“I skipped dinner,” he admitted.
She shoved the plate at him. “Start eating. I’ll make the bed.”
Garret being Garret, he insisted on helping her, and within minutes they’d create a cozy nest. Sierra kicked of her shoes and sat cross-legged beside Garret as he ate his sandwiches, then they took turns passing the thermos back and forth.
“This is good hot chocolate,” he said.
“I know.”
His eyes crinkled into a smile as he looked at her. “I love the way you claim the shit you’re good at.”
“Do I?”
“Yeah.”
“Huh.” She’d just been joking about the hot chocolate, but she was prepared to believe in this superconfident version of herself if he did.
“It’s like the way you are when you’re flying. The way you handle yourself. The look on your face. You’re a good pilot, and you know you’re a good pilot.”
“There’s always more to learn.”
His smile widened. “Don’t get all modest on me now, Carmody.”
“No danger of that if you keep talking me up.” She kissed him, savoring the taste of chocolate on his lips. Then she rolled off the bed and put the plate and thermos in the small sink.
“I forgot to bring my toothbrush, but we might get lucky . . .” She did another forage in the cupboards and drawers and hooted in triumph when she spotted what she was looking for.
“Ta-da,” she said, holding up a fistful of disposable toothbrushes, complete with tiny toothpaste tubes. “Courtesy of CJ and Jesse, who have raided more motel bathrooms than you and I have had hot meals.”
They took turns brushing their teeth, then they stripped and crawled beneath the covers. The sheets were cool, and she shivered a little as she pressed her body against his.
“You need me to warm you up, baby?” he asked, his tone all dirty innuendo.
“Yes, please.”
He ran his warm hands languorously down her side, swooping over her hip, then down the outside of her thigh. She slung a leg over his hip, pressing her mouth to his. The hair on his chest was silky-rough against her breasts and she made a satisfied sound as she felt him growing hard against her belly.
His hand found her breast then, stroking her nipple to arousal. She made another needy sound, conscious of the empty ache between her thighs. He moved closer, rolling her onto her back and coming over her. She closed her eyes in appreciation as his weight settled over her, her legs spread wide to accommodate him.
Amazing that letting another person this close could feel so right. So inevitable.
When he nudged at her entrance she lifted her hips and clawed at his back as he filled her with his cock.
“Feels so good,” she whispered.
“Fuck, yes,” he said.
They moved together, finding a rhythm that was all their own, the perfect mix of friction and slide. She pressed her knees against his sides and lifted her hips as her climax took her, clinging to him as she lost touch with reality for a few precious seconds. Then it was his turn, his body shuddering with pleasure and release above hers.
She wrapped her legs around his back afterward, her hands spread wide on his back. He was inside her still, but she wanted him even closer, if that were humanly possible.
“I love you,” he said.
She was so glad and relieved he’d been brave enough to say it first, to give voice to what was happening between them, she closed her eyes and let out her breath on a grateful sigh. “I love you too.”
Even though it felt precipitous and a little crazy to be at this place so quickly, there was simply no denying the strength and depth of their connection.
He was the man she’d been waiting for her entire life. The man who filled all her empty places. The man she could imagine tomorrow with, and all the tomorrows after that.
And, yeah, things weren’t great in his life right now, but that just meant they’d found each other at the right time. She was going to help him get through this. No matter what.
He lifted himself up on his forearms so he could see her face, and they smiled at each other. She saw the gentleness and wonder and gratitude in his eyes and hoped he understood she felt the same.
He kissed her, then they shared a fierce hug as they both absorbed their new normal. Because they were a they now. An us. A couple. This was a partnership, and whatever came next, they were in it together.
He kissed her one last time then rolled away to reach out and flick off the light. They shuffled into new positions in the darkness, his arm around her shoulders, her head on his chest, their legs tangled. Sierra sat with the peace and comfort of the moment for as long as she could. Then she shifted her head minutely on his chest, signaling she had something to say.
“Whatever happens, there’s no shame in protecting yourself. Okay? I know you love them. I know you feel you owe them. But you have to be able to live with the decisions you make.”
“Yeah, I know. I’ve spent thirteen years maintaining a lie already. I’m not built for bullshit. Which is pretty funny, given who my parents are.” There was a bitter note beneath his words. He was entitled to it. He’d had a shitty evening. And his parents were assholes. Big, selfish assholes.
She turned her head and pressed a kiss to his chest. Then she nuzzled closer and closed her eyes. The last thought she had as she fell asleep was that tonight changed everything, for both of them.
Chapter Seventeen
Garret woke with a start, one hand groping for his phone to check the time. Instead he encountered warm, smooth skin and a tangle of silky hair.
“What’s wrong?” Sierra asked, her voice slurred with sleep.
“Forgot to set the alarm.”
“Oh. Shit.” She sat up and leaned over to collect her phone from the counter at the end of the bed. She showed him the screen—just past six. They hadn’t overslept after all.
“Can’t beat the old body clock,” she said.
If he got moving now, he’d be able to get home, shower, and change in time to be ready for their usual seven o’clock departure.
