Page 74 of Two Risks I'd Never Take Again

A chuckle rumbled in his chest as his lips met mine. Without breaking away, I turned and wrapped my arms around him, sitting sideways in his lap. With one arm holding me close and another tangled in my hair, he tilted my head, finding the perfect angle.

For several minutes he kissed me like a man who’d been craving it for months.

This hot tub was now my favorite place in the whole world. Really, anywhere with Garrett was my favorite place.

“Last night I told you I couldn’t remember all the things I wanted to say. I’m not even sure I can remember them all now. Thoughts were bouncing around in my head as I made doughnuts. But there are a few things I want you to know. I’d convinced myself that not dating was the way to avoid the risk of being humiliated again. But spending a week with you was like gasoline on my spark of attraction. And at first, that’s all it was. You’re attractive. And well built. Rather hot, actually. I was attracted to you.”

Garrett nuzzled my neck. “Keep talking. I’m listening.”

“But the more time I spent with you, the more those feelings changed into something deeper, and that outweighed my fear. I felt loved, and when I admitted to myself that I loved you...” I chewed my bottom lip, trying to find the right words. “I guess love chased out my fear.”

His lips captured mine, and his kiss felt like a promise of forever. When he broke away, he closed his eyes and sighed. “I think I’m going to like having you closer.”

“I’m going to love it.” I dropped kisses on his shoulder and along his shoulder blade. “The reason I didn’t talk to you in the hot tub after the wedding was because I wanted to show you how much you meant to me, like you showed me over and over again. But I wasn’t sure how to do that until the very end of the wedding. Maybe it was the groom’s cake that sparked the idea. And then I needed time to create the flavors.”

“Having Eli’s cake shaped like a doughnut was awesome.”

“Those two fell in love over doughnuts, so it was fitting. Have you texted Eli?”

“No. The man is on hishoneymoon.”

“Good. I’ll tell them about us when they get back. I should probably call my mom. I did text her, but I just said I was busy enjoying my day off and that I’d talk to her later. They are on a second honeymoon. I don’t want to bother them. She’s going to be excited though. They really like you.” I had no doubt my parents would be excited about my decision. “Oh, and Mom sent me the picture she took of me sitting in your lap.”

“She sent it to me too. It’s a good picture.” He poked me in the side. “I like the way you’re looking at me in that picture.”

“I promised myself I wouldn’t think about us until after the wedding, but I thought about you all the time. Then all those guys dove for the garter, but you so coolly raised your hand holding it. I don’t know how you did it, but it made me think you’d fight for me. That’s a silly thing to assume from a garter toss, I guess.” I traced his jawline with the tip of my finger. “It’s possible I was thinking about our kiss when I was in your lap.”

“That explains a lot. And I’m hoping I didn’t accidentally break anyone’s finger or anything, but I was pretty set on walking away with that lacy little thing.” He brushed his lips on my ear. “I was also pretty set on keeping my promise to you... to expend all my energy to win your heart.”

“I figured out what you meant later that same day when I shared my fears with Delaney. She said you’d show me if you wanted more than friendship. Then you gave me this.” I dragged my hand through the water, stirring up the bubbles.

“I’m looking forward to all the Christmas mornings we’ll spend together and all the years we’ll ring in the new year with a kiss. And maybe more than a kiss.”

The gravel in his voice made me hope he wouldn’t wait too long to propose. I wanted him. All of him.

“I know I’ve asked you this before, but why did you help me?” He danced his lips on my neck, trailing kisses on my skin.

“I was afraid, but fear shouldn’t be an excuse to leave another person in pain.”

He met my gaze. “Now I love you more. But I didn’t mean on the side of the road. I was talking about after that. Why risk it? You could’ve just left me at the hospital.”

“You needed my help.”

He waited, clearly not satisfied with my answer.

“Your dad is well-known for his integrity and generosity, so when I found out you were his son, it didn’t seem like that much of a risk.”

“You had no way of knowing that I wasn’t a horrible person.” He brushed a wet hair off my face.

“I knew. Before I knew who you were, I knew. Getting you into the car caused you so much pain, and yet, you focused on wiping away my tears. Horrible people don’t do that.” I touched his cheek. “And Eli offered to set me up with you, and he’d never done that before. With anyone.”

“Remind me to thank him.”

“And you kept holding my hand. It felt good.”

Garrett kissed me. Over and over again.

I was going to love dating this tall, chiseled brick.

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