Page 32 of 27 Kisses
He shakes his head. “You yelled at me.”
“I yell. It’s what I do. Ask Zye. I yelled at him yesterday for twirling in the diner.”
His smile is weak. I hate seeing him like this. But it’s exactly what I need.
“Your brain is a wondrous thing, love. It’s one of the things I love about you. But it sometimes gets in your way.”
“I don’t understand. What do you want? Tell me, and I’ll do it.”
The lump in my throat feels like it’s lodged there permanently. “Your brain has worked hard today. Let’s give it a rest.” I place my hand on his chest. His heart is pounding strong and fast. “Use this instead.”
Garrett covers my hand with his. “I can do that.” He laughs and squeezes my hand. “Except, I might need a hint.”
I move closer and rest my left hand on his hip. “Of all the ornaments you bought, which one speaks to you?”
“I bought them because they’re pretty. And they made you smile. That’s all I need. I’m not sentimental, Aidyn.”
“Is that right? How many bar coasters do you own, Garrett?”
He starts to pull away, but I hold on to him. “That’s different.”
“How many?”
He’s stubborn enough to not answer. And I’m stubborn enough to not let it go. He sighs. “Over a hundred.” I raise a brow, and he laughs. “Fine. One hundred and five.”
“And of those one hundred and five,” I ask, catching his gaze, “how many are special to you? Sentimental?”
“You already know.”
“I want to hear you say it.”
“Just one.” Maybe it’s not fair to remind him of the day we met. And the coaster from my family’s pub in Ireland that started his collection.
“Just the one.” Wrapping my arms around his waist, I pull him closer and kiss him. I’ve missed this closeness. Just holding Garrett. Touching him. But I can’t get distracted. “Let’s try this again. After going to every store in this countyandthe next one over, none of the ornaments spoke to you?”
He hesitates. “There was one.”
My heart melts. “Why didn’t you buy it, love?”
His eyes don’t meet mine. “It didn’t match the rest.”
I palm the side of his face and look in his eyes. “Everything doesn’t have to be perfect.” And maybe that’s the part that really bothers me. “I have ornaments that Lanie made. Ornaments that belonged to Emily. And some from when I was but a wee lad inDublin.” I search his face. “Are you saying those shouldn’t go on the tree?”
“I thought you’d have your own tree?—”
“Fine.” It hurts more than it should, but he’s not wrong. I try to pull away, but he tightens his grip.
“Hold on.” He rests his forehead against mine. “I’m not saying I don’t want your ornaments on the tree. But no one knows about us— I wasn’t sure how it would look.”
“This is on me.” Closing my eyes, I breathe in his calming scent. “I’m not ready, love. Everything with Lanie and—after Christmas, I swear we’ll tell them.”
“Okay.” He sounds defeated. But this is Garrett, so it only lasts a few seconds. “We’ll have everyone bring an ornament or two to add to the tree. We’re celebrating family.”
“I love you so much, Garrett.” These kisses are more insistent.
Garrett holds the back of my head and ravishes my mouth. I slide our tongues together as I grind my aching cock against his. It’s been weeks. And now we’re alone. “Aidyn, fuck. I want you so much.”
My hands shake as I fumble with the buttons on his shirt. “Need you.” I greedily kiss his mouth. His neck. Why won’t my fingers work?