by Clay, Ann
Autumn turned back and looked at him. “Maybe you should give it another try.” She moved toward the chair across from him.
“Hmm. I’m not sure my head’s big enough to become an accomplished artist.”
“Do you think only people with big heads become successful artists? I could say the same for people in my profession. I think it’s about passion. Surely you have something you’re very passionate about. If it’s not music, then it must be something else.”
“My family’s business is my passion. I idolize my father. He’s a great role model. I’ve watched him put his entire life into our business, and I find myself strongly attached to the same things.” He answered openly. “What about you? What’s your passion?”
“For now, it’s dancing. It’s what I know best.”
“How did that come to be?” Both he and Autumn had begun to ask a lot of questions. It was their way of getting to know each other. So far, it worked.
“I got into dancing because of Reggie. I don’t have a clue where I would be now had it not been for her.” She glanced away for a moment. “I come from a small place; there’s nothing there. Not really anything that would have helped me accomplish much. When Reggie’s father transferred to the island it was heaven sent. She introduced me to dance. My mother allowed me to take lessons, but only if I helped pay for them. We didn’t have a lot. But she saw that I was interested in it. So I would go to dance class with Reggie, and when we weren’t in class, Reggie taught me what she’d learned before she moved to Grand Isle.”
“How long have you lived in New York?”
“Five years this month. When I first moved there, I was like a fish out of water.” She smiled remembering how frightened she was when she got on an airplane and then set foot in New York. “It took some getting used to, but I managed. And now I like it. It’s home for the time being.”
“For now. Sounds like you might have plans to move someplace else.”
“I’ve always wanted to live in Europe. I remember touring there. The people were friendly and didn’t care about my brown skin.”
* * * *
Her revelation didn’t sit well with Travis; his inquiry was for selfish motives. He wanted to know her intentions. New Orleans would always be home for him, if he had anything to say about his own future. It was where his family lived and their business thrived. The thought of possibly living someplace else never presented a challenge for him until that moment. “Have you considered moving to New Orleans?” His curiosity got the best of him.
“Actually, I haven’t. I always thought that here, is just a little too close to home.”
“Don’t you like being close to home?”
“Honestly, in the last five years, no.”
“And now?”
“And now I might consider it. My grandmother is late in age. I would do it for her.”
Travis stared at her for a long moment. He couldn’t expect her to say that she would move back to be with him. They’d not yet reached that point. He hoped, though, that the possibility wasn’t that far off. He stood and held out his hand to her. “Let’s feed you.” His closed his hand around hers, and led her to his formal dining room.
* * * *
Autumn followed Travis into an area where a beautifully set table held candles of all shapes and sizes. Her expression widened as she glanced around at the magnificently decorated room. “Don’t tell me you did all of this.”
“Okay, I won’t tell you. Please.” He pulled out a chair and waited for her to take a seat.
Autumn slipped into the chair and watched Travis disappear into the kitchen. He pushed a teacart with covered dishes into the room. He uncovered a dish of mixed greens bathed in raspberry vinaigrette with broiled salmon resting on top and placed the plate onto a charger in front of her.
“This looks fabulous.”
“Let’s hope it’s as tasty as it looks.” He set a serving at his place setting, and then refilled their wine glasses before sitting across from her.
Autumn lifted a brow as she watched him take a seat. She wondered if it were the complete meal. She’d seen Travis and both of his brothers eat. If this was all he planned to eat, he was doing it to impress her. And for that, she had to give him some props. He said grace for the table and picked up his fork. Autumn followed suit.
“Hmm, this is very good.” She ate a forkful of the salad.
They enjoyed their meal and talked about the plans for rehearsal dinner and the reception. “We’re doing a surprise bridal shower on Thursday, so you can’t say anything to Trae. From what I understand, neither of you can keep a secret, but I’m trusting you on this because I need your help to make it happen.”
“I’m game.” He perked up. “But know my feelings are crushed because of your accusations. I can keep a secret. I’ll prove it.” He placed his hand over his heart. Autumn shook her head after he made his comment.
The evening turned into a late night. They almost polished off the entire bottle of wine. Travis admitted he preferred beer, but didn’t let her drink the wine alone. He said he drank wine with a meal but once he was done with eating, he preferred a cognac, if he couldn’t have a beer. Autumn drank two glasses of wine. “Are you going to be okay driving? I should have offered you something else.”
“I’m fine. The food helped.”
“You can always spend the night. I have more than enough rooms here.”
“No, really. I’ll be fine.”
“So my trying to get you drunk didn’t work?” He smiled across the table as he kidded her.
“I’m afraid your little ploy didn’t work, Mr. Brooks.”
“Dang. You have to give a guy credit for trying. Maybe next time.”
“No. Not next time either.” She shook her head.
He stood to clear the table. Autumn stood as well and began to help him. “You don’t have to do this.”
“Please, I would like to help. The food was delicious. That’s the least I could do.”
