When Autumn and Olivier had left—Autumn ignoring Pete when he said goodbye to her—Pete turned to his sister, his annoyance obvious. “What,” he said to his snickering sister, “the fuck is going on?”
Sally patted her brother’s chest comfortingly, despite the fact that she wore a wide smile. “I think you’ll find Autumn has, um, moved on. Suck it up, bro.”
Autumn pulled the knot of her robe tightly around Olivier’s wrists and smiled down at him as she straddled him, naked.
“Now I get why it’s torture,” he said. “I can’t reach your beautiful breasts or stroke your belly.”
“That’s right,” Autumn said, grinding her sex against his cock, but teasing him and drawing away. Olivier laughed.
“So this is revenge, huh?”
“Sure is.”
She gripped his cock, stroking her hands up and down and feeling it harden under her touch. “Baby?”
“Yes?”
“Do you want to come on my breasts?”
Olivier grinned. “Yes, please …”
Autumn was obviously enjoying herself. “Do you want to come on my belly?”
“God, yes.”
She leaned over to kiss him, sliding the tip of his cock into her deep, round navel. She felt his body tense and knew he liked that. “You want to fuck my belly, baby?”
His kiss was rough as she stroked him, and he rocked his hips, fucking her belly-button as his cock grew even stiffer. They rocked in perfect rhythm until she heard him draw in a sharp breath. Then he came, shooting creamy white come onto her belly. It drove her wild with desire. She released his hands, and he pulled her down on top of him, kissing her roughly before flipping her onto her back.
“You are such a fucking sexy woman,” he growled, his lips against her throat, biting down on her shoulders. Autumn wrapped her legs hard around him as he pinned her hands down onto the bed and plunged his cock into her. “I’m going to fuck you until you scream.”
And scream she did, all night long, as he took her again and again until they were both exhausted.
Four days. Four days were up, and Autumn knew this was the day she might have to say goodbye to Olivier—to the man, whether he knew it or not, who had utterly changed her life in just a few days. Not just the incredible sex, but the time they had spent talking, walking, or exploring Oregon. Now, awake before him, she gazed at him as he slept. He’s so damn handsome, she thought, like a movie star. How could a man like this end up in her tiny little town and be interested in her? It didn’t seem real.
“Who are you, really?” she whispered, but smiled to herself. She knew who he was. Handsome, goofy, funny, intelligent—he was perfect.
Olivier opened his eyes and smiled at her. “Are you watching me sleep like that creepy vampire dude in that film?”
Autumn giggled. “Hey, don’t diss Twilight,” she joked. “It’s Sally and my go-to for ‘so-crappy-it’s-almost-good’ girl’s night viewing. I could probably narrate the entire film to you.”
“That’s not something to be proud of,” he laughed as he leaned over to kiss her. She kissed him back, trying to save the memory of the feel of his lips.
“So,” she said hesitantly. “I guess it’s the day.”
Olivier nodded. He bent his head to kiss her breast. “I was thinking …I do have to check in at work and maybe grab some changes of clothes …but, if you wouldn’t mind, I’d like to come back.”
Autumn grinned widely, delighted. “Proving I have absolutely no chill, I would love that.”
Olivier laughed. “Chill is overrated. Now, before I head off …” And he pulled her to him and began to kiss her.
Autumn felt guilty that she hadn’t been working for the last few days, but Sally waved away her apology. “Girl, if I had the chance to get a man like that to myself for a few days, you wouldn’t see me for dust.”
Autumn grinned at her. “And what would Harry say about that?” Harry was Sally’s husband of seven years and they were devoted to each other.
Sally shrugged. “If the guy was on my ‘allowed’ list, he couldn’t complain.”
“And how many men are on your ‘allowed’ list?” Autumn laughed, and Sally pretended to consider.
“About sixteen.”
“And Harry’s?”
“One. Beyoncé.”
Autumn nodded approvingly. “Completely understandable. Hell, Beyoncé would be on my list.”
“Word, sister. Now, I need to go check room seventeen—apparently the guests last night were, um, recreational.”
