eyes to Emily. His heart sank a bit as he watched her shift uncomfortably. Reaching for her hand, he threaded his fingers through hers and pulled his chair closer.
“He might be the father. We wanted to speak to you about that,” Emily started, glancing at Gavin. She shifted again, not only from the awkwardness of the situation but from the amount of pressure the doctor was putting on her lower stomach. “I’m… not really sure who the father is. I did some quick research online regarding amniocentesis, but I read there’s some risk.”
Whoosh…
The doctor cleared his throat. “I see. Yes, there’s some risk to the amniocentesis, however, if done properly…”
Whoosh…Whoosh…
“The benefits can outweigh the risks in some cases…”
Whoosh… Whoosh… Whoosh…
“Especially in a situation like the one you’ve found yourselves in.”
Whoosh…Whoosh…Whoosh…Whoosh….
“What’s that sound?” Gavin asked, his eyes darting between the doctor and the black and white glowing monitor.
“That’s the heartbeat of your… of the baby.” The doctor twirled a few knobs on the machine. Pointing to the screen, he brought his eyes to Gavin’s. “And that little dot right there is the baby.”
Gavin swallowed, his heart pummeling his ribcage as fast as the one that could potentially be his child. My child… He felt Emily squeeze his hand as he started to feel sweat forming above his brows. Staring at the screen, he nearly lost his breath. He watched the tiny, unborn life twitch and jerk inside its little cocoon. Hell, it was so fucking small, he swore if Emily sneezed, she would hurt it. God, not that the last couple of weeks since they’d returned from California wasn’t spent praying this child was his, but here and now, he needed to believe it was. Flashes of teaching a little blue-eyed boy how to play baseball in the backyard of a home he’d have built dowsed his thoughts. Visions of a little girl in a pink tutu, singing and dancing for him and Emily, stoked his need even further.
Gavin pulled his chair closer, released Emily’s hand, and brushed his fingers through her hair. Gazing into her eyes, he swallowed again. “Can you… feel it moving inside of you?”
Emily shook her head, her voice a whisper. “No.”
“She’s too early to feel any movement. That happens somewhere around the fifteen week mark.” After some more prodding, button twirling, and whooshes, the doctor shut off the machine. He sauntered over to the wall, flipping on the light. He plucked a cardboard wheel from the counter and looked at it a moment. “Based on the size of the baby, you’re approximately ten weeks along. Conception took place within the last week of October. My estimated due date is July twenty-first. My office isn’t equipped with the latest technology, so I’ll have the receptionist schedule a transvaginal ultrasound for you. I may be close to retirement and a little outdated, but I’m pretty sure I’m correct. Been doing this long before you two were a twinkle in your parents’ eyes. “ He handed Emily a paper towel, gesturing to her stomach. “Use that to wipe off the gel and feel free to use the restroom. When you’re finished, you can meet me in my office. Second door on your left when you exit the room. We’ll go over the pros and cons of the amnio.”
As the doctor walked out, Emily wiped the gel from her stomach. The only words she could remotely concentrate on were when conception had taken place. The last week of October. She’d only been with Gavin a handful of times during that week, but it still put him in the running. Even if by a few days, that’s all that mattered to Emily. Sighing, she slipped from the table and quickly used the restroom. After relieving herself, she walked out and caught Gavin’s eyes. She could tell he was stuck deep in his own thoughts, and hell if it didn’t cut through her heart.
“Are you okay?” she whispered, walking over to him as she buttoned jeans that were starting to become a little snug.
Standing, he snaked his arms around her waist. “I am. Are you?”
She nodded, snuggling against his chest. However, she wasn’t okay. She was far from it. The pain Gavin was going through was killing her. Pulling in his smell and drowning in the sound of his heart, she fought back tears.
Gavin kissed the top of her head. “I didn’t know you looked up that amnio… or whatever it’s called.”
“Yeah. I did the other day while I was at work.”
“You mentio
ned risks.” He reached for her purse and handed it to her. “What kind of risks are there, and how do they perform the test?”
Sliding the strap over her shoulder, she paused a moment, remembering what the procedure entailed. An involuntary shiver worked through her. “They would stick a needle through my stomach and…”
With shock crossing his face, he cut her off. “A needle? In your stomach?”
“Yes.”
