Men of Endurance Limited Edition Collection

by Siera London

  "What happened?" he asked.

  "Autumn happened, that's what."

  At the mention of her name, his suspicions confirmed, Rui had his bag in hand, ready to drive to her.

  "Wait," Abel snapped.

  "She's upset. All the women," he turned to face Jose, "yours, too, are with her."

  Rui didn't care who was there. He needed to get to Autumn.

  "Rui, I heard the words “leave him” and “get out of there” a few times."

  What the hay? "So, you let them all poison her against me?" he roared.

  Instead of responding, Abel just stared, pissing Rui off more.

  “Seems to me, you set yourself up without any help from the women."

  He stepped into Abel's space. "You think to tell me what to do with my woman."

  When Abel narrowed the distance, Jose jumped between them.

  "Hang on, gringos. No fighting allowed."

  Rui didn't move, just kept his eyes on Abel. "There's no fight, Jose," Abel said meeting Rui's gaze. "I think it’s clear to me and the women that Rui's laying claim before sealing the deal."

  Oh, he'd sealed all right. Every inch of Autumn's body bore his mark. Ready to correct Abel's false assumption, he opened his mouth, but then his phone buzzed. In the serene quiet of the green rolling hills, the unwanted interruption seemed even more intrusive, but it cut through the tension. Jose looked relieved when Abel turned and disappeared into the clubhouse. Fumbling with the zippered pocket on his jacket, he fished out the thing, punching the control key by accident. Kirsten's lyrical voice, the husky lilt of seduction that used to set his blood to boil, caressed his eardrum.

  "Rui," she laughed. He could hear the smile, picturing the subtle upturn of her painted lips. "It's me, silly. Say something."

  A picture of Autumn, asleep in his arms flashed in his brain like a Las Vegas sign. Autumn who loved him. Autumn who cared for him and Simone. Rui's heart began to beat faster. For Autumn, he thought...for us. Without a hint of remorse, Rui pressed the control key again, disconnecting the call. For us.

  * * *

  Autumn could see concerned eyes studying her. Julie, Amelie, Cherron, and Ivy were gathered around the kitchen table in the private quarters attached to No Limit.

  "You had better stop playing Netty Crocker for Professor Conners," Ivy steamed.

  Everyone's mouth fell open and Autumn was silently thankful that Owen and his five-year-old had made themselves scare. Cai was a voice recorder when adults were nearby.

  Autumn frowned at the woman of the roundtable. "It's my job."

  Cherron, her voice light with the familiar stammer she kept quiet to hide. "Your, your...job is Simone. Not, not letting her father dip his spoon in the, the batter," she said, nodding her head.

  As the other women nodded their head in agreement, Autumn felt a wave of sadness strike her body. Even though she was seated, she felt like she was swaying on her feet. They were right, of course. She'd done what she always did. Overstepped her scope of responsibility. Simone needed her, but somehow Autumn had incorporated Rui's needs into her job description.

  "Autumn," Ivy touched her hand. When she looked up she saw more than outrage, and concern in her friend's face, she recognized a shared awareness. "I know how you feel."

  How could she? Had Ivy and Owen's attraction started with a whirlwind kiss, and then culminated in a night of freaky, hot butt naked sex? Had their morning come with a nosey eight-year-old demanding to know why she was in daddy's bed? She gave a laugh, drawing the attention of her friends.

  "I'll be fine," Autumn reassured them all.

  Julie spoke up. "You know the little blue house on Dodger Lane is available for rent."

  The journalist had come to town a year ago she'd heard. The house on Dodger Lane with its white picket fence, flower garden, and covered porch would be perfect...for someone else. Yes, she'd used the money Rui paid her to catch up her bills. Which left just enough for a pack of Now & Later and a can of potted meat.

  "Thanks...but," she told these women, who'd become more than friends. They were her support system. One she thought to never have. "I can't afford to leave."

  Amelia slapped the table. "That's crap. You can stay with us."

  Had it really come to this? Maybe, she'd jumped the gun sharing that her lover had denied everything between them. Clearly, she and Rui needed to talk. It was only fair that she tell the man she'd shared her body with how she felt.

