She thought of her grandmother. Was this what Pearl wanted her to do while she was here? Definitely not. Johnny sensed her hesitation and promptly stopped. Holly missed the sensation of his kisses as soon as he retracted, but she knew it was the right thing to do at that moment.
When he pulled away enough to look into her eyes, he looked as surprised as she felt. “Wow,” he breathed.
“Yeah.” She nodded, feeling a little light-headed. “Wow.”
“I should’ve done that sooner.”
“Sooner might’ve been smarter. You probably shouldn’t kiss a girl after telling her about her family’s bizarre marriage tradition. You might send the wrong message,” Holly joked.
“Don’t let the tradition fog your brain. Listen to your heart and your head and everything will work out fine.” Johnny tucked her under his arm and walked her out of the study.
Her body felt like a livewire. Her blood throbbed in her veins with need for him. She’d never felt anything like this before. This sort of attraction was new, addictive, and potentially very dangerous in the best possible way.
Holly wasn’t sure she could keep herself under control around him forever. Eventually, she would slip, and next time they ended up against the desk, they’d do a lot more than kissing. The idea of it being her first time wasn’t at all daunting. It was like it was meant to be.
Stop it, she chided herself. Getting laid cannot be your biggest priority right now.
Being around Johnny made it damn hard to prioritize anything else.
Down the hall, Garret and Keller lingered with equally worried expressions. When Holly looked at them, it was as if the aching need she felt for Johnny transferred. Keller and Garret looked soft and glowy in her eyes. She wondered what it would be like to kiss them both. Her desire for Johnny didn’t subside. Her body made room for three separate but equally intense desires.
What the hell had gotten into her? Now was not the time nor the place for her hormones to suddenly kick into overdrive.
“Are you okay?” Keller asked.
“I’m better.” Holly offered a small smile, pushing her treacherous thoughts aside for now. “I had a little breakdown in there.”
She wondered if the other two could tell what happened in the study. What if Keller or Garret walked in instead of Johnny? She was attracted to all of them. Would she have kissed whoever had come in? Logic took over her brain once more, allowing her to examine the situation with some objectivity.
She had kissed Johnny because she obviously liked him, but it wasn’t as if she didn’t like Keller and Garret. They all seemed kind, caring, and charming. Did she really like any of them, or did she just want someone to kiss? She wasn’t sure if she was capable of something like that.
Thinking about it made her feel uneasy again. She decided to lock those thoughts away in a box to re-examine later when the rest of her life wasn’t falling down around her. Stress made people do things they wouldn’t ordinarily do. Everyone knew that.
“I told her about the mural,” Johnny said. Keller’s face turned to stone.
“You what? You knew what Pearl wanted,” he said.
“What Holly needs to not lose her mind is more important.” Johnny shrugged.
“That’s not for you to decide.” Keller’s temper rose, but he caught himself. He looked at Holly. “I’m sorry. You don’t need to hear this. You’re already stressed out as it is. Johnny, can I talk to you in private?” he asked through gritted teeth.
“Lead the way.” Johnny released Holly to follow Keller to the French doors. They stepped onto the deck and moved out of sight.
Holly looked to Garret, who offered her a kind smile.
“Come with me.” He offered her one massive hand, which she took. He led her into the living room and gestured for her to sit down on the couch. Once she was comfortable, he draped the softest blanket she’d ever felt around her shoulders.
“Warm enough?” he asked.
“I’ll get there,” she said, tugging the blanket closer.
“Good.” He smiled. “Sit tight. I’ll be right back.”
He strode off in the direction of the kitchen. She heard running water. Within ten minutes, a tea kettle began to whistle. Holly smiled to herself. The image of someone as big and scary looking as Garret making tea made her want to giggle.
He returned a few minutes later with two steaming mugs.
“I didn’t peg you for a tea drinker,” Holly said.
“Pearl got me addicted.” He grinned. “I have four or five cups a day. I’ve never felt better.”
“How long have you lived here?” she asked.
“Just short of a year,” he replied. “I was the last one to move in. Keller’s been here for two and a half years. Johnny’s lived here for five.”
“Wow.” Holly wasn’t expecting that. This house was much more Johnny’s than it was hers.
“Keller did a lot of the upgrades around the place. Johnny did most of the woodwork,” Garret said. “I supply parts when I have them in stock. I’m not a bad electrician, either.”
“And a top-notch cook if the breakfast I didn’t eat is anything to go by.” For the first time since she arrived, Holly felt like she was having a normal conversation.
Something about Garret put her at ease. He had a gentle way about him, even though he could probably split a log with his bare hands.
“If you’re hungry, I could make you a plate. We made sure to save some for you.”
“Thanks,” she smiled, “but maybe later? I don’t have much of an appetite right now.”
“The tea will settle your nerves and your stomach.”
