Page 60 of Taking a King

“But the one person I kept thinking of was you. I can’t explain it. We were just friends back then. Pen pals, really. But I’ve always felt more than friendship for you. From the first time I saw you in that hospital waiting room, pacing and chewing your nails. I always wondered what would happen if I allowed myself to tell you what I felt, instead of hiding behind my friendship with your brother. I’ve always been drawn to you, Claire. Always. I never knew why. But now, I think I do. I needed you to show me that there’s more to life than what I’d been doing.”

Garrett’s gaze is filled with something that looks like awe and I feel my eyes well with tears. “You made me laugh, Claire. You brought a light into my life that I didn’t even know I was missing. For the first time in my life, I’m not just doing what’s expected of me and it feels amazing. I’m doing what makes me happy. Whatever happens, wherever my future takes me, I want you beside me. For as long as you’ll have me. I love you so much, Claire.”

I blink away my tears, trying to see him better. He’s standing there, a hopeful look in his eyes, his hands still lightly gripping my shoulders. I marvel at the idea that this man is mine. After all the years of friendship and denying our true feelings, we’re finally right where we belong. I swipe at a tear as it rolls down my cheek.

He looks worried. “Why are you crying?”

“I’m just happy,” I say with a smile. “I love you.”

Garrett doesn’t say anything. He just kisses me. It’s gentle at first, teasing and tempting. It’s not long before it morphs into something deeper, more tender. I feel every ounce of emotion in this kiss, and I pour my own feelings into it. It’s as though we both understand that our words are inadequate. It’s not long before the kiss turns from sweet to something wild and desperate. Garrett’s hold on me tightens and I lean into his embrace, loving the feel of his strong arms around me.

Since my car accident, Garrett has been so gentle and easy with me, treating me like I’m some fragile thing. I know how much I scared him, and I even understood his restraint. I thought it was sweet at first, until it became annoying. I’ve told him over and over that I’m fine and that he doesn’t need to be so gentle all the time, but he’s been stubbornly resisting my advances. Even now, I can tell he’s struggling to move slowly. He’s holding himself in check.

I lean back far enough to see him clearly. It takes him a moment to realize I’m glaring at him. He freezes and his face instantly shifts from dazed passion to confusion.

“What is it? Did I hurt you?”

I roll my eyes and sigh. “No, damn it,” I grit out. “You did not hurt me. You’re holding back and I want to know why.”

He looks away, unable to meet my gaze and I know I’m right. “I’m not,” he tries lamely.

“Look at me, Garrett,” I demand. I wait for his eyes return to mine before I speak again. “I’m not fragile. I’m not going to break. I need you to stop treating me like I’m a porcelain doll.”

He sighs. “Claire, you had a head injury.”

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, a very minor one. And that was over a week ago. I’m back at work. Hell, I’m even driving there. All by myself. Like a big girl.”

He doesn’t smile as I’d intended. Instead, he still looks worried. I put a hand on his cheek, smoothing my thumb over the stubble there. “Garrett, trust me. I’m okay. I promise.”

He still looks a little skeptical, but he nods. “Just promise me you’ll tell me if we need to stop.”

I smile. “I promise. We can even have a safe word, if you want.”

He rolls his eyes, but I can see a hint of a smile curving his lips. “I don’t think we need that,” he says.

“How about ‘artichoke’? Is that too sexy?” I pretend to consider it for a moment.

“Artichokes are not sexy,” Garrett says, struggling not to laugh.

I lean in for a kiss. “I bet I could make it sound sexy,” I say, my lips barely brushing his.

“I don’t doubt it,” he says, kissing me lightly.

“Artichoke,” I whisper, smiling.

“Enough with the damned artichoke,” he growls before taking my mouth in a searing kiss.

It’s exactly what I’ve been waiting for. It’s the first time he’s kissed me like this since before the accident. A little whimper of need escapes me and my hands fist in his shirt. I pull him tight against me and deepen the kiss. His tongue slides against mine while his hands move lower to cup my ass. I feel a hard bulge against my belly. Knowing Garrett’s so turned on from a single kiss makes me grow wet immediately. God, I’ve missed this. It’s barely been a week, but I feel like I haven’t been touched in months. My arms go around his neck and I press myself against his hard chest, trying to get as close to him as possible.

Garrett’s hands slide up, tugging my shirt up with them. I raise my arms so he can pull the fabric up over my head and toss it aside. He kisses his way down my neck to my shoulder, making me gasp. He lingers there for a moment before moving lower to the swell of my breast. I pull at the hem of his shirt, but he’s distracted with unhooking my bra. After he pulls it off, he dips his head to take my nipple into his mouth.

Now, I’m distracted. His teeth graze the sensitive flesh and I inhale sharply against the little sting. He soothes it with his tongue, drawing a whimper from me. He turns his attention to the other breast, showing it the same treatment. When he finally lifts his head, I’m gasping for breath. I pull at his shirt again and he yanks it over his head without ceremony. My eyes roam over the expanse of bare skin and my hands follow their path. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of looking at this man. My fingers trace over the colorful tattoos that snake down his ribcage and around to his back. God, I love touching him. The feel of his skin beneath my hands, the little tell-tale shivers that show me how much he loves what I’m doing. I could get lost in this moment.

Before I can get too carried away, Garrett kisses me again. I reach for his pants, deftly unfastening them and reaching inside to wrap my fingers around his hard length. He groans against my mouth and his hips surge forward, thrusting into my hand. I work my hand up and down, stroking him over and over. He lets this go on for a few minutes before he decides he’s had enough teasing.

He pulls my leggings and panties down in one quick motion, then drops to his knees and buries his face between my legs. My mouth drops open in a shocked gasp that quickly morphs to one of pleasure as his tongue goes to work on my pussy. I manage to get one leg free from my leggings so I can give Garrett better access to me. My legs tremble as he continues his oral assault. His tongue swirls around my clit, driving me wild.

I hold onto the kitchen counter for support, feeling myself getting closer to the edge. I know it won’t be long before I come. My breaths come in ragged gasps. Garrett kneeling before me, his face buried between my legs is one of the sexiest things I’ve ever seen. He reaches up and slides a finger inside me, adding another layer of pleasure. He moves slowly at first, working his finger in and out, in and out. He’s teasing me, trying to draw this out. That doesn’t last long, though. It’s been so long for both of us. Neither of us are feeling very patient right now.

---