Chapter 28

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Autumn

I walk in and search the room for Zane. There are too many tall, dark-haired men dressed in expensive suits and beautiful women in well-fitted cocktail dresses. Harper knew exactly what she was doing when she put this gorgeous gown on me.

I stare at who I think is Zane. He’s wearing a black shirt and gray slacks. One hand holds a glass of wine and the other is tucked into his pocket. The Mr. Dreamy stance is correct along with the messy hair. As if I summoned it, he turns around and his bright blue eyes lock on me.

A boyish grin slides over his lips and I immediately smile.

There he is.

He says something to the woman he was chatting with, then walks toward me. It’s like we’re the only two people in this crowded room. My heart rushes with excitement and appreciation as his arm wraps around me. Then his mouth captures mine and we’re lost in the moment as the twinkling of the piano plays behind us.

“You’re so goddamn beautiful.” He smiles against my lips. “I really fucking missed you.”

“I missed you,” I tell him, pulling away, and that’s when I realize the entire room is staring at us.

“Don’t be embarrassed,” he says, whispering in my ear. “It’s been a long time since they’ve seen me.”

“I’m not,” I say, looking up at him, glad I won’t wake up this time.

I adore the sweet smile that sweeps across his face. A glass of wine is handed to me and I take it with a smirk.

“We should leave,” Zane mutters, running his fingers through my hair.

Next thing I know, Weston approaches and pulls Zane into a hug. I smile at him when they pull away.

“So are you going to introduce me?” he asks.

I furrow my brows, and before I can ask him if he’s drunk, another version of him steps up wearing a cheeky fucking smirk. My mouth falls open as they stand beside one another.

“There are two of you? And you dress the same, too?”

“Great to see you again, Autumn. And yes, we’re twins,” Weston says.

I blink between them and it’s unsettling how I can't tell them apart.

“And that reaction never gets old,” Weston offers, proudly.

“I’m Easton,” the other one says, holding out his hand. He's openly agitated with Weston. “I don't try to dress like him. The bastard has a camera in my closet.”

I try not to laugh. “Autumn Travis. Very nice to meet you.”

“It’s a pleasure,” he tells me.

“This is my girlfriend,” Zane offers, softly. His eyes sparkle when he glances at me.

“They’re getting married,” Weston says.

“Congratulations,” Easton happily adds.

“It’s not official yet,” Zane tells him, but doesn’t deny it. “Soon.”

I grow giddy thinking about a future with him. Then I realize that I was able to imagine something I haven’t imagined with anyone else—ever. As the three of them chat, I’m lost in my thoughts, imagining our happily ever after. Us being together is crystal clear in my mind, as if my subconscious manifested this perfect man.

Another few sips and my wine is gone. I’m immediately given another glass

I study him as he talks, randomly stealing glimpses of me, shooting me little winks and smirks. Flirty as hell, but I enjoy it, knowing each time our eyes meet I have him. His gaze doesn’t lie.

“Well,” Easton says, looking at his watch. “I’ve gotta go. Just wanted to stop by and check out the shindig. I’ve had a very long, exhausting day. Nice meeting you, Autumn.”

Another polite head nod and then he’s walking past us.

“Your brother is nicer,” I say to Weston.

“Ah. You don’t know him,” he warns. “Easton is a bigger asshole than Zane and…”

His words trail off and a smile fills his face as a pretty woman in a cute dress approaches him.

“Carlee,” he says, his voice softening. “You made it.”

I glance at Zane and he looks at me, then pulls me away. The pianist continues playing.

“Dance with me?”

I glance around. “No one else is.”

“Who gives a shit?” He holds out his hand and I take it. His strong hand is on my waist. “How was your day?”

“Fun and exhausting.”

“I hope you got everything you wanted.”

“Everything except you,” I say.

“Ah. I almost forgot about the IOU from earlier.”

I smirk. “No you didn’t.”

“You’re right.” He whispers the rest in my ear. “I’ve been thinking about you sitting on my face all day.”

When he pulls away, he locks me in place with his smoldering gaze. “And what if I said I wanted to leave?”

“Then I’d tell you to lead the goddamn way.”

