Oh my God. Youre such a geek, Emily laughed, hugging him. James Bond says it the other way around. Emily deepened her voice, adding a British accent. Its Bond, James Bond.

Gavin frowned. His sexy bookworm was right. Okay. You win. But it was still double O seven-ish.

Still maintaining the British accent, Emily said, Yes, it was. Kind of. Go ahead, Blake, Gavin Blake. Its your turn.

Yeah. Emily was definitely making him feel like a geek. Smiling, he shook his head. Granite or marble?

Umm granite.

Why did your answer sound like a question?

I dont know. Emily shrugged. Lately, he had a freakishly odd fascination with those types of questions. She figured he was just excited to get his architect magazines. I dont usually sit around thinking about stuff like that.

Gavin kissed her, and although Emily shivered, he could tell it wasnt his doing. She was getting cold. I wouldnt expect you to. Come on. Well go in now.

She nodded.

Confident hed taken Emilys mind off his mother, Gavin turned the handle to find it was locked, so he rang the bell.

With a genuine, warm smile, Gavins father opened the door. He shook Gavins hand and pulled Emily in for a hug. Flicking his light blue eyes down to his watch, Chad closed the door. Youre quite early. Your mothers still at the grocery store picking up a few items for dinner.

Gavin looked at Emily, the confused expression in her eyes alerting him she was onto him. She stared, scrutinizing his face as she searched for answers he wasnt ready to give. He brought his attention back to his father, feeling like a fool caught in a web of lies. Clearing his throat, he helped Emily slip off her coat. When I spoke to her earlier, I couldve sworn she said five.

Nope. Seven fifteen. Chad reached for Emily and Gavins coats and hung them in the foyer closet. Bad hearing at your age is a sign of working long hours. You and your brother need a break.

Grinning, Gavin crossed his arms. Pop, I just got back from a break. Im cool. Really.

Chad shrugged, his tone holding nonchalance. Eh, another cant hurt. Youre young. Live it up. Slapping Gavins back as he led them into the den, he let out a full, hearty chuckle. Dont tell your mother I said that, though.

Gavin smirked, depositing himself and Emily onto the chenille sofa. Shed put you on restriction from watching CSI if she knew you were trying to get me to play hooky.

Shed do worse than that, but Id rather not go into details. Smiling, he clapped once and looked at Emily. I know you cant have any liquor, but can I offer you something else? We have raspberry iced tea, water, and a few juices.

Ill take a water, Mr. Blake. Thank you.

With a loving gleam in his eyes, he smiled. Youre part of our family now, so I insist on you not calling me Mr. Blake. Pop seems to be the cool name for me among my kids, including my daughter-in-law. Youre no different. Good?

His acceptance of her and the situation spread warmth through Emilys chest. In that moment, she understood where Gavin had acquired the charm and charisma he was born with. Good. Ill take a water, Pop. The word felt foreign leaving her lips.

He shot her a wink and started for the kitchen. Very good. Im going to get the appetizers started. Son, a cold bottle of Sam Adams?

Yeah. Thatll work, Gavin answered as his father disappeared around the corner. Sliding Emilys hand over his lap, Gavin pushed her hair away from her neck and leaned into her ear. You look beautiful.

Turning to face him, she lifted a slow, suspicious brow. Oh do I? I wouldnt have thought so considering you didnt want to fool around earlier. She watched him gnaw at his bottom lip, his vibrant blue eyes revealing more than they should. For a second, her heart took a nosedive, her words falling from her mouth faster than she could comprehend. I scheduled an appointment at a local gym with an instructor who helps pregnant women keep in shape. I wont gain that much weight.

Gavin reared back. You think it has to do with your weight?

Ive gained a few pounds. What else am I supposed to think? Youve never turned down sex with me, Gavin. My hormones are raging right now, and yours well, yours are usually no better than a teenage boy. You said you were sick last night, and then before, you just didnt want to. Admit youre turned off. Emily looked down, her voice trailing. Oh, and nice try with the whole having to be here early excuse.

Gavin took her face in his hands, gazing into her worried eyes. My God, I could never be turned off by you, Emily. Its taking everything in me to not hike up that skirt, bend your pretty body right over this couch, and plant myself so deep inside you, neither of us would know where the other begins or ends. Sex with you is a drug, and Im a fucking addict. But hell if you arent the sweetest addiction there is to have.

Then what is it? she breathed, trying to shoo away the vision of being bent over the couch. She was about to hike up her skirt and let him. She squeezed her eyes closed. Gavin holding her face so close to his wasnt helping the hormone situation at all. Not. One. Bit.

Gavin hesitated, his voice low. Im afraid of hurting you and the baby.