Page 6 of Dare to Need

As she let me go and made her way toward her car, Garth came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist. His breath was hot against my ear, making my toes curl as he said, “I finally have you to myself.”

I giggled as he spun me around, the front of our bodies flush against one another.

“You often have me to yourself.” I arched a brow at him.

“Mmm. That might be true. But tonight is special.”

“Yes, it is.” My voice came out huskier than I intended.

“You know what that means?”

I tilted my head in question.

“It’s time for a surprise.”

I squealed with excitement as Garth took my hand and we darted off toward his motorcycle. He lifted my helmet from the backseat and placed it gently over my head.

“You always look so cute in this,” he said as he threaded the chin strap through the loop before he kissed the tip of my nose, sending a parade of butterflies straight to my stomach.

As Garth swung his leg over the motorcycle, it reminded me of the night of the art exhibit. Somehow, he had made riding a motorcycle in a tuxedo look sexy. Tonight was no different. Wearing a charcoal grey suit, matching tie, and crisp white button-down, he looked sexy as hell. It made me want to skip whatever this surprise was so I could devour every inch of him.

“Are you coming?” Garth winked at me through the slit of his helmet, startling me from my delicious thoughts.

Sliding behind him felt different from that night so many months ago. This time, Garth was mine and I was his. Nothing was standing between us anymore and it felt really fucking good.

The ride through the city had been smooth, but my palms were sweating now as I stared at the rapidly changing numbers next to the elevator door.

“We better not be bungee jumping, Garth Walker, or I will kick your ass.”

A throaty chuckle left him as he tucked me under his arm. “Today isyourday, doll face. I wouldn’t ask you to do something like that.” I glared up at him playfully. “But one day, when it’s one ofmydays, I just might.”

“I might just run away,” I mumbled.

“Doubtful.” He kissed the top of my head. “You’re too stubborn to run away.”

Both my brows raised. He wasn’t wrong about that. And the more time I spent with him, the less my fears ruled my life. It wasn’t that I got my strength from Garth, but he gave me the opportunities to show myself just how strong I was. And I was thankful for that. Beyond thankful.

When the elevator came to a stop and the doors slid open, my breath caught. “Oh my God,” I breathed. I turned to look up at Garth, the playful expression gone from his face. Replaced with a sultry gaze that made my core tighten with need.

“Surprise,” he whispered as he drew me close, his large hand falling to the small of my back with his other cupping the side of my face. Our lips were so close they almost touched as he said, “I know everyone has been telling you all day how proud they are of you. But I want you to hear it from me, Eva. You are the most incredible person I’ve ever met in my life. You are selfless and caring and passionate and have a zest for life, unlike anything I’ve seen. You’re such a light in this world and I feel privileged to be by your side today and every day. I love you.”

If his words didn’t take my breath away, then the kiss that followed certainly did. Starting slow and gentle, Garth held me tight as he explored my lips with his own. Stepping onto my tiptoes, I wrapped my arms around his neck, desperate to close any lingering gap between us. He deepened the kiss, and I opened up to him. His tongue lolling over mine in lazy motions like he had all of eternity to explore.

I wasn’t sure how long we stayed like that, but as we came up for air my body felt light, my head dizzy.

“This is the best surprise ever,” I beamed, smiling against his lips.

“I think I have to agree with you.” He kissed me once more before he wrapped my arm in his and led us out onto the rooftop of his father’s building.

There must have been hundreds of candles surrounding the center of the rooftop, circling plush blankets and pillows and a bottle of champagne next to two crystal glasses. Garth sat down on the blankets, pulling me down with him. The candlelight illuminated his face in an ethereal glow that made my heart stammer. He was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen and he did all of this for me.

“What’s going on in that gorgeous head of yours?”

A twinge of soreness fluttered in my cheeks as I smiled for the millionth time. “I was just thinking about how lucky I am.” I scooted closer to him and ran my fingers through his thick hair. “I couldn’t have asked for a better night.”

In a fluid motion, Garth coiled his arm around my waist, pushing me into the soft pillows as his body landed against mine. Every inch of me ignited with hot desire as he pressed his hips against my pelvis in a tantalizing rolling motion. I could feel the hardness of his need grinding into me.

“The night’s just getting started,” he purred against my ear before he nipped my earlobe. The act sent a jolt of pleasure straight between my legs.

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