by Ella Fox
“Goldie goes back to work in four days,” Garrett began.
To that point every time the subject of Goldie’s impending departure was brought up, he told me to wait. I had two thoughts about that. Either he planned to leave me in Santa Monica at the rental or he was going to rent me something closer to his house—a house I hadn’t seen yet.
“The final call is yours—so please know that whatever you decide, I’ll be fine with it. I don’t ever want you to feel pressured to do anything with me so keep that in mind when I tell you what I’d like to have happen.”
Everything around me stilled as my stomach clenched nervously.
“Okay.”
He seemed tentative as he reached out and took my hand. “I want you to move in with me.”
I stared at him in astonishment for countless seconds. Not because I didn’t want to but because I couldn’t really comprehend that he was so willing to intertwine our lives in that way.
“We’d have separate bedrooms,” he added hastily.
I was both disappointed and relieved. This was because I was desperate for Garrett to kiss, touch, and hold me—and in my fantasies, all of that led to lovemaking. On the other hand, I was a virgin. The sum total of my experience had been making out with a total of four guys. Of the four, only one had gotten to second base. When you were a teenage girl actively trying not to become a knocked-up statistic, it was easier to avoid situations where hormones were involved.
I felt myself blushing crimson as I looked up to the lanterns blowing in the soft breeze. “So I’d be a live-in assistant? Or…?”
“Or,” he said huskily. “Baby, you’re eighteen.” He frowned and shook his head as he finished saying it. “In a few hours you’ll be eighteen,” he amended. “We haven’t touched yet and I’m not suddenly going to pounce on you at midnight. I see us as a marathon and not a sprint. So yes, while eventually I want us to share a room, when you first move in, I want you to have your own space. Like I said—the decision about whether or not to accept is yours. You don’t have to live with me.”
Looking back, I see a dozen different things that made me fall for Garrett Riordan, but that moment stands out as one of the most definitive. He respected me enough not to push, which only made me want him more.
“I want to live with you,” I murmured.
The relief I saw in his smile melted my heart. “Then when Tia leaves in two days, I’d like you and Goldie to come stay with me. I think it’s important for Goldie to see where you’ll be living before she goes.”
That was another example of why I fell so hard. A boy wouldn’t have cared about making sure the one family member I was close to would feel comfortable in our relationship. Because Garrett was a good man, he got it.
When dinner was over, he surprised me by walking me to another area on the property where an outdoor theater area was set up. There was an elevated area done up with soft blankets to sit on and giant fluffy pillows to recline on. My heart felt like it would beat right out of my chest when we sat down because he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his side. When JFK started playing my smile was so big it hurt. I’d told him it was my all-time favorite movie weeks before and when he’d said he hadn’t seen it, I told him it was a crime because Kevin Costner killed it in the movie. I was touched that he’d remembered my love of the movie. I stayed in his arms for all three hours and twenty-six minutes of the film.
After the movie was over, I went inside to use the bathroom. Back outside, I saw Garrett standing next to the table where we’d eaten dinner. When he saw me, he held his arms open and I hurried into them. Being able to wrap myself around him was new and I was eating it up like I was a squirrel gathering nuts for the winter.
“It’s twelve oh three and I’m so happy I get to be here to say it first—happy birthday, baby,” he murmured.
I trembled as he pulled me in closer, close enough that I could count his eyelashes if I wanted to. My eyes dropped to his lips. I licked mine as he leaned in more and I felt the warmth of his breath against my lips. We were so close that only the thinnest piece of paper could’ve worked its way between us.
“Shaelyn.”
I felt his lips move against mine as he spoke.
“Garrett,” I murmured.
I shivered when I looked up into his eyes and saw naked longing in them. We stayed that way for countless seconds, suspended in the space just before memories are made. The only sounds came from our breathing, and the soft sound of the breeze working its way through the trees. And then, magic happened and Garrett’s lips met mine. He was soft and gentle about it, but I wanted more. When he traced his tongue over my lower lip, I let out a soft moan. He deepened the kiss then, stroking his tongue against mine. I tasted the warmth and spice of his mouth, some perfect combination of things that lit me up inside.
I was so completely wrapped up in him and in the moment everything else just faded away. He kissed me like he’d been dying to do it, like it was the only thing he truly wanted to do. I’d never known a kiss could be like that, so many things all at once. I’d been kissed before, but only ever by fumbling boys who had no clue what they were doing. Garrett Riordan was no boy—he was a man, and one who knew how to kiss. In his arms I discovered what the term weak at the knees meant. He tasted like happily ever after and liquid lust all rolled into one, and I never, ever wanted it to end. His mouth evoked a million sensations as his tongue moved against mine, creating a hundred memories.
When he lifted his head countless minutes later, we both stared at each other breathlessly. I leaned into his palm when he cupped the right side of my face with his hand as the two of us stared into each other’s eyes. “Incredible,” he rasped.
