First Sight_Never Give Up, Never Give In

by Mia Jones

  They stared at each other for a moment before Garrett bent and pressed his lips against hers. When she didn’t pull back from him, he deepened the kiss. He slid one hand under the heavy weight of her hair to cup the back of her head. The kiss steadily grew heated.

  Jessica’s eyes slowly closed as streaks of lava raced through her veins and made it hard to breathe. Her world condensed to just Garrett and how he was making her feel.

  He pulled back and studied the woman in his arms. She lay against him so sweetly, so trustingly. He was all hard angles and ice, while she was pure softness and warmth.

  Was he doing her a disservice if he took her for himself? She slowly opened her beautiful blue eyes to stare at him in a dazed fascination. Oh, hell. He didn’t care. He knew himself to be a selfish bastard and wasn’t going to apologize for it. There was no way he was giving her up. He’d do whatever was necessary to keep her with him and make her happy.

  “We still have things to talk about, especially your little rebellion letting that kid in, but our food’s getting cold.”

  “What food?”

  “I hope you like Chinese,” he said and indicated the bag on the small wood table by the door.

  “I love Chinese, but why did you bring me food?”

  Garrett looked toward the ceiling and sighed heavily. “We’re having our date,” he said like she should have known that.

  “But I thou—”

  “You thought wrong. Show me where the plates are. I’m starving.” His voice was soft but rough with authority.

  She watched him take off his coat and toss it over the sofa before he walked into her tiny kitchen and start opening cabinets when she didn’t move fast enough. Jessica froze in the doorway to the kitchen. Somehow, standing in that small room made him look even bigger and more masculine.

  She cringed when he closed a cabinet door a little hard. “Here, Garrett. They’re in here.” She pulled out two plates and then some silverware. “We’ll have to eat in the living room. As you can see, this room is too small to have a table.” He’d probably never seen a kitchen just big enough for a small fridge and stove, about two feet of counter, and six cabinets, and she was able to fit a small microwave on top of the fridge. Although she kept her apartment clean, it showed its age.

  Garrett looked around her home as he snatched up the sack. He walked by and took a seat on the old, fake-leather sofa. He took carton after carton out of the bag and spread them on the sofa table.

  The only pieces of furniture were the brown sofa they sat on, the wooden sofa table they were eating on, a multi-colored striped chair she had shoved into a corner, and a small table she used for a TV stand. The wood floors were beat, but she kept them clean and shiny. The walls were a bland beige, marred with tiny cracks and what used to be holes earlier tenants had made for wall décor and then filled in with putty. Besides the limited amount of furniture, there was no other color, no pictures, just a stack of books on the floor by the chair.

  “Good Lord. How much do you think we’ll eat?” she said and laughed as she sat down next to him.

  Garrett shrugged. “I wanted to make sure I got what you liked and we had enough.”

  Jessica snorted out a laugh. “Oh, we’ll have enough. I’ll be able to get several lunches out of this too.”

  He stopped and looked slightly horrified. “You would eat this every day until it was gone?”

  She chuckled and nodded.

  “Why?”

  Jessica paused as she arranged their dinnerware. “Why what?”

  “Why would you eat the same thing every day?”

  “Because it’s there, and it would save a lot of money not having to buy lunches for a few days.”

  “But doesn’t it get dry or gross after a day?”

  She laughed as she started opening the food. “Yeah, but a little soy sauce and water will fix the dryness. And it only gets gross if you keep it too long.” She realized he hadn’t moved and turned to him. “What?” She frowned in concern. He almost looked angry.

  Garrett’s stomach tightened, and his mouth flattened in anger. “Doesn’t the shelter pay you a decent wage?”

  Jessica nodded. “Yes, they offered me a substantial wage, but I choose to take less so other projects can get done sooner. I don’t need much, so I’d rather the money go toward the animals. Eventually, I’ll take a better salary, but there was too much to do and fix that the previous director never got to.” She didn’t wait for him and bit into some beef and broccoli. “Mmmm. This is really good, Garrett. Aren’t you going to eat? I thought you were starving.”

