10
Sarah punched away at the keys on her keyboard in an almost mechanical fashion. She had been moping, and she knew it. Wasting all her worries on Garrett was useless, and besides that he’d hardly been there all week. He’d come in and out of the office a handful of times over the last several days, but on Friday he’d hardly even said hello; he’d just waved as he walked by.
She knew she had no reason to feel as if she had been used; she’d told him how she’d felt. He’d reciprocated, for heaven's sakes! Or was it something he said to any woman of such loose morals as she had? She frowned as she worked, her mind only half on the task at hand. She’d never really had an experience like that; he’d wanted her, and yet…he’d rebuffed her. She understood that Elizabeth may have been a factor, but there was something more.
On Friday, Garrett stayed longer as it was the gift-giving luncheon before the holiday. There had been plans to do a few games, and despite her distraction, Sarah had organized them. They played several games, won prizes that exchanged hands a dozen times over the course of the day. The whole facility was in pleasant spirits, and when it came time for lunch, Garrett had the whole place catered with a holiday feast. Despite the unproductive day, everyone was in good cheer.
Sarah went about the party-like atmosphere of the building, making sure that everyone was having a good time. She worked the room carefully, only stopping when one of the women squealed in laughter and pointed to her.
“Sarah and Garrett under the mistletoe!” she yelled.
To Sarah’s horror she looked up and saw the mistletoe. She glanced over her shoulder to see that Garrett had been just a step behind her, and he too looked uncomfortable for the half second that no one could see them. When he recovered, he slipped his arms around her and pulled her close, kissing her cheek to the jeering satisfaction of the office.
Sarah pulled a face she didn’t have to fake, and shrugged away from him with a ‘gross’ expression on her face. To the rest of the company, she was akin to his daughter. It made sense for her to react that way despite the pang of hurt she’d felt as his lips brushed her cheek. She’d found herself unwilling to step away, and took a deep breath to steady herself.
It was then that she decided she’d done enough socializing. She excused herself, and headed back to her office, hoping no one would come looking for her. She didn’t feel much in the Christmas spirit, and took the elevator to the top floor. When she entered the reception area she’d almost turned back, memories of the night she’d come into the reception area all alone and discovered something macabre. Her heart jumped a little, but she reminded herself that there was nothing here like that this time.
She’d almost made it to her desk when the elevator dinged once more. She paused to see who had followed her up, her stomach twisting nervously as thoughts of the rabbit came back to her. Her father had said she should quit if this had upset her so badly, but as expected Sarah had not been able to do so.
Garrett exited the elevator and at the sight of her peeking from behind the wall, called her name. Of course, Sarah had little interest to talk to him and headed for her office. She’d made it to her doorway before he caught up with her, grabbing her arm to turn her to face him. She shook him off and glared up at him for a moment before she feigned her professional face.
“Yes?”
“Don’t ‘yes’ me.”
Garrett leaned down and kissed her, this time full on the lips. His mouth demanded her submission, forcing entry into her mouth to tangle with her own tongue. He only broke the kiss when she swayed, and he held her in his arms to steady her.
“Mistletoe kiss. Done right,” he growled in that sexy, gravelly tone he seemed to take on when he was excited.
“Garrett, you can’t… you just can’t keep playing with me like a yo-yo,” she said, her cheeks hot. She could feel how wet the kiss had left her, and her shoulders trembled. She had wanted that just as badly as he had. She squeezed her thighs together, trying not to think of the way he’d felt between them.
“I know, I’m sorry. I… I was wrong to rebuff you at the party, especially as harshly as I did. I just… it’s so complicated, Sarah. I want you. I’ve wanted you for an age. I can’t change that. But Elizabeth… she’ll lose her mind if she finds out.”
“Your separation is finalized, isn’t it? She should know that you’d end up dating someone quickly.”
“That’s the difference between you and her, gorgeous. She doesn't think anything is ‘normal’ or ‘right’ unless she’s given it her approval; and I promise you she will not rest until she gets rid of anyone that might stand in her way of keeping this divorce rolling.”