  "Let's not be too hasty." Too late for that she thought as an image of her tangled in Rui's arms danced in her head.

  "No such th-ing," Cherron said. "You have options."

  She couldn't leave Rui. He said he loved her. She loved him, too.

  "Cherron's right. Maybe you should come stay here," Ivy offered. "Just for a few days."

  "It could clear your head," Amelie whispered, a warm smile on her face. "Or if you want to make him jealous. I could send Kenny by your place."

  All the women groaned. Kenny's expertise lay with collectibles. For some reason he was a few tools short in the romance department.

  "I love Rui. You don't leave people you love." A sensation she hadn't felt in a long time gripped her heart. Hadn't a man whispered those same words to her before? A man she'd given her virginity. Quickly, Autumn shut her eyes against the pain.

  Walker had come into her life at the most vulnerable time. At eighteen, Autumn had been a short girl with too many curves, too little confidence, and no one to protect her. When one of the guys on campus had cornered her in an unpopulated stairwell, it was Walker who'd saved her from the creep’s nefarious intentions.

  From that day forward, she and Walker had been inseparable. She'd worshipped at his altar...with her mind, body and soul. Eighteen months later when she found him in bed with her aunt, that love had continued. She waited on him to come to his senses until the day the two had exchanged wedding vows and Walker moved in. Heartbroken, she withdrew from her classes and found a room-for-rent near the USD campus. Running and music had saved her sanity. She'd sworn never to allow herself to be hurt that way again. Six years later, she enrolled in school, loaded up her ratty belongings and even rattier car and headed for Endurance.

  "Thanks for listening, but I should head home."

  Another round of offers flowed between them, but Autumn politely declined them all. Friends and family should not be yanked into private drama. She had given Rui her love, but this time she would be more careful with her heart.

  Chapter 9

  Rui slammed the door as he strode into the kitchen.

  "Autumn," he called. A water pipe ruptured on Bragg Avenue just outside of the course. Traffic had flown at a wheelchair-bound snail's pace. By then, he had to rush to pick up Simone from gymnastics. He arrived at No Limit to find Autumn gone and a steaming plate of stinky eye from Ivy. Whatever Autumn had said, he could feel the pressure building in his chest. Had she decided to leave him?

  "Autumn," he called again. Checking the family room, he spied the formal areas of the house to find them empty. Rounding the hallway leading past his office to Autumn and Simone's part of the house, he paused outside of her door and then knocked.

  "Sweetheart," he whispered, "open the door." Her car was in the drive, so she had to be in there. He tried the knob. It was locked. Prepared to go out and search for her if need be, Rui heard her voice and paused. She was talking. She must have been outside on the patio and hadn't heard him knocking.

  Rui thought to give her some privacy. Turning, he heard her laughter and instantly his heart felt lighter. They would be fine, he would make it so as soon as she finished the call.

  "So, when can I see you again?"

  Rui froze. The siren blaring in his ear was nothing compared to the grinding of his teeth. A man was in his house...with Autumn, behind a locked door.

  She laughed again, this time the tone was gentle, soft, flirty. Rui didn't stop to think. He acted. Spinning, he pushed all his strength into the kick and landed a shat
tering blow against the door lock. Wood creaked, and then splintered.

  Autumn's scream ripped through the room. A man, shorter, but fit, moved to stand in front of her. Perfect. Rui could murder him without hurting Autumn.

  "Get out," Rui barked, keeping his eyes on Autumn.

  Autumn shook her head as if trying to regain her wits.

  "Rui, what is going on?"

  "A man in your bedroom is definitely not going on. Not now. Not ever."

  The guy still hadn't moved away from Autumn. Obviously, not sensing the danger he was in. "Hi, I'm Thomas Roe. I work-"

  "Get out, Thomas Roe."

  To the man's credit he stayed put. If he wasn't keeping him from his woman, Rui might have bought him a drink.

  "No can do, professor."

  "Do I know you?"

  "I oversee some of the larger accounts down at the bank, so I know you."

  "Okay, Thomas who oversees. This is the last time I'm going to tell you to get the hell. Out. Of. My. House."

  "Not until I know Autumn is safe."

