by Siera London
Feeling confident, he slid lower, licking a heated path over her abdomen, past her navel down to her hip bone. Her skin, so smooth and soft, begged him to mark her. He wanted nothing less than to devour her. Gripping Autumn around the waist, Rui lifted.
He heard the catch in her breathing when he nipped directly over her mound.
"I want to taste you."
He thought he might have shocked her, but then hungry lite her eyes, and a slow smile spread across her full lips.
With a slight tilt, she held still at the perfect angle. With his hands circling her thighs, he used his mouth to explore her.
With the first flick of his tongue, she cried out and he was addicted. Rui could barely think straight. Her taste was sweet and wicked, sacred and cursed wine. He was lost in her.
"Take me."
He plunged forward until she exploded, and her honeyed taste fell upon his lips.
Autumn was breathtaking in her release. Every inch of her was exquisite in her surrender, warm, soft, caring, and real.
Before she could recover, Rui lifted, and lay her down beside him. Immediately he covered her body with his.
"Rui...what..."
He didn't speak. With deft hands, he applied the condom and pushed forward.
"Ahhh," she moaned.
"Move with me," he ordered, barely able to speak.
She gripped his shoulders, and he relished the bite of her nails digging into his skin. Being joined with her like this, he never wanted it to end. Like he promised, he kissed her, teased her, coaxed her, till he was almost out of his mind.
"Please, Rui. More."
His name tumbling from her lips stroked his male pride. He watched her. Auburn curls covered his pillow, and he could scent a hint of milk chocolate in the air. Tiny beads of sweat formed in the area above her lip like a garden of wild flowers just starting to bloom. Warm breath escaped her lips to dissipate in the valley of his chest with each movement. With her hands she stroked his arms, his chest, and lower, urging him on. Did she realize how generous she was with her lovemaking? Autumn wanted to be taken, claimed. She knew he loved her, reverenced her body. There would be a time for gentle later.
"Hold tight to me."
She did, and Rui gave them both the ride of their lives. Driving hard, he pushed until they both hung on the edge of complete ecstasy, and then they fell into the swirling eye together.
"Yes, Rui," she cried out.
Pressing himself deeper Rui felt the pull of her delicious pulsing waves and he let go in, giving himself over to the blinding pleasure. Any past, his or hers, was annihilated in their spent passion.
Autumn gripped his face. "I love you, too."
Panting for breath, he said, “I think I’m the happiest man alive.” He lowered his lips to her and ravished her mouth. He was in love with her…and she loved him too.
Hours later he asked, "Did I make you feel good?"
Beside him, Autumn shifted her head until their eyes connected.
"Hmmm, yes. I don't ever want to leave your bed."
Rui sipped at her lips, savoring the taste of her mouth. "Good. Cause I want you to stay in my bed and in my life."
Propped on one elbow, Autumn regarded him. "Rui."
"Yes, sweetheart," he said collapsing beside her on the bed, and pulling her into his side.
"I want to taste you now." Whoa. She wanted him after they had—after he'd been inside- "Yes, Rui. I want you just as you are."
As Autumn worked her way down his body, tasting him with her lips and tongue, life as Rui knew it forever changed. He'd sacrificed for his daughter, and now he'd do the same for this woman. There's nothing he would deny Autumn or hold back from her.
Chapter 8
Sometime after four o'clock, Autumn was having the best dream. Rui had her pinned against-
"What you doing in my daddy's bed?"
Autumn bolted upright, to see Simone, dressed in Wonder Woman pajamas glaring with eyes wide. Rui, seconds behind her, scrambled for the throw at the foot of the bed, tossing it over Autumn's bare shoulders like a granny wrap.
While Autumn struggled to find her voice, Rui spoke up.
"Simone, go back to bed."
"No. Where's Autumn's shirt?"
This was a poignant reminder that Autumn's relationship with Rui would definitely impact the open access Simone had to his bedroom.
