Before Him Comes Me (21 page)

Waking up alone is not how Zara anticipated the first night
of her winter break. Since they had slept in the same bed over Thanksgiving
weekend, she had assumed they would continue in that vein from then on whenever
they were together. She had loved the closeness of him holding her all night,
finding their intimacy was more precious than she ever thought it would be.

Zara closes her eyes and replays the day before. It had been
a perfect day filled with laughter and conversation. They had taken a walk in
the snow. Garrett held a snowball-making lesson and taught Zara how to make snow
angels. They had watched movies and listened to music for hours.

The smell of coffee assaults Zara’s senses and she climbs
out of bed. Standing at the dresser, she pauses as she is pulling out the top
drawer. A pile of three smooth stones sitting on one of the many decorative
boxes on the vanity catches her eye. Leaving the drawer hanging open, she walks
over to pick up the stones. After rolling them around in her hand, she slowly places
them back in their original spot.

Returning to the dresser, Zara grabs a pair of thick socks
and closes the drawer. Dressed in the same long sleeved Michigan State tee and
grey sweats she changed into after her hot shower the night before, she hears
Garrett as she makes her way toward the kitchen.

“I knew if I made coffee, you would wake up.” He hands her a
large mug of steaming creamy coffee. Cupping it with both hands, an enormous smile
spreads across Zara’s face as she brings the mug to her nose to inhale. She
cannot stop the moan of pleasure that escapes her lips.

“Seriously… Zara.”

Zara giggles in response. “Thank you for making me coffee.”

Shaking his head, he picks up his own mug of coffee. Leaning
against the island, Garrett picks up his phone. It hits Zara that she had never
seen his phone when they had been together.

“It appears we are in the middle of one of the worst winter
storms in the history of Michigan weather.” He gestures toward the window and
shakes his head in utter disbelief. Zara sips her coffee and does everything
possible not to give away her excitement at being stranded.

“The plane is grounded and from the weather reports, it is
only going to get worse. We aren’t going anywhere.” He puts the phone down on
the counter.

“Oh. That is disappointing.”

“Come here.”

She moves to stand in front of him keeping the mug in front
of her mouth. Taking the coffee from her hands, he discovers her huge smile. He
sets their mugs on the counter, then lifts Zara onto the island and stands between
her legs. Looking up into her sparkling, happy eyes, he asks her, “Am I to
understand that golden sun, hot beaches and clear water are not what you are
wishing for this holiday season?”

“I love the beach!”

“Yes, I know. As do my parents, hence a holiday planned in
the hot sun, on the beach, and with clear water. Why are you so happy about
this development, Little One?”

Zara’s eyes immediately fall. Taking a deep breath, Zara
squares her shoulders.

“So… it is a deep breath and square your shoulders type of
response. Should we go sit to have this conversation?”

“I just… Well, the thought of you and I being stranded in
this beautiful house together alone over the holiday. It… sort of… sounds
magical to me. That does not mean that I was not excited to–”

The second Garrett’s lips make contact with Zara’s, she
opens to him and he advances. His tongue caresses hers as if exploring it for
the first time. Her soft moans gave him the reassurance to continue. Releasing
her face, Garrett pulls Zara to the edge of the counter. Zara’s finger’s wrap
around his head and lock on the back of his neck. Garrett pulls away and looks
into her eyes. Her lips wait, slightly open, for his to return.

“I’ve missed that, Little One.” As he moves to close the
space between them again, the phone rings and they both jump. Garrett laughs
and kisses Zara’s forehead.

“Dawson,” he answers in a professional tone that Zara finds
as seductive as his normal voice. Handing her back her coffee, Garrett
positions himself back between her legs with his back to her as he listens to
the person on the phone. As she sips the coffee, thoughts of the two of them
spending a long day kissing and snuggling creates such a sense of happiness
that a giggle sneaks out.

Garrett looks back at Zara as she slaps her hand over her
mouth and begins to crack up. Taking her hand away from her mouth, he gently
kisses the palm. He returns his attention to the caller.

