Page 11 of Within Shadows

My hand is clutched in his as he leads me through the cool night air, straight towards his car as he fumbles with his keys.

My eyes roam down his body as I bite my lip, fighting against the urge to jump him at this moment.

Finally the doors unlock, and he opens it for me, helping me into the seat before he pulls the seatbelt across me.

I cup his jaw in my palms, and he stops, tilting his head while his eyes roam down my face.

This time he leans in, kissing me hard and fast before ripping away and shutting the door.

As he jogs around the car, I burrow deeper into his jacket, letting his warmth and scent cradle me.

He drops into the seat and starts the car, leaving the parking lot behind in no time.

“Shit, I can’t just leave Jess,” I say, struggling to dig my phone out of my pocket. Garrett reaches over to grab my thigh, never taking his eyes off the road.

“They saw us leave. Jess gave me a thumbs up actually,” he snorts.

I stare at his hand, watching his thumb rub over my lace tights while he pulls my leg closer.

My knees fall apart, and I stare at him, my chest rising and falling faster with every breath as I dare him to make another move.

His eyes cut to me and slide down my body, and his jaw pulses as he clenches it tighter.

“Maeve, you’re drunk.” He grits the word out and starts to pull away, but I grab his hand and inch it higher.

“Yes, I was drinking, but I wanted this before the night started. Wanted you.” The words are a whisper, and the hand on the steering wheel tightens.

His hand slides higher, just brushing the edge of my dress.

I raise up off the seat and yank my dress up to my hips, exposing the lace tights that do absolutely nothing to conceal my bright purple panties.

Garrett sucks in a sharp breath, the car swerving slightly as he snaps his gaze back to the mostly deserted road.

“I’m trying hard to be a gentleman and keep you safe here. You’re making that difficult,” he mutters through a clenched jaw, and I shrug.

“Then keep your eyes on the road.” My voice is husky as his hand finally presses higher, dragging across torturously slow.

A whimper escapes from my lips when he stops, his fingers a gentle pressure.

It’s not nearly enough, but my pathetic sounds spur him on, and he curls his fingers, digging in as they rub against my clit.

I brace one hand against the door and clutch his arm with the other as I grind against his hand.

“Oh hell, Maeve. You’re drenched.” Garrett glances at me once, then down at where his hand is tormenting me. I nod, trying to spread my legs further, but Garrett grabs the front of my tights and jerks, tearing the crotch open as my jaw falls open.

“Well, that was fucking hot,” I squeak, and he grins with a flash of confidence before turning serious.

“If you feel unsure, or I do anything you don’t like, I’ll stop. I need you to promise you’ll tell me.” His hand is lying on top of my panties, the only thing between me and everything I need at this moment. I nod, but this isn’t good enough for him.

“Use your words, baby.”

“Yes.” I spit the word out before he even finishes talking, and he chuckles.

His fingers gently push my panties aside, brushing over my clit.

The steering wheel creaks as he grips it tighter, and I’m mostly sure I'm digging my nails into his arm, but I can’t let go.

Not when his finger starts swirling around my clit with a soft touch.

“Harder,” I pant, and he pushes down. A deep moan fills the quiet car as his fingers continue to draw me closer to the edge. They stop only so he can delve two fingers inside of me. I cry out, my head slamming back against the seat as I slide down and try to spread my legs further open.

“Oh fuck yes, Garrett.” He pumps his fingers hard, grinding his palm against my clit as he does.

The wet, sloppy sounds are so loud I’m almost embarrassed, but one look at Garrett is almost my unraveling.

His jeans are pushed up, an obvious erection tenting them, and he’s struggling to control his breathing.

The car jerks to a stop and Garrett turns to me, staring down at where he finger fucks me in the seat, and a groan rips from his clenched jaw.

He uses his free hand to swirl and pinch my clit as he slams his fingers into me hard enough that I see stars. My entire body bows as I cry out his name and turn to bury my face against his shoulder.

“That’s my girl, let me hear your pretty little sounds,” he praises, and I whimper when he pulls his hands away, fixing my panties and tugging my dress back down.