  He pulled his eyes away from her and started to pile the food onto his plate. He didn’t know why this bothered him so much. He thought it might be that he didn’t like her to have to scrimp like this for food, and he wasn’t thrilled with the building she lived in. Although not totally dilapidated, it was old and very worn. Thankfully, she was on the bottom floor, because the steps at the front of the building really did look unsafe.

  He looked around. She made sure the place was clean, but a person couldn’t hide the sense of poverty. He realized some of his anger might be because it brought up bad memories of his childhood. Looking back, he would have been thrilled with Chinese leftovers when he was a kid.

  “Garrett, what’s wrong? Do you not like the food?”

  “No, it’s fine,” he said and took a large bite. “I forgot to bring beer. Do you have one?” he asked after he swallowed.

  Jessica shook her head. “Sorry. But there’s some milk or juice in the fridge, or I can get you water. Do you want some?”

  He pressed her down when she went to stand. “No, baby, I’ll get it. Do you want something to drink?”

  She laughed around a mouthful of food. “Yes, juice please.”

  His gaze fixed on her. Everything she did was so damn cute. He couldn’t ever see himself not wanting to watch her. When she relaxed around him, she became animated. “Dammit,” he said angrily under his breath after he opened her fridge. Besides the small cartons of milk and juice, she only had ketchup, a small bottle of dressing, jam, and soy sauce, and in the shelving in the door, twenty or so medicine bottles and syringes. What the hell? Was she sick? She didn’t look sick. He couldn’t see her taking anything illegal, and she certainly didn’t show signs of drug abuse. Garrett shook his head. Her situation just got worse. He reached for the juice and filled two glasses.

  “Here you go.” He handed it to her before he sat. “Tell me more about yourself.”

  Jessica choked and took a quick sip of juice. Her napkin twisted in her hands. “Um, well let me see.” She paused to decide what to tell him. “I went to college to be a veterinarian, but I ran out of money and scholarships, and I didn’t want to rack up a quarter million dollars in loans. I decided to get my vet tech certificate instead. I already had most of the classes done, so I only had to pay for a few more. When I got out of college, I worked for a vet in town for several years, and when the old director of the shelter retired, the board of directors asked me to take over.”

  Jessica took another small bite. “What about you?”

  “Tell me more. What about your childhood?”

  Jessica turned away from him and wiped her fingers on a paper napkin. “I’ve already told you a lot, and you haven’t told me anything,” she said nonchalantly, but he could hear the emotions in her voice.

  He studied her, his gaze was shrewd but void of feelings. “There’s not much to tell.” He sat back and rested his arm along the back of the couch. “I went to college for finance, graduated, and started my own business.”

  Jessica waited for more. She scowled when he just sat there and stared at her. “So let me get this straight, I’m supposed to tell you everything about myself and you give me the bare bones? That doesn’t seem quite fair.” She shivered at the masculinity and arrogance this man projected out to the world. Although, she wished she could have just a little of his self-confidence. Jessica waited a full minute for him to
talk before she stood and picked up their plates and carried them into the kitchen. She washed them and placed them in the drainer at the side of the sink.

  Jessica was physically aware of him before he said anything then gasped at the feel of a large, hot, male body pressed against her back. She gripped the edge of the counter.

  Garrett pushed her hair to the side and bent to kiss and place little bites from her neck to her shoulder. “I’m sorry. I’ll do better.” His arm came around her waist when her legs started shaking uncontrollably. “I’ve got you,” he whispered in her ear. His hot breath and male need in his voice pushed her senses higher.

  “Oh, God.” A low groan slipped free, and her eyes closed as she leaned back against him letting him take her weight. “I don’t...I don’t...mmm...I don’t think this is a good idea.” She panted as her heart thumped violently in her chest.

