by Elks, Carrie
“He wants me to sell the pier.”
Lydia sighed. “Of course he does. He wants you back home and dating a suitable guy. Imagine how pissed he’ll be when he meets Griff.”
Autumn’s stomach fell at the thought of it. Angel Sands felt like a million miles away from New York, not just the couple thousand that separated the East Coast from West. She liked it that way. Liked who she was here, and the people who took care of her. Sometimes it felt like they’d get eaten alive in Manhattan.
“Oh god, you’re in love with him!”
Autumn blinked. “What?”
“That expression on your face. All soft and faraway. You love the pants off Griff.” Lydia’s eyes widened. “What did he say when you told him?”
“I haven’t.” Autumn shook her head.
“Why not?”
“Because it’s too soon. And I’m not sure he believes in love.”
“Doesn’t matter whether he believes it or not, it exists.” Lydia turned until her back was against the window and folded her arms across her chest, the way she had when they were kids and she was being stubborn as hell. Not much had changed. “And he feels the same way about you. I know he does.”
“Do you think so?”
“Absolutely. You have to tell him. And before I leave town. I can’t get on a plane all worried that you’re going to mess things up.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” Autumn chuckled.
“So, you’re going to stay here in Angel Sands? Keep the pier? Settle down with the man mountain?”
“I haven’t thought that far ahead.”
“But you’ve told dad you’re not selling the pier, right?”
“Kind of.” Autumn shrugged.
“What does that mean?”
“It means he’s sending a guy over to meet with me and discuss the sale. I tried to say no, but he wouldn’t have any of it.” And she was so tired of fighting against him. “But I’m not going to sell. I’ll listen politely and explain that it’s not for sale, and then at least I can tell Dad I heard him out.”
“What a waste of time.” Lydia sighed. “One of these days you’ll learn to say no to Dad, the same way I have.”
“It was okay for you. I took the heat off you.”
Lydia’s eyes softened. “I know you did. And I’m grateful for it, I really am. But it pisses me off to see him try to make you do the things you don’t want to. He’s thousands of miles away, what’s so scary about him?”
“Nothing. I’m not scared. I just don’t want to let him down.”
Lydia walked toward her, taking Autumn’s hands in hers. “You haven’t let anybody down. Not ever. You’re the best big sister in the world. I know you used to cover for me when I snuck out at night. And I heard you stand up for me when I refused to go to college and wanted to travel the world.” She squeezed Autumn’s palms. “I just wish you could stand up for yourself, too.”
“I will.” Autumn felt sure of it. “Just let me get this charity day over with, then I’ll let dad know I’m not selling the pier. I’ll even tell him I’m serious about Griff.”
“You should probably tell Griff that, too.” Lydia winked.
Autumn laughed. “Whatever you say.” She reached forward to hug her sister tight, breathing in the aroma of strawberry shampoo in Lydia’s flowing hair as it tickled her nose.
There was nothing to be afraid of. Not anymore. Angel Sands meant safety, and Griff meant happiness. The thought of it made her smile.
24
Autumn woke to the sensation of warm lips sliding down her back, pressing a kiss to the sensitive skin at the base of her spine. It made her toes curl with delight, and her breath catch in her throat. The sun was streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the bleached color telling her it was early in the morning, before the yellower rays had stretched their arms to wake up.
She was laying on her front. Looking over her shoulder, her eyes met Griff’s as he ran his fingers over her ass, his suntanned skin almost eclipsing the white of her flesh.
“Good morning.” He grinned lazily at her.
“Morning.” She closed her eyes as he ran his fingers down the back of her thighs, his thumbs pressing into her skin. “You’re the best alarm clock I’ve ever had.”
He chuckled. “I aim to please.” He slid his hands around until his palms were brushing her inner thighs, the tips of his fingers tickling the crease where her legs ended and her torso began. She felt herself clench at his gentle touch, then again when his thumbs feathered against the warmest part of her. She arched her back, her breasts and stomach pressed against the mattress. Griff kissed her ass, scraping his teeth against the smooth globes.
