Page 21 of Down Memory Lane
Confused and irritable from lack of sexual release, Autumn threw aside her covers and got dressed. At least her clothes were comfortable. On top of everything else, having to go shopping for new attire was the last thing she wanted to do. Pulling on her jeans and off the shoulder sweater, Autumn adjusted her look in the mirror, frowning at the blonde roots that were showing in her otherwise pink hair. Surprisingly, that was the one thing out of all this that hadn’t ever caused her pause. Seeing her hair color in the hospital mirror hadn’t been as shocking as one might think.
The bright pink hue seemed like a natural fit for her, and Autumn took an immediate liking to it. She didn’t know who she was beyond her name and had no clue as to what her personality entailed beyond the few things she was figuring out as she went along, but there was no doubt in her mind that the pink was the perfect choice for her. What she didn’t like was seeing the shock of blonde near her hairline. Frowning at it, Autumn tried to cover it up as best she could by twisting a few strands before she threw her shoulder length hair into a ponytail and strode out into the kitchen.
Felix stood at the stovetop, his back to Autumn as he fiddled with something in a pan. Autumn’s feet stopped in their tracks as she took in the sight before her. His hair was up in a tiny bun, showing off the muscles of his shoulders and long neck. Her mouth pooled with saliva as her eyes traveled south to watch the movement of his back and arm muscles that were encased in a tight shirt. Moving lower, Autumn bit her lip as Felix shifted on his feet, his firm, tight ass more prominently displayed as he cocked his hip. His bare feet peeked out from underneath his jeans and even they were beautiful, long, strong, and well groomed.
Desperation clawed at her insides as Autumn stared at him with unveiled lust. It didn’t help that she now knew what he looked like underneath the clothes too. The photos he’d shown her a couple of weeks ago were seared into her memory. Autumn may not remember the trip itself, but images of Felix in nothing but a tiny swimsuit that barely covered the large bulge he carried around would be something she recalled with perfect clarity for the rest of her life. Was it a crime to pleasure yourself to thoughts of your friend in a swimsuit? If so, lock her up and throw away the key because she was now a repeat offender.
A low chuckle came from near the stove, drawing her attention off of Felix’s ass and up to where he had turned to look at her. “You okay, Auts?” She liked his nickname for her, though at the moment she wished he was calling her baby as he pounded her into the mattress instead. “You look a little lost.”
The truth was she felt a little lost, lost in a sea filled with her own hormones that were burning her up from the inside and pheromones pouring off of him that were adding fuel to the fire. Clearing her throat and ignoring the throbbing of her clit, Autumn walked over to Felix, making sure to keep a respectable distance lest she be tempted to jump his bones. “I’m good. Just still waking up.”
Felix nodded knowingly. “It did always take you awhile to get going in the morning,” He turned off the stove and scooped a pile of scrambled eggs onto two plates already filled with fruit and half a bagel with cream cheese. “Hopefully, this will help. We’ve got an appointment in an hour we can’t miss.”
Autumn thanked Felix with a smile and took her plate to the table. “What appointment?” she asked before groaning loudly at the thought of seeing the inside of another doctor’s office. “Please tell me I don’t have another checkup this week.”
The first appointment Autumn had with the local doctor had gone well, but she wasn’t exactly aching to return. Normal brain scans and cognitive tests gave her every reason to be happy, though it meant they still had no idea why her memory hadn’t come back. Autumn had also had a virtual appointment with the hospital surgeon, checking in on her current mood and going over the same scans she already had the day before. It seemed like overkill to her, but everyone kept reminding her that brain injuries were a big deal, even if she felt fine.
Chuckling, Felix splattered hot sauce all over his eggs before passing the bottle to her. Autumn liked the additional spice and heat it added to the dish and it seemed Felix had gotten over the shock of her food preferences changing as there was no awkwardness between them anymore. “No doctor today, but we do have a couple of appointments to get our hair done.”
Autumn looked at him quizzically. “We do?” She was just lamenting her roots showing, so either Felix was an incredible mind reader or this was a standing appointment from before the accident.
