Chapter 9
CHAPTER NINE
AUTUMN
Sully kissed Bonnie’s cheek as he helped her into a taxi. She waved goodbye as it pulled from the curb, and I returned her salute as he tucked me into his side. The pub was close to my hotel and the night was clear, so we decided to walk.
“That went better than I thought,” I murmured.
“I knew she’d be fine,” he replied, squeezing my hip. “Although she was a bit shocked at first.” He recounted the start of their conversation and the lull in the pub as she spoke loudly. He chuckled as he told me about the shouted affirmations from the drunken lads.
“So you’re a local hero,” I said with a grin.
“No, I’m a lucky bastard,” he replied. “They’re eejits.”
“Might explain why they’re in a pub with other, ah, eejits.”
He laughed. “Indeed.”
We were quiet as we walked, the distance to the hotel somehow too short. We paused before reaching the door.
“Thanks for dinner,” I said, unsure how to end the evening.
“I’ll walk you up.”
“Which will lead to you walking in and having to rush home at five to get changed.”
“Worth it.”
I shook my head. “Sully, we both need some sleep.”
He traced under my eye with his thumb. “I can come in and we can sleep,” he offered gently.
“Really?”
“Well, mostly,” he said with a grin. “Maybe a fast round or two. It’s only just after nine. By eleven, you’ll be out for the count. I’ll get a solid six hours in and go.”
He pulled me close. “We only have a few weeks until you leave. I don’t want to spend nights apart if we don’t have to.”
I sighed as his scent wrapped around me. He was so solid. Strong. I felt safe and secure in his embrace.
“Maybe tomorrow, you can come to mine. Pack a bag and stay. I’ll cook for you,” he offered.
“That would be nice.”
“Let me come up. Even for a little while. I haven’t even been able to kiss you properly with Bonnie watching the whole time,” he complained.
I couldn’t resist him. I didn’t want to. I had never felt a draw to a man the way I felt to Sully. And I wanted to spend as much time with him as I could as well.
“Okay.”
He squeezed me tight. “Brilliant.”
I rested on Sully’s chest, his heartbeat a steady thump-thump-thump under my ear. I sighed as he ran his fingers along my arm and down my side, his touch gentle. Adoring.
“It’s past eleven,” I whispered.
“I’m past caring,” he replied. “Being with you is worth the lack of sleep.”
I snuggled closer as he pressed kisses to my crown.
“You need to sleep, though,” he added. “Just let me hold you.”
“Had your fill?” I teased, thinking of the multiple orgasms he’d given me since we’d shut the door to the room. His mouth, his tongue, his fingers, and his cock had all been very effective. I was relaxed, replete, and sated.
“Never. But I’m feeling very, ah, fulfilled right now.”
“I was certainly filled not long ago.” I lifted my head and peered around the room. “I think we tore a cushion,” I said with a grimace. “Luckily, you grabbed the lamp in time.”
He chuckled. “We did get carried away. That desk is surprisingly strong.”
I rose up and stared down at him, his dark eyes meeting mine. He was relaxed, his usual intensity was softened, the fine lines around his eyes and forehead smoothed. I ran my fingers over his jaw, recalling just how pleasurable his rough scruff had been on my skin.
“You are so sexy,” I murmured.
He stretched, bending his arm and sliding it under his head. “Glad you think so.”
“You are. In your armor, you’re all business and fire. Confident and powerful. But I like you like this.”
“My armor?”
“Your suits. Your fancy overcoat, your expensive shoes.”
He grinned. “Have you been Googling me, mo fhiadh beag? You haven’t seen me in many suits yet.”
“Maybe. You are very photogenic.”
He chuckled. “Why do you like me like this better?”
“You’re not Sullivan Black. You’re Sully. Your eyes are softer. You look at me with so much affection and care. I feel seen. Protected. Cherished, even. I’ve never experienced that.”
He slid his hand into my hair, cupping my head and pulling me down to his mouth.
“You are all that, Autumn, and more. I like being your Sully. But outside our private place, I will always be Sullivan Black when needed, and I will always protect you. But even then, I will adore you.” He moved his hand so it cupped my cheek, tracing gentle patterns on my skin with his thumb.
“It amazes me how deeply I feel for you and know we’re merely at the start of us. I can only imagine how this will grow.”
I bit my lip, looking away.
“What?” he asked tenderly.
“Or what if it fizzles out?” I asked, hating to say the words.
“Fizzles out? Like discarded tonic water?”
“Sort of. Maybe you’ll change your mind once the shine wears off.”
“I’m not that sort of man, Autumn. Never have been.
I don’t jump in or out of relationships quickly.
I’ve made mistakes in my past—” he barked out a laugh “—many of them, but I was always careful in my considerations. How I feel about you surpasses anything I have ever experienced. There will be no fizzling or lack of shine.” He studied me, serious.
“But if you decide