by Elle Viviani
“Dolly!” I push away from Bryce and start running toward the street, my steps frantic and stilted in my panic. “Oh God, she’s lost.”
“Autumn, wait!”
The concrete rushes up to meet me as my foot snags on a broken piece of stone. “Bryce!”
The air leaves my lungs as I’m yanked back and off my feet. The surface I’m pressed against is hard yet warm, and rises and falls in quick bursts. I close my eyes and melt into it, breathing deeply, and instead of the pungent smell of alleyway, the woody, smoky scent of pine trees fills my nostrils. It’s intoxicating. Everything about it makes my head swim, my limbs weak, my heart race. And I never want it to stop.
A deep rumbling erupts beneath my cheek. It takes a moment for the words to reach me, but when they do, I realize I’m being held in someone’s arms. And that someone is Bryce.
My eyes fly open and meet a wall of black. My cheek grazes Bryce’s cotton shirt as I tilt my face up toward his. His mouth is moving, but words aren’t coming out. “What?”
“I said she’s fine,” Bryce says calmly. “I let her go so she could run free, but she’ll come when I call.” My breath lodges in my throat when his gaze roams over my face. “To do that, I’ll have to put you down. Are you okay to stand?”
I twist my fingers in his shirt and give a reluctant nod. My eyes stay on his handsome face, hard and serious, as I’m set on my feet. Then Bryce raises his fingers to his mouth and lets out a piercing whistle.
“Don’t worry,” he says with a confidence that I wish I shared, “she’ll come.”
I wrench my eyes from his face and try to still my shaking hands. “She’s not the best at obeying.”
Bryce smiles. “That’s before she met me.”
“What do you mean?”
Before he can answer, there’s movement in the street. A moment later Dolly comes bounding around the corner, happy and jolly as ever. I fall to my knees and throw my arms wide as she runs to me.
“How did you do this?” I gush through a shower of puppy-dog kisses.
“I’ve been working with her on our morning walks.” Bryce reaches into his pocket and pulls out something small and round. Dolly looks up expectantly as Bryce tosses it toward her. She snaps it out of the air before it hits the ground. Bryce shrugs under my shocked look. “Peanut butter biscuits. She’ll do anything for them.”
I jump to my feet and throw my arms around his neck, standing on my tippy toes to do it. I bury my face in his soft cotton shirt and give him a huge hug. After a tense moment, Bryce relaxes enough to wrap his arms around me. I feel so safe, so warm, as he holds me in the protective circle of his strong arms. We stand there, entwined, until he breaks the silence.
“I’m sorry.”
I tilt my face toward his and stifle a gasp. We’re so close. If I rocked up a little higher, my lips could reach his.
“I shouldn’t have put us in that situation,” he continues in a strained voice. “There’s no excuse.”
“Don’t be.” I glide my tongue over my lips as my eyes dip to his mouth. Bryce tenses under me, and I relish the feeling of his rigid muscles beneath my chest. “Don’t say anything.”
Bryce’s breath is soft and hot on my face as he gazes down at me. “Autumn,” he begins, but doesn’t finish. Our bodies press against each other as our faces draw in close. A low groan of pleasure rumbles from his chest as he pulls me even tighter against him. How long have I dreamed of Bryce touching me like this? As if I was the most irresistible, precious thing in his world? As if he’d never let anything hurt me?
Instead of trying to fight it or reminding myself of the pain I felt for so many years, I do what comes naturally to my aching heart. I lean in, part my lips, and slowly close my eyes.
When Bryce pulls back before our lips meet, I nearly groan with disappointment. “Sorry,” he says in a gruff voice.
“For what?”
He lets me go and stands back, fighting to get control of the emotions flitting across his face. “We should get back.”
“Bryce—”
His eyes flick to mine. My breath catches as something flashes behind those eyes, something secret and raw and too risky to name. “It’s getting late, and you have a long day tomorrow,” he tells me in a voice that could’ve cut through steel. He starts backing away from me when I reach for him. “No. Don’t.”
