by Elks, Carrie
“I don’t know whether to kiss you or kill you,” Griff murmured to Autumn as everybody turned to look at him. The next minute he was surrounded by all his friends, their loud voices wishing him a happy birthday as they assaulted him with hugs.
A waiter carried over a tray full of champagne, along with bottles of beer for those who didn’t enjoy the sparkling wine. Griff’s eyes met hers as he clinked his bottle against Lucas’s, and the warmth in his eyes took her breath away.
“Okay, we need to dance,” Ember said, grabbing Autumn’s hand and inclining her head at the dance floor. She called the other girls over, and they agreed excitedly.
“What about Griff and the guys?” Autumn asked.
“They’re too busy talking about the game tomorrow,” Ember said, rolling her eyes. “They’ll come and join us when they notice we’re gone.” She tugged at Autumn’s hand, and all six of them made their way down the steps to the dance floor, joining the mass of bodies undulating to the beat.
Ally was the first to let go. She shimmied her hips, raising her hands into the air as her long blonde hair flowed out behind her. She looked amazing in a tight silver dress, the metallic fabric clinging to her athletic curves. All the guys on the dance floor were looking at her, although she was way too busy dancing to notice.
Autumn tipped her head back, letting the music wash over her as she let her own hips and body sway. When was the last time she danced in a club like this, with friends, and without a care in the world? She should do it more often.
For the first time in a long while she felt happy. Really and truly content. Maybe it was the new start, or maybe it was being in Angel Sands. It was almost impossible to be unhappy with the warm sun and deep blue ocean surrounding you.
Or maybe there was another reason. Her lips curled into a smile as she glanced over her shoulder and saw Griff looking at her from the VIP area, as he talked with Lucas. Maybe it was about finding a friend who made her feel excited to wake up every morning. One who made facing life so much easier.
Whatever it was, she liked it.
“One more dance,” Ember said when the song finished. “And then we should go and give Griff his birthday presents.”
“Yeah, and get another glass of champagne.” Harper grinned at their laughter at her suggestion. “Hey, it’s the first time James and I have been to a club since the baby was born.” She wrinkled her nose. “In fact, I think it’s the first time we’ve ever been somewhere like this. I want to make the most of it.”
Harper had filled Autumn in on the unusual way she and James had gotten together. They’d met at the opening of the Silver Sands Resort, and spent one amazing night together. She’d never expected to see him again until she realized she was pregnant and had to track him down. Until their baby was born, they’d been so busy getting used to being expecting parents that they hadn’t had time to date the way people usually did.
“Sounds good to me,” Caitie said. “I’ve been working way too many hours this month. I need all the champagne to calm my nerves.”
“It’s Autumn who needs the champagne,” Brooke pointed out. “She’s organizing a charity event for Frank as well as trying to make some changes at the pier, and we all know certain people will try to make it difficult for her. And on top of that, she organized Griff’s birthday party.”
“I like planning stuff.” Autumn shrugged. “I’m weird that way.”
Brooke caught her eye. “Well Griff’s a lucky guy to have you as a friend.”
“Yeah he is.” Ally winked. “Really lucky.”
* * *
“So, you’re just friends, then,” Lucas said to Griff as the waiter passed them two more beers.
“Yeah, right.” Jackson rolled his eyes. “Because friends are always organizing parties for each other.”
“To be fair, Caitie organized our wedding,” Lucas pointed out.
“Yeah, but she’s your sister so it doesn’t count. Autumn clearly has the hots for Griff, and by the way he’s staring down at her, he feels the same way.”
“I’m right here, guys,” Griff murmured. “And whatever’s going on between me and Autumn is none of your business.” He took another mouthful of beer and turned to look at his friends. “And by the way, I think those guys are making the moves on your wife and sister.” He inclined his head to the floor and watched as Lucas’s brow furrowed.
Two men were dancing behind Ember and Caitie, looking down at them as though trying to catch a glimpse of their cleavages. Lucas was usually as mild mannered and laid back as Griff, but he was already tapping Breck on the shoulder and pointing at the dancefloor. Breck frowned as he followed Lucas’s direction. “Should we sort this out?” he asked him, his jaw tight as one of the men slid his arms around Caitie’s waist.
“Sure we should.” The two of them walked across the VIP area and to the stairs.
“Completely whipped,” Jackson said, shaking his head. “Good job I have you, bro, and you’re not at all interested in Autumn.”
Griff opened his mouth to tell Jackson to shut up, but then two more men were walking over, heading directly to the spot where Autumn and Harper were dancing. His jaw tightened and he glanced over his shoulder. “We should go down too,” he told Jackson. “In case the guys need our help.”
Jackson grinned. “Sure, man. Whatever you say.”
By the time they reached the girls, they’d already given the strangers the brush off, and Ember looped her arms around Lucas’s neck and was smiling up at him as she asked him to dance with her. Lucas placed his hands on her hips and began to sway with her, leaning down to press his lips against her forehead.
Griff looked at Autumn, who was still swaying to the beat, oblivious to the interested stares she was attracting from guys all over the dance floor. “You okay?” he asked her.