I lean back in time to see him inspecting his wet fingers and feel more embarrassed until he pops them into his mouth, sucking them clean while staring at me through heavy eyes.

“Oh fuck,” I say in a breathy whisper. My entire body is limp and fuzzy from the alcohol combined with that incredible orgasm.

His devilish smile is different from before, just a flash of something unsettling, but when I blink it’s gone and he climbs out of the car.

My heart is still pounding in my chest as I struggle to unbuckle myself, and Garrett opens my door.

We’re at his house again, and I frown as he helps me stand.

“That’s presumptuous.” I tsk, and Garrett looks mortified.

“Your clothes and cat are all still here, and I wasn’t sure you wanted to go home yet. Maeve, I swear—” I cut off his panic with a kiss and grab his hand to pull him towards the door.

“You’re giving me gray hair,” he mutters, unlocking the door as he helps me inside.

“It’s only fair, you ruined my favorite tights. Plus, you would look really sexy with some gray hair.” I shrug. Garrett taps his fingertip on the edge of my nose while guiding me towards the kitchen.

“I’ll buy you a dozen pairs if you let me do that again.” His words catch me off guard as he pours me a glass of water and pulls out his phone.

“Greasy burgers or chicken nuggets?” he asks, tilting the screen towards me. I tap the phone, and he looks at it, putting a hand over his heart while pretending to swoon when he sees that I picked both.

“Dang, just take my heart already. It’s yours.

” I nearly spit my water across the island at him as I fight to swallow past the choking laughter.

I roll my ankle and huff, struggling with the stuck zipper when the ache in my feet decides to make itself known.

Garrett walks around the island and drops to one knee in front of me, bracing my foot on him.

His fingers easily pull the zipper loose and tug my shoe off, setting it down next to him before he lifts my other leg.

I nearly slide out of my seat from how intently I’m watching him while simultaneously melting.

“You have to stop looking at me like that.” He shakes his head, avoiding making eye contact.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.

” I try to play coy, but when I spread my legs wide for him, we both know better.

His eyes lock between my thighs and he grips my knees, holding me open as he licks his lips.

My hands hurt from how tight I’m clinging to the chair, waiting and begging him to do something, anything.

“I can’t,” he whispers so softly I struggle to hear him.

Garrett suddenly shoots to his feet and holds his hand out for me.

“Let’s get you into something more comfortable.

” His face is red, and he’s looking everywhere except at me as I let him lead me to his room.

My mind is still fuzzy, and I try not to pout at his denial.

After Garrett hands me a plain shirt and his sweats, he leaves to let me get dressed alone while I try to figure out if I did something wrong or if he’s just truly shy and reserved.

Once we’re lounging on the couch, surrounded by fast food wrappers and stuffed full, he finally smiles at me.

“I owe you an explanation.” He rubs a hand over his face, sitting forward while staring down at his hands.

“Listen, you don’t owe me anything. We can just act like I didn’t throw myself at you and go back to being friends.” I smile, the lie tasting sour, but he shakes his head.

“That’s not what I want, unless you do?” I shake my head no. The motion makes the room spin, and I sink further into the couch.

“Good. I want us to take things slow, not rush into this. Relationships aren’t something I have a lot of experience in, and I should have had more self-control. I am sorry for that.” He glares at me when I scoff at his words.

“I’m not sorry, and you don’t get to apologize for giving me exactly what I wanted.

Come off your knight-in-sparkly-armor stuff.

I’m not some innocent damsel. I’m a grown woman who was and still is insanely horny.

Tonight, I didn’t want a polite gentleman.

All I wanted was orgasms and food. You did both of those things.

” My words are punctuated with a yawn and Garrett watches me with amusement.

“We can talk more tomorrow. Let's get you to bed.” Garrett walks me to his room and tucks me into bed, but I grab his arm as he turns to leave.

“Stay with me?” I pull the blankets back, knowing I might be pushing too many boundaries tonight.

He steps forward, gently smoothing the blankets down before he lies on top of them.

He loops his arm behind his head as he stares at the ceiling.

I scoot closer to him, wrapping my arms around his, and I bury my face against his shoulder.

Ever so sweetly, Garrett kisses the top of my head. “Goodnight, Maeve.”