by K.N. Lee
“I haven’t had such a relaxing dinner in ages,” she said before eating a chunk of hot sesame chicken.
Garrett glanced at her from across the table. “I haven’t either. Meals in the army are always a race. You rarely get to finish anything.”
“Sounds terrible.”
He shrugged. “It wasn’t all bad. I now have enough money to pursue my dreams. I have some friends that will have my back no matter what. You can’t find that in too many places.”
“You couldn’t be more right,” Isla said. “Robin has always been my most loyal friend. She’d never betray me like some girls from high school. I’m lucky to have her. And you.”
“Of course. Thank you for being here. I know that we have a lot of catching up to do, and I have a lot of explaining, but I can’t be more thankful that you’re giving me a chance.”
“Why wouldn’t I? You meant everything to me. You still do. There’s no use being coy or trying to pretend that I don’t still love you.”
He smiled at her. “I love you too, babe.”
“Good. Now, let’s pretend that we didn’t miss out on almost four years of each other’s lives.”
“I can do that. Jesus, I can’t believe this is happening. I seriously thought I’d be alone for the entire summer.”
Isla sat up in her chair. “What do you mean? What happens after this summer?”
He cleared his throat and held his arms out. “I’m selling the place,” he said. “I’m thinking of moving to the East Coast to pursue my writing career. All of the best agents are in New York, and while I know that all it takes is a letter to them, I want to be in the mix. I want a change, a meaningful one. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll return to England. I do have dual citizenship after all.”
Isla’s heart dropped into her stomach. New York? England? All she heard was I’m leaving you behind again.
“Oh,” she said. She hadn’t expected that.
They’d talked about moving away together when they were just teenagers, but she wasn’t ready to let him go just yet.
“Wow. That’s not too far from now.”
He sighed and closed his box of noodles, shoving it to the center of the table.
“Yeah. I’m going to miss this place. But it's like a tomb. I need to sell it and move on. I think it’s time. I just can’t stay here with all of the memories. My mother was the only thing that kept me here before I met you that one summer. I’d been planning to save all of my money and travel around the country.”
“I remember you telling me that,” she murmured.
“Laguna isn’t for me. The best part about being here was you.”
Crushed, Isla lost her appetite. She set her chopsticks down and drank the rest of her wine. “Well, damn. You just came back, and now you’re leaving.”
“I am. But, who says you can’t come with me? What’s keeping you here? Up until today, you weren’t even a resident of Laguna Beach.”
Isla shot a look at him, stunned. “What do you mean?”
He turned to her, reaching for her hands from across the table. She tensed as he took her hands into his and kissed her knuckles.
“Come with me?”
Isla didn’t think twice. She grinned. “Okay. When do we leave?”
Garrett smiled at her. “Really? I just can’t get over how we both arrived in Laguna at the same time. It’s as if fate brought us back together.”
“Me too. I couldn’t agree more. Let’s go, Garrett. Let’s start over together.”
“Seriously? You’d drop everything and go across the country with me?”
“Yes. One hundred percent!” she exclaimed, sitting up in the wicker patio chair. “Yes. What do I have in Laguna Beach? Nothing, really. Chrissy moved to Los Angeles with her husband and baby. Robin is here, but she can come and visit and vice versa. If you leave, I’m not staying here by myself. I only came to Laguna to regroup. I planned on looking at a map and just picking somewhere to go.”
Garrett smiled at her. “It’s settled then, isn’t it? We’re taking on the world. Together.”
He stood and helped her to her feet. Cupping her face in his hands, he kissed her. Butterflies filled her belly as she closed her eyes and submitted to her body’s desire. She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her body to his.
Please, she thought. Don’t let me wake up.
As if he’d read her mind, he picked her up and carried her inside through the glass back door.
Isla grinned when he took her back to his old bedroom. Nothing had changed, except there was an army bag against the window that looked out to the side street.
Clark crossed her mind and vanished just as quickly. She didn’t care if she ever saw him again.
Garrett didn’t waste any time. There were no doubts between the two of them as he shrugged off her shawl and pressed her against his closed door. He placed his hands against the door on either side of her face and leaned down to her.
“Did you miss me?” he asked, his green eyes looking deep into hers, his voice lowering to a sexy drawl.
She nodded, her brows furrowing. “Of course.”
The door was cold against her bare back as he pulled off her yoga pants and panties. He lifted her by her thighs. She felt dizzy as he kissed her throat.
“How much did you miss me?”
Isla’s eyes fluttered closed, warmth filling her legs as Garrett pressed his thumb to her clit and rubbed it in a circular motion that gave her shivers.
“More than anything, Garrett,” she said, breathless.
The tenderness in which he touched her was unsurpassed by any other man. He touched her as if he cherished her above all things, and she had no doubt that this was right. After two years of silence, this was better than her dreams.
She gasped when he spun her around and laid her on his bed. Taking off his boxers, he licked her nipples, making her shiver beneath his warm and wet tongue. The anticipation was unbearable, and when he positioned himself between her legs, she kissed his hand as he stroked her cheek.
Isla pressed her face into the palm of his hand and then took his thumb into her mouth and sucked it from the base of his hand to the tip.
