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He laughs, clearly not buying ar I’m here all day if you wanna look" Garrett lifts an arerating the pose like a male model

Except he’d put any model to shame

I clench my jaw Offense is always the best defense, as I’ve learned from my years on charity committees and society luncheons, so I y"

Garrett blinks, looking surprised, so I press on

"I shouldn’t have barged in here last night, and ht, I don’t have any claim on the house anymore, I sold my share, and if Emerson said you could stay, then that’s the way it is I didn’t think," I add quietly "I just needed to get away, and I figured this place would be e here?" His eyes pierce intothe wedding of the century, or whatever it is you do?"

His words strike , all the planning I’ve done I know it see, but I’ve spentout the flowers, the decorations, the perfect raspberry white chocolate ganache cake

I guess I thought if I created e to exist

I look away "That’s why I came out here," I lie quickly "There’s so much to do, I need some peace and quiet"

"Well, you sure found it here" Garrett nods, and for the first time, I realize how true it is There’s no traffic, no sound at all around us save Garrett’s foot tapping rhyth sound of the waves crashing against the shore

I breathe it in, surprised Even in our neighborhood, with its strict rules and regulations, my life is never silent at hoes, construction on so laundry in our base music and talk shows from the moment I wake up until the ht to the lounge and turns on CNN

Silence I look around, feeling it settle in my bones It’s a relief, but it scares me too In the silence, there’s no place to hide frohts, noas you like"

I snap h s I wait for the quip or catch, but none co atnew in his expression, a quiet curiosity replacing his easy charhts, or out," he adds, shrugging "So, it’s cool if you stay"

I pause, thrown "Thank you," I say slowly, still trying to figure hi our run-in at the wedding, when he taunted and provokedin the snow "But I don’t knohat ," I tell his, unconcerned "Suit yourself"

"Besides," I can’t help adding, "I’ and going at all hours"

A flicker of tension crosses Garrett’s face

"Do E this place as a personal love shack?" I continue, feeling a sharp ache of bitterness If he wasn’t here, I would be left alone like I wanted--able to think and breathe and figure thewith a ind of desire, the last thing I need right now

Garrett narrows his eyes "You seeet up to in the bedrooestively "Maybe ‘rest’ isn’t all you’re here for"

I frown "What do you mean?"

Garrett takes a step towards otten "Well, I’ve been thinking," he h to touch My breath catches inis just an act Maybe you knew I’d be here" Garrett’s eyes are dark, a knowing gleaht pools "Maybe, I’ to his nearness He’s too close toht to stay in control "What are you talking about?" I de itchy feet," he er down the side of my cheek I startle at his touch, but for soht in the heat, shihtening, right before a su," Garrett continues, leaning closer His lips brush ainst h s fro," Garrett continues, stroking his finger along my jaw I shudder under his touch, hypnotized The world aze and the liquid gold of his touch I feel it everywhere,