5. Chapter Five
Chapter Five
Kyle
O kay, if a guy showed up to your first date with treats for your cat, I was pretty sure that was marriage material right there. Not that I was ready to get married anytime soon, but Garrett had already won me over the first time we hooked up. His thoughtful gift just ensured he was going to set a bar for dating expectations that most guys wouldn’t measure up to. Especially not ones my age.
“I’ll drive us,” Garrett said, leading the way down the steps. My heart thudded in excitement. I had no idea where we were heading, but I knew I was in competent hands. And fuck, those hands. I’d definitely jerked off all week to the memory of our hookup.
After I’d sent him a text and had gotten no response, I’d been sure he’d just viewed it as a one and done. Since that was all I had proposed, I wasn’t going to unleash my neediness on him, but that poor bastard had opened the door wide for it by inviting me on a date.
I’d feel bad, but honestly, he’d already gotten a taste of what to expect the other night. When I was comfortable with someone, I went all in.
His black Tacoma was in the parking lot, and he unlocked it and climbed into the driver’s seat. I got in on the passenger side and settled in. The man looked so fine behind the wheel. He had styled his hair and cleaned up his reddish beard too. His lips were pursed in concentration, and those muscular forearms were on display with his undershirt and open short-sleeve black button-down. The bit of hair poking from the neck of the shirt, the fur along his arms—ngh. All of it was sexy as hell.
He drove out of town, down through the more rural part of West Chester that I called “horse country,” even though we were still very much in the suburbs. I’d gone out here plenty to hike, so I had an idea or two where we might be heading. At least, I had some hopes.
“So, what made you change your mind about hitting me up?” I asked.
“Honestly? I wasn’t sure if your text was a ‘Thanks but fuck off now’ or ‘Keeping lines of communication open’ sort of deal.” He speared a few fingers through his hair as he one-handed the wheel.
Him speaking so openly made my heart squeeze tight. Goddamn, I liked him.
“It was the latter, so I’m glad you asked me out tonight.” I watched the fields roll by, interspersed with trees and the occasional stream that carved through the landscape. “Unless I find out on this date something truly repugnant that’ll scare me off forever.”
“Why do I get the feeling there’s not a lot that’ll scare you off?” Garrett shot me a sidelong glance.
“Mmm, fire-eating, probably. While it looks cool, I have this irrational fear that a blow job would singe my dick off.” I scrunched my nose.
“I can promise you I’m not about to eat fire and then blow you,” Garrett said, deadpan. “How that’s even in the realm—”
“Okay, maybe you don’t hang around with former circus performers, but I certainly do.” I didn’t mention that most of them I met through my drama club friends in college, but they were a fun-as-fuck bunch. Rennies usually were.
“Every time I think I know what you’re going to say, you throw me another curveball.” The grin on his face was promising, though, so I’d roll with it. He slowed as the sign for Stroud Preserve appeared up ahead.
My heart thudded a little harder. “How did you know this is one of my favorite places?”
He cast me another sidelong glance. “I didn’t. It’s one of mine too.”
Fucking swoon.
He pulled into the lot, the crunch of gravel under tires so familiar. I hopped out first, and he followed suit. We didn’t waste time getting across the parking lot and heading to the trails. This time of the day, the trails bustled with joggers, folks walking their dogs, and the occasional family chasing after their children. I didn’t mind the passersby though. The views were worth it, rolling hills lit up by the golden hues of the waning sun.
“You sap. You’re taking me on a sunset walk, aren’t you?” I nudged my elbow against his side.
Garrett full on blushed, and fuck, that lured me in even more. “If you’d rather do something else, I’m open to suggestions.”
“Oh, because going to one of my favorite places with the hottie who rocked my world is such a hardship.”
“It’s that easy with you, is it?” he said as we ambled down the dirt path. On either side, the sprawling green hills were backlit by that gilt hue from the sun, and the sky was achingly blue, like it filled to burst before exploding into darkness.
