A wave of chatter washed over him as he pushed the door open, and the barista behind the bar greeted him. He nodded, smiling at the young man then looking around. There was a fair mix of tourists and locals that he could see, all sitting at the small, round tables, drinking their tea and coffee, or browsing at the bookshelves. Olivier’s eye was caught by the young woman sitting at the far end. She sat sideways in an armchair, long legs flung over the arm, spectacles perched on her nose. She pushed up impatiently as she read. At her feet, an enormous tri-color dog was panting and lying patiently.
Olivier couldn’t help but notice the young woman was gorgeous. Long, dark hair fell in soft waves down her back, creamy skin the color of milk tea …
“Hey, buddy, what can I get you?”
Oliver jolted back to the present. The barista was grinning at him. Olivier had been caught out and he smiled sheepishly. “Americano, please.”
“Grande?”
“Go for it.”
He took his coffee to the table adjacent to the young woman. A man had to try, right? He almost changed his mind a moment later when the woman looked up and scowled at him, clearly annoyed by his presence.
A challenge, huh? Well, okay, then. Olivier smiled into his coffee, then bent down to make a fuss of her dog. The dog sniffed him cautiously, then licked his hand. Oliver scratched his ears.
“Gorgeous dog …Bernese Mountain dog, right?”
The woman looked up again, slightly mollified. “Right. Her name is Clem.”
“She’s a sweetheart.”
A definite thawing now, and the girl smiled at him. “Yes, she is.”
Oliver nodded, knowing he was on the right track. “Olivier.” He held out his hand. The girl hesitated, then pulled off her glasses and shook his hand.
“Autumn.”
Olivier felt a jolt. Her eyes were the most stunning he’d ever seen—bright violet. They stood out against the color of her dusky skin. Olivier’s groin tightened with desire, but he coughed, knowing he was staring. “My car just broke down along the road.”
Autumn put her glasses back on. “We have a mechanic. Karl Harte—the name’s ironic because he’s a cranky son-of-a-bitch and the least pleasant person you’ll ever meet, but he’s a good mechanic.”
“Thanks.” Olivier sipped his coffee and smiled at her, “Maybe you could introduce me?”
Autumn laughed, a deep, throaty sound that didn’t help Olivier’s hard-on dissipate. God, she was sexy, whether she knew it or not. “That probably won’t help. He hates me.”
“What did you do?”
Autumn gave him a strange smile. “I turned him down.”
“Ah.”
“Yeah. He’s easy enough to find. Just go down the street and follow the black cloud of malevolence.”
She grinned and Olivier laughed. “I may have to work up to that, then. Say, is there anywhere I could stay for a couple of nights? A motel or something?”
Autumn laughed again. “As a matter of fact, I do know somewhere. The Mahsie Guesthouse across the street. I happen to know they have a room available.”
Olivier smiled. Damn, this woman was pure sex. “And how would you know that?”
Autumn grinned widely. “Because I own it.”
Olivier looked around the room. It was decorated in muted colors, navy and duck-egg, and was elegant, with new furnishings, a bathroom, and a great view out to the ocean.
“Happy?”
He turned to Autumn, and for the first time saw uncertainty in her eyes. She wanted him to like the place. “It’s stunning. Thank you.”
She nodded, obviously pleased. Her dark hair rippled with her movement, and Oliver had to stop himself from bunching his fist in the thick strands and pulling her toward him, pressing his lips against her sweet, red mouth …
His erection was back. Damn it. Autumn seemed to notice the change in atmosphere and she looked uncomfortable. “Well, I’ll leave you to settle in. We don’t do food, unfortunately, but the diner across the street is open twenty-four hours and their food is amazing.”
“That’s great. Thanks. Look, can I buy you dinner for helping me out?”
Autumn hesitated. “I, er …”
“It’s okay. Look, I’ll be there from eight. If you would join me, I’d be very happy, but no pressure.”
She looked relieved. “Thanks …can I see later? I have some stuff going on.”
Of course. A boyfriend. Why wouldn’t this beautiful woman have a fleet of men in her wake? Olivier smiled and nodded. “Of course. Thanks again, Autumn.”
