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Gage throws his head back and laughs. “Autumn, you got me in detention a lot.”
“Psh. It wasn’t that much. You make me sound like a juvenile delinquent or something. I was a sweet lamb.”
Gage snorts. “More like a spitting llama.”
Autumn laughs at that. Full out, throws her head back and laughs hard and loudly. There’s nothing inherently sexy about it, except the pure joy that takes over her expression. That in this moment, she completely let go. She’s purely herself.
“Man, I’ve missed you,” she says affectionately.
Gage moves over to her chaise and pulls her into a side hug. “Me too, Atwood. And honestly, it was a pleasure to serve detention with you. You only spit on those who truly deserved it.”
Even though it’s completely platonic, I really don’t like Gage’s arm around Autumn. I don’t like how easy it is for him to touch her. That he gets her smiles and laughs. That he knows her, and her secrets. I want those things. I want them to be mine. Only mine.
Hell, what is wrong with me? I can’t be having ‘mine’ thoughts about a woman I met a few hours ago. And I especially can’t be having them for a client.
“And I love your girl,” she says, smiling at Everleigh before she looks at Gage. “Did she tell you we’re already BFFs?”
There’s enough looseness to Autumn’s voice to tell me that the wine has started to kick in.
Gage shakes his head, smiling. “Why am I not surprised? She tell you she’s been fangirling ever since I told her I knew you?”
“She’s been keeping her fangirl under control. Because she’s cool like that, right?” Autumn winks at Everleigh.
“Right. I’m totally cool. The coolest,” Everleigh says as she finishes off her wine in a quick swallow. Then she looks at Gage. “Do we really have to go? Getting drunk with Autumn Atwood sounds way more fun than sitting in a hotel room while you’re in a meeting.”
“Babe, you know you want to be sober for what comes after the meeting. Maybe before the meeting too, if we hurry.”
Everleigh’s gaze sparks with excitement.
“Oh my God, you two are horndogs.” Autumn pushes Gage away from her. “Go! Go fuck and be merry.”
Gage laughs and gives her another hug before standing and coming over to me while the girls hug and say good-bye.
“Everything all good here?”
“Yeah, everything is set up and working properly.”
“Ready for this one?” Gage nods his head toward Autumn. “She can be a handful as you can see.”
“I can handle her,” I say with more confidence than I feel.
Gage chuckles and gives me a fist bump. “Hopefully, she doesn’t handle you first.”
* * *
Autumn Atwood is going to be the death of me.
After Gage and Everleigh left, Autumn gave me a ‘get lost’ glance as she poured a fresh glass of wine. So, I left her on the patio and disappeared into my room and buried myself in work that had nothing to do with this current job. An hour later, movement on the pool camera grabs my attention. Autumn is peeling off her clothes and stepping into the pool completely naked. In broad daylight.
We might be secluded here, but we aren’t devoid of neighbors. Just what she needs after the day of attention she’s gotten is some nude pictures ending up on the internet. I swear, this woman is a walking scandal.
I get up and find a towel then head to the back patio. “What the hell are you doing?”
She’s at the infinity wall, a fresh glass of wine in her hand as she gazes out at the view. She turns at the sound of my voice. She’s wearing sunglasses which might conceal her identity some, but it’s not nearly enough.
“Swimming.”
“Naked?”