I nodded as I tried to find an accurate description that would do it justice, but was interrupted by the sound of wheels on the flagstones. Turning, I saw the server rolling his cart out toward the table. On top of the cart was a gorgeous-looking coconut layer cake with a silver star-shaped candle on top. There were silver and white balloons tied to the sides of the cart and there was also a long piece of floral foam with what looked like an entire box of sparklers poking out. All of the sparklers were lit, their colored flames and sparks adding even more interest to the display. After the server stopped the cart in front of us, he turned and left so that Garrett and I could be alone.
I knew I’d never forget Garrett singing Happy Birthday to me. It was one of the most amazing things that had ever happened to me and I couldn’t get enough of it. When I blew out the star candle, I wished that I’d be with him at my next birthday. I wanted to wish for him to be there for many years beyond that, but I was a realist. Girls like me didn’t marry the movie star and I needed to remember that. Wishing outside of the realm of possibility wouldn’t do me any good.
I wasn’t surprised to discover that the cake tasted as good as it looked. No sooner had I put the last bite in my mouth than Garrett was asking if I was ready for my presents.
“Um, I thought tonight was the present.”
He scoffed. “It’s a big birthday. Not only is it your eighteenth, it’s the first one I’m celebrating with you.”
When he put it like that, I had to agree that it was definitely a momentous occasion.
I watched nervously as he lifted the linen cover on the cart that had my cake on it and pulled out two boxes. I gasped when I opened the lid of the first box and found a platinum bracelet with a floating heart covered in small diamonds.
“This is too mu—”
Garrett laughed as he covered my mouth with his hand. “You’re worth far more than this, baby. Do you like it?”
I swallowed nervously as I looked from the bracelet to him. “I love it.”
Taking the box from me, he took out the bracelet before he lifted my hand and attached it to my wrist. Once it was secure, he kissed the back of my hand softly.
I licked my lips and stared at him as I wondered how it was that I’d been lucky enough to catch his eye. Standin
g, he picked up the second, smaller box and slid it into the pocket of his black pants, grinning at me with amusement as he did.
“Ready to go?”
I nodded, even though I was dying to know what was in the box. His husky laugh told me that he knew I was dying of curiosity, too. Grabbing my hand, he linked our fingers together and squeezed. “You’ll see what’s in the box soon enough,” he teased.
The drive back to Santa Monica was made with the windows down, allowing us to enjoy the warm sea breeze, the scent of sage, sand, and salt a delicate perfume I adored. No candle would ever match up to the real thing.
In his continuing effort to get me to like country music we listened to Johnny Cash. I didn’t realize I was humming along to Ring of Fire until we stopped at the light in front of Pepperdine at PCH and Malibu Canyon when Garrett reached over and tickled my side. “Anything but country, huh?”
I laughed as I held my thumb and index finger so close they were nearly touching. “You caught me. I admit it’s growing on me a teeny, tiny bit,” I admitted.
He reached out, picked up my hand, laced our fingers and set them down on my leg. “Mm, pretty sure you’re downplaying that,” he teased. “Don’t think I didn’t notice that you’ve been listening to Patsy Cline, too.”
He was teasing, but I was entirely focused on how our hands looked against the golden skin of my left leg. I was very conscious of the fact that our relationship suddenly included touching—and I was all about it. I set my free hand on top of ours and smiled before I went back to humming along.
When he pulled up in front of the rental and parked, my eyes focused on what was in front of me, and my jaw dropped. This was due to the fact that there was a white convertible BMW M3 sitting in the driveway with a giant red bow on it.
“Garrett,” I gasped. “Is that… did you?” I was so flabbergasted I couldn’t even get the words out.
He turned to me and nodded. “It’s all yours, baby. No one can take it away or tell you when you can or can’t drive it. As of today you’re free in every way.”
I was completely overwhelmed by the gesture and the reason behind it. He understood that I’d been trapped under Jewel’s thumb, and his gift spoke to that. “It’s too much,” I choked.
He reached out with his left hand and traced a finger down my cheek. “Look at me.”
I swallowed thickly as I turned. “If anything,” he said, “it’s not enough. You deserve this and so much more.”
I shook my head. “It’s a BMW,” I whisper-shouted. “You could’ve achieved the same effect with a Geo Metro.”
His eyes sparkled with amusement as his lips curled up at the edges. “I want to spoil you, so you should get used to it. If you’re worried about what it cost, don’t be. I’ve known exactly what I wanted to get you for quite some time. Trust me when I say I enjoyed buying the car almost as much as you’ll enjoy driving it.”
“It’s just a lot,” I admitted. “You’re so…” Pausing, I lifted my hands and spread them apart. “You’re Bloomingdales and I’m Big Lots.”
“I like Big Lots,” he said dryly. “Please don’t make the money an issue between us. I have it, and I want to use some of it to spoil my woman.”
The way he said his woman left me breathless.
“Okay,” I answered, my smile soft.
The intensity in his eyes as he stared at me turned primal, so much so that I felt it everywhere. He slid his hand down from my cheek to the side of my neck and around to my nape before he threaded his hand into my hair and guided my face toward his. The heat of his soft lips against mine sent an electric current through my body. My nipples hardened as his tongue dipped inside steady and smooth, just like the man himself. He groaned as I slid my right hand into his hair so that I could hold onto him the way he held onto me. I let out a moan when he bit down gently on my lower lip and then sucked on it before he tilted his head differently and started kissing me again. The sounds of the kiss mixed with our elevated breathing created a sultry and sexual soundtrack that I wanted to get lost in forever.
