Chapter 20

20

Beau

Turns out I like having a woman around the house, other than my sister and my mom. I like how Autumn goes about her day. We didn't take any time to have a fake honeymoon, and we're going down to Memphis in a couple of days, so moving in has been kinda rushed. I bought a bed for Autumn for the spare room and had to sneak into the garage without my parents or anyone else seeing and asking questions. Plus I had to set it up by myself, which was a pain in the ass, but I'm happy with the outcome. I think it's Autumn's taste; white wash wood with a slight blue undertone. I got her an expensive mattress because my girl isn't sleeping on anything shitty.

There was no time to really do anything leading up to our nuptials, but this is the least I could do, plus I've cleaned out all my art supplies in the closet so she has somewhere to put her clothes. I've stacked my sketches out in the garage, covered with a large sheet for now so she won't see them. I don't mind her looking, but I don't want her to see the manga ones I did of her. She'll think I'm creepy and weird.

The last few days we've fallen into our little routine. And it's been really pleasant. I thought it would be awkward at first, but she's really easy to live with.

She made dinner the first night we got home, and for tonight I picked up a home-made lasagna from Verne's and tried to pass it off as my own. Well, I did throw the salad together.

"Ten points for trying," she laughs when I take it out of the oven in the tell-tale silver foil container.

"Hey, it is home-made, just not by me."

She smiles, shrugging out of her suit jacket. Today she wore peach, and my God does that do things to my dick.

We sit at the table I never use and talk. It's surreal.

She tells me all about her day and how she's been going through the photos she took of the barn and surroundings for the website with Georgia ready for me to upload. I like that she throws herself into every project with enthusiasm. It makes me think a lot about what I like to do outside of the distillery. I mean, I'm good at computer stuff, and I'm smart with numbers, but sometimes I get a bit lost in the grand scheme of the Bassett business. I've never wanted success in the way Gray and Gabe have, and even Brooklyn with his new Moonshine creation. I've never been that passionate about it and I'd never want to run the place.

But what else would I do? I mean, I don't want to leave or anything but I guess that's why Fletch and I have been developing our app. Hopefully it will generate a little bit of income and I can cut back a bit at work. There is also my love of sketching, but that doesn't pay the bills.

"So, have you had any ideas about where to go for our fake honeymoon?" I try not to laugh as I take a bite of the lasagna. Damn, Verne can cook.

"I was thinking about telling my family we're having a mini-vacay slash honeymoon in the Smoky Mountains in a few weeks, even if we don't go, it isn't as if they'll check."

"Are you nervous?" I can tell she is, even without asking because her voice is a little shaky, as well as her hands.

"Yes. I rang my brother today and told him."

My eyebrows lift in surprise. "You did?"

She nods. "We're close and I don't like keeping things from him. He'll be supportive, once he gets over the shock of it all. He's always liked you, but like your dad, he smells a rat."

"That's a relief." It's her parents and her grandmother I'm more worried about. I seriously doubt they'll just take it lying down. "What, what do you mean, like my dad?"

"Come on, Beauster, he wasn't exactly jumping off the rafters with excitement, neither was Gray. Both of them smell bullshit and I don't think Gabe is far behind."

My hand tightens around my soda as I lift the can and hold it out across the table toward her. "It doesn't matter what any of them think, or what they say. Now put it here, it's us against the world."

A small smile spreads across her perfect face. She's surprised, I think. "That's a little dramatic."

I shrug. "You've gotta be a little dramatic to be in this family."

"So I keep hearing."

"You know Gray, he's all bark and no bite, same as my dad. Give it a little bit of time, they'll come around."

"I worry they'll hate us if they find out."

I rest my fork down and reach over, squeezing her hand. "They won't find out. They may be suspicious, but it's our decision. Not theirs."

She looks down at her hands, a few moments she says, "Beau? Is this a real diamond?" She waves her hand at me, flashing the ring and I wipe my mouth with a napkin.

Not wanting to lie to her, I tell her the truth. "Uh, yeah. Of course it is. You can't go around wearing cubic zirconia."

"Beau! This would've cost a fortune."

"Do you like it?"

That cute little line appears between her brow as she frowns. "I love it, but that's not the —"

"If you love it, then I did my job as a fantastic fake-husband, right?"

"You don't have to do this."

"Do what?"

"Be this nice. You know you can go about things the way you usually do. We don't have to sit and eat together and talk about our day."

My heart pounds in my chest at the loss of her so soon. Why would she say that? "I like hearing about what you did. It makes my mundane day seem a little less pathetic."

"Beau, your job is not pathetic! Don't say that."

"No, but it's not exciting either like yours. Not that I'm complaining. It could be worse and at least I get to tell the boss where to shove it without getting fired."

She lets out a small laugh. "I can just picture the look on Gabe's face if you told him where to shove it."

I laugh too.