“You have the most beautiful ass,” he told her, kissing her warm skin before he slid his lips down, curling his hands around her thighs to pull them apart.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You should.” He feathered his lips against the inside of her thigh, then pushed her legs up, until her knees were bent, her ass raised, her face still on the mattress. “And this,” he said, kissing her right where she needed him. “Is even prettier.”
“We shouldn’t,” she whispered as he brushed the very tip of his tongue against her. “Lydia is across the hall.”
“Then you’ll have to be quiet.” There was a grin in his voice.
“I’m not sure I… oh…” She pressed her face against the pillow to stifle her groan as he dragged his finger along her crease, that teasing tongue still flicking at her as he pushed first one, then a second inside. Her legs were shaking, and he used his free hand to steady her thighs as he continued his teasing onslaught on her body.
She gripped the edges of the pillow, pressing her lips closed as pleasure began to spark like electricity inside her. “Griff,” she called out, her voice muffled.
“It’s okay,” he murmured, not letting up on the rhythm. “I’ve got you.”
With her trembling body still kneeling on the bed, she felt Griff pull at her thighs until they were wider, then the hardness of his own legs as they pressed against her.
Something else was hard, too. Like steel cased in velvet. She covered her mouth with her hand as he pushed inside her, pleasure flickering and coiling as he slowly slid in and out. His hands reached around to grab her hips so he could move her the way he wanted.
He was overwhelming in every way. Leaning forward until his hard abdomen pressed against her spine, he pressed his lips to her neck, sucking and nipping at her skin, setting every part of her on fire.
The sparks danced, touched, then exploded inside of her, a kaleidoscope of colors igniting behind her closed eyes. Griff slid his hand between her face and the pillow, still grinding against her as he gently cupped her chin and turned her head to brush his lips against hers.
She was breathless, still riding the pleasure his body had brought her. He kissed her hard, her body rocking on the bed, the grinding of his hips making the pleasure dance and hiss all over her. Then he was coming, his body freezing as his fingers held her body tight against him, the lowest of moans escaping his lips as he spilled inside her.
And when it was over, he rolled to his back, lifting her until her body was curled into his, his hands brushing the hair from her face as he showered her with kisses.
“If you wake me up like that every morning, I’m never going to want to leave your apartment,” she whispered into his chest.
“That was the plan.” He pressed his lips against her hair. “I’m glad it’s working.”
* * *
“This place looks amazing,” Lydia said as she walked onto the pier. Autumn had been there all morning – after she’d somehow managed to peel herself away from Griff’s body and staggered into the shower. Her body still tingled at the memory of his touch.
“I can’t believe you’ve gotten so much done in a couple of hours.” Lydia grinned with delight as she looked around.
Autumn looked at her watch. It was twelve-thirty.
“More like five hours,” she said dryly. “I’ve been here since seven-thirty this morning. Some of us have to get up with the sun.”
“Was that what that noise was?” Lydia grinned. “I wondered.”
“Shut up.”
Lydia held up her hands. “I’m just saying I’ve never heard you be so vocal about getting up.” Her eyes danced. “That’s what having a good man does for you.”
“Do you want me to show you around or would you prefer if I threw you in the ocean?” Autumn asked, her mouth quirked with humor. “Just say the word.”
“Ah, I’ll save swimming with the sharks for later. Talking of sharks, where’s the pleasure king?”
“Helping set up the stage.” Autumn nodded at the end of the pier, where a stage and rig rose up from the wooden planks, electrical leads trailing from the speakers and lighting equipment as the electricians deftly wired everything up. Behind, she could see the Ocean Explorer, lights wrapped around the railings, ready to be illuminated as darkness fell.