“I’m great.” She grinned at him, her eyes sparkling as their gazes met. “And you?”
“I’m good.” His body relaxed as soon as he caught her stare. It didn’t matter who was looking at her, she was looking at him. “Enjoying my party. Thanks for arranging it.”
“Any time.” She pulled her lip between her teeth. “You want to dance?” she asked him, stepping to the right to make a space for him.
“With you?”
“Yeah. Isn’t that what friends do?”
He raised an eyebrow. “I’m good for that if you are.”
She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward her, her eyes sparkling beneath the flashing disco lights. Even in her skyscraper heels, the top of her head only grazed his chin as he held her hands, moving them both to the sensual bass.
“You’re a good dancer,” she murmured.
“Probably uses the same muscles as surfing.” God, she smelled good. He wanted to bury his face in her hair and inhale deeply.
The next song was slower, enough for him to pull her in close and have her arms wrapped around his neck. He could feel every inch of her pressing against him, the sensation making him grit his teeth.
“You’re very handsome,” she whispered. “But you know that.” Her eyes were a little fuzzy from the champagne.
“Thank you.” He winked at her.
“Seeing you in those pants does things to me.” Her voice was still low, enough for the beat to swallow her words up. But he still heard them.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” She sighed. “Everybody keeps asking me what’s going on between us.”
“What did you tell them?” His eyes met hers.
“That we’re friends.”
“We are,” he agreed, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “Good friends.”
“Friends with amazing benefits.” That drink had definitely gone to her head.
“Amazing?” he repeated, amusement dancing in his eyes.
“Really, really amazing.”
He cleared his throat. “You probably want to stop grinding your body against me soon, or those amazing benefits might happen in front of everybody.”
>
She bit down a laugh. “Sorry. I forgot where we were.”
He slid his hands down her back, resting them in the dip above her ass. “It’s okay. I kind of enjoyed it.”
“Is it wrong that I want you to kiss me right now?” Her eyes were dark as she stared up at him.
“In here?” he asked, his throat feeling tight. He wanted to kiss her like crazy. To spin her around and press her against the wall and move his body against hers until neither of them could think straight.
“Yeah, here.” She nodded. “Now.”
“In front of our friends? What will they say?”
“I don’t care what they say. I don’t care what anybody thinks. I want you to kiss me right now, Griffin Lambert.”
God, she was beautiful. With her head tipped up, her lips parted, and her eyes wide and needy as they stared at him. He cupped her cheek with his hand, his lips twitching as she turned her head to kiss his palm, the sensation affecting him more than it should.
He stared at her intently, his gaze not leaving hers as he grazed his nose against hers, inhaling her skin like it was an illicit substance. Then his lips were brushing against hers, his hand sliding to the back of her head to angle her face, his tongue running along her swollen bottom lip.
She was intoxicating. One kiss could never be enough. She was a cool drink after a long day, slating his thirst yet making him want more. She pressed her body against his, her fingers raking through his thick hair.
It was only when they parted that he realized all their friends were looking at them. He froze for a moment, half-expecting Autumn to panic or hide. But then Ally started laughing, and Autumn grinned at him, desire still flashing in her gaze.
“Well thank god for that,” Ally said, giving Autumn a high five. “I was starting to choke on the UST. Can we go give Griff his birthday gifts now?”
17
It was almost two in the morning by the time they grabbed their jackets and Griff’s birthday gifts and headed for the car waiting for them at the sidewalk. Breck, Caitie, and Jackson climbed in with them, Autumn having offered them a ride home since they lived near Griff’s apartment. The driver pulled smoothly away, making a U-turn to join the road out of town.
“God, my feet ache,” Caitie said, taking off her high-heeled silver sandals and wiggling her bare toes. “Babe, can you give me a massage?”
Breck sighed and took her feet into his hands, rubbing his thumb over the soles.
Jackson grinned at the two of them, then turned to look at Griff. “Babe, maybe you can massage my feet, too.”
“Get out of here.” Griff shook his head.
“It’s kind of your fault my feet hurt,” Jackson pointed out. “I was dancing at your birthday party.”
“I’ll buy you a foot spa,” Griff muttered, then rolled his eyes at Autumn. “Let’s drop him off first, okay?”
They pulled up outside Jackson’s sprawling house half an hour later. Griff had to climb out first to avoid his friend clambering over him. He didn’t want another request for a foot rub.
“Hope you had a good birthday, man,” Jackson said, giving Griff a hug.
Griff hugged him back. “It was good. Thanks for coming.”
“Autumn’s the one to thank. She arranged everything. Called us all up and told us when to get to the club. She’s great.”
Griff’s voice was rough. “Yeah, she is.”
“So are you two an item now?” Jackson asked, glancing over Griff’s shoulder at the car. Autumn and Caitie were laughing about something, and Breck was checking his phone, while the driver waited patiently for Griff to climb back in.
“We’re just friends.”
“A little more than that. I saw that kiss.”
“Yeah, well it’s casual. The way she wants it.”
“And you? What do you want?”