But first, he had something much more important to do. Reaching out, he filled his arms with warm, willing woman and pulled her close. She had a crease on her face, and her hair was all mussed on one side. Her eyes were still soft and sleepy, her body languorous against his.
“Morning,” he said.
She smiled. “Morning.”
He could see the echo of last night’s conversation in her eyes—her sadness on his behalf, the new warmth and depth now they’d both acknowledged their feelings.
Sierra Carmody was his.
It was such an extraordinary thing, having her love him and want to be part of his life. It was going to take him some time to get his head around it.
Her smile faded, and she leaned forward to kiss him. He felt his cock stir, eager to be closer to her. He was pretty sure he’d have to be dead before he stopped wanting her. He smoothed a hand over her ass, loving the contrast between smooth skin, toned muscle, and feminine softness.
“Gonna have to be fast,” he warned her.
“I can do fast.”
She wrapped a hand around his erection, stroking firmly up and down, up and down. He dipped a hand between her legs, sliding into the slick warmth of her arousal. Knowing she was already wet and ready for him, that she wanted him, was the ultimate turn-on. Within seconds he was inside her, stroking them both toward fulfillment.
“Oh, god. Yes. That’s it. Ohhhh,” Sierra breathed, her fingers digging into his ass with mindless intensity.
The sheets were a binding tangle around them when they were done. He fought his way free and started dressing, his gaze taking in her sprawled form.
“Man . . . If I had ten more minutes . . .” he said.
She wiggled her eyebrows, then stretched into a yawn and sat up. “Put it in the vault for later, and you can pay for that promise with interest.”
He laughed and tossed her T-shirt t
o her before sitting on the edge of the bed to pull on his socks and pants. He felt faintly ridiculous, heading home in yesterday’s work clothes on the back of his bike. But it wasn’t as though the world was watching.
Sierra shimmied into her jeans and pushed her feet into her sneakers, then they both exited the trailer together.
“You want me to grab one of Jed’s jackets for the ride home? It’s cold out, and I don’t like the thought of you only having that shirt between you and the road,” she said, combing her fingers through her hair, an adorable concerned furrow between her brows.
He dropped a kiss onto her mouth. “It’s five minutes. I’ll survive, I promise.”
Also, he wasn’t sure how Jed would feel about Garret borrowing his clothes. Years ago, they’d known and they’d liked each other. But that had been before the accident. Before guilt had made him keep his distance and grief had sent the Carmodys into retreat.
There were probably a few bridges to rebuild there, but he’d do whatever it took to make things work with Sierra. He knew without asking that her brothers were everything to her. He’d do his damnedest to get their approval.
He caught her hand, and she threw him a small smile as they made their way past the barn and out into the yard, only to pull up sharply at the sight of Casey and Jed inspecting his Ducati with patent masculine curiosity and appreciation.
They glanced in unison toward him and Sierra, taking in their joined hands and mussed hair and general morning-after glow. Then, almost in sync, they each squared their shoulders and tucked their fingers into the front pockets of their jeans, their faces carefully neutral.
It was almost funny.
“Morning,” Garret said, dipping his head in a nod.
Jed and Casey responded with their own nods. Garret felt Sierra’s shoulders lift as she took a breath, ready to wade in.
“I’m in love with your sister,” Garret said. “Figured I’d get that out of the way, if you were wondering what my intentions are.”
There was a moment of stunned stillness. Then Casey and Jed both did the nodding thing again. Jed stepped forward, hand extended.
“Good to see you. It’s been a while,” he said, his calloused hand closing strongly around Garret’s.
“It has,” Garret said.
Casey was next, his grip just as firm as Jed’s. “Nice bike.”
“Thanks. Don’t get to ride it much these days,” Garret said.
“What kind of horsepower do you get out of it?” Casey asked, turning to consider the Ducati.
“Ninety-two at eight thousand.”
Both Jed and Casey whistled appreciatively. Sierra made a rude noise.
“Awesome. You guys enjoy your sausage fest. I’ve got to get ready for work.” She turned to Garret. “See you soon.”
Garret was conscious of her brothers watching, but it didn’t stop him from kissing her goodbye. They all watched as she strode toward the house, her long legs eating up the distance.
“You’re welcome to take it for a ride sometime,” Garret said, refocusing on Sierra’s brothers.
“You’re going to regret that,” Jed said.
Casey eyed the bike with new interest. “Definitely gonna take you up on that.”
“See what I mean?” Jed said.
“I gotta hustle now, but let Sierra know when you’ve got some free time and I’ll bring it over,” Garret said as he collected his helmet from where he’d left it on the bike seat overnight.
“Will do,” Casey said.
“See you around,” Jed said, stepping back as Garret slung his leg over the seat and put the keys into the ignition.
“You definitely will,” Garret said.
The bike started with a throaty roar and he saw Casey’s mouth stretch into a smile. No doubt anticipating the buzz of taking the Ducati for a spin. Garret lifted a hand, then put the bike into gear and opened the throttle.
Despite all the shit that had gone down last night, his heart was light as he turned out of the Carmody’s driveway. He had Sierra. With her by his side, he could handle whatever else came his way.