  He swept his tongue up her neck to bite down on her ear lobe and pulled another desperate groan from her. “Oh, I think it’s a great idea.” His huge hand opened over her stomach, its size almost covering it. He lightly rubbed in circles, slowly getting closer to her breasts and lower stomach. His other hand came around her waist to enclose over her breast.

  Jessica whimpered then groaned harshly and arched into his hand, pressing harder against his palm. One of her hands still gripped the counter, but the other gripped his wrist over her stomach. A low wail left her when he put pressure on her nipple and slowly made it tighter. A band of need tightened painfully in her belly and spread through her limbs, robbing her of her breath.

  Is it possible to have an orgasm with just his hand on my breast? thought Jessica.

  “Yes, baby.” A jagged edge of need raced through him. He gritted his teeth and knew it would be a while before she could relieve his ache. A chuckle slipped at her gasp. “If the woman is sensitive enough,” he whispered.

  Her eyes flew open. Oh, sweet God. I did not just say that out loud, in front of him. Her face burned with embarrassment.

  He pushed her desire higher, tightening his grip on her nipple. His other hand spread, engulfing her midsection and pressing in. His mouth sucked on and bit the sensitive area where her shoulder met her neck.

  A huge flood of desire drowned any other thoughts she might have had, and then she seemed to splinter apart. A kaleidoscope of colors rushed in front of her eyes. Garrett continued his assault until she calmed.

  Several moments later, her awareness slowly came back as she panted for breath. Her eyes burned as she came down from the climax and her grip on his arm loosened. A tear slipped down her cheek. “I’m sorry.” She sniffed, mortified.

  Garrett scowled and turned her around with his hands on her waist. “Why in the hell are you sorry?”

  Jessica cringed back from his anger. Mortified. “I don’t know.” She looked down at her clasped hands.

  “Jess, look at me.” There was a slight pause. “Jessica,” he said with more force.

  Jessica’s head snapped up at his tone of voice.

  Garrett tightened his grip around her waist, pulling her against his arousal before he tipped her chin up. “Don’t apologize for being passionate. It’s beautiful, and I can’t wait to make you come again and again.”

  Small tingles rasped along her nerves as her eyes held his. She looked down then jerked her head up. “Ummm. What about you?”

  He leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “It will happen soon enough. It’s too early, and it will make you feel uncomfortable around me, and I won’t have that. I need you to want me as much as I want you.”

  Something softened inside. This was the gentlest she’d ever heard him sound. Jessica raised up on her tiptoes and placed a quick kiss on his lips.

  Garrett’s hand came up to grip her hair before his head lowered. It wasn’t a slow, gentle kiss. This was him staking a claim. His tongue pushed through her initial resistance to plunder the deep part of her mouth. He deepened the kiss when he heard Jess make a sound between a peculiar groan and whimper.

  Jess jerked her head away. “Oh, shoot. I’m sorry, Lucky,” she said as she pulled out of his arms to encircle the neck of the dog at their feet.

  Garrett looked down at her. “What the hell is that?” he burst out.

  Jessica tried to steady her breathing before she frowned up at him. “It’s a dog.”

  Garrett took a step back and leaned against the counter, his breath still labored. “I think that is the ugliest dog I’ve ever seen.”

  Jessica gasped and covered the ears of the mutt. “He can hear you, Garrett. And he’s very smart. You don’t want to hurt his self-image, do you?”

  Garrett snorted and crossed his arms over his chest. “The cast on his leg isn’t helping his image.”

  Jessica stood in front of Garrett with her arms crossed over her chest. “I’ll have you know, he’s one of the bravest dogs I’ve ever seen. He was hit by a car, and his family couldn’t afford to take care of him, so they brought him to us, broken leg and all. He never cried or tried to bite, and is always gentle and friendly with everyone.”

  He bit back a smile. She was so damn cute when she was pissed. “I’m sorry, Lucky,” he said and tried to sound sincere without laughing.

  Jessica looked at him suspiciously, but after a moment nodded her head. She kneeled in front of Lucky, her hands gently moved over the dog’s leg, and she looked for any swelling. She giggled when Lucky swiped his tongue across her face before she could dodge him.

