Chapter 25

Chapter Twenty-Five

Zane

T he next morning, I wake to the sound of a distant hum. I reach beside me and the bed is cold where Autumn is supposed to be. Sitting up, I glance out the window, spotting Central Park far below. Runners in bright-colored clothes jog the path. A part of me expected mountains and pumpkins. It’s almost disorienting being here, considering how quickly I escaped this concrete jungle.

I slide on a pair of joggers and grab my phone. There are a few notifications from Harper and Weston, but I'll respond later.

When my feet touch the bottom floor and I catch a glimpse of Autumn, I stop. She stands at the espresso machine wearing nothing but one of my oversized T-shirts and white panties. Her messy hair is flipped to one side as she reads the buttons. I take her in as the early sun sparkles through the windows.

I want to always remember her like this.

I enter the space and she turns toward me. “Good morning,” she says with a smile. “Coffee?”

“That would be great.” I wrap my arm around her, then slide my lips across hers. She’s breathless when we pull apart.

“What was that for?” she asks with her eyes still closed; our mouths only an inch apart.

“Just kissing my girlfriend,” I say, confirming that she’s real. I can't help but notice the way her mouth turns up like she's pleased. “How’d you sleep?”

“Perfect, but only after you snuggled me. And you?” She pulls away from me when the maker stops brewing.

“Best rest of my life,” I admit as she hands me the fresh shot of espresso then makes another. With a push of the button, it automatically starts the process of grinding the beans.

I blow on the top of the cup, watching the crema. A minute later, she grabs hers and moves closer to me as I lean against the counter. After she inhales the chocolate notes of the beans, she takes the tiniest sip.

“Well?” I ask, not able to take my focus from her.

She’s fucking gorgeous. She’s mine. Isn’t she?

“Tastes like shit.” Autumn barely gets the words out before she bursts into laughter.

“You suck at lying. Now, the truth.”

“It’s delicious. Smooth. No harsh aftertaste. If I had to guess, Italian. Medium roast.”

“Mm. Impressive.” I take a sip, snickering.

“What?” she asks.

“You’re a coffee snob.”

Autumn rolls her eyes. “You are too.”

“Oh, I’m aware. Just glad I found someone who understands that life is too short to drink shitty coffee. One of our final arguments was over that machine.”

Autumn glances at it.

“She wanted me to quit caffeine because it was the only thing I looked forward to each morning. Every cup became an act of rebellion.”

“You’re kidding.” Autumn sets the glass on the counter. “I can't imagine having to fight for coffee.”

I shoot her a look.

“Are there any redeeming qualities about her?” she asks.

I think about the question for a minute. “Actually, no.”

“At all?” Autumn deadpans.

“She was one step away from shitting on my pillow and blaming it on her dogs,” I explain.

“Wow. I’m really sorry,” Autumn says.

“I spoiled the mood, didn't I?” I ask, shooting back my espresso. “It's this place. Too many of the wrong memories were made here.”

“So sell it.” Autumn drinks hers down, too.

“Sell it,” I repeat.

“Is it sentimental?”

I know she's asking because Hollow Manor is.

“No. Just a few embellishments that will be removed if I leave. I don't have any personal ties. I just enjoyed the view.”

“There are other penthouses, some with even better views,” she says.

My face cracks into a smile. “You're right. And since it was your idea, I'd like you to help me find a new place. Something you'd like.”

“Was this her space?” she asks, glancing around.

I chuckle. “Hell no. I've had this penthouse for over a decade, and purchased it because I need to see grass and trees. Also, I have friends who live in the building. Lately, I haven’t felt like I'm meant to live in New York,” I admit, something I've never shared with anyone. Not even my sister.

She reaches forward, grabbing my hand. “Then where will home be?”

“Wherever you are.” It falls out like a confession. “You ease my mind.”

“You'd move to Cozy Creek permanently?”

“Yes,” I say. “No fucking barriers, Pumpkin. Not when it comes to us.”

Autumn's expression softens as she glances away, smiling. “We can always make new memories here, too,” she suggests.

“Okay, I fucking love the sound of that.”

Before I can say anything else, my phone vibrates and I unlock it. I read the email notification containing an itinerary for the day I planned for Autumn. I quickly check the time. “I thought we had a few hours together this morning.”

“Huh?” she asks, standing to rinse our cups, then drying her hands. It’s almost like she’s meant to be here.

“Oh, right. You mentioned needing a wardrobe, so I called my sister and asked for a favor on her day off. She agreed to be your personal stylist if I booked the both of you for mimosas and massages.”

“No way.” Autumn moves forward, wrapping her arms around me. “You’re too good to me.”

“No. You’ve just never been treated the way you deserve. This is the bare minimum, Pumpkin.”

She captures my lips and the kiss deepens. My head is hazy as I swim in the taste of the mint of her toothpaste and espresso. Words vanish, but I somehow speak first. “What was that for?”

“Was just kissing my future husband .”