  Rui growled. "She's safe."

  "Says the man who kicks in doors instead of knocking."

  "My house. My woman," Rui gestured to Autumn, before looking Thomas in the eye. "Meet me outside."

  "Why?"

  "Because you need a lesson on what happens when you enter another man's home to sniff around his woman.”

  "Tommy," Autumn said, touching his arm.

  "Don't touch him, sweetheart," Rui growled, ready to unleash his temper. "I'm barely holding it together over here, so seeing your hands on him is going to earn the banker a major withdrawal from his account."

  That seemed to have the would-be hero rethinking his position.

  "Look, Rui," Tommy began.

  "So now we're on a first name basis?" Rui asked, taking another step closer.

  "Okay," Tommy shrugged. "We are not on a first name basis. I don't want a fight with you."

  "Fight. Thomas you misunderstand. Autumn is mine," he rasped. “I don't have to fight for what's mine, but in your case, I want to."

  The man threw up his hands in defeat. Pivoting he looked at Autumn. Rui wanted to pound him into the carpet for the once over he gave her body. The appreciation reflected in his eyes could light a runway.

  "Autumn, you know where I am if you need me."

  The comment elicited a growl from Rui. Never had he acted so out of control over a woman. Yes, he was possessive of everything and everyone he thought to be his, but even with that as an excuse, he knew if Thomas made a move to touch her there would be the need for a paramedic and the sheriff. Mentally, Rui was prepared to meet out whatever was required to ensure Autumn, and Thomas and the whole damn world knew she was his.

  "She won't ever need you." No. Tonight he'd tell Simone about him and Autumn, and then he'd take his woman to bed and show her again who she belonged to.

  * * *

  Autumn stared at her bedroom door...what was left of it. When he'd forced his way into her room, his big body transforming the feminine boudoir into a gladiator's arena, her first thought had been to run to him. But, the murderous expression on his face had stopped her. She needed to protect Tommy from her deny-me-three times guess you-re-not-my-boyfriend. The banker was gone, before not he gave her one of those looks that said, you-need-to-call that one eight hundred hotline number they post in women's bathroom.

  Autumn knew Rui would never physically harm her, but her heart may very well take a beating if things between them remained the same. Now, Rui stood in front of the shattered mess like a caveman ready to take down a mammoth. This was no refined college professor glaring down at her with onyx eyes so bright, they burned with the amber glow of hot coals. He had acted worse than a Neanderthal with Tommy, yet she couldn't deny the heat sparking in her veins as he claimed her as his own. Pushing that aside, but maintaining her distance, Autumn stayed near the foot of the bed.

  She fixed Rui in a hard glare. "I can't believe you did that to Tommy. I had no idea you were capable of being such a jerk."

  Autumn couldn't believe what she'd just witnessed.

  "Believe it," he stated, matter-of-factly. "Don't defend another man to me," he railed at her. "I'm patient. Not a pushover.

  It was then that Autumn realized he wasn't the least bit remorseful for having treated Tommy poorly. Okay, sleeping with Rui definitely changed the dynamic between them. If he couldn't explain her in his bed, how the hell was he to talk himself out of an inquiry about kicking in her door?

  "Tommy is my friend. I'm not trying to manipulate you."

  Rui gripped her waist and hauled her up against his solid wall of a body. Why, even while arguing, did his scent drive her wild?

  "If your friends have balls, they had damn well stay away from your bedroom if they don't want them smashed under my boot heel."

  Autumn pushed against his chest, knowing the contact would only mute her brain and they needed to have this conversation.

  "Rui, that's not fair."

  He threaded his fingers through her hair.

  "I love you. Fighting dirty it just the beginning of what I will do to keep you."

  Autumn couldn't hear this right now, not after his repeated denial. Jesus could do it with Peter, but Autumn was far from being a disciple. When she tried to look away, he captured her chin.

  "Don't make promises, Rui-"

  "I love you, damn it."

  She began to struggle in earnest. No way would she allow him to pull her in again.

  "Stop telling me things you think I want to her, Rui."

  This time he released her.

  "I'm a man, not a boy trying to get into your pants."

  She smirked. "Too late for that."

