Page 71 of Tempt

“Damn woman,” he rubs the spot but smiles at her and it's easy to see how much he loves her.

Everyone carries on, talking about the crazy relationship between Colton and Gretchen. Laughter echoes over the group, stories are told, and I take the opportunity to lean in closer to Garrett. When he glances at me I reach out and lace my fingers through his. Tugging slightly he shifts his body to face me.

“I’m not gonna break,” I tell him, and his dark brows furrow like he’s confused. “You’re treating me like I might shatter and I’m not even sure you realize you’re doing it.”

“Ky, I...” he exhales, looking down at our joined hands.

“That night put the fear of God in me,” I confess to him for the first time. We’ve not really talked about what took place. “I was terrified of what could happen and yes for days to follow I fought that fear, but I am still the same me I was before that night. I am still the same girl that loves when you touch me.”

I notice his throat bob as he swallows.

“And I really miss who we were before all this.”

“Me too,” I feel relieved by his confession.

Leaning in a little closer I kiss the corner of his mouth. “I miss you.”

He leans in to press his lips to mine, and I accept his kiss. His fingers immediately comb through my hair as he holds me in place.

“I hate that he hurt you,” Garrett adds, and my heart literally aches in my chest.

“I know,” I pressed my forehead to his. “But I’m okay.”

At first I wasn’t sure I would be, but without Garrett knowing it, he helped me through it. He gave me the strength I needed, and I came out the other end strongerbecausehe stood beside me.

He never pushed; he was justthere.

“I love you,” I don’t say it aloud enough and I need him to understand what he means to me.

Standing up I move in front of him and positioned my body between his parted thighs. “Please don’t allow him to change who we are. Please.” I’m so scared of never getting back to that place.

“I wanted to give you time.”

“Time for what?”

“Time to heal,” he tells me. “Seeing you hurt is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to watch.”

“Baby, I’m better because of you. I am healed and whole because you make things better.”

Again he reaches out to cup my face, his lips pressing to mine.

Neither one of us say anything more, just stand where we are, him holding each other close.

CHAPTERFORTY-TWO

Garrett

“This is...” Kyra pauses as she spins in a circle in the middle of what will be the family room of my house. A house that is coming along nicely and honestly much faster than I’d planned.

What she thinks means more to me than I am putting on, but I want her to love everything about it. I need her to.

I’m not too proud to admit that I’ve already planned an entire life with Kyra within these walls.

I watch her walk around the space, and step into the area that will be the kitchen, dragging her hand along the top of the half wall.

“Garrett, this is seriously amazing.”

When she looks back at me she is smiling.

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