“Mom… Mom. We’re fine. Yes, we have plenty of food in the
house. You were correct. I was wrong. I don’t know if we are going to come down
at all. We’ll stay in touch. Okay. Did B and Viv get out? She is going to be
pissed at him. Yes, yes. Zara, Mother says she is sorry you are missing the
sun, sand and warm water and that it is all my fault. We will be fine. Tell Dad
Merry Christmas.”

“You know how we are completely thrilled to be stranded
together during the worst winter storm in Michigan history? Guess who isn’t
exactly thrilled with her brother for deciding to work a couple of extra days
and not flying down with my parents?”

“Oh, who?”

“Viv is so pissed off even my mom said that I should wait a
day to call over there. I am not calling.”

Shyly, with all the humor gone, Zara asks, “Garrett, would
it be alright if I called? If she is upset, I would like to invite her to come
here. Certainly it does not replace a tropical vacation, but it may beat
staring at her brother. If that is okay with you.”

“What about being stranded alone with me in a beautiful
house?”

Zara shrugs her shoulders.

“There is always New Year’s.” Kissing her lips, Garrett
scrolls to V and hits the call icon. Handing Zara the phone, he mouths, “Good
luck.”

“AND WHAT THE FUCKING HELL DO YOU WANT, ASSHOLE BEST FRIEND
OF MY STUPID ASS BROTHER?”

“Viv? Hi, this is Zara. I am sorry to bother you.”

“Shit… Zara. I thought you were Garrett. Are you two soaking
up the sun and drinking cocktails with umbrellas already?”

“No… No. We were scheduled to take the plane down this
afternoon. We are stranded here, too. I was wondering if you and Branden would
like to come over and spend Christmas with us. I am planning to prepare a
Christmas that Garrett will be proud to host. It would mean a lot to me if you
would be here for my first Christmas away,” Zara’s voice drops off as the last
sentence ends.

“Oh, Zara. Yes, of course, we will be there.”

“Garrett said that the storm is going to get worse before it
gets better. When it is safe… why not pack a bag and both of you come over and
stay. We will do Christmas here like we did Thanksgiving there.”

“Does G know you are inviting us to his house to stay? He is
a bit funny about people in his space?”

“Mmmm… or I guess we can invite ourselves over there.” Holding
the phone with his hand, Garrett plants another quick kiss on Zara. “I think he
is fine with you both coming here this time.”

“Okay. It’s a plan. B is predicting a State of Emergency
will be called at any minute. So, we are here for a while. I’ll text you when
we are on our way. Oh… B keeps this place STOCKED with food. Email a list if
you need me to go shopping in his cabinets.”

“Thanks, Viv. Tell Branden we are looking forward to seeing
him soon. Merry Christmas.”

Clicking the
End
icon, Zara gently places the phone
on the counter beside her. Viv’s statement about Garrett not liking people in
his space floats around in her thoughts. Never had there been a moment when she
had felt uncomfortable in his space.

“You are doing it again. Talk to me, Little One.”

“Are you alright with me inviting Viv and Branden over to
stay? It has occurred to me that I did that without really asking your
permission first.” Sliding off the counter, Zara picks up both mugs and walks
to the coffee maker, intentionally busying herself to avoid looking at him.

“Would I prefer to spend the next however many days alone
getting to know you even better? HELL YES! Would I prefer to be alone with you
on a private beach, in 85 degree weather in crystal clear water? HELL YES! Am I
glad that you want to spend some alone time with me and that you like the two
closest people in my life enough to invite them over? YES!”

Walking over to where Zara is refilling their cups, Garrett
wraps his arms around her. She leans back into him. “In the past, I didn’t have
people over very often. Of course, they have been here before, but not ‘here’
here. I have been waiting for you.”

Zara nods enjoying the warmth of his arms and the comfort of
the words around her as they stand in his kitchen in the middle of the worst
winter storm in history.

“I have so much to do!” Zara jumps, kissing Garrett squarely
on the lips. The action is both surprising and supremely satisfying.

Well that was not very submissive of me, but it was very me.

“Just a head’s up, you are not spending days in the kitchen
preparing for a Christmas dinner that is going to be eaten in an hour. You and
I are spending time together. That is the priority. We can all eat sandwiches. Understood?”

“Yes, Sir.”

