Chapter 9
Colt
Autumn’s laughter ignites a primal hunger within me. Her eyes, alight with mischief and desire, render coherent thought impossible.
I need her—now. After locking the heavy wooden door, I press Autumn against it, my lips trailing down her neck.
Her skin is warm and soft under my touch. Her pulse speeds up as I lick and nibble my way across her skin.
The room’s dim light casts shadows across antique furniture, the air thick with the scent of old books and forbidden desires. It’s a hidden sanctuary, perfect for what I have planned.
Voices murmur in the hallway, footsteps drawing near. The threat of discovery only heightens my arousal. I’ve always thrived on danger, and this moment is no exception.
Autumn’s hands splay across my chest, a half-hearted attempt at resistance belied by the hunger in her eyes.
“Colt,” she whispers, excitement warring with caution in her voice. “We’ll get caught.”
I smirk, my hands mapping every curve of her body. “Let them watch,” I growl, my voice rough with need. “We’ll give them a performance to remember.”
Shock and amusement flicker across her face. “You’re impossible,” she says, a smile tugging at her lips.
“You bring out the best in me,” I counter, claiming her mouth in a deep kiss. Our tongues dance, breaths mingling as desire builds between us like wildfire.
Her body melds against mine, soft and warm. The rapid beat of her heart and the flush of her skin betray her arousal. Each touch, each kiss, stokes the inferno within me. I want to consume her, claim her completely.
My hands roam over her, splaying across her lower back, gripping her ass. I need to feel every inch of her skin against mine. Her breath comes in short gasps, soft moans escaping as I nip at her earlobe.
“You belong to me now, Autumn,” I growl, my voice low and possessive. “I’m going to ruin you for every other man.”
She responds with a desperate whimper, arching her back and pressing her breasts against my chest. I slip one hand inside her dress, cupping her full, perfect breast.
As I roll her nipple between my fingers, her eyes drift closed, head tilting back.
“Mmm, Colt,” she moans, her voice thick with longing.
I lean in and whisper. “You’re so fucking wet, baby. I can feel it through your panties.” I let my words sink in, savoring the way her body responds to my dirty talk. “You want me inside you, don’t you?”
She nods, eyes still closed, a soft “yes” escaping her lips. A rush of power surges through me.
I scoop her up, my arms wrapping tightly around her legs as she locks them around my waist. Pressing her against the wall, I watch as her fingers cling to my shoulders, her back arching.
I lift her in one fluid motion, my arms wrapping tightly around her thighs. Instinctively, she locks her legs around my waist, clinging to me.
I press her more firmly against the door, the solid wood at her back providing the perfect support. Her body arches, fingers digging into my shoulders as she adjusts to this new position.
The heat of her core presses against me, igniting a primal need within.
The voices outside grow more insistent, but their proximity only fuels my urgency. I lift her skirt, revealing her tiny, soaked panties.
With a wicked grin, I hook my fingers under the fabric, tearing them aside. Her gasp turns into a moan as I position myself against her.
“Hold on tight, baby,” I warn, my voice gruff with lust.
She clings to me as I thrust inside her, filling her completely. Her walls clench around me, her breath hitching. Her heart pounds against mine, her body trembling.
“Fuck,” I groan, my hips driving into hers, over and over. “You feel so good, Autumn.”
“Colt,” she cries out, her nails digging into my skin. “Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”
I won’t stop. I can’t stop. I fuck her hard and fast, our bodies slick with sweat as we remain entwined, lost in the heat of the moment.
The threat of being caught only heightens our frenzy, our need for each other all-consuming.
“You’re mine,” I growl, my hands tangled in her hair as I force her to look at me, to see the possession in my eyes. “You’ll never want anyone else but me.”
Autumn moans, her body bucking against mine as I push her over the edge. She tightens around me, her nails digging into my skin as she cries out in ecstasy.
I continue to thrust through her climax, my release building rapidly.
With a final, powerful thrust, I empty myself inside her, my body pulsing as I fill her. I lean into her, our foreheads pressed together, breaths mingling as we ride out the aftershocks.
Autumn gazes up at me, her eyes still hazy with satisfaction but glowing with something deeper, more profound. She’s mine now in every way that matters. The look in her eyes tells me she knows it too.
Her smile, soft and genuine, hits me like a sucker punch. A fierce protectiveness surges through me, settling deep in my chest. She’s burrowed her way under my skin, past all my defenses. The intensity of it leaves me momentarily stunned.
The world around us slowly comes back into focus. The distant voices in the hallway have faded, leaving us in a cocoon of silence broken only by our ragged breathing.
I’m still buried deep inside her, neither of us willing to break this intimate connection yet.
“Are you okay?” I murmur, brushing a strand of hair from her face. Her cheeks are flushed, eyes bright with lingering pleasure and something deeper, more profound.
Autumn nods, a soft smile playing on her lips. “More than okay,” she whispers. “That was intense.”
I huff a laugh. “Intense is one word for it.” I press a gentle kiss to her forehead, her nose, and finally her lips. “But we’re not done yet, Firefly. Not by a long shot.”
Her eyes widen. “What do you mean?”
