by Clay, Ann
“Down, girl,” Erica spoke from behind clenched teeth.
“Actually, I was going to suggest the same thing,” Trae jumped in. He winked at Travis. “How long will it take here, Ken?”
“About an hour or less.” The photographer stood away from the group while they chatted.
“It’s going to take a couple of hours to get a boil together, so you still have some downtime together. You come, grab something to eat, and then be on your way.” Trae pulled Reggie into his embrace.
By then, the whole line up had been disrupted, thanks to Travis’s insertion. But Ken didn’t seem to mind much. He was on their dime. He had all evening.
Reggie looked around at the ladies to see if anyone protested. The only one seemingly uninterested was Autumn. She expected her to not respond either way. Reggie turned around while still in Trae’s embrace. “We’re coming to eat and nothing else, okay?” she turned once again toward her friends and said, “Okay, ladies.” After a couple of nods, Reggie gave Travis the thumps up.
Satisfied that he got what he came for, Travis leaned over and kissed Trish and Shelly on the cheek before he backed away. “I’ll see you all at Momma’s.” He didn’t turn before locking gazes with Autumn. She didn’t look away, not until he turned and headed back up the small hill.
Autumn watched Travis’s broad shoulders and narrow waist move beneath powerhouse legs. The scent of his cologne still hung in her nostrils. She had to pace her breathing. The warning lights went off in her head yet again. She failed and couldn’t seem to resist him; Autumn inwardly scolded herself for letting her guard down. She planned to be better prepared next time. She could refuse to go with her friends, but that is why she was there in the first place, to fellowship with them. She knew she had to face Travis. She didn’t think she would have to do it on a continuously social basis.
The hell with it, I’m in this city for a couple more weeks and then I’m headed back to New York. I can do this.
She decided she could tolerate Travis for the short time without committing to anything except the reception.
* * * *
By the time Reggie and her crew pulled up to the Brooks’ house, their mouths watered from the aroma of shellfish coming from the gazebo area.
“Oh, honey, something smells absolutely delicious,” Mona said, climbing from the back of Reggie’s car.
“It does smell great,” Autumn admitted. She hadn’t been to a seafood boil in a very long time. She was actually looking forward to it. Once she made up her mind that she planned to deal with Travis on her own terms, she was able to settle down and begin to enjoy her friends.
Diane greeted the girls at the door. “Hi, babies. Come on in. The guys are out back. For now you can come in here and drink some of these tasty frozen treats I whipped up for you.”
They all gathered in the kitchen while Diane poured icy mixed drinks into huge goblets. “So tell me, what are you ladies up to tonight?” Diane placed a frosty glass into Reggie’s hand. Reggie leaned down and placed a kiss on her future mother-in-law’s cheek. “Thanks, Ma’Dear.” She rewarded Diane for the cocktail. Reggie took a sip before she answered Diane’s question. “Hmm, this is delicious. Well, we got massages already. So now we plan to go back to my place and have hand and foot massages. You remember Jena. She and two other technicians are coming over later tonight.
“That sounds wonderful!” Diane handed the virgin versions of the drinks to Shelly and Trish. “Here you go, ladies.”
“Thanks, Mom!” Trish perked up when she thought that she and Shelly would be relegated to drinking ginger ale or some other soft drink.
“Thanks.” Shelly added.
“Well there’s more where these came from in the blender over there. Drink all you want. And someone needs to be the designated driver, just in case. And oh, Trish and Shelly’s drinks are in this blender. No alcohol for either of you.” She looked directly at the girls.
“Thanks.” All the ladies chimed in together.
“You’re welcome. Now this old lady will get out of your way so you can enjoy yourselves. I’ll be upstairs if you need anything.”
“Thanks again.” Reggie hugged her.
“Good night.”
“Good night,” they all sang in unison.