Garrett stiffens. Silence. The response stops them both in
their tracks. Zara’s eyes cast down to the ground in front of her. It is
several seconds before either begins to move. Garrett is first to break the lingering
silence between them.

“I think it is time for us to have that conversation soon. It
has almost become the elephant in the room–”

“Garrett, forgive me for interrupting you. I have been
thinking. You have taken excellent care of me since leaving the Circle months
ago. You have provided for all of my needs. You have gone above and beyond my
needs. During this break, I would like to be the one that takes care of your
needs for a change.

“There will be guests but they are aware of our lifestyle. I
would like to ask permission to… this made so much more sense in my head. I would
like to… to take care of you.”

“Okay… This is not where I thought this conversation was
heading. I am getting hungry and need a shower. Let’s both shower and meet back
here for breakfast?”

Sinking with rejection, Zara turns to walk out of the
kitchen without a word. The distance between the kitchen and her bedroom feels
so much longer on this return trip. She knows Garrett is watching her walking
away.

In the safety of her bedroom, tears begin to stream down her
face.

I’m not the submissive he wants. The locked collar. The letter
from Michigan State. The dorm room. The tuition. The new life. It is all meant
to give me a new beginning so I would not accept his collar.

The kissing. The touching. That is something else. That must be
a man wanting a woman. Casual. The effect of the word Sir. On the plane the
first night. In the kitchen.

I am alone. No family. No Community. No collar. No Sir. No
Garrett. Just me.

Training wins out over most everything. Zara wipes her tears
and steps into her bathroom. Turning on the shower, she slowly removes her
clothes leaving only the pedants that Garrett had given her for her birthday. Looking
at them in the reflection of the mirror causes her even more confusion. “Just
forget it.”

“No… don’t forget.”

Turning, Zara sees Garrett walking toward her from inside
her room. He grabs a towel and wraps it around her. Bewildered, Zara watches
him step into the shower and turn it off. Walking to the bathtub, he turns on
the water and adjusts the temperature. Returning to Zara, he takes his thumb
and wipes away the track of tears that remain.

“I hate that I left you to think your thoughts. I know
better than to allow you to get inside your head. These tears are my fault and
it hurts my heart that I caused them.” He presses a swimsuit into her hand. “Put
this on and don’t move. More importantly, don’t think.”

Garrett runs out of the bathroom, leaving Zara wrapped in a
towel and contemplating the small royal blue two-piece Garrett handed her.

“Hold please.” Garrett returns with a towel wrapped around
his waist and hands Zara a tray with travel mugs and fruit. He moves a chair
from the bedroom next to the tub as a stand for the tray, then reclaims it and
sets up their mini breakfast. Taking something off the tray that Zara had
thought to be cream, he pours it into the bath and bubbles begin to form.

“All I need is you…” Garrett extends his hand to Zara and
escorts her to the tub. He drops his towel and gets into the tub, gesturing for
her to join him. Zara slips in between his legs. Once they are both submerged
in the hot water and thick bubbles, Garrett turns the water off.

He pulls Zara back to him and she only hesitates slightly
before leaning against his bare chest. In silence, they sit and soak.

Garrett runs his fingers through the damp strands of Zara’s
hair, continues to stroke her shoulders lightly with his thumbs and fingertips.
“I should have thought about a hair tie.”

“I need to wash my hair. It is okay,” Zara murmurs contentedly.

“Do you want coffee?”

“No, thank you.”

“Zara, I like caring for you.”

“Garrett… are you a submissive?” Zara feels Garrett’s hands
freeze briefly on their wayward journey from her neck to her shoulders.

“No, Little One. I’m not a submissive. Although, I don’t
think I’m exactly the Dom you were expecting, either. I was raised by parents
that lived their lives as equals. Yes, my mother is my father’s submissive but
I do not know what happens in their bedroom. I know that they have a small
playroom at the beach house. What they have at the main house is anyone’s guess.

“I take that back. Viv would know. Being the resident
decorator, she knows everyone’s secrets. Anyway, I was not raised with a mother
who was put in a corner if she stepped out of line. I want a wife. A partner. I
would like for her to be a submissive but if that is not her thing, I am willing
to walk away from the King Council.”