Page 58 of Dare to Need

But the man gave me what I needed as he sank into my slit so deep I could feel his coarse hair against my ass. He moved just like that until I was spent and half-collapsed onto the table.

I was left completely shattered and somehow more whole than I’d been in a long time. Garth scooped me up and settled me into his lap as he took a seat on the bench.

He held me for a long time, our breaths sinking as one as we both held onto one another—the rest of the world fading away.

“I want to do this with you every day of our lives, Eva Barnes.”

My heart skipped over a beat as the weight of his words fell over me.

There was only one thing to say—the truth. “I want that too, Garth. Forever.”

ChapterTwenty-Four

The soft leather seat was a respite from standing on my four-inch heels all night. Somehow, Garth and I managed to escape the tiny room without anyone noticing we were gone. Though, I couldn’t help but think about the small part of me that wanted to get caught. I was still learning about the vixen that seemed to come out and play more frequently since she was unleashed in that New York City alleyway. And I was starting to crave her freedom every time Garth looked at me with hunger in his eyes.

“I don’t remember the last time I danced like that,” Drema breathed, her head falling to Lucas’ shoulder, tendrils of her flame-red hair shot out in all directions. “My feet are going to hate me for days.”

“I know exactly how you feel,” I said as I plopped my feet into Garth’s lap and wiggled my toes. “I could go for a foot massage right about now.”

Garth shot me a look that said he wanted to do more than just rub my feet. I didn’t know how my body still had the energy to respond to him, but I felt that delicious curl of heat pool in my core when he winked at me.

Just a few short minutes passed by and the limo slowly rolled to a stop just outside our hotel. Drema and I wobbled our way through the elevator doors carrying our heels over our shoulders. Garth and I wished her and Lucas a good night as the doors pinged open on their floor.

Exhaustion took hold of me as we finally made the ascent to our room. After a quick hot shower, Garth and I slumped into the bed. We faced one another as he intertwined his fingers with mine, our hands laying in the space between us.

He was devastatingly handsome as I took in the way his short beard cut perfectly along his strong jaw. The hard edges of his face were softened by the pale glow of the nightlights plugged into each side of the bed. His lips were full and my own craved to be touched by his, knowing just how soft and tempting they were.

“Yes,” I breathed, rubbing my thumb along the outer edge of his hand.

Those perfectly bow-shaped lips tilted up into a boyish smile.

“Yes, what?” he asked, though I had a sneaking suspicion he knew exactly what I was saying ‘yes’ to. But I didn’t mind playing this game with him.

“Yes, I’ll move in with you,” I giggled.

Garth tugged me into a tight hug as he trailed kisses all over the top of my head, down the sides of my face, until his lips finally found mine.

He left me breathless as he pulled away, running his hands down the sides of my face. “Are you sure?” he asked, his eyes searching mine for any hints of doubt.

“I’m positive.” I tapped the tip of his nose with my pointer finger.

“I don’t think you realize that you’ve just made me the happiest man in the world.” He pulled me in for another bear hug, our bodies flush against one another. And it felt so damn good to be in his arms, knowing that we were headed in the right direction. As our breaths slowed, syncing together as one, it struck me how—once again—so much had changed in such a short period of time.

Many of my efforts over the past few weeks were spent trying to get us back on track. Doing anything I could to guide us to the place we were before his father got sick. It took several wrong turns and moments of heartache to finally understand that there was no going back. Garth and I would never be the same after what transpired…and that was okay. In fact, it was more than okay.

As terrifying as it was, moving forward was the only thing that made sense. We had to learn how to grow together, despite any adversities that might come our way. And there would be countless trials we would have to overcome in the years ahead, but I knew in my heart the love Garth and I shared was different. It wasn’t a summer fling filled with endless parades of butterflies and stolen kisses. It wasn’t a lust-filled romance that would eventually end as quickly as it began. And it certainly wasn’t a selfish love like I had with Connor.

The love Garth and I shared was strong like the waters that formed the Grand Canyon, smoothing the jutting rocks that tried to slow it down. It ran deep like the ocean, parts of it would never be fully understood, but it held some of the most precious things to ever exist. Our love was not a want or a desire—it was aneedthat tethered our souls together.

And this was just the beginning.

“What’re you thinking about, beautiful?” His fingers trailed up and down my bare back, leaving tiny goosebumps in their wake.

I took a deep breath in and let it out, the warmth surrounded my face as the air from my lungs landed against his hard chest. “I was thinking about how important each and every moment is. And how everything can change in the blink of an eye. It’s…scary. But I think it also reminds us that living in the moment is the single best thing we can do for ourselves.”

I peeked up at him through my lashes. “And right now, in this moment with you, I’m very happy.”

Garth sighed and the sound felt like a giant weight had been taken off his chest. His body relaxed, melding further into mine.

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