13. Tyson

Chapter 13

Tyson

S now drifted past the windows as I watched Autumn sleep. Her curves pressed against my silk sheets, dark hair spilling across my pillows, lips slightly parted. Decades of wanting her had culminated in a night that exceeded every fantasy. My fingers traced her spine, thinking about how she’d arched under my touch, how she’d called my name, how perfectly we’d fit together.

She stirred, stretching like a cat before rolling to face me. “Good morning.”

“Good morning, beautiful.” I brushed hair from her face. “Sleep well?”

“Mmhmm. When you finally let me sleep.” Her hand slid up my chest. “What time is it?”

“Early. We have a few hours before we need to be at the Benefield.” I pulled her closer, kissing her neck. “A few hours to make up for lost time.”

“Then we better get started.”

I rolled her under me, claiming her mouth as my hands mapped her body. She responded eagerly, wrapping her legs around my waist. Every touch and kiss felt familiar and thrillingly new - like coming home to a place I’d only dreamed about.

Being inside her cocooned us into one organism. Her pleasure ignited my drive, and I pushed in and out of Autumn, slow then hard.

“Oh!”

Her trembles made her body quake against us as we merged repeatedly.

“I could do this forever with you.”

She purred. “I’d love that.”

I kissed her mouth, sucked in her tongue, and fucked her until she wailed my name. It was the most beautiful thing I’d ever heard, and I wanted to hear it more.

Later, wrapped in my robe, Autumn meandered through my kitchen, making coffee while Christmas music played softly through hidden speakers. I leaned against the counter, watching her move through my space as if she belonged there—because she did—she always had.

“Your coffee selection is ridiculous,” she said, examining imported bean bags. “How many kinds of Ethiopian roast does one person need?”

“As many as it takes to get Chicago’s finest curator to stay for breakfast.” I wrapped my arms around her waist, nuzzling her neck. “I can think of better ways to convince you, however.”

She turned in my arms. “We need to be at the Benefield in two hours.”

“Plenty of time.” My hands slipped under her - my - robe.

“Tyson...” But she was already melting against me.

“Yes?” I lifted her onto the counter.

“The coffee will get cold.”

“I’ll make you more.” I untied her robe. “I’ll make you anything you want for as long as you want it.”

Her hands cruised across my head. “You promise?”

Our gazes held, and I caught the deeper meaning in her eyes. “Yes, Autumn. I promise. Do you believe me?”

She pulled me into a heated kiss. “Yes.”

We barely made it to the Benefield on time.

The building hummed with pre-launch energy. Christmas decorations mixed with gallery preparations - garlands wound around light fixtures and ornaments hung between newly mounted paintings. Autumn moved through the space with laser focus, directing installations and adjusting lighting.

“The Denise Jordan series needs more space,” she called to a crew member. “Let’s move it three inches left.”

I stood back, watching her work. She’d changed into a cream sweater dress that hugged her curves, but she still wore my watch - the one she’d grabbed from my nightstand this morning. The sight of it on her wrist did things to my heart.

“There you are!” Rose’s voice carried across the gallery. “I brought hot chocolate since you missed breakfast at Pearl’s.”

She appeared with a thermos and three mugs, her red Christmas sweater dotted with tiny bells that jingled as she walked. But she stopped short, looking between Autumn and me.

“Well, well.” A smile spread across her face. “Finally.”

“Finally, what?” But I couldn’t hide my grin.

“Don’t play with me, boy. I’ve been cooking Sunday dinner for years, watching you two dance around each other.” She set down the thermos. “Something’s different today.”

Autumn came over, and I pulled her against my side. We’re not hiding. Or pretending.

“About time!” Rose clapped her hands. “Now, tell me everything. When did this happen? Who made the first move? Did you?—”

“Grandma,” but I was laughing.

“Don’t you ‘Grandma’ me. I’ve earned this moment.” She poured hot chocolate, adding extra marshmallows to Autumn’s mug - just like she had since high school. “My two stubborn children finally figured it out.”

“Your two stubborn children have work to do,” Autumn said, but she was smiling, too. “The launch is in two weeks.”

“And it’ll be Christmas Eve,” I added. I turned to Rose. “We’re adding something special to the program. I need your help with the details.”

Rose’s eyes lit up. “What kind of something special?”

I outlined my plan while Autumn directed another installation across the room. By the time I finished, Rose was wiping tears.

“That girl deserves every bit of this,” she said. “And you, my sweet boy, deserve her.”

“I know.” I watched Autumn adjust a painting’s angle, totally in her element. “I’ve always known.”

“Then why did it take you so long to do something about it?”

“Because I was afraid of losing her.” I sipped my chocolate. “Now I’m more afraid of not giving her everything she deserves.”

Rose squeezed my hand. “You already do. You always have.” She gathered her things. “Now, I have a restaurant to run, and you have a gallery to finish. Don’t forget - Christmas Eve dinner after the launch.”

“As if you’d let us forget.”

She kissed my cheek, then Autumn’s, leaving us amid the controlled chaos of final preparations. I crossed to where Autumn stood, studying the main gallery wall.

“The light hits it perfectly now,” she said without turning. “We should adjust the track lighting for evening viewing.”

“Already ordered special spots.” I wrapped my arms around her waist. “They’ll be here tomorrow.”

