Page 56 of Runaway Bride for the Boss

She takes in the land and the small buildings slowly erecting across it. “What is this place?”

“If things go according to plan, it will be Brattleboro’s new business district in a couple of years.” Brattleboro is the size of a small city, bigger than most towns in the US, and it’s growing fast. The Downtown historic district encompasses most of the town’s thriving businesses as of now, and most owners don’t want to branch out of the area.

That’s why the town manager came up with an industrial project for a new business district, separate from the historic Downtown scene. I immediately bought up most of the lots in the area as soon as the project was approved.

“I see. Why are we here?” She turns her back to the land, squinting at me suspiciously. She’s onto me.

“We’re here because this is where your office will be. Have you come up with a name for your business yet?”

“My office?” she echoes.

“When the contract is signed, I’m going to lease you this land until you’re ready to purchase it yourself. We can sign a separate contract for Beaufort Construction to help you build whatever you envision.”

“Whoa, don’t you think you’re moving a bit too fast?”

“Too fast?” I raise my brow in surprise. “I see no reason to delay. I’ll have my people draft up another contract today and send you the final version tomorrow so we can move on to the next stage. By the first quarter of the new year, your office should be up and running.”

She sways on her feet. I move fast, catching her before her knees give out. “Autumn!”

She blinks up at me, then pushes off my arms and straightens her glasses. “I’m sorry. This is just a lot. I had to put my dreams on hold the last couple years, and when I left New York, I gave up on the altogether, so it’s a little hard to believe they might actually come true.”

Yeah, I get that. I might be expediting the process, but I truly see no reason to wait. And in any case, the faster we move, the faster she’s going to realize her dreams deserve to come true.

CHAPTER 32

AUTUMN

Alex pulls me into his arms and coos, “Believe it baby. I’m going to work hard to make all your dreams come true.” He slants his mouth over mine and kisses me. I gasp softly, and he uses the opportunity to slip his tongue between my lips.

I kiss him back hungrily, eagerly exploring his mouth with my tongue until he breaks the kiss with a short groan. “Come home with me,” he pleads.

“Now?” I whisper. “It’s eleven AM.”

“Right now, Autumn. It’s the only time we’ll get to be alone until your next night off. I need you to myself,” he cajoles softly, his fingers sinking into my hair to massage my scalp. “I’ve missed having you in my arms.”

I sigh happily and sink deeper into his embrace. Right now, it’s hard to remember why I was ever mad at him and even harder to think of a reason to say no, “Okay.”

Alex doesn’t waste time bundling me into his car and driving home. As soon as we pass through the front door, he whisks me into his arms. I squeal when he starts jogging to the stairs.

I cling to him tightly. “Shouldn’t you take the elevator?”

“I’ve got you.” He bounces me in his arms playfully, and I hold on even tighter as he ascends the stairs with grace. He takes me to his room and sets me on my feet at the foot of his large bed. With the haste we used to get here, I expect him to start ripping my clothes off – or at least his – but he walks to his nightstand and pulls out the drawer.

He removes a brown envelope. He opens the flap and takes out a document. He walks over and hands it to me. I adjust my glasses and then glance through the document, hoping he’s not springing another business proposal on me when I’m here to get laid. But it’s a clean bill of health. I read the numerous tests he took the day after we had sex – from the date written at the top. All the results are negative.

My heart pounds as I realize what it means, but I wait for him to clarify.

“I’ve never done this before, Autumn, but I meant what I said last time. I don’t want anything between us. You’re going to get on birth control. Tomorrow,” he orders.

“I’ve never not used a condom, either,” I whisper shyly, ducking my head down when heat spreads across my cheeks.

Alex pinches my chin between his index finger and thumb and raises my head, so I’m gazing into his gorgeous blue-green eyes. “Not even your ex-fiancé?” he asks softly.

“There’s only been him,” I admit. “But no. I told him we could ditch the condoms on our wedding night. He didn’t like being told what to do, of course, so we stopped having sex about eight months ago.”

“Of course, he didn’t.” He gives me a warm smile that makes his eyes crinkle at the edges. “I’m glad. I can make you an appointment tomorrow, Dr. Young is the best in town, very discrete.”

“There’s no need. I’m already on birth control.” I tap my inner arm where the implant went in. “It helps with my cycle.”

---