Page 24 of Falling for Autumn
I tilted her chin. “You’re more than a package. You and Auburn are it. Y’all two make my days complete, Autumn. You don’t see me running away from that. I’m choosing to be right here with you and her. Right here,” I expressed, pressing my fist against her chest and then mine. “I’m trying to be connected like that.”
Tears ran down her face again, and she smiled. “You’re so sweet.”
I bent down and pressed my forehead against hers. “I’m nowhere near as sweet as you might think, ma.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead, stepped back, and reached for her hand.
We headed to her steps as I clicked my key fob and locked my car for the night. When she unlocked the door, she nervously asked, “Did you want to come in?”
“I’m just coming to check to make sure it’s safe for you, sweetheart. Stay right here in the living room,” I stated and closed the door behind me.
I walked through every room in her house and checked it before I returned.
“You’re all good, love,” I declared.
“Does this come with the territory of you being my man?”
“Bet, love. I always protect what’s mine, even if I have to sacrifice my life for it.”
Autumn smiled sweetly at me and replied, “I know that there was a dark cloud at one point during our day, but that rain only brought a beautiful rainbow into my life. Thank you for the day. It was beautiful.”
I reached out and dragged my thumb across her cheek. Her skin was soft and smooth. “You never have to thank me for what you deserve, baby.”
Her eyelashes fluttered, and she tipped up and pressed a kiss to my cheek, but I slowly turned my head. Cupping her face and holding it still, I dropped my gaze to her lips. She parted them and licked her lips.
Damn, I wanted to do the same thing. And before I could think it through, I did. I lowered my head, licked her lips, and kissed her deeply until she moaned. Autumn turned to face me fully and pressed her hands against my chest.
She clutched my jersey in her fingers, and I gripped her ass and pulled her closer. I wasn’t lying when I said I loved me a big girl. Always had, and I didn’t see myself changing that shit now, especially considering that the one woman I had been feeling for a minute was now mine.
As hard as it was to pull away, I did that shit. I cupped her face, pecked her lips sweetly, and brushed my lips across her forehead.
“Let me get up out of here before I can’t leave.”
“Okay,” she replied shyly and stepped back.
Autumn bit her bottom lip and followed me with her hands crossed behind her back. I turned in the doorway.
“Lock up behind me.”
“Okay.”
“Good night, beautiful.”
“Good night, sir.”
My heart felt full as I jogged down the steps and to my place next door. Autumn was a good woman, and I was damned lucky to have her.
Chapter 10
Autumn
Gold leaves twirled in the wind in a majestic autumn dance, falling to the ground. I stopped to pick up a red one and showed it to October, who was pushing Auburn’s stroller.
“One of my favorite reasons of the season.”
“Reminds me of Auburn’s hair.”
“It’s not that red.”
“I know, but when the sun hits it, it brings out a darker red hue.”
