Finding Autumn (7 page)

He tilts his head back, eyes aflame with emotion. “Where did you come from, Autumn Winters?”

“What do you mean?” I ask, his eyes holding me captive, my breath stolen from me when the words tumble from his lips.

“You’re like an angel that dropped out of the sky. I’ve never believed in them before, but… there’s something about you….” His words trail off and with the gentlest of hands, his fingers brush my cheek before he touches his lips to mine. This kiss feels different, feathery and light, like the wings of a butterfly. My mouth moves against his, slow and deliberate, while his hand comes around to the back of my neck, bringing me closer. He coaxes the seam of my mouth open, our tongues sliding together languidly. A groan climbs from his chest, sending a warm vibration coursing through me, goose bumps popping up all over my skin.

This feels like so much more than just a kiss. It feels like a confession.

Seconds turn into minutes, minutes stretch into hours, yet we remain unmoving, my chin resting on his shoulder, arms wrapped around one another, limbs entangled. We’re clinging to each other as if we can’t bear to be apart, and it’s the oddest sensation. There’s something inside of me desperate to comfort him, to care for him, to lift him from this dark place. I stroke the back of his neck, my lips whispering against his ear. “Let me be here for you, Hunter, let me try to take some of it away for you.”

His stubble tickles my cheek as he turns his head, his dark eyes penetrating mine. “Jesus, I can’t be near you without touching you, without wanting you.”

“Good,” I say as our mouths fuse together, immediately opening to let the other in. The sensation of his tongue against mine, his taste, his scent, are making my body buzz. I want him everywhere: on top of me, below me, behind me. As if reading my mind, knowing my thoughts, he shifts me suddenly so I’m straddling him, never breaking our contact, our tongues tangled, lips devouring one another until he slows the kiss, his breath the softest whisper.

“Autumn, sweet Autumn,” he croons, his nose circling my jaw. “You’re so beautiful,” he murmurs into the curve of my neck, suckling my skin, easing his hand down the slope of my back, urging me closer. Hearing him talk to me like this, a coil of desire and longing snaps inside of me, unleashing itself. I can feel his erection, thick and hard beneath me and it spurs me on, my hands sliding over his chest, mapping the planes of his muscles, my pussy wet and writhing against him.

“You’re wearing my shirt.” He smiles, before grabbing the hem, lifting it over my head, and tossing it to the floor. “I like you in my shirt, but I like seeing your tits more,” he says devilishly, his eyes glued to my painfully sensitive crests, hardened further by his salacious gaze. He brings a hand up to cup my breast, his thumb brushing back and forth over my erect nipple, before letting his fingers roam lower, gasping when he reaches my hot, aroused pussy.

“You’re hard,” I whimper, my mouth watering at the thought of tasting him.

“You’re wet,” he comes back with, and I’m not sure wet covers it.

“It’s a good combination,” I breathe out, before taking him by surprise and pushing him back on the bed, my body a blanket over his. Getting close to his ear, my teeth grazing his lobe, I whisper, “I want to suck you until you come in my mouth.”

His breath catches, a low groan his only response as I feather kisses down his corded neck, his shoulders, his chest, pausing to lick at his nipples, his hands threading through my hair. I continue lower, my lips drowning his skin with attention, anticipation. When I reach the tiny trail of hair leading to his arousal, I glance up at him, licking my lips, and he inhales a sharp breath. I can’t wait to taste him.

Gripping the base of his shaft, I slowly glide my wet lips over the head, swirling my tongue around and around. His skin is smooth and velvety, and my mouth works him, taking his cock all the way to the back of my throat. I can feel his eyes, watching, and it emboldens me, wanting this to be good for him. I slide him back out, licking up and down his dick, my clit swollen and throbbing, needing him inside me. He grabs a handful of my hair, holding me just where he wants me, and I suck him hard, pumping his cock as his pelvis rises off the bed.

“Christ, your mouth, Autumn. You’re so warm and wet. God, I love fucking your mouth,” he says hoarsely, his breath coming in shallow bursts.

