Page 59 of Promised Love

I cringe. I hate to disappoint him, and the frown lines of worry appearing on his cute face tell me I might be. “If I’d have known I’d feel this shitty after taking the shots, I’d have told Andy Bruno I’m a teetotaler.”

Thankfully, a small grin returns to Mr. Big’s face. “Yes, you should do that, kid. Never be pressured into doing anything you don’t like.” He pauses, and when I nod, his smile grows. “I’m happy that Mr. Spencer was with you last night. Take today easy.”

Once he shuts the door behind him, I wonder if this is what Chiara meant.

But is it wrong that I don’t like disappointing others?

I take a few more bites of the pancakes, which are almost cold now, and put the fork back onto the half-empty plate. I lean back, glancing up at the ceiling. My fingers play with my loose hair, and I think about Chiara’s words. Is Lukas the perfect guy for my…V-card?

It wasn’t that I was holding on to my virginity for some noble reason. It’s just that the right man never crossed my path. Or was I comparing every boy I met with a yardstick that was my emails with Lukas Spencer?

But how would I even know what Lukas’ thoughts are on this matter?

Hi, Lukas. Would you be interested in taking my virginity? You seem to be the perfect man for the task, given you are my husband and all that.

My lips twist just thinking about it.

“God, am I really going to do this?” I whisper out loud.

Why not, Autumn? You’re the master of your destiny. You have to take control of your life. If you want to have sex with Lukas, don’t just sit here. Go and ask. No, not ask. Demand.

I get up in a rush, ready to do all the demanding. But God, my head swims, and I sag back in my seat.

Okay. Okay. But first, let’s prepare ourselves for the task.

This time, I slowly walk toward my desk, and from the bottom drawer, I pull out the medical kit. I take one Advil and gulp it down with some water.

When I’m back on the couch, I can’t stop thinking about the demands I’m going to be making soon.

20

LUKAS

I feel much lighter after clearing things up with Zane. At least a part of my head is lighter; the other is still cloudy with images of Autumn, which I try to push back. After another cup of coffee, I call a cab. But instead of returning to the inn, I ask the driver to drop me near Lake Cherry. There are flyers for the Valentine’s Day celebration in the town’s square, which is only a couple of weeks away.

After taking a seat on a deserted bench facing the lake, I dial Gavin.

“Spencer.” His voice is gruff with sleep.

“Please don’t tell me you just got up.”

“Why would I share my sleeping habits with you?” I can hear his loud footsteps in the background. “Is there a reason for this early morning call?”

I don’t correct him that it’s almost the middle of the day. It’s Gavin King, after all. He’s probably the grumpiest person on the earth.

“I had a meeting with our celebrity couple,” I say, listening to his coffee machine running in the background. “The wedding is going to be filled with celebrities. Andy Bruno and his brothers are some seriously famous people.”

“Don’t tell me.” He groans. “I have Carter on my back, telling me every day which Bruno brother he wants to shadow.”

I chuckle. Carter King is Connor and Gavin’s nephew. Unlike other men in his family, he didn’t serve the country. Directly after finishing his studies, he joined Kings Security. I think that’s the reason Connor is extra hard on his training. But Carter has turned out to be one of our best team members.

“I’d definitely include Carter in the team, but I need a special guy for Andy Bruno’s sister.”

“Sister? Our research only showed four brothers. Where did a sister come from?” Gavin grunts. “Although I just received an email from my informant that Mrs. Bruno hired a PI. I’m forwarding it to you now.”

My phone dings right away.

“So what’s up with the girl?” Gavin asks and I decide to check the email later.

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