“Is that your final answer?” She laughed.
“Yes.” His mouth skimmed her neck, trailing kisses down her chest and brushing her nipple, causing her chest to rise and fall in rapid succession. His free hand slipped between her legs and into her folds. Her back arched, and her eyelids closed.
“This hardly seems fair,” she forced out as his tongue traced her areola. “You have me captive, and I can’t do anything to you.”
“You’re doing plenty to me just the way you are,” he said in a low growl, torn between taking his time getting reacquainted with her body and ravaging her. He moved his attention to her other breast as he plunged his finger inside her and rubbed her mound with the heel of his hand.
“Garrett.” Her voice was impatient as she squirmed underneath him.
“What do you want, Blair?”
“I want you, and I want you now.”
He tortured her for several seconds more, taking delight in her groans of frustration before he lifted his head to study her face, his hand moving in slow circles between her legs. “Are you on birth control?”
Her eyes flew open. “What?” But then the question seemed to sink in. “No. Please God, tell me you have a condom.”
He grinned, his hard-on aching as he studied her swollen lips and hooded eyes. “And if I said no?”
She grinned back. “You’d have to wear a pair of loose gym shorts and a long T-shirt to the nearest pharmacy.”
He sat up and pulled a small box out of the drawer, opening the flap to remove a package. “Good thing I have this.”
“A new box,” she murmured.
He turned his attention to her, wondering what she would read into his next words. “I bought them for you.”
Her body tensed, and her eyes were guarded. “You thought you’d be having sex with me?”
“Honestly, Blair? No. I only wanted you to give me a chance. I never expected that we’d be doing this. Hoped? God, yes.” He leaned over her, placing a soft kiss on her full lips and resisting the urge to devour them. He looked into her eyes. “I hoped I’d have the chance again, because there’s never been anyone like you. Every other experience I’ve had has been hollow and empty. It has only made it alarmingly clear what I really need.” He kissed her gently again. “I need you.”
She reached up and kissed him with a fire that consumed him, and then pulled away to take a package out of the box and rip it open. Just the feeling of her rolling it over his erection was about to do him in. “I need you too,” she finally said.
He rested his elbow next to her head, kissing her while his hand skimmed between her breasts, slowly glided down her abdomen, and ended up between her legs once more. Within seconds she moaned and lifted her hips to him.
“Garrett.”
“Not yet,” he murmured against her lips, moving his mouth over her jaw and down to her neck.
“I thought you were impatient.”
“I was impatient to touch you.”
His mouth found her breast again, his tongue and teeth making her squirm.
She gasped, her nails digging into his shoulders. “Now I’m impatient. I want you now, Garrett.”
He sat up and moved between her legs, getting to his knees. Lifting her ankle behind his back, he looked down at her, appreciated the beautiful strong lines of her body. “I’ll give you anything, Blair. You only have to ask.” Then he entered her in one stroke as she arched up to take him in.
Her eyes sank shut, and her chest rose. He reached for her breast, his thumb softly brushing her nipple, reveling in the way she writhed beneath him. When he pulled back and entered her again, she lifted her other leg and locked her ankles, clinging to him.
She reached for him, but he laced his fingers with hers and placed her hands on either side of her head as he leaned over her, pushing deeper. He kissed her deeply, his tongue mimicking his thrusts.
As soon as he felt her tighten around him, he shifted slightly, eliciting a soft cry from her. He moved his mouth next to her ear as he released one of her hands and tilted her pelvis up, concentrating on her needs, wanting more than anything to push her over the edge. She arched up again and released a low guttural sound before moaning his name.
The sound of his name on her lips, like this, was his undoing. He plunged into her harder, needing to get deeper. Her hands grabbed his ass, helping him with his goal. He rocked against her, and she came again, and her soft sounds as she tightened around him pushed him over the edge. He pushed into her with several more grunts before collapsing on top of her. He could make love to her from now until forever, and he would never have enough of her.
She moved beneath him. Realizing he was crushing her, he rolled to his side, taking her with him.
For a moment she didn’t say anything, and he worried she was feeling regret, but then she opened her eyes and stared at him with amazement. “I don’t remember it being that good.”
“It’s only going to get better.”
Uncertainty filled her eyes, so he kissed her. At first it was just to show her he wasn’t going anywhere, but with her naked body pressed against him, her leg still slung over his hip, he found himself getting hard again.
She laughed against his lips and leaned forward to rake her teeth over his lower lips. “Again?”
His hand moved to her breast, and he grinned. “Blazer, we’re only getting started.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Blair woke up to sunlight filtering through the cracks of the hotel room’s drapes. Today was her wedding day, and here she was in a tangle of sheets and limbs with another man.
Guilt practically choked her as she pushed up, letting the sheet pool at her waist.
“Blair?” Garrett’s voice was groggy with sleep as his arm tightened around her waist. “Come back.”
“I have to go.” The words were delivered in a wobbly voice, and he was instantly awake.
He bolted into a sitting position. “Why? What’s wrong?”
Tears burned her eyes. “I have to talk to Neil.”
