At the sound of the door, Garret pulled back, shattering the perfection of their kiss. She missed it instantly, longing to feel it again.
“Hey, Mrs. Graham.” Garret stood, and took a few steps towards her. “What can I help you with?”
Mrs. Graham smiled knowingly, and when Garret wasn’t looking, she winked at Henley. “I’m just looking for something. I can come back though if you’re otherwise indisposed.”
Garret coughed and straightened out his shirt, adjusting his jeans. “Nope. I’m good. Just give me a second.” He walked back to Henley and kneeled down, placing his hands on her knees. He gave them a squeeze, and she bit her lip, nervously. He whispered, just loud enough for her to hear, “I want you to write about what you’re thinking, right now. How you’re feeling. And how much you want me.” He moved his hands from her legs, placing them on the arms of the chair, and as he got up, he stopped right in front of Henley, leveling his gaze with hers. He lingered for all of ten seconds before he leaned the rest of the way in and seized Henley’s lips again. She melted. The ache she felt all over increased in intensity, turning her on in a way that unexpectedly gained dominance over everything else.
“Alright, Mrs. Graham, what can I help you find?” The two disappeared into the maze of books while Henley was left gasping for air.
When Henley calmed herself down, and was able to ignore the tingle that had spread over her body, she began to write. It was easy. She was more than lusting for Garret, and she allowed his voice to become her muse, guiding her forward. There was a sense of delving into the unknown. She’d never written about herself in such a way, nor put to light the desires that had begun to well within her. But she did what she could, turning it into a semi-work of fiction. Though she and Garret were the main characters, the situations she put them in were very different. After Mrs. Graham had left the store, occasionally Henley would glance up from the page to find Garret looking at her. She blushed, and went right back to writing.
Before long Henley had filled dozens of pages with her less than neat scrawl, and Garret was flipping the sign on the door over to “closed,” ending his work day.
“Aren’t you done yet?” He came to her side and kissed her cheek, trying to steal a peek at the story Henley was writing.
“Nope.”
“I can’t believe just yesterday you weren’t calling yourself a writer, told me you’d lost it. Looks to me like you’ve had no trouble finding the voice again.”
Henley looked up at him. “I’m not sure I’ve found the voice completely, but I’ve come across something worth writing about.”
“Well, that’s a start, and I’m glad I’ve been able to help.”
It occurred to Henley that she hadn’t thanked him for what he’d done. He’d taken her in, given her shelter, and showed her she still could write. That the creativity inside her wasn’t lost. It just... needed to be found again. Though she wasn’t overwhelmed with a million novel ideas, she had one. And that was better than nothing.
“Thank you. For everything. I-I don’t—”
“Hey, don’t worry about it. Besides, don’t thank me yet. You haven’t tried my cooking. You might regret ever meeting me.”
Henley was sure that would be impossible. From what she’d been through over the last day and a half, she couldn’t imagine how she’d gone through life without knowing him. He had managed to wiggle into her heart, abruptly, and was slowly righting her world.
While Garret cooked, Henley wrote. She lay on his bed and let her pen feverishly scribble across the pages. It was only supposed to be a short story, a few pages at most, but Henley couldn’t control herself, or the words that spilled onto the lined pad. She also didn’t want to stop, for fear she’d lose Garret’s whisper from inside her.
“Okay. I’m ready. Now I warn you... I’ve been a bachelor for a lot of years... I don’t generally cook for two.”
She moved from the bed and to the table. “I’m sure it’ll be great, whatever it is.” Henley looked down at the plate set in front of her. “What is it?” she teased. Garret went in for a tickling. Now that he’d discovered she giggled uncontrollably, he did it often. “Okay, okay. I give up. I’m kidding. It’s steak. And potatoes, with asparagus. And some brown goo.” She couldn’t resist.
“It’s peppercorn gravy. Makes everything taste better.”
“If you say so.” She cut into her steak and took a bite. There was an explosion of flavors that hit her tongue. He’d been modest. He was an amazing cook, and everything was delicious.
