Pulse - McHugh Gail - Страница 64

Pulling her closer, he ghosted his mouth against hers. “And every kiss? Jesus, don’t even get me started on the way you kiss me. From the first kiss we shared that you stopped”—he softly bit her lip, sucking it between his teeth—”to this kiss right now, you sink me. You make love to me with every kiss. You confirm what this wiseass knew the second he laid eyes on a beautiful waitress with food splattered all over her uniform. I hate using the same lines, but your lips were made for mine. Which means each kiss was made for me. Each time you look at me the way you do, lay a shaky hand on my body, or your soft lips touch mine, you make me thank God for being a man. That’s how you thank me every day, and that’s the way I hope you continue to thank me for the rest of my life.”

Once again struck speechless, Emily wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing him down for a kiss. She had a feeling she’d experience countless “struck speechless” moments with Gavin.

“Mmm. See? You just made love to me with that kiss.” Gavin grinned, reaching for Emily’s hand and leading her out of the nursery.

“I like that term. I make love to you with my kisses.”

“Yes, ma’am, you do.” Gavin winked and grabbed his keys from the kitchen counter. “Now you have me wanting to do nothing but stay home all day so I can continue to get some good ol’ lovin’. I’m about to cancel this little outing.”

Emily giggled and plucked a soft, knit cardigan from the closet. Opting for comfortable flats instead of her gorgeous Stuart Weitzman heels, she sat on the couch and glanced at Gavin while she slipped them on. His suggestion of canceling was becoming more appealing by the second. With his Yankees cap pulled down to his brows, he looked extremely edible swathed in dark blue jeans, a fitted graphic T-shirt, and a pair of Chucks. Emily bit her lip and moved toward her eye candy.

“We can’t cancel,” she said, tossing on her cardigan. The words came out like a pout as she accepted her purse from him. “We’re meeting them at noon, and it’s almost a quarter after eleven.” She reached for his hand and dragged him to the door. If they didn’t get out of there soon, they’d never leave. “Good ol’ lovin’ later, Mr. Blake.” She smiled as she waited in the hall while he groaned, punching in the security code.

It was all good though. She kept him happy by “making love” to him several times on their way down in the elevator.

A slight mid-April chill bit at Emily, spreading goose bumps over her skin as she and Gavin climbed from her car into the bright sun. Either way, spring in New York was beautiful as the city awoke from a long, hard winter. Not that the city wasn’t always alive and well, but the streets held a sense of renew as everything else came back to life. From store owners propping open their doors to let fresh air sweep through their buildings to the trees in every park springing with colorful buds, the center of the world roared her existence with the change of season. It was also something Emily had grown to love.

Locking hands with Gavin, Emily peered into several storefronts as they made their way down Lexington Avenue. Stopping just shy of 74th Street, her gaze fell on a form-fitting summer dress displayed on a mannequin. Hands poised on her hips, the offender wore the dress on her plastic body far better than any top paid model. Emily looked at her growing stomach and sighed.

“What’s wrong?” Gavin asked, his eyes moving between her and the offender.

“That’s beautiful, and I’m never going to fit into anything like it again.” She continued walking toward Giggle, a posh baby boutique Colton and Melanie suggested they check out. “I’ll be lucky if I’ll fit into Hefty garbage bags after I give birth.”

Gavin came to an abrupt stop. He cupped Emily’s cheeks, a wide grin plastered across his face. “If you’re wearing a Hefty garbage bag or a bikini, you’ll still look shmexy.” He popped a kiss on her forehead. “A hundred pounds or five hundred pounds, I’m still gonna love ya.”

“You say that now. Let’s see if you’re saying the same thing when you have to special order me clothing to fit around my ass.” Emily lifted an incredulous brow. “Better yet, let’s see if you’re saying the same thing while trying to pull the garbage bag off my extra-large, naked body.”

A slow smile crept across Gavin’s lips. “You know you’re turning me on, right?”

Emily giggled and reached for his hand. “I’m making an appointment for you with a psychiatrist when we get home.” Weaving down the crowded sidewalk, she spotted the boutique a few doors away. “It’ll be good for you and your obsession. I really think you need one.”

Gavin opened the door to the boutique, giving Emily a light swat on her ass as she walked in. “And I really think if you keep talking about your large or small naked body, I’m going to need a cold shower.”

Emily shook her head, but before she could throw a comeback at him, she caught Teresa’s gaze.

Beaming, Teresa ran toward Emily, her arms spread wide. “Emmy!” Emily knelt down and pulled her in for a hug. “Mommy, look! Emmy and Uncle Gaffin’s here!”

Gavin’s forehead crinkled as his sister-in-law approached. “You guys didn’t tell them we were meeting you?”

“Yeah, right.” Melanie rolled her eyes. “You’ll learn very soon. Never. Ever tell a child something ahead of time. They would’ve bugged us to death while we waited for you.”

Gavin gathered an equally excited Timothy in his arms. “Are your parents keeping things from you two?”

Timothy pouted, wagging an accusing finger at his father. “Yes! Daddy said he was bringing us to Mickey D’s, but then he brought us here. We never knew you was comin. Will you bring us to Mickey D’s, Uncle Gaffin?”

Gavin swooshed his hand though Timothy’s blond hair. “Heck yeah, I’ll bring you to Mickey D’s. Uncle Gaffin’s a sucker for girls named Molly and greasy French fries.” Emily stood and smiled. “And always remember, kid, you’re the one who controls mom and dad. They may be bigger, but you hold more power than you realize. They’re actually afraid of you two. Your dad tells me that every day.”

Timothy curled his lips over his teeth and roared like a lion in Colton’s direction.

Colton shook his head. “Nice one, bro. You’re the hero for the day, and you’ve exposed every parent’s worst nightmare. Wait. You know what they say about payback.”

Gavin lifted a brow, his smile devious. “Ah, well, consider it my payback for the many years of torment you put me through.” He handed Timothy over to Colton, his laugh as devious as his smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll cover the Big Macs.”

Colton looked at Emily, a smirk coating his mouth. “You’re sure you’re ready to hang out with this knucklehead for a while? He might drive you nuts.”

“Who him?” Emily flicked her thumb in Gavin’s direction. “Oh, he drives me nuts, but believe it or not, I’m the one with the control. He may be bigger and more powerful, but he’s most definitely afraid of me. I’ll have him trained up real good sooner than later.”

Gavin chuckled, his eyes wide. “Oh really?”

“Yes really,” she answered, sliding her arm around his back. “Don’t try to act cool in front of them, Blake. You know it’s true.”

Melanie hooted a laugh. “I love it! I knew there was a reason I liked you, Emily. That’s right. Never let these Blake boys think they’ve got you.” She nudged her hip against Gavin’s. “You’re going to be domesticated so quick, you’re not going to know which way is up or down.”

Gavin looked at Colton, his voice deadpan. “Remind me to keep my girl away from your wife.”

With a restless Timothy squirming in his arms, Colton shrugged. “You’re already doomed, bro. They’re having lunch with mom next weekend. Make it easy on yourself and already have the apron on when she gets home. If not, she’ll start withholding really important… physical play time from you.”