Autumn went back downstairs to where Sally was waiting for her. Her friend grinned. “Dear god, where did you find him?”
Autumn chuckled. “Wipe the drool from your face, Sal. He just pitched up in the bookstore. Apparently his car broke down.”
Sally whistled. “Girl …that man is gorgeous.” She looked crafty. “You should get on that.”
“Sally, please.” Autumn flushed red …because she had been thinking the same thing. Olivier oozed sex appeal and machismo, without being douchey. He had dark brown hair, cut short and neat, and a hard, elegant body …and his scent spoke of fresh air and expensive cologne. He had sent her senses reeling in the coffee house as he had sat near her, which had irritated her as well as turning her on. Why was good cologne like catnip to her? When she was in his room just now, she could have sworn that if one of them had made the slightest move, they would have ended up in bed …or maybe that was just her. God, why? Why now? Why, when she had just dealt with Pete’s betrayal? Why, when she wasn’t ready for a relationship, did she have to meet someone like Olivier?
Sally was studying her. “You’re overthinking it. Just fuck him. He’ll be gone in a couple of days anyway.”
Autumn frowned at her. “Keep your voice down, for god’s sake.”
“Sorry. But, look, how often do you meet someone like that?”
“I’m leaving this conversation now,” Autumn said, and giving her friend a roll of her eyes, she left the guesthouse and walked away, Clem at her heel.
As she let herself into her tiny beach house—four rooms maximum—and locked the door behind her, Autumn wondered if she could ever be a person who could have a one-night stand or a brief fling.
Maybe. Maybe that’s what she needed. Pushing the thought away, she went to run a bath.
Olivier went back down to reception and paid for his stay. Three nights, he told the pretty blonde on reception. “Maybe longer,” he smiled at her.
Sally—her name was on her tag—grinned back. “I’ll just need you to fill out your details and leave your credit card number.
Suddenly, Olivier hesitated. The Gallo name, ever since Jackson had kidnapped and tortured Amalia, his estranged wife, was a source of curiosity and scandal, and for just a few days, Olivier wanted to escape it. He took out his corporate credit card, handed it over, and filled in the registration form as Olivier James, his middle name serving as his pseudonym.
Sally took his card and ran it through, glancing up at him. “You’ve made an impression already,” she said mischievously. “Not often I see my boss flustered.”
Olivier grinned back at her. “Well …she’s a beautiful woman.”
“Yes, she is. Okay, here’s your card back. Enjoy your stay, Mr. James.”
Olivier liked the young woman immensely. He laughed. “Thank you. I shall. Now, I have to go see the mechanic …I’ve heard he’s a jolly chap?”
Sally rolled her eyes. “Yeah, that sounds like Karl. Enjoy.”
Sally watched him walk out to Main Street and turn left toward the mechanic’s place. She knew she shouldn’t have teased the stranger –like that—Autumn would kill her—but she couldn’t help but notice the attraction between them. And Autumn does need to get laid, she thought to herself, with a grin.
Her cellphone bleeped. Are you speaking to me yet?
Pete. She gritted her teeth and texted her brother back. No. You are a douchebag.
Yes,
I am that. Forgive me?
Maybe. I’ll see.
Love you, sis.
Love you too, bro. But you’re still a douchebag.
Autumn got out of what was now a very cold bath and toweled herself dry, trying not to look at the red dress she had bought only a few days previously. It was an open-backed, deep red dress that came to her mid-thigh, snug in the bodice, then flaring out at the waist. It was the kind of dress that could look dressy, but without jewelry, would look casual too. When she’d tried it on in the store in Portland, she’d felt sexier than she had in a long time.
It was the perfect dress for …a casual dinner with a handsome stranger.
Stop it, she told herself. I can’t believe you’re even considering it.
But something had shifted in her since Pete’s betrayal. She was still raw, but inside, Autumn felt a recklessness come over her. I need to move on, and I need something to kick start it.