The Ducati made short work of the three-mile drive to his parents’ place. He left the bike running while he dismounted and went to open the garage door. He’d just switched the engine off and pulled off his helmet when he became aware of his mother standing in the side doorway.
“I was worried about you,” she said. Her arms were crossed over her chest, her mouth tight.
Garret pocketed the bike keys and turned to face her. “I needed some space.”
“Well, I didn’t appreciate you storming off like a teenager when we were in the middle of an important discussion.”
Garret lifted his eyebrows, incredulous that she was attempting to claim the moral high ground.
“Let’s not fuck around,” he said coolly. “You asked me to break the law if I had to in order to cover Dad’s ass. That’s not going to happen. Ever. Here’s what is going to happen—I’m going to keep doing what I planned to do, which is to work with the accountant and our lawyers to find a way through this. I’m well aware, however, that the only authority I have at Tate Transport is through you. So, the ball’s in your court, Mom. If you don’t want to do it my way, I’ll call off the hounds and walk away, and you can let Ron come back in and do whatever slippery, underhanded bullshit thing he usually does to cover his ass.”
His mother blinked repeatedly throughout his speech, her shoulders getting tighter and tighter. “Well. That was lovely,” she said. “What a charming way to start my day.”
Garret counted to ten in his head. There were so many things he could say to her, but none of them were going to make this situation better.
“I need a shower.” He headed for the house.
“So you’re walking out on me again?” his mother said.
He stopped in his tracks, goaded despite himself. “I figured it was better than pointing out the hypocrisy of you clutching your pearls over a four-letter word while simultaneously asking me to commit corporate fraud. But if you want to have that conversation, I’m more than up for it. Let’s go. Your serve.”
It took his mother a moment to speak. “I was shocked last night. I panicked.”
He nodded. “Okay. Does that mean you want me to stay on at Tate, or would you like to give Ron a call?”
His mother’s chin wobbled. “Garret, please. Don’t be like this.”
“You made it this way, Mom. I’m just playing by your rules. Think about what you want to do and let me know by the end of the day.”
“I don’t need to think. There’s no way I’m giving Ron control of the business.”
Despite everything, her answer made his shoulders drop a notch. As much as he hated being stuck in the middle of the mess his father had made, the thought of handing everything over to Ron the Rat made him want to punch a hole in something.
“All right. I’ll keep you posted on whatever comes to light.”
“I’d appreciate that.” She reached out and touched his forearm, her face furrowed with regret. “I really was worried about you last night.”
He softened. “I just needed to let off some steam.”
She nodded. “Well, I don’t want to hold you up.”
Normally he’d kiss his mother at a moment like this, go out of his way to reassure her. This morning, he couldn’t do it. Not because he wanted to punish her, but because it wouldn’t be sincere. He was still angry and hurt. It would pass, but it was going to take time.
He settled for offering her a small smile before heading to the house for a shower.
Thirty minutes later, he was striding toward the helicopter, his mouth stretching into a smile at the prospect of spending an hour with Sierra.
She wasn’t in or around the Bell, so he ducked his head into the hangar and spotted her at the desk, making notes in a large book.
“Please tell me that’s your captain’s log,” he said.
She looked up, her green eyes bright with
pleasure. “Just the maintenance log. Nothing very exciting. Sorry.”
“Are we on the clock yet?” he asked.
She glanced out the door to where the Bell sat on the landing pad. “Technically, yes.”
“I’m sensing there’s some wiggle room.”
“There may be a small window of opportunity where my willpower is not equal to how hot you look in that suit,” she admitted.
That was enough for him. He closed the distance between them and leaned over to kiss her good morning. She tasted of minty toothpaste, and he could smell the lemony freshness of her shampoo. He wanted more, but when he tried to deepen the kiss the wheeled chair she was sitting in started to roll backward, and he felt her lips curve against his as she started to laugh.
“This chair is officially now my enemy,” he said, lifting his head.
“It’s definitely got strong feelings about public displays of affection.” She smiled at him, her cheeks pink, her mouth still damp from his kisses.
“Okay.” He took a big step backward. “Time to close the window of opportunity or that chair is going to be really offended by my next move.”
“Plus you’ll be late for work,” she pointed out.
“God forbid.”
She stood and returned the maintenance log to the desk drawer. Then she reached up and adjusted the knot on his tie minutely. “Was a little crooked.”
“Thank you.”
He wanted to kiss her again, but he could see she’d already started thinking about the flight ahead so he simply followed her out to the helicopter and handed her his briefcase to stow.
“You don’t have to sit up front if you’ve got work to do,” she said. “I won’t be offended.”
“I can work anytime. Right now, I’m with you,” he said.
She smiled ruefully and shook her head, sending her ponytail swinging. “Stop making it so hard for me to stick to my rules, Garret Tate.”
He climbed into the front seat and watched with quiet admiration as she went through her preflight routine and fired the engine up. He waited until her concentration relaxed before asking about her plans for the day and they talked and laughed for the next forty minutes until they were approaching the Helena airport. Again, he fell silent, letting her do her thing. Respecting that this was her workplace.
More Than a Cowboy (The Carmody Brothers Book 3) Page 21