Page 41 of Beau & Autumn

She giggles, leaving the counter for a second to find the hot chocolate from the pantry. Wagging a finger at me she says, “This is all your fault.”

I think I like tipsy Autumn. She’s funny and endearing. “What’s my fault exactly?”

“You fixed my roof.”

“And that’s a problem?”

“No, of course not… I meant, it’s a problem that ever since that day I haven't been able to look at my gutters the same way.”

I like where this is going. She’s opening up. “And what way is that?”

She dumps two teaspoons of chocolate powder into the machine and adds milk. I’ve no idea what the heck she’s doing. “I just never took you to be… well… ripped.”

I blink a couple of times. “Ripped?”

“You keep repeating everything I say.”

That’s because I’m having a freaking coronary with everything that comes out of her mouth right now. “I work out. Glad you think I’m decent.”

She snorts, then presses her hand to her forehead. “Beau, I’m so sorry!”

“It’s fine,” I chuckle. “Really. What man wouldn’t want a woman like you sayin’ they’re ripped? I’m sure it has nothing to do with whatever you had to drink tonight.” I mutter the last part.

She pokes a finger into my chest. I glance down at it, unable to suppress the slight groan that leaves my throat. She is so fucking close to me. “I’m not a drinker.” She wobbles slightly. “But I admit, maybe I had a guzzle too many. You on the other hand… You never do anything wrong, do you Beauster?” She smiles up at me, like the sun shines out of my ass.

“I wouldn't say that.”

“I kept asking my friend Carrie, why can’t I find the right guy? Someone who’s kind, and funny, and appreciates me for who I am, and do you know what she said?”

I wait with bated breath, only able to shake my head as her finger presses into my pec.

“She said maybe your Prince Charming is right in front of you!”

My eyebrows raise in surprise. I think I like Carrie a whole lot more in the last thirty seconds. “She did, huh?”

Autumn nods. “And when I told her about my stupid family and their dumb ass rules, she came up with a plan. Do you want to hear it?” Her giggle has me unable to suppress my grin.

“Of course I want to hear it. As long as it doesn’t involve me having to do away with any of your potential suitors. I might know some shady people, but not enough to bury a body or anything.”

She sputters with laughter. “Beau! Stop it, my sides are hurting.” She puts the mug under the contraption and presses a button.

“So, Carrie?” I prompt. “What was her plan?”

“Oh! Get this! When I told her about my pathetic day at the bank and being flat broke and the only way out of it was to marry one of my Grandma’s hand-picked-dial-a-husbands, she suggested we get married!” She doubles over laughing. “As in, you and me! Can you believe it?”

I stare at her dumbfounded while she laughs like it’s the most hilarious thing she’s ever heard. Meanwhile, my heart thuds in my chest and my cock grows even harder imagining Autumn as my wife. My wife. Wifey. Oh, fuck. New fantasy unlocked.

“I’m speechless.”

She slaps me on the chest lightly. “I know! And then she went on to point out all the great things about you — which I already knew, of course. And how much my parents and Grandma liked you. Isn’t she a hoot?”

I’m still staring. “I guess…”

“You guess? Beau! You’d be my husband…”

Husband? Oh, no. I’ve reached euphoria just like that.

“And you’d be my wife. All your money problems would be solved.” The words come out without any humor.

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