Page 72 of Broken Boss

She’s right on his tail, traipsing out in a nightgown that drives me crazy. It’s nothing sultry, silky, or revealing. That’s the whole appeal. Autumn is wearing an ankle-length, thin lavender nightgown that stretches over her curves as she moves. My eyes drag down her body and I can’t help but wonder what’s under it.

On impulse, I round the kitchen island and walk right up to her.

She stops, surprised by how close I am, hands coming to rest on my chest.

“Chris?”

Dipping down, I capture her lips and bury the rest of her question between us. Autumn sways, off balance, and I press my hands against the small of her back, hugging those curves to me. Putting everything I wish I could say to her into the kiss, losing myself in a haze of her scent and feel.

When we finally break apart, she’s looking up at me with heavy-lidded eyes.

This probably isn’t smart. She must want some distance. What are you thinking?

Before I can spiral any further, she licks her bottom lip and peeks up at me with a shy gaze.

“That was…a nice way to wake up.”

One corner of my mouth quirks up in an ecstatic grin. This is going so well that…

“Will you do something with me today? Come with me somewhere?”

Gently, I squeeze the curve of her waist through the thin cotton of the gown. She sways on her feet again, squinting up at me suspiciously.

“Hmm. Depends. Where? And can Frank come?”

“I can’t believe he slept the whole time.”

Autumn turns to look into the back seat at Frank, who is happily passed out on his back, on a very expensive blanket. I grin in the rearview at the sight.

“I’m not. You took him on the longest walk ever, Autumn. I was starting to get worried you weren’t coming back.”

She smiles nervously, eyes darting away from mine. “Can’t say it didn’t cross my mind.”

“Oh, come on. It isn’t going to be that bad.”

“I know, I just…I’m not great with family get-togethers.”

The discomfort in her voice breaks my heart. Reaching over the center console, I put a hand on her thigh reassuringly. “You’re fine. Besides, my family is a bit of an enigma. We only found out that Jenson existed a little over a year ago.”

Well, I did—and then I held off on telling Nathan…but I don’t mention that mess to Autumn, not wanting to overwhelm her before we reach Cambridge. She’s been fretting for the entire three-and-a-half-hour ride.

“You’re sure this isn’t a fancy dinner?” She’s running her hands over her jeans nervously, picking at a worn spot.

“It is definitely not a fancy dinner.”

“Hmph. Okay. It’s just, with three brothers, all of whom are billionaires…”

“Yeah, I know. But you have to remember—humble beginnings.” I give her a cheesy grin that makes her laugh and tell her about the diner Nate and I used to frequent, trying to take her mind off her nerves as we pull onto Jenson’s street.

The driveway is tight with their cars as well as Nate’s, but I maneuver in carefully, get out, and wait for Autumn to open the back door. If I had to guess, I’d say Frank is going to be her security blanket tonight.

The front door of the town house opens and Mel is standing there, absolutely beaming. “Come in!” Despite her massive smile, she shoots me a warning glance.

One that says, You didn’t tell either of your brothers you were bringing someone. You’re probably in trouble.

And unless Jenson filled her in, she has no idea just how much trouble.

“This is Autumn,” I introduce her in the doorway, trying to maneuver around the happy mutt at our knees. “And this is Frank. Oh, Frank?—”

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