He does.
Again and again, slow and then rough, making me forget about Charlotte, work, and Elliot. I come undone on his cock, breathless and loud, and he follows.
We end up taking a shower together, Garrett behind me, rubbing shampoo into my hair, then gently rinsing the suds out. He kisses my shoulder, then nuzzles myneck. I turn in his arms, soaping his chest, loving the way he sighs under my touch.
I slide down to my knees, taking his already hard cock between my lips. “Fuck, Annie,” he groans, fingers sinking into my wet hair.
His hips gently rock as I suck him greedily. Loving the salty taste and the power I have to make him fall apart for me. He pulls me up, and I give him a pouty face for not letting me finish. Claiming my lips, he lifts me, and I wrap my legs around him, his cock buried deep inside me. I cling to his shoulders as we fall off the edge together, breathless.
After breakfast, he takes me out to his workshop, proud and a little shy, showing me some of the pieces he’s built…tables of all shapes and sizes, cabinets with secret drawers, and a rocking chair he made for his mother years ago. The technique and craftsmanship of his work are amazing. I don’t think he realizes just how talented he is or how much money he could actually make. People in Charlotte and surrounding areas would pay top dollar for shit like this. Especially if they knew it was made locally.
He hands me a chisel, wrapping his big hand over mine, teaching me how to carve my initials into a scrap of oak.
“See?” he murmurs, his mouth at my ear. “You’re a natural.”
I giggle, turning to kiss him, and we nearly end up fucking on the workbench before he stops us, shaking hishead. “If I take you in here, I’ll never get anything done again.”
We spend the afternoon tangled up on the porch swing, his flannel wrapped around me, as we drink coffee and watch the sky change from blue to gold. He tells me stories about the mountains, his parents, and growing up as a wild and angry kid. I tell him about my mom, and my fear that I’ll never matter to anyone.
He pulls me into his lap, holding me tight. “You matter to me,” he says, and I almost start crying right there.
I want to tell him everything. I want to beg him to ask me to stay. But I can’t. I won’t ruin what time we have left together with my neediness. Instead, I let him hold me, breathing him in, burning the moment into my memory.
He asks me to stay another night, and of course, I agree, wanting to spend as much time with him as I possibly can. He cooks dinner again, then takes me to bed where he makes love to me… slowly, worshipping every inch of my body, making me come until I’m wrung out and shaking, each time his name falling from my lips. His kisses are soft and deep, making me wish I could freeze time. But I can’t.
Mission accomplished, Garrett Hall. You have officially ruined Annie Silver for any other man.
When I know he’s sound asleep, I quietly slip out of bed and pull on my clothes with shaking hands. I pad into the kitchen, writing a note on the back of an old grocery list.
Garrett,
Thank you so much for everything. These past couple of days spent with you were the best days of my life. I’m sorry I had to leave so quickly, but real-life calls, and I need to return to Charlotte. I will never forget you.
Please, remember me always.
Love, Annie.
I press it to my lips before placing it on the counter. With tears streaming down my face and a broken heart, I grab my bag. Fishing out my phone and Aubrey’s number…the one she slipped me at the diner the other night,“just in case, girl.”
I send her a text.
Me:
Hey, it’s Annie. Could you come pick me up from Garrett’s? Please. I’ll meet you at the end of the drive.
Aubrey’s reply comes almost instantly.
Aubrey:
I got you, girl. Give me fifteen.
Back in the bedroom, I take one last look at Garrett…looking peaceful, gorgeous, and mine for just one more heartbeat.
“I love you, my grumpy mountain man,” I whisper, almost unable to hold back a sob. Then I slip out the door, into the chilly night air, every step away from him feeling like a gaping wound that I’ll never stop bleeding from. But I will remember this, my time in Crystal Falls. Every fucking second.
When Aubrey’s truck pulls up, I say nothing, just toss my bag in and slide into the passenger seat.
She glances over, taking in my swollen eyes, red cheeks, and shaking hands. “Aww, sweet Annie,” she says, giving my knee a gentle squeeze, which makes more tears fall. She doesn’t say anything else, because she already knows.