A faint blush painted his cheeks as he glanced down at his plate. “Um, yeah. Usually you dye your hair yourself, but I thought it would be nice to treat you to a little time at the salon,” He smiled at her, his almost dimples showing in a way that made him both sexy and adorable. “And in the spirit of trying new things and making new memories, I have one too.” Reaching up into his hair, he loosened his tiny bun until his walnut hair fell onto his shoulders. His fingers ran through the thick, wavy locks and Autumn’s fingers itched with the desire to do the same. “I figured it was time I got rid of the shaggy mess that my hair has become.”
Giving into the need to touch him, even a little, Autumn reached over and let the silky locks slip through her fingers. “I don’t know, Fe. I’m not sure I can handle a whole new you.” Felix’s breath stuttered and his eyes widened. Wondering if she’d overstepped, Autumn withdrew her hands immediately. “Sorry.”
Felix covered her hand with his and held it firmly. “You don’t have to apologize for touching me. Not ever.” His eyes transformed from aquamarine to forest green and back again as he looked at her. The colors were fascinating, but it was the flash of want that had Autumn’s own breath feeling a little shallower than normal. Felix broke the staring contest between them and removed his hand. “It’s just that you called me Fe. You haven’t done that since before.” He shrugged like it was no big deal, but she could tell it had meant a lot to him.
His being so touched by her use of his nickname had Autumn feeling a twinge of fondness in her own heart. “Well, I’m glad that a little piece of before has found its way back.” She shoved some eggs into her mouth before she could blurt out the question that had been plaguing her for days.Were we ever more than friends?Instead of asking that, Autumn tried to stay as far away from that topic or any others that would lead her back there. “Since we’re going to the salon, could you tell me when I started with the pink in the first place?”
Felix laughed and nodded as he pushed his already nearly empty plate away. The man could put away a lot of food quickly, giving her ideas as to other things he might be good at devouring, but luckily he interrupted before she could fall into an oral sex fantasy. “Um, sure.” He looked over her shoulder, his eyes going wistful and bright. Autumn could tell he was back in the past and she wished she could join him there, but if this was as good as she got, so be it. Watching Felix’s face as he reminisced wasn’t a consolation prize, but a joy in and of itself.
“Back in high school, there used to be spirit days to pump everyone up for the big football game or student council elections, which was kind of silly since the school was so small.” He rolled his eyes good naturedly, but she could tell he had fond memories attached to the events. “Anyway, our Junior year there was a crazy hair day and you dyed your hair pink and styled the front in a unicorn horn. We should see if your mom has a picture because it was awesome.”
Even though she had no memory, no point of reference other than the information he’d just given her, Autumn could picture herself doing that and joined in on his laughter. “So it’s been pink ever since?”
Felix seesawed his head. “Yes and no. After that you tried other colors like purple and blue, but after you tried teal and it looked more pea green than anything else, you’ve stuck with pink for the most part.” He reached over and tugged at a strand affectionately before pushing it over her shoulder. “Pink was always my favorite, though you do look good in any color.”
Autumn was drawn into his eyes once again as Felix stared at her so intently. The look of deep yearning in them made her ache to go to him and ask for more than he might be willing to give, but that could ruin everything they’d just built.
“Even the pea green?” she asked with a wry smile.
Felix nodded, his gaze intense. “You could dye your hair any color of the rainbow and you would still be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.” Their eyes remained locked as his words hung in the air between them. He was giving her every indication that he felt more than friendship, but she was still unsure of what to do. An alarm sounded from his pocket, the sound forcing them to break eye contact. “That’s the appointment reminder. Do you want to head out?”
Autumn stared at Felix. What she really wanted was to stay in their little bubble where everything was still unknown but she at least had him. Until she figured out exactly what she wanted from him though, it was probably safer to be out in public. “Sure. Let me just grab my purse.”
Fleeing to her bedroom, Autumn grabbed her things. As she turned to leave, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. In a few hours, her hair would look like it used to, but she probably wouldn’t be any different on the inside than she was in that moment.
A knock on the door had her eyes moving over to Felix who held out his hand to her. “Ready?” Autumn nodded and held his hand as they walked down to his car, the feel of his hard, calloused hands grounding her as her mind spun in a thousand different directions. Her past might not be something she had at the moment, but with Felix, she felt like she was creating something even better. A future.
