Page 130 of Again, In Autumn

“Did you buy rubbers to bang some townie girl?” I ask because of my brain.

He chuckles, thankfully not put off by my incessant need to talk through this, and pulls a nipple into his teeth.

“No,” he says against my breast. “I bought them because the girl next door was hot as fuck, and I really hoped she’d want to have sex with me sometime.” Adam runs his tongue along my neck and sings, “And she did.”

Before I can say another word, he covers my mouth and hikes my leg up to his hip.

“Vee, just so you know, no one has ever –” He stops, eyes looking at me with such affection that I might start crying again. “I’ve compared everyone against you. And they’ve fallen short. Because…it’s you. I can’t give myself to anyone else like I already did, my soul won’t allow it. What we had was so real. I already belong to you.”

He drops his forehead to mine, and I kiss the corner of his mouth.

“Adam,” I breathe as he nuzzles my neck, that pesky tear popping up again.

He kisses the trail of water. “If you need to talk more, then I’ll narrate what I’m going to do to you.” He sighs. “But at least let me do it, please.”

“No more talking, I promise.” My other leg comes up to his other hip, snuggling him into the cradle of my thighs. “Proceed.”

After a second where he quietly laughs, Adam sinks inside of me.

That’s the moment where my brain truly shuts off. As he thrusts inside, slow and languid at first, his hands all over my body, I feel my worries slip away until it’s just the two of us. No fears or overthinking, no wondering what comes next or berating myself for not being able to have this sooner.

I don’t care what choices I made in the past. Everything I’ve done or said or felt has led me to this moment, where I’m in the arms of a man who loves and sees me for who I truly am.

His faster pace coaxes me toward a blossoming, and I unfold with a scream that Adam catches with his mouth. Within seconds, I’m warmed by his release.

All I can think of is…nothing.

I’m not a body right now.

Just a soul.

Chapter Thirty-Seven

That’s someone knocking on the door.

I wake wrapped in the soft, delicious comforter of the red room bed, my right leg and right arm dropped across Adam’s body. Someone’s skin feels warm and sticky, I don’t know if it’s his or mine, but I can’t remember the last time I’ve been this relaxed and cozy.

“Vienna?” Francesca calls from the other side of the door.

I push myself upright. “Oh my God, that’s Fran.”

“Hmm?” Adam groans, eyes closed. His arm reaches for me, but I push it away and shake his shoulder.

“Wake up!”

Finally, he opens his eyes as another demanding knock bangs on the door. “Don’t let her in,” he grumbles. He rolls onto his side. His face smushes into a pillow.

I whisper, “She won’t go away, and she will want to come into the room.”

My frantic hands pull back the covers, and Adam hisses when the air touches his cold, bare body.

“Get under the bed,” I demand, crawling to my feet.

“No.” He sits up on his elbows. “That’s insane.”

My phone rings and Francesca simultaneously shouts, “I hear your phone ringing. I’ve looked everywhere for you. I know you’re in there! I’m going to call the fire department if you don’t answer.”

Adam gives me an exhausted look and rolls himself to the ground, scooting underneath the bright red bed skirt.

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