“Hell yes,” I say against her mouth as her hands move down my body. Her fingers hook on my joggers and she slides them down, freeing my cock that’s been at full attention since the moment I saw her in my kitchen.

Autumn drops to her knees, bowing before me. “Please?”

“Fuck,” I say, nodding, lifting her chin as she parts her lips. Need dances with want as she slowly takes me into her hot, greedy mouth.

I groan, gripping the counter hard as she forces me to the back of her throat. My eyes roll into the back of my head as she cups my balls then strokes me down my shaft. I ache for more of her as she enjoys having complete control of me. Her tongue traces my tip and she licks down my thick vein.

“Mm. My good girl.”

She moans with her lips tightly sealed around my cock. I grunt as she works me, varying her speeds.

Right now, I want to satisfy her. To allow her to feel just as good. My body hums with desire, with the need to please this beautiful woman who can command me with a single look. Autumn has no idea how much power she has over me. Or maybe she does.

Pre-cum glistens on the end and she licks it off, humming with anticipation as she tastes me.

“I’m addicted to you,” she says, kissing and sucking as she gently massages my balls.

“It’s mutual,” I repeat the same words she said to me last night.

She continues to stroke, and I thrust into her hand and tight throat. I’m surrounded by Autumn as she works me into oblivion. Guttural groans and grunts boil up from my chest and push past my lips, the sensation almost too intense. Her mouth is too hot, her eager moans too sweet.

“Come for me,” she whispers as my body tenses. “I need you.”

I thread my fingers through her hair as my balls tighten. With a moan, she sucks and strokes until I crumble to nothing. She milks every last drop of pleasure from me. I throb and pump inside her greedy little mouth.

She stands, licking her swollen lips, wearing a proud smirk. “You taste good.”

“Let me return the favor.” I adjust myself.

“You can owe me one. I need to change.” She twirls around in my shirt and I slide my hand under her silk panties to grab her bare ass.

“Now I regret planning a day of you being away from me,” I admit.

“Aww, will you miss me?” She teases.

I pop a brow. “Too fucking much.”

She grins and I tuck loose strands behind her ear.

“Oh, you like knowing that?”

She nods. “Because you mean it.”

My phone buzzes and I pull it from my pocket. “Fifteen minutes.”

She slowly pulls away from me. “Stop distracting me.”

“Never.”

Autumn nearly skips to the stairs and takes them with a pep to her step. Before fading out of sight, she glances at me over her shoulder.

I shake my head, then follow her to change clothes. The water runs in the bathroom, and I can hear her listening to music as she gets ready. I remove my joggers, slip on some jeans and a T-shirt, and grab an old baseball hat.

The door opens while she brushes her teeth and her eyes slide over me. “You look delicious.”

“And how’d I taste?”

“Like I want more.” Heat simmers behind her gaze, and I’m tempted to lay her down on the bed. My sister can hang out with Autumn later.

She leans against the doorway, watching me.

“I think I’d like to attend Weston’s party tonight. So get a dress,” I say, wanting the world to know I’ve finally found the real deal.

She nods. “I look forward to meeting your friends and learning all sorts of juicy details about you.”

I don’t miss the excitement in her tone.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve hung out with anyone, especially them.”

She moves back to the bathroom, rinsing her mouth. “If it sucks or if it’s awkward, we’ll leave. Okay? No pressure. We’ve been going nonstop for days.”

“You’re too damn pretty,” I tell her from the doorway as I check the time. She pulls her hair into a low ponytail and applies pink to her lips. Then she turns to me.

“When you look at me like that, I feel special.”

I hook her finger with mine, pulling her toward me. “You are.”

She tastes like spearmint.

On the way to the bottom floor, I can’t help drinking her in, convinced she’s my other half. I really will miss her, but I also understand how important it is for Autumn to have the proper clothes for the events we’re attending. My father’s crowd is intimidating on a good day and snobbish on all the others.

Once outside, my driver greets me with a nod and I open the door for her.

“Have fun today. Please don’t let my little sister corrupt you too much.”

She steals another kiss. It’s greedy and desperate. “I’ll miss you, too,” she admits.

I brush my thumb against her cheek. “I love that for me.”

Limos and blacked-out SUVs stack on the street. Autumn notices.

“Purchase an entire store if you’d like,” I tell her.

“You’re serious.”

“If it makes you happy, I encourage it.” I close the door, tapping the top of the car.

Seconds later, it zooms away, and I watch until they turn at the next intersection. I pull out my phone and text my sister.

Zane

Please be on your best behavior.

Harper

Pfft. I was friends with her first.

Zane

I wondered how long it would take for you to bring that one up.

Harper

It’s the truth!

I flick to Weston's message and read the invite he sent me last night and his text this morning.

Weston

Are you coming?

Zane

I’ll be there. I also have a really big favor to ask.

Weston

Anything you need. You’re like a brother.

Zane

Can you meet me at my place?

Weston

I’ll be there within the hour.

I let out a deep breath and smile as I glance around the penthouse, knowing this place isn't my home. Cozy Creek is.