“Wait,” I beg, but I’m talking to a back that’s walking away. Had I imaged the longing in his eyes just moments ago when he looked at me? Or had I simply wanted to feel those sparks so badly that I imagined a connection that was never there? That may never be there?
A grunt and a sigh pull my attention down to the pup sitting at my side. Dolly’s brown eyes are filled with sadness as they follow the retreating form of her favorite human ever. She looks up at me as Bryce takes up a position at the mouth of the alleyway. Squared shoulders, taught back, clenched fists. He’s back in bodyguard mode.
Is he ever coming back? I can hear Dolly asking me. It's what I'm thinking, too--except I mean the Bryce I used to know. The Bryce I just caught a glimpse of a few moments ago.
Oh God, when Bryce was gazing at me, those heavy eyes full of enough sensual intent to take my breath away, it was all I could do to not run after him and find out what could have happened if we let our lips meet.
“I don’t know, girl.” I raise my hand and drag my fingers over my lips, letting my mind go wild with possibilities. “I don’t know.”
Chapter 13
Autumn
I roll out of bed with a grin on my face and a fluttering in my stomach and make my way into the bathroom. Clothes drop to the floor behind me as I step into the shower and turn it on. For the first time in ages, I woke up feeling excited for my day instead of dreading it, because today I get to chauffeur a special guest around the Atlanta SPCA today for their annual fundraiser: a Ms. Dolly Barkton, Great Dane extraordinaire.
I love doing these type of events. They're fun and for a good cause and I never charge—though Cody always argues I should. Luckily, Zoe set this one up for me, so it wasn't an issue. Now that I think about it, Zoe schedules 99% of my fun events. Interesting.
A delicious wave of longing washes through me as I step into the shower. The water rushes over my tingling skin, simultaneously exiting and cooling it down. Something’s happening to me. I don’t know what it is, and I’m not sure I care to find out. But I do know that I can’t seem to control it when I’m around Bryce, and that scares me.
As the last of the conditioner slides down the drain, I switch off the water and step out of the shower. I’m reaching for a towel when Dolly comes galloping into the bathroom, tongue out and tail wagging. I laugh as she starts dragging that long tongue all over my wet skin.
“Okay, girl, that’s enough. Enough!”
I’m saved by a knock at my door. I wrap the towel around my now sticky skin and follow Dolly across my room. One glance through the peep-hole has me leaning back from the door with a puzzled frown.
“Hey,” I say, opening the door to my two stylists. Without Kendra and Billie, I’d look like a sack of potatoes. Seriously. I don’t know my way around a flat iron or bronzer, so I owe them, like, a lot. “What are you doing here?”
“Good morning to you, too,” Billie huffs. The overly starched collar of his Luis Vuitton polo doesn’t crease as he plants two air kisses on my cheeks. He gives my wet skin and hair an approving look as he leans back. “Oh, good. You’re clean.”
I take one look at my two stylists’ perfectly coifed hair and immaculate makeup (yes, even Billie), and decide to keep the doggie sponge bath to myself.
“Yup! Totally clean!”
Kendra frowns as she glides into the room after Billie. “How are you, honey? We heard about you know who.”
It takes me a few seconds to realize that she’s not talking about Voldemort.
“Oh, Cody? I’m fine,” I say, really meaning it. I shut the door behind them and head for the pile of dog paraphernal
ia lying in a heap in the corner. Kendra purses her lips as I locate the forty-pound bag of kibble and start pouring it in Dolly’s bowl.
“Well,” Kendra says, her magenta maxi skirt swishing over her snake skin mules as she struts toward my closet, “let’s make you look like a million bucks, anyway.”
With a light laugh that hopefully sounds authentic, I walk past them and step into the bathroom. As I brush my teeth with the vigor reserved for the morning of a dentist appointment, I can’t erase the uncomfortable truth that Bryce’s name popped into my head before Cody’s back there. I scowl at my reflection in the mirror.
What is wrong with you?
“You know, I think I’m good today. This event is no biggie.” I step out of the bathroom in time to see Kendra pull out a mini skirt and a top that looks like it met a cheese grater and lost.
“Uh, don’t you think that’s a tad over the top?” I ask as she brandishes the slit fabric in front of me.