They cleared the table and moved around his kitchen as if they’d done it before, as if she belonged there. She helped him put away the dishes in the dishwasher, pulling out drawers and putting the flatware in them. She didn’t ask where things went; just sort of went with where she thought things might go and generally got it right.
When the chore was done, Autumn went for her purse. “It’s late. I better get out of your hair so you can get ready for work tomorrow.”
“Please don’t leave on my part. You should stay as long as you want to.”
“That’s very generous. Like I said, you’re an excellent host.”
“Well, if you keep throwing me compliments, my head will swell, and end up too big to carry on my shoulders.”
“Isn’t that the case already?” She smarted.
“Whoa! That was a good one. Just remember, I’ll get you back.”
“I’ll remember that.” She pulled her keys from her purse, and Travis took them from her hand. He led her through the foyer and out of the front door. An exterior light clicked on as soon as their feet crossed the threshold. Travis released the lock to the driver-side door, and opened it for her. Before he allowed her to move in, he pulled her into his embrace. He wanted to do that the entire evening. After the first time he kissed her, he thought about kissing her again their entire time together.
He took his time lowering his head and covering her lips. He feasted on the top and then the bottom one before pushing his way through both. They both moaned when Travis deepened the kiss. He like how soft she felt when she pulled herself closer against the wall of his body to get better access. He allowed her to nibble on his lips until he took control once again. And without warning, he severed the kiss. “Good night, sweetheart. Please call me to let me know you made it back, okay?”
“Okay.” She looked hazily up at him.
“Are you sure I can’t convince you to stay?”
She shook her head no.
“How about I follow you to
make sure you get to Reggie’s safely?” His protective nature pushed into overdrive.
“I’ll be alright. I promise,” she reassured him.
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
“Please be careful.” He cupped her face in his hands.
“I will.”
He finally moved away to let her in the car and closed the door after she fastened her seatbelt and turned on the ignition. Only then, did he step back. Autumn looked out of her window and smiled before she pushed the gear into drive, and pulled away. Travis had preset the sensor to open when she approached gate. He didn’t move until she was through the fence and her car out of sight.
On the way back to Reggie’s house, Autumn searched her satellite stations for the song that Travis had sung to her earlier. She keyed in the words on the panel and watched the scanner scroll across the display. After a couple of minutes, the clear, strong voice of Will Downing filled the car. She played it several times until it was etched into her memory. She could still feel the heat from his body. By the time she pulled up to Reggie’s, she wished that she’d leaped at the chance to stay the night with him. Still, the sensible thing to do was what she’d done. If the thing between them was to stand the test of time, then another offer was certain. She pulled up next to Reggie’s car and pushed the gear into park. Before turning off the ignition, she pulled out her phone and called Travis.
He answered on the first ring. “Hello.”
“Hi, I made it.”
“Thanks for calling to let me know. I had a wonderful time tonight.”
“I did too. Thanks for dinner. You’re a fabulous host. Your mother would be proud.”
He chuckled. “What did I tell you about the compliments?”
“Oh, yeah. I forgot. Forget that last statement, okay?”
“Can’t. You already admitted.”
“Well, I’ll be more careful next time.”
“I’m happy to know that there will be a next time.”
“Sure. Good night, Travis.”
“Good night, sweetheart. Pleasant dreams.”
* * * *
Travis spent a lot of time talking to Autumn on the phone for a couple of days. They hadn’t seen each other since she left his house, and by Thursday, he was so ready to see her he could hardly stand the wait. His job was to get Reggie to his parents’ house by seven. The other ladies were already back in the city, and told Reggie they were going to the mall for last-minute shopping. Mona pretended not to want to go, so when the others left with the cars, she was left home with only Reggie’s car. Within the hour after the others left, Mona decided she needed to make a quick run to pick up some personal items.
Now came his part. He would stop by Reggie’s, as if he was there looking for Autumn. While there, his mother would call, needing Reggie to come by for a mother-of-the-groom emergency. Reggie’s mother wasn’t expected to come to the city until early Friday morning. Only, Cheri, David, her parents, and her brother Lance, all arrived early that morning. Cheri was at the house with the other ladies. He rang the doorbell twice before Reggie answered.
“Hi Travis, come in. I’m on the phone with your mom right now.”
“Oh. What’s up?”
“She says she needs me to come over, now. I was explaining that I didn’t have my car. Mona left to go to the store and should be back shortly.”
“I can take you and wait for you. Maybe by the time we get back Autumn will be back. She told me she would be here.”
“Yeah, at the last minute Erica dragged her to the mall.” She tried to listen to both his and Diane’s conversation at the same time. “Okay, Travis is here and will bring me by. We should be there in a few minutes.” She paused as she listened to Diane. “Yes ma’am, I’m leaving now.” She clicked the ‘end’ button, and looked at Travis exasperated.
“Do you mind?”
“Not at all. Let’s go.”