“I think I’m going to go check on the boil.” Autumn stood and headed for the door. She’d decided in her head that she was going to deal with Travis. Once he knew she wasn’t interested in his advances, she would demand that they work through things until the wedding was over. She decided to act on her plan. Confront him head on. Armed with an icy drink, she left the house and followed the path down to the gazebo.
Travis had exchanged his snug jeans and Polo shirt for a sleeveless T-shirt and a pair of thigh-length running shorts. His upper body looked like a chiseled work of art. Light perspiration dotted his forehead, and the damp T-shirt clung to the ripples on his chest and torso. She could see a horseshoe branded on his left upper arm from where she stood. He’d just lifted a huge vat with hot seafood in it from the spit and had dumped it into a bucket. Caught off guard, Autumn hadn’t counted on the sight of the man, not that way. Pure masculinity exploded and everything virile about Travis hit her with one eyeful. Her step faltered and she almost turned to run back to the house. Just as she contemplated the thought, he turned.
CHAPTER 5
That Brooks smile brightened his face when he saw her headed toward him. He carefully placed the hot vat back on the spit and in the same instance pulled the towel from his waist and brushed it across his forehead. He stood to his full height and Autumn swore he looked like an eight-foot giant, more powerful than a dozen men put together. “Hi.” His gaze penetrated straight through her, like he’d caught her watching him. His hands dropped to his sides as he watched and waited for her arrival.
“Hi.” She recovered and continued toward him. You got this, little girl, she coached herself as she moved closer to the aromas that forced her out there in the first place. “Something smells delicious.” She wanted tell him he looked delicious, that if she didn’t watch herself she would become a slave to his touch, to the passion she saw just beneath those long dark lashes.
Heat resonated at the center of her body and forked in all directions. She knew the kind of danger she was subjecting herself to, and instead of leaping, she forged on, commanding her heart to stay strong. She took a really long breath and held it as she moved closer, her body trembling.
Autumn stopped a short distance from Travis. She had to set the record straight between them, otherwise, they wouldn’t get anything done. And just as she put up her guard and had formed the words in her mouth, Travis moved in. With his face only inches away, her armor slipped. The heat from his body radiated over to her. She gripped the frozen drink with shaky hands and dropped her gaze to shield the last of her restraint from his probing, but it was too late.
“It’s done. So you can eat when you’re ready.” he watched her approach. Travis noticed for the first time a change in her. What was it? He studied her closely. His curiosity got the best of him, so he lifted his hand and touched her face. He didn’t know why, but he did. Any other woman would have slapped his face, but she didn’t. “Look at me, Autumn.” The hoarse command was all but a whisper. They stood inches from one another, so he knew she heard him.
Autumn wanted to oblige him but she couldn’t. Instead, she took a couple of steps back. The drink in her hand almost slipped again. “No, Travis. I came to tell you something.” She suddenly found the strength she lost earlier. “I’m here to help Reggie. I’m not interested in you. I don’t want to get to know you. I don’t want you to get to know me. So please, just stay away. I want things to go well for Reggie and Trae.”
“Is that what you really came to tell me, Autumn?” He scrutinized her closely. Her body said something totally different. She still didn’t totally lift her eyes to him. What else was she concealing because he could see she was hiding the attraction between them?
>
“The sauce is ready… oh, hello, Autumn.” Trae looked from her to his brother and instantly knew something had happened. He and Reggie talked about pairing the two together and after a long discussion, decided that surely the two could work together to get them through the wedding. Were they wrong? “What’s up?”
Travis answered, but he never took his gaze from Autumn. “Oh, little brother, we were just discussing how we were going to work together for the wedding. Weren’t we, Autumn?”
Autumn pulled her gaze from Travis and looked over at Trae. “Yes. We were. It’s an exciting time and I promise you it’ll be a day you’ll never forget. Could you excuse me? I’ll head back to the house.”
“Sure thing.” Trae looked from Travis to Autumn and then back to Travis. When she was out of hearing distance Trae laid into him. “Man, what was that about?”
“Look Trae, I don’t need censure from you, okay. We’re all adults. Everything is fine. Don’t worry about anything.”
