“I see a woman that works tirelessly to make those she loves proud. And I think if the perfect job comes along, then you should take it. Your family won’t be upset so long as you’re happy. But I also think you need to let go.”
“Let what go?”
“Everything.”
The urge to bend down and kiss her was strong, and by the way Autumn’s eyes glazed over, I could tell that she was expecting it as well. It took every ounce of energy to pull back and drop my hands back to my sides.
“Want to show me around?” I asked, hoping that I didn’t just cause any forward motion I was making with Autumn to fall back.
“Um. . .yeah.”
The barn was much larger than I expected, with a second-story loft space used for storage and a non-working kitchen from when the ranchhands used to stay on property. Overall, I could see the appeal of Autumn’s vision.
“You know,” I said. “If you decide to continue with this venture, I’d be happy to help. I can even loan some of my crew for any serious work that needs to be done.”
I wasn’t sure what made me offer my services, but as the idea settled in my mind, I was happy with the choice.
“You’d do that?”
“Sure.” I shrugged as we headed back to the UTV. The sun had set and darkness blanketed the sky.
“What’s in it for you?”
Just as she tried to step toward the driver’s side of the vehicle, I reached out and tugged her against me, wrapping my arm around her slight body.
“Time with you.”
It had been torture walking around the barn for the last thirty minutes without being able to touch her. My body ached to taste her again. And now here in the darkness, I took that opportunity.
My mouth crashed against hers and as my tongue begged for entrance, it surprised me how willingly she opened up for me. My sweet obsession wanted me just as much as I wanted her.
Autumn’s hands clawed at my back over the thin cotton shirt I wore. I almost wished I hadn’t been wearing it so I could wear the scratches from her with pride.
My hands roamed around her hips until they rested on the globes of her bottom, my palms squeezing the round flesh in my palms. Fuck, her ass felt better than I imagined it would.
Our tongues danced against each other as we savored the kiss. Like a vampire in the night, I craved the soft skin of her neck. I wanted to feel her pulse beating against my lips. I wanted to smell the sweet scent of her perfume. I wanted to mark her.
Begrudgingly, I broke the kiss and placed the softest of pecks across her jaw as I made a path toward the sensitive spot just below her ear. I took delight in her soft moan as I nipped at the skin and then ran my tongue over the assault.
“I want you, Autumn,” I told her as I continued to nibble at her neck between kisses. Her body grew languid in my arms as she moaned. Her hips moved in the tiniest of circles against my rock-hard erection and my fingers flexed against their hold on her backside.
“Colton,” she groaned and I found myself falling into an abyss at the sound of my name from her lips. She was so responsive and all I’d done was given some attention to her neck. I couldn’t imagine how she would react if I gave that attention to every other part of her body.
“Hold on, baby.”
Lifting Autumn, she wrapped her legs around my waist and my cock threatened to explode like I was a teenager when I felt the warmth of her center against my jeans. In a few steps, I placed her on the edge of the Polaris, balancing her body in my arms as my lips never left their assault on her neck.
Autumn’s hand dove into my hair as I moved to the opposite side of her neck, exploring the spots that made her body tremble in response.
I knew I should stop, but I was so lost in her I barely heard her calling my name again. This time with urgency.
“Colton, stop. Someone’s coming.”
“What?” I asked in a lusty haze, my body aching as I pulled back from her, allowing her to jump down from the vehicle.
“I can hear another UTV coming.”
The lights of another vehicle crested the hill and illuminated the space around us. Thankfully, my erection had quickly subsided at Autumn’s words.
“Yeah,” I murmured as I took my seat.
“Colton, I. . .” she started as she took her own seat and turned on the ignition.
“Look, Autumn. You know I like you and I want to spend more time with you. Maybe outside of helping me with the house, you can show me some things around town? It could be a way to remember the things you like here.”
“You want to spend time with me?”
“I thought I had been very clear about it.”
Autumn had the decency to wince just as Nash pulled up beside us. Her father looked between the two of us and clearly put two pieces together.
“I don’t know if I should beat you or thank you,” he said directed to me and then turned his vehicle around.
The rest of our conversation came to an end as we followed her father back to the house.
Nash never mentioned anything more when we returned to the house. I thanked her parents for dinner and said goodbye to her siblings as I made my way from the house back to my truck. I was surprised when Autumn followed me out.
“About earlier,” she began, but I cut her off with a press of my lips against her cheek.
