by Sam Crescent
Opening her legs, she took his lips, and Carter brought her to orgasm, there, in the back of the bakery, where she hoped no one would hear her cries of release.
****
“That was a long lunch break, my friend,” Denny said.
Carter chuckled, entering his office. “It was a good lunch break.” He sat down in his chair, thinking about the sweet sounds of Autumn’s release as she came on his fingers. Leaving the bakery, he hadn’t intended to go back, but he’d not left how he wanted to. When Hilary gave him the not so subtle warning about hurting Autumn at risk to his special male parts, he’d believed her. None of his intentions meant hurting Autumn. He wanted to protect her and give her everything she missed out on.
Denny walked into the office, smirking. “I know that face. That face is the kind that happens when a man gets laid.”
“I didn’t get laid.”
“Something happened.”
He wasn’t about to tell Denny, and told him as such.
“You’ve been in a weird mood for a guy who hasn’t gotten laid in a couple of months.”
“I’ve gotten laid.”
“Anyone I know?”
“Maybe.”
Denny had been around Summer, but his friend hadn’t ever seen Autumn.
Denny took a seat. “I’m worried now.”
“Why would you be worried?”
“You’re acting strangely, and I saw the pair of women’s panties locked inside your drawer when you were gone. This whole thing stinks, and I want to know what gives.”
“Nothing gives. I’ve met someone, and I’m having a little fun.”
Denny sat back, staring at him.
It was like being a caged animal at a zoo. “What? What is it?”
“I’ve known you all of your life. I know what you’re thinking and feeling. You’ve never been one to be secretive about who you’re screwing. You tend to give me a warning to back off potential women you’re after, so now I’m intrigued.”
“You think staring at me will give you the answer.”
“Over the years I’ve watched you with different women, seeing how you respond to them. In all of that time there has only been one woman you’ve defended. I remember it well because it caused you and said sister to have a huge fight. I remember it so well because I called it Summer-Gate.”
He wasn’t interested in playing anymore. “How is Mrs. Randall’s car?”
“I got it right, didn’t I? Summer’s sister. I can never remember her name. The one that struggles to read and write.”
Carter slammed his hand on the desk. “She doesn’t struggle at all. It’s called dyslexia, and if people found the damn time to care, it wouldn’t be so hard for people to understand.”
“I didn’t say anything, Carter.”
“Yeah, well, Summer did.”
“She’s a season, right? The sister. I always remember them because of their names, and because Summer was an uptight bitch hanging out with the rough guys. The boys from the wrong side of the tracks.”
It had been a fun couple of months as far as Carter was concerned. In total he’d been with Summer a year and a half, and those fun couple of months had turned into a nightmare. He’d been young, foolish, and Summer had been a woman who wanted to experience it all. They had seemed like the obvious couple. Yet, to him, they had not been well suited at all. Both of them had wanted different things. Also, Summer hadn’t been as loyal as he was.
“Autumn, that’s her name, and that is the car you’re working on.”
Carter ran a hand down his face, wondering where all of this was going. “You got a point to all of this?”
“No, I don’t. I’m just curious what the hell you’re thinking?” he asked.
“I don’t see what the problem is.”
“You really don’t?” Denny asked, looking somewhat shocked.
“I’m seeing Autumn. I used to date her sister, but now I don’t. What’s the problem?”
“They’re sisters, and you wanted a bit of the nice life, so you dated Summer. Now you’re sniffing around the younger sister. You’re not just sniffing around either. You’re screwing each other.”
Running fingers through his hair, Carter stared around the office, really not sure what to say. “Autumn is different. She always has been.” He couldn’t begin to describe it, not with Denny, not with anyone. From the moment he saw Autumn, he’d been completely struck by her. She was the kind of woman that didn’t disappear. Not to him.
“I hope you know what you’re doing.” Denny stood up, and made his way out of the office. The truth was, Carter didn’t have a single clue what he was doing. When it came to Autumn, he couldn’t think straight, if at all.
“I’m not going to do anything stupid,” he said, calling to his friend.
Denny paused at the door and turned back to look at him.
“It’s none of my business what you do, and I apologize for that. I’m here if you ever need to talk.”
Sitting back in his chair, Carter opened up the drawer that contained the panties from his time with Autumn. He shouldn’t have kept them, but there was no way he was giving them back.
The rest of the day went by without much event. Denny worked on cars as did Carter. Neither of them brought up Autumn or Summer again. Denny hadn’t been a big fan of Summer, but his friend also didn’t like to be used either.
Autumn pulled up in a taxi at a little after five. Her cheeks were a little flushed, and as he watched her, he saw the sparkle in her eyes.
“This her?” Denny asked.
“The one and only.”
She walked up toward him. “Hey,” she said.
“Hey, Autumn, this is my friend, Denny. Denny, this is Autumn.”
“Nice to meet you, Autumn.” Denny held out his hand, and then went to pull it back, but Autumn shook his hand before he could do that.
“Same to you.”