Gavin blew out a puff of air. “Emily, I’d rather a needle not go near your stomach.”
“Umm, Gavin, I’d rather a needle not go through my stomach either. I mean, it can cause an infection.”
Gavin’s eyes went wide. “What type of infection?”
Emily smiled at his confusion and worry. “Amniotic. It’s the sack of liquid the baby’s in. It can become… infected.”
“Then what happens?” he asked, swiping his hand through his hair, his tone showing his worry was mounting.
Emily pulled in a slow breath. “It can lead to a miscarriage.”
Gavin swallowed, his words slow. “Are you serious?” Emily nodded. “No way. You’re not getting it done.” Intertwining their fingers, he started for the door. “Jesus, Emily, why would you even think about putting the baby or yourself through that?”
They rounded the corner, heading in the opposite direction of the doctor’s office. Emily came to a stop. “I looked it up because I can see you’re suffering. That’s the only test I found that could prove who the father is now.” Looking away, her voice trailed. “It’s enough you took me back. Now you have to deal with this?”
Gavin cupped her face, bringing her gaze back to his. “It’s enough I took you back?” Emily nodded, her eyes glassing over. With his thumbs, he gently swiped away her tears. “Despite all the pain and hurt I went through losing you for just that little amount of time, Emily, I wouldn’t change a thing. Not a thing. I’d take you back a million times over. Pain and all.” He brushed his lips over hers, his voice soft. “We’re dealing with this. Not just me. Us. I’d rather not know than have you put yourself or the baby in any kind of danger. I’d never be able to live with myself if anything happened to either of you because you think I need to know.”
Leaning into his intoxicating warmth, Emily rested her head against his chest. “Are you sure?”
He slid his hands through her hair, pulling her closer. “As sure as I know we’re growing old together. I can see it now. Two rocking chairs on a porch, watching our grandchildren make a fucking mess of our yard. It’s all good. We’ll sugar them up and send them home with their parents in retaliation.” Emily giggled. “Though you might have to feed me applesauce because these pearly whites will be gone. You’re stuck with me.”
Emily looked at him. “Applesauce, huh?”
Gavin shrugged, a grin pulling at his mouth. “Eh. I like pudding, too.”
Pushing up on her tiptoes, Emily popped a kiss on his nose. “Deal. Applesauce, pudding, and grandchildren running loose on sugar highs in retaliation.” Gavin smiled, and Emily reached for his hand. “Okay. But I still need to schedule the transvaginal ultrasound before we leave.”
Gavin cleared his throat as they approached the window where Blondie was chatting away on the phone. “Right. About this transvaginal thing. I don’t like the sound of it.”
Emily rolled her eyes. “What now?”
“Well, I’m not a doctor, so I’m just assuming here, but I’m thinking some dirty old man’s going to have center view of your—”
Emily quickly covered his mouth, her eyes wide as saucers. “Gavin!” She could feel his lips lift in a smile, his blue eyes shimmering with humor. “You, sir, need to get used to this.”
“I’ll do no such thing,” he said, the words muffled under her hand. Turning, effectively releasing his mouth from Emily’s hostage grip, he rang the bell, jolting Blondie from her conversation. Eyes wide, she hung up the phone. “We need to schedule a transvaginal amnio for my girlfriend, but we’d like it performed by a woman.” Emily belted out a laugh. Gavin looked at Emily, his smile wide. “What?”
She shook her head. “It’s not called a transvaginal amnio, psycho Caveman.” His smile faltered, and if Emily wasn’t mistaken, he appeared slightly embarrassed. Nonetheless, he looked adorably sexy.
“It’s called a transvaginal ultrasound,” said Blondie, looking equally embarrassed by the conversation. “Dr. Richards sent the paperwork up. Will two-thirty next Tuesday over at the Freeman building work for you?”
“Will a woman perform this test?” Gavin questioned, no longer looking embarrassed or confused. Now he just looked all-out concerned, and Emily couldn’t help but laugh again.
“I can put in a request, but I can’t guarantee it’ll be a woman who does it.”
“That’s fine.” Emily reached for Gavin, quickly leading him toward the exit. “Two-thirty, next Tuesday, the Freeman building. I’ll be there. Thank you.”
“A woman,” Gavin called out as Emily tugged him into the hall. “We want a woman.”
