by Blake Camden
As soon as my meeting’s over, I storm out of the building and head straight to Fate Advisors. It’s lunchtime, so traffic is heavy along El Camino Road, but I pull into the parking lot at twelve twenty.
The lot is almost full, but I’m able to find a spot at the end of the driveway. Before I even get out of my car, a man walks out of Angel’s office, and my blood starts to boil.
She doesn’t have time for me, but she can fuck this dude?
Part of me wants to tear this guy apart for touching my woman, but a bigger part of me wants to storm into that room and make her tell me what’s going on.
My original appointment was scheduled for two o’clock, so I know she won’t have another client until then. There is always an hour or more buffer between clients to allow the cleaning crew to take care of the room, so she’s probably alone right now. I consider waiting until Angel has a chance to shower and clean up, but I’m tired of waiting.
I want answers, and I want them now.
The second her client pulls out of the parking lot, I head straight to her room and pound on the door.
Angel is wearing her thick robe and has her hair pulled up in a messy bun when she opens the door. “Brende— Oh, Garrett. Hi.”
I take a deep breath, willing myself to remain calm even though hot surges of both anger and lust are shooting through my veins. “Can I come in?”
“Um, sure. But, did you get a call from the front desk today?” She bites the corner of her lip, obviously not comfortable with the conversation we’re about to have.
Too bad.
“Yeah, I did.” I follow her inside and slam the door behind me. “That’s why I’m here. I want to know why.”
Angel pulls her robe tighter over her chest so there’s no chance of it opening then sits down in her desk chair to force some distance between us. “Look, I’m not judging you. You can do anything you want with your life, but your wife or girlfriend or…baby mama…paid me a little visit.”
“What?” My mind is spinning as I try to understand what Angel means.
“Yeah, and she made it very clear that I’m not welcome to be a part of your sex life.” Angel takes a deep breath and stares at her fingers in her lap. “So, I just don’t feel comfortable seeing you anymore.”
“Seriously, I have no idea what you’re talking about. I don’t have a wife or a— Goddammit.” I slouch back into the chair at the desk and rest my fists on my forehead. “A tall blonde, bitchy and really loud?”
Angel cocks an eyebrow and nods her head once. “Yeah, I guess you could describe her that way.”
“That stupid bitch is trying to get money out of me.” I look up and meet Angel’s gaze, hoping she’ll at least hear me out. “I dated her very briefly about six months ago, and then she took off. She showed up pregnant about a month ago and has been asking for a ton of cash since.”
“Regardless of what kind of woman she is, she’s carrying your child, Garrett. That matters. I grew up without a dad and, well, I told you how that worked out for my sister.”
“It’s not my kid, Angel. I swear.”
Angel just stares at me as if I’m being naïve. “How do you know?”
I smile. “Unlike with you, I was extremely careful with Tiffany and there were no accidents. Ever.”
Angel’s eyes soften as she watches me for several long moments before relaxing in her chair. “Well, still. She came at me in a Starbucks. I can’t have crazy exes hunting me down in public. What if I was with Oscar?”
“Fuck, I’m sorry.” She’s right. It’s not fair for me to put her in this kind of situation. “You’re absolutely right. I won’t call you again until I deal with Tiffany.” I lean forward with my elbows on my knees and look Angel right in the eye. “But as soon as she’s out of the picture, I’m coming back for you.”
Angel’s breath hitches, and I swear she shivers as if a chill has just run through her. “Vickie will take care of you for now,” she whispers.
My eyes harden at the insult. “I will not be seeing anyone else, Angel. I come here for you. If I had my way, you wouldn’t be with anyone else either. But I want you to know that until you’re ready to see me again, I’ll be waiting very impatiently.”
I have Tiffany on the phone before I’m even back in my car. “Meet me at Ben’s in an hour.” The small dive bar near my home is one she knows well.
“Good afternoon to you too, Garrett.”
I hang up without responding. She doesn’t deserve my greetings. She doesn’t deserve shit.
But I don’t really have time to waste with her games.
I just want her out of my fucking life.
When I walk into the bar with the quickie contract my lawyer drew up, Tiffany is sitting with a glass of something that looks like a cocktail but she claims is just soda water and cranberry. Without much more than a scowl in greeting, I hand her the settlement check and contract.
I’m prepared to give her two million dollars to never come near me or Angel again. Tiffany tries to play hardball for all of thirty seconds before tearing the check from my grip and agreeing to my terms. In addition to no contact, I’ve stipulated that she cannot live within two hundred miles of me for the next thirty years. It’s probably not something that would hold up in court, but I like the idea of her avoiding my stomping ground for the foreseeable future.
When Tiffany slides out of the booth to leave, her stomach actually looks a lot smaller than it has. I’m not convinced she’s actually pregnant, but I don’t give a shit either way. Seeing the hurt and disappointment in Angel’s eyes when she thought I was married was enough to snap me out of my stupor of ignorance.
I like Angel. A lot. And I need to stop being an immature ass.
As scary as it sounds, I want to see if there’s a chance that she cares about me too. I need to know if the pull between us is more than lust. If there’s even a tiny possibility that she’s my true mate, I can’t let her go. Neither of us will ever be happy. And based on the way I feel when she’s not in my arms, I’m starting to realize I’ve already fallen further than I ever have before.
