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I climb up into the truck, setting the leftover bag on the back seat. Once I’m settled, Garrett closes the door and jogs around the front end and hops up into the driver’s seat.
“You’re really not going to tell me where we’re going?” I ask as he pulls out of the parking lot.
“We’re going to a favorite spot of mine on my grandparents’ property,” he says. “I like to go out there when I have time, to just think or if I need some fresh air. It is just so peaceful.”
“Sounds amazing, but what can we do out there at this time of night?” I question.
“A few things, but just trust me, okay?”
I don’t know why, but I have immediate trust in Garrett. There is just something about him that calms me. “Okay, I trust you,” I tell him.
He reaches over and laces our hands together, then pulls our clasped hands to his side and brings them up to his lips. He presses a kiss to the back of my hand, and I instantly wish he was kissing me somewhere else. He lowers them, resting our clasped hands on my thigh.
“How far away is your grandparents’ place?” I ask after we’ve been driving for about five or so minutes.
“Not much farther, only a few more miles away.”
I watch out the window, the city giving way to forest. The buildings becoming further and further apart from one another.
We finally turn down a dirt driveway. It isn’t wide enough to be considered a road, but I also don’t see a house anywhere. Garrett slows down, taking the bumpy drive with care. We turn a corner, and a large clearing opens up where I can see the moonlight reflecting off what looks like a lake or large pond. A dock sets off to the left, with a covered area at the end.
Garrett pulls up to the gravel area, shutting his truck off. He hops out and comes around to my side, opening the door for me and offering that hand back for me to take. I do so without hesitation and follow him down the boardwalk to the gazebo. The stars are shining brightly in the sky, the full moon is illuminating everything, the reflection off the water providing a good amount of light when we reach the end.
“Wow, it’s so pretty out here,” I state into the night air.
“It is. I’ve spent many a night out here, just enjoying the fresh air as I sit and think.”
“I can see how it would be easy to lose track of time out here.”
Garrett leaves my side and goes to a weatherproof deck box. I watch as he pulls out a blanket and a few pillows, bringing them over next to me. On the lake side of the gazebo, there is a landing without cover. We spread the blanket out there so that we can lay under the stars.
“It would be so easy to fall asleep out here,” I tell Garrett once we’re settled next to one another. He’s tucked me into his side, with his arm around me as I rest my head on his shoulder. He hasn’t tried to make any moves, which I do appreciate. I have no idea what I’m ready for, but I know it isn’t much tonight. But I also love being close to him, feeling his heat and body next to mine. It makes me realize just how much I’ve missed the touch of a man.
“Can I see you again?” Garrett asks.
“I’d really like that; I just don’t know when I’ll have any free time. Can I text you once I find out when my parents are available to watch my kids again?”
“Of course, or if you want to plan a fun outing with them, I’m open to including them.”
I ponder his offer. On one hand, I love that he wants to include them. I’ve heard of so many horror stories of single parents dating, and their kids being forgotten about. I’d never dream of doing that to my kids, but I also want to protect them and don’t really know when the right time to introduce them to Garrett would be.
“Can I think about it? Not that I don’t want them to meet you, but I need to figure out when the right time is.”
“I understand and will leave that decision up to you. I just want you to know, I don’t mind when that is. Kids don’t scare me, nor should they be thought of as a burden or in the way.”
“Are you sure you’re real?” I ask, pushing up so I can look at him.
He chuckles, and I can feel the deep rumble in his chest. “I’m sure,” he says as he slides a hand up underneath my hair and cups the back of my head. “I really want to kiss you right now,” he whispers between us.
I suck in my bottom lip. I want him to do so, but is it too soon? We only just met earlier this week, and this is our first date. His eyes never leave mine as I think about what he’s just confessed. “I want that, too,” I take the leap and tell him.
Garrett slowly brings my head closer to his own, his kiss is tentative and gentle as our lips meet. He isn’t aggressive at all as he moves against my mouth.
He breaks the kiss, releasing some of the pressure he had on my head from holding me close. “Was that okay?” he asks.
“Yes.” I let out a half laugh, half sigh. “Can we do it again?” I boldly ask.
“You don’t have to ask me twice.” He grins and pulls me back in, this time for a deeper kiss. His tongue swipes across the seam of my lips and I open for him. Our tongues tangle as we make out like two teenagers who haven’t done so before.
