Page 128 of Promised Love

“Autumn, your parents want to see you before they leave. Can’t you guys take a break for a couple of minutes?” Chiara bellows before she thuds on the door hard.

“She’s loud,” I grunt. “And totally unwanted right this minute.” Autumn is spread out, still gasping, as we both try to come down from the height of orgasmic bliss.

She chuckles and tries to get away, but I dig my hands into her waist. “Chiara is upset with you.” Autumn cocks an eyebrow and jerks her head toward the door.

“What did I do to her?” I ask, hiding my face in her neck, savoring the smell of orchids and sandalwood, which always feels like coming home.

“You left. I was miserable and sad. She’s my best friend. That’s what besties do to people who hurt their friends.”

Guilt rushes from the bottom of my stomach. “I’m so sorry, Autumn.”

Her nimble fingers graze my unshaven chin. “I know you were feeling the same way.”

“I did. I was fucking miserable without you, and now I feel like a fool for doing that to us.”

“Don’t.” She places a finger on my lip. “Don’t downplay the pain and the rough life you’ve seen, Lukas. It’s made you who you are, and I love everything about you.”

Before I can reply, Chiara knocks with more force. “Are you guys done?”

“Let’s go meet your parents.” I get up from the bed, taking her with me.

“This feels so weird,” Autumn whispers as she puts on her bra and underwear.

“What does?” I hand her the light green pullover after putting on my T-shirt and jeans.

“Talking to my parents, especially Dad, after we’ve just had sex,” Autumn says as she ties her hair into a bun.

I chuckle. “Your parents know we have sex, babe. They aren’t stupid.”

“I know. But it’s different when you go and talk to them after you’ve just had sex. I feel like I should take a shower or something.”

I laugh at her cuteness. “You don’t have time. If you don’t open the door right now, your bestie will break it down.”

Chiara proves me right, because when Autumn opens the door, a fist lands on my wife’s head.

“Chi!” Autumn groans and I’m at her side immediately, glaring at her friend.

“I thought he’d open the door,” Chiara explains all the while throwing daggers at me.

Autumn shakes her head and walks out of the room. I follow her and Chiara, who asks something to her in a hushed voice, and Autumn shakes her head.

We finally reach the dining room, where Jasper, Laura, Suzie, and Mr. Big are sipping coffee. But I’m surprised to find Gavin sitting next to Minnie with a pie plate before him.

Suzie pours two cups of coffee for Autumn and me.

“Lukas, I hope you’re not upset with how everything happened tonight?” Jasper asks as I guide Autumn to the empty seat next to him.

I shake my head, because even with all the anxiety it caused me, I know in my core this was necessary. “I’m happy that Autumn knows me better than myself.” I twine my fingers with hers on the table.

“Just so none of us have any doubts, you aren’t getting a divorce, right?” Laura’s gaze dances between Autumn, me, and our joined hands, and the smile on her face says she’s happy with what she sees.

“I’m not leaving Autumn, ever. She’s the best thing that’s happened to me, and I’d be stupid to let her go.” I press my lips to her forehead, and a calm settles in my heart.

“That’s the best thing I’ve heard,” Laura says in a throaty voice, tears swimming in her eyes. “We’ll leave now. Before Grandpop and Grandma hear about the fire from someone else, we’ll tell them what happened here.”

Laura and Jasper get up, and we follow them to the main entrance. Autumn hugs her parents, and Jasper shakes my hand before giving my shoulder a squeeze. Laura, on the other hand, takes me by surprise. She kisses my cheek. “We love you for who you are, Lukas. A righteous man who doesn’t care about his own life when it comes to our daughter. You’re an important part of our family now. Your past doesn’t matter to us, except that you had a tough life.”

Emotions bubble in my throat, and after a beat, I nod.

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