After dropping the signed contract off with my attorney, I head back to Fate Advisors to fulfill my end of the bargain. I didn’t expect to be back so soon, but I’m glad as hell that I am. If it had taken weeks to settle with Tiffany, she might have been signing from a body bag rather than a booth in a dive bar.
It’s almost four when I get back and I know Angel’s probably wrapping up her final session for the day. She doesn’t usually work this late, but some clients request special hours.
Not willing to leave and risk missing her, I head to the lobby and request a meeting with Mark.
“Hey, buddy. Everything okay?” Mark asks while ushering me back to his office.
“I think it will be.” I give him the short version of my situation with Angel, and a few things seem to click together in his mind as I speak.
When I’m finally done, Mark takes a moment to consider everything I’ve told him before giving me a soft smile. “I think she likes you too.”
“Why do you say that?” What does he know?
“I hear things.” Mark smirks as he leans back in his chair with his fingers steepled in front of his mouth. “And see things.”
I groan, imagining the things he’s seen. “Um, I don’t think I want to hear about all that.”
“All I can say is, I think there’s something there.” Mark chuckles. “As long as you’ve taken care of that other shit, you might have a chance.”
I sigh, just realizing how tense my shoulders and neck have been all day. “I hope so.”
I sit silently for a moment before looking back at my friend. “Is it stupid? Guys like us have so much to lose… You think it’s worth risking everything for the possibility of a mate?”
Mark twists his head to look out the window, staring off into the distance. “I think it is, Garrett. I haven’t gotten there myself yet, but I hope that if I ever do, I recognize the moment an
d go for it.” He turns and looks me right in the eye. “Because I don’t think we always get second chances. You’ve done what you set out to do in your career. Isn’t it time to focus on something that will last beyond a stock certificate or a webpage?”
“Maybe.” I glance at my watch and stand up. “And I guess now is my chance to find out.”
Twelve
Angie
Finishing out the day after Garrett’s visit is tough. Like, the hardest day I’ve had since I started working here. But when I leave my office and see his car parked beside mine, a small grin tugs at the corners of my mouth.
I don’t know if I should trust him. Everything in my past is telling me not to. But then my heart chimes in and tells me to slow down and open my eyes. A great guy who knows my biggest secret is willing to fight for me. At least, fight for the chance to get to know me better.
Why wouldn’t I at least try to be open about the idea?
I’m not sure what’s possible between us, but I care for Garrett enough to at least see what might come of this strange situation we’re in.
He steps out of the office and closes the distance between us in a few long strides. He has a piece of paper held between his fingers that seems to be the reason for the intense look in his eyes. “Angel.”
“Garrett.” I stop short in the middle of the parking lot, waiting for him to speak first.
“She all but admitted that she’s just trying to get cash from me.” He hands over the sheet of paper and I quickly glance at it.
“Two million dollars?” My jaw drops at the ridiculous amount of money this woman is getting from him. “That doesn’t sound like ‘leave me alone’ money. That sounds like a lifetime of ‘child support’ money.”
He sighs and reaches for my hand. When I instinctively give it to him, Garrett pulls me against his chest. “It’s ‘stay the fuck away from me and my mate’ money. And I’d pay a lot more than that to get rid of that leech and get you back.”
“Your mate?” I crane my neck to look up at Garrett, resting my chin on his firm chest.
“I’d like you to be.” He smiles then drops a kiss on the tip of my nose. “If you can forgive me for being an ass up until now.”
“I wasn’t sure if you felt it too or if I was just imagining it.” I close my eyes and exhale. “You haven’t been an ass. I wasn’t ready for anything either. I’m still not sure I am…”
“But?”
“But my heart broke when I thought you had a wife at home, and I realized how badly I wished things were different.” I squint against the sun then rest my forehead on his chest. “And when you came back today, I might have made a promise to myself that I’d stop pushing you away.”
Garrett slips his hand between us and tilts my head back with this thumb. “No more pushing?”
I shrug and give him a grin. “No more pushing.”
“And you’re willing to see me outside of this place? Like on dates and…overnights?”
I laugh and smack at his chest. “What, are you trying to save a few bucks?”
Garrett doesn’t respond with words. He just closes his eyes and lowers his mouth to mine, taking me in the sweetest and most passionate kiss I’ve ever experienced. All my stress and doubts disappear as this strong man holds me in his arms, showing me just how much I mean to him without saying a single word.
When he breaks away, I’m almost dizzy from the lack of oxygen. If not for Garrett’s firm grip on me, I might have fallen to the ground. But his hold doesn’t waver as he looks me in the eye. “Well then, my angel, would you like to have dinner with me tonight?”
Garrett’s house is larger than life, and once I park behind him in the circular driveway, I can hardly focus on anything else. He practically sweeps me off my feet and carries me inside, covering me with kisses until we end up in his bedroom.
His bed is soft as he places me on one of the lush pillows adorning the top of a gorgeous comforter. The plushness of the bed and everything on it makes me feel like I’m floating in the clouds. Garrett’s lips move down my body as it screams out for his masculine arms to take me.