"Would it be okay if I take a shower?" She says after a pause.

I frown. "Autumn?"

She takes another bite of her food and looks up at me. "Umm, hmm?"

"You don't have to keep asking me to use stuff okay? My house is your house now."

"Shit, I keep forgetting, sorry."

I feel Bruiser brush up against my legs as he passes by. He's fitted into the new house easily. Being an indoor cat, he just needs all his creature comforts and he's pretty much set up.

"Stop apologizing. You know where everything is, and if you need something just let me know and I can run out and get it for you."

"You're so sweet, dear husband of mine." She smirks, and once again, I feel my heart constrict.

"I aim to please."

She snorts.

I look up. "What?"

She shakes her head. "Nothing."

"Do I have to tickle it out of you?"

"You wouldn't dare!"

I waggle my fork at her. "Try me."

She bites her bottom lip. I think she's unsure if she wants to reveal what she's about to say, but she does so anyway. "That's a famous Fifty Shades quote."

" Fifty Shades ?"

" Of Grey. Christian Grey."

"Oh." I scratch my head. "The dude who likes to tie up his girlfriend?" I like that her cheeks instantly heat up. So she likes to read dirty romance? Interesting.

"It's actually a love story." I love how she tries to defend it.

I raise my palms in the air. "Hey, no judgment. Whatever floats your boat, Wifey ."

"I swear, there is a storyline in there as well as the… you know…"

I feign innocence. "No, baby girl, I don't know, you might have to explain it to me."

She looks down at her plate, trying to look anywhere but at me. "There are some… uh, elements of… BDSM… But like I say, it's not just about the sexy stuff. Christian had a really horrible childhood…"

"Uh, huh." I give her a wink. "Sorry to say I've no whips and paddles lying around here, Wifey . I'm pretty boring compared to Christian Grey."

Her eyes are as wide as saucers and I burst out laughing. "Beau!" She presses her fingers to her flaming cheeks. It's so adorable.

"What? Why are you so embarrassed? I think it's cool that my wife reads romance."

"You know you don't have to call me that when we're in private."

I don't like that idea, not one little bit. "I know, but I have to get used to it. Practice makes perfect, right?"

She chuckles to herself. I like to see her smile. "Fine, husband . I'm not going to ask if I can leave the table and have a soak in your tub."

I do not need the mental image of Autumn naked in my bath, but it's too late now.

"Good, because what's mine is yours. You don't have to ask. I just don't know if I have any smelly shit that girls like to put in the tub."

"I brought some bath bombs, but I'll have to get more."

I make a mental note that she likes those so I can pick some up in town. I also stocked up the fridge with Dr. Pepper — her favorite soda — put a carton of cookies n cream ice cream in the freezer for later, and made some room in the hall closet to put her coat and boots when the weather turns bad. I want her to feel at home while she's here and not a ‘guest'.

"I also have something for you. Since we're not having a real honeymoon there had to be something to mark the occasion," I say.

She blinks up at me. "A marriage license and a real diamond are probably enough."

It's probably dumb, but Georgia was throwing some shit out the other day and I thought of Autumn. I know she's creative and I thought she might be able to use it.

"It's nothing. Georgia doesn't use it and I thought of you." I jump up and walk over to the hallway where I left the flower press in a bag. A little while ago she told me she'd always liked the idea of drying out flowers and making them into confetti for Eden's table decorating.

"What is it?" She tries to peer into the bag as I approach, holding it in my hand.

"Like I said, it's not much…"

She clearly likes surprises; it's just another cool thing about her that I like. From the glow on her face and her excited smile I can see she's like a giddy kid, and that in turn makes me smile. I hand her the bag and she sets it on the table and pulls it out.

"What in the?—"

"I thought you could press the corsage flowers." The words are out before I can stop them. "And then keep them as a little keepsake. You're always saying how it's sad when flowers die off and they just get thrown away."

She blinks, then looks up at me. "You got me a flower press?"

I swallow hard. Did I fuck up? "Uh, yeah."

Tears well in her eyes as I stare at her, taken aback, my heart pumping wildly at her reaction. "This is the nicest thing anyone's ever done for me."

"I certainly hope not." I mean every word. "I just hate seeing things go to waste if someone can use them, blame Brooklyn he's always—" She cuts me off by raising from her chair to give me a one-armed hug.

"Thank you, Beau. I love it. Just as much as I loved the corsage, that was so sweet of you."

Her sweet vanilla scent muddles my thoughts as I try not to breathe her in. I try and fail.

"You're welcome," I stammer. "In the old days, that's what people did, and I think some old traditions are still really cool. My grandpa was very much like that; a gentleman. He held doors open, never swore in front of a woman and he even bought my grandma flowers every Sunday. Sometimes he tore them out of someone's garden, but it's the thought that counts."

She moves back to her chair, wiping her eyes subtly before she sits down. I made her cry? But they were tears of happiness, not sadness, so that's a good thing, right?