“I don’t want to pry, but... I’m wondering, now that you know me a little better, and slept in my bed, if you’d tell me about yesterday. About you. Your life.”
Henley became rigid as she set down her fork. She’d spent the better part of the day blissfully ignoring the life she’d left behind. It was like she’d stepped into her own novel, a work of fiction that she still, at times, wondered if it was real. Or if she was still lying in the hospital, dreaming. But deep down, she knew it was real because although it pained her to do so, she’d sent Abigail a text, just to tell her she was fine. She ignored how she’d felt when she checked her phone to find a dozen messages and a flurry of texts. Even if she didn’t want to, she cared—a little—about what her mother was going through, sick with worry.
“Things just got out of control. I was in a car accident a while back, and it changed me. Not just on the outside.” She looked down at her leg, rubbing the dull ache that was ever present. “And I lost something very dear to me that day, and I’ve been trying to get a piece of it back.”
“The Write Way.”
“Yes. It was a gift from my dad before he died. I kept it with me, always. I honestly did believe that the book and he were the muses in my soul. I wanted to be a writer. An author. But after the accident and the loss of the book, I-I guess I gave up.”
“I’m sorry. I am. But giving up is okay. You went through something... tragic. And it’s understandable, but you can’t, you can never let those things change you, especially not for the worse. Part of being a writer is working through the blocks you create in your mind.”
“I’m figuring that out, now, thanks to you.”
“Well, I’m glad I was here when you needed someone.” Then he said, “So, can I read your story yet?”
She smiled bashfully. “Nope. It’s not done.”
He sighed. “Okay.”
* * *
After helping Garret clear the dishes, staying up a little longer to talk, and getting to know more about him, Henley changed into his sweats and t-shirt from the night before. She sat on his bed and kept writing, while he lay on the floor, reading.
“I can’t take it anymore. This is your bed. It’s big enough for the two of us.”
Garret set the book on his stomach, tilting his head towards her. “Yes, but I’m a gentleman.”
“And I’m giving you permission.”
He didn’t have to be told twice. He lifted himself from the floor and sat down on the bed, Henley scooching over to give him room. They rested, at first, against the wall, shoulder to shoulder, but as Henley kept writing, she found herself leaning into him. He lifted up his arm and wrapped it around her, pulling her against him. She fit. Perfectly. Securely. She found her writing slowed, as she became more aware of how close they were. How her heart lurched towards him. How her mind had begun to wander from the words she’d been writing, the fantasies she was creating, to reality, and wanted to make those scenes come alive.
“Are you done?” He looked away from the book he was reading.
“No.” But she couldn’t concentrate, not on the story. Henley was paying more attention to how she took two breaths to Garret’s one. That his eyes twitched when he neared the end of the page he was reading. Or that he turned the top, rather than the bottom. And when he looked over at her, all she could think about was wanting to feel his lips on hers again. Even the tattoos captivated her, drawn to their beauty, they were like nothing she�
��d ever seen before.
“Okay. I’m saying you’re done. For now.” He grabbed the paper and tossed it in the air. It landed with a thud.
“Hey, don’t you want to read it?”
Garret laughed, and she felt it shiver up her spine. “It’s been awhile, Henley, but I’m pretty sure I still remember how to pleasure a woman. I don’t need a story to give me ideas. If you’ll let me try?” He dropped his book onto the floor and in the next second was kissing her, never giving her a chance to respond or catch her breath.
The way she kissed him back, gripping him tightly, was answer enough. Garret’s tongue swept over her bottom lip, seeking entrance, and Henley was all too willing to give it to him, parting her lips with a sigh. He tasted of the strong black coffee he’d drank after dinner, mixed with mouthwash. His hand rested on her stomach, searing her with his hot touch. Urging the kiss, the mingling of their tongues, to deepen even further as he slid his hand over to her hip, lowering her into the plush pillows, gaining more access to her.