Just before the ladies started digging into to the scrumptious food, Michael showed up with several of their frat brothers. Shortly thereafter, Denise, Michael’s girlfriend, joined the group of bridesmaids. Michael spun music and everyone seemed to have a good time. They all laughed, ate, and danced. Travis did his best to stay clear of Autumn. The last thing he wanted to do was disrupt the couple’s enjoyment. He danced with Erica several times, and one dance number got a little racy. Afterward, he spun her around and planted a kiss on her forehead. “Thanks for showing me up little lady.”
“But you enjoyed it didn’t you?” she teased.
“I did, indeed.”
Autumn fumed as she watched the seductive way Travis held Erica. In the middle of the song she went into the house, but returned just in time to see Travis kiss Erica. She froze. Her expression faltered for a brief moment but then she recovered just as quickly. She lifted her head and eased into the fluffy cushions she’d vacated earlier. She sighed heavily.
When Travis looked up and saw Autumn coming from the house just as he planted a kiss on Erica’s forehead, he instantly regretted the move. With one arm draped around Erica’s shoulders, he saw pain in Autumn’s gaze. Or maybe for his sake, he imagined it. She told him she didn’t want to know him. Yet the hurt in her expression said something different and it disturbed him. He frowned. Travis didn’t like games, the very reason he stayed cleared of commitments. He liked having a good time. Autumn made it clear that she wasn’t interested in that plan.
He watched Autumn, sitting off, purposely alone. Taking a sighing breath, he walked over to where she sat. He couldn’t stand to see any guest of his not enjoy themselves. It just was not the trait of a good host. So much for staying clear of her, but he felt obligated to say something. After all, he was the host and wanted everyone to have a good time. “Everything okay?”
Autumn didn’t meet his gaze. “Yes, everything is cool.”
“I hope you’re having a good time.” He bent down next to her. He hoped that she would look at him, but she didn’t.
“Yes, thanks. This was really nice.” She fidgeted with her hands.
Travis reached out and touched her. His move did bring her gaze to meet his. The daylight had descended, but the lanterns provided ample light for the entire area. He looked at her for a brief moment before he spoke. He was sure she would pull away from him but she didn’t. “I don’t want us to be at odds, Autumn. So, I’d like to start over if you’ll allow me.”
The heat of the humid night couldn’t compete with the flame in his hands nor could it erase the seductive way he said her name. The blaze shot straight up her arm and into her face. She worked to ignore it. This was the second time he’d said this to her; the first time was at the gas station. “We’re not at odds, Travis.” She stated, flatly. “How many times do we get to start over?” She held her breath, hoping he would move his hand before she succumbed to the heat pulsating through her veins.
Travis slid his hand down her arm and lightly squeezed her fingers before he cupped them in both of his large hands. He brought them to his lips and left his kiss on her fingertips.
The move totally alarmed her. Still, she resisted the urge to pull from his grasp. She refused to let him think he had the upper hand; that he affected her the way he did. She turned her head from him to see if others were watching their exchange. Please release me, she prayed silently.
“I’m glad were are not at odds, and I hope to get as many second chance as you’ll give me. You may not want to get to know me, but I am very interested in you, beautiful lady.”
“You certainly toss that word around casually,” she snapped at him.
He tilted his head. “What word? Beautiful? I can’t help it that you and your friends are beautiful.” He looked over his shoulder at her girlfriends who all were on the other side dancing. They were the only two not shaking their rumps.
“Surely you don’t expect me to fall for that line do you?”
A sensuous smile eased across his face. Travis stood with her hands still cupped in his. “Come on, let’s dance. Everyone else is on the dance floor.” He didn’t want to get into a debate with her. He would much rather expend the energy holding her, and if he couldn’t do that, dancing with her would suffice.
Autumn opened her mouth to protest, but he was already pulling her from the chair. She allowed him to drag her towards the others, and she effortlessly fell into step with everyone else. She smiled which lit her entire face.
