by Karen Booth
He lowered himself, planting both elbows on the bed. He kissed her full, sexy mouth. The one full of sweetness and clever words and laughter. The one that gave him pleasure he could get lost in forever. She wrapped her legs around him, caressing the backs of his thighs with her ankles. Up and down, like a rolling wave, tugging him out into a deeper and deeper bliss.
Autumn tilted her hips, allowing him to plunge deeper inside her. He skimmed his mouth over the velvety skin of her cheek, along the curve of her jaw and down the delicate slope of her neck. They moved together in a rhythm that worked so well for them both. Grey could tell from her breaths, which were shallow and restless, and the roll of her hips, which was more insistent now. Grey was intent on giving her everything she wanted, so he pushed up from the bed, sucking in his abs, trying to stem the coming tide of his own orgasm as he took his thrusts longer and more intense. His thighs felt like they were on fire, the pressure relentless on his hips, tightening in his groin. He listened to Autumn, studied her face for clues as she dug her fingers into his back, holding on to him for dear life. She turned her head to the side, and he lowered his head, kissing her neck and drinking in her smell. She arched into him, humming her approval, muscling him closer with her heels.
He could tell she was close. He felt the tightening inside her. He remained focused on her, trying to ignore the intensity of how good every inch of her felt. His mind was blurry at the edges, a soft fog rolling into his consciousness. Her mouth went slack, her breaths halting and almost musical. She dug her fingers in deeper and reined him in even closer with her legs. And then she unraveled, arching her back and gasping. It was so stunning to watch that he hadn’t noticed how close his own climax was, and it slammed into him like a line drive from out of nowhere. He sank all the way down into her one more time and dropped his head, planting his face right into the glorious valley of her neck.
Autumn hummed and rolled them to their sides, where they could kiss and float back to earth in the comfort of each other’s arms. There was a part of his mind that would be blank for a while, but there were several thoughts winding their way through his brain. All he could think about was the complete switch between the way he’d felt when he’d come back to Asheville at the beginning of the summer and the way he felt now. He’d thought he’d spend the time just waiting to leave. Now, there were formerly improbable ideas in his head.
“Mmm. You are amazing, Grey Holloway.” Autumn trailed her fingers up and down his side, waking up his body all over again.
“Happy birthday, Autumn. I hope it was a good one.” He was so glad they’d had the chance to share this together. It would be a memory he’d hold on to for a long time. Quite possibly forever.
“It was the best. The absolute best.”
“It’s not over yet. There’s dessert.”
Autumn reared back her head. “Ooh. What kind?”
“Yellow cake with chocolate buttercream. A real birthday cake.”
“Did you make it for me? Are you seriously that talented?”
The idea was ridiculous, but he loved that she saw it as possible. “I had the pastry chef make it for you.”
“You are so sweet. I don’t even know what to do with you.” She kissed him softly.
“Do you want some now?”
“Actually, I was thinking about something while we were sitting outside and having dinner. It’s such a warm night and the pond is so nice this time of year.”
“You want to go swimming?”
“What about skinny-dipping?”
For a moment, Grey wondered what in the hell she was thinking. “We can’t do that. This is my family’s property.”
“No one will see. The guests only know about the main lake, not the pond at the back of the property. Molly took me there once.”
As kids Grey and his brothers swam in that pond every day. Sometimes Molly joined them. They considered it their private swimming hole. One summer they even built a tree house overlooking the pond. But that was years ago...
“How do you know for sure the guests don’t use it now?”
“Okay. Fine. I don’t know that for sure, but we’re both smart people. We can figure out a way to make it happen if we apply ourselves.”
“I don’t know...” This was not something Grey wanted to do. Except that he did very much enjoy being naked with Autumn. And he did want to make her happy.
“Oh, come on. When was the last time you did it? I bet it’s been a while.”
“Never. I’ve never done it.”
Autumn gasped. “Then we have to. No excuses.” She hopped up from the bed and grabbed her dress, stepping into it and threading her arms through the straps. “Come on. Throw on a T-shirt and a pair of shorts.”
Grey did as Autumn had asked, fishing the garments out of his dresser and putting them on. “This is insane.”
“Just think how ready you’ll be for cake after this.” She turned her back to him. “Just zip it up part of the way. So I can get out of it quickly.”
“After this, I’ll be ready to get you back in my bed.”
Autumn laughed. “Swimming first, then cake, then sex.”
“Yes, ma’am.” They walked out into the living room. “Do we take towels?”
“Probably too obvious while we’re walking down there. We do need to scout it out to make sure the coast is clear. Also, you’re going to have to do that part because I have to leave behind my glasses.”
Oh, right. Grey realized that he and Autumn were going to have to guide each other through this scenario. “What do we do if we get down to the water and there are a bunch of people down there?”
“Wait until they leave. But you’re so far back on the property, I doubt we’ll see anyone and they won’t see us, either.” She kissed him, and it felt like a wish for good luck. “Come on.”