I need him.
Desperately.
As though he can hear my thoughts, Garrett pulls at the buttons on my blouse and unclasps my bra. After carefully exposing the soft, supple skin that awaits him from beneath their protection, he stares for a long moment before playing with my nipples with his fingertips. They elongate and harden under his careful touch.
I moan as he pulls back from me briefly, and my eyes fill with desire while he removes his shirt, showing the sculpted body I’ve come to crave. I move my hands down his body, allowing my palms to press against the solid muscle of masculinity pushing back toward me as he takes me in another kiss. The desire inside me continues to grow as my pussy becomes soaked.
This strong, chiseled, masculine man hovering over me barely has to touch me to get me wet and ready for his huge cock. Garrett moves from my lips down to my breasts, licking and sucking on my nipples as his hands undo my skirt. When he reaches beneath the fabric, he moans as he discovers my opening dripping wet for him.
Garrett continues moving downward, working his lips over my stomach and to my exposed folds. He quickly laps at my juices, teasing me with just a hint of what he can do before burying his tongue inside me and eating me out.
Once his mouth is on me, I can’t help but squirm. I reach for my nipples, giving them a few tweaks as Garrett’s tongue has me almost ready to explode.
“Garrett…” His name barely escapes my lips as he presses harder against me. The tingle in my core moves to my pussy as my world explodes. Wave after terse wave of pleasure courses through every inch of my body, sending my orgasm into overdrive.
Garrett looks up from between my legs, his eyes heavy with lust and his mouth covered in my come. I’m not sure when he released his cock, but as he stands, I see it hard and ready. Suddenly, desire floods my body again, as though my last round was just a brief sampling of the main course ahead of us.
Once he’s fully out of his slacks, Garrett positions himself between my legs and thrusts into me. His length fills me completely as he pushes in balls deep. I buck into him, every ounce of me needing him.
Needing his body.
Needing his cock.
I gasp in a breath as he pulls out and then slams back into me, thrusting his hard dick inside my channel until it feels as though I can’t take anymore. He continues to move in and out of me while his hands explore my body.
Garrett’s face is a mixture of lust and adoration as he pants breathlessly, each thrust joining the two of us together and bringing us closer to an inevitable climax. A knot in my center begins to form as the now familiar tingling that only Garrett seems to induce fills my body.
His moans become louder, and I know Garrett is only moments away from shooting his seed into my channel, filling me with his warm come. I buck into him harder, changing the angle to put more pressure on my clit.
“Fuck, Angel. I’m gonna come.” Garrett lowers his mouth to the side of my throat as he tenses, his shaft buried deeper than it’s been before. As soon as his sharp teeth nip at my tender skin, my body erupts in the most powerful orgasm I’ve ever felt. Full body sensation overtakes me as Garrett marks me as his mate. Since I’m not a shifter, the traditional scenting ceremony isn’t necessary.
This moment right here, his teeth in my skin, shoving his magical saliva into my bloodstream to combine our DNA into something even more amazing than it already was, is our commitment to each other. My body responds to his claim by coaxing his heavy seed from his cock and holding it within me.
This is what I’ve been looking for. This is what I need.
Both of us ride our climaxes and then Garrett collapses beside me in satisfied exhaustion.
Warm kisses against the mark on my neck heal any remnants of the wound he inflicted, but I can’t wait to see the permanent evidence of his mark. Everyone will know that I’m Garrett’s and my belly tig
htens up as another small orgasm rolls through me. His kisses pepper my skin as his mouth glides from my ear and to my breathless lips. “You’re mine now, angel,” he says against my skin. “Always.”
“Yes, Garrett.” I shiver at the possession in his voice. For many reasons. “I’m yours.”
Garrett growls near my ear, sending goosebumps flying across my skin. “My sweet angel, I want you in my bed…and in my life.”
I roll gently against him, allowing his hands to cradle my body and pull me against his solid form. The tear that slips from my eye makes me feel silly, yet somehow, this feels right. I’ve been fighting it, trying to convince myself that Garrett and I can’t be together.
Now I realize we can.
What seemed impossible just a few hours ago is now the only choice in my world. I can’t live without him either. I’ve tried and even just a few hours without him in my life is too many. It’s wrong and I won’t do it again.
But it’s not just me I have to think about.
“It’s just that…” I’m hesitant to continue. Afraid that what I say next will ruin the fantasy world we’re currently in. The dreamlike state seems so fragile that I’m afraid it’ll crack and shatter at any moment.
But it’s better to know now than to find out when I’ve become more invested.
“What is it, Angel?”
“Well, there’s Oscar too...”
“Ah yes…your nephew.” His soft chuckle in my ear has me cautious.
“He’ll probably be with me for the foreseeable future.”
“And?” Garrett seems oblivious to what I’m trying to say.
“And we’re a package deal.”
“Angie…” It’s one of the few times I’ve heard him call me by my real name. The sound of it dripping from his lips is magical. “I don’t expect you to change your life to be with me. I know your nephew means the world to you. And I hope that, given time, he’ll give me the chance to get to know him better.”