“Don’t make me wait,” she whispered, a mischievous look flashing in her eyes.
Garrett cracked a grin, reaching for a condom in his top nightstand drawer. “You haven’t changed,” he said and placed the condom on the length of his hardened manhood. He positioned himself between her legs, placing them over his shoulders.
With one swift thrust, he entered her, sliding into her wetness, making her cry out at the rush she felt.
Isla sucked in a breath, overwhelmed by how perfect he felt inside. He filled her, igniting every pleasure sensor in her body. Isla’s breaths became labored as he quickened his speed. He held her legs by her thighs and lifted her pelvis for a better angle.
Her lips parted as he scraped and caressed her G-spot. The sensations were intoxicating, and to add to it, he leaned over and kissed her neck, stretching her legs above her head.
Her world spun in a blur of ecstasy that she was certain would fade into the vaults of her imagination once she woke up from this cruel yet delicious dream.
She didn’t want to wake up.
Ever. She’d live in the bliss of this dream for an eternity as long as Garrett was there with her.
CHAPTER 9
FIVE A.M. FLASHED ON THE ALARM clock and Garrett shot from his pillow, waking Isla. She turned to him, surprised to see him breathing quickly as if he’d just run a marathon.
He gasped for breath and Isla sat up, alarmed.
“Garrett?” she asked, reaching for him in the dark. The pale moonlight spilled into his room from the open window, letting in a soft breeze along with it.
Garrett didn’t look at her. It was as if he didn’t even hear her as he rubbed his face, looking forward as if he saw something before him.
Frightened, Isla looked ahead, following his gaze. She saw nothing but the empt
y bathroom and his dresser against the wall beside the bathroom door.
Goosebumps knitted the flesh on her arms.
“Baby?”
His face was flushed, tears in his eyes, sweat beaded on his forehead and chest.
It broke her heart. She’d never seen him that way. He’d only shed a tear once, and that was when they said goodbye when he left for the army.
What did the war do to her sweet artist—the young man who wrote her poems and painted pictures of her? Out of all of the nights she’d stayed with him in his room, he’d never woke up like that.
She scooted closer to his side of the bed and sat in his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck.
Garrett flinched and wrenched from her hold on him. Without looking into her eyes, he lifted her from his lap and set her on the bed.
Stunned, Isla coiled back. “Garrett? What’s wrong?”
Rejection slammed into her as Garrett stood from the bed and went into the bathroom, closing the door without a word.
Alone, Isla sat up in his bed. Her brows furrowed at what had just happened. She leaned over the bed and searched for her clothes as the sound of a shower came from the bathroom.
What was that? She’d never seen Garrett look like that. There was terror in his eyes.
Pain.
She put on her clothes and walked over to the bathroom door. She stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do. She sucked in a breath and knocked, trying to listen for a reply.
“Garrett?” she called softly. Her heart started to pound in her chest. She didn’t like this feeling. This uncertainty. “Are you okay, baby? Do you need anything?”
When he didn’t reply, she stepped away, unsure of what to do.
She considered leaving, suddenly feeling unwelcome. It’s what she would have done if it was anyone else. But no. This was Garrett, her soulmate. There was no way she was leaving him now.
Instead, Isla left his room and went to the kitchen to make some coffee. It was five a.m., the time when she’d normally go for a run. She never broke from her schedule, but this was a special circumstance.
Isla pulled out the coffee maker from the bottom cabinet and put in a few scoops of instant coffee for the both of them. She chewed her nails as she fretted about Garrett.
She wished she’d gotten a shower. She was still in her running clothes from the day before and probably smelled of steamy sex.
They’d made love late into the night, over and over again. Her inner thighs were sore, but it was worth it. She’d have another marathon lovemaking session with him again right then if he wanted it.
Half an hour passed before Garrett emerged from his room. He wore a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt, his hair still wet and curling above his brows.
She sat at the island, eating a scoop of peanut butter on a spoon. She nodded to his cup of coffee, trying to seem cheerful.
“I made you some coffee. It’s black and might be a little cool,” she said, noticing how he could barely look at her. “I can make you some more if you’d like.”
“No,” he said. “That’s fine.” He picked up the coffee mug and drank from it before pacing the kitchen.
She licked the spoon, watching him, not sure what to say.
“Thank you,” he said.
She exhaled, her eyes closing when he walked over to her. He kissed her on the forehead and sat in the wooden chair beside her.
“Sure. You’re welcome.” She didn’t like the tension in the room but wasn’t comfortable asking him about what happened.
Clark never had nightmares. He snored into the night like a bulldozer but never woke up in a fright.
“I’m sorry about this morning, Isla. I shouldn’t have reacted that way,” he said, rubbing his chin, a hint of reddish stubble on his face. “I have nightmares sometimes.”
“About what?”
He lowered his voice. “Terrible things I’ve done and seen.”
Isla put her hand over his. “I know,” she said. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
“I will. I promise.”
Isla mustered a smile and stood, her feet landing on the cool linoleum floor. She didn’t want to dwell on it. She’d give him time. All that he needed.
