Page 16 of His Bride

“Does that loop back to the well-meaning, but not silent enoughstuff,too?”

“I was called on in every session, even when I sat at the back. When experts were on a panel, and their voices needed to be heard. When I didn’t have anythingtosay!”

“You’re one of the smartest people I know. I’m sure you had somethingtosay.”

“I did. That’s the thing. And sometimes, it wasbullshit.”

“Ah.” He’ssmiling.

“No, not ah. I’m not a politician,Gavin.”

“Iknow.”

“Don’t be proud of me for spouting bullshit.” I push lightly against his chest and he leans in, covering my mouthwithhis.

“But I am,” he whispers after I’m dizzy from kissing. “So proud of you, for stepping out of your comfort zone and handling a challenging situation with grace and class and an extraordinary amount ofintelligence.”

“Nowthatis some grade A political bullshit,” I murmur as I swayagainsthim.

“It's not bullshit. I know for a fact you were impressive because it was all overthenews.”

Oh. God. “How much of the coverage was on global migration of women and children?” You know, the whole point of theconference.

“All of your answers were on point.” I growl lightly, and he tugs my hair again. “I’m sorry, though. I know you’d prefer to just be Ellie at thesethings.”

“You don't need to be sorry. I do quite like being Mrs. Gavin Strong, you know. Even when it involves news cameras. I'm just tired andcranky.”

He pitches his voice lower, to a sexy, urgent rub of words. “You need wine, and dinner, and a good, hardspanking.”

I do. All three. Gavin's spankings unlock something in me and help me refocus myenergy.

Plus they make him hard, and me wet, and then we have spectacular sex, which is also great for one'sspirit.

“I’m going to risk sharing one more thing,” he adds. “There were some pictures of you heading to yogaoneday.”

I give him a warylook. “Mmm?”

He grins. “Are the dark purple yogatightsnew?”

I bought them with him inmind. “Yes.”

“I like themalot.”

“Okay. I want my wine and dinner andspankingnow.”

He hands me my wine glass. “And you shall have all three, mybride.”

We getthe SOS text message from Max a week later. It’s baby time. Violet has gone into labour, and everyone is welcome to join them at thehospital.

Gavin clears his schedule for the rest of the day and off we go. Sasha is getting out of a cab as we arrive, and she comes upstairs with us to get the lay of the land, then disappears again in search offlowers.

We announce ourselves to the clerk at the desk, then take a seat in the waiting room. Max pops out briefly to give us a contraction update—Violet’s getting close, for sure—and then he disappearsagain.

When Sasha returns, she’s got Lachlan, Hugh, and Beth in tow, and then others spill inafterthat.

Two hours after we arrive, Max re-appears in the doorway of the waiting room. “I’m a dad,” he announces as we rush to his side. “Violet’s holding our son. My boy. I have a boy! His name is Noah. And I’mhisdad.”

Gavin gives him a big, tight hug with back thumping, then it’s my turn, and everyone else gets a good squeezein,too.

---