Denny stared at their hands and nodded.
“My car.”
“I’m going to head out,” Denny said.
“See you tomorrow.”
Denny waved, and suddenly they were alone.
“My car?”
“Yes, your car.”
“Let’s go and take care of some business.” He took her through to his office, and this time, they didn’t end up with no clothes on.
“What do I owe you?” she asked.
“Nothing.”
She sighed, turning toward him. “I can pay my way, and I’d like to do that now.”
“You don’t need to pay me. It was a pleasure doing this for you.”
Autumn glared at him. “I won’t take my car if you don’t take payment.”
“I liked working on your car, and I like getting to know you.”
Her cheeks went even brighter, which he didn’t think that was possible.
“Carter, I, this is crazy.”
“Tell me about crazy. I just spent the whole weekend thinking about your tight pussy, and how I want it wrapped around my cock again.”
“I don’t know what you want from me. You come to the bakery, and you’re different. You’re not like the guy I knew.”
“I’m exactly the guy you knew, but the only difference is I’m single.”
“What’s that got to do with it?”
“Regardless of what Summer has said, I don’t cheat. I don’t lie, and I don’t fuck around with women. I couldn’t fuck you then. I was attached to someone.”
“And now you can?”
“I’m single.”
“What do you want from me, Carter? No bullshit.”
Carter stared at her. “I want us to fuck.”
Chapter Five
Had she heard him right?
“You want to sleep with me?”
“No, I want to fuck you. I liked being inside you, and I’m not ready to call it a day. This wasn’t a one time thing.”
Autumn couldn’t look away from him as he spoke. Carter looked so at ease talking
about sex, and what he wanted. She had a hard time telling herself most days what she wanted. Like today with her sister. Summer would expect her to phone ahead and tell her that she’d go on the date with David. Autumn didn’t want to, but she’d do it for her sister. Then again, she did a lot for Summer.
The boring dates.
The boring bed partners.
It was all because she didn’t believe she had a right to actually tell them what she wanted.
“You’re rather blunt,” she said.
“I don’t want you to get the wrong impression.”
“What kind of impression would that be?”
“That I’m joking around about this. I enjoyed screwing your brains out, Autumn. I’d like to do it again.”
She smiled. “You’re making it really hard right now to say a whole lot.”
“We don’t have to tell anyone. I don’t give a fuck what Summer says, but I see what you’re worried about. I won’t tell. It’ll just be me and you, no one else.”
“I-I…” Words were always failing her around him.
Staring at Carter, she wondered what to say. The good girl inside her was telling her to walk away, and not do anything about it. The bad girl, she wanted to play, and play hard.
“I’ll let you think about it.” He gave her the sum, and she pulled out her card, paying for the car to be fixed. Once they were done, he handed her the keys and headed out. “Your car is a good one.”
She turned toward him. “Today, and the other day, it was a mistake, Carter.”
“Fine.” He stepped closer.
“We shouldn’t repeat that mistake.”
“Okay.” Another step, and his body was next to hers. “You think this is a mistake. The way I make you feel.”
“Carter?”
“You keep saying my name, but you know what, I don’t hear any objection with it, babe. I hear need. I hear want. How many times over the past few years have you actually taken what you want?”
He cupped her cheek, tilting her head back, so that she had no choice but to look him in the eye.
“How many times have you walked away from a chance like this?”
She bit her lip, and he groaned.
“Is your pussy wet?”
“Yes,” she said, breathless.
“Do you want my dick?”
“Yes.”
“Have you let anyone else fuck your pussy at the same time fingering your ass?” he asked.
“No.”
“I’ll give you time, Autumn. You tell me what you want to do, but we both know this isn’t over. You want me. I want you. There’s no reason to hold back, to fight it. This is meant to be.”
“You really believe that?”
“It’s what I know.”
To prove his point, his lips claimed hers, leaving her once again wondering what the hell she was doing in denying him. She wanted him so much. He’d dated her sister some time ago, and Autumn loved her sister, but she really liked the feel of his lips on hers. He ran his tongue across her bottom lip, and she opened up, accepting him.
He deepened the kiss, pressing his hard body against hers, making her melt. Whenever she was around Carter, she melted. It was impossible not to. He’d awakened a part of her she never thought existed, and no matter what she did, she couldn’t get it to close. He made her want to be a bad girl, a dirty girl, and to say fuck it to everything else.
When he pulled away, she mourned the loss of his lips, and licked her own in return. “I’ll see you soon,” he said.
Autumn climbed into her car with tingling lips. Firing up the engine, she put her seat belt on, and pulled out of his shop.
“That was fine. This is fine. I can go, and everything is more than fine. I’m happy. Of course I’m happy. Why wouldn’t I be happy?” She tapped on the steering wheel and navigated her way through traffic.
Over half an hour later, she was parking and heading toward her apartment. Climbing the stairs, as the elevator was out of order, she paused when she saw her sister sitting outside of her apartment door.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’ve come to make amends.” Summer held up a bottle of wine.
