Lone Star Baby (McCabe Multiples Book 5) by CATHY GILLEN THACKER Page B

that direction.”
    He caught her hand in his and this time he didn’t let her go. “Because?”
    “They’ve noticed I’m attracted to you. And I have the feeling they sense the attraction might be mutual. They also think I might be more comfortable in their home. Although they invited you to bunk there, too.”
    He snorted. “Ah, no.”
    She laughed despite herself, shaking her head in silent remonstration. “That’s what I said. And for the record? Since you and I are both charged with caring for Ava—together—I still plan on staying here.”
    He stroked a hand through the silky softness of her hair, tucking a strand behind her ear. “Even though your parents don’t approve?”
    “I’m a
grown
woman,” she reminded him indignantly.
    He let his hand fall. “Who’s now blushing bright red.”
    She stepped back. “Because I’m ticked off that they would even
suggest
that you and I might mistake our duty to Ava for something else,” she huffed, gathering steam yet again.
    He grinned at the realization that he wasn’t the only one thinking about traveling that particular road.
    “Like what?”
    “I—I don’t know.”
    Yeah, she did. So did he.
    And it was time they both accepted and acted on that.
    Leaning forward, he took her face in his hands. “Something like this?”

Chapter Eight
    Violet had known Gavin would eventually kiss her again. Just as she knew that when he did, she would throw her reservations aside and kiss him back.
    Nonetheless, she hadn’t expected to feel a lightning bolt of passion the second their lips touched. Hadn’t known she would let out an involuntary moan or curl against him quite so readily.
    But she did, and her response was all the encouragement he required. He ran his hands through her hair, tilting her face up to his, and tenderly meshed his lips with hers.
    Emotion poured through her.
    She had never felt such incredible need.
    Never wanted someone so completely.
    Or felt quite as wanted in return.
    Gavin lifted his head, said gruffly, “You better go if you don’t want me to take you to bed.”
    She laughed shakily. “Leaving is not an option.”
    “Exactly what I hoped you would say.” He tucked an arm beneath her knees and lifted her against his broad chest. Cradling her close, he carried her through the kitchen and into the bedroom.
    There was barely room for anything except his king-size bed, but that was fine with her. Still kissing him, she toed off her boots and reached for the buttons on her dress. He caught her around the waist, pulling her snug against him, one of his knees riding erotically between her thighs. “Let me.”
    He kissed her again, one hand moving to the sash at her waist. When that was loose, he proceeded to undo the buttons. From the waist up, from the waist down, kissing her all the while.
    He stopped to part the edges of her dark denim dress and grinned when he saw the red camisole and matching panties beneath. And then those were coming off, too.
    The next thing she knew he was dropping her onto the bed. Following her down.
    Laughing softly, she rolled so she was on top.
    He rolled so she was beneath.
    “I want you naked, too.”
    He smirked, put his mouth over hers and took her in. “We’re getting there,” he said, kissing her with soul-shattering finesse.
    But not, apparently, until he was ready.
    He nipped at her lower lip. Slid his hands beneath her and lifted her into the hard planes of his body. She rubbed against the erection straining through his pants. A whimper of need escaped her.
    He caught her wrists in one hand and anchored them above her head. “More?”
    “Yes.”
    She quivered as his mouth found her breasts, his fingertips probing the velvety warmth between her thighs.
    She was wet, waiting, wanting.
    Gavin couldn’t get enough of her.
    The softness of her skin, the way she at first surrendered, then commandeered their kiss. He could feel her fighting the want and need, and he could feel her losing the