But on the way home it wasn’t the tension between Tate and his family that worried her. It was the heightening awareness between the two of them—the feeling that after this morning, an arm’s length wasn’t enough.
Did she really want it to be?
“About my parents,” she said, trying to get back to normalcy. “Thank you for sticking up for me. I really do appreciate it.”
Tate gave her a pleased sideways glance. “You’re welcome.” Then, in an instant, there was something more in his look, as if he was remembering making love to her.
She dragged in a breath and searched for something else to say. “Doesn’t your grandmother like your mother?”
Oh, dear.
His hands tightened on the wheel, but he kept his eyes on the road. “Why do you say that?”
She’d been trying to dispel the sexual tension inside the car. Instead, she’d replaced it with another type of tension.
She wrinkled her nose. “Just something in the air when they’re in the same room.”
“I hadn’t noticed.”
Her gut feeling said that wasn’t the truth. Something was going on here. Yet was it really any of her concern? In spite of being grateful that he’d supported her today, she hadn’t wanted him messing in her affairs before now. He wouldn’t like her messing with his. She let it be.
It was a relief to arrive home and get out of the car. Inside the house, all was quiet.
Not for long, though, not with a one-year-old in the house. Nathan had been thoroughly spoiled all afternoon by the Chandlers, so it took a great deal of patience to get him through dinner, a bath and in his crib.
“Is he asleep?” Tate asked quietly behind her, making her jump as she backed out of Nathan’s room.
She spun around. Tate was right there in front of her. Up close. “Almost.”
“I thought I’d order pizza for dinner.”
“P-pizza?”
“You used to love pizza.”
“I still do.” Her stomach fluttered. They had once shared a pizza and then made love. Of course, Tate had grown up wealthy, so delivered pizza had been a novelty for him. As she had no doubt been a novelty for him…
“I’ll leave a note for Peggy that we don’t want to be disturbed.”
“Won’t she—” She paused.
Amusement lit up his eyes. “What?”
She could feel herself blushing. “You know.”
“Think I’m having my ‘wicked way’ with you?” His gaze roamed her face. “That’s exactly what I intend to do. Again and again.” Giving her the full force of his charisma, he lowered his head, his lips seeking hers…just as Nathan started to cry. Tate hovered above her mouth. “We could let him keep crying,” he murmured.
She hardly dared move. “We could.”
The crying got louder.
He inhaled deeply, straightened and gave a wry smile. “You’d better go see to our son.” Before she could move away, he put his hand under her chin and kissed her quick. “Then later, lady, I intend to see to you. And I intend to take my time doing so.”#p#分页标题#e#
Gemma had already pictured herself locked against his naked body, but his words reminded her of something she had to say. Nathan could wait a few moments more. His was a tired cry, not a hurting one.
She nervously wet her lips. “I know we didn’t use…er…protection this morning, but I am on the pill now. I started taking it a few weeks ago when you said we were getting married. I just thought I’d say so. In case you were worried.”
“I’m not.” He raised an eyebrow but was watchful. “Are you?”
“No.” Having his baby again and sharing in the wonder of it, knowing Tate would be pleased to be a part of it this time, would be wonderful. If only…no, she wouldn’t wish for more. She didn’t need more to give their children a happy life, she told herself.
He frowned. “There’s a problem?”
She couldn’t tell him her thoughts. “The doctor did say it may not be fully effective for another few weeks.”
His face relaxed. “Then we’ll take extra precautions in future.” He ran a finger along her chin. “And from now on we’re sharing a bed.”
“Are you sure?”
“There’s no going back now.”
She silently agreed. It would be too cruel to return to a platonic marriage. “No, there isn’t.”
His mistrust of her hadn’t been resolved, but she had hopes they could move past it now that there was a renewed connection between them. Their married life had truly begun. And that was a scary but exhilarating thought.