  “How long have you had him?”

  She looked up at Garrett while she petted the dog. “Oh, he’s not mine. I’m just fostering him until he’s better.”

  Garrett’s eyebrows snapped together. “Fostering. I didn’t know that happened with animals.”

  Jessica stood. “Oh, yes. I have a list of foster families who take on sick, mean, or really old animals.”

  “So why are you doing it?”

  She slid her hands down both sides of the dog’s body, messaging and soothing Lucky. “I take the hard cases. The animals that need a lot of meds. You have to be certified to dispense medicine like his or the vicious ones.”

  Garrett stood straight and scowled. “What do you mean vicious?”

  “The biters. The ones that have been abused and need emotional rehabilitation.”

  Garrett’s face turned red. “You handle them by yourself?”

  She stared up at him in confusion. She couldn’t understand why he was getting so worked up. “Yes, I’m the director, so I have to take hard cases. I can’t ask any of my people to do that. Besides, I by far have the most experience.”

  If it was possible, he looked even more upset. The color in his face went from a deep red tinge to white.

  Jessica stood and tapped Lucky on the head. “Garrett. Everything is fine.”

  “But you’re so damn little.”

  Jessica rolled her eyes and chuckled as she walked through the living room to the sliding glass door that led to her small back patio. “Come on, Lucky, outside.”

  She watched the dog hobble around outside for a minute and made sure he was alright. She couldn’t let him stay outside long because of the sprinkles of rain that hit her face. If his cast got wet, she’d have to put a new one on. She looked up. The dark clouds promised more by morning. She hoped for a mild storm because she loved the energy and sound of them, and they always made her fall asleep faster.

  She walked past Garrett into the kitchen and came out with two of the syringes and two of the bottles of medicine. “Lucky, come.” She turned back to Garrett and noticed that he still looked upset as she waited for the dog. “It’s not about strength, Garrett. It’s about reading the animal. Animals don’t know deceit. Their bodies tell me exactly what their next move will be, and I know every one of them.” She waited for Lucky to come inside and sit on the floor by her on the couch. “Lucky needs his medicine. One is an antibiotic and the other pain relief.”

  He watched as she expertly filled the syringes and gently grabbed the s
kin at the back of Lucky’s neck. She gave first one and then the other one. He was amazed when the dog didn’t even flinch. “You are very good at that. Maybe you could give me my next flu shot?” he said, only half kidding.

  Jessica snorted as she carefully disposed of the syringes and medicine in special cartons on the kitchen counter before she came back into the living room. “When you do it as many times as I have, you learn all the tricks.” Lucky hobbled back to her bedroom where his bed was. Jessica gazed at Garrett, and neither said a word for a long minute. She tore her gaze from his, fidgeted, bit at her lip, and looked anywhere but at him.

  He smiled to himself. He could tell when she started getting nervous again. She was so transparent with her feelings. She couldn’t concentrate on anything else but him now and didn’t have an excuse to not give him her undivided attention.

  “Can we sit down?” he asked in a careful, relaxed voice. While she was good at reading animals, he was very good at reading people, especially in business. He hadn’t cared enough about most people in a personal setting to try. With her, he wanted to know every thought she had, how she felt, and what she needed at any given time.

  Jessica sat on one side of the couch. Her heartbeat immediately went into overdrive when he sat in the middle, very close to her, shifted toward her a bit, and put his arm behind her on the back of the couch.

  “Remember the problems I told you about earlier?” He went on when she nodded and looked up at him. “The first was checking before you opened the door,” he said and watched her carefully. “The second is letting other men in your apartment, making them feel like they have a chance.” His hand went from the back of the couch to drove his fingers through her hair. “Because they don’t, do they?” His voice grew softer and deeper.

  Jessica’s eyes closed when a wave of need pierced her midsection, spread molten heat, and dampened her panties with more of her cream. She tilted her head into his hand.