Page 24 of The Autumn We Fell in Love

I’m surprised by how vehemently I want to crow in jubilation. I’m no prude, but this woman has awakened something new in me. Trying to suss it out, I take in the swell of her belly and how it melts into her luscious hips, her strong and ample thighs, and the way that her gaze travels my form.

“Are you both okay?” The clerk that helped me check in bustles up and even though he’s offering to help, his eyes are practically glued to her breasts.

That’s when I understand what’s up.

I’m feeling possessive. Because this girl? She’smine. How dare this other guy ogle how damn succulent her tits look under her dress?

She’s noticed where his eyes are pointed, and she’s not too happy about it. “Yeah,” she all but growls, “fine, thanks.” She scowls and crosses her arms over her chest, but he doesn’t take the hint.

I want to punch the guy.

Instead, I shove my body between his and hers, puffing out my chest and staring him down. “You heard the woman. She’s good.”

“But —“ he protests, but I shake my head and cut him off.

“You’ve got customers,” I say, pointing at the line of patrons waiting for desk service.

He opens his mouth to argue once more, but can’t deny that he’s got impatient clients to attend. He heads off, leaving me alone with this woman.

Mywoman.

“You okay?” I ask, voice gentle, drinking in her aroma. I could get high off this scent. It’s just as intoxicating as the way she looks and speaks.

I’d love to know how else I can get addicted to her.

“Yeah,” she says, shaking her head. “Sorry about running into you, I’m such a klutz. I’m the one who should be asking if you’re okay.”

“Never better, now that I’ve met you.”

Her cheeks flush darker. God, she’s gorgeous. I imagine all the things we could do together — all the things I could do to those delectable curves. I want to lap up her secret sauce and make her come again and again. I bet she’s a vision mid-orgasm.

“Nice pick-up line,” she says, shooting me some finger guns. But I don’t miss how her eyes darken with desire or how she doesn’t move away when I step closer.

“It’s not a pick-up line if it’s true,” I murmur, standing close enough that if I wanted to I could kiss the top of her head.

She cocks her head at me. “How do you know?”

I frown. “How do I know what?”

“How do you know if your life’s better now that I’m in it? You don’t know me at all.” Her lips are pursed and her shoulders set in defiance. Her tenacity only makes me like her all the more.

I thrust out a hand. “I’m Colby Jackson.”

She snorts. “Seriously? With a name like that, I hope you like cheese.” Then her cheeks pink and her mouth twists. “Not that I’m one to talk with a name like Brie.” She takes my hand. “Brie Marsden.”

“See?” I grin. “Now we know each other, and it turns out that we are similarly destined to be cheese lovers. And as for the rest . . . well, I know good chemistry. And you and me? We go together like red wine and cheese.”

“And if I’m allergic to cheese?” Her eyes dance. She’s teasing me.

I love it.

“Then we’re peanut butter and jelly. Ice cream and hot caramel. Spaghetti and meatballs.”

At the wordmeatballs, her gaze drops, just for a second, to my crotch. Then she’s back to looking me straight in the eyes, innocent as ever.

But I know what I saw.

This girl wants me as badly as I want her.

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