Autumn stilled, curious to how Rui would handle their newfound status...in love...with his daughter. Unease skirted down Autumn's spine. What if Simone refused to accept their love? Would Rui toss her aside like so many before him? No, she told herself, even as doubt crept in and pulled out a yoga mat, settled in for a long na-ma-STAY.
"Simone," Rui snapped with more authority than Autumn had ever heard in his voice when dealing with one of Simone's demands.
Instead, of responding with a healthy dose of apprehension, Simone crossed her arms. "Is Autumn your girlfriend?"
Whoa. Autumn could use some pointers from this child on the direct approach.
Rui shook his head in frustration. Of course, both of them were nude beneath the sheets. It's not like either of them could escort her from the room.
He looked to Autumn, as if searching for an answer. Autumn could see the strain reflected in the tight folds formed around his eyes.
"No."
Wait. Had she heard him right? Was this the same man who had professed his love to her...but after the actual act, he couldn't claim her.
"So, you and Autumn are not boyfriend and girlfriend?"
"I answered your question," he said, adding a warning that neither one of them could miss. "Now, out you go, Simone."
There had to be more he had to say on the subject. What about “Simone, I'm in love with Autumn. We're going to be a family.” Darn it, why was he so quiet? Autumn looked to Simone. Ask another question, she thought. This time, Autumn wished the child had pushed for more answers.
The click of the door closing when Simone departed had Autumn waiting for an explanation. She sat still beside Rui, in stunned silence. What was one to say when love dimmed in the harsh reality of the day after the night to end all nights? This should have been the happiest day of her life. The man she loved, loved her right back.
"Rui," she began, having to ask him why he hadn't told Simone the truth.
"Wow," he looked over at her with equally shocked eyes, "I'll never leave that door unlocked again." He laughed, and then leaned over and gave her a kiss, deep and wet.
Autumn relaxed, so maybe last night would hold up to the burn of reality?
"Let's get dressed before she comes back."
Grinning, Autumn hopped from the bed, yelping when Rui gave her bottom a squeeze.
"You want to make an office call later today?" he asked, waggling his eyebrows.
Placing a hand on each hip, she posed. Delighted when Rui drank in an eyeful of her generous curves.
"You're being bad, professor."
Throwing black the covers, he rounded the bed, totally unaffected by his nudity.
"But, I'll be so good to you."
He certainly had been last night. When he took her in his arms, Autumn sighed.
"Hmm, come on, sweetheart. I have a very inquisitive eight-year-old with a stopwatch waiting."
He placed a quick kiss to her lips. "So, we do."
They walked into the kitchen twenty minutes later, side by side. Autumn would have liked to have Rui large hand holding hers in a show of solidarity, but maybe she was being a little naive.
Simone seemed to have regrouped, by the calculated look in her eyes.
"So, Autumn."
Uh oh. This was never a good sign. "Did you go to sleep in my dad's room all night?"
Very little sleep happened in her daddy's room. And Autumn hoped it continued, she was all kinds of sore and loving every sensation her body made her aware of.
"Simone," Rui interrupted infusing his voice with a calm that he obviously didn't feel. He inhaled deep,
and Autumn saw that he'd made a decision. "You know how Autumn likes to make us feel better... with special cookies and stuff."
Where the heck was he going with this? She'd given him all the cookies and the jar last night. Hell, she was thinking about how to gather up the crumbs and present those, too. Rui had given her hope when she had none. He'd saved her when she'd been on the brink of being lost.
"Yeah, I know."
"Well, Autumn gave me something nice...just for me."
Gave him something nice? She gave her freakin' heart to Rui Conners. How could he deny what they had? Something nice like a pair of her old sneakers? She'd given him the best of her. It may have been childish, considering she wanted him to profess his undying love for her to an eight-year-old with the same passion that she felt, but...hey it wasn't everyday a man claimed to love her. A man who had gone out of his way to concoct a cockamamie story about Autumn and her helping hand tendencies.
Simone wasn't a child to take anyone at face value.