The pier was exactly as she’d pictured it all those weeks ago when she’d started making plans with Frank. A white flower garland was woven over the rails and around the buildings, and over-sized black and white canvases were fixed in front of them, depicting scenes from the pier throughout the ages. From the early days when bustled women and sharply dressed men walked along the planks just to be seen, to the days when a fleet of fishing boats launched from the end of the gangway, bringing back cratefuls of seafood to the town every evening.
One canvas showed the construction of Delmonico’s, Carla’s proud great-grandad standing in front of the half-built restaurant, his arms crossed proudly in front of his chest, his sleeves rolled up, and his straw boater perched over his dark hair.
Another showed a huge crowd lined up for the first sailing of the Ocean Explorer. A small boy stood by the captain, a huge grin on his face.
“Oh my god, is that Griff?” Lydia asked as she leaned in to take a closer look.
“Yeah. Though he tried to deny it when I showed him.”
Lydia laughed. “There’s no denying that dark hair, or that smile. I can’t believe he was ever that small.” She gave Autumn a sideways glance. “He’s very cute. Maybe your kids will look like that.”
Autumn shook her head at Lydia’s jibe. “Come and look at the rides,” she said, pulling at her sister’s hand. “They’re a lot of fun.”
They’d only managed to fit a few fairground rides onto the pier, thanks to the space restrictions and safety requirements. But she’d chosen them carefully, smiling that she’d found an old fashioned fairground company to supply them.
Her favorite was the red and white helter skelter, which stood proudly at the center, rising like a lighthouse as it overlooked the ocean. A bright red slide circled around it, spiraling to the bottom where a large cushioned landing area would catch the slipperiest of children.
Then there was the carousel, piped music already echoing out of the speakers as the owner gave it a test run. The horses were beautifully painted, each one with a different expression, hair flowing from their manes as they rose up and down in circles.
For the more brave-at-heart there was a wooden rollercoaster. At the top, the owner reassured her, the riders would feel like they were about to be launched into the ocean, only to dip and careen downward toward the pier, making them scream and laugh as they enjoyed the view.
“I love it all,” Lydia declared, clapping her hands. “And all these actors look fabulous.”
People dressed in old fashioned clothes were weaving in and out of the rides. The women wore their hair in intricate updos, and carried pale umbrellas to protect their skin from the sun. The men wore bow ties and straw boaters, which they lifted up to greet Autumn and Lydia as they passed by.
“They’re from the local amateur dramatic society,” Autumn said, smiling as she saw Frank Megassey perfectly dressed in Edwardian attire. “They’re donating their time for free.”
“Good day to you, young miss,” Frank boomed out, taking Autumn’s hand and lifting it to his lips. “What fine weather we have for such a wonderful event. Pray tell, is there anything you need assistance with?”
Autumn swallowed her amusement at his old fashioned language. “No, I think we have it all covered. We’re due to open in a half an hour. Maybe you can help cut the ribbon then?”
“It would be my pleasure, ma’am.” Frank doffed his hat to them, then walked jauntily up the pier, swinging the white-painted cane he was holding in his right hand.
“Is he English?” Lydia whispered into Autumn’s ear.
“No. I’ve no idea why he’s talking like that. Maybe he thinks it makes him more authentic.”
“He’s like a weird cross between Charlie Chaplin and Dick Van Dyke.”
“You should tell him that,” Autumn said, shielding her eyes as she looked around. “He’ll take it as a compliment.”
“Sure. Hey, Frank, wait up!” Lydia shot her sister a grin then ran off, reaching Frank within moments, leaving Autumn alone by the Helter Skelter. She took in a deep breath, tasting the salt in the air as it rose up from the ocean. Halfway down, Déjà Brew had set up their booth, selling coffee and funnel cakes, along with sweet sticky popcorn that reminded Autumn of being a child again.
Somehow, she’d actually brought this whole day together. Weeks of making phone calls, writing contracts, begging and borrowing items to add those finishing touches. And it was all worth it. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt so content. So happy with everything that surrounded her. It was a wonderful feeling.