Griff’s smile was tight. “I want whatever she does.” He slapped Jackson on the back. “Now go inside, drink a glass of water, and get some sleep.”
“G’night, man.”
They dropped Breck and Caitie off next, and as the car pulled out of the lot, the driver turned around to ask, “Where next?”
Griff gave the man his address and leaned back, stretching his arm across the leather seat. Autumn nestled into him, her head fitting perfectly into the crook of his arm.
He could see his face faintly reflected in the passenger window. Who was that guy looking so contentedly back at him? His skin felt hot, his chest full of emotions he couldn’t quantify. Then Autumn caught his eye and smiled, and he realized what a lucky bastard he was.
She was beautiful and funny and everything a woman should be.
Even better, she wanted him.
“You okay?” she breathed, snuggling even closer to him. She lifted his hand and pressed her lips to his palm, sending a shiver straight through him.
“Yeah.” His voice was thick. “I’m good.”
For so long he’d thought relationships were like cages. Bars that confined his parents until they snapped and spat at each other like wild animals, yet could never part. They just ignored everything – and everyone – around them.
Including him.
But being with Autumn didn’t feel like that at all. It wasn’t a cage, but a soft cocoon instead. Something he wanted to run to rather than avoid. He’d spent so long being afraid of intimacy that it was a shock to realize how pleasurable it could be.
She turned in his arms, her eyes bright as she smiled up at him. God, he wanted her. He wanted her kisses, her gazes, her soft words… everything. He craved them like a fix. He didn’t care what he had to do to get it.
“Are you sure you’re okay with me coming back to yours?” she asked him.
“Yep. I want to wake up with you in my bed.” He gave her a crooked grin. “It’s my birthday.”
“The day after, technically.”
He pressed his lips to her brow. “Whatever. You’re coming home with me.”
* * *
Autumn blew out a mouthful of air, her head falling back on the pillow, her skin covered in a sheen of perspiration. They’d barely made it through the doors of his apartment before they were tearing off each other’s clothes, the sexual tension from the club spilling into his living room.
Griff rolled onto his side and smiled down at her. “You want anything? A glass of water, some juice.” He traced the line of her upper lip with the tip of his finger. “A sandwich?”
“A sandwich?” She lifted an eyebrow.
“Sex is hungry work. Plus I haven’t eaten since seven. I could eat a sandwich.”
Her stomach gurgled as though it was listening. “A sandwich sounds pretty good,” she confessed. “Even if it’s going to kill my body clock.”
“Tomorrow’s Sunday. Or today is. You can sleep in.”
“Okay. Give me your shirt.” She scrambled to her knees.
“Why?”
“Because I didn’t bring pajamas and I’m not making a sandwich naked.”
Heat flashed in his eyes. “That’s a shame. And for what it’s worth, I’m making the sandwiches. You can watch.”
“You don’t think I can make a sandwich?” She cocked her head to the left.
“Babe, my ninety-year old grandma can make a sandwich. I just want to make one for you. I’m not the kind of guy who expects to be fed by his woman. I’d rather feed her.”
She grinned. “Okay, let me go freshen up and I’ll see you in the kitchen.”
Pulling her arms through his oversized sleeves, she wrapped his shirt around her and padded into his bathroom. It was sleek, with bright white ceramic wear and shiny grey wall tiles. She leaned on the basin and looked into the mirror, barely recognizing the woman staring back at her.
It was Autumn… but different. Younger, less careworn. As though the distance between Manhattan and Angel Sands had worn off the roughness and made her new.
She felt different, too. Less afraid of failing, of letting people down… of earning her d
ad’s disapproval.
For so long she’d thought that being herself wasn’t enough. She’d twisted herself into knots to please people. To be the perfect daughter, wife, real estate manager.
And in it all, she’d forgotten who she really was.
Buying the pier was the first thing she’d done to please herself and nobody else. The second was falling for Griff.
And it felt so, so good to be this Autumn. The one who felt strong in the office and a little bit slutty in the bedroom. But always safe in his arms.
For the first time in her life, she could see an alternate ending to the one her dad had always planned on. Was she strong enough to take it?
* * *
The early-morning half-light was spilling into Griff’s open plan living area as she walked to the kitchen and sat on a stool at his breakfast bar. He grabbed two glasses and filled them with orange juice, passing one to her and chugging the other back. Then he pulled out a loaf of sourdough bread, along with some deli meats, pickles, and salad, toasting the bread on one side before loading it up into a tall sandwich Scooby Doo would be proud of.
“You don’t do things halfway,” Autumn said, smiling at the way he carefully cut each sandwich, before sliding them onto a plate and garnishing them with chips.
“I like food. The first taste is always with the eyes.”
“Did Deenie teach you that, too?”
He grinned. “That one I learned for myself. Now eat.” He sat down next to her, refilling their glasses with juice. “You’ll need the energy for tomorrow.”
“What’s happening tomorrow?” she asked, lifting the sandwich to her lips. She had no idea how she was going to fit it in her mouth.
“After the morning sex?”
She laughed. “Just the morning?”
