“Well, that’s probably better than leaving her with my siblings.”
My fingers caressed her arm as I reached for her hand, intertwining our fingers.
“They apologized. They were only looking after you because they love you.”
“Yeah, I know,” she said begrudgingly, the toe of her boot kicking at the grass.
I was too nervous to outright tell her I loved her, too. Something about speaking the words I’d never said before locked them deep in my chest. Instead, I found myself thanking her for what she did with the attic at my house and for believing in me when no one else had, especially when the pictures of us had surfaced. Autumn had no desire to be in the public eye under everyone’s scrutiny. It was why she detested small town living.
I’d already come up with backup plans if she found a job somewhere else because I couldn’t be without her.
“You know, if you take a job in Knoxville, or anywhere else, I’ve thought about renting out the place as a vacation home when I’m not using it.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Colton. At least not for a while. I turned down a job offer last Friday.”
“What? Why?”
“I could never be sure if they would hire me for my merit or because I was connected to you.” Quickly, she added, “And that’s not your fault, Colton.”
“So, you turned down a job because of me?”
“No, I turned down a job because of me. I’m good at what I do and I think the best use of my talent is going to be here, running our own venue. I’ll be able to make my own decisions and not worry about someone stealing my idea because they own the company.
“But, while it may not have been for you, there was a part of me that was hoping we could see where this goes.”
The smile that grew on my face was contagious as Autumn’s spread to match.
“That’s really good because I turned down almost all of the gigs my agent set up for me. I’ll only do a few of them that don’t require a lot of time away from Ashfield. Time away from you.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I love you, Autumn Easterly.”
Her eyes shimmered in the light of the setting sun. “I love you too, Colton,” she whispered before launching herself into my arms, her legs wrapping around either side of my waist.
Our lips met in a hungry kiss. Too much time had gone by and we were starved for each other. Tongues danced and hands roamed.
I growled her name as her center rubbed against my jean-clad erection. “I’m famished for you.”
Sliding down my body, my cock practically whimpered as she pulled away.
“I know just where to go,” the vixen replied, tugging me inside the barn. I followed her like a bewitched sap. I was completely under her spell.
She took us to an old office in the back corner and in lightning-fast time she had me stripped down and an equal amount of her own clothing removed.
There was no holding back when she pushed me to lean against the old desk, which I prayed would hold our weight, and straddled my hips. Autumn rode out both of our orgasms at an agonizingly slow pace.
Cradled against my body, the desk squeaked, but neither of us moved or cared. I’d take the brunt of the fall anyway. She would be protected so long as she was with me.
“They’re probably wondering where we are.” My fingers trailed up and down her spine and I loved the way her body shivered with each pass.
“Most likely,” she replied but made no hint of moving.
“I should go save Sadie.”
That information perked Autumn up and she bounced down from the desk. I groaned at the loss of contact and my unabashed stare at her swaying breasts.
“Get dressed, Colton. I want to meet your sister.”
“She’s not going anywhere,” I joked, only for Autumn to throw my hoodie at my chest.
“Yes, but she’s your family. This is huge.”
Grasping her arm, I waited for Autumn’s rush to change to stop.
“Autumn, you’re my family. You, Brett, and Lily, and the rest of the Easterlys are more family than I ever thought I deserved. It took meeting Sadie to realize that.”
“Oh, Colton. They all love you just as much as I do.”
“Hopefully in a different kind of way,” I teased as I finished tugging on my shoes.
“It’s definitely different. You didn’t steal their house from them.”
“You’re never going to let that go, are you?” I draped my arm across her shoulder.
“Not in a million years.”
I walked Autumn to her vehicle and then we caravanned back to the house. Upon entering, I kissed Autumn one more time because I knew once she met Sadie the two women were going to spend the rest of the night together.
