One Summer With Autumn

by Julie Reece

  I lower myself to face him, sitting on the edge of my bed. He shivers when my knee brushes his leg. It’s all I can do not to crawl in his lap, but until he explains why he’s here and not with Piper, I won’t risk making a fool of myself. “She came yesterday.” Talk about surreal. “Our visit was short. I didn’t get all my questions answered, but the big ones, yeah, she told us.”

  “Are you okay?”

  I shrug. “I will be.”

  “This isn’t working for me. You’re too far away.”

  I allow his touch as he gently takes both wrists. Move with him as he pulls me alongside him with our backs to the headboard. One arm comes around my shoulders while the other hand tugs the quilt around me. His skin is like ice, and I stiffen. I can’t help it. “Relax, I’m not going to kiss you. I came to help, not scare you to death. You’re shaking and look ready to bolt.” His leg casually crosses mine over the quilt. Being this near him destroys my bone structure. I’m as spineless as a jar of jelly. “Now. Start from the beginning and tell me everything.”

  I do.

  I explain how Syd and I have the same mother but two different fathers. I tell him that Mom married in desperation and left because she couldn’t deal with a family. Caden’s arm tightens when I relay how my father came home, only to say he didn’t want to hear about our visit and wouldn’t discuss the topic again.

  Nothing magically changed between me and my dad, and I don’t think it ever will.

  Sliding down onto my pillow, I blink back unwelcomed tears. It’s humiliating and cathartic at the same time—hearing the facts thrown out again so baldly. This is my life. The reality.

  Caden shifts, fingers brushing my hair back, running the length of my face. Warm breath falls across my mouth. “I’m so sorry, Cricket. You deserve better.” Sincerity penetrates another layer of protection I’ve built. His arms glue me together. It’s unbelievably good, the feeling someone actually gives a damn. I hang on with all my might.

  “I can’t pretend my mother wants me anymore. I’m glad to finally have the truth, but knowing is a different sort of empty. Syd and I are … ” Caden’s fingers stroke my face disrupting my focus. “It’s hard to explain, not different exactly, but we’re good. Closer, I think.

  “We talked a long time last night. I’ve decided to go to Furman for sure. I’ll start over and choose something other than what my parents did. I can do that.”

  “Yes,” he says softly. “You can do anything you want.” The deep timbre sends an excited shiver through me. I’m embarrassed he might feel it. That he’ll know even his voice affects me this much. There’s a fierceness burning in his eyes that says he does. “Are you going to let me be a part of starting over, or make me fight my way in?”

  And there’s the opening I need. “As what, Caden, friends, business associates? You don’t even like me, remember? Spent half the summer trying to teach me my place.”

  “Oh, I definitely like you.” His breath stirs the hair at my temple where he leaves a soft kiss. “You must be talking about that other guy.”

  Skin stinging with sensation, I attempt to distract us both from how close he is. “Who do you mean? Silas?” I’m so confused.

  “Yes,” he says, running his fingers down my arm. “And no. I think he’s pretty much obsessed with you, too, Cricket.”

  “Hey, why do you call me that?” Aside from the fact I’d always kind of liked the nickname, I was too proud to ask how I got it before.

  He grins. “I like the way you sing.” I swear every word hits me like an electric snap. His hand migrates from my arm to my hair, fingers sliding through its length slowly, as though he likes the feel. “And now, I’m going to level with you.” His head drops and he caresses my nose with his before trailing a line of kisses along my jaw.

  My head swims, poor lungs hardly functioning. “You should stop.”

  “I don’t think I will.”

  “Why—”

  “Because I think you like it.” As proof, his teeth graze the skin on my shoulder coaxing a gasp from me. Holy crap! My head says keep it together, but my body’s joined the Indy 500 for the win.

  “You were going to level with me,” I remind him with a whisper.

  “Right.” He rolls off me to his side. I’m both happy and bummed about that. “Honestly, you pissed me off so badly at the job fair, I couldn’t see straight. At first, I thought I’d tell you off and go home. But in the hallway, I saw you with that little girl.”

  I allow a small smile. “I remember her … Wait, you were spying on me?”

  “Not on purpose.”

  “But you were.”

  “Technicality. The kid was bawling her eyes out and you—my angry little pygmy—were there comforting her like a pro.”

  Angry little … “What did you just call me?”

  His ears actually turn red. “Extremely angry. And you were, so don’t deny it.” I pretend to glare. “Now, shush, so I can finish explaining.” In the past, being shushed after the pygmy thing would put this poor fool in a body bag. But Caden’s smile tests and much as it teases. He’s asking if it’s okay to mess with me, and I find that it is.

  “Oh, by all means, please continue.”