Travis’s heart leaped because she was, indeed, breathtakingly gorgeous. If only he could get pass the wall she erected, he just might get to know her. With a determination already in place, he enjoyed what he could for the moment.
They all danced through several more songs before Reggie pulled at her friends. “Let’s go, ladies. We weren’t supposed to be here this long.” She’d already called Jena to have her meet them later than they’d planned. And she didn’t budge when she heard the complaints from her friends.
“Ah, do you ladies have to leave?” one of the guys asked.
“No!” Mona slurred.
“Yes, we do,” Reggie protested grabbing a wobbly Mona by the arm. “Thanks, Travis. Food was great.” She turned towards her future brother-in-law, and then leaned into Trae and wrapped her one free arm around his neck. The other one still held on to Mona. “I love you, baby. See you tomorrow.”
She responded appropriately when Trae deepened the kiss. “I love you, sweetheart. Have fun.”
Both Travis and Autumn watched the exchange. Then they briefly looked at each other. Travis raised an eyebrow as he stared at her. Autumn turned away and didn’t look back or say anything. She ascended the stairs and walked through the rear door of his mother’s house.
Travis watched her until she disappeared. His attention then went to Reggie, as she continued to drag Mona away. Denise fell into step behind them. “Thanks ladies for coming.” He shook his head.
* * * *
Travis strolled towards the moving vehicle just as Reggie was backing out. “Regg!” He purposely walked to the passenger side. He knew Autumn would be seated up front with Reggie, and when she rolled down the window, he handed her the covered pan. He leaned into the car. Travis could barely make out her face, but he knew she was watching him as he was watching her. They had two weeks to figure out what was going on between them. “Here, you guys take this. I’m sure you’ll get hungry a little later.”
Travis placed a pan and an envelope in Autumn’s lap. His hands grazed the insides of hers in the process, and he instantly felt the electrical charge; but he fought the urge to do anything about it. Instead he said, “See you guys later,” backed away from the car, and didn’t move again until it had turned outside the iron gates of the driveway. Even then, he could still feel the sparks racing through his veins.
* * * *
Autumn glanced out of the window, but turned when Reggie announced, “Jena should be at the house by the time we get there.” She watched as R
eggie gripped the top of the steering wheel. Her friends continued their joyful chatter.
“We could have stayed where we were. I’m in a party mood now.” Erica replied.
Mona poked Erica as she wiggled in her seat. “Be still. After all that ass shaking, you should be good to go for a least a couple more weeks.”
“Ah, yeah, girl, I thought you were going to rip off Travis’s clothes the way your little fast behind was grinding on him.” Reggie laughed.
“We were just having a good time, but I tell you that boy is fine as hell,” Erica added.
Denise smiled and shook her head. “It’s in the Brooks genes. Honey, just don’t mess with the middle one. He’s mine and I’ll cut you if you even think about him, sho nuff!”
“Wow! She’s crazy! She’s going fit in just fine with our crazy behinds.” Autumn saw Mona slap Denise a high five.
She was the only one not laughing. A little unnerved, she couldn’t figure out why it bothered her to hear them talk about Travis that way. She continued to deny her obvious attraction to him; lied when she told Travis she didn’t want to get to know him, when in fact she was intrigued by him. And after watching him for the short time they were at his parents’ house today, she felt totally different about him. His behavior was rather appealing, treating everyone as if they were the most important person at that moment. She watched him move around the garden making sure everyone was taken care of. He couldn’t fake that even if he wanted to.
Yet, for her own good and his, it was better to stay far away from him. Autumn rested her head on the headrest and closed her eyes, temporarily blocking out the jovial conversation among her friends. A crease split her forehead as she remembered the sleepless nights she hunkered into a ball crying, hoping she could forget, wishing she could have changed things altogether.
Reggie touched her arm. “Are you okay?”
Autumn startled. “Yeah. I guess I’m a little tired. I’m just resting my eyes.”