Page 18 of Tattered Souls (Whispering Falls #2)

Tatum

I was slowly getting back into the groove at work.

And days like today, I wish I hadn’t.

Because it was the summer, and everyone was getting engaged or married.

I had just taken off my heels when I glanced up, looking for Garrick.

And I froze at what I saw.

Bags among bags among bags, and a big, long brown box with a certain picture on it.

He was leaning against the frame that led to the hallway, one long-neck bottle dangling from his fingertips; his other hand was in his jeans pocket.

Seeing his muscles on display, all that handsomeness rolled into an amazing package, I couldn’t help but lick my bottom lip.

The moment I found his eyes, he winked, “Saw that look, Tink. But you got some decorating to do. Go fuckin’ wild.” Then he jerked his chin to the pile of things sitting on the living room floor.

It took me a moment for my brain to register his words, and for some reason, I whispered, “But you don’t like Christmas.”

He shrugged, “Nah, but you do. You don’t like certain things, but you push through them for me. Means a-fuckava-lot to me. And since you mean the world to me, and I plan on you being here until we’re both old and fucking gray, go wild.”

And with that, he pushed off the frame, walked to me, bent his neck, and pressed a kiss on the top of my head, and there, against my hair, he whispered, “Already got the surround system linked, play your Christmas music, I’ll be in the garage, if you need my help with somethin’.”

Then I watched him head out of the living room, but before he could make it to the kitchen, I called out, “Help me. Please. Then tonight, I’ll help you in the garage.”

However, what I left unsaid was that while in his garage, I wanted him to bend me over the hood of his car and fuck the hell out of me.

Hard. Wild. Everything he was. I wanted it.

He grinned, then nodded, “Want me to whip up some hot cocoa?”

A slow smile formed on my face that turned into a blinding one, and I watched as he watched that take place, and then... I had to swallow back the three words that wanted to burst out of me.

This man.

This freaking man.

***

And yes, I looked at him, then his car, and I said, “So... I have this fantasy.”

His eyes smoldered, as he said, “Yeah, tell me about it.”

So, I did.

“I want you to fuck me while I rest on the hood of your car.”

He looked at his car, then back at me, winked, and walked to the garage door.

I started taking my clothes off.

He hit the button and lowered the door.

Then he turned to me and froze.

I stood there in my black lacy bra and panties; the set he saw me buy the day he took me shopping and told me it was his favorite.

He stalked to me as he took his shirt off, tossed it to the side, and the moment he made it to me, bent, wrapped his hands around my ass cheeks, and lifted.

I didn’t think about anything else.

My lips crashed into his as he kissed me back, carrying me to his car.

The cold bite of metal hit my bare flesh, but I didn’t care.

He laid me down, and then with his hand bracing his weight on the other side of my head, his lips never left mine as he undid his belt, unsnapped his jeans, and pushed them down.

Then he lifted, his eyes boring into mine. He slowly pulled my panties down my legs, and then, still with his eyes on mine, he moved his fingers to my clit, and winked, “Soaked.”

“For you,” I said in a whisper.

He winked, “Brace, baby.”

His hand fell away, but to hold onto my right hip and then... his huge cock slammed inside of me.

I moaned as he filled me.

Stretched me. It was fucking amazing.

The car moved with his thrusts, but I didn’t worry about it.

I knew that if it was unsafe, Garrick would move me.

His eyes, those eyes of his, bored down into mine, and I moaned.

He shifted his hips, and that was when an orgasm took me so fast that it took my breath away.

Garrick followed me shortly after.

“Couldn’t have fucking dreamed up a better you,” he said.

I smiled up at him, “Neither could I.”

***

It was the very next day, and I was washing strawberries.

I had been craving a strawberry shortcake.

“Why do I feel like you’re not telling me about all of your hopes and dreams?”

I looked over my shoulder at him. “What do you mean?”

His arms wrapped around my waist from behind as he rested his chin on the top of my head. “Tink, baby, talk to me.”

I sighed, then opened my mouth to reply, when there was a knock at the door.

When Garrick didn’t move away from me to answer the door, I asked, “Are you going to get the door?”

“Nope. We’re having an important conversation. The only thing that matters to me is wrapped in my arms. Now, talk to me.”

There was another knock.

He still didn’t move.

There were three more knocks, then we heard, “Fucker, know y’all are home. Answer the motherfucking door.”