His eyes flew open wider with alarm. “Why?”
“We’re still engaged, Garrett. Him calling me a bitch and stomping off didn’t officially break us up.”
His jaw clenched, and his eyes turned dark. “He called you a bitch?”
She gave him a tight smile. “I probably deserved it.”
“I don’t think so. I want to talk to him too.”
She laughed softly. “Admitting that I’m turned on by you going slightly caveman seems wrong, especially since it theoretically sets women’s rights back a few decades.” She gave him a kiss. “But nevertheless, I don’t need you to talk to him. I’m perfectly capable of talking to him myself.”
He shook his head, his jaw set. “I don’t want you talking to him at all.”
“Garrett. A little caveman goes a long way. Now is not the time for jealousy.”
“It’s not jealousy, Blair.” He swallowed and picked up her hand in his. “He doesn’t love you. I’m worried he’ll do something to hurt you.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “Neil would never hit me.”
“There are other types of pain besides physical violence.”
She narrowed her eyes. What did he know that he wasn’t telling her? “Garrett, I still have a wedding scheduled for five o’clock this evening. I have to deal with this situation.”
“But you’re not still marrying him, right?”
She gestured to the mussed covers. “After this? I would never have slept with you if I still intended to marry Neil.”
His eyes closed, and his shoulders sank. “Thank God.”
“You really thought I’d go back to him?” she asked in disbelief.
His eyelids flew open, and he gave her a wry smile. “No, but I just got you back.” He picked up her left hand and twisted the ring on her finger. “And you’re still wearing his ring.”
Oh, God. She was. Did that make her a cheater after all?
“I’d
like to think of it as you wearing my ring.”
Her gaze lifted to his, confusion in her eyes.
“My mother is the eldest daughter. Legally, the ring belongs to my mother. Not Aunt Debra.”
“It’s an engagement ring, Garrett.”
His eyes searched hers as his fingers tightened on the band. “I know, and I’ll get you another one if you’d like. One that’s more like you.” He clambered around her and off the bed, and then dropped to one knee beside her. “Blair, I love you, and I don’t want to spend another day without you. Marry me.”
She grinned. “Did you seriously just propose to me on one knee—naked?”
He lifted his shoulder and smirked. “Full disclosure. Literally.”
Her smile fell. He was serious. “Garrett . . .”
He rose to sit on the side of the bed, then cradled the back of her head and pulled her mouth to his. His tongue parted her lips and ignited another fire of desire inside her. She had no doubt that she loved him, and no one had ever made her feel the way Garrett did, but . . .
She pushed against his chest, pulling back. “It’s so sudden. Where would we live? How would this work?”
He cupped her cheek, looking up into her eyes. “For once in your life, go with your heart, Blair. Not with your head.”
“But my job—”
“Fuck Sisco, Sisco, and Reece. Why would you want to work for them after the sexist stunt they pulled on you?”
“So I give up my job—and you just keep yours?”
“From what you said, if you’re not getting married tonight, you won’t have a job to give up.” He said it matter-of-factly, but not without sympathy.
Oh, God. He was right.
He held her hand. “I’ll quit mine too. We’ll both start over. I don’t care where we live, Blair. As long as it’s together.”
This was crazy. They had both changed in five years. They needed more time. But looking into his eyes now, she knew she could wait five minutes or five more years, and she’d still want the same thing. She’d want him.
For once she was going to listen to her heart.
“Yes.”
He tackled her onto the bed, capturing her mouth and showing her what she had to look forward to as his wife.
A half hour later, she lay in his arms with her head nestled against his chest. His fingers stroked her back, and she looked up at him. “Garrett, I still need to see to Neil.”
“Why don’t you just call him?”
She pushed up on one elbow. “I can’t end this on the phone. That’s nearly as bad as breaking up with someone in a text message.”
“I know, but it was worth a shot.” He grinned, but the expression faded quickly. “At least you’re seeing him with my ring now.”
She sat up and sighed. “I need to go home and change. But my car’s still at the church. And I have to find out who has my purse.”
He sat up, snatched his phone off the nightstand, and handed it to her. “I’ll drive you home, but why don’t you call him to set up a time? I’m sure there are arrangements that need to be canceled.”
She cringed, overwhelmed by the enormity of the task.
He smiled at her and gave her a kiss. “It’s going to be okay. I’ll help you. I’m sure Megan and Libby will help too.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
He put the phone in her hand and stood. “I’ll go into the bathroom and give you some privacy, but come join me in the shower when you’re done.”
“Okay.”
She watched him walk into the bathroom and shut the door. When she heard the water come on, she took a deep breath to steady her nerves as she placed the call.
“Where is she, Garrett?” Neil answered. The obvious hate in his voice caught Blair off guard.
“It’s not Garrett,” she said. “And I’m right here.”
“Blair.” His tone softened. “God, I’ve been so worried about you.”
“I’m fine.”
He paused, and his voice was cold when he spoke again. “I’m sure you are, since you’re calling me at nine in the morning on our wedding day from your ex-boyfriend’s phone.”