“It doesn't matter… I want to be with you.”
*****
Garrett was taken aback. How could she not care for her own safety? The lengths at which he was willing to go to keep her safe were staggering, yet she was willing to put herself in more danger. For a moment, he wondered just how much she’d be willing to sacrifice for him. No one else had any interest in his well-being; sure, the people whose paychecks he was responsible for, and perhaps even a few ex-girlfriends that might sacrifice a night in for him, but Sarah was different.
“I want that too.” Garrett heard himself say.
He leaned close to her again; this time the kiss he gave her was far from aggressive, more gentle and passionate then he’d managed previously. He could feel himself shiver with anticipation for more, yet he needed her to know how desperately he loved her. He slid his hand down her back to grip her rear and pull her close to him.
“Garrett, you need to tell me how you really feel. I can’t play this game, and I am not interested in playing around. I want you. I want a life with you, and I need to know if you feel the same, or if you simply want a rebound. Please. I think you owe me that much.”
Garrett felt a pang of guilt again, this time for how he’d treated her. He needed to be better. He made sure she wouldn’t fall back before he let go of her, and cleared his throat. He needed to be honest with her, and she certainly wasn’t asking too much from him on that front.
“I know. Again, I'm sorry. You deserve better. I’ll do better.” He gave her a small hopeful smile, and Sarah’s expression reassured him to continue, “I want that with you. I want a life with you – a house, vacations, whatever you want to buy.”
“I don’t want to buy things, Garrett. I want you to love me. I want to live together as man and wife, not a weekend girlfriend. I want to be what Elizabeth should have been to you this entire time!” She wasn’t quite crying, but the fact he’d thought she wanted him to simply support her was one that clearly hurt her.
Garrett hugged her again, kissing her forehead briefly before he spoke, “I…am new to this. I’m sorry. I didn’t think that’s what you wanted, I just… I think of providing, first and foremost,” he said gently, his hand coming up to stroke her cheek. “I want you to want for nothing. I want you happy. That’s all I want for you.”
“All I need to be happy is you,” she confessed, tears welling up in her eyes. Garrett hugged her tightly, and kissed the top of her head, soothing her gently, shushing until she eventually began to stop her soft whimpering. She bit down on her lip, and after some minutes of him holding her she’d quieted.
“See? It’s alright.” He stepped away and offered a smile that she did her best to return, though her expression was still misty-eyed. “I promise you, we will be together, Sarah,” Garrett vowed, his heart twisting at the realization the promise could ruin the whole of his friendship with Matthew.
Sarah calmed down and stepped closer, leaning up to kiss him again. Her mouth was warm, soft, and oh so pleasant. Garrett groaned at her kiss, and picked her up, pulling her flush to his body. He set her on the edge of her desk and pushed her legs apart, which simply hiked up her Christmas dress. She’d worn a cute, red, Santa-style dress, and as he parted her legs he could see her sexy, little black panties.
For a moment Sarah seemed apprehensive, but when he parted her legs she leaned back, watching him with a smile.
Garrett knelt, his mouth kissing at the inside of her thigh, just above the knee. He nipped and kissed his way towards her sex, nuzzling and shivering with anticipation. How long had he waited to taste her? How many nights had he longed to feel her shuddering in orgasm around his tongue and fingers?
There was a distinct ding! from the elevator that sent both of them scrambling. The click of too-familiar heels heading towards Garrett’s office was enough to make his blood run cold. Sarah had the intelligence to be sitting at her desk with a presentation front and center when the clicking stopped at the door, at least.
“So as I was saying, if we cut costs here… oh, hello, Ms. McMillin.” Sarah’s voice was cool and crisp, her smile friendly.
“What do you want, Elizabeth? I’m busy.” Garrett was less cordial; his fury that she had dared come into his office was turning his face red and his eyes narrowed to a stern, hard glare.
Elizabeth eyed them both, and without responding to Sarah, said only, “Call off the divorce. Now.”
Garrett could feel the headache starting at the back of his skull.