She leaned back against my chest. “You think of everything.”

“I think of you.” I pressed a kiss to her neck.

She turned in my arms. “We should talk about this. About us. About what happens next.”

“What do you want to happen next?”

“Everything,” she traced my jaw with her fingers. “But I don’t want to rush.”

“It’s almost taken us a lifetime. I wouldn’t call what we’re doing rushing.” I caught her hand, kissing her palm. “Besides, I’m done waiting.”

“Me, too,” she said softly. “But we should still take it slow and maybe figure out how to be us without pressure.”

I watched her for a long time when her eyes turned up at me.

“What?”

“Do you feel pressured to be with me, Autumn?”

Her eyes widened. “No! Why would you ask that?”

I glanced back at the painting before us. “I just wanted to make sure.”

Her eyes lingered on me, and she faced me, pulling my gaze back to hers.

“To be honest, I love what we’ve found. I don’t want to rush, not because of me but because of you.”

Surprised, I arched a brow. “Why do you?—”

“Because you’re such a fuckin’ catch, Ty.”

I wiggled my brows. “I am a catch, aren’t I?”

She pushed my shoulder, but it didn’t move me. I chuckled. “I’m messing with you, beautiful.”

Autumn blushed. “I know.” Her face turned serious. “But I want us to last. However long that is. I’d hate for you to… to…”

I frowned. “To what?”

She held back her words which made my frown deepen. “Autumn.”

“You could have any woman you wanted. You don’t think I’ve seen the way they flirt with you relentlessly? Even that editor, Victoria Maples.”

“Okay. What does that have to do with you and me?”

She shrugged, her eyes dropping from mine.

“Autumn, talk to me.”

She shook her head. “Nothing. Never mind.” She smiled falsely, took her attention across the room, and mumbled, “That needs to be moved. I’ll be back.”

“Whoa.” I grabbed her hand, intertwining our fingers and tugging her back to me. Staring at each other, we stood in silence while everyone bustled around us. I needed to connect with Autumn like this. It was one of the ways I’d gotten her to open up throughout the years.

She sighed. “Why are you doing this to me?”

“Me? Why are you doing this to me ?”

She smirked. “I said never mind, didn’t I?”

“The problem with that is something is on your heart. Why would you hold it from me?”

She pouted but didn’t respond.

“Is this how it’s going to be? You’re going to hold back from me now? Because if so, maybe?—”

“Don’t say it!”

I shut my mouth, and she gasped and folded her arms. “Were you really going to say it?”

“I don’t know. Were you really going to let me?” I teased, mimicking her folded arms.

She rolled her eyes. “You’re messing with me, aren’t you?”

“There’s my girl.” I reached and covered her waist with my arms and drew her close. “Of course, I’m messing with you. I’m not a liar, and I’ve already told you you’re mine.”

She blushed. “Why would you mess with me like that?”

“You know the answer. I need you. All of you. Don’t hold back from me. You never have. Don’t start now. Keeping things out in the open will strengthen our relationship. Isn’t that what you want?”

“Yes.”

I nodded. “So tell me, what is this never mind about?”

She sighed again. “You’ve never been in a relationship with me before. What if I get on your nerves quick?”

I twisted my lips. “Woman, you will get on my nerves. I’m sure of it.”

She gasped, and I guffawed while she swatted the shit out of me.

“I’m just kidding!” I shouted. “A little bit.”

She swatted me more when a voice behind us boasted.

“Looks like you two are having a great time.”

We both turned at Marcus’s voice, and that annoyance I used to feel was absent.

“Marcus! What are you doing here?” Autumn asked.

He glanced between us as we floated closer together.

“I came to see how Denise’s artwork would be displayed.” He nodded, “Things are looking good.” He looked between us again, and Autumn went mute.

“Things are great, Marcus,” I spoke up. “Denise’s artwork appears several times throughout the building - positioned just right so no one misses a second of her artistry. You can thank my beautiful lady right here. She’s made this all possible.”

His brows stretched, and Autumn looked up at me while I kept my gaze on Marcus.

“Would you like me to show you around?”

He cleared his throat. “No. I think I can manage alone.”

I nodded. “Very well. If you need anything, let me know.”

She turned back to look at him.

“I never had a chance, did I?”

Her mouth parted. “Marcus, I told you my heart wasn’t available.”

He nodded. “You did.” He inhaled a breath. “Okay. I guess that’s it then.”

He scurried away quickly, and I turned and dropped a kiss on Autumn’s forehead. “You told him your heart wasn’t available?”

A smile ushered to her lips. “Yes.”

“When?”

“When I knew it would always be you.”

She grabbed my chin and pulled me to her lips, and I melted into her mouths’ caress.

We spent the rest of the day finalizing details, stealing kisses between decisions, and touching whenever we could. Everything felt different yet exactly right—like the last piece of a puzzle clicking into place.

That night, as snow fell outside my windows and Christmas lights twinkled across the city, I watched Autumn sleep again. But this time, I didn’t have to pretend she wasn’t everything I wanted. This time, I could pull her closer, kiss her awake, and love her the way I’d always dreamed.

This time, I could keep her.

And in two weeks, at the gallery launch, I would show her exactly what that meant.