“Eww.” Autumn wrinkled her nose, then laughed. “Not that I’m one to judge.”
Sally giggled, then disappeared up the staircase.
Autumn checked the bookings—the guesthouse was fully booked for the next couple of months, even though it was the off-season.
She heard the door open and looked up. Pete stood in the doorway, nervous and awkward. Her heart thudded with sadness, but not, she was surprised to note, anger. It was as if he’d become—she struggled to think of a word—a stranger, but she knew she no longer felt anger towards him. If he hadn’t gotten Dee-Dee pregnant and hadn’t screwed Autumn over again, she might never have met Olivier. And that had changed her whole attitude toward him. She took a long breath in and gave him a small smile.
“Coffee?”
His surprised delight made her chest ache.
“If you don’t mind.” He came over to the counter as she poured him a cup from the pot they always kept on reception and thanked her. She made herself a cup of tea, and he was about to say something when a couple came in to register. Pete sat down on one of the couches, and when Autumn had dealt with the newcomers, she joined him, giving him a small smile.
“How’s …Dee,” she choked off and looked away. “How’s the baby?”
“Growing fast.” Pete looked a little wary, then pulled out a sonogram photo and handed it to her. Autumn had no idea what she was looking at, and Pete laughed. “Yep, same here. But that’s my kid—even if it does look like E.T. at the moment.”
Autumn grinned. “Well …congratulations. I don’t think I’ve said that yet.”
Pete looked uncomfortable. “Look, Auttie …”
“Don’t. Let’s just reset, okay? We’ve both moved on.”
He looked relieved. “Friends?”
“Friends.”
Pete looked around before meeting her gaze. “So, didn’t see your fella’s car outside your place.”
“He’s gone back to San Francisco for a day or two. Work. He’s coming back at the weekend.”
Pete nodded and sipped his coffee. Autumn could feel the questions in the air and sighed. “Just ask, Pete.”
“Does he know about us?”
“Yes.”
“What did Mr. Machismo think?”
Autumn gave him a look. “He thinks you’re a very pretty girl and wanted to know if you’d date a swell guy like him.”
Pete glared at her. “Any chance of a straight answer?”
She grinned. “So to speak. He’s fine with it. Why wouldn’t he be? And don’t call him names. You don’t know him.”
“Shall I repeat the list of names my wife has acquired in this guesthouse over the years?” Pete raised his eyebrows at her.
“That’s Sally. I don’t call her those names. Not out loud,” Autumn added, and Pete laughed.
“How long is Mr. … Olivier staying then?”
She shrugged. “A while. Says he wants to get to know me.”
“I bet he does,” Pete muttered. “Where did Sally go?”
“I’m here.” Sally walked in the back door. ‘Hey, bro, everything okay?’
“All good.” He eyed his sister. “What do you think of Autumn’s new guy?”
“Gorgeous, sexy …single.” Sally couldn’t resist the dig at her brother and he flushed. Sally shrugged when Autumn shot her a curious glance. “I’m right, though, aren’t I, Auttie?”
“Yep to all of those.” Well, Pete des
erved a little ribbing. “He’ll be around for quite some time, I think.”
Pete rolled his eyes. “Great.”
Autumn gave a frustrated sigh. “Actually, it is. For me. I deserve a little happiness, don’t you think?” She walked off to clear some tables and Sally gave Pete a glare.
“You might not want to push the whole jealousy thing too far.”
Pete shrugged. ‘Yeah, but…”
“No, bro. Drop it. You’re pissing her off.”
But Pete was riled himself now, clearly. He addressed Autumn. “Look, as a friend, I have to ask. What do you know about this guy? He pitches up here in a goddamned Porsche for chrissakes, all charm and swagger, and within hours he’s seducing you? What if he’s a serial killer, Autumn? Did you consider that before you let him in your bed?”
Sally whistled. “Too far, bro.”
Autumn didn’t smile. She remembered the notes that had been put in her mail box. They’d started when Oliver had arrived … no, don’t be ridiculous. She glared at Pete. “Really?”
“I’m just looking out for you.”
