Page 123 of One More Heartbeat
“Well, for all it’s worth, I think you’ll be a great mom.”
My mouth eases into a small smile, but the reality of the truth—I’ll never be the mother tohiskids—prevents it from growing wider. “Thanks.”
Garrett plants a soft kiss in the crook of my neck. “Is the bath helping any?”
“Yes.” I only wish it could last for a few more hours.
But he cannot stay here, with me, for much longer. Even if he didn’t have the book deadline rushing toward him at full speed, it’s a holiday and he should be spending it with his daughter.
His fingers move between my legs, sending a wave of need through me. “Do you want me to give you an orgasm?” His low, gravelly voice against my ear is almost enough to have me coming right here. And now.
“Yes, please.” My breathy tone floats out on a light moan.
Garrett sits nextto me on the couch and picks up the romance novel from the coffee table. “Ready for story time? I thought I would read to you.”
He flashes me a playful grin, then shifts on the couch, piling pillows at the end of it. Seeming satisfied with the result, he pats between his legs. “Sit here.”
I move my ass to where he’s indicating and lean back on him, like I did in the bath.
“Comfy?” His warm breath fans over my cheek.
How could I not be? With Garrett? Like this? “Definitely.” After the orgasm he gave me, the pain in my body has eased off slightly. The cold in my head and chest is another matter.
He puts on his reading glasses, anddamn, he looks as fine as ever in them. I don’t know what it is with those dark-framed glasses, but they drive up his sex appeal—and leave me practically drooling.
Garrett’s arms go around me, and he opens the book to the last page I was on.
I close my eyes and listen to his deep melodic voice. If this is what male narrators sound like, I might need to start listening to audiobooks after all.
Or convince Garrett to read to me more often.
“I can’t believe she didn’t just kick him out of the vehicle,” Garrett says after he’s been reading for a while. “Why is she giving him a second chance?”
“Because she loves him. Because she knows deep down, he isn’t as messed up as he thinks he is.”
“Hmm. He sounds pretty messed up to me.”
“Most people are, one way or another. As you know, Mr. Thriller Author.” The corners of my mouth twitch. “But that’s the beauty of romance. It’s a chance for the hero and heroine to untangle what they think are the messiest parts of themselves.” I absentmindedly draw circles on the inside of his wrist with my index finger. “But it’s the other person who helps them eventually see that part of themselves clearer. And they realize they aren’t as broken as they had originally believed. And it’s only then they can progress to the happily ever after. Together.”
“Guess I’ve never thought of it that way.”
“That’s because you don’t read romance.” I playfully poke him in the side with my elbow. “Speaking of which…how’s the romance inyournovel going?” I haven’t gotten over how he’s actually adding spicy scenes to the story.
“Not bad.”
I shift forward and glance over my shoulder at him. “You’re not planning to kill off the woman, are you?” I can’t believe he did that in one of his novels and dared to call the subplot a “romance.”
His fingers trail along my cheekbone and tuck a wayward coil behind my ear. “After the grief you gave me last time?” He chuckles. “Definitely not.”
“What’s she like? The woman your character falls in love with.”
Garrett doesn’t answer right away, his eyes probing mine. “Smart. Generous. Kind. Loyal. There’s nothing she wouldn’t do for her friends and loved ones. She’s the kind of person who makes someone feel seen,worthy.” His gaze drops to my lips. “She’s the kind of person who welcomes people into her circle and makes them feel like family.”
“She sounds amazing.”
His eyes flick up to mine again, and a smile plays on his mouth. “She is.”
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