Chapter 6
CHAPTER SIX
SULLY
The train lumbered slowly toward Edinburgh, the views we could see snow-covered and white. As darkness descended further, there was no longer anything to see, and with the lights dimmed, Autumn leaned against my shoulder with a soft sigh. I shifted, lifting my arm and encircling her shoulder.
“Rest, mo fhiadh beag. Nothing left to look at. We’ll pick up speed as we clear the area the snow affected the hardest.”
“Hmm,” she replied. “Sleepy.”
I chuckled lowly, whispering so only she could hear. “Perhaps if you weren’t so insatiable, you might have gotten more rest in the night. Or this afternoon by the fire. I suggested a nap, not for you to have your wicked way with me on the floor.”
She snorted delicately, not bothering to open her eyes. “You tackled me there, Mr. Black. And last night, it was your wandering hands that started it, if I recall correctly.”
“But you finished it. Spectacularly. I remember that with vivid clarity,” I teased. “And I hardly tackled you. I lifted you gently down to the floor, intent on letting you feel the heat of the flames.”
“I felt them, all right,” she muttered.
I pressed a kiss to her head, her hair soft and thick under my lips. “Hush. Sleep. I’ll wake you with lots of time before we get there.”
She slipped an arm around my waist, anchoring herself to me, and was quickly out.
I peered down at her in wonder. She was so pretty.
She wore no makeup, her hair was swept off her face in a casual ponytail, a simple sweater hugged her torso, and she took my breath away.
Even in repose, she captured my attention with the freckles on her cheeks and across the bridge of her nose.
The rich blend of colors in her hair was mesmerizing.
At first glance, I had thought it golden in color, but there were reds, blonds, and a deeper brown mixed in the strands.
It was extraordinary and contrasted well with the creamy hue of her skin and her dark eyes.
The way her full lips pursed as she breathed evenly, safe at my side, tucked close, and the intimate way she was curled into me was somehow so natural.
It had been hard to leave the cottage and the privacy it offered.
It felt as if we were shutting the door and leaving something incredibly special behind us.
I had seen the same worry reflected in Autumn’s eyes, but when I’d laced our fingers together and kissed her knuckles with a silent promise, the fear dissipated a little.
We both knew it was going to be hard, but we also wanted it to work. That counted big-time.
I shook my head, clearing my thoughts and leaning back against the cool material of the headrest. I stared out the window into the darkness, every so often a glimpse of the countryside appearing in a flash, only to disappear in the blink of an eye.
I had no idea how to handle the intensity of the feelings I had developed for Autumn.
They were unexpected and somewhat disturbing.
I had always been amused at Finn’s devotion to Una.
The strength of the flame he carried for her all those years after one simple dinner.
I’d laughed at Niall’s sudden about-face when he met Anna.
For years, he had sworn off relationships, insisting he wasn’t that sort of guy, then bam.
The phone calls from Finn had been endless as he’d watched Niall fall so hard and fast, he didn’t even know the depth of his own emotions.
Finn was at times worried—and others amused—by Niall’s indecision.
When he’d called to tell me Niall had admitted his feelings, he was thrilled for him, as was I, pleased Niall had found the piece of his puzzle that had been missing.
I never thought I would find mine. I had never avoided relationships, nor had I ever sought them out. I’d never felt loyalty and a sense of need like Finn carried for Una. Or the dread Niall hid behind a wall of denial.
Yet, a few hours with Autumn, one night of passion, and my life was suddenly upside down. The future in front of me was totally different from the one I had envisioned only a few days ago.
I realized once Finn and Niall found out, the ribbing and teasing would be hard, fast, and loud. And surprisingly, I was okay with that. I knew they would be pleased for me and anxious to meet her. I also knew when I told them I needed help, they would be there for me without hesitation.
I mulled over how to tell Bonnie. We were close, and I knew once she saw Autumn and me together, she would know instantly.
I wondered if perhaps a quiet lunch or drinks after work with her alone might be for the best. I hoped she wouldn’t object—not that I would stop seeing Autumn even if she did.
But I had a feeling it would upset Autumn, and I didn’t want to cause a rift in their relationship.
I knew Bonnie was very fond of her, and Autumn returned her affection.
Bonnie would have questions and concerns, and I planned to do my best to soothe her worries.
