Page 23 of Autumn & Woods
I braced myself. “What’s up, Ma?”
She took a breath, glancing at Autumn again. Her voice came out lower this time. “I ain’t mean to come off cold earlier. I’m… protective of my son.”
Autumn stayed quiet, respectful, but alert. I felt her shift slightly next to me.
Ma nodded slowly, like she was checking herself in real time. Her eyes bounced to mine. “I’m sorry for bringin’ old vibes around. I see the way you look at Autumn. The way she look at you. Y’all might got somethin’ there, and who am I to mess that up?” She looked at Autumn again, this time without the edge. “You welcome to come back around anytime, Autumn.”
She smiled, surprised but genuine. “Thank you. I appreciate that.”
Ma smirked, leaning in to kiss my cheek. Then she winked at Autumn. “Y’all be safe gettin’ back. Call me tomorrow, son,” she added, letting the screen door slam lightly behind her.
And with that, we walked to my rental truck. Autumn exhaled, a small laugh under her breath. “I guess this Thanksgiving turned out alright.”
I grinned, a spark of anticipation in my eyes. “We ain’t done yet.”
As I opened the passenger side for her and watched her climb in, pie tin on her lap and thighs all soft under that damn dress, I was picturing how many more times I could make her moan my name before the sun came up.
Is h o u l d ’ v ek n o w nWoods wasn’t taking me to just any hotel. The moment we pulled into the valet line outside The Arborian, I had to blink twice.
“Fancy hotel,” I said, my eyes drifting up to the black-and-gold sign carved into the marble awning.
He smirked, that dimpled half-grin on his face as he eased the truck into park. “Only way I prefer it.”
“Let me guess. You booked the presidential suite?”
“Of course. I’m a boss, baby.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Here you go…”
He leaned in just slightly, voice lower. “You’ll see soon enough.”
And just like that, my thighs pressed together on instinct. Before I could come up with a decent reply, the valet opened mydoor. I stepped out, trying to keep my composure like I hadn’t just been in his grandmother’s spare bedroom a few hours ago getting stuffed like a turkey. Like my lace panties weren’t still shoved inside my clutch.
The lobby made a statement. Velvet seating, oversized chandeliers, polished floors that caught every light. There was a clean, expensive scent in the air. The kind of fragrance money wore without saying a word. And of course, he walked through the space holding my hand like he owned it.
We rode the elevator to the top floor in silence, except for the soft jazz playing overhead and the quiet brush of his knuckles against mine. When he opened the suite door and stepped aside to let me walk in first, I wasn’t ready.
Glass walls surrounded the space, showing off the city skyline like a moving painting. A fireplace flickered in the corner. There was a full bar, a massive sectional couch, plush rugs, and a grand piano near the window. I stood still for a second, just taking it in.
“Okay, this is dope,” I said, finally moving deeper into the space. I passed the open double doors that led to the bedroom, already knowing it was going to look like something out of a luxury magazine.
Woods placed our leftovers in the mini kitchen's fridge and just watched me. That unreadable expression on his face. “You like it?” he asked.
I turned around slowly, nodding. “Yeah. I mean… it kind of gives ‘I move weight and hide the money in the walls’... but it’s nice.”
His laugh was deep and low, and I felt it in my chest before I heard it in my ears. “You got jokes, huh?” he asked.
“Maybe I do.” The moment stretched. Just a few seconds, but long enough for tension to build and settle right between us.
He leaned on the kitchen counter, letting his eyes drag down the length of me before meeting my gaze again. “Good to know.”
I broke eye contact first, walking over to the bar just to give myself something to do. “Wow. Fully stocked bar? They’re not playing around with these big bottles.”
“Tequila?” he offered, stepping up behind me. His body brushed against mine, just enough to remind me he was close. “You can have whatever you want.”
I grabbed the bottle of Don Julio and two glasses. Pouring up double shots, I handed him a glass and then held mine up between us. “To nothing but good vibes.”
He clinked his glass against mine. “To a good night.”