Garrick pressed a kiss on the top of my head. “Fine. Since it’s Dom.”

Garrick released his hold on me and then walked to the door.

He opened it just as Dom was about to knock again. “It’s about goddamned time. Wouldn’t have bothered you if it wasn’t important.”

“Hey Dom,” I said as I grabbed the hand towel off the stove handle and dried my hands.

“Hey, Darlin’,” he winked at me.

“What’s so fucking important?” Garrick asked as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“That motherfucker got bailed out of jail. Don’t know who fucking did it. But he’s been all over town asking where she is.”

I stiffened.

Garrick didn’t react. Well, he did, but he didn’t do what I thought he was going to do.

No, Garrick nodded, walked over to me, wrapped his big hands on either side of my face, and tilted my head so he had my eyes. Then he said, “Won’t let him touch you. Promise.”

I moved and wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my face in his chest.

“You don’t go anywhere alone. Hear me?” he asked.

I nodded.

Because that actually sounded like a good idea.

It was a few minutes later when I asked Dom, “Want to stay for dinner?”

He winked, “Yeah. I’d like that.”

Garrick lifted a brow. “Going to ask me if it’s okay?”

I froze for a split second, then swallowed, and said, “No. You told me that this was my safe place.”

He winked. Then he smiled, “Good. Next time I ask you that, tell me to go fuck myself.”

And with that, he went to the fridge and tagged two beers.

Then he said, “Make your cake, baby. Going to show Dom that part I ordered.”

I nodded and got back to work.

I had just taken the cake out of the oven, and started on the noodles, and the beef tips and mushroom sauce, when the two of them came in.

Garrick pressed a kiss to the back of my neck and then washed his hands.

Then Dom followed suit.

The two of them sat down on the bar stools at the island while I cooked dinner.

My phone pinged with a text.

When I didn’t make a move to grab it, Garrick did, but he did this with a lifted brow at me, “Passcode is 728025.”

“That’s random,” Dom said.

Garrick just tilted his head, and then I knew the moment he got it.

Because he smiled, then he chuckled, “Great minds think alike.”

Garrick entered my passcode as I stirred the noodles and simultaneously stirred the beef tips in the mushroom sauce.

Badass Chicks Text Thread

Lila – Fuck, but I have a problem.

Everly – What is it?

Harlee – This isn’t like you. What’s wrong?

Talia – Usually it’s me doing this. What happened?

As Garrick read the text messages aloud, I said, “Text back and ask what’s wrong, please.”

He nodded, then typed my reply.

Dom chuckled, “I’ve always wondered what y’all say in these things.

Me – What’s wrong?

Lila – So, I’ve been taking Madalyn shopping a few times, and Cole to his games a few times, and ladies, I dropped them off, and Bronson answered the door in nothing but a towel.

Everly – Holy Hot Damn.

Harlee – If I didn’t have Carter, I’d be saying that too.

Talia – Oh man. Did you take a picture?

Garrick looked at me. “What do you want me to say?”

I bit my lip. While Bronson was good-looking, he wasn’t my type. The man who had my phone was.

Garrick continued staring at me as my phone pinged in his hand again.

“Well, I mean, sure, he’s good-looking but I don’t know what to say to that. The only man I want to see in a towel is you.”

Garrick’s eyes, heated.

Then he looked at Dom, “Keep an eye on the food?”

Then without a reply, Garrick typed out a message.

Me – Go fuck his brains out.

Then turned my phone on silent, laid it down, stood up, and stalked around the island, taking the spoon out of my hand, placing it on the ladle on the stove top.

Then he had me thrown over his shoulder and was walking to his bedroom.

I started giggling then laughing.

He fucked me senseless against the bedroom door.

Showing me without words how much he liked what I said.

Once we were finished, he pressed a kiss to my lips, “Love you, Tink.”

I smiled as I headed back to the kitchen, only for Dom to smirk.

“It’s about ready, I think.” He said as he shook his head at Garrick.

Garrick’s response was to shrug unabashedly.

After we ate dinner, I checked my phone and sputtered.

Badass Chicks Text Thread

Lila – Tatum!

Harlee – Ummmm.... is Garrick rubbing off on you?

Talia – Well then.

Everly – What she said.

Everly – What Tatum said.

Lila – I can’t do that. Look at him and look at me.

Harlee – Yeah... and?????

Everly – Are you serious? You’re gorgeous.

Talia – Do I need to come and beat some sense into you?

