Chapter 17

Chapter Seventeen

Autumn

H e stands, holding out his hand to me. “I’ll tuck you in.”

We take the stairs together and turn down the long hallway to the double gothic doors, then I walk inside. Zane pushes the blankets down for me and I sit on the edge of the mattress.

“One second,” I tell him, going to his closet and grabbing something out of my pocket. I keep it tight in my hand and move directly in front of him.

His brows are lifted as he watches me. “Happy Birthday,” I tell him, opening my palm and offering him my four-leaf clover.

He gives me a wide smile, showing his perfect teeth. “You remembered?”

“Of course. I found that when I was a kid and my mom had it laminated for me. It feels right for you to have it. I hope it brings you all the luck in the world.”

“Autie. I can’t take this.”

“You can. I thought about what I could give the man who has everything. It’s something money can never buy.”

He wraps his arms around me and holds me against his chest. I inhale his bare skin. “Thank you. I’ll treasure it for the rest of my life.”

“Good. I didn’t know how to sneak a cupcake in my pocket for you to have at midnight.”

“Tomorrow, we’ll have cake,” he tells me, stepping aside, allowing me to crawl into his bed. The sheets are cold.

“Goodnight,” he says, flicking off the main light and turning on the lamp.

“You can stay,” I say, glancing up at him.

“Don’t worry about me. The couch is super comfortable. I’ve fallen asleep on it once per day since I arrived. Plus, there are three extra bedrooms. This house has plenty of places for me to sleep.”

“It’s not that. It’s just…”

“Please tell me the horror movie queen isn’t scared.” With a half-grin, he shoves his hands into his pockets and I try not to admire his shirtless body.

Instead, I grab one of his fluffy pillows and toss it at him, but he’s fast with his reflexes and catches it.

“Fine. I am! I don’t want to stay here by myself in this big ole house knowing there is a ghost wandering around. Even if it’s friendly.”

The door of the bedroom snaps shut behind him and I nearly jump out of my skin.

He pauses and glances at it over his shoulder and I grow more creeped out with each passing second.

“What the hell?” I whisper, my blood pumping faster as my adrenaline spikes. “ Please , don’t leave me.”

I meet his eyes and his expression softens. Three steps later, he’s sitting next to me on the mattress. “The doors are heavy and if they’re not closed, the draft in the house does that. It happens every day.”

“Or maybe it’s a sign that you shouldn’t go?”

He sighs. “If it will make you more comfortable, but you have to promise to stay on your side of the bed and keep your hands to yourself.”

I make a face. “You expect me to control dream me?”

“You’ll have to or I’ll move to the couch.”

“Fine.” I huff, closing my eyes tight and pressing my pointer fingers into my temples.

“What are you doing?”

I meet his gaze. “Telling my tequila drunk subconscious to behave, per your instruction.”

The sound of his laughter is my reward.

“It’s a good reminder for both of us,” he says.

“I love to snuggle. You’re denying me the best night’s sleep.”

“I’ll deal with that,” he tells me. “Which side do you prefer?”

“This one.”

He slides under the blanket, letting me choose. He turns off the lamp and I stare up at the ceiling, noticing the autumn and winter constellations are painted up above.

He lies back and stares up at them too. “It’s incredible, isn’t it? It almost seems real.”

I turn to face him, the moonlight washing the room gray. “Falling in love with me wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen to you, would it?”

“No. Losing you would,” he says. “Goodnight.”

Zane rolls over on his side, his back toward me, and I twist away from him. I stare at the blank wall. Key moments from tonight are on replay and I can’t get him out of my head, especially when he’s this close. I inhale deeper, holding my breath at the top, then slowly exhaling.

“Go to sleep,” he mutters in his low, sexy rumble, and I smile, knowing he’s still awake too.

What is he thinking about? Me? Because he’s the only thing on my mind right now.

“Hold me and I will,” I say. “Ten minutes max and then you can go back to hugging the edge. I promise. It’s just been… so long .” It comes out desperate.

He stays frozen.

When I’m sure he’s denied me, Zane moves toward me. He nuzzles his nose into my hair and gently wraps his arm around my waist. At first I tense, but I quickly relax against his firm body. I feel safe in his arms, loving how warm, rigid, and protective he is.

“Better?” he growls in my ear.

I arch against him, feeling how hard he is. “Mm. Yes.”

The little devil that tequila creates dances on my shoulder.

“Behave,” he mutters in my ear, his breath causing goosebumps to trail over me.

I suck in air, squeezing my thighs together, wishing for relief as I arch against him.

“Don’t test me,” he warns, lightly peppering kisses along my neck. “Or your payback will be a bitch.”

“It’s a game I’ll beat you at every fucking time,” I whisper, reaching between our bodies, rubbing my palm against his cock that I know would destroy me.

“Autumn.” He grips my wrists tight, positioning himself behind me. I'm brought back to being in his library. He restrained me in the same way, tight, unmoving, until I was completely under his command.

My body is on fire and my nipples are hard. I desperately need relief and my breasts rise and fall with anticipation.

“You don’t want me?” I ask.

“I’m scared I won’t let you go,” he admits. His hand snakes down my stomach and rests between my legs, adding the tiniest bit of pressure.

I stop breathing as I slowly buck my hips upward, feeling like I’ll come by a single touch.

“Mm,” he says, pleased. “You’re so fucking wet for me.”

“Please.” I desperately pant out, nearly begging as I wait in anticipation for him to make his move. I’m too impatient as my heart rate ticks furiously in my neck. I swear he can hear the thump thump thump in my chest. Sober me wants a relationship, drunk me begs to be fucked by this man that I won’t be able to stand for a week. And based on the size of him that’s currently pressed against me, that might actually be the case.

“The chase is the fun part.” Then he moves his hand from me and creates some space, still keeping his arm roped over me, allowing me to feel how hard he is.

My mind spins and I don’t know how much time passes, but I watch the moonshine travel across the room.

When I think it’s safe, I slightly move onto my back with his hand resting against my bare stomach. My body sings with warmth knowing two inches up and he could touch my peaked nipple. I stay still for another five minutes as I steal glances at Zane, checking that he’s asleep and his breathing is steady.

Then I carefully slide my hand down my stomach, making sure I don’t touch him, as I slip my fingers between my legs. I’m soaked and so damn horny that I have to do this, knowing he’s right here, in the flesh. My eyes flutter closed as I slowly rub circles on my needy clit. My heart rate increases as I dip a finger inside, wishing it were him. Imagining it’s him.

I bite down on my bottom lip as my muscles tense and I return to my needy bud. My pussy clenches and I know I won’t be able to hold it back. I keep going, desperate, worked up and teetering on the edge. I keep a methodical pace that doesn’t cause a lot of movement.

His fingers barely move across my stomach and it sends me over. I come violently and it’s a goddamn miracle I didn’t scream out his name. I feel as if I’ve been catapulted to a different dimension, and I see stars as my cunt pulsates with pleasure. I exhale a pant and he stirs.

I slam my eyes shut, staying frozen. He wasn’t awake, his breathing was too steady and his face too relaxed. When I glance at him, I swear I see the ghost of a smirk on his lips. It’s my imagination playing tricks on me like it’s been doing.

Zane rolls onto his side and I follow, scooting close, pressing my breasts against his back. The only thing that’s between us is the thin material of the shirt he gave me. Carefully, I wrap my arm around him, inhaling his scent that’s a mix of pine and mountain breeze. Just as I’m falling asleep, I think I hear him mutter, “ My good fucking girl. ”

And those words have me tempted to do it all over again.