Kendra purses her full lips and shrugs. “I think it works, but it’s up to you, sweetie.”
I glance over at Billie. “Thoughts?”
He stands up from plugging in four devices that loosely resemble torture devices. His pale blue eyes pop when he sees Kendra’s choices. “Love it. It’ll go perfectly with the wild blowout look I’m slapping on you today.”
I look between them, then back at the daring and revealing ensemble clutched in Kendra’s brightly polished fingers. “I don’t want that smelling like dog, though.”
Kendra recoils. “And why would it?”
“Because we’re going to the animal shelter today.”
Kendra puts down the leather jacket she’s just selected. “Sorry, honey, but I ain’t here to dress you for no dog show.”
“SPCA,” I correct. The truth breaks over me The truth breaks over me like a cold wave on a warm beach. “What event do you think you’re dressing me for?”
My question’s answered as Kendra adds a pair of spiked faux crocodile skin stilettos to the jacket on my bed.
Cody!
“Just peachy,” I say through gritted teeth. The familiar weight of the turbulent last three weeks returns. There’ll be another fight over some meeting or photo shoot that I don’t want to—
Wait a minute. I’m Autumn frickin’ Hart, country music star, model, singer-songwriter, and I can do whatever the hell I want.
Billie turns his attention back to his bag. “Blowout or curls?”
I don’t even have to think. “Neither, because whatever you’re dressing me for is canceled.”
His head jerks up. “Sorry?”
A wide, open smile breaks across my lips. “We’re going to a doggie fundraiser today, y’all!”
I give a little whoop and hightail it into the bathroom. I’m running a brush through my straggly hair when Billie pops his head in. He eyes me like I’ve lost my mind, which I suppose I have. “Is everything okay, Autumn? You’re saying you’d rather go to an animal thingy than meet with a rep from Blue Mercury.”
“Oh. That’s who it’s with?” My comb stops halfway through a nasty knot. I remember Zoe mentioned a meeting with Blue Mercury. That’s a brand I could get behind. It looked like Cody was keeping my preferences in mind when he booked promos…
Until I remember what he canceled to get me that meeting.
I wrench the comb out of my hair and set it on the sink. “Yes, so you two can take the morning off. I’ve got this.”
With a laugh, Billie strolls into the bathroom and snatches the blowdryer out of my reach. “Uh, no. I may think you’re nuts for choosing doggie drool over high-end facial products, but I’m still Billie Annett.” His lip curls as he takes in my tangled hair. “Doggies or humans, no species wants to see that bird’s nest.”
I’ve wiggled into the fashionable yet sensible outfit Kendra selected for today’s fun when my phone pings. My heart quickens as I rush over to the nightstand, and then begins to pound when I see whose name is flashing across the screen.
Bryce: Can I come over? We need to talk
My hands shake as I pick up my phone and hit reply. Ever since that moment in the alley yesterday, every fiber in me craves to hear his voice, talk to him, to feel his arms around me again.
Me: Yeah. Kendra and Billie are here, tho.
My leg begins to jump as my eyes stay glued to the screen. His reply comes moments later, but it feels like days.
Bryce: Be there in 5
“Autumn?”
Billie’s voice pierces through my daydreaming. I turn to meet his indignant gaze.
“Those curls are going to fall if you don’t get your cute butt over here.”
I stalk over and plant my ‘cute butt’ in the chair, my fingers clasped tightly around my cell in case Bryce texts again. As Billie applies an ungodly amount of product and heat to my poor hair follicles, my gaze alternates between the door and my phone. The fifth time I click on my screen, Billie leans over my shoulder and whistles. “Got a hot date?”
I jerk around, almost burning my cheek against a hot roller clutched in his hand.
“Careful!” Billie tsks and turns my head back around. “You’re jumpy today.”
“Just excited.”
“About your date?” he says in a sly voice.
“About the dogs.”
He nods and grabs a lock of hair. “Right. Dogs always make my eyes sparkle like Cartier diamonds.”
I look between him and Kendra. “What?”
Kendra rolls her eyes. “Come on, you have a crush!”