I was hot, slick, and desperate for him everywhere, and the sounds he made from low in his throat told me he was feeling the same way. The tenderness of the kiss morphed into something more carnal. I moaned and tried to pull him back to me when he lifted his head, but he held firm. Opening my eyes, I found him watching me. Our chests heaved in unison as we stared at each other.
“Why’d you stop?” I asked as I slid my hand from his hair.
He shook his head as he stared at me as if I’d somehow surprised him.
“Because kissing you is so fucking incredible that for a few minutes I forgot that we’re in a car on a public street. I said we’d go slow and we will.”
I felt self-conscious for a few seconds, until I realized that the way he looked at me said he was as desperate for me as I was for him.
I lifted my fingers to my lips and touched them. They were tingling and felt swollen, in a good way. Groaning, Garrett leaned back and reached into his pants. Pulling out the box from earlier, he held it out to me. “Let’s go look at your car.”
I smiled when I opened the box and pulled out a beautiful silver key ring with a dangling heart that matched my bracelet—less the diamonds. There were four things on the key ring—a key fob, a BMW key, and two gold keys. I wrinkled my brow as I looked up at him.
“You’ll need them when you move in with me,” he said huskily.
I didn’t have time to respond because he was out of the car and coming around for me. We spent the next ten minutes in my car—I still couldn’t believe it was really mine—looking at the controls, playing with the stereo system, and putting the top up and down.
Once we were finished I locked the car and set the alarm before Garrett walked me inside and kissed me one more time. Just inside the front door he’d pressed me against the wall and seduced me with his lips and tongue until I was nothing but a trembling mass of want and need.
When he tore his mouth away and set his forehead against mine, I was well aware of the amount of self-control it took for him to do that. It only made me want him more. We hugged like that for several minutes before he pulled away and dropped soft kisses all over my face. It was obvious that we didn’t want the night to end, but eventually he had to go.
It was okay—soon we’d be living together, which meant saying goodbye at the end of the night wouldn’t be an issue.
Chapter Nineteen
August 1998
Garrett lived in a mid-century modern house up in the Hollywood Hills and although it had been remodeled, it had stayed true to its roots. The four-bed, four-bath home sat behind a gate and had a beautiful private yard that felt like an oasis. There was a small pool, a fire pit area, and an elevated patio that overlooked the city and the view at night was so incredible that we’d eaten outside both nights that Goldie stayed at the house. I’d been given my choice of bedrooms, so I’d chosen one that looked out to the pool. The prominent color of the décor was pale blue, and the bedding was the softest and most luxurious I’d ever touched.
As intense as things were between us after the first kiss, they changed even more as soon as Goldie left. She’d not even been gone for a few hours before I realized things were different. Garrett and I were more aware of each other, which meant the sexual tension between us was thick.
We’d dropped Goldie off at LAX just before eleven in the morning and were back at Garrett’s just after noon. It was scorching outside, so when I suggested we spend some time in the pool, he’d quickly agreed. It shouldn’t have been a big deal—the previous two weeks had involved time in the pool at the Santa Monica rental, so it wasn’t like we’d never seen each other in bathing suits before—but it was completely different. His eyes flared with unconcealed heat when I came out onto the patio in my simple red triangle bikini. I bit back a groan as I took in the sight of him in his navy swim trunks.
His body was incredible, all corded muscle and firm perfection that rivaled that
of the best statues. His six-pack abs were drool-worthy and the light smattering of hair on his chest was just as sexy. He groomed, but not in a weird body-builder way. Even his feet were sexy, and I normally found feet kind of gross.
“New suit?” he asked huskily.
I nodded. “I picked it up at the promenade the other day. What do you think?”
What he thought was written all over him—and was also visible beneath the fabric of the swim trunks he had on.
He chuckled huskily as he pulled me into his arms and nibbled softly on my neck. “I think I’m fucking lucky there’s a body of cool water behind us.”
The way his soft lips and stubbly cheek felt against my neck made me slick with desire. It also took away my ability to converse, because I mumbled something inane as he trailed his tongue over the pulse point on the right side of my neck.
“So good,” I sighed.
He growled against my neck as his hands slid from the middle of my back down to my ass. The heat of his body against mine was electric. I couldn’t refrain from rubbing my bathing suit-covered breasts against his naked chest.
“Fuck, Shaelyn,” he groaned.
I didn’t realize we were moving until he sat us down on the huge double lounger by the pool. He positioned us so that we were on our sides and then he kissed me like it had been years since the last time he’d done so. I moaned into his mouth as the silken glide of his tongue created an inferno inside of me.
I shivered as he dropped his hand to my thigh and hitched it up and over his leg. We were so close, only two thin pieces of fabric between us, and I could feel the power and heat of his erection as it pressed against my most sensitive area. I felt atomic, like the smallest movement could set me off. Meanwhile, my hands were busy learning the terrain of his upper body. As good as his muscles felt beneath his clothes, they were even better without that layer between us.