"For the record, you can buy me flowers any time you like, or tear them out of someone's garden. I love them. And you can hold a door open for me, I think those little gestures are so sweet."

Noted. I'll dial all of that up a notch, as subtle as possible. "I'm gonna go and game for a while, but I usually watch Supernatural at ten every Friday; pathetic I know, but you're welcome to join. Just don't feel like you have to…"

She smiles, her eyes glassy as she clutches the small press to her chest. "Sounds good, Beauster. And thank you for the Dr. Pepper."

I find myself smiling back, happy that she's happy. "You're welcome."

We stand at the same time and she offers to take my plate. "I can do those." I take her plate instead.

"Gee, thanks, you really are pulling out all the stops. The perfect husband."

I shake my head. "Just doing what I can, baby girl." Her lips part and I realize she's still hanging onto the plate. "You good?"

Her eyes flick down. "Oh, yeah. Sorry. I've had a long day." She thumbs behind her. "A soak will help."

I give her a chin lift as she turns and heads toward the shared bathroom. So far, she's only got a billion girlie products lined up in there, neatly across the counter and in the spare drawers I cleaned out. Everything from hair spray to fake tan to hot irons. I fucking dig it. She even asked me if I had enough room. I don't take much grooming, and own maybe six products, so the rest of the space is hers.

I smile to myself as I stack the small dishwasher, cleaning up after dinner has never felt so peaceful. I whistle as I work and head off to my gaming room a little bit later.

I do not expect to hear a scream as I head away from her end of the house, but I freeze in my tracks, then I hear, "Beau!"

Shit! I run toward the bathroom, skidding in my socks on the tile floor. I grab the closest thing I can find to a weapon; a metal spatula, and run with it.

"Help, Beau! Quick!" She yells.

Holy fucking crap! I'm there in seconds, gripping the door handle, I run into the bathroom. Autumn is half in and half out of the tub. She's wrapping a towel around her but it's not quite secure, so she inadvertently flashes me her full frontal as I try to look anywhere but at her gorgeous body.

"What's wrong?" I stare at her, looking around for an attacker. When I see nobody, I bring my eyes back to hers. "Autumn?"

"Over there!" She points with one hand behind me, the other securing her towel in place.

"What?" I do a full 360. I don't see anything.

"There's a spider!"

I look again, squinting and I see a tiny little thing running across the mirror. "That?" I wave the spatula at it. "You're kidding?"

"Yes! Do something, get rid of it!"

I bite my lip to save myself from laughing. "Autumn, it's tiny, it's probably?—"

"If you say ‘it's probably more scared of us then we are of it', I swear I will smack you."

I laugh. "Okay, I'll squish it." I walk toward the mirror. It's no bigger than a dime, for heaven's sakes. While we do occasionally get big spiders around here, I haven't seen anything that I'd scream the house down over.

"No!" she squeals. "You can't kill it!"

I turn back to her. Fuck, her legs are so long. The white, fluffy towel — courtesy of my mom last Christmas — looks heavenly against her olive skin. Her hair is piled on top of her head in a messy bun and fuck me if she isn't a sight for sore eyes. Plus, I saw everything when she flashed me. Her long, lean body. Small but perky breasts. Her flat stomach but wider hips. I even got a flash of her bare pussy. Jesus, I'm gonna strangle my dick tonight a hundred percent. Bubbles from the bath also drip off her skin onto the floor. She's never looked more adorable.

"What do you want me to do with it?"

"I don't know! Get a glass and take it outside or something."

"But it's made a home here, where it's warm and dry, now I have to go put it out into the cold." I roll my lips once more, knowing she won't like that idea.

She narrows her eyes. "I don't care if it's started its own little motel and has a million friends, I can't successfully bathe here with that insect crawling around."

I put my hand on the mirror, scooping it up into my hands as she shrieks. "You mean this little guy?" I turn to face her, grinning.

"I swear to God, if you throw that at me, or even pretend to throw it, you'll be feeling the wrath of Fifty Shades with my fists."

I raise my eyebrows. "Sounds promising, Wifey. I didn't know you were into that, but okay."

"This isn't funny! Take it outside!" She covers her eyes with her arm and I move toward the door.

"I'm going, I'm going." She steps out and follows behind me, keeping her distance. "What are you doing?"

"I'm making sure you put it outside and not into the pot plant or something. I'll come back in here in the morning, and it'll be staring me in the face while I brush my teeth."

I burst out laughing. "You're hilarious. Go back in the bath, I'll put him outside. Scouts honor."

She watches on, but stops walking. "I don't get how any sane person could just pick that up in their hands." She shakes her head, trying to fathom such a travesty.

"You're in the country now, baby girl. Us southern men do things the manly way."

She rolls her eyes as I disappear outside, chuckling the whole way as I let the little guy go free.