Page 67 of Beau & Autumn

She smiles, taking a sip of wine, before sucking in her bottom lip for a moment. Her contented look; eyes closed, and a faint hum in her throat tells me she’s savoring the zesty pink liquid that hints flavors of fresh apple and lime. “Well, here’s to our future adventures as husband and wife.”

We’ve agreed to spill to my family over the next couple of days and then to her parents when we drive down there on the weekend. She has a wedding coming up the weekend after that, so we decide we’ll head down there Saturday and break the blessed news to them. Then we can start moving Autumn's belongings over, as well as her cat and any other thing she wants to bring with her.

We clean up after dinner and Autumn takes a shower while I dry the dishes and put them away. She comes out in her pajamas, which are a cute light pink silky set. She pulled her hair up high into a ponytail and washed her makeup off. She has very beautiful skin, her complexion a light olive with graceful high cheekbones. She looks just as exquisite fresh faced, and even younger than her thirty-three years.

“You all good, Wifey?” I’ve got my hand on the lever for the couch seat that opens to the foldaway, after I just threw all the cushions on the floor.

She smiles. “I’m good, Hubs. What are you doing?”

I pull the handle to the trundle and I maneuver it outward to open the bed up.“Making up my bed,” I say.

She gives me a pointed look. “Shouldn’t we be practicing sleeping together?”

I quirk an eyebrow. Holy shit.

“I mean to sleep,” she quickly amends. “Not… Uh… I can put pillows between us if you like?”

No, I wouldn't like that. I want nothing between us. But I don’t say what I’m thinking. “It’s okay.” I swallow my pride. “The couch looks comfy enough.”

“You’re sure?”

Uh, no. But sleeping in the same bed as Autumn would be torture if I can’t touch her. Complete and utter torture. “Uh, huh.”

“Okay, Hubs.”

There’s that word again. Hubs. I fucking love the way it sounds.

And I can’t help but wonder if there is something else there behind those pretty eyes?

Was it just me who felt that shock of electricity when we kissed?

And after a sparkling wine or two, I’m tempted to ask her. But I continue to pull the bed out and get myself sorted for the night. There’s extra sheets, blankets and pillows in the hall closet. She comes to help me with the bed.

“Are you sure you want to sleep out here? I mean, I’m not forcing you to come to bed.”

I internally groan at her words.

“It’s the gentlemanly thing to do.” I smirk.

She gives me a small smile. “And here I was thinking that Grayson Bassett was the smooth one.”

I chuckle. “I guess you got that wrong, huh?”

I’m a complete wuss. I can’t tell her it’s for the best. I wouldn’t get much sleep knowing she’s right there and there’s not a damned thing I can do about it.

Business transaction, I recite to myself again. Because that’s what it is.

Autumn and I aren’t going to stay together; we’ll do this for a while and work it out from there. I don’t want to think about that right now. I just want to think about what’s happening in this moment and enjoy it for what it is. Her being here.

“Thank you, Beauster,” she says after I’ve had my shower and I’m ready for bed. I usually sleep in just my boxers, but for her benefit I put on some longer PJ pants and a t-shirt.

“What for?” I look up into her captivating blue eyes as they pull me in. The same eyes that stood before me claiming her fake love for me. To always be there for me. For richer or poorer. For better or worse. In sickness and in health.

“For this,” she says. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it, how much I appreciate you.”

I watch her stretch up onto her toes, and to my own shock and astonishment she kisses me on the cheek.

It’s quick, soft, and very warm. It’s her touch that does it every time. I realize now that sleeping out here is the smart move because I want her. And I can’t have her.

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