Instead of answering, I slowly withdraw from her, savoring the way her body clings to mine. She whimpers at the loss, her legs trembling as I set her down.
I keep one arm around her waist, supporting her as she finds her footing.
“Turn around,” I command, guiding her to face the wall. “Hands flat against the surface.”
Autumn complies, her breath hitching as she assumes the position. I take a moment to admire the view—her skirt bunched around her waist, her perfect ass on display, her entrance glistening with our combined arousal.
“Beautiful,” I murmur, running my hands down her sides. I lean in, pressing my chest against her back, my lips brushing her ear. “I’m going to take you again, Autumn. Harder this time. Deeper. I want you to feel me with every step you take for days.”
She shivers, a soft moan escaping her lips. “Yes,” she breathes, pushing back against me.
I grip her hips, positioning myself at her entrance once more. With one powerful thrust, I’m inside her again. Autumn cries out, her fingers scrabbling against the door for purchase.
I set a punishing pace, each thrust driving deeper than the last. The sound of our bodies coming together fills the room, along with our combined scent.
I lean forward, my chest pressed against her back, one hand snaking around to find her clit.
“You feel so good, Autumn,” I growl, my voice rough with need. “So tight, so perfect.”
She whimpers, her hips meeting mine in a desperate dance, chasing her release. “Colt,” she gasps. “I’m close.”
She tenses, her inner muscles pulsing and quivering as her orgasm continues to build. I press my lips to her ear, my voice a low growl. “Come for me, Autumn. Let me feel you come.”
Her body shudders, her climax crashing over her like a wave. She cries out, her inner walls pulsing around my cock, drawing me deeper into her. The sight of her pleasure, the sound of her cries, pushes me over the edge.
With a final, powerful thrust, I come undone, my orgasm ripping through me like a storm.
I hold her tightly against me, my body shaking with the force of my release. Our breaths mingle, our hearts pounding in sync as we come down from the high.
Slowly, gently, I pull out of her, turning her to face me. I scoop her into my arms, carrying her to a nearby chaise lounge.
As I lay her down, I marvel at how beautiful she looks—her skin is flushed, her hair is disheveled, and she looks thoroughly satisfied.
She curls into me, her head resting on my chest. “That was—” She trails off, seeming unable to find the right words.
I chuckle softly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Yeah, it was.”
We fall into a comfortable silence, but I feel the slight tension in Autumn’s body. Something is on her mind.
“What is it, Firefly?” I ask gently, running my fingers through her hair.
She hesitates for a moment before speaking. “Colt, about the investigation?—”
I cut her off with a tender kiss. “Not now,” I murmur against her lips. “Right now, it’s just us. The rest of the world can wait.”
Autumn nods, relaxing into me once more. But I still sense her unease. I know we can’t ignore reality forever, but for now, I want to savor this moment.
“Hey,” I say softly, tilting her chin up so she’s looking at me. “Whatever it is, whatever you find out, we’ll deal with it. Okay?”
Her eyes search mine, and I see the conflict there. But then she smiles, a small, genuine smile that makes my heart skip a beat. “Okay,” she whispers.
I pull her closer, inhaling the scent of her hair. We lie there for a while longer, our breathing syncing, our heartbeats falling into rhythm with each other.
It’s peaceful, perfect—and I know it can’t last.
“We should probably get back,” I say reluctantly, not making any move to get up. “Before someone comes looking for us.”
Autumn sighs, nuzzling into my chest. “Do we have to?”
I laugh, the sound rumbling through my chest. “Unfortunately, yes. But don’t worry—we’ll pick this up again later.”
She looks up at me, a mischievous glint in her eye. “Is that a promise?”
“Absolutely,” I growl, claiming her lips in a kiss that leaves us both breathless.
Eventually, we separate, the reality of our surroundings seeping back in. I retrieve a tissue from my pocket, gently cleaning her with a tenderness that surprises even me.
As she fixes her tousled hair, I help smooth down her skirt, my hands lingering longer than necessary. She returns the favor, straightening my clothes with nimble fingers, her touch sending small shivers through me even now.
We move in a silent, intimate dance, putting ourselves back together piece by piece.
“There,” I say, brushing a soft kiss against her temple. “Good as new.”
She giggles, the sound light and carefree. “Thank you,” she murmurs, her eyes shining with gratitude.
As we step out of the room, the hallway is quiet, the threat of being caught dissipated. But the memory of our encounter lingers, a secret that bonds us even closer.
Hand in hand, we make our way back to the study, our steps echoing in the silence. The house feels different now, as if our passion has somehow changed the air we breathe.
As we settle back into work—Autumn at the desk, me poring over some blueprints of The Manor—I can’t help but steal glances at her.
She’s focused, her brow furrowed in concentration as she types away on her laptop. Even now, after everything we’ve shared, she’s still a mystery to me in many ways.
But I’m determined to unravel that mystery, to know every part of her. And I’m equally determined to protect her from whatever dangers might be lurking in the shadows of Midnight Falls.
Whatever comes next, one thing is certain: Autumn is mine now, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
To keep her by my side.
Forever.