Before she could change her mind, she grabbed the red dress and slipped it on. Fuck it. Come on, then, Olivier, show me what you’re made of.
He hadn’t really expected her to come, but when he looked up and saw her approach him, looking shy and utterly stunning, Olivier stood, a thrill going through him.
“Hello again …well, I admit, I’m surprised, but delighted. Please …”
He held out the chair opposite him and Autumn sat down. Her dark hair was pulled over her shoulder, and he saw the smooth curve of her back. The caramel-colored skin made it so tempting to draw a finger down her spine. He resisted, instead breathing in her scent—clean skin and soap, with a note of jasmine. Heady. Erotic.
Calm yourself, man. Olivier sat down opposite her and handed her a menu. She smiled at him. “I almost talked myself out of it, but then I thought, what the hell. You liked my dog.”
Olivier laughed and Autumn grinned at him. “I do, very much.”
As they choose their meals, they talked about general things like family and education. He found that she had been a business major at Berkeley, that her family was back in New Orleans, and that she had fallen in love with the West Coast and made her home here. Autumn didn’t mention a boyfriend, and Olivier didn’t want to ask. He gave her a carefully-edited history, telling her his brother now lived in Italy with his wife and child, and that he had no other family here. She looked sympathetic, but to his relief, didn’t press the issue.
The food was good, and as they shared a bottle of red wine, they both relaxed. He found Autumn funny and erudite, and was ashamed to be surprised to find someone like her in the tiny town. Old prejudices, he supposed. Having lived his entire life in a big city, he had never experienced the close community of small town life. He told her that and she nodded.
“Well, that’s honest, at least, and to be truthful, I felt the same way when I first came here. But the people are so warm, inclusive, and intelligent. Liberal, thank god. Oh, we have our demons,” she grinned. “And no one is perfect, but, yeah, I love it here. Are you still in San Francisco?”
Olivier nodded. “For the moment. I love it. It’s in my blood. But at the moment, I find myself wanting more than city life.”
“Like what?”
Olivier laughed. “I’m not sure. Adventure. Life. Peace. Fun. God, I miss fun. I’ve been so absorbed in the business and with …other stuff lately, that I miss having fun.”
Autumn sipped her wine. “Other stuff? Like …your wife? Girlfriend?”
Olivier met her gaze. “Neither.”
Autumn’s face took on some color, but she smiled into her wine glass. “Okay.”
Olivier’s hand was very close to hers on the table, and he stroked the back of her hand with a one finger, softly. “How about you?”
Autumn, her face adorably matching her dress, shook her head and took a deep, shaky breath in. “Olivier …we don’t know each other.” Her fingers linked with his. “But sometimes, I think that’s okay, you know?”
Olivier nodded. “I do. I think, sometimes, it just is what it is.”
Autumn swallowed hard. “I don’t do this usually. I’ve never done this.”
“You can trust me.”
She lifted her chin and met his gaze. “Don’t say that. Trust isn’t a part of whatever this is.”
Olivier nodded, wondering who had hurt this woman so much in the past that she felt she had to say that. “Okay.”
They paid the check, Autumn insisting they split it, and once outside, she hesitated before offering her hand to him. He took it and she led him along Main Street. It was late September, the sun had set, and a cool breeze blew from the ocean. Autumn shivered, and Olivier slipped his jacket off and put it around her shoulders. She looked up at him gratefully and his groin tightened again. S, beautiful …
He tilted her chin up with a finger and brushed his lips against hers. Autumn responded, her lips curving up into a smile as she kissed him. They were breathless when they broke apart.
“Wow,” Olivier said in a soft voice. “Just wow.”
Autumn grinned up at him, and then they couldn’t wait to get back to her little home.
Clem got up to greet them both as they came in, but soon settled back down to sleep on her huge bed. Olivier looked around at the simply decorated, yet warm room. Bookshelves filled the walls of the living room and the shutters at the windows were wooden and painted white. He nodded approvingly. “I love it.”
Autumn flushed with pleasure, and he took her in his arms. “Are you sure?”