The barrier of clothes between them was more than Henley could handle. She desperately wanted to shed them in order to connect even more with him. Garret had already taken off his shirt and was wearing only boxers, but in the heat of the moment, it was still too much. She let her hands find his bare skin, smoothing them over his back, down his hips and up the front of his chest. He returned the motion, using his hands to explore Henley. He slipped one hand, slowly, underneath her shirt. She’d already taken off the bra she’d been wearing earlier when she’d changed.
The anticipation of his hand sliding up her stomach towards her breasts caused her nipples to tighten, and a wonderful sensation to tingle between her legs. When he suddenly stopped, she tried to hold the disappointment inside.
“Is this okay? I mean, I want to—”
“Yes. I want to,” she breathed.
When his hand cupped her breast, she unintentionally gasped, pushing into him. Garret pulled back, but when he saw the look in her eyes, he knew he didn’t need to stop. He delicately pinched her nipple, and then moved his hand to her other breast and did the same.
“Can we lose the shirt?” he asked, but added, “I don’t want to push you too far, too fast but...” He slid even closer to her, his erection apparent through his boxers. He was allowing her to feel how aroused he was. How much he wanted her. “I’m afraid I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop if you do, so be warned,” he said, tone rough.
In answer, she grasped the fabric of her shirt and slid it over her head. “I don’t want you to stop.”
Garret inhaled a ragged breath at the sight of her completely visible to him. She had a few scars from the accident, from the shattered glass of the windows. Henley thought she might have been self-conscious about the marks. They speckled her torso and chest. There were a few on her arm and legs, but she’d gotten used to those quicker. But as Garret kissed each one, tenderly, she didn’t care. They were a part of who she was, and he didn’t seem to mind the look of them at all. His actions were slow and deliberate, working his way back up, until his tongue was sweeping over her, his teeth teasing her nipple, sending a wave of lust to warm her core. She felt it all over, a tremble, as goose-bumps prickled her skin.
“How did I get so lucky?” he said, but didn’t give Henley a chance to respond. His mouth found hers again, crushing their lips together.
He moved slightly, resting a little bit more of his weight on her. He was warm, toned, and Henley relished in the feel of his skin pressed against hers, the heat between them flaring up even hotter. She was slowly growing more desperate to have him. All of him. But he was taking his time, enjoying the moment, the connection, pleasuring her. But when his hand dipped underneath the sweat pants she was wearing, Henley didn’t think she could handle much more. The pressure building was becoming almost painful, yet enticing. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been consumed entirely with desire and was eager to have it shatter her.
Garret was sensual with his touch when he reached down. He pushed her legs farther apart, giving him more access, and then in one swift motion, he moved his hand over her. She arched her back, desperate for more. Then he glided his finger between the delicate folds of her core, glistening with wetness, ready for his touch. She inhaled sharply as he began to stroke her affectionately. Concentrating at first on moving his finger over her increasingly swollen clit, he rubbed circles around it, then dipped his finger inside, only to slip out the next second. He teased her mercilessly, until she writhed beneath his touch, her hips working in slow circles, heightening the movements of his hand.
When she was near the brink, coming undone, Garret covered her breast with his other hand, rolling her taut nipple between his fingers. Henley bit down on her lip, her eyes pinching shut as she breathed deeply. The concentration of his fingers, in all the right places, sent a tidal wave of sensitivity to shudder through her. She convulsed, her core exploding with wetness as he drew his finger inside her again, working her with a little more force than before, helping her ride out the orgasm that had grabbed hold of her.
But he didn’t stop, not right away. Henley was still coming down, and Garret was already working her up again by engaging her further. He pulled the pants over her hips. She helped him by shimmying her body until they landed on the floor.
Garret lifted himself until he was hovering over her dampened body. His eyes swept over her and down to her newly uncovered skin. Henley was completely bare to him, and she couldn’t help but drown in the hungry expression of his eyes. Henley expected him to slide his boxers down and reveal himself to her. She was ready. More than ready. But what he did next was move farther down the length of her body and press his lips against the inside of both of her thighs. The electricity that quivered over her was tantalizing, and when Garret parted her and gave her one long and hard stroke of his tongue, the burning ache was building up again, becoming more incessant and intense.