When they pulled in front of the Brooks’ house, Travis got out and opened Reggie’s door. All the other cars were parked in the back, so she didn’t suspect anything. Travis pushed opened the front door and stepped aside to let Reggie in. It was a good thing he was standing behind her because when she saw everyone and they yelled “Surprise!” the sight overwhelmed her. “Oh, my God!” She screamed. She scanned the room at all the faces to include the friends who’d ditched her and left her home without transportation. “I’m getting all of you wenches.” She pointed at them. Reggie turned back to Travis. “And exactly how were you recruited? Wait, let me guess.” She turned toward Autumn who was hiding in the corner.
Although Autumn watched the exchange between Reggie and the women in the room, her main focus was on the tall, handsome man still standing at the entrance. He was given strict orders to come in no farther than the foyer. She wanted so desperately to run over and throw her arms around him, but caution kept her rooted in the place she stood. She didn’t turn away until Reggie called her out.
“Not me, little girl.” She smiled at Reggie’s accusations.
“Yes, you. Now go over and thank your accomplice, ’cause I’m guessing at this juncture he’s kicked out of the house.”
“You’ve got that right. Thank you, Travis, honey, but you’ve got to go.” Diane pointed to the door.
“Well I know when I’m not wanted.” He waited for Autumn to walk him through the door.
“I guess I need to escort you out, Mr. Brooks, before these women turn their fangs on you.”
“Trust me, I’m going willingly. Have a good time.”
“Thanks, I’ll certainly try.”
“You don’t think I can recruit you for the tell all?”
“Not a fat chance. Sorry. You’re clearly out of luck.”
“Well, can’t say I didn’t try.”
“Indeed, you did.”
CHAPTER 14
When Travis opened his hand, Autumn placed hers in it. They walked to his car without a single word, and when they stopped, Travis moved in close, pulling her into him. He kissed her tenderly, but didn’t linger. She felt his breath on her face when he whispered, “I missed you.”
She looked into his stormy gaze, and ran her hand down the side of his face. All she remembered about their evening at his house was the heat he lit in her body. The only thing that kept her from leaping into bed with Travis was the reminder of the lessons from her mother, and grandmothers before her. She made the promise to save her first time for her husband. Right then, that promise was in jeopardy.
“I miss you. I’ll call you when we’re done.”
“Well, enjoy it. I’m sure you’ll have a good time.”
“I’ll try. I’ll see you later?”
“Definitely.” He kissed her lightly. “You better get inside before the clan comes out after you.”
Autumn backed away from him and then turned to enter the house. When she entered, she got the knowing look from Reggie. Erica, on the other hand, came up to her. “So what’s happened here, my sister since the last time we were in the city?”
Autumn slipped her arm through Erica’s. “I’ll have to fill you in later. For now, let’s just say discoveries have been made. And I think I’m liking it a lot.”
“Well, I’ll say. Good for you. Hell, it’s about time.”
“Yes, indeed.”
True to her word, after they’d managed to get all of the ladies out of the house, and all the gifts and wrapping paper cleaned up, Autumn called Travis. She had two more nights in the city before she headed back to New York. For the first time, she dreaded the trip home. “I’m headed back to Reggie’s,” she informed Travis.
“Stay put, babe. I’ll be there in a few minutes, okay?”
“Okay. I’ll be here.” She hung up with him and walked to the front where Reggie and the other bridesmaids gathered. She garnered Reggie’s attention. “Travis asked me to wait for him here, so I’ll catch up with you guys at the house.”
“Okay. We’ll probably be up late anyway.”
“I have all the gifts in my car. Do you need me to bring anything home?”
“No. I think we’re good,” Reggie assured her.
Autumn walked back to the kitchen where Diane was wrapping plastic wrap over platters of leftover cake. “Everything was great, Mrs. Brooks. Thanks for letting us have the shower here.”
“Not a problem, dear. Did you get left behind?”
Autumn smiled. “Sort of. Travis asked me to wait for him here. He should be here in a few minutes.”
Diane stopped wrapping the dishes and walked over to where Autumn stood. She touched her arm bringing her attention to her. She regarded the young woman for a moment. She was beautiful, sweet, and very respectful. She could see how Autumn and Reggie became fast friends. They were so much alike. For that, she was grateful. Diane was also in tune with her own children. She suspected that Autumn and Travis seemed interested in one another. She saw that Travis’s behavior, over the last couple of weeks, had changed quite a bit. And she suspected that Autumn had something to do with that. They tried to pretend nothing was happening between them, but they couldn’t fool her. She was a master at the game call love.
“Tell me something, sweetie. Are you and Travis an item?”
Autumn was fidgeting with a container but stopped abruptly. Diane’s question shouldn’t have caught her by surprise, but it did. Her question told Autumn that the exchanges between her and Travis were obvious to others as well. Just as she was about to answer, Travis waltzed into the kitchen. He’d heard his mother’s question.
“I certainly hope so, Mom.” He walked up and draped his arms around Autumn. He briefly kissed her forehead before he left her side and went to greet his mother. “Hi. After you kicked me out, I thought I’d try and come home to redeem myself.”
“And why would you need to do that, son?”
“Of course you planned to rat me out and tell Autumn here, that I’m a momma’s boy.”