“Really? On a Monday?”
“I’ve got nothing better to do, and I don’t like how we ended our call.” Summer grunted as she stood tall, her slim body covered by an expensive looking business suit. “I feel so fucking fat today.”
Rolling her eyes, Autumn pulled her key out while also trying not to think about what she’d done after the phone call.
It’s okay, Summer. Remember your ex, Carter? Yeah, he fingered me after our conversation. All is fine.
Opening the door to her apartment, she flicked on the light, throwing the keys onto a tray.
“You got your car fixed?”
“Yeah.”
“Who by?”
“I don’t remember the name.” The lies were just mounting up. Grabbing two glasses from her cupboard, she kicked off her pumps, and walked barefoot toward her sister, who had already removed her jacket.
“I hate being all formal at times.” Summer removed her scarf, and Autumn saw the love bite on her neck.
There was no way Autumn was getting naked in front of her sister. The bruises on her hips would give away what she’d been up to.
“The guy that gave you that hickey still in the picture?”
“Ugh, Brad is always in the picture. It’s part of his charm.”
“Brad? Your boss.”
“The one and only.”
Autumn stared at her sister, worried about her. “Don’t you think that’s a bit risky?”
“Not really. When I first slept with him I didn’t know he was the boss. Now I know, and even though I try not to get into bed with him, it’s hard. You wouldn’t understand.”
Taking a seat on the sofa, Autumn forced a smile. “You’re right. I wouldn’t.”
“What can I do to convince you to go on a date with David?”
“Seriously? You bring wine, and you think you’re going to get me to agree to date him?”
“What’s the big issue? You’ll like him. He’s reliable.”
Rolling her eyes, she sat back. Her anger started to build as Summer tried to sell David to her.
“He’s totally your type.”
Autumn thought about Carter. He was totally different from every man she’d been with. “What makes him my type?” she asked.
Summer opened her mouth, then closed it again.
“Is it because I can’t get anything better? I’m the dumb baker, who can’t read and write.”
“Autumn, I’ve never said that.”
“Not tonight but I know you have, or at least you’ve thought it.” She drained her glass of wine, standing up to go to the fridge. They were sisters, and with it came a great deal of give and take. Sometimes she thought Summer was a selfish bitch, after all.
“Sweetie, I don’t mean it that way.”
“Then what way did you mean it? ‘Of course he’s your type, Autumn, it’s because you’re as boring as he is, and you’ll have dull sex, and create other little drones that will do the whole conforming crap’!”
“I didn’t mean it that way.”
“No? Then how exactly did you mean it?” She spun around to see Summer standing on the opposite side of the counter. Stepping forward, she pressed her palms against the counter, and glared at her.
“I don’t know. All of your other boyfriends, you have to admit none of them were exciting.”
“All of them were pushed on me because of you. All apart from one, my prom date!” She slapped the counter, glaring. “I’m done, Summer. I’m done being your good little sister that will date the men you can’t be bothered to be nice to. I have my own life, and it doesn’t revolve around your career.”
“You’re being completely unreasonable.”
Staring at her sister, Autumn pointed to the door. “Get out. Get out now before I say something that I fucking regret.�
� Glaring at her sister, she handed her back the wine. “Take it. I don’t need this. I don’t need anything.”
“Autumn, please.”
“No. I’m done. Get out.”
She urged her sister out, slamming the door closed, then locking it. Going toward her fridge, she pulled out her half-full bottle of wine and poured herself a glass.
“Stupid!” Sitting on her sofa, she turned on the television.
Time passed. She didn’t know how much, and then she was grabbing her cell, which had survived its fall when she’d been kissing Carter.
In her cell was also his number. She stared at the number, and thought about what she was about to do.
What was the problem?
Summer had moved on, and wasn’t even thinking about Carter.
Any obligation she had was gone.
Opening up a fresh message, she took a couple of minutes to think about what she wanted to say.
Autumn: Yes. The answer is yes.
Message sent, she drained her glass of wine, and headed toward the bathroom. She needed to wash off the day’s work. She stank.
****
Denny told him he was out of his mind, but Carter didn’t care. From the moment she sent that text, he’d known that he needed to see her, needed to look into her eyes as she answered him.
“Yes. The answer is yes,” didn’t exactly tell him what she was thinking or feeling.
Running fingers through his hair, he knocked on her door.
When she didn’t answer straight away, he knocked again.
“I’m coming.” He heard her shout through the door. In the next second the door was opened, and she was standing with her hair bound up on top of her head, with nothing but a towel wrapped around her. “Carter.”
“Do you answer the door to all strangers in a towel?” he asked.
“Erm, no. I thought you were my sister. She was here a little while ago, and we got into an argument.”
He tilted his head to the side, watching her. “Is that why I got my answer?”
“No. It’s not. You got that answer because I finally realized that I didn’t do anything for myself. I did it all for everyone else. The baking was the only thing that was mine. Nothing else.”