A mischievous grin dances over my lips and I grab his hand, pulling him away. He tugs me close to him, kissing me, brushing fallen hair back.

“You’re giving everyone a show.”

“No, Pumpkin. Right now, it’s only me and you. No one else here matters.”

I slide my hands behind his neck, desperately kissing him as he laughs. I feel like a teenager again, skipping prom to make out in the hallway. The pianist nods as we move past him and when I turn back to the room, I notice more couples are dancing.

“They just needed a leader,” I say as he wraps his arm around me.

“They usually do.”

We walk through the crowd and I steal glances of this beautiful man. Needing, wanting him, not caring about the party or the clothes or the people.

As we move to step out of the door, Zane pulls me closer to him. I pass a woman in a red dress who glares at me with crystal-blue eyes. Familiarity washes over me. It’s her. His ex.

He walks past her, seeing straight through her, pretending she doesn’t exist.

It’s cold.

Zane doesn’t tense, and when I look back over my shoulder she’s staring at me, anger and jealousy radiating from her like death rays. I want to scream at her that she threw him away.

“Zane,” she says as we walk toward the open elevator. He keeps ignoring her and places his hand on my hip as he guides me inside. His fingers dig into me and I wrap my arm around him.

“Hey,” I say, brushing my nose against his, wishing he’d talk to me. Just like that, he slips into his shell, a protection mechanism.

“Zane,” I whisper.

He kisses the top of my head as we travel down to his floor. “I’m so glad we were leaving. It’s like…everything was perfectly planned.”

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“My sister took care of me,” he tells me. “It’s like she knew what would happen tonight. Divine timing.” He smiles, taking a step toward me, his eyes sliding down me. “You look like you break hearts for a living.”

Butterflies flutter throughout me. “I used to. I don’t give many people a chance anymore.”

The elevator doors slide open, and as soon as they do, we exit, nearly stumbling on our own feet. His mouth is on mine, greedy and desperate like we need to destroy the other. I want my IOU and I want it now.

Zane unlocks the door, pulling me inside. He’s hard and thick and has me pressed against it. “Who was the woman you were chatting with?”

He pulls away and places his hands on my hips. “Are you jealous?”

“I have trust issues,” I state. No use denying it, because Zane knows what Sebastian did to me.

“Babe.” His face softens. “It was Billie Calloway. She’s Harper’s best friend and business partner. Don’t you worry about that with me. There is no one else. There are no secrets. Not with you. I have nothing to hide. Right now, there is only one woman on the planet who I want.” He kisses the softness of my neck. “And she tastes…so. fucking. good.”

I pant out a breath, exposing my neck further, wanting him to lick every damn inch of me.

“It’s only you, Autumn,” he confesses. “It will only ever be you.”

“Promise me,” I say, nearly begging. “Promise me that’s true.”

“I fucking promise with all of my being, Pumpkin. On every memory I still have of my mother. You were made for me.”

“Mirrored souls,” I whisper.

“Twin flames,” he says, then both of our eyes bolt open.

“Did—” I tilt my head at him. “Did Harper tell you that?”

“Did she tell you that?” He crosses his arms over my chest, watching my breasts rise and fall. His cock is so fucking hard in his pants, and I trace the outline of him. My body aches for more of that. All of him. He’s made me a sex crazed monster.

“Ah, I know that expression,” he tells me.

“Which one?” I ask, laughing.

“It’s the Alexander addiction look. You’re wondering how you’ll live without me.”

“In a roundabout way,” I tell him, not daring to mentioning his dick is basically plastered on a centerfold in my mind. A dirty thought I’ve replayed at least a hundred times.

“You’ll never be satisfied,” he warns. “I’ll make sure you’ll always want more of me.”

“That sounds like a threat,” I say, arching a brow at him. “I’d be willing to bet you’re more addicted to me.”

“Fuck yes, that’s true,” he says. “I don’t want this to end, Autumn. Not in January. I do want to make you my wife. To take the risk. I want the whole goddamn world to know you’re mine, and more than anything, I want to take care of you and go on adventures with you. I’m already bound to you, somehow. And I don’t understand it at all, but in my heart, it’s you. It will only ever be you.”