She looked to Autumn, who had stood, and placed her plate in the sink.
"So, you were helping my daddy...in his room?"
Autumn's hand clenched into a fist. Did Rui realize how much he'd hurt her by denying everything they'd shared last night? Did he plan to keep their relationship a secret from Simone...from everyone?
"You heard your daddy," she said. Autumn tried to keep the hurt out of her voice, but the sharp turn of Rui’s head in her direction must have given something away.
"Simone, go grab your helmet. I'll take you for a bike ride."
Not we'll take you. She felt the push of her nose against the glass. Even after their night together, Autumn felt the thunk of hitting her head against that invisible barrier that kept her on the outside of everyone's life.
"Yes," Simone fist-pumped her arm. Disappearing from sight, the little interrogator left with a smile on her face. Autumn's happiness vanished with each passing minute as Rui's explanation to his daughter acted like tiny landmines, each one blowing open a dark crater.
Keeping her eyes averted, she walked past him. Time to put some distance between herself and this man. Mind set on escape, she looked not left or right, but straight ahead.
She jerked when Rui grabbed her waist, stopping her. His hold as firm on her skin as it was around her heart. God this hurt. Autumn didn't struggle because it was useless to try to break his hold.
"You okay?"
At this point talking was off the agenda. Distance and time would help. So, she said the words that held the quickest route to her goals. Out.
"Of course."
He looked down at her, those onyx eyes seeing what she refused to say. Autumn met his stare with a boldness she didn't feel. No, she felt weak. Weak for a man who had loved her so completely, she couldn't see her body without seeing his.
"Now, why don't I believe you?"
Well, that made two of them. She wasn't sure she believed what he said last night.
"Let me go, Rui."
His grip on her hand tightened. That had to mean something, right? No, his caring for others would always be there, but caring didn't mean love.
"No, tell me what's going on?"
Lifting her chin, Autumn ignored his question. With her feelings raw and the wounds of his words fresh in her heart and mind, now wasn't the time to expose this new vulnerability. There had been enough of that in his arms well into the night.
"I told Ivy I'd stop by." It was the truth. She'd planned to visit No Limit tomorrow, but today was as good as any.
She twisted her wrist. "Let go."
Again, he didn't release her, but held on tighter.
"Hey," he growled. "I love you."
She noticed the slight catch in his breath like the words were foreign, too new to be comfortable rolling off his tongue. Well, she didn't suffer with the same ailment. She had no intention of returning the sentiment. Once would have to be enough.
"I remember," she clipped. She would never forget.
Rui's eyes flashed with concern, and then a fixedly determined spark. He grabbed her face, his familiar hands warm and comforting against her skin, and then he kissed her. Initially, she resisted the invasion. As he parted her lips with gentle, yet demanding strokes, the passion born of the night, burst through its cage running into the light of today. Slowly, he coaxed her into compliance. Knees weak, Rui pulled her in close, keeping her upright when all she wanted was the weight of him atop of her, pressing, and then driving deeper.
"I do," he breathed into her hungry mouth, "love you. She's eight. Her mom is gone. Be patient with us."
Autumn felt her heart softening, but then she heard Rui's denial on repeat in her head. She broke free.
"Rui, I have to go."
"After I drop Simone at gymnastics, I'll head for the office. Stop by later."
How convenient she'd become for him. Rui had become accustom to her 'ready to serve' attitude. Not this time. Last night changed everything, at least for her. Moving out of his embrace, Autumn grabbed her purse and keys from the counter.
"Can't. I'm helping someone else feel better," because she couldn't feel any worse.