“Great. I need to shower and get some clothes. Let’s go back to Robin’s, and grab some stuff from the store.” She motioned to his fridge. “You need bread, milk, and...everything basically,” she said with a laugh.
Garrett stood and pulled her to him by the waist. “I don’t deserve you.”
She pressed her finger to his mouth. “Shh. Don’t say that. We deserve each other.” She kissed him and he hugged her close. “I didn’t get you back for you to doubt us.”
“I never said that I doubted us, babe. Trust me. I’m not going to ruin what we have, no matter how hard my demons try to bring me down.”
Isla looked up at him. “Good. Now you have me. I’ll help you fight those demons the way you helped me fight mine.”
He smiled at her. “You’re incredible.”
Isla pulled him along to the front door. “I know,” she said with a wink.
CHAPTER 10
THE RIDE TO ROBIN’S HOUSE WAS QUICK and comfortable. All of the tension from their morning had dissipated. They talked about old times and laughed together. It was as if no time had passed between them and they picked up where they left off.
Garrett held onto her hand as he drove, stroking the back of her hand with his thumb.
She smiled every time they touched, which still wasn’t enough for her.
Isla’s heart sank into her stomach at the sight of a familiar car in Robin’s driveway.
“Shit,” she murmured, holding her head. “Oh no.” She didn’t need this. Not now. Not when things were getting good again.
“What is it?” Garrett asked, following her gaze to the black Jeep.
Isla felt the color drain from her face as Garrett pulled in along the street and parked. She exhaled.
“Clark,” she said with dread. She held onto the car door handle. “My ex-boyfriend.”
“Oh,” Garrett said, his eyes widening. “This is going to be awkward, isn’t it?”
“Probably,” she grumbled, sitting there, not quite ready to get out of the passenger’s seat. She suddenly felt ill. “Unbelievable. What is he doing here?”
“What do you want to do?”
Isla opened her door. “I guess I better go in and see what he wants. You stay here,” she said. “Clark is a hot head. I do not need him flipping out.”
Garrett lifted a brow, turning off the ignition. “Yeah...that’s not going to happen. If this dude is a hot head, I’m not letting you go in there alone.”
Isla stood there, knowing that there was nothing she could say to make him change his mind once he stepped from the car.
“Come on,” he said, coming around the car to head up the driveway.
Isla cursed under her breath and followed Garrett. Her mind raced at what she would say. She didn’t do anything wrong. They were over. Technically, she’d just left, but that was enough for him to understand that they were no longer together. Did she need to actually say the words?
Worry filled her belly. Neither Garrett nor Clark was one to back down.
She folded her arms across her chest as they stood before Robin’s glass door. Clark was right there in the foyer, talking to Robin.
Isla tapped the glass. The look on Robin’s face alarmed Isla. She glanced at Garrett, and then to Clark who turned to see her.
His eyes went from her—still in her outfit from the day before, disheveled hair and ruined makeup—to Garrett.
Robin pushed the door open, eyeing Garrett, her face pale.
“Come in,” she said, ushering her black cat out of the way.
Isla couldn’t look Clark in the eye as she stepped inside. So, she stood there, unsure of what to say.
“Who is this?” Clark asked, nodding to Garrett.
“Garrett Thorn
e,” Garrett answered, holding out his hand.
Clark’s jaw tightened, but he shook Garrett’s hand nonetheless, surprising Isla.
Civility. Good start.
Garrett had put on some muscle since she’d last seen him. Clark, however, was built like a linebacker, and a few inches taller than Garrett.
They sized each other up and Isla just wanted to run away. She wasn’t ready for this kind of confrontation.
Clark shot her a glare that made her freeze. “Isla, we need to talk. Alone.”
Chewing her bottom lip, she nodded, looking to Garrett.
“You don’t have to go,” Garrett said.
“Nobody asked you,” Clark retorted.
Isla held her hand out, motioning for Clark to go. “It’s fine. I’ll be right back.”
She followed Clark back outside before Garrett could take the bait and engage in an argument with her quick-tempered ex.
Outside, Clark led her to the beach, which was quiet and empty except for a woman doing yoga a few yards down. The sun wasn’t quite at its full brightness yet, the sky still a dull gray.
“What the hell is going on?” Clark asked once they were far from Robin’s house. “You run off and I see you with another man.”
Isla sighed. It was too early for this. She rubbed her arms, looking toward the ocean.
“I’m living my life,” she replied. “Why are you here? Aren’t you supposed to be deploying somewhere?”
Clark grabbed her by the elbow. He spoke to her through clenched teeth, his fingers digging painfully into her skin. “I tried to tell you that I don’t leave for another week, but you ran out like a lunatic. You’re so god-damned impulsive.”
Isla’s brows furrowed as she wrenched free from his tight grasp. “So what? I can do what I want. We are done. I didn’t think I had to spell it out for you. Or maybe your skull is too thick to get it.”
“Really funny,” he said. “I only said that to you because you are so irritatingly irrational. I told you that I would be back, and I expected you to wait for me.”
“Why?” Isla scrunched up her nose. “Why would I wait?”
Clark sighed. He turned away from her.
