High Voltage

"Much better,” she mumbled.

The man next to her eyed her with a wicked glint. As though he'd just realized what that earlier shiver stemmed from. Anticipation. Exhilaration. He knew her internal, innate response to him. And clearly, he liked it.

Slowly, his hand lifted and he brushed away strands of damp hair from her face. Serena sucked in a shaky breath as his warm fingers grazed her cheek. She wasn't one for reckless abandon, yet somehow, all caution had just been thrown to the wind. Serena couldn't say for sure why she suddenly felt so bold and daring, but she did. Nor could she stop herself from reaching out to the beautiful man who'd literally appeared out of nowhere this evening. As her fingertips pressed to the bare skin at his waist, just above the white towel he wore, she forgot her fear and her uncertainty. All the unanswered questions slipped from her mind, no longer holding weight or bearing significance.

Serena didn't care about the odd occurrences that had led to this moment. She didn't even question why he was here. All that mattered was that he was, indeed, here. With her.

Gliding her fingers upward in a light, feathery movement, she reveled at the way his muscles responded to her. They tightened under her touch, quivering oh-so-slightly. Serena had never felt the surge of feminine power evoked by Garrett's involuntary reaction to her. Her breathing quickened and her heart thumped a bit stronger in her chest.

Garrett's eyelids dipped as her hand splayed across one well-defined pectoral muscle. That he didn't stop her or move away told her all she needed to know. He felt the pull, too.

"I still need you to explain everything,” she whispered. Her body gravitated toward his until her skin brushed his warm flesh.

One large hand skimmed her thigh before rising higher, to her waist. It then slipped around to the small of her back and he pulled her body against his, causing an internal reaction that stole Serena's breath. Her insides clenched tightly, and that intense throbbing she'd felt earlier between her legs suddenly returned.

"I will explain,” he assured her, “I want you to understand who I am. I want you to know everything, Serena. But right now...” His head dipped and his lips brushed her temple. “All I want is you."

Serena had never been so swept away. As Garrett's arms tightened around her, holding her close to him, his lips moved from her temple to her cheek, then lower to her mouth. His warm lips just barely grazed hers. A whisper of a kiss that left her dying for more.

"You are so beautiful,” he said in a soft voice.

His breath teased her skin, heightening Serena's arousal. Her pulse suddenly raced. Her eyelids fluttered closed and her hands clutched his rock-hard biceps as Garrett's lips swept over hers again. His intimate touch made her heart flip. Not giving her a moment to assimilate to the tingly, deeply stirring emotions he elicited, his mouth pressed to hers, intensifying the sensuous feelings that welled inside her.

His lips coaxed hers apart. Sliding his tongue past her teeth, he engaged her in a hot, restless kiss that spoke volumes. It conveyed mutual lust and longing. Deep desires yet to be discovered and explored and fulfilled.

A tiny moan lodged in her throat. Garrett's hands slowly roamed her body, his fingers moving up the length of her spine, then over her bare shoulders and down her arms. Back up to her shoulders and down the front of her, his palms skimmed over her breasts, causing her nipples to pebble tight. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on for dear life as he embraced her again and pressed their bodies tightly together while deepening their kiss.

His touch was personal. As though he'd been holding her in his arms for years. And she felt every inch of him against her. His powerful thighs tangled with hers and his erection pressed against her belly. His chest rose just above her breasts, so that the globes were nestled beneath the ledge of his pectoral muscles. They fit together perfectly.

Garrett kissed her in a way she'd never been kissed before. It was hot and demanding, intensely erotic. She felt herself swimming in a sea of glorious sensations. One of his hands slid behind the waistband of her sweatpants. His fingers grazed her bare skin before sliding over the thin material of her satin panties.

He broke the kiss, but his lips brushed over her jaw and down her throat. Garrett said in a low voice, “I want to touch every inch of you, Serena. Your skin is so soft and warm.” The hand on her backside cupped one cheek and he gave it a gentle squeeze. “I want you to touch me, too. Anywhere—everywhere—you want."

She swallowed down a hard lump. His words sent a jolt of excitement through her body. Yet Serena's lack of sexual experience left her feeling uncertain and tentative.

But Garrett didn't intend to let her give into her insecurities. He looked deep into her eyes and said, “Let me see you, Serena. All of you."

Her labored breath made it difficult to speak. Or maybe it was Garrett that left her speechless.

Not hearing a protest from her, his other hand slipped beneath the waist of her pants and he pushed the thick material ov

er her hips and down her legs as he eased to his haunches before her. Serena stepped out of the pool of sweats and socks. She watched in surprise as Garrett's gaze moved slowly up her body, admiration glowing in his emerald eyes, which may as well have shot lasers from the pupils, the look he gave her was so hot. He took in every inch of her, and not just with his intense gaze. His hands slid slowly up her calves, over her knees to her thighs. His thumbs stroked the sensitive inner flesh of her legs as he gently coaxed her to open her stance.

Serena's heart thundered in her chest. Her breath came in soft pants. Every fiber of her being felt singed by his heat. A hot, restless sensation crept up on her until Serena felt she'd jump out of her skin if the fierce desire gripping her didn't subside soon.

Her hands clutched his broad shoulders to help steady herself.

"Garrett,” she said on a sharp breath. Her fingertips dug into his muscles as she sought some sort of reassurance and stability. As it was, she felt her emotions and her desire for him careen out of control.

Now on his knees before her, Garrett leaned close to her until his mouth skimmed her belly.

"Tell me this is what you want, Serena."

Her eyelids dipped. “Oh, yes,” she said without hesitation. “I do want this. All of this. All of you."

Garrett let out a long breath. She could feel his heat through the thin material of her satin camisole. All Serena wished for at that moment was to be completely naked so this man could touch her with his hands and mouth. She'd never wanted anything more in her life.

But she was uncertain as to how to convey her wishes ... her needs. Clamping down on her lower lip, she willed the right words to form in her head. She wanted to tell Garrett how he made her feel. She wanted to give her verbal consent that would allow him to do whatever he wanted to her body—all the things she'd fantasized about but had never experienced in reality. With any man.