My mouth is on his. “Just ask me.”

Zane drops to his knee as if I commanded him and reaches inside of his pocket. He pulls out a black box and opens it.

“Wait. You planned this?”

“Not planned, just prepared. Autumn Travis, please spend the rest of your life with me. It’s a wild request and I know we’re practically strangers, but my heart knows you’re my other half. If it’s too soon?—”

I kiss him, deeply. My heart wants this too. It’s insane, but it feels right. “Yes. Absolutely. Yes.” I nod. “I’ll take the risk with the man of my dreams.”

He grabs my finger. Kissing where the ring will go before he slides it on.

“It fits,” I say, then I realize Harper had every inch of me measured today. Even my fingers. I smile. He’s smart. I’d thought nothing of it.

“This is my mother's ring. I had Weston help me resize it for you.”

I move toward him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I can’t accept this.”

“It’s meant for my wife. I’ve never even thought about giving it to anyone until I met you.”

I grab his face, kissing him, drunk on the taste of sweet red wine on his lips. “You really want me to be your wife?”

“Fuck yes, I do,” he says.

“I want to be her too,” I admit. It feels right and I can’t say no, not when I’m in this deep. It’s a risk, but one I’m willing to take.

“You are,” he says, lifting me into his arms and carrying me upstairs. Zane carefully unzips the back of the dress from my body and it falls to the floor in a puddle around my feet. Then his mouth is on my shoulder, sliding up to my neck, and then on my lips.

“Fuck,” I whisper, the glow from the city lights just bright enough so I can see his face. “You’re mine.”

“For fucking ever,” he confesses like it’s a prayer as I slowly unbutton his shirt. I push it off his broad shoulders, then reach behind my back and unclasp my bra, allowing my breasts free.

He tweaks my nipple with one hand while capturing the other in his mouth. I run my fingers through his hair, the sensations overpowering as he sets me on the edge of the bed.

I shake my head. “Earlier, you mentioned me sitting on your face.”

His eyes darken and a smirk slides across his face.

“I thought we might try that, considering.”

His brow pops.

“Considering I’ve never had the pleasure of riding someone’s face.”

“Fuck, Pumpkin. Let me clear you off a place to sit.”

Zane brushes his hand over his face and I watch him as he undresses for me, revealing his beautiful muscles, then lays back on the mattress. I crawl toward him and chew on the inside of my cheek. “Which direction?”

“This is your fantasy, sweetheart. Whichever fucking way you want. If you face the headboard, I’ll get to watch you come all over my face. The other way, I get a close up view of your beautiful ass. Either way I win.”

“I want you to see me,” I whisper. “See what you do to me. The look on my face when you make me come.”

“Fuck yes. Come here,” he says. “Straddle my face.”

His hands grip my cheeks, scooting me further down onto his lips. I glance down at his smoldering eyes, running my fingers through his hair as he tongue fucks me nice and slow. Then his mouth is back on my clit, sucking and flicking, but not too fast. He’s playing with me, leading the way as I gently rock my hips.

The scruff on his face feels so good on me and I want to pick up the pace. Whimpers crawl from my throat, and when I look into his eyes, he growls against my pussy.

“Zane,” I whisper. “You make me feel so good.”

“Mm.” He kisses me, lightly licking. “You’re close.”

“Yes,” I say, my mouth falling open as my breaths come in desperate pants. The climb is slow and treacherous. “So. So.”

Then the orgasm takes hold and every muscle in my body seizes up. Life itself feels as if it comes to an end as I come apart on his mouth, riding out my orgasms on his tongue and lips as he smiles beneath me. “Will you fuck me?”

“Thought you’d never ask,” he says, taking one final lick of me as I move off of him. I scoot to the edge of the bed, my ass up in the air.

Zane moves behind me, kissing my ass cheeks, then slides his mouth down my crack. His palms gently open me as he licks around my tight hole. I moan out, never having been licked there before.

“Shit, that feels amazing,” I whimper, swallowing hard. My pussy pulses and I don’t know how it’s possible for this man to get me so worked up so quickly. I want him inside of me. Right now.