“No, you’re not. You’re pissing around me, marking your territory. Well, Peter, remember this. I’m not yours to protect anymore. Got it? Stay out of my business, or I’ll make a complaint to your boss.”
Autumn slammed down the coffee pot down and stalked into the kitchen.
Without another word, Pete drained his coffee and walked out. Sally, twisting her blonde hair up into a chignon, stared after her brother and gave a frustrated sigh. When Autumn returned to the reception, she threw her an apologetic look.
‘Don’t get too annoyed with my brother. He’s just …’
Autumn cut her off with a wave of her hand. “Don’t want to hear it. Sorry, Sal, it’s just he pisses me off.”
Sally hugged her. “Understood. Let’s forget about him.”
Pete stomped, angry and unseeing, into the police station.
‘Hey, boss.’ Mike, his deputy, greeted him, then, seeing his face, made himself scarce. Pete slumped into his chair. He leaned forward and put his face into his hands.
‘Shit. Shit.’ He’d blown it; his jealousy over Olivier James had clouded his view and Autumn had called him out on it. She was right, of course, but it still hurt.
He looked up and out of the window. His mood worsened when he saw Autumn walking across the street, then stopping to answer her cell phone. From her delighted smile, he guessed it was Olivier calling her. God, she was so beautiful, so glowing with excitement and joy …how the hell had he ever been so stupid as to give her up?
But his curiosity remained …Olivier James looked too familiar to him. It wasn’t the good looks, as such, although they pissed him off too. The man had a presence that said, ‘I am someone.’ Neither did Pete really believe that ‘someone’ was a criminal, but you never knew.
Pete flicked on his computer and started a search. It wouldn’t hurt to run Olivier’s name and plates through the system, just in the hope of finding out information. A lead. A scintilla of a clue as to who he was and where he’d been. What he wanted with Autumn. Pete ignored the –obvious—why wouldn’t he want her? Pete gritted his teeth. Lateral thinking was what he needed. He closed his eyes. Come on, Ford, he thought to himself. Think. He looked up again, indulging himself by staring at Autumn as she chatted with a friend out on the street. Her hair was loose today, flowing over her shoulders. She had her usual flared blue jeans on, paired with a turquoise blouse with a Mandarin collar. The color suited her. Pete smiled to himself. He chewed his lip for a moment, then turned to the screen. The name Olivier James came up with nothing. Pete hissed in frustration and ran his registration instead.
The data came up immediately, and Pete whistled to himself as he read the information. No, Olivier James wasn’t a serial killer or a miscreant.
He was a goddamn billionaire.
And his name was Olivier Gallo.
Pete sat back. Did Autumn know? Was she helping Gallo keep his identity on the down low? If so, then she wouldn’t appreciate Pete sticking his nose in …their friendship was on very shaky ground as it was. Could he really risk losing her over this?
No. He wouldn’t say anything, but he would keep vigilant. That, after all, was his job as chief of police. That, he could justify.
***
Autumn pulled open the door and flew into Olivier’s arm as he arrived the following night, a day earlier than he’d said. “God, I missed you,” he said, burying his face in her hair and breathing in her scent. He found her lips and kissed her tenderly at first, then as she pulled him inside and kicked the door closed, his hands were tearing at her clothes. They stripped each other quickly. “God, Autumn …”
He was inside her quickly, and they fucked hard and fast, eager to reconnect. Autumn gasped as he thrust hard, his mouth rough on hers, her nails clawing at his back as his cock plowed deeper and deeper.
She came, her back arching, and he felt her belly press against his as he shot deep inside her. Olivier groaned her name as he came. They caught their breath, gazing at each other. Olivier smiled, his arms tightening around her. “Hello, baby.”
Autumn chuckled, still breathless. “Hello, darling. How was your drive up here?”
“I think I broke every speed law to get back to you.”
She flushed. “I’ll come visit you in choky.”
“Thanks.” He kissed her. “Promise you’ll come wearing an old mac and nothing underneath?” He grinned as she laughed.
“That’s your kink, huh?”
Olivier trailed his lips across her throat. “You are my kink, Ms. Keller.”
