Page 37 of Effing Eli

I lifted Autumn’s hand to my lips and kissed it, feeling a twinge of guilt for making her doubt me.

She smiled, her eyes twinkling. “What was that for?”

“Can’t I kiss the woman of my dreams?”

She scrunched her nose, and her smile stretched across her beautiful face. “I suppose.”

I tugged her into my side, lifting her chin so I could taste her sweet lips. We were at the edge of the water and the winds were picking up. I wanted to take her home with me and make love to her. But she’d already told me no three times since we left SJI. I’d respect her wishes for now. But once I had her in New York, I would stop at nothing to get her back entirely while on my home turf.

“It’s getting late. We should go.” There it was, her wall. She must’ve felt the same stirring as me in her core. The arousal and desire to get dirty and fuck.

“Sure, we can leave if you want.”

She furrowed her brow and pressed her hand to my cheek. “Since when have you ever been agreeable?”

I laughed, knowing she was right. “I’m turning over a new leaf.”

“I’m not sure how I feel about this new and improved you. I liked some of your controlling, caveman tactics. But not all of them.”

I guided her back toward the boardwalk. “I know, baby. I won’t change the way I am in the bedroom. Isn’t that what you’re referring to?”

Her cheeks turned pink as she dug her teeth into her bottom lip. “Yes.”

Damn, I loved her honesty.

“No worries, Boo. When it comes to sex, I dominate. You sure you want me to take you home?”

She sighed and shook her head. “I’m sure. You promised to not charm me into bed.”

“I had to try one last time. I miss you…” Could I not keep a simple promise to her? Nope, guess not. I’d just have to go home blue-balled tonight.

“I just want to be sure you know what you’re signing up for. And I need to be sure we’ll be okay if we get back together.”

Fuck, the look in her pretty amber eyes killed me. They were filled with doubt, and I didn’t like it one bit.

“I know. I can be patient.” I had no other choice.

At the wooden steps leading up to the boardwalk, she turned toward me and wrapped her arms around my neck. I did the same to her waist and gave her a chaste kiss.

“I wanted to apologize for the other day. It was stupid of me to question whether or not you’d been with anyone else. For starters, you don’t owe me any explanation. You were free to do whatever you want.”

“You don’t need to do this.” I really didn’t want her to. She had every right to ask, but it hurt like a bitch knowing she assumed I’d been with another woman.

“It was wrong of me, and I’m sorry. I just wanted to tell you so.”

“It’s always been and will ever only be you, Autumn.”

“I’m beginning to see that now.” She brushed her lips across mine. A few people went around us but we didn’t care if we were in the way. “I’m looking forward to next week.” She dropped a kiss on my lips and pulled back.

I laced our fingers together as we proceeded up the stairs. “What are you looking forward to most?”

“Seeing my family. Going to Central Park, maybe seeing a show. I haven’t been home once since I moved out here.”

“Not once?” This I didn’t know. Sure I kept tabs on her sporadically over the years, but I thought she’d at least been home for the holidays. Autumn loved Christmas in New York.

“Nope. I was afraid of running into you.”

“Shit, baby. I’m sorry.”

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