As if he reads my mind, he grabs my hips, lining his cock up with my cunt, teasing me with the tip. I try to fall back on him, but he clicks his tongue. “No patience.”

“Not when it comes to you.”

Zane shifts forward, slamming inside of me, and I think I see stars. “Yessss,” I scream out, clenching the fluffy comforter in my fists as he fills me so full.

Zane reaches around, adding just enough pressure to my clit to set me trembling beneath him. He knows what I crave and I slam against him, our bodies crashing together.

“Are you gonna be a good girl and come on my cock?”

“Only if you keep fucking me just like that,” I moan out. His thrusts grow more intentional and my body lets go. I arch my back, his hands on my ass as I take him from behind, nearly crumbling to dust as he loses himself.

As he’s moaning out his orgasm, the doorbell rings. We’re sweaty and breathing hard and I just want to hold him under the skyline.

I roll over on my back, staring at him, his cock still at full attention. “Should you answer it? What if it’s Weston or someone?”

“No,” he whispers, glancing at his phone. “They’d call or text.”

“Zane,” a woman’s voice calls out and his jaw tightens.

“Who is that?”

“Who do you think?” he asks.

I slide out of bed, grab the dress shirt he was wearing then button it.

Zane follows me across the room. “Autumn. Don’t.”

I hold up my hand. “I’ll handle it.”

I skip down the stairs, two at a time, then move to the front door, opening it, knowing what I look like. By the expression on her face when she sees me, she knows we've been fucking too.

Good.

I smile. “Hi. Can I help you?”

She stares at me. “Who the fuck are you?”

I grew up with mean girls just like her. I push my perfect hair back from my eyes with my left hand. The ring sparkles in light. “Oh, I’m Zane’s fiancée. Autumn. And you are?”

She rolls her eyes. “You know who I am. I’m Celine.”

“Who?” I ask. “I'm sorry, he's never mentioned anyone named Celine.”

This frustrates her and she grows more agitated.

I blink a few times. “So, how can I help you?”

“I’d like to speak to him. Now.”

I give her a sad smile. “Eek. I’m really sorry, it's just not a good time. He’s really tired right now and is in bed waiting for me to return. Maybe another day, Celeste.”

“It’s Celine .”

“Okay, sure. Anyway, have a good night. Great dress,” I say, then close the door in her face and lock it.

Zane stands at the stairs, watching me with his arms folded over his chest. But he’s smirking. “Wow. I didn’t realize you had it in you.”

“Don’t underestimate me when it comes to what's mine,” I say, remembering I made a promise to Harper. No way in Hell I will allow that woman to be alone with him.

“No one has ever treated her like that. She might have a meltdown on the island.”

“Can’t control anyone but ourselves. But it’s the audacity for me. Does she think she can break us up?” I ask.

“Yes, just like Sebastian thinks he’ll convince you to leave me. But he’s mistaken with his marriage bullshit because I’d marry you tomorrow.”

“Then do it.”

“Wait.” The mood shifts. “You’d marry me tomorrow?” He tilts his head, watching me.

“We’re already in too deep. What’s the difference between tomorrow and next year? You’re convinced this is happening. Why not now?” I shrug, but I’m smiling.

“What if you decide you can’t love me?” he asks.

“I don’t think you’ve got anything to worry about. Mr. Dreamy has home field advantage and has since I was eighteen.”

A smile meets his lips. “Call everyone you want to invite and send them to my travel agent. All expenses paid.”

Zane kisses me, pulling me close. We're giddy, ridiculously happy. “Where do you want to get married?”

“It’s super kitschy,” I say.

“Ah. Vegas?”

“Yes!” I squeal. “I’m so excited.”

“Your parents knew I would propose.”

“You asked my dad?” I’m surprised my mom was able to keep that from me.

“It’s the proper thing to do,” he says.

I wrap my arms around him. “Do you think we’re making a mistake?”

“Not at all. I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.”

“I’m trusting you.”

“Good.” He grabs my ass. “Pack a bag. We leave tonight.”

“Seriously?” I ask, my head is spinning, but I'm on Cloud 9.

“Fuck, I can’t wait to spoil you.”

“You already do.”