Read Online His Lover's Little Secret by Andrea Laurence - Free Book Online Page B

so far. He was able to address all of Roger’s concerns. Things might be back on track if he could keep the owner focused on what was best for his family and his company. But it was taking some time. The conversation was still going when Sabine returned. She didn’t seem pleased.
    He covered the receiver with his hand. “I’m almost done. I can walk and talk,” he said.
    She turned and started walking away with Jared. He followed close behind them, but he was admittedly distracted. By the time he finally hung up, Gavin had already missed out on feeding the ducks. Jared was quacking and clumsily chasing one at the moment.
    Sabine was watching him play with a twinkle in her eye. She loved their son so much. He could tell that Jared was everything to her. He appreciated that about her. His parents had never been abusive or cruel, but they had been distant. Busy. They weren’t hands-on at all. Jared hadn’t had all the privileges that Gavin grew up with, but he did have a loving, doting mother.
    Who was frowning intently at Gavin.
    “I’m sorry,” he said. “It was important.”
    She shook her head and turned back to look at Jared. One of the zoo employees was holding a rabbit so he could pet it. “That’s the most important thing, right there, Gavin.”
    Jared turned around and grinned at his mother with such joy it made Gavin’s chest hurt. “A bunny,” he exclaimed, hopping around on his little legs like a rabbit.
    She was right. He needed to be in this 100 percent. Jared deserved it. And so did Sabine.

Five
    T here was a knock on the door early Sunday morning. Sabine was making pancakes while Jared played with blocks on the floor. Sunday was their easy day. There was no work or preschool. They were both still in their pajamas and not expecting company.
    She was surprised to find Gavin on her doorstep. She was even more surprised to find he was wearing jeans and a T-shirt. It was a Gucci T-shirt, but at least it wasn’t a suit. And it looked good on him. The black shirt fit his muscular frame like a second skin, reminding her of the body he hid beneath blazers and ties. And the jeans...they were snug in all the right places, making her mouth go dry in an instant.
    He caught her so off guard, she didn’t notice at first that he had a large canvas and a bag of painting supplies in his hands.
    “Gavin,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting you this morning.” After yesterday, she didn’t figure she would see him until the test results came back. She could tell that he was trying yesterday, but his thoughts were being pulled in ten different directions. Even after he got off the phone, he was checking it constantly and replying to emails. He had a business to run.
    And yet, here he was.
    “I know. I wanted it to be a surprise.”
    Sabine wasn’t big on surprises. With Gavin, it was more that he wanted to do something his way and to keep her from arguing, he wouldn’t tell her until the last second. Surprise! But still, she was curious. “Come on in,” she said.
    Gavin stepped in, leaning the canvas against the bookcase. “Hey, big guy,” he said to Jared. He got up from his blocks and came over to hug Gavin’s leg. Gavin scooped the toddler up and held him over his head, and then they “soared” around the living room making airplane noises. Jared the Plane crash-landed onto the couch in a fit of giggles and tickling fingers poking at his tummy.
    It had only been a few days, but she could tell that Jared was getting attached to Gavin. It was a good thing. She knew that. But still, she worried. He’d put in a decent effort so far, but could he keep it up for the next sixteen years? She wasn’t sure. But she did know that he’d better not screw this up.
    “I was making pancakes,” she said, turning and heading back into the kitchen. “Have you had breakfast?”
    “That depends,” he said, pausing in the tickle fight. “What kind of pancakes are they?”
    “Silver-dollar pancakes with