* * *
Rui felt unease the moment Autumn walked away from him. Leaving him not just physically alone, no, her withdrawal ached like a doctor had cut him open and removed a vital organ, his heart, maybe. He would fix this. And wasn't that the running shoe kick to the gonads, he was always having to fix something he'd messed up with her. How many chances would she allow him? In his head he prayed this wasn't the last song in their play list. Last night, as he made Autumn his, of course, his brain conjured up plans for a future, that included wedding vows, promises of forever, and babies. At the thought of Autumn round with his child, Rui adjusted himself. His woman, his baby, and a little brother or sister for Simone to love...yes, that was their destiny. A part of him wanted to follow Autumn to Owen and Ivy's place. Instead, he dropped Simone off, skipped the office, and drove toward the Abel Burney golf course. He had two hours to plan his apology.
Jose Primavera, the proprietor of the construction firm by the same name pulled up along side him.
Rui, pulling his clubs over his shoulder, closed the trunk, and rounded his vehicle. "You going out?"
He asked more out of politeness rather than wanting the company.
"Nope, just need to hit something, really hard."
Rui chuckled, thinking about his morning with Autumn, and the hurt he saw in her eyes. "I feel you."
He rethought his plan to be alone. Maybe, he could use some new perspective on his relationship with Autumn. Everyone in Endurance knew Jose had a thing for Amelie Bishop, the curator at the museum.
"You, Rui?" Jose questioned.
Rui bristled at the doubt in the other man's voice. It's not like his life was perfect. True he had freeze-dried his life waiting for his ex-wife to realize the terrible mistake she'd made in leaving him and her daughter behind. Here recently, Rui was beginning to believe he was the one who'd made a mistake...for waiting for a woman who'd walked out of his life and never looked back.
"Don't need your prejudice, Jose," he snapped.
Through the open window, Jose raised both hands in surrender.
"Whoa, gringo."
The comment had the desired effect. Both men chuckled. "You're an ass."
Jose stepped from the car. "You name calling have anything to do with your nanny? Owen mentioned you’ve been acting pretty assy lately."
Rui pulled up short. Assy. Men don't act assy. He’d be sure to tell Owen that the next time he visited No Limit.
"Autumn's not the nanny," he growled. She was the woman he loved. Yes, she may have entered his home under the guise of caring for Simone, but if he was honest with himself Rui had wanted her the moment he saw her in No Limit Bar & Grille.
Jose used his index fingers to make a cross. "Back," he scoffed, "the power of Christ compels you."
Rui spun on his heels. "You coming or not?"
&nb
sp; The sound of aluminum clubs clanging together sounded behind him.
"Geesh, you're grumpy when you're having woman problems."
Up ending a club, Rui closed his hand around the grip, and swung. "Who said anything about a woman?"
Jose shook his head. "You got it bad," he said dropping a ball, and positioning himself behind his driver.
It was time to change the subject. He was just about to take another swing when Abel Burney joined them.
"Gentlemen," he said. Abel was the oldest of the three, somewhere north of forty. Abel's son, Jamal was over eighteen, out of the house, leaving the bachelor free to date the Sports Complicated journalist, Julie Kratzner.
Rui lifted his head, losing sight of the ball he drove harder than run over shoes.
"You playing this morning?" Not that Rui had time for a full round, but nine holes might do him some good. Golf allowed a man to think, separate the jumble of thoughts running roughshod over his common sense. Shoot, Autumn was making him crazy. From the moment he'd touched her, he'd been running, eyes closed into a cement wall.
"No, I'm not here to play, dumb genius."
The burst of laughter from Jose, drew a few disapproving looks for the surrounding golf enthusiasts.
Rui narrowed his eyes on the club owner, not in the mood for playing. "Care to explain?"
"Yeah, I would," Abel said getting in his face.
"I'm waiting."
Rui saw the strain around his friend's eyes. His spine went rigid. This couldn't be good.
"What is it?"
"Just left my woman over at No Limit."
Rui scoffed, pissed that he assumed Abel's issue involved him somehow.
"Since you looked pissed, you should've stayed and worked it out."
Abel leveled him with a pointed glare. "Sounds like a man who should take his own advice."
A pit opened in Rui's gut. Autumn. This was about Autumn. Dropping all pretense of interest in the range, he turned to face Abel, shoulders squared.