Lila – Tatum? Where’d you go?

Harlee – Yeah... where is she?

Talia – Umm, so I just got a text from Dom.

Talia – Garrick texted that. Then he took Tatum to their bedroom. He liked what she said to him. A lot.

Everly – What did she say to him?

Lila – Now I want to know.

Harlee – Me too!

Talia – Umm, I don’t. Eww.

I was giggling as I typed in my response.

Me – Sorry about that. And I told Garrick that while Bronson is good-looking, he isn’t the man I want to see in only a towel.

Harlee – Hey, why didn’t I think of that?

Talia – *gag*

Everly – *sigh*

Talia – Okay, impromptu girls’ night tomorrow night. We need to find some men.

Talia – and no. The boys can’t come.

Garrick read over my shoulder and snorted, “Fat chance of that.”

I giggled.

***

Talia’s face got red when Garrick and Dom walked in behind me, and then it got even redder when Carter walked in behind Harlee.

I giggled.

Garrick narrowed his eyes, “I won’t come over here unless someone messes with Tatum.” And with that, he pressed a kiss on my temple and walked to a table in the corner.

Dom jerked up his chin. “I’m just a ride tonight.”

Carter kissed Harlee on her forehead. “Same.”

They then followed Garrick.

It was two hours later when the boys kept their promises and stayed seated.

Harlee held up her hand, showing her rings, and they left her alone.

I pointed at Garrick, who glared at them, and they left me alone.

Harlee slapped me on the arm, and I looked at her. “Watch this shit. Gets me going every single time.”

I looked at the four women who were adjusting their tops and checking their reflections in tiny mirrors.

Then, as they cautiously glanced at the table where the men were sitting, I got it.

I leaned back in my chair and watched.

They sauntered over to the table and started talking.

Carter’s eyes were on Harlee.

And Garrick’s eyes were on me.

Dom’s eyes were on... Talia... well then.

And they were narrowed.

Because she was talking to another man, perhaps...

I shook my head, then watched as Garrick’s jaw tightened. He looked at one of them, then he looked at me and pointed.

I waved at the blonde bimbo who had the lady cajónes to look at me, give me a once over and then the bitch flipped her hair over her shoulder and turned her head.

Garrick caught it and glared at her.

He said it loudly, when he replied, “Your first mistake was walking over here. Your second mistake was trying to flirt with me when I didn’t pay you any attention.

Your third mistake was causing me to look away from her.

Your fourth mistake was disregarding her.

Bitch no one disregards her. Ever. Now get the fuck out of my sight. ”

When they didn’t move fast enough, Garrick slammed his fist on the table and started to stand.

He would never hit a woman, and that fact caused me to smile, but he could be intimidating as hell.

And per Harlee’s words... I changed them... he got my motor revving.

Watching the women scurry away, I giggled.

Garrick winked at me, then sat back down.

And then... watching him... standing up for me... wanting me... protecting me... loving me... I couldn’t help it.

The words fell out of my mouth before I could freak out about it.

Telling him something that I’ve only ever told one other person. Granger.

I looked at Garrick, who had a worried brow, and even though he more than likely couldn’t hear me, I said, “I love you.”

He froze.

I sat there and watched it.

His eyes didn’t move; his chest didn’t move.

But then, like a shot, he was out of his chair so fast that it flew back and hit the wall, and then he was prowling towards me.

When he made it to me, he wrapped his hand around the side of my neck, and with a rasp he said, “Say it again.”

“I love you,” I whispered.

Garrick froze for a nanosecond, and then I was up and over his shoulder, as he carried me out of the bar.

Without a word to me, he handed me my helmet and then climbed on in front of me.

Then we were off.

This was my fourth time being on the back of his bike, and I loved it.

We rode and rode, until we stopped high up on a hill, and he pulled over.

Then with his arm, he wrapped it around my waist and swung me around his body so that my legs were wrapped around his hips and my back was to the handlebars.

“Need you to say it again,” he rasped.

“Honey,” I said.

His eyes closed. “That’s two. Say it again. Please.”

I waited for his eyes to open, and then I smiled. “I love you, Garrick Lucas Griggs.”

So... having sex on a bike was definitely one for the books....

So was him saying, “I fucking love you too, Tatum Leanne Rogers,” and knowing that he truly meant it... a huge chunk of my heart that he hadn’t already mended.... closed.

With him inside of it.