GARRETT ANDERSON
"I'm glad I met your mom," said Garrett, "And I'm glad I'm getting a chance to know you and Andie and Mike."
"That's good," Sylvie said. She smiled then picked up the shelf paper from the cabinet.
Sudden screaming ripped through the quiet.
Sylvie's wide blue eyes met Garrett's. "Mom and Andie!" she cried.
Dread and panic exploded through him as he ran out the back door. The screams died as he rounded the corner. He stopped when he saw Susan and Natalie huddled against the house.
Andie was squashed between them, but she was struggling to get free. Sylvie, who had been running right behind him, smacked into his back.
"Oops, sorry," Sylvie said. She peered around him.
"Lemme go, Mommy, I wanna see the snake," Andie cried.
Garrett's saw the camera equipment propped next to the house and his gaze shot to the two cameramen who stood on either side of a patch of grass.
"What is it?" Garrett asked.
"Don't know," the tall one with the blonde ponytail answered. "Susan said she saw a snake."
Garrett glanced at Susan.
"It was huge! With red eyes and green scales. It was looking at me like I was dinner," she said, visibly shuddering.
"Snakes don't usually have red eyes," Garrett said.
"Well, this one did," Susan snapped.
His gaze swept over Natalie. "And are you afraid of snakes, too?"
She shook her head. "Not at all. I'm cowering in moral support of Susan."
"Dr. Garrett," Andie yelled, "Can I see the snake?"
"Be still a minute," Garrett said. "We'll see."
"That means no." Andie pouted and crossed her arms.
Garrett joined the cameramen in the search for the snake. He didn't see any movement in the grass, but then the other cameramen, a burly man with a military haircut, bent down and grabbed something. "Got it," he said.
Garrett looked at the small, wriggling grass snake between the big man's thumb and forefinger and burst out laughing.
"Oh it's a terrifying red-eyed devil," he managed to gasp between laughs.
"Shut up," Susan growled. "That can't be the monster that slithered across my foot."
"At least it's green," Garrett pointed out.
"I can see that," Susan said. "C'mon guys, let go do some filming inside. This stretch of grass isn't big enough for me and that snake."
She slapped Garrett on the arm, shooting him an annoyed look as she stomped past. Sylvie followed her and he heard her say, "Gee, Susan, do you think that was a python?"
Garrett looked at Natalie. She grinned at him and desire winged through him. She was so beautiful. She was pure sunshine. She warmed the places inside him that were lonely and cold.
"Mommeee! Can I see the snake?" Andie squealed.
"Go on," Natalie said.
Garrett watched Andie stroke the snake and smiled. That little girl wasn't afraid of anything.
"Hello," Natalie said.
Garrett looked down, startled. She stood before him, her eyes luminous.
"Hello," he answered. He breathed in her honeysuckle-scent and felt himself harden.
He traced her cheek with his forefinger, stopping when he reached her lower lip. She flicked her tongue against his finger and the sensual touch created a fierce yearning.
He forgot where he was and who might be watching. He only saw the passion flare in Natalie's eyes as he lowered his head.
He stroked her lips with his tongue briefly, before dragging her into his arms and plunging his tongue into her mouth. He knew his kiss was raw, needy. But so was her response.
"Mommy and Garrett are kissing!" Andie yelled.
Garrett released Natalie so quickly, she stumbled. He grabbed her arm and steadied her, then let go. Her expression was caught between frustration and hurt.
"Mommy and Garrett are kissing in a tree. K-i—uh—l-m-n-o-p. First comes love, then comes marriage," Andie sang, dancing around in front of them, "then comes a baby in a big white cabbage."
The cameramen gathered the equipment and left quietly, but Garrett saw their amused glances.
"Sweetheart, that's enough," Natalie said as Andie launched into the song again. "Garrett and I were kissing because we like each other."
"You mean you aren't gonna get married?"
She sent an embarrassed look to Garrett. Her cheeks even turned red.
Andie tugged on Garrett's pant leg and he bent down. She planted a wet kiss on his cheek and said, "I like you, Dr. Garrett. I'll marry you if Mommy won't."
Her words tore holes through the carefully constructed wall inside him that he once thought was impregnable. Garrett kissed Andie's child-soft cheek. "Thanks."
"I'm going to tell Mike about the snake," Andie said. "He might like snakes. I know he doesn't like frogs, least not the one I put in the bathtub."
Garrett smiled as he watched Andie skip across the grass, heading toward the house.
When he turned around, Natalie was gone.
***|***|***|***|
NATALIE HANOVER
Natalie took a deep breath before opening the front door.
She'd been gone for half an hour.
Walking in the small forest had given her a chance to think. Then she went to see Marabelle and the puppies. She'd cried the whole time.
She was grateful no one had tried to find her. Andie's mention of marriage had twisted her insides into tiny pieces because she'd
realized she wanted marriage again. She wanted a husband and a father for her children.
She wanted Garrett.
She shut the door behind her and looked up. Garrett stood alone in the living room. His midnight eyes searched her face and she met his gaze even though she knew her face was puffy and tear-streaked
"Are you okay?" he asked.
Nodding, she smoothed tendrils of hair away from her cheeks. "I just needed some time alone.
"You've been crying." He walked across the room and folded her into his arms. "Sweet Natalie," he whispered, "I want to give you joy, not sorrow."
His words soothed the ache that had filled her.
She pressed her cheek against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart. He smelled like cologne and dust.
She breathed deeply, enjoying the maleness of his scent. He tightened his hold on her and she felt his hard length push against her stomach. She gasped, but didn't pull away.
"I get hard every time I'm within ten feet of you," he growled. "I want you so badly, I can't think straight."
His words touched her in a way that was elemental, primal. "I want you too, Garrett."