  “Thank you. So, after receiving your very public, verbal flogging, your father was reluctant to let you work for me. I told him I’d humble you with hard labor, torture you with nature, and bring you back a changed woman. Not really, but … ” A long breath escapes. “Actually, yes. I said every word. Absolutely.”

  This from my father is not surprising, but from Caden? I guess I knew, but somehow hearing him admit the truth has me spitting nails. My blood heats to boiling in my veins, I clench my fists ready to toss him right out of my bed.

  “The mud bath I sat in for bee stings?”

  “Superstitious remedy.”

  “Setting all those bunny traps … ”

  He chuckles. “Worthless. There were no casualties, we caught nothing.”

  “Oh my gosh!” My eyes bug, and I slap his chest. “You made me carry a million buckets of water to the vegetable garden. By hand.”

  “That I did.”

  “I ate fish! You arrogant, self-centered—”

  “You’re not wrong.”

  That stops me. “I’m not?”

  “Nope. I caught a glimpse of the real you when you helped that child, but I was in a bind with my mother, and you hurt my pride. I pretended not to care.” He smiles while his thumb pad explores my chin, trails down my neck to the hollow in my throat, whipping my heartbeat to frenzy status. “But you changed me more than I did you, Autumn. You don’t quit. I’ve never met anyone with such perseverance and grit. I admired you.”

  His words catch me up like foam on a wave, carrying me along with a powerful, undeniable force. Does he know how much he affects me? I’m dying here.

  “When I lost my dad, I felt cheated. People I knew walked on eggshells while I walked in a fog of self-pity. It took Piper’s accident to wake me up, but left me so full of guilt, I figured I deserved to be miserable. Then I met you.” He rises up on one arm to peer down at me. “You were never afraid to call me out on my crap. You’re the reason I see more clearly. I have so much more than I thought I did. If you’ll let me, I want to share it with you.”

  I want what he’s offering. Want him more than anything, but there’s another hurdle. “What about that?” I glance away. “All the stuff expected of you at home.”

  His finger hooks my chin, pulling my face up, so I can’t look anywhere but his eyes. When he smiles, I know he knows when I say stuff I mean Piper.

  “I was never in love with her. I think you know that.”

  “Then why did you kiss—?”

  Three fingers gently cover my mouth. He doesn’t move his gaze from my lips, as his fingertips linger a moment before pulling away. “I am in love, but not with her.” What’s left of my bones melt like candle wax. “What you saw was goodbye. I did try to care for her once, for her sake. And becaus
e of our history together, for her mom, and for mine. But I’ve never felt more for her than friendship. A romantic relationship would never have worked. My mother understands that now. Even if I’d never met you, I wouldn’t be with Piper. Not that way.”

  “She told me that you’re changeable. That you don’t know what you want.”

  He’s already shaking his head. The faint smell of shampoo scents his damp hair. “It’s been you since day one.” With that said, I feel permission to touch him. Unable to stop myself, I run my fingers though his silky hair, drop to his face where the skin is smooth and warm. Turning his face to my palm, he kisses the center, then each finger in turn. He doesn’t hurry. Sensory overload doesn’t cover what I feel listening to him breathe, or the warmth of him so close to me. The scratch his unshaven jaw leaves behind after every velvet kiss.

  When he lifts his head, he looks at me with such longing, my breath catches. “This is going to sound strange, but I’ve been waiting for you a long time, Autumn. I loved you, even before we met because of the hope of a dream. There was a puzzle piece missing. One that looked, and sounded, and felt exactly like you do. When I found you, you fit the hole inside me so perfectly; I knew the dream was real.”

  Caden had an amazing example in his parents, but relationships still scare me. A lot can come between two people. “What about two different schools? What will your mom think?”

  He lowers himself, taking my face in both hands. “We’re both starting as freshmen, and our schools are what … an hour apart? It’ll take a hell of a lot more than that to keep me away from you. And you can visit me, whatever you want. I don’t care what it takes, I need to be with you. And for the record, my mother gets that now. She wants me to be happy. We’re all moving on.”

  I fidget with the bands on my wrist. For us to work, I’ll need to take a leap of faith. Maybe several leaps. After everything I’ve been through, am I even capable of trust?

  “What can I say?” he asks, as though he can guess what I’m thinking. “How do I explain what you mean to me? What I want to be for you? Let me be your home. The one place where you’re safe and wanted. Appreciated for your talents, all the amazing things you think, and say, and do. You can be free with me, Autumn. Hell, I love you, girl. I always will.”

  Caden makes it’s all sound so easy. He talks like love, and security, and faithfulness in life are a given. I’ve secretly hoped for what he offers while doubting its existence. My mother’s abandonment. My father’s disappointment. That’s what’s real to me.

