Page 4 of Garr

“Shit, Macie,” he started.

“You know what, never mind. That was stupid of me. I love our friendship, Garr. Don’t mind me.”

“Macie,” he said, pulling her hand back toward him. She stumbled, falling against his body, and he looked down at her, slowly lifting her off her feet and into his arms. “Macie. I’m fucking crazy about you. I just didn’t want to push you too hard.”

Macie swallowed, feeling his hardness, all of him, against her own body. His beautiful face and eyes stared down at her, her insides melting.

“Push me? Garr, I’ve been crazy about you for as long as I can remember. I’m tired of the chaste kisses on my cheek. I want more, Garr, but if you’re not ready for that, I understand.”

“Not ready?” he laughed. “Oh, Macie, I’m ready for that and so much more.”

He slowly brought his mouth down to hers, nibbling on her lips as her arms wound around his shoulders, massaging his neck. Tasting her, he tasted peppermint from a candy cane and something positively delicious. Pulling back, he saw the flush cheeks and swollen soft flesh of her lips.

“Better?” he smirked.

“Much. But I think you can keep going,” she smiled.

“If I keep going, we’re going to embarrass ourselves in front of our families,” he laughed, setting her feet back on the ground. “You and me, Macie. Just you and me.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” she smiled.

They spent a week taking orders from Mama Irene, Noelle, and Claudette. Even the new guy, Trevon was ordering people around as Noelle’s new sidekick. Sometimes, they were together, and sometimes, they weren’t. But it didn’t matter. They knew that this was the start of something beautiful.

Garr stared at the massive tree in the center of the grove. It was the first year they’d done one so large outside. He wasn’t even sure how it was secured to the ground, but it was decorated with a million lights and big red bows and even had ornaments on it.

The season was upon them.

Of course, for him, he was missing something. Not something. Someone. She was home, and so was he, but he desperately wanted her next to him all the time.

While she was finishing her PhD and he was between deployments, then retirement, and finally, they’d spoken a few times, even written a few benign e-mail messages, but he was missing her big, and she’d only been gone a few hours from his side. She was so much younger than he was but so much smarter. He wanted to be beside her for Christmas, not far apart. Not even a cottage over.

They were both home for good now, but they were still in separate cottages, and it seemed someone was always pulling them away from one another. He wanted time alone with her. He wanted to whisk her away from Belle Fleur and make her his. Permanently.

When his phone vibrated in his pocket, he jumped in surprise, grabbing it. He had no idea who it would be, considering everyone was already here. To his surprise, it was the woman on his mind.

“Macie! Hi,” he smiled to himself. He heard whispers but couldn’t make out what she was saying. “Macie?”

“G-Garr,” she said breathlessly.

“Macie, what’s wrong?” he said, standing and heading toward his truck. He just knew that he’d be driving somewhere fast.

“Garr, there’s a shooter in the mall. I came for some last-minute shopping. There’s a shooter.”

“Where, honey? Where are you?” he asked.

“Canal shops,” she whispered. “I’m hiding in the pretzel shop. I can hear him. I hear him moving this way, Garr.”

“Stay where you are. Is there a refrigerator or storage locker you can get to?” he asked, feeling panicked. He waved a hand at a few guys, signaling that there was a problem, and it was urgent. They came running.

“There’s a storage room, but there’s a dead man blocking it. There’s so much blood, Garr. I’m scared.”

“I know you are, honey. I know you are. We’re on our way.”

“Oh, God. Oh, God, Garr, there are more. I hear more guns. It’s not just one. There are at least three that sound different.”

“Macie, hide. Find a place to hide and stay there. Activate your trackers, and don’t fucking move, honey. I’m on my way.”

“Garr? Garr, I love you. I love you, Garr.”

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