Hand in hand and barefoot, they walked outside and Grey closed the door behind them, thankful the cottage had a keypad entry and he didn’t need to worry about losing a key. Through the dark of night, they fast-walked along the overgrown pathway to the pond. They gained speed as they got closer. The air was right on the edge of warm and cool, making the senses come alive. The grass was soft against the soles of Grey’s feet. Autumn’s hand fit perfectly in his. Everything smelled sweet, and the bullfrogs and crickets were taking turns being loudest.
There was no one in sight when they arrived near the water’s edge, standing under cover of a large tree. “Ready?” Autumn asked. She didn’t wait for an answer though, wriggling out of her dress.
Grey sucked in a breath and stole a moment to look at the sumptuous curves of her body, lit up by the moon. “Yeah. Okay.” He shucked his shorts and lifted his T-shirt over his head, then collected their clothes and left them in a bundle at the base of the tree trunk.
Autumn took his hand again. “You have to go first. I’ll either jump too soon or fall right into the water.”
Grey’s heart was thumping wildly, but something about being with Autumn made him willing to throw caution to the wind. “Okay. Follow me.” He decided a quick approach was the best, taking six or seven long hurried strides and leaping into the water. It was warmer than he imagined. His head went right under. And Autumn’s hand slipped from his. Grey kicked hard to get back to the surface, shaking his head. “Autumn? Where are you?” He felt frantic, squinting into the dark, and treading water to stay afloat.
Then he heard the surface break and a deep breath. “Wow. The water feels amazing.” Autumn was just fine. She’d only swam a little farther than he would’ve liked. “Grey?”
Now he could see her outline against the blue and black ripples of water. “On my way.” He swam over to her and immediately pulled her into his arms. Their legs tangled as they both kicked to stay afloat.
“So?” she asked. “Fun?”
Yes, the experience itself was nothing short of
enjoyable. But he knew that it wouldn’t be the same without her. But he didn’t know how to say that to her. He was supposed to be treading lightly. This was just for the summer. Nothing else. “The best.”
She broke free from him and swam a few strokes away, then turned and came back.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked.
“How you’re too handsome for your own good.” She kissed him, soft and wet and breathless.
He laughed and kissed her back. “That’s sweet, but I know you’re blind without your glasses.”
“That’s where I’ve got you. I’ll always remember exactly what you look like.”
Eleven
This was Jameson’s favorite activity—watching Giada cook in his kitchen for Sunday lunches with his boys. They’d managed eight Sundays since the engagement party. Now it was only a week until Mack and Molly would be married, and Travis was coming home for a few months. All would be right with Jameson’s world. Well, as long as he could convince all three of his sons to stay in Asheville permanently. For now, the most pressing matter was Grey. Time was dwindling, but he and Mack had a plan.
“Are you sure I can’t help?” Jameson walked up behind Giada as she whisked up a homemade vinaigrette for the salad. He placed his hand on the small of her back and leaned down to kiss her neck.
Giada turned and shot him a look. “Your sons will be here soon. And yes, you can help. You can put the greens in the salad bowl.”
Jameson loved both sides of Giada—the taskmaster and the caring nurturer. Fire and ice. She was everything he wanted in a woman. If only he could convince her that it was a good idea. “Got it.” He did as she asked, glad that this was now as simple a task for him as it would be for anyone else. He was getting better. He felt alive, especially when he was with Giada.
She opened the oven to check on a large baking dish of her signature recipe, which Jameson had dubbed eggplant Giada. It was a classic Greek moussaka with a few Italian twists like fresh basil. She put both love and her heritage into everything she cooked. “Another ten minutes. Then it needs to cool.”
“All done with the salad. What now?”
“We need to talk about your new habit of touching my hip and kissing my neck, cara mio. It’s not good to have that happen in front of Grey and Mack.”
“Why?” He and Giada had kissed several times since the night of Mack and Molly’s engagement party, but it wasn’t nearly enough for Jameson. He wanted more and he’d been quite plain about it. “They adore you and they want me to be happy.”
“They also pay my salary. I’m supposed to be taking care of you. I’m not supposed to be in your bed.”
“But you aren’t in my bed. I’ve extended the invitation and you’ve declined.”
She smiled and stepped closer to him, taking his hand. “I care for you, Jameson. I think you know that. But your health is more important than romance. The doctor wants you to focus on healing and I agree. I know your boys do, too.”
“But I feel fantastic. I feel perfect, really. I’m hardly using the cane at all. We’re walking farther every day, and that’s even in this crazy heat wave we’ve been having.” Speaking of crazy heat, Jameson felt like his entire body was on fire every time he got her to talk about something of consequence. All too often, she blew off any conversation about the two of them having a relationship outside of nurse and patient.
“You’re doing really well. I’m proud of how hard you’ve worked. But I still worry.”
“Maybe that’s because you care.” He rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb, peering down into her lovely face. Her dark hair was pulled back, showing the silvery strands that brought out the aquamarine of her eyes. Her lips were full and beckoning.
“Jameson...” she said as he lowered his head.
