Page 141 of Candy Hearts, Vol. 2

CHAPTER 13

LEX

I couldn’t fight my smile as I finished getting ready in the bathroom. I’d slept great, and waking up for frotting and hand jobs had capped off a perfect night and day.

My phone buzzed with a text.

Bug: Proof of life. How’d it go?

Lex: I’m in trouble. I think I’m in love.

Bug: Seriously?! You sound like me, lol.

Lex: Not literally, but damn. He’s so great. You’d adore him.

Bug: Call me later!

Lex: I will. Thanks for checking on me. XO

Bug: Always, XO

It felt good telling Bug. That made it more real somehow. It was a big deal when I was the one saying those things in our text thread instead of him.

Garrison had obliterated all my expectations. No matter how I’d tried to manage them, keep them contained, Garrison had done little things to show me it was okay to expect more.

After sleeping on it, I’d decided in the shower I was done holding back. There was something special between us, and whether it lasted a day, a week, a year, or forever, my doubts wouldn’t be the reason it didn’t work.

The best I could do was take it day by day, and I wanted to enjoy today with Garrison. I didn’t know what was planned, if anything, but I had all day to hang out if he wanted. As long as I got to the club by seven.

I exited the hotel room bathroom and found Garrison standing by the window overlooking the Willamette River. I slipped an arm around his waist. It was a clear morning, which gave us an incredible view of Mount Hood. A dry winter day was the best time to see the mountain without the often present wildfire haze of summers.

“It’s gorgeous today.” He held a coffee cup from a local chain in one hand, then reached over to the desk and picked up another, handing it to me.

“It is. Thanks for this.” It was nice of him to make a coffee run for us while I was in the shower. I was dubious of the cleanliness of hotel room coffee makers.

I showed my gratitude with a kiss. He tasted like mocha. What I’d intended as a quick peck became a lingering swap of deepening kisses. Between the great shower pressure and stellar orgasms, I was relaxed and sated.

“What’s the plan for this morning?” I savored a swig of my delicious cappuccino.

“I was thinking breakfast at a great diner nearby, but I want to make a stop first. You game?” His eyes twinkled with mischief.

“I’m all yours.”

Fifteen minutes later, we’d checked out and loaded our bags in the trunk of his car. He took my hand and led us out of the parking garage and across the street to a Walgreens. I wouldn’t mind grabbing condoms and asking for another hour or two in the room.

“Knocking out some shopping?” I asked as the automatic doors opened.

Garrison’s smile was almost childlike. “Something like that.” He grabbed a basket.

I followed him through the store to the seasonal aisle. He scanned like a man on a mission, then stopped abruptly at the half-off Valentine’s Day candy. A laugh bubbled up.

“I want to stock up for the office. My boss is a sucker for Snickers. What’s your favorite?”

I hooked my finger under his chin, turned his face toward me, and kissed him. He was utterly adorable. “SweeTARTS.”

He grabbed three bags of them.