“You taste so sweet,” he said, then licked her throbbing clit again. He applied just the right amount of pressure and sucked, lapping up her wetness.
Henley moaned with pleasure as he began a succession of rhythmic movements, tongue over her tender flesh, then pushing against her entrance. She trembled. He hadn’t been lying. He certainly knew all the right moves to pleasure her. She was slick with sweat, full of an almost unbearable amount of arousal, and anxious for the onslaught of another devastating orgasm. Her hands fisted the sheets as she drew closer to coming. He lifted her up, resting his hand on her backside, pressing himself against her more, sweeping over her with more force, until she had no choice but to let go. He gripped her tightly, working his tongue, and sucking with his lips, coaxing her over the edge. She came with an irresistible force she hadn’t expected. It sent waves of awareness to spark her nerves with almost blinding desire.
“Mmm. That was...” Henley began, trying to find her voice.
“Amazing,” he finished for her.
Peacefully, with hooded eyes, she replied, “Yes. Definitely.” She licked her lips.
“If you’ll just give me a minute, I’d like to see if we can do better...”
Henley didn’t think that were possible, but she nodded with an eager grin. Garret went into the bathroom, and from the bed Henley heard him fight to get the box of condoms open he had stashed in the medicine cabinet.
He reappeared a minute later, holding the square foiled wrapper. When he reached the side of the bed, he pulled down his boxers. He was absolutely ready for more, his erection standing tall. Garret pulled the package open, but Henley was quick to take it from him. He’d been in control thus far, but she courageously wanted to take it from him.
“Come here. Closer,” she said, beckoning him with a wiggle of her fingers. He was quick to action, and Henley sat up, taking him into her hand. She gave his hardness a few strokes, Garret groaning at her movements. She worked him harder but stopped to put the condom over his tip and unroll it down his length. Before she could lose th
e courage she’d mustered up, she said, “Would you lie down?” She winked and shot him a daring look.
Henley shuffled over, giving him room. She had gathered the sheets of the bed around her when Garret had gotten up, but quickly discarded them and climbed over him. She guided his erection, allowing her to slide over his length easily. Henley was slow, letting herself relax, yet clenching around his cock until she’d lowered herself all the way down. She wiggled her hips, teasing him, only to lean forward and capture Garret’s lips, smoothing her hands over his tousled brown hair. He wrapped his arms around her, tightly, but then slid them down to her backside, forcing her to move against him. She let Garret control her speed, sliding up and down, working her hips, until she could no longer keep up and pulled her mouth from him with a moan of pleasure.
Henley took his hands into hers, pulling them up, placing them over her breasts as she rolled her hips. He squeezed and pinched her nipples, provoking a whimper as his hands moved over her skin. She felt the buildup deep within her, starting out as another dull ache, but progressing quickly. Henley worked her hips harder, pushing into him, expanding the connection they shared. When she felt herself reaching closer to another climax, she leaned further back, sliding up and down his length, driving herself into him as deeply as she could.
It wasn’t quite enough, and with Garret’s hands still on her breasts, she reached down and eagerly slipped her fingers over her engorged clitoris, helping herself along. Garret’s eyes grew wide, and a crooked grin stretched over his mouth. She smiled proudly at how undone he was becoming when he groaned, lifting up his head to watch her pleasure herself, her hips still working against him.
Garret tensed first, his hands falling from her chest onto her thighs as he grunted, pinching his eyes closed. Henley worked her fingers faster, knowing he wouldn’t be able to hold on much longer, and ground into him with all the force she could handle. Her breathing became ragged as she felt her core tighten around Garret, as she gave her swollen clit a few more delicate strokes, just enough to push her over the edge. She came quickly, her entire body clenching and shuddering as she worked to keep up her speed so they could both ride out their climax together.
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