She nodded, her eyes serious then. “Yes.” A whisper. She took his hand and led him into her bedroom. He did what he had wanted to do all night and drew a finger down her spine. Autumn trembled and turned to him. Olivier kissed her again, pulling the spaghetti straps of her dress down her shoulders. The dress fell to the floor. He cupped her full breasts in his hands, and pulling down the lacy cups of her bra, took each nipple into his mouth in turn. Autumn gave a low moan of desire and Olivier felt his cock harden, almost painful against his underwear. He swept her off her feet and onto the bed, standing to strip himself while admiring her body. Her skin was such a glorious golden color, her figure shapely and womanly. Naked, he buried his face in her belly as she stroked his hair, and he could feel that she was quivering, nervous, and shy. He smiled up at her.
“Don’t be nervous, baby.”
He pressed her legs apart gently, feeling her resist at first. Then, when his mouth found her clit, he heard her small cry of desire. His cock was straining now, eager to be inside her, but Olivier prolonged the sweet torture, using his tongue to harden her clit. He brought her to near orgasm, just with his mouth, her sex red and swollen with desire. He climbed up the bed to kiss her mouth, feeling her nipples hard against his cheek and hearing her breathing quicken. Autumn’s face was flushed beautifully, her hair clouding around her head. “God, you’re so beautiful …I need to be inside you.”
She nodded, her eyes alive with desire, and he smiled. He sat up, just for a moment, to roll a condom onto his cock and then hitched her legs around his waist. Her cunt was so wet for him—a glorious sight—and he teased her entrance with the tip of his cock, sliding it in and out, just an inch, tormenting her and prolonging the anticipation. When he thrust deep for the first time, Autumn gasped, tightening her thighs around him with her head thrown back, and he kissed her throat as his cock rammed deep inside her.
“Oh god …Olivier …” Her fingernails dug into the muscles of his shoulders, and Olivier loved the quick pain of it as he fucked her. He took her hands and pinned them to the bed, dominating her body entirely, drinking her in as they made love, and feeling the softness of her lips against his.
As she came, her back arched and her soft belly pressed against his as she gave a long, deep moan of release. Olivier buried his face in her neck and groaned as he too reached his climax, his body flooded with endorphins. As they collapsed back on the bed, they caught their breath, smiling at each other.
“That was …incredible,” Autumn managed as she pant
ed for air. Olivier kissed her mouth again.
“And that was only the start, beautiful …I hope you didn’t have any plans to sleep tonight.”
Autumn chuckled, wriggling under him. “None at all …”
Olivier stroked her cheek with his finger. “So …how adventurous are you, Miss Keller?”
Autumn hooked a leg around him. “What do you have in mind?”
“All kinds of things …in every room of this place. In every position. I want to see your beautiful body in every way. Maybe bound. I’d like to fuck your perfect ass and come in your sweet mouth…”
His dirty talk was turning her on so much that she began to moan, grinding her sex against his thigh. “Fuck me …fuck me hard, Olivier …”
Olivier grinned. “Believe me, I’m going to fuck you like you’ve never been fucked before, Autumn Keller.”
She moaned impatiently and he laughed. Glancing around, he grabbed the belt from her robe and wound it around her hands, binding them to the bedpost. “Now you’re helpless, pretty girl …completely at my mercy.”
He could see both excitement and fear in her eyes and knew adrenaline was flooding her body. And god, what a body …too often, in his high society world, the women he dated were stick-thin models who looked like they would break. Autumn Keller had the killer curves of a Monroe or a Mansfield. And the way their bodies fit together so perfectly …
He kissed her again, harder this time, and she responded, nipping at his lower lip with her teeth. He grinned. “Rough?”
Autumn nodded eagerly. “Rough, baby …” She laughed, then gasped as Olivier thrust his cock into her, pressing her knees her to chest, and slamming his hips as hard as he could to go as deeply as he could. Autumn cried out, egging him on, and calling his name over and over as he fucked her relentlessly and masterfully. She came twice before he felt himself close, then he pulled out and came on her belly and breasts, thick, creamy cum soaking her skin.
His Brother's Wife Page 134