Page 26 of The Awakening
“So you didn’t trust me to keep Montana afloat? Thanks for that vote of confidence.” I headed into the kitchen. I didn’t know how long I could keep this up, but I hoped to give myself a few minutes to regroup.
Tyler followed me. “Gavin, I don’t think it was because he didn’t trust you. He was just looking out for his assets after a few bad decisions were being made.” Tyler chimed in and turned his back to dad. “Go with it.” He mouthed to me.
“Well, I guess I should thank you all for telling me how you really feel. Making sure I know no one here trusts me. What am I doing now that gives you cause for concern?” That might not have been the best question.
“Nothing. I’m more than happy with the work you’re doing here. You are more focused after marriage than these two jokers were.” Dad stepped into the kitchen and pointed at Tyler and Rob.
“Thanks, I think.” I shook my head while my brothers tried to hide their grins. “I’ll run home and get the marriage license.” I put my boots on and stepped to the door, but with my hand on the knob, I turned back. “Did you actually have me watched?”
“No. Well, for a month, yes. But you were doing so well. I knew I didn’t need to continue keeping tabs on you.” Dad looked at the floor and scuffed his foot over the hardwood. “Gavin, there’s nothing I need to know?”
Shaking my head, I replied, “Nope.”
“Okay, I’ll deal with Adam.” He nodded, and I walked out the door heading for home. “Find the certificate and come meet us in the den.”
Somehow that had worked. I’d never been great at lying, especially to my dad, but he’d believed me—or at least decided to go along with the ruse.
I hadn’t seen Ellie all day. She was busy getting ready for the gala. This wasn’t her forte, but Jessica had insisted it was the best way to get money out of people was to make them feel special and do something out of the ordinary. A New Year’s Eve Gala was always a wallet opener.
When I got to the house, I walked in quietly. I didn’t want to disrupt Ellie’s nap, and I had a few hours before I needed to get ready. As her pregnancy progressed, it was taking more and more out of her, and she’d taken to napping at least once, if not twice a day. I needed to deal with Adam and send him on his way so he didn’t have any chance to ruin Ellie’s night.
Ellie was sitting at her vanity when I tiptoed into our room. She yawned and stretched, like maybe she’d just woken up. Her red hair was cascading down her back, the ends loosely curled. Her green eyes studied me in the mirror, appearing more emerald with her makeup done.
“Is it that bad?” Her voice was quiet and filled with disappointment.
“What? No. Ellie, you’re stunning.” I moved behind her and placed my hands on her bare shoulders to get a good look at us in the mirror. She always looked stunning, but I’d only been gone for a few hours, and it was as though I’d come home to a completely different version of her.
I’d thought she looked like a goddess the very first day we met, but she was looking even more stunning. Nothing held a candle to my wife when it came to beauty. “I wish we didn’t have to go to this thing.” Bending low, I nibbled at her ear. “The only thing I want to do is take you to that bed and have my way with you.” She tipped her head, allowing me access to her neck, and I blanketed it with kisses.
“Okay, that’s enough.” She laughed and swatted the hand I was snaking down her shoulder to the top of her breast.
“I’m serious, Ellie. I want to worship you tonight.” I planted kisses on her neck and gently sucked on her earlobe.
She let out a sigh. “Would Jessica be mad if we didn’t show up?”
“Furious. We’d never live it down.”
“I guess we can’t disappoint her then.” Ellie turned on her stool and pressed her lips to mine. Breaking the kiss, she asked, “What are you doing home anyhow? I thought you were going to be busy all afternoon?”
“My Uncle Adam showed up.” I needed more space between us if I was going to behave myself, so I backed up and sat on the bed.
“Oh, is this the guy you planned to fool when you tricked me into marrying you?” The grin that spread across her face was infectious, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Yes, that one. He wants to see our marriage certificate. Do you have any idea where it is?” Relaxing back on the bed, I propped myself up on my elbows.
Ellie stood and walked to the dresser. She opened the top drawer and shuffled through papers, then pulled out the certificate. “Here,” she said, holding it out as she stepped up close to the bed. “If he needs a copy, just ask your mom to do it. I don’t want that out of our hands. I don’t trust a man who’s more than ready to pull the rug out from beneath his family.”
“Thanks.” I stood and kissed her again. Brushing my hand over her, I pulled the edge of the towel that she had wrapped around her, then I broke our kiss and backed up, watching the towel fall to the floor. “Oops.” If I couldn't have a taste of her before we left for the gala, I needed a look to remind me what I was in store for when we got back home.
Scanning her body from head to toe, I lingered on her breasts. I wanted to assault them with my mouth while my hands roamed the rest of her body. But I’d have to wait. I took a deep breath. “Guess that will have to do until tonight.”
Adam had found his way to the wet bar by the time I returned, and it sounded as though my mother had been making sure he knew how angry she was at him. In my entire life, I had only heard my mother raise her voice a handful of times, butshe didn’t seem shy about laying into her brother. The arguing stopped the second I stepped through the door, and all eyes turned to me.
“Here.” I shoved the copy of our marriage certificate at him—I’d made sure to stop in my father’s office to make the copy, because Ellie was right. I didn’t trust him with the original. Crossing my arms, I waited.
He frowned and studied the document, then shoved it back at me. His eyes narrowed as he stepped into my space. “This is all a little—”
My mother cut him off. “Adam, you’ve worn out your welcome. How dare you come in here questioning the relationships of my boys. What happened to you? You were the best, most protective brother growing up, but you’ve become a money-hungry old man. Mamma would be so disappointed. You can leave.” She walked to the door and opened it, giving him a pointed look.
