Page 27 of The Awakening
Adam’s mouth hung open and he walked out of the house.
“Now, all four of you men need to go get ready for the gala. If you aren’t on time, you will be the next ones out that door,” she said firmly before she stepped out of it herself and headed back toward the main house.
Chapter Seventeen
Ellie
The big barn was lit up like a disco ball. Music wafted out from the open door, and people mingled out front.
I absentmindedly played with my bracelet while I watched the comings and goings of our guests. A coldness flowed through me and the pulse in my neck pounded as my heart raced.
The barn was filled with too many people I didn’t know, and I couldn’t force myself to walk in alone. It had been years since I felt like this.
Shy.
Overwhelmed.
I shuffled backward until I was far enough away from the open barn door not to raise suspicion, then I turned and rushed in the opposite direction.
Tonight’s fundraiser was for the local hospital, and it was my introduction into the world of the Morton family. Their friends and important people in the community were milling about. I had never seen anything like this in my life.
Jessica had planned everything right down to the dress I was wearing. But it didn’t matter how I was dressed. I was completely out of my league. I didn’t belong there.
“Where are you going? Everyone is excited to meet you.” Gavin walked up behind me and rested his hand gently on my lower back. His voice was low, and he smelled like cedar and honeysuckle.
He was dressed in a black suit jacket and wearing black wranglers. Over the few weeks we had been here, I had seen him in dirty jeans every day, which was a stark contrast to the man standing in front of me.
“Gavin, you look absolutely amazing,” I breathed and took a step back to look him up and down. “Wow.” Was all I could say.
“You done ogling me? Because I need to look at you.” He stepped in close and ran his hand down my arm. His touch was light and sent tingles deep into my core.
“You are stunning. I can’t believe you’ve been hiding yourself behind baggy pants and shirts.”
“Well, I didn’t want to flaunt the fact I was having a baby, and one that’s not actually yours,” I whispered.
Gavin leaned into me and matched my volume. “How many times do I have to tell you, I don’t care about that?”
His warm breath tickled my neck and sent shivers down my back. I pouted my lips out a bit and looked into his eyes.
Gavin lowered his head and brushed his lips against mine, then he wrapped me up in his arms and pulled me close. Ever so gently, our tongues tangled, and he tightened his grip on me.
He pulled away and guided me to the barn. Gavin cleared his throat and shuffled his feet in the new dusting of snow. “Are you worried I might do something wrong? You seem a little jumpy.”
Gavin gave me a half a smile before shaking his head. “Nothing you could ever do would upset me. You don’t giveyourself enough credit.” He put a hand on my neck and stroked my cheek, then leaned in to kiss away my worries.
Footsteps sounded then, and someone cleared their throat. “Is the honeymoon ever over for you two?” Kate asked. Gavin and I parted and looked back to see Kate and Tyler walking toward us.
Gavin backed away from me. “Your lipstick is smudged,” he whispered in my ear. I wiped around my lips. His low chuckle almost made me take him into the house to continue our exploration of each other.
“The crowd is looking for you. Would you like me to tell them you’re preoccupied?” Tyler looked from me to Gavin. He knew the truth about our relationship, and he’d probably told Kate. They seemed to have the kind of marriage where there were no secrets.
“No, don’t do that. We were just on our way in.” I threaded my arm through Gavin’s and nudged him toward the barn.
Kate leaned over to me and whispered, “That was not a ‘we’re pretending to be together’ kiss. Are you two giving in to the chemistry between you?”
I was happy the sun was setting because I was sure I turned ten shades of red. “I don’t know what’s happening, but I hope so.”
“We will continue this conversation tomorrow.” Kate said as she walked back toward her husband.