Their playful banter was interrupted suddenly by Clem yawning loudly. Autumn and Olivier looked at the dog, who stared back at them balefully. “I hope that wasn’t a review of my performance, Clem.”
Clem, seeing their attention was on her, gave a muted woof and ambled over to them. Olivier scratched her ears and Autumn beamed. “She adores you.”
Olivier smiled. “The feeling is mutual. I adore her mom too.”
He kissed Autumn tenderly. “How has this happened?” He shook his head, giving a disbelieving laugh. “A week ago, we didn’t know each other existed. Last night, back in my own bed …I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t feel like it was home. Insane.”
Autumn grinned, hooking her leg around his waist. “Maybe it is insane. But who cares?”
Olivier nodded, gathering her to him. “Agreed. Who cares when it feels this good?”
“How long can you stay this time?” Autumn looked as if she was nervous to ask the question, but Olivier brushed her lips with his.
“As long as you want me, beautiful. As long as you want me.”
Autumn smiled to herself. It had been a month now since –Olly—and he had become Olly to –her—had come back to her, and it just got better and better. They talked for hours and made love long into the nights…Autumn felt a thrill go through her as she remembered Olly’s thick, long cock inside her that morning. He’d fucked her on the kitchen table, unable to stop himself when she’d stolen his white shirt and worn it to breakfast, unbuttoned, completely naked underneath. His mouth on her breasts, her belly, her clit …she shivered in anticipation.
They didn’t often talk about his work; she knew he ran a conglomerate, but he was happy just to work from home most days, or sitting with his laptop in the coffeehouse where they had met. The few days he did spend in San Francisco, he would race through meetings and commitments in his eagerness to get back to her.
There was only one dark cloud in her world. The threatening notes kept coming and she had to scramble to make sure Olly didn’t see them. They were vile, hate-filled pieces of filth that she got rid of soon as possible. There was no other incident or occurrence that gave her any indication that her tormentor was serious about the threats, but the hate in the notes wore her down.
She was thinking about them as she walked home. She saw the lights in her home were on, warm and welcoming on a fal
l evening. It made her heart happy. It’s our home now, she thought. How easily Olivier had slotted into her life. He had even made friends with some of the locals, although Pete was still distant with him. Autumn didn’t care—Pete needed to grow the fuck up, as far as she was concerned.
“Hey, Autumn, hold up.”
God …Karl. Autumn forced herself to give him a smile. “Hi, Karl, what can I do for you?”
He stood too close—he always did—and she shifted away slightly. He noticed and smirked, then nodded toward her home. “He a permanent fixture, now, is he?”
Autumn’s shoulders tensed with irritation. “Karl, my private life is just that. Private.”
She turned to go, but he grabbed her arm. She tried to yank it away, but he held her fast, his eyes boring into her.
“Is he a good fuck, Autumn? Is that why he’s deemed good enough when the rest of us weren’t?”
Autumn reeled at the bile in his voice. Asshole. She tried to wrench her arm away. “Go fuck yourself, Karl.”
“What the hell is going on here?” Olivier, tall and angry like an avenging angel, was suddenly beside her. Karl released her arm. Olivier was twice his size, and he knew when he was beaten.
“Just having a conversation with an old friend, if it’s any of your damn business.”
Olivier stepped closer to Karl. “It very much is my business, Karl.”
Karl had opened his mouth to speak, when they were startled by a vicious growl. They all turned toward the sound. Clem had emerged from the house and was staring at Karl. Her muzzle was twisted into an angry snarl, her blazing eyes fixed on the mechanic. With a furious bark, she hurtled along the sidewalk and threw herself on Karl, who screamed as the dog’s powerful jaws clamped down on his arm. Olivier and Autumn both grabbed for the dog, Olivier managing to hook her collar. He rapped Clem hard across the snout and the dog released her victim. Olivier manhandled the still-barking dog into the house, sharing astonished glances with Autumn. She turned to Karl, who had stripped down to his shirt, rolling the sleeve up to inspect his arm.
“Karl, she’s never acted like that before …here let me see.”
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