Assure her I was serious and had no intention of hurting Autumn.
I could already hear her asking about my plans for the future.
How having a relationship with someone halfway around the world would work.
The look on her face when I informed her I didn’t plan on allowing an ocean between us for long would be one of shock.
But that would shut her gob. And be worth the lecture I would get once she recovered her voice.
I rested my cheek on Autumn’s head, breathing in her lovely scent.
This weekend had been full of surprises. Something I normally disliked, but these were remarkably welcome.
I gently shook Autumn awake. “We’re almost there,” I murmured, smiling as she blinked up at me, confused and still half asleep.
She had been right earlier. I had kept her up most of the night, and we’d only taken a brief nap after I’d had her by the fire earlier in the afternoon.
Twice. It was hardly a surprise that she was tired.
I kissed the end of her nose with affection, and she scrunched it, sitting up and rolling her shoulders.
“Did you sleep?” she asked.
“No. I caught up on some work stuff.” I grinned and winked at her. “I discovered how good I am with one hand.”
“I can vouch for that,” she replied with a cheeky grin.
“Don’t rush to get off the train,” I advised. “The station will be busy. I don’t want to lose you in the crowds.”
We waited until most of the passengers around us had disembarked, then I swung down her small case and my carry-on. She went ahead of me and waited on the platform as I joined her. I crooked my elbow. “Grab on.”
She slipped her hand around my arm, and I held it close. We strolled through the station and outside to the waiting cabs. She smiled at me, looking sad.
“I guess this is where we say goodbye.”
I gaped at her. “I think not.”
“You need to get home, and I have to get to the hotel.”
“I’ll make sure you get to the hotel first,” I informed her firmly, waving at a cab and opening the door for her. “No arguments.”
She slipped past me inside, and I gave the driver the name of her hotel.
“Really. Just drop me off.”
“Do you have someone waiting there for you?” I teased.
“No.”
“I will escort you to your door.” My tone brooked no argument.
It was a fast ride, and she huffed a little as I paid the fare, still holding her bag.
I followed her inside and up the stairs to the third floor.
I waited as she inserted the key into the lock and trailed behind her as she went inside.
She turned on a lamp, and I looked around in curiosity.
It was a decent room with a good-sized bed and a basic chair and desk along the opposite wall.
I spied the roomy bathroom through the open door, and I casually walked over, flicking on the light and peering in.
“Are you checking for something?”
“Unwanted visitors.”
She looked amused and grateful at the same time, shaking her head.
“He doesn’t know where I am. And he has no passport.”
“How do you know?”
“It came up in conversation. Something about an old arrest charge when he was younger—his misspent youth, if I recall what he said correctly. He wasn’t allowed one.”
I would bet my last dollar it wasn’t an old charge at all from his “misspent youth,” but I kept my mouth shut.
“Are you happy now? Can you leave me, knowing I will be safe?” she teased.
I stepped in front of her, trailing my hand down her hair, sliding it up her neck. “I can, knowing you’re safe,” I confessed. “But leaving you is not making me happy.”
Her breath caught. “Sully,” she breathed out.
“I don’t want to go.”
“I don’t want you to either, but we have to get back to reality.”
“Reality can wait another few hours.” I cupped the back of her head. “My office is only ten minutes from here.”
“Oh.”
“I keep extra suits and things there.”
“I see. That’s, um, convenient.”
“Sometimes I crash on the sofa,” I explained. “Or drip soup on my tie.”
“I hate it when that happens,” she murmured, gripping my jumper in her hand and fisting the soft wool.
I grinned down at her. “I bet you do.”
“So you have everything you need there?”
I bent, brushing my lips over her neck and up to her ear. “Probably. No underwear, maybe.”
“So you’d be commando?”
“Yep. Naked under my suit with you on my mind all day. No doubt hard and wishing the wool rubbing my cock was your hand.” I bit down lightly. “Or even better, your mouth.”
She whimpered and I kissed her. She flung her arms around my neck, kissing me back, pulling me down and holding me tight. I slid my tongue along hers, addicted to her taste. Wanting more. Wanting her under me, naked and lost in the passion we shared.
“Stay,” she gasped as I kissed my way to her ear, swirling my tongue on that sensitive spot she had. “I want you.”