  He gripped her wrist. "I'm not playing you. Dang it, woman. I said I love you last night. I was inside your body."

  She shivered at the reminder.

  "So, forgive me if I'm a little pissed off to one, learn your friends are telling you to leave me, and two, I come home to find the woman I love with another man in her bedroom?"

  "What does it matter, Rui?" She shook her head, so over the fighting. Walker had done the same the first time she confronted him about how chummy he seemed with her aunt. "We slept together. It doesn't have to be more."

  "It is," he roared. Grabbing her up he kissed her. And because she knew if she placed what they had in a box it was the only way she would survive when this thing between them ended she kissed him back.

  "I'm so sorry, Autumn," he stroked into her mouth. "Swear, I'll tell the whole damn world you're mine before I lose you."

  Refusing to acknowledge his declaration, Autumn kept kissing him.

  That is until she heard the distinct sound of someone clearing their throat. Had Tommy come back? Or worse, had Simone been dropped off, and now stood with her inquiring minds spy glass pointed at Autumn's eyeball. Talk about the ant under a sun heated magnifying glass, ouch.

  She jumped but didn't make it very far because Rui kept an arm around her waist. They both swiveled to face the door.

  “Who are you?” Surprise heightened Autumn’s voice.

  A woman with pin-straight ebony tresses floating above her shoulders watched them. Tall and willowy, the ebony beauty looked straight off Rodeo Drive or a fashion runway. She wore a scoop neck buttery cream-colored dress that barely reached mid-thigh, yet somehow managed to look tasteful as she balanced on pointy-toed candy apple red bottom heels that Autumn was sure belonged in a big-tent stilts routine. Her features had to be the envy of gods. Exotic smoke gray eyes, high cheekbones, and full lips accentuated her perfect size four figure. She looked like...money, Autumn thought. Lots and lots of hundred-dollar bills. Feeling inadequate in her running tights and sweat-wicking tee, Autumn resisted the urge to fidget.

  "Kirsten?" Rui said, eyes fixed on the cover model for Cosmo magazine.

  His voice was equal parts awe and anger. Autumn studied the woman. She looked composed, in control, like she was used to
commanding minions and having her wishes fulfilled. Odd, Autumn had the strangest feeling that she'd seen this woman, not a likeness before.

  "I waited until the arguing stopped."

  Her voice was like a siren's song. Even now, Autumn's thoughts were crashing into each other, clamoring about Rui's possible connection to this regal specimen of womanhood.

  "How did you get in here?"

  Autumn noticed the tension in Rui's arm. Gone was the lover, the professor, this was definitely the fighter, but which side was he on.

  "Wait...who are you?"

  "Oh, I'm being rude." The woman extended a hand to Autumn. "I'm Kirsten Connors." Drums started to beat a constant Jumanji, you're about to be attacked by flying monkeys, kind of rhythm. And then the gray mist-eyed diva confirmed Autumn's worst nightmare. "Rui's wife."

  The woman had the audacity to bat her lashes before giving Autumn a playful wink. What was this...taunt your husband's mistress move? "And you must be the woman Simone got arrested."

  At that, both she and Rui frowned.

  "She was never arrested. And, how could you know that?" Rui demanded.

  Kirsten stepped across the threshold, like she owned the place. Did she? Autumn had never thought to ask her boyfriend any questions about his arrangement with the ex. When the woman, circled Rui's bicep in one well-manicured hand, Autumn had to fight the urge to snatch him away. Rui sensing her burning stare, moved beyond her grasp, yet he was no closer to Autumn's side.

  "Simone wrote it in the letter asking me to come for her little tea ceremony," the woman sang, and Autumn swore she'd heard the voice before, though this was her first acquaintance with the competition. Then Autumn took a closer look, she knew this woman. Heck, the whole world knew her voice. Autumn's throat all of a sudden felt dry, while her palms began to sweat. Aria Arie the famous jazz and neo-soul songstress stood in front her.

  "You're Aria," Autumn stammered. "The sin--singer," she managed to get out.

  Neither Rui nor Kirsten responded. He was too busy scowling at the other woman's sultry smirk. How did she do it, look cunning and keel over gorgeous at the same time?