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She claps and rubs her hands together. “Wonderful.”
Autumn curls her hand around my bicep and leans into my side, resting her head on my shoulder. I kiss her forehead then press my cheek to her hair. Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and absorb every ounce of love she radiates.
Move in with me.
Beside me, Autumn stiffens. Minus Clementine and Lex, the entire room goes silent.Shit.“Did I just say that out loud?” I whisper, although everyone hears.
Autumn sits up straighter and faces me. She tucks her lips between her teeth, eyes darting between mine. “You did,” she croaks.
Dad sparks random conversation with Mom, thank god. Soon, everyone else chats among themselves again and pretends to ignore us.
I lean in closer to her, in the hopes of shielding our conversation somewhat. “Wasn’t trying to put you on the spot. Sorry. The idea has crossed my mind before. And I’d love you both to be with me every night. But I didn’t realize it came out of my mouth until you froze.”
Passion mixes with fear and swirls like wildfire in her intoxicating irises. She clamps down on her lips harder and I have to fight the urge to graze my thumb over her chin, just beneath her lips. Beneath the table, her knee begins to bounce. Body stiff, her eyes dart toward everyone in her periphery.
“Can we discuss this later?” she whisper-squeaks. “In private.”
I nod. “Of course. Like I said, it was a slip of the tongue.”
Clamping down on her lips one last time, she releases them and spins in her chair to face everyone else again. She picks up her fork and pushes food around her plate, but doesn’t eat much else. And for the next hour, she resumes prior conversations as if the subject never came up.
Just before eight, we exchange hugs with everyone and head out. Before heading over tonight, Autumn agreed to stay at the house. As she sits silently in the passenger seat, I pray she doesn’t regret the decision.
I reach across the console and take her hand in mine. She weaves her fingers with mine and I breathe a little easier.Thank goodness. Not sure how I would handle it if Autumn shirked away from me.
After I park the Jeep in front of the house and we wander inside, Clementine gets ready for bed while I let Spartan outside. The nightly routine goes much the same as usual. Autumn and I give Clementine kisses and hugs good night and ruffle Spartan’s fur before we turn off the light and close the door halfway.
In our room, blanketed in darkness, I reach for Autumn and pull her into me. Kiss her forehead, between her brows, the tip of her nose, her lips. Her body goes lax, melts into my touch, my lips. She fists my shirt then releases the cotton, sliding her palms up my chest to my neck, lacing her fingers at the base of my skull.
Apple lingers on her tongue from dessert and mixes with the taste of her. Her cherry vanilla aroma billows around me. From shoulder to hip, she eliminates any measure of space between us. I hum against her lips, her tongue, as she threads her fingers through my hair and tugs at the strands.
With my slipup tonight, I worried—still worry—she would pull away. I have no intention of taking back what I said because I meant it. Just didn’t mean to say it aloud. Yet. So much has happened since we started seeing each other, the last thing I want is for Autumn to believe I’m pressuring her into something she isn’t ready for. Although, in my eyes, she is more ready than she realizes.
We take our time stripping off clothes and falling in to the bed. Tonight, our kisses and touches and whispered moans weigh heavier in the shadows. Our bodies move slower, with more intention and adoration. This isn’t just sex. Not just a physical need for release or routine activity. And when we climax, the energy around us radiates heart and heat and traces of forever.
My front to her back, arms holding her snug against my skin, we start to drift off. The last thought floating in my mind is how we never brought up the conversation from dinner again. Either of us. And I wonder if that is a good thing or bad.
TWENTY-SEVEN
AUTUMN
Before Jonas and I started dating, I rarely went out. Not that I didn’t want to. Penny tried several times to drag me out of the apartment to let loose. Clementine had always been more important. My sole focus.
Now with the custody case closed, I sleep better and breathe easier. Leo signing away his parental rights was the most selfless and unexpected act. Burton and Kathryn Rooker now have assault charges on file and are undoubtedly being ridiculed in their community with a restraining order on record. I have never been a vindictive person, but I do believe in karma. And several years’ worth has unleashed upon them.
“Sure you’re good watching her tonight?”
Penny tilts her head. “You act as if I’ve never had girls’ night with Clementine before.” A palm rests over her heart as her eyes go wide. “You wound me.”
I throw my eyeliner at her. “Such a drama queen.”
“Be glad your makeup’s done, otherwise I’d be holding this hostage until you groveled for forgiveness.”
After applying my lipstick, I spin around and latch on to her neck. “You love me.” Penny shoves me as laughter spills from both of us. “Say it. Say you love me.”
“Will you get off me if I do?”
I peer up at the ceiling and pucker my lips, feigning contemplation. “Hmm… only if you mean it,” I tease.
