Page 29 of All Autumn
“Oh,” I said again, apparently reduced to that one word.
“Yeah,oh. It’s a new day, and you’re no longer off-limits.” He put his hand on my neck, guiding me down the hall, apparently done with this conversation.
“I need to say goodbye to everyone,” I said, craning my head to look behind me.
“Jenn’s taking care of that.” He pushed me into the bedroom, then backed me up against the wall. “Got any plans for tomorrow?”
His face was close enough to feel his warm breath on my cheek, making it hard to think.
“Easy question, Autumn. Yes or no?”
I shook my head. “Just clean up the house from tonight, then work on a proposal I’m making next week.”
“Let’s go hiking.”
“Really?” Out of our group, Connor and I were the only ones who loved to hike.
“Yeah, really. Sleep in. I’ll pick up some lunch to eat on the trail and then swing by to get you around eleven.”
I hadn’t been hiking since getting serious with Brian, and I grinned with excitement. Brian hated woods and trails and working up a good sweat. Once, after I got engaged, Connor and I had talked of spending a day hiking, and Brian had gotten all pissy about me spending a day in the mountains with Connor. Wasn’t proper for his fiancée to be off in the woods with another man, he’d claimed. Never mind that Connor had been my friend since first grade and there had never been anything between us.
Well, until that kiss, anyway.
Maybe Brian had recognized something in Connor that I’d missed, but I didn’t think so. More like Brian had a guilty conscience and was afraid I might screw around on him like he’d been doing on me.
I looked up to find Connor staring down at me. The heat in his gaze, the way his blue eyes darkened even as I watched, ignited a low fire in my stomach. And as we stood there, my gaze held prisoner by his, the fire burned hotter.
Conner lowered his face until it was a breath away from mine. “Yes or no?” he said.
I didn’t have to ask what the question was. It was no longer about hiking. “Yes,” I whispered.
For a year I’d wondered if I’d imagined how good it felt to be kissed by Connor, if I’d exaggerated in my mind the thrill that had coursed through me when his mouth had touched mine. I hadn’t. He tasted like the beer he’d been drinking earlier, malty and tangy. His lips were soft yet firm, and they were hot, as if he were burning with the same fever I was.
“Let me in,” he said, his words vibrating against my mouth.
When I obeyed, he slipped his tongue in, sliding it around mine. He reached for my hands, pulling them up and around his neck. Then he grunted a sound that seemed like approval when I scraped my fingernails across his skin. He put his hands on my hips, holding me still while he plundered my mouth. With just a kiss Connor possessed me in a way that Brian never had.
It was thrilling, and it was scary. Before I could think too hard, he lifted his head and stared at me as if trying to solve a puzzle. I didn’t know what to say, but even if I did, I was too breathless to speak.
“So, hiking?”
Not capable of forming words, I nodded.
“See you tomorrow.” He swiped his thumb across my damp bottom lip and then walked out, closing the door behind him.
“Wow,” I whispered, bringing my fingers to my tingling lips. I slid down the wall, and when my bottom hit the floor, I brought my legs up, burying my face against my knees. Just wow.
Although I’d missed the touch of a man, I hadn’t messed around since leaving Brian. I’d talked big about taking off for a night in Asheville and having some fun, but I hadn’t followed through. Until my divorce was finalized, I was a legally married woman, and I wasn’t Brian. I wouldn’t break my vows. But now I was free, and I knew just the man I wanted to scratch my itch with.
Connor was actually the perfect choice. Because we were longtime friends, he would care about my feelings and respect my wishes. And based on the two times he’d kissed me, I was pretty sure he was going to be one hell of an itch scratcher.
“Beau’s coming with us,” I said the next morning when Connor arrived.
“Great.” Connor bent over to rub my dog’s ears. “Good morning, Beauregard.”
I’d never noticed before what a nice ass Connor had. Very nice. Dressed pretty much the same as me, he wore a T-shirt, lightweight jacket, hiking boots, and cargo shorts. I managed—just barely—to resist the urge to pat his butt.
After a few excited barks of welcome and licks to Connor’s knees, Beau flopped over on his back for a belly rub. As Connor’s long fingers glided over Beau’s tummy, I found myself envying my dog. And just like Beau, if Connor were stroking me like that, my eyes would probably be rolled up in my head and my tongue hanging out.
