Page 29 of The Female Warrior & The Charming Gentleman

“Marci!” Mama sounded shocked, but she was smiling.

Autumn nodded as if she agreed but then focused on the card she was playing.

An hour later, the other men came back into the house. They all enjoyed ice cream and went on a walk in the cold night air. It was brisk but refreshing. He felt like he was onLittle House on the PrairieorLeave it to Beaver. He’d had a wonderful childhood, the single child of doting, wealthy parents. They’d been busy with work and events but tried to include him whenever possible, and with his parents he’d traveled the world and learned to work and be charitable. He’d started inventing and designing from the time he was small, at the encouragement of his mom. He hadn’t had a ‘fresh mountain air, ride horses, go on walks, eat homemade food and sit around and play card games’ kind of childhood. His mom had wondered if that was why he’d bought his Aspen Colorado home, to try to experience the outdoors like he hadn’t as often as he’d begged to as a child and teenager.

He didn’t get Autumn alone on the walk. She and Easton both stayed close to him. As they got back to the gravel drive in front of the house, Marci and Walker gave goodnight hugs to Mama. Before they could head for their cabin, Jarom eased close to Marci and whispered, “My signature cologne should have arrived with a travel size bottle as a bonus.”

“It did.”

“Could I buy that travel size bottle from you?” Thankfully, Autumn had searched his wallet but hadn’t stolen it. “I’ll give you a thousand dollars cash.”

“Oy! Your money isno buenobetween friends.” She grinned. “You can have it. I’ll have Walker bring it over.”

“Bless you.” He was so grateful. He would smell like himself. Would that help him in his pursuit of Autumn? He could pray it would.

“Bless you for creating such succulent smells.Our marriage is even more thrilling because of your talents.” She winked at him.

Walker led his wife away, looking a little puzzled about the interaction.

Autumn stared at Jarom as well. Had she overheard? She’d been talking to Easton.

“Six in the morning to lift?” Easton asked Autumn.

“Sounds great. Thank you.”

“Anything for you, gorgeous.”

“Goodnight. Thank you,” Jarom said to Easton, turning toward the house and escorting Autumn up the stairs with his hand on her lower back.

She didn’t say anything as they said their goodnights to Mama and Jared and made their way up the stairs. They stopped outside her door.

“Must be weird for you,” she said, “going to bed at nine-thirty and without a girl on your arm.”

He turned to her and gave her his patented smirk. “First of all, love, I have you on my arm.”

“No you don’t,” she shot back.

He shrugged and gave her a smoldering look. “Second of all, I don’t take women to bed. I am a Christian and believe in the sanctity of marriage.”

She looked him over. “I’ve heard that about you. You’re insisting it’s true?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Good for you.” She pushed her bedroom door open.

“It is early to go to bed though. Would you like to … hang out and talk?” It was as non-suave an invitation as he’d ever given in his life.

She smiled as if she could tell he was off his game. “What could we have to talk about?”

He stepped in closer and said huskily, “Our future.”

Autumn’s smile faltered, but her golden eyes lit like molten fire. She stared at him for long enough he was certain she was ready to agree what was between them was no simple flirtation, that it was meaningful and deep.

He leaned toward her. “Autumn,” he said huskily. “I’ve never stopped to think about settling down and having a family, but with you …” He left it hanging out there. Would she reciprocate?

Her eyes filled with fear. That confused him. Then Autumn leaped into the air and her foot came flying up like some parkour expert or ultimate fighter. She kicked him in the side of the head.

Jarom knocked into the doorframe. The floor under his feet rolled, and his head spun and exploded with pain.

---