Oh, God, I’m going to come all over myself if he keeps talking like that.

His hips begin to roll forward, hands guiding me, heavy moans streaming from his lips as I pull him deeper. “Autumn,” he groans loudly. “I’m gonna come, baby,” he groans, his voice strained, eyes closing, lips parting on a shallow breath as his salty liquid shoots into my mouth. I take it all, swallowing every last drop, before crawling back up his body, cuddling into his chest. The sound of his rapidly beating heart settles under my cheek, and for some reason, I’m grinning like a loon. I’ve never enjoyed blowjobs this much before, but he has the most divine cock, and I
definitely
want to do that again.

Strong arms engulf me, interrupting my burning thoughts, his hand coming up to stroke my hair. “That felt amazing,”

“Hmmm, you taste amazing.” I grin, hooking my leg over his, wetness dripping down his thigh.

“Autumn,” he summons quietly, his voice sounds strange and I raise my head.

“Hmm?”

“Thank you, for… what you said before, about my brother,” he murmurs, sweetness pouring from his words, my belly fluttering in response.

“You’re welcome,” I reply, pressing my lips to his, lingering there, soaking up his breath, his taste, his… everything. A sigh escapes, a yawn following its path.

“You’re exhausted and we should get to bed.” He tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear and kisses my cheek. “Goodnight, Autumn.”

There’s a nagging heaviness in my stomach. “That’s not my name,” I want to blurt out. I’ve already shown him more of me than I ever have anyone else, so why not tell him? My mouth opens, but I can’t form the words. Instead, I close my eyes and fall fast asleep.

Chapter Six

~Hunter~

I don’t want to go, but I really need to get to Rex’s place. Quietly, I ease myself off the mattress, gather my clothes from the floor, and find clean ones in my suitcase. There’s a chair across from the bed and I sit down, leaning back, thumb under my chin, finger resting against my mouth, and take a moment to admire Autumn; her dark locks flowing across the pillow like a waterfall, long, lush eyelashes sweeping down her cheeks, lovely face fitted with those perfectly shaped lips. And she’s very sweet
. Very
sweet. I close my eyes as visions of those plump lips wrapped around my cock last night come rushing back. I’m already hard again.

She wakes up just as I’m adjusting myself; her arms stretching above her head, eyes fluttering open. She’s perfect. I’m so accustomed to waking up with women who have a full face of makeup on—God forbid I should see them without their eyeliner—but not Autumn. She really is a natural beauty. As I think about it, her name fits her perfectly, like the prettiest of fall days; the trees alight with oranges and golds. Beauty in its purest form.

“Hey,” she mutters, rubbing her eyes, her voice sleepy, downright sexy as hell.

“Morning, sweetheart, did you sleep well?” I ask, toeing on my shoes.

“Yes, you?” She sits up, the sheet falling away, those pink nipples drawing my attention.

I clear my throat, attempting to stand up without my dick requesting an audience. “Very well, thanks.”

“Oh shit,” she calls out, springing from the bed, “I need to shower quickly and get downstairs for the seminar.” She unzips her suitcase and begins digging through it, yanking out various items of clothing as I walk up behind her.

“So, listen, I have to get going.”

Immediately, she stops what she’s doing and faces me. “Okay,” she tells me, and I think I hear a touch of disappointment in her voice. Maybe I’m looking for something that isn’t there.

“I was thinking,” I ponder aloud, my fingers caressing her cheek, “maybe we could have dinner tonight when the seminar’s over?”

“Yes, I’d like that,” she responds, making me instantly grin.

“Great. I’m going to spend the day with my brother.” I drape her tousled hair over her shoulders. “How about if I pick you up at… say, six?”

“That’s perfect. Oh, can we go somewhere casual? I didn’t bring anything that dressy to wear.”

“Absolutely. I’d prefer it.”

“I’ll walk you out,” she offers, and I stare down at her delicious body. The only place I want to go is back to bed.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, sweetheart. I’ll never leave.”

She giggles before rising up on her tippy toes, softly brushing her lips against mine. “I had a great time yesterday, thank you.”

