Chapter 13 Alexandria
ALEXANDRIA
“Chinese is always a hit, right?” Stopped at a red light, I glare at the bag on the passenger seat like it’s the reason I have no idea what Garrett likes to eat other than not pizza. “Shit.”
What if he’s got some aversion to Chinese?
Oh hell. Dumplings are made with dough.
“Shit. Shit. Shit.”
I should have called ahead. Should have messaged at least. Dammit. I shouldn’t be driving to Garrett’s place at all. There is nothing we need to talk about that couldn’t be said over the phone.
“Turn around.” My fingers grip the wheel tightly. “Just go home.”
I do neither. Instead, I continue to follow the instructions on my GPS even though I memorized where he lives this morning when the censorious ride-share driver took me home.
“Dammit. I am not a timid little doormat!”
And right there is the reason this thing with Garrett freaks me out.
The echo of my ex’s words are in my head. They’re etched on my sub-conscious and in spite of the work I’ve done, the progress I’ve made since discovering Julian’s betrayal, on some level, I believe him.
“Why the fuck do I believe a lying cheat?” The question echoes around me, the sound far more comforting in spite of its content than the one of Julian’s voice in my head.
I need to remind myself who he really is, forget the man I thought he was, and accept everything about that time in my life was a lie. Well, his side of it. My love for the man I believed him to be was definitely real. It’s probably why it’s taking me so long to move past that chapter of my life.
Or maybe I just need to turn the page and start a new one.
I thought I had when I started dating. Except last night—and today—feel more real than anything has in months. This thing with Garrett is confusing me in a way I never saw coming. And yet, I feel more comfortable, more grounded, than I have in years.
And doesn’t that shine a light through the mirage that was my marriage.
“Your destination is on the left,” the sexy British dude tells me.
Focusing on the road in front, I indicate and pull into the driveway of Garrett’s garage. House. I stare at the building in front of me. Warehouse?
Switching off the engine, I take in the buildings on either side of Garrett’s.
Both are businesses of some sort. Both a little rundown but clean and tidy.
Through the rearview mirror, I see similar buildings across the street.
It’s an industrial area, and yet there are houses at the end of the road.
It’s an older neighborhood of Sydney. One established before the segregation of residential and industrial. I imagine it would be a really quiet area to live. Although not family friendly, which isn’t good.
Why am I worried about that?
Shaking my head, I lean over and grab my bag and the possibly offensive Chinese. I can always take it home with me if he doesn’t like it. I haven’t even turned toward the door when it flies open.
Startled, I yelp.
“Easy. Easy. Just me.”
Pressing a hand to my chest, I try to catch my breath. Finally, after several deep drafts, I say, “I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Same.” Garrett slips a hand under my elbow and urges me out of the car.
“What?” Once on my feet, I move back to let him shut the door. It’s only then I realize he has my handbag and the takeout bag clutched in his grip. “Here, let me take those now.”
“I’m good. And what I meant by same, was I didn’t expect to find you parked in my driveway when I got back from my run.”
His words have my gaze darting over him. He’s shirtless. Wet. Shorts barely clinging to his hips and the last time I saw him he was commando…
Heat swamps me. Fire blazes across my nerves and sinks low in my belly. Images of him naked, his cock hard and pulsing, flash in my head. Licking my dry lips, I swallow through a constricted throat.
“Now, now, none of that. Not down here at least.” Garrett laughs and tugs me toward his door. “We can revisit that look and whatever thoughts rolled through your head as soon as I get you inside.”
I have to admit, I’ve never understood why women—or men—say they’re drunk on lust. But right now, I’ve got my hand raised and I’m screaming, it’s me! It’s me!
I’m drunk on lust.
I’m drowning in it.
And I do not want to be rescued unless it’s the shirtless man towing me into his house doing the rescuing.
Shit! There is no way I’m getting out of here without sleeping with Garrett again.
Honesty forces me to admit, if only to myself, that I came here for this.
I came here knowing if I gave him a signal, a word, or even dropped to my knees in front of him, he wouldn’t knock me back.
One night in Garrett’s bed was not enough.
I’m a little worried no amount of time in this man’s arms will be enough.
This attraction has an intensity I’ve never experienced, and I want to explore it as much as I want to run from it.
He scares me. I was devastated by Julian’s betrayal and when I look back, I know what hurt more was that my life was a lie. With Garrett, if I let this go beyond physical, I stand to lose a lot more than Julian could ever have taken from me.
I hate that I’m thinking of my ex-husband when the man I want is pulling me into his apartment and shutting the door behind us with a loud slap. Hate that I can’t take this for what it is. A hookup.
“Hey. Hey.” Garrett’s hands cradle my face. “What has that look on your face?”
I search his gaze. Look for a reassurance of something I can’t name.
“It’s okay. Whatever it is. It’ll be okay.”
How can he promise that? He has no idea why I’m here, what baggage I’ve brought with me. “Before last night, I knew who I was,” I whisper.
“You’re still there, a little different maybe, but you’re still you.”
“How can you know that?”
“Because I’m right with you, Lexi. Every step of the way in this crazy thing going on here.”
His words ring with truth, his eyes flash the same, and in this moment, I don’t want to think any more. I just want to feel. “Help me shut it off.”
A slow grin takes over his mouth as he leans his forehead against mine. “No more worrying. I’ve got you.”
The relief that flows through me has my knees wobbling as I push to my toes and press my mouth to his. “Take me to bed.”