“Shhh.” Jameson gently threaded his hand into her hair, carefully placing his lips on hers. The instant they met, he was reminded how badly he wanted her. Giada’s hand went to his waist, subtly tugging him closer. Jameson followed her cues, wrapping one arm around her. His heart began to beat fiercely. His thoughts swirled. His feet felt unsteady. And then he faltered, lurching to the side. He caught himself on the countertop with one hand.
“Are you okay?” Giada asked in a panic.
Dammit. “I’m fine. Perfectly fine.” He straightened, still feeling dizzy, but unwilling to admit that to her.
“This is what I’m talking about. You are not ready for this, Jameson, however good you might be feeling.”
“It’s just my body reminding me how badly I want you. It’s not my health. It’s my heart.”
The kitchen timer buzzed. Giada checked the oven just as the doorbell rang. Mack’s voice called from the front hall. “We’re here.” He and Molly strolled into the kitchen with a bottle of wine and a large arrangement of colorful summer wildflowers. Thank goodness his son was still announcing himself. Two minutes earlier and Jameson and Giada would’ve been found kissing like a couple of teenagers.
“These are for Giada,” Molly said as Jameson kissed her on the cheek.
Giada removed the oven mitts and accepted the bouquet. “Grazie. It’s very kind of you. Although, it seems to me like the bride-to-be should be getting the flowers around here. Not me.”
“Hard to believe, huh? A week until we get married.” Mack took a seat at the kitchen island.
Molly stood next to him. “Actually, it’s only six days. By this time next week, we’ll be married.”
Giada was busy filling a vase at the sink with water. She brought it to the island and began artfully arranging the flowers. “When will Travis arrive?”
“Not until Friday. He’s so ridiculously busy,” Mack said, folding his arms across his chest. “But at least he’ll be here.”
“And when is Grey set to leave?” Giada asked.
“Labor Day.” Jameson looked over at Mack. “Any thoughts on how we bring this up?”
Giada shook her head. “Jameson, Grey is a grown man. If you want him to stay, just tell him you want him to stay.”
“Grey needs a nudge,” Mack said. “He’ll do anything to avoid upheaval and drama. It’s too easy for him to stay in New York and live a quiet life he controls.”
Mack was not wrong about Grey, but Mack also didn’t fully understand the home Grey had come from. Both boys had been so young when they’d come to live with Jameson. “True, but you have to appreciate why he is drawn to stability and quiet. His parents were anything but that. A child grows up in chaos, especially when they’re an only child, and they’ll do anything to avoid it. That doesn’t go away.”
Quiet fell upon the room, but then Molly spoke up, “I get that. My entire family is a mess. But maybe we just need to remind Grey that the one he has here is ultimately supportive and loving.”
Jameson felt a certain degree of pride that Molly saw his family that way, but he also knew the truth. His sons had not fully healed the wounds of the past. And none of that could really happen until Travis was in Asheville as well and they had time to work things through. Which meant they had to convince Grey to stay, at least for a little while longer. “He’s bringing Autumn for the first time today. That’s got to be a good sign for our case.”
Mack shrugged. “Maybe. Don’t you think it’s strange he waited this long? They’re spending so much time together. I just think he’s sending a lot of signals about leaving soon.”
“Don’t be so negative,” Molly said. “You don’t know what’s going to happen. Maybe it will just take the right woman. Autumn might be that person.”
Mack reined Molly into a hug. “Do you want to know what I love about you?” He kissed her on the top of her head. “You aren’t afraid to tell me to stop being a jerk.”
They all laughed, but Jameson’s faded quickly. He had so much to be thankful for in his life, but he also had an awful lot weighing on him—Giad
a, Grey and the hope that his sons would reconcile.
* * *
Grey and Autumn heard laughter as they approached his Pops’s house. He was about to walk right in, when Autumn stopped him with a hand on his arm.
“Hold on a sec,” she said. “I just want to say thank you for bringing me. It means a lot.”
Grey was torn. He didn’t want it to mean too much. There was a reason this was the first time he’d invited her to a Sunday gathering—it would be just another way in which they’d become too close. He’d only relented because Pops had given him a hard time about it. “I’m sorry. I should have invited you before. I guess I wanted to shield you from my family’s drama.”
Autumn cast him a dismissive look. “Grey. You want drama, you get my family. Your family is wonderful. I’m so relieved I get to be here while my dad is doing his interview this afternoon on The Sunday Hour. I can avoid the whole thing.”
Grey glanced at his watch. The Sunday Hour was already starting, and the interview with Autumn’s father would begin any minute. “You’re not worried about that?”
She painted a smile on her face, but it was that same expression she had when things got stressful at work and she felt like she had to power through it. “A little, but I’ll be fine.” Autumn nodded at the door. “Let’s go in.”
Grey opened it for Autumn, then followed her inside. There was still laughter and talking coming from the kitchen, all the sounds of a happy household. Grey did have a great deal of wonderful memories of this house, and now that he’d been back in Asheville for a few months, it no longer felt like stepping back in time to be here. When they walked into the kitchen, they were greeted warmly by Giada, Pops, Mack and Molly, with hugs all around. Even the dogs got in on the attention, their tails wagging as everyone petted them.