“What, you calling me easy?” I teased. His quiet nature made it simple to get comfortable, like slipping into a favorite jacket. While people generally didn’t tend to be a struggle for me, there was usually some sort of back-and-forth dance in trying to get to know them. However, Garrett and I had clicked into place from the moment we met, like I didn’t have to restrain anything. And that was damn tempting.
A smirk tugged at his lips. “I mean, if the shoe fits.”
I slapped a hand over my chest. “How dare you, Garrett…what the fuck is your last name?”
“Barlowe.” His soft grin and simple responses charmed the hell out of me, which was probably how I’d ended up inviting myself to his house in the first place.
“Kyle Laurier, since you so inquisitively asked.” I swung my arms by my side. If one occasionally brushed by him, sending sparks up my spine, well, that was a hardship I’d have to bear.
He’d slung a canvas backpack over his shoulder, which I hadn’t even noticed until now. His shoulders were so broad they took my brain to filthy places. “What are you packing away there?”
“And ruin the surprise? Nah.” His dark eyes crinkled in amusement, and I loved the laugh lines at the corners. It was clear that despite his quietness and abruptness, he wasn’t a curmudgeon, and I liked that about him. Past boyfriends who leaned toward cynics had told me to tone it down, and I wasn’t a fucking fan of that in the slightest. Garrett seemed more the type to sit back and smirk, which was just fine by me. I was fast growing addicted to this man’s eyes on me.
“Fine, be all broody and mysterious,” I said, waving a hand. “I’ll just assume you’ve got a wide array of sex toys packed in there and be wholly disappointed when I find out you haven’t planned a woodland fuckfest.”
Garrett lifted a brow as I bit back my laughter. Was he going to take me seriously or not? No shame on woodland fuckfests, but I was not that bold and honestly a bit of a princess about getting dirt in my ass crack. Garrett stared at me, the hint of amusement in his gaze reassuring.
“Fine, maybe a bit more relieved than disappointed,” I said. “Just so you’re aware, I’m also not the camping type.”
“Eh, neither am I. I like to keep my hands busy, and while hikes are great, hanging around a campsite doesn’t do anything for me.”
“So, what’s your ideal vacation then?” I asked, loving the rolling scenery as we talked. The scent of fresh greenery wafted my way, and I drank it in. The temperature was hot enough to make me sweat a little but not completely drench me. “Beach? Mountains?”
“City, oddly,” he said. Huh, I hadn’t expected that. I’d taken him for a mountain man, maybe because of the hot lumberjack vibes, but I loved these hidden dimensions. “I’m an architecture junkie, so the ones with the more unique stuff tick my boxes every time.”
“Well, I’m in for the arts and leisure.” I couldn’t help adding some emphasis on the second word. His nostrils flared, and a little thrill rose through me. The electricity between us hadn’t died down, but instead, it had started transmuting since we’d hooked up. Here on this date, getting to know him a little better, was like watching a drawing get fleshed out in real time, those broad lines getting more detailed and specific.
“Is that your way of trying to invite yourself on my vacations now too?” he asked as we rounded a bend, hay bales in the distance and a lineup of trees on the other side. A narrow path traveled a little farther away to a flat expanse under shade that looked like a great spot to rest. Apparently, we both had the same idea because Garrett led us in that direction.
“Wow, that’s awfully forward of you,” I said, my sarcasm free-flowing. “Already planning out our future trips together?”
Garrett snorted, and my heart bounced a little harder. Yeah, I was enjoying myself a little too damn much. I let him get a few steps ahead of me, just to watch his ass flex in those worn jeans. My lord, his muscular glutes looked like the perfect kind to spread apart and devour before sliding a cock inside. My length woke to life. Damn shame I hadn’t gotten the chance to tap that the other night.
“All right, here we are.” He dropped on the grass by the benches. I took the bench because why get my ass dirty if I didn’t have to? He unzipped the bag and plunked a thermos on the ground. He handed me a paper bag and popped one next to him.