My deer-in-the-headlights look says it all.
Kendra and Billie squeal in unison. “Aw, poor Cody,” Kendra says, “already in your rearview mirror.”
“It’s not like that,” I rush to say. “I’m not… I don’t…” My stylists wear a knowing grin as my words peter out. I turn back around and cross my arms over my chest. “Can we focus on today, please? I don’t want Dolly to be late.”
They share a look that sends Kendra nodding. “Mhmm. She’s got it bad.”
I let out a heavy sigh and vow not to look at my phone again. I cave after two minutes. I glare at my blank screen. It’s been six minutes, he’s late! He did say five minutes, right? Maybe I misread? I’ll just check it again—
OH MY GOD.
I drop my phone and slump in my chair. My wily stylists are right: I’ve got it bad. Real bad.
A brisk knock at my the door sends me jumping to my feet. Luckily, Billie’s taken out the rollers by then so I don’t look like a crazy lady when I throw back the door. Bryce fills the doorway. He’s taller, wider, bigger than I remember, and as my eyes glide over his taut muscles under his blue shirt, I tell myself that maybe my crush is justified. How can I not be infatuated with a man that takes my breath away?
“Good morning, ma’am,” he murmurs.
“Ma’am? You’re all business today.” I laugh and reach for his arm but stop when he flinches. There’s a tension in his face that I’ve never seen before. I let my outstretched hand drop to the door handle. “What’s wrong?”
“I found out about your schedule change. Canceling on the SPCA?” He gives me a disappointed look, then shakes out his sleeve and checks his wristwatch. “We should get going or you’re going to be late. Wouldn’t want to keep these important people waiting.”
His words have a harshness that surprises me. “What are you implying? That I did this?”
“Didn’t you?”
“Of course I didn’t!” I hate the slight tremor in my voice. I lift my chin and inject a little more confidence into my next words. “Is that why you’re being so cold to me?”
The corners of his mouth tighten, but he says nothing. His accusing stare says it all.
“You have got to be kidding me!” I pull out my phone and pull up my recent calls. Cody’s right there at the top. “If proof is what you need, then try this on for size…”
I clear my throat when my call goes to voicemail. “Hi, Cody, it’s your favorite client. Or at le
ast, I thought I was until I heard that you canceled the SPCA fundraiser today. Call me ASAP if you value our future working relationship.”
Bryce shifts uncomfortably as I click off. “So you didn’t know?”
“It won’t matter what I say, you’ve already formed your opinion of me.” I don’t wait for a reply. I turn around to stalk back to Billie but find I can’t move. Bryce’s hand is on my arm, holding me in place.
“Let go of—” My heart stops when I meet his heavy gaze.
“I have an opinion of you…” With a slowness that sends a wave of slick heat through me, Bryce drags his eyes over my snug jeans and low-cut t-shirt. “You’re a strong, beautiful woman who never ceases to surprise me.”
Bryce takes a small step toward me. My pulse comes quicker as he shares the air around me, breath for breath.
“And about yesterday, I—” Bryce cuts off as Zoe zooms around the corner. Her focus is on the phone permanently clutched in her hand, so she doesn't Bryce until it's too late.
She yelps as she careens into his broad back. Bryce whips around, steadies her, and then steps back—or tries. Zoe's got her brightly painted fingers curled around Bryce's tight t-shirt with no sign of letting go.
"Zoe?" I poke my assistant in the arm when she doesn't respond. "Please let my bodyguard go."
Zoe gives Bryce a reluctant look before letting him out of her clutches. "Sorry about that," she says, not meaning a word, "but I'm in a hurry."
She turns to me. "I went ahead and told the SPCA that we were on still on for today. I can't believe Cody did that again. I knew it was him the second I saw that schedule change this morning."
Her hand disappears into her giant black tote bag before pulling out an over stuffed Moleskine. "I'm going to scour this blasted thing for anymore red flags, boss. This won't happen again if I have anything to say about it."
With one last irritated sigh, Zoe slides by me and heads for my desk.
Bryce doesn't meet my eyes when I turn to him. "At least someone on my team believes I'm better than that."