  As if I need persuading, Caden’s mouth claims mine. Lips pressing harder, I yield, opening for him. Our tongues tangle. A fire lights in my chest as my hands slide up his arms, riding every curve and dip of his work-hardened frame. One arm anchors him, keeping his weight from crushing me. The other hand buries itself in my hair, supporting my neck, which is good because my pulse races so fast, I’m lightheaded.

  The guy is all corded muscle and hard angles. His breath is hot in my ear, driving me half-crazy with wanting. Do I make him feel the same way? Every touch is deliberate. He’s firm and gentle and possessive at the same time, claiming me as his own. I can’t help but give myself up to him.

  Who knows how much time has passed when Caden finally breaks away. His gaze is sure, unflinching. Our breaths mingle fast and uneven, and his mouth curves at the ends. I can hardly endure the hopeful glint in those deep blue eyes. Is it mirrored in mine?

  I consider that a boy’s father was taken too soon leaving a void no one else could fill. Yet, while he was here, Mr. Behr loved his family so well, so fiercely; they lived secure, confident, and happy lives.

  As Caden drops a kiss on the back of my hand, I understand he wants us to have what his parents had. Who’s to say we can’t be that lucky? As children, Syd and I were taught in church that perfect love casts out fear. Some dreams you leap for. Take on faith. Living and existing aren’t the same at all. That’s what the summer taught me.

  “What do you say, Cricket?” Caden stretches out beside me, so close our noses touch. “Tell me how you feel, because I’m starting to doubt my legendary powers of persuasion. We can’t have that.”

  I roll my eyes. “All right, Caden …you called down the thunder, well now you’ve got it! Think you’re ready for me?”

  He leans in to kiss me, then I feel his grin spread against my lips. “Did you just quote Wyatt Earp from Tombstone to me?” He kisses his way up my neck to the tender spot below my ear.

  “Maybe.” It’s one of my dad’s favorite movies. Syd and I know every line by heart.

  “Yes! You are officially the perfect woman!”

  “Sh! Syd’s still sleeping,” I say, but it’s probably too late.

  As if meant to convince me we belong together, Caden’s first kiss was desperate, almost rough, every heartbeat an argument for me to believe in him. In us. Now, his lips move soft and slow. Torturous in a tender sensuality that continues to show me he cares. My fingers slide through his hair, knotting into fists as his mouth burns the promise of a future onto my skin. Marks me as his. His moan unleashes some coil bound tight inside me, and I cling to him. Even when he inches over, allowing me a much needed breath.

  In my make-out induced coma, Caden’s face lingers above mine. The blurry image transforms him into a dark and beautiful sentinel that Van Gogh might have painted.

  I smile, oxygen deprived lungs sweeping a breath. “I do love you.”

  “Hm.” His head falls back. “I’m never going to get tired of hearing you say that.”

  My hand slides around his neck. “Then I’ll say it every day.”

  “That’s a very good thing,” he says, “because you’re safe with me. I won’t quit on you. You’re a part of me now.”

  “You’re sure?”

  A heavy exhalation escapes though his nose as my hands glide down his chest. His eyes roll back. Lids slide shut. A shiver of excitement runs through me knowing I can create such a response.

  “Cricket … ” His eyes open, gaze settling me like a rounding wire. “We’re going to fight and make up. We’ll create and try not to kill each other over the challenges. We’ll fail, succeed, play, work, help out where we can, and every once in a while, we’ll get hurt. But we will love each other through it all. So, yeah, you and me? I can’t wait to get started. And I’ve never, will never, be more sure of anything in my life.”

  THE END

  Julie Reece

  Julie Reece was born in Ohio and lived next to her grandfather’s horse farm until the fourth grade. Summers were about riding, fishing and make-believe, while winter brought sledding and ice-skating on frozen ponds. Most of life was magical, but not all.

  She struggled with multiple learning disabilities, and spent much of her time looking out windows and daydreaming. In the fourth grade (with the help of one very nice teacher) She fought dyslexia for her right to read, like a prince fights a dragon in order to free the princess locked in a tower, and she won.

  Later, she invented stories where she was the princess … or a gifted heroine from another world who kicked bad guy butt to win the heart of a charismatic hero. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? She moved to Florida where she continued to fantasize about superpowers and monsters, fabricating stories (her mother called it lying) and sharing them with friends.

  Then she wrote one down …

  Hooked, she’s been writing ever since. Historical, contemporary, urban fantasy, adventure, and young adult romances, she loves strong heroines, sweeping tales of mystery and epic adventure … which must include ‘a really hot guy’. Her writing is proof you can work hard to overcome any obstacle.

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  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  About the Author

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