Say It’s Forever (Fate #1)

Chapter 10

10

WINTER

G arrett doesn’t stop me when I run my fingers up his bare chest, trailing across the hard lines of his body.

“How does someone get a body like this?” I wonder.

“I used to be in the military.” I jerk my hand back to cover my mouth. I hadn’t meant to say that out loud. Garrett takes my hand, guiding it back to his chest. “Remember, you can ask me anything.”

“I hadn’t meant to say that.” My cheeks are heated, and I'm sure he can see it on my fair skin. “It’s nice to be able to speak freely.” Garrett’s chest flexes, and I know he’s mad about what I said. He's not angry with me, but rather with the life I've led. I have never had a man get mad on my behalf or want to defend me.

“I enjoy listening to you.”

“Even when it makes you mad?”

“I’m never mad at you,” he quickly says.

“I know. You’re a big sweetheart.” His brows lift in surprise as though no one has ever called him that before. “What? You’re not?” I find that hard to believe. He’s been nothing but that way toward me.

“Not everyone would say that. Most think I’m a dick.”

“Ah.” I lick my lips. I can do this. “Dick?” I laugh. “As in…” My eyes drop to his, and there is no missing it.

“Dick can mean asshole. Jerk-off. Same shit.”

“Right,” I mutter.

"I'm sorry, but you're touching me, and you're in my bed only wearing my shirt." Garrett adjusts his cock, and I realize I was staring right at it.

“Oh, God. I’m sorry.” I again go to jerk my hand back from his chest, but Garrett is quicker. He flattens my hand against it.

“Like you touching me too. Nothing to be shy about, Snow. You can touch and look at any part of me you want.” I’m not sure how to respond to that, but I love that he is telling me I can do anything I want.

“Why do people think you’re a dick?” I don’t think it’s my question that makes him smirk, but me saying the word dick .

“I live out here because I enjoy being alone. I’m not too friendly when I go to town, and people bother me.” I would never have guessed this about him in a million years. Not with the way he is with me. I mean he barely even knows me, and he welcomed me to stay in his home and offered to risk his life to help me save my sister.

“But you want me to stay.”

“You’re different.” I’m hoping that’s a good thing. Before, when I lived at the compound, I would have said it was a negative thing because of how people looked at me when we went into town.

“How?” I find myself asking while scooting closer to him. Garrett can move quickly, I’ve noticed, but when he reaches for me, he’s slow in his movements, making it clear what his intent is so I could stop him if I wanted. I don’t.

Garret effortlessly lifts me by the hips, pulling me into his lap so I’m straddling him. He leans up against the headboard. I place my hands on his shoulders.

“You don’t feel it?” he asks before shaking his head. “I don’t know. I may sound fucking crazy, but there's something special about you. I like having you close. I enjoy your voice and your gentle touches.”

“You don’t like that from other people?” Irrational jealousy suddenly fills me at the thought of anyone else having this with him. Garrett is right. I do feel whatever this is because I have never felt that toward another person. Joseph had another wife, and I was happy about it. I hate the thought of Garrett having a wife.

“No.” Garrett runs his hands up and down my bare thighs. His rough hands feel nice against my skin. “When I was on active duty, I would get jammed in places with people. There was always someone on top of you. When I got out, I built this place. I only go to town a couple times a month. I primarily go for supplies and to visit my twin brother.”

“You guys are twins?!”

“Yeah, he’s the charming one.”

“I think you’re pretty dang charming.”

“Don’t be getting any ideas. You’re mine, and I don’t share.”

“Men don’t share.” I roll my eyes.

“You share, babe?” I glance down at his question. “They do it where you are from.”

“Not from there anymore,” I snip, surprising myself. I even glare at Garrett, making him chuckle. “What’s so funny?”

“Done told you that I only like you touching me. You think I’m going to let someone else?”

“Maybe not today, but–”

“Not ever,” he cuts me off. “If I’m anything, it’s loyal, Snow. I live and will die by my word. Always know what I say is the truth.” I believe him.

“I think I feel it too,” I admit. “You’re different from me, too. I should be scared of you. You’re so big, and then the tattoos.” I trace the design on his chest using my fingers. “Most men hurt women. You won’t hurt me, will you, Garrett?”

“Never.” His hand cups the back of my neck to pull me in. My chest pushes against his as he claims my mouth.

This time I’m bolder. I don’t wait for him; I slide my tongue across his bottom lips. He parts them for me. His tongue meets mine. I didn’t even know people kissed this way.

I felt the hard ridge of his cock press against my sex through my panties. The sensation is overwhelming and unlike anything I have ever experienced before. I need more of it. My body is throbbing for it in a way I don’t understand, but I want to.

Garrett rocks my hips for me, knowing what I need. I cry out his name. “You like that, baby?”

“Yes,” I whimper against his mouth. “I need more.”

“You’ll get all you want.” His mouth goes to my neck. He kisses me there the same way he did my mouth, his tongue coming out to get a taste and then sucking on my skin. “That’s it. Rock that pretty, untouched pussy on my cock. It’s all yours.” His words spur me on. If I wasn’t so turned on, I’d probably die of embarrassment, but there’s no way I’m missing out.

“Garrett,” I moan, my hips moving. One of his hands slips up under my shirt to cup my breast. They feel tender and heavy. They seem to ache too. What has this man done to my body? “I need…” I trail off, unsure of what it is I’m asking for. His mouth comes to my ear.

“I’ve got you,” he whispers in my ear. His thumb brushes across my nipple. “I will always take care of you.”

Garret's other hand slips into the front of my panties. His fingers stroke between the folds of my sex. My breathing grows heavy, unable to process what is happening to my body.

“Let go. I’ll catch you.” His fingers graze across the spot I need them the most. My whole body suddenly tightens. I do exactly as he asked; I let go, dropping my head back as the explosion goes off inside of me. A flood of pleasure courses through me. I relish every second of it.

Garrett holds me close as I melt into him. My body goes completely lax. His arms wrap around me. My head falls to his chest, directly beneath his chin.

“What was that?” I whisper in awe.

I've always been taught that sex is solely for a man's pleasure. We show our sacrifice by submitting. My mother told me to grin and bear it, and then one day I'd be blessed with children. This struck me as peculiar, given that I don't believe she liked us on most days. When Father took his anger out on her, I always knew she'd come for one of us. I made sure I was the one in her path.

“A taste of what life could be like if you stayed here with me.”

“Hmm.” I moan, closing my eyes.

Life really is a whole lot different out here. I can never go back. Heck, I’m not sure I can go anywhere. I want to stay right here forever.

But I know I never get what I want. Life has never been that easy, and if it’s up to Joseph and my parents, it never will be.