“You’re really going to sit up there?” he asked.
“If it’s between this or the ground, yeah. Unless you’ve got a better offer?”
Garrett shook his head but spread his legs wider and then looked back up at me. Fuck. Yeah, that was so worth getting on the ground for. I hopped from my spot and settled between his legs, and I sure as fuck backed right up to his groin. His cock hardening behind me created a chain reaction, and mine thickened in response. Ngh. This picnic was going to be heaven and hell in the same breath.
Garrett wrapped his arms around me, and I melted back against him. That big, sturdy presence at my back definitely got my motor going.
“I got a turkey hoagie and a roast beef one, so pick your poison.”
“What’s the one you handed me?” I snagged the bag and opened it.
“Turkey.”
“Sounds perfect.” I took a bite. He must’ve gone to a decent place because the proportions were perfect. I chewed and swallowed. Damn, I wasn’t going to be able to eat much. Not with how my anticipation had staved off my appetite. I wanted to devour…well, not food.
“You rebel you,” I teased. “Stroud Preserve’s not a picnicking area.”
He’d removed his hands from around me and dug into his own sandwich, but between his legs, I was happy as shit and wasn’t going to move.
“What, you planning on getting me in trouble?” The low rasp of his voice traveled straight to my cock. God, this man. Between his consideration of asking me out, planning this trip, and letting me sit right between his legs, he was perfect, and everything about this date had me wanting more. So much more.
“It’s only fun if there’s a little trouble,” I said, taking another bite. “What’s in the thermos?”
“Sparkling lemonade.”
He unscrewed the thermos, poured some in a cup, and offered it to me. I took a sip, loving how it danced across my tongue. Older guys were definitely the way to go. Guys my age would buy you a shitty drink at a bar and expect to get blown a second later. This wasn’t so transactional—no, Garrett put intention into everything he did, and the consideration stroked at my chest.
“So, you’re not running for the hills yet,” he said, his hot breath hitting the back of my neck. “This too boring of a date?”
I shifted halfway around to catch his gaze. “Excuse me? This is the most considerate date I’ve been on in a hell of a long time, and I’m loving every second of it. Only one thing could make it better.”
Garrett crooked a brow in a sexy, effortless gesture.
“Inviting me back to your place after, obviously.” I winked at him, turning my flirt up.
His eyes crinkled with his grin. “You don’t hold back, do you?”
“Not when I want something,” I shot back. He skimmed his thumb across my lower lip, and a shudder traveled down my spine. Pure electricity.
“Well, then it looks like we’re on the same page.” His husky voice was sheer sex, and I wanted to hear it as we fucked each other until we were boneless. “Hey, look at the sky.”
I placed the hoagie in the bag, and based on the crinkle behind me, he was doing the same. The first streaks of gold were creeping across the horizon. The sky faded to tones of orange and sienna, and I settled back against him, loving the warmth of him against my back. Comfort was a rare and elusive creature, yet that was exactly what filtered through my veins. As if we’d been doing this for years rather than a first date.
The sun was setting, yet something firm settled inside me along with it. A resolute understanding that change was approaching, and I welcomed that fragrant breeze with all my soul. Our sandwiches lay untouched as we basked in the sheer wonder of the display before us. We’d need to head back down the trail soon, as the park usually closed after dusk, but I wanted to savor this moment with him now.
That a chance encounter with my repairman could’ve led to a first date honestly knocked me down at the knees. Garrett was hot and handy, and I sure as fuck liked his quiet nature, but I could never have anticipated his thoughtfulness. How he’d steadfastly taken me apart in the bedroom and was burrowing his way into my heart in the same way. Sure, we had a hell of a lot of getting to know each other ahead of us, but I was so in. The sky darkened and deepened, the colors of the sunset bursting with brilliance before they faded into the night.
“Beautiful.” He pressed a kiss to the side of my neck.
My heart swooped.
I was falling hard.