Page 63 of Two Risks I'd Never Take Again

“What do you want?”

Staring at the buttons on his shirt, I blurted out an honest answer. “I want you to kiss me, and I want—”

His lips met mine with hunger and passion. Frozen, I urged myself to relax. I wanted this. So much.

He moaned, and that rumbly sound fueled me with a courage I didn’t think possible. I felt desired. As I grasped his shirt, one of his hands found its way into my hair, and he tilted my head, giving him a better angle. I melted. My body reacted to his touch, to his kiss.

When he broke away, I leaned my head on his chest. His rapid heartbeat mimicked mine.

Close to my ear, he whispered, sending warmth dancing down my neck. “I know why you’re afraid. You can feel my heartbeat, can’t you?”

“Yes.” My answer escaped as a whisper.

“Does it feel disappointed?”

Still clutching his shirt, I held back sobs.

“Tessa, Skeeter was wrong. Or maybe he and I just want different things. Some men want notches on the bed post and a string of conquests. Want to know what I want?”

I nodded against his chest.

“You.” That one word was laced with more desire than I’d ever had directed at me.

“What if he was right?” Believing something for so long made it feel very true.

Garrett leaned back and cupped my chin. “He proved that he’s not trustworthy.” Before I could figure out what to say in response, he kissed my forehead, then pulled me to his chest. “This will be a busy week for you, and my timing probably wasn’t great.”

“Can we have the rest of this conversation after the wedding?”

“Just say when.” He brushed a tear off my cheek. “Let me drive you home.”

“Thanks.” I slid off the tailgate and clasped Garrett’s hand.

“You were about to say something else you wanted, but I sort of interrupted.” He squeezed my hand.

“We’ll talk in a week. If I start now, I’ll be a blubbering mess, and I can’t fall apart this week.”

“That’s fine. I can wait a week. And the image of you as a blubbering mess makes my chest ache, so don’t do that.” He opened the passenger door.

I hugged him. “Thank you for making this the best New Year’s party ever. Sorry I ran out before the big toast.”

His thumb brushed my cheek. “Happy New Year, Tessa. I hope this is the best one yet.”

As Garrett pulled out of the venue, I texted Eli to let him know I had a ride home.

That was probably the plan all along.

The memory of Garrett’s lips on mine would be a constant companion this week, and I wanted to believe him. Garrett was far more trustworthy than Skeeter. But what would it take for me to change my view of myself?

As we drove, he clasped my hand. With all the expected bustle and chaos, I needed his steadiness. And maybe a friendly soak in the hot tub.

Chapter 20

As soon as I closed my shop on Wednesday, I drove out to the ranch and turned on the hot tub. The shop would be closed until after the wedding, and I wanted to enjoy a bit of quiet before the busyness of the next few days.

Garrett was working, and I didn’t want to bother him, so I didn’t mention my impromptu soak. But it wasn’t quite the same being here alone.

I dropped my bag on the bed. This cabin wouldn’t be a bad place to live. The place was furnished with basic pieces: a small table near the kitchenette, a couch and coffee table in the living room, and a bed and dresser in the bedroom. If I moved here, I’d either need to sell stuff or store it. As much as I wanted to live out here on the ranch, it would be so much harder to keep it friendly with Garrett. And any time a sprout of courage made me think dating Garrett wasn’t such a big risk, fear showed up and trampled everything.

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