Page 49 of 27 Kisses

Anymore. He left that word off, but we both know it. He used to blame me for his sister’s death. “Maybe you were right. We should make out instead.”

I move out of his arms and off the bed as I pull on my briefs. Garrett jumps out of bed and puts his arms around me. My back to his front.

“I’m sorry.” He kisses the back of my neck.

I close my eyes and get myself under control. “Don’t be. I asked.”

“I think, and I know it’s irrational, that if I’d been here, it might not have happened. That…” His swallow is loud. “Losing Emily is my punishment for loving you.”

Thirteen

GARRETT

Three Days until Christmas

Aidyn doesn’t say anything,and that’s one thousand percent worse than if he’d yelled at me. “Aidyn?”

“Who’s punishing you? God? Fate? The universe in general? I’d love to know. Or maybe it’s the distracted driver who hit us head-on. It’s a little arrogant to think Emily’s death was all about you.”

“I don’t have an answer. But, fuck, you’re right. It is arrogant.”

He shifts in my arms until he’s facing me. I brace myself for his anger. “And completely normal.”

A laugh escapes me. Relief, maybe? Aidyn doesn’t hate me. Blame me. “It doesn’t sound normal.”

“I was a mess after it happened. Even months—years later. I thought it was my fault for not being a good enough husband.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“Is it? I couldn’t protect her.”

“Do you still think that?”

He shrugs. “Not so much now. Lanie was struggling, so I had her go to a therapist. Turns out, Lanie, at seven years old, mind you, thought if she’d picked up her toys, her ma would still be with us.”

“Poor kid. But…I get it.” I close my eyes as my brain recalculates. Or tries to anyway.

“So, Garrett, love, you’re not unique. Not special?—”

“Okay.” I push his face away. “Pep talk over.”

He laughs. “Well, you’re special to me.” His kiss is sweet. Teasing. My breath catches. “I have a plan if you want to hear it.”

“Does it involve more kissing and that monster cock?”

“It does.” This kiss leaves me breathless. He takes my hand and moves it to the bulge in his underwear. I squeeze, and his cock hardens under my fingers.

Fuck. All I can think about is riding his cock. Or gagging on it and Aidyn coming down my throat. I bite back my moan. I need to focus. “What’s the plan?”

He chuckles and rests his head against mine. “Let’s enjoy tonight. Get through Christmas. And then, after the holidays, we’ll tell everyone about us. Deal?”

He sounds sincere, and I let myself hope. But not too much. He’s said this before. Tonight, I want to focus on us. Being with Aidyn. Showing him how much he means to me. “Sounds good. I just have one question.”

He leans back, his brows furrowed. “What’s your question, love?”

I slip my hand under the waistband of his briefs and brush my fingers over the head of his cock. He groans as it twitches under my fingers. “Why aren’t you naked?”

Two Days until Christmas