Secret Son, Convenient Wife(50)

He broke away from her mouth. “Gemma?”

“I’m here, Tate.” She leaned her palms on his chest, deepened the kiss and adjusted her body, making him growl in his throat. She slid her hand down to where he was hard for her. “And I’m not going anywhere…”

She kissed the length of his throat, down the center of his chest. By the time she’d finished with him, they were both satisfyingly exhausted.

And he knew what she’d been trying to say.

She was staying with him, and nothing would stop her.





Ten




By the time the awards dinner rolled around on Friday night, Gemma was pinching herself. Something had changed between her and Tate. Something subtle but good. It was almost as if he actually trusted her.

Of course, he was still convinced she’d wanted Drake two years ago, and that continued to hurt her, but at least he seemed prepared to put it behind them.

She was praying Drake didn’t turn up tonight to spoil things. After a while there didn’t appear to be any empty chairs at their table, or any of the other tables. Once the room was full, she finally let out a slow sigh of relief.

Able to relax now, she noticed that Darlene and Helen seemed to be getting on well together and were talking like old friends. Thank heavens that had worked out. She’d worried she might have caused more friction between them. If Tate had found out, it might have damaged the thin trust between them.

“Did you have something to do with this?” Tate murmured in her ear, making her realize he’d been watching his mother and grandmother with a slightly confused look.

Gemma lifted a slim shoulder and shrugged. “I merely listened.” And really, that’s all she’d done.

An odd gratitude flared in his eyes, and she wondered if he was starting to look at his mother in a more forgiving light. There was a ways to go, but still…

“Thank you, Gemma.” He kissed her softly on the lips.

The kiss took her by surprise, and love for him filled her up and threatened to overflow. Dare she believe his affection was developing into something more?

When she looked again, the others were smiling at her. Darlene and Jonathan looked pleased by the kiss, and Helen looked thoroughly delighted. Only Bree seemed puzzled, as well she should. Things in the Chandler family had changed for the better, but Tate’s sister hadn’t been told anything yet.

Gemma herself had been surprised by the warmth Tate’s grandmother had shown her on arrival tonight. At first, she’d thought it was for show, but as Helen had spoken to her as if she was actually welcome in this family, she knew the elder woman had changed her tune. Thankfully, the others appeared to be following her lead.

Just then, the awards presentation commenced and there were speeches about the good things the Chandler family had done over the years. Finally, Helen was asked to center stage, and Jonathan walked his mother through a standing ovation.

The older woman waited until everyone was seated before speaking. “It’s a great honor for me to be standing here tonight, accepting this award. As you know, my dear husband, Nathaniel, passed away only a couple of months ago, but he would have been thrilled to know…”#p#分页标题#e#

Gemma listened with a light heart. The Chandler family really did deserve this award, and she was so glad that nothing had stopped them from receiving it. She would never have been able to forgive herself if the award had been taken from them because of her actions…or because of her family’s actions.

“And Nathaniel was all about family,” Helen was saying, bringing Gemma back to the speech. “It’s something my son has continued, and now, I’m pleased to say, my grandson, as well. As many of you know, Tate recently married, and his new wife and son have brought great joy to this family.”

Gemma’s heart lifted in surprise. How lovely of Helen to…

“Gemma is proving herself to be a valued member of our family. She joins my daughter-in-law, Darlene, and my granddaughter, Bree, in being women determined to make life better for their loved ones. Gemma had no decent example to follow growing up, so it’s a measure of her as a person that she’s so giving and strong.”

Gemma sat there stunned, only vaguely aware of Tate picking up her hand and squeezing it. Helen was supporting her in public? She was telling everyone that Gemma’s parents were in the wrong? Telling everyone not to believe what was on the internet or the television? Gemma hadn’t expected such wholehearted support.

“And then there’s my great-grandson,” Helen continued. “Nathan joins us as the littlest member of my family, but certainly not the smallest in value.”