She cringed but didn’t respond. It was deserved. “I need to see you, Neil.”
“It’s bad luck to see your groom on your wedding day.”
She rested her elbow on her knee and pressed her hand against her forehead. “Neil.”
“Okay. I’ll meet you.”
“Thank you.”
“You know I love you, Blair. If you need reassurance, and I’m sure you do after your . . . night—I’ll be more than happy to give it to you. Do you want me to come to the condo?”
“I’m not there.”
“I see.” He paused. “Can you come to my loft?”
Something in his voice sounded off, not that she blamed him. He was handling it better than she would have if their situations had been reversed. “I’d rather meet somewhere neutral.”
He was silent for several seconds. “Garrett’s staying at the Omni, and I know for a fact your car is still at the church. There’s a bakery a block away from the hotel, close enough for you to walk there. Can you be decent in a half hour?”
She cringed again, but she deserved that too. “Yes. I’ll meet you then.”
“I know you’re worried about sparing my feelings, but I fully expect you to show up in the dress you wore last night.” His voice broke. “So don’t worry about changing. I just want to see you. I can overlook what you’re wearing.”
“Neil,” she forced past the lump in her throat. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s going to be fine, Blair. Just come see me.”
She hung up and set the phone on nightstand. It dinged, so she picked it back up.
There was a text on the screen from BD: The contract still needs some work. We’ll try to have it done in time.
She cringed when she realized she’d read a professional text. Then it dinged again, and a new one popped up.
That’s a lot of money to give up for a woman. I hope she’s worth it.
Was that text about her? What money was he giving up?
Garrett found her sitting on the bed when he got out of the shower. He pulled her up and into his arms, his body still damp.
“Blair? Are you okay? Did he—”
Her mouth twisted to the side. “He was more understanding than I would have been.” She paused, then looked into his eyes. “Why did you go to see Neil at his office?”
He swallowed. “I’m not sure what bullshit he told you, but from your reaction when I confirmed going there, it couldn’t have been good. But I promise you, I only went to find out if he really loved you.”
“And?”
His jaw tightened. “I was unsatisfied with his answers. Do you believe me?”
She wanted to ask about the texts too, but she worried she’d come across as defensive or snooping. Bottom line, she trusted him or she didn’t, and she wholeheartedly did. “Yes.”
He cradled her head to his chest. “So you and Neil are done?”
She pulled away to look at the clock on the nightstand. “No. I have to meet him in twenty minutes, and I still need a shower. I can’t meet him smelling like you.”
“If he knows, then you don’t need to see him.”
She slid off the bed. “I do. It’s the right thing to do.”
He stood up and stared into her eyes. “I love you, Blair. I’ll do anything I can to help you. Just tell me what you need.”
She shook her head. “This part I have to do alone. Then when I’m done, we’ll figure out the rest together.”
“You might not have to do it at all.”
Blair groaned. “I just told you that I did.”
“No. He might end it without you going.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I just talked to him on the phone, Garrett. He knows I called from your phone, and he very much still wants to get married.”
His face contorted with anger. “He’s up to somethin
g. Let me go with you.”
“I’m a big girl. I can handle myself.”
He looked torn, but he pulled her close and gave her a soft kiss. “Okay.”
She took a quick shower and dried her hair before putting on her dress. Garrett gave her privacy, but he was waiting for her when she emerged from the bathroom.
He pulled her into his arms. “Are you sure you want to do this? At least let me walk you there.”
She pushed him away and broke free. It didn’t feel right to let him hold her before she went to see Neil. “I don’t want to do it, but I need to do it. And I have to hurry, or I’m going to be late.”
Worry filled his eyes. “I wish you had your phone.”
A low laugh escaped her, and she forced a smile. “I’m walking all of a block to see a mild-mannered man. What do you think is going to happen to me? Physically, I’m perfectly safe. Emotionally, I deserve everything I’m going to get.”
“Blair. Don’t say that. You don’t deserve the stress he’s putting you through.”
“Why not? I knew I didn’t really love him. Not like this. The relationship wasn’t fair to him. And now we’re both paying the price.”
“Neil is hiding something from you. Something big.” Indecision flickered in his eyes. “Make him tell you what I found out when I went to see him.”
She shook her head. “What are you talking about?”
He gave her a soft kiss. “You’re a good person, Blair. No matter what you believe right now. Make him confess, and you’ll realize you’ve made the right decision, even if you take me out of the equation.”
That sounded ominous. “What is he hiding, Garrett?”
He shook his head. “I want him to be the one to tell you.”
Five minutes later she made the walk of shame to the bakery and found Neil sitting at a table, two cups of coffee in front of him.
He stood when he saw her, wariness in his eyes. “You came.”
“I said I would.”
He gave her a soft smile. “You’re a woman of your word. I’ve always loved that about you.”
She sat in the chair across from him. He sat back down and slid one of the cups toward her. “I got you a vanilla latte. No whip. Just the way you like it.”
The Wedding Pact Box Set Page 58
