High Voltage

Serena let out a long-suffering sigh. Why did he make her so hot and bothered? Especially when he was fabricating the most ludicrous lie in order to extract himself from the situation he'd found himself in.

The situation he'd initiated!

With her shoulders squared, she glared back at him. “Well?"

Garrett stared back. There was absolutely nothing in his intense gaze that told her he was lying. Nothing that would suggest this was all a ploy—a game. He didn't look amused, nor did he look too interested in being kicked out.

But if that were the case ... If this really wasn't some sort of love ‘em and leave ‘em act as she'd initially suspected ... as she wanted to believe ... then that meant...

"Oh, holy fuck."

* * * *

Garrett's arms were around her in a heartbeat as she literally began to wilt in front of him. Holding her close to him, he was surprised she actually allowed him to keep her steady. He could feel the tremble ripple through her from head to toe as she processed the evenin

g's events and the words he'd said.

"Oh, my God,” she whispered, her breath tickling his neck.

"So,” he said, ignoring the desire that rose within him again as he held her naked body. He fought all his basic, natural, primal instincts, forcing himself to remain focused on the discussion at hand. Not the fact that he wanted to make love to her again. “Your subconscious mind has made the correlation, but your practical mind isn't quite allowing you to go there."

"It just can't be...” But even as she said the words, he could tell she'd already made the leap.

In fact, her body relaxed against his. A sign of trust. It warmed his heart. “I'm sorry this is so difficult. I'm sorry this isn't ... perfect."

Serena shifted in his embrace, so that she could see his face. Her eyes clouded and her head cocked to one side as she stared curiously at him. “Why?"

Garrett drew in a long breath. “Because you deserve perfection."

She smiled suddenly. It was a radiant, vibrant smile. Her white teeth gleamed brightly in the firelight. “You don't think what happened between us earlier was perfect?"

He grinned, despite the tense moment and cryptic topic of conversation. “Well, sure, I do. But..."

"I do, too,” she was quick to say. “Every single second of it, in fact. It's just that...” She shook her head, the smile fading from her beautiful face. “I'm so confused. And..."

"Scared."

"I don't want to be,” she insisted. “I mean, I'm not. At least, I'm not afraid of you. I don't know why, I just ... know that you're not going to hurt me."

"No,” he assured her. “I'm not. Not ever."

She smiled again, this time a bit more tentatively, but it was still a breathtaking sight. “Somehow I know that. I believe it in my heart."

His body was close enough to hers that he felt the natural heat she emitted and it commanded his passion. Garrett's mouth grazed her temple and Serena let out a soft sigh that stirred his senses anew. Her eyelids fluttered closed a heartbeat before his lips touched hers. He kissed her softly at first, tenderly. Then she opened her mouth, inviting him inside. It was an invitation he coveted, one for which he would be eternally grateful.

His mouth claimed hers, his tongue sweeping over hers with familiarity, yet there was nothing commonplace or expected about the response she elicited deep within him. Garrett's arms tightened around her and he pressed her body firmly against his. He loved the feel of her silky skin against his, loved the feel of her soft curves molding to all of his hard muscles. She felt like heaven in his arms. There was something evocative and enticing and erotic about holding her close to him, breathing in her very essence, touching her in ways he knew no other man had touched her. The way no other man would touch her. Not just on a physical level, but on an emotional one. A visceral level, in fact, that connected them in the most exciting, all-consuming way.

Passion arced between them, so strong, it was almost tangible. It aroused every fiber of his being, set every nerve ending ablaze until Garrett could think of nothing more than making love to her. Pleasuring her in the most decadent, loving ways. He wanted to give her his heart and soul ... wanted to give her every last bit of him.

Deepening the kiss elicited a long, low moan from her that wrenched his heart. She clung to him, letting him lead her, but actively participating in the kiss as well. She didn't hold back, not in the least little bit. And that excited him all the more. Whether she had fully reconciled or accepted the truth about him, he didn't know. But she had certainly come to terms with the desire that sparked so easily between them. She didn't fight it, nor did she hold back.

Garrett moved her toward the far wall, still kissing her, still fully engaging her on every level he possibly could. When he reached the desk set below the window sill, he tore his mouth away. Turning her sharply, he gripped her hands and placed them on the top of the desk, her palms pressing flat against the wood. His hands then explored her naked flesh, running up her arms, over her shoulders and down her back, his fingers grazing the long line of her spine.

She trembled against his touch.

"You like my hands on you,” he murmured as he nuzzled her neck.

"Mm-hmm.” She let out a soft, lusty sigh.