Page 63 of 5 Golden Flings

After several seconds, Noah said, “I’d apologize for that, but I don’t regret it, so….”

All Autumn could do was shake her head.

Because neither did she. But that physical need couldn’t erase the past.

Her voice was husky, filled with need and memories. “You broke my heart once, Noah. There’s a snowball’s chance in hell I’m going to let you do it again.”

Hours later, Autumn’s words still spun through his brain. Her expression of utter devastation gutted him.

Sure, he’d known that leaving back then hurt her. It had hurt him, too. But he’d expected time to have healed the wound.

Clearly, it hadn’t.

Which bothered him and somehow made him restless…and hopeful.

The day he’d walked away from Sweetheart, he’d known he was leaving her behind. He’d needed out, a clean break, and he couldn’t ask her to come with him. Not when her entire life, hergoals, dreams and family were wrapped up in Sweetheart. Her mom had just been diagnosed with cancer for God’s sake.

Noah wasn’t sure what he’d feared most, that she’d say no if he asked her to come, or that she’d say yes and resent him for the rest of their lives. It had been hard, but walking away had been the right thing. For both of them.

Or that’s what he’d told himself.

Right now, he wasn’t so sure. On either count.

There was a reason he’d never married. Hell, he’d never had another truly serious relationship. Sure, he’d dated, but with his life and schedule it was easy to spend months with someone and never really connect. To never share the important pieces of himself or ask for that in return.

He’d been having fun, clear up front with his partners on what he had to give. He’d told himself he didn’t miss having a confidant – a partner – to share everything with. Not like the bond he and Autumn had shared.

He had friends, an agent. Hell, he even had a part time assistant. It wasn’t the same and deep down he’d always known the truth. Nothing had come close to measuring up to what he’d shared with Autumn. The security, acceptance, not to mention the heat.

At the time he’d told himself there was no reason to dwell on the past. She’d made it absolutely clear once he walked away there was no going back.

And as much as the expression on her face today had killed him…that pulsing need he could feel inside her had also given him a glimmer of hope.

Maybe that door wasn’t as tightly sealed as she’d like it to be.

The question was, what was he going to do about it?

It took Autumn several minutes to realize the pounding wasn’t just the wine she’d drank last night fighting back.

Bleary-eyed, she kicked off the covers, snatched a bottle of water out of the fridge on her way by and downed half of it as she plodded for the front door.

What time was it? And who the heck was trying to break through her front door at this ungodly hour?

Flipping the locks, she didn’t pause as she jerked the door open and growled, “What?”

The last person she expected to find standing on her front porch was Noah.

He didn’t say a single word. Instead, his bright gaze traveled from the top of her head to the tip of her toes. God, she must look like death warmed over. An entire bottle of wine followed by tossing and turning all night were not a good beauty regimen.

Autumn had to force herself not to reach for her hair and smooth down any knots. Noah showed up at her door unannounced, he got whatever he deserved.

The corners of his lips twitched, but at least the man was smart enough not to let the smile actually form. “Good night?”

“The best,” Autumn quipped. She didn’t bother closing the front door, but spun away and headed back to the kitchen. He’d either follow and tell her what he wanted or leave.

Right now, Autumn didn’t care which.

Opening a cabinet, she pulled down a bottle of aspirin, shook two into her palm and downed them with the rest of the water.

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