“As did I, Autumn,” I reply, noticing she winces when I say her name. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she claims, painting on a smile.

“Hmph. Okay,” I relent, though I’m not sure I believe her. “So I’ll see you tonight.” I grab the handle on the door, but turn back. “I think I need one more kiss before I leave. You know, just to tide me over.”

A larger than life smile envelops her face before she takes two steps to stand in front of me. She holds up a finger, waving it. “One kiss.”

My arms dart out to grab her, catching her by surprise, towing her to my chest. She giggles, the happy sound tugging at my heartstrings.

I won’t lie. Not about this. I like the sound of it—a lot.

With one gaze into Autumn’s soulful blue eyes, my mouth tenderly meet hers. She parts her lips, luring me in with that warm tongue, and I groan at her sweet taste, willing her closer. Angling her head to the side, I deepen the kiss and she melts into me, curling the fingers of her hands into the hair at the nape of my neck, a shiver rippling down my back. I love the feel of her mouth, I’m not anxious to leave it.

All too soon, though, her lips become lighter against mine and she breaks the kiss, leaving me wanting more of this, more of her.

“Until tonight, sweet Autumn.” I wink, roving her body and those magnificent blue eyes one last time before I head out.

“Until tonight,” I hear her say, as the door closes behind me.

“Great. The elevator’s out of service,” I mutter to myself, scanning the fifteen flights of stairs I have to climb to get to Rex’s apartment. Exhausted, I lift my suitcase, trudging up the stairs at a snail’s pace, wiping a bucket of sweat along the way. By the time I make it to Rex’s door, beads of moisture are dripping from my forehead. They need to get that damn elevator fixed.

He opens the door just as I’m about to knock. “Well, well, if it isn’t my rich tycoon of a brother. Nice of you to show up whenever you feel like it.”

“Good to see you, too, Rex,” I retort, walking inside, dropping my suitcase, and plopping down on the brown leather couch. “Man, those stairs are killer. You need to make sure they get that elevator fixed.”

“What’s wrong, pretty boy?” he cackles. “Upset we don’t have all the modern luxuries that you have in Manhattan?” He drops down beside me on the sofa, kicking his feet up on the coffee table.

“Fuck you,” I sneer.

“Ooooh, you swear now?” He chuckles, and I smack him across the head.

When his head falls forward, I spot yet another tattoo that I don’t recognize. It’s a pair of angel wings with a dagger running through their center. “You got another tatt?”

“Yeah.” He touches his hand to the back of his neck. “I got it about two weeks ago. One of the guys at the shop did it.”

“It’s really good.”

“Thanks. You should think about it, bro. I’d love to ink that virgin skin of yours.”

I knot my hands behind my head. “I know you would.”

“You want a beer?” He pushes up from the couch and heads toward the galley kitchen.

I glance down at my watch. “It’s only ten, but sure, what the hell.”

He spins around, gesturing with his hands as if he’s balancing them. “Wow, what’s with all the swearing? You’re really teetering on the edge. I like it.”

A gust of air leaves my mouth and I shake my head. As he walks off, I can’t help but notice his relaxed swagger, a twinge of jealousy puncturing my chest. Ripped jeans, concert t-shirt, tattoos. He has such a laid-back attitude and loves what he does. I release a frustrated sigh. If only it were that simple.

I’m a bit of an overachiever, always have been. I knew from a young age that I wanted to be successful, but the need to have it happen consumed me after my father died. There was no way I’d live under my mother’s thumb. I didn’t want to have to rely on her for anything. Plus, she always acted like I owed her something, and I owed her nothing.

I drove myself into the ground with my studies. Everything else fell to the wayside. Nothing else seemed important. Straight A’s through middle school, honors classes in high school, and then finally achieving my ultimate goal—admission into Harvard.

By the time I graduated, I had my pick of offers with various companies around the country. Still wanting to be in New York City, I took a position at a venture capital firm. I worked my ass off, earned several promotions, then took that knowledge, and moved on. A few years later, at the age of twenty-five, I started my own software company, and the rest is history.