“I brought you coffee,” Ally said, sliding a cup into Autumn’s hands. “I thought you might need it.”
Autumn took a sip, letting the liquid warm her from the inside out. “God, that’s good.”
“I have funnel cake, too.” Ally grinned and passed her a bag. “You deserve a treat after all you’ve done. I’ve never seen the pier looking so good. Have you seen all the people down there waiting for it to open? There are hundreds of them.”
“Thank god.” Autumn felt her lungs expand. “I was worried nobody would turn up.”
“It’s all anybody’s been talking about in the coffee shop. I can’t believe you managed to get such amazing bands to play for free. And these fairground rides are fantastic. They make me feel like I’m a kid again. I can’t wait to ride them later.” Ally glanced at Autumn from the corner of her eye. “Speaking of riding, how are things with you and Griff?”
Autumn choked on her coffee, narrowly avoiding getting it on her pale blue summer dress. “Um…”
“Oh god, I’m sorry.” Ally grabbed her cup and gave her a napkin, which Autumn used to wipe the coffee bubbles from her nose. “I was just kidding. Kinda. Though I notice he keeps looking over at you.”
Autumn’s eyes were immediately drawn to the stage, where Griff was finishing setting up the last speaker. Sure enough, his eyes caught hers, and she felt a jolt of electricity rush through her.
“Things are good,” she murmured, swallowing hard when he gave her one of those smiles. The one that promised all sorts of bad things as soon as they were alone together.
“It’s so nice to see him happy. And to see you smiling, too. I remember when you walked into my coffee shop the first time. You looked a bit dazed and confused. I wasn’t sure you’d stay for long.”
“I was dazed,” Autumn admitted. “I felt like I was out of control, and life was just dragging me where it wanted.”
“And now?”
“And now I’ve decided to let life do what it will, and enjoy the ride.” She winked at Ally, who laughed out loud.
“Well I hope you stay. It’s nice to have you around.”
“It’s nice to be here. And you’ve all been so welcoming and supportive. You have such a lovely community here.”
“Made all the better by you working hard on the pier. It’s been neglected for so long. It’s wonderful to see it coming back to its former glory.” Ally
hugged her. “I’d better go back to the kiosk, but let’s talk later. Maybe we can have a glass of champagne when it’s all over.”
“Champagne sounds good.” It really did. For the first time in forever, she felt like she had something to celebrate.
25
The first Paxton’s Pier charity day opened at one p.m. sharp, with Frank Megassey making a speech on behalf of the Angel Sands Animal Shelter, followed by Autumn welcoming everybody and telling them how excited she was to be there.
Griff hung back with his friends, but his eyes didn’t leave her face once as she spoke. “This pier isn’t just about the ironworks or the wooden slats,” she said, leaning toward the mic so everybody could hear her. “It’s about Angel Sands’ history. Our community. And more than anything, it’s about the future. I can’t wait to welcome you back here again and again, so you can explore all the wonderful things the pier has to offer. And now, without further ado, please come in and enjoy the day. And don’t forget to spend lots of money. It’s all for a wonderful cause.”
“She’s good,” Jackson said, leaning against the rail with a beer in his hand. Along with Lucas and Breck, he’d been helping Griff set up the stage and the audio system. “You’re batting way above your average there, my friend.”
“Don’t I know it,” Griff murmured.
“Yeah, we all end up there eventually,” Lucas said, flashing his friend a smile. “It keeps us on our toes, knowing we’re the lucky ones. Makes us treat them like the goddesses they are.”
“If you say so.” Jackson took another mouthful of beer. “But I’m thinking that Griff needs to watch out. She’s not just gorgeous, but she’s rich enough to buy this pier. And you only have to look around to see what a great business woman she is. Did you hear that old man Delmonico has agreed to donate a percentage of his profits to charity today? That’s unheard of.”