Emily stepped out into the frigid night air, the mid-January wind needling her face as she waited for Gavin to pull around to the front of his building. With her glove-covered hands tucked deep into the pockets of her pea coat, she shook as she watched motorists fly by. Glancing to her left, she caught Gavin’s Ferrari rounding the corner of the underground garage. She puffed out a smoky sigh of relief and made her way to the curb. Reaching for the handle as he stopped, she swung open the door and climbed in, her body nearly frozen from the few seconds outside.
Gavin frowned, a perplexed look on his face. “I was getting out to let you in.”
She pressed the control panels on the dash, blasting the heat. “You’re too ki… kind,” she stuttered as she pulled the seatbelt across her waist. “But I wasn’t waiting. It’s cold as hell out there.”
“Hell’s not cold, sweets.” He stroked his knuckles against her neck as he eased into traffic. “But you are. Why didn’t you wait in the lobby?”
“I think I’m a glutton for punishment.” She pulled out her cell from her purse and hit the button for Olivia. After a few rings with no answer, she sent a text instead. “It’s either that or… yeah. I’m a glutton for punishment.”
Gavin stopped at a light. Sliding his arm over the back of her seat, he lifted a brow. “You did pass on a romantic evening of watching reruns of the Honeymooners with your man. Maybe you do deserve a little punishment.”
Bringing her eyes to his, she slid her phone closed. “You’re just saying that because we’re meeting everyone at Pacha.”
“Right. A crazy club. Somewhere you don’t belong considering you’re pregnant.”
Emily sighed, amused at his remark. She knew where it came from. She’d won the dispute while getting ready, but he wasn’t hot on the idea. “Gavin Blake?”
“Miss Emily Cooper.”
“Stop being an ass.”
Gavin chuckled. “An ass?” Traffic light green, he brought his arm down to pop the car into gear.
“Yes. An ass. We went over this. It’s a club, not a mosh pit. We haven’t been out with everyone in a while, and in a few months, I won’t be able to.” She kissed his cheek, placing her hand over his as he glided through the gears. “So, I suggest you zip it, Caveman, and show off your hot girlfriend before it’s too late.”
Grinning, he shook his head. “That’s twice today.”
“Twice what?” Emily questioned, pulling down the visor. “That I’ve called you Caveman?”
“Yes. But it’s also twice today you’ve rendered me speechless.” Gavin tried to keep his eyes on the road, but it was close to impossible. Emily’s vanilla-scented perfume drifting through the car was making him high. Shifting in his seat, he glanced in her direction, taking in her sweet, puckered lips. “I’m starting to like it more than I should.” She smiled as she checked her makeup in the mirror. “Either way, this caveman’s keeping his hot girlfriend tucked close while we’re there.” He pulled his
eyes from her beautiful smile back to the road. “I’ll deal with your punishment later, Cavewoman.”
By the time they found parking, Gavin had explained, in great detail, the many ways he planned on punishing her when they returned home. Needless to say, Emily was starting to regret ever going out. His pleasurable torture tickled her senses as they slipped from the car, heightening her regret. After a short but very cold walk around the block to the club, they cleared the VIP line. Gavin pressed his hand against the small of her back, guiding Emily upstairs to the Mezzanine level where Olivia was gyrating against Mr. Fluffy Pink Towel’s pelvis. Music pounding through her ears, Emily could still hear Olivia’s squeal from a few feet away. She all but sprinted toward Emily and Gavin.
“My friend!” After a near fatal collision with a metal pole and a few tables, Olivia pulled Emily into her arms. “You won the battle with the man! I’m so happy you didn’t let him defeat you, and I’m wasted. Yay me! This is going to be a night!”
Emily giggled, slipping her coat from her body. “Yes. I did win the battle.” She smiled at Gavin. He grinned, taking her coat. “And, yes, you’re looking mighty toasted.”
“I plan on constant, warm fuzziness tonight.” Olivia smiled and reached for Emily’s hand, dragging her to the balcony overlooking the dance floor. “See, Emily!” she yelled, her arms flared open wide. “The world is my people!”
“Holy shit, Olivia!” Emily belted out, shocked because Olivia was hanging over said balcony. Emily curled her arms around her waist to keep her from plummeting to her death. She guided her back to Jude and Gavin.