“It’s not a date,” he mutters under his breath, but I catch his eye, and we both know she’s right.
The car ride feels different this time…more familiar, like we’re not just two strangers anymore.
When we pull up at the inn, Garrett puts the truck in park but doesn’t move. I notice his knuckles are white from gripping the wheel. For a moment, I think he’s going to say goodnight, and I feel a flash of panic. I don’t want this night to end.
But then he turns. “Annie?”
I barely have time to respond or even breathe before his mouth is on mine…hungry, rough, desperate. I kiss him back, fisting the front of his shirt, trying to pull him closer. He tastes like coffee, cinnamon, and something I know I’ll never get enough of. His hands come up and cup my face, thumbs stroking my jaw, holding me like that until I’m dizzy with want.
He pulls back, breath ragged, eyes searching mine. “Let me take you out again. Tomorrow.”
I nod, grinning so hard my cheeks hurt. “Try and stop me, Grizzly Adams.”
He softly kisses my lips once more, slower this time, like he’s memorizing me. “Night, city girl.”
I hop out of the truck, and I literally feel like I’m floating on air, my lips tingling, heart hammering, already counting down the hours until I get to see him again. Savannah’s waiting at the desk, eyebrows up…I guess she had a front-row seat. “Holy shit…was that…were you…?” I keep walking, waving her off, too high on adrenaline to care.
Best. Night. Ever.
I collapse on my bed, replaying every second in my head. I’m already hooked, and I don’t even care how obvious it is. For once, I want it all.
Chapter 4
Garrett
I’ve barely slept tonight.
Every time I close my eyes, I see her. Annie. With her head thrown back, laughing, her blonde hair wild. The way her lips felt under mine, parting, allowing me access.
Everything in my world feels wrong now. My cabin, the only place that’s been home, peace, and solitude. Even my bedroom…my bed. It’s all too quiet. Too empty. I’m not used to wishing for someone to be next to me when I roll over at night. But damn it, if I don’t wish she were tangled up in these sheets with me.
By the time the sun decides to come up, I’m fucking wired. I start with a cold shower. Not that it helps. The second the water hits my skin, all I can see is Annie…those tan bare legs tucked up under my shirt, those perfect plump lips parted, eyes daring me to cross every line. My hand wraps around my cock, rough and desperate, and I start to pump slow, gradually increasing my rhythm, chasing that sharp edge, pretending it’s her touch, her mouth, her warm pussy grinding against me. I come hard, biting back a groan, the water washing away everything but the ache in my chest.
It’s not enough. It’s never enough. She’s under my skin, and I want her so much it hurts. I find myself in the kitchen, the very place everything between us shifted… pacing, and before I know it, I’ve downed a whole pot of coffee…literally.Fuck!
Desperate to find anything to help shake off this restlessness buzzing under my skin. I search the entire house, fixing every loose nut, bolt, and screw I can find. Nothing is working.
I have to see her.
Not tonight. Now.
I change shirts twice, telling myself I don’t care what she thinks.Lie.Ending up in my favorite Henley, the blue one that fits snug across my chest. Hoping it’s not giving off vibes that I’m trying too hard to impress someone.
Hell, maybe I am… throwing on the nicest pair of dark denim Wranglers I have and the cleanest pair of boots I currently own.
I make some sandwiches, throwing them into a backpack, along with some fresh fruit and a couple of bottles of water.Why do I feel like I’m forgetting something?
I glance up at the clock, noticing the time. Shit. Breakfast.
If I show up at the ass crack of dawn empty-handed, she’ll never let me hear the end of it. So I grab my truck keys and head to The Cozy Cornerto grab some coffee and a couple of those cinnamon rolls she had gone on and on about.
I get to the diner, order the rolls and coffee, and endure Aubrey’s nosey, knowing grin. “You’re looking more alive than usual this morning, Garrett,” she says, sliding two steaming cups across the counter. “Big plans today?”
“Just breakfast,” I mutter, grabbing my shit, trying to get away from Aubrey and anyone else who feels my life is any of their business.
She winks. “Uh-huh. Tell Annie she should come by for pie tonight. I want a full report.”
I grunt, fighting the urge to smile. Not wanting to waste any more time or give Aubrey another chance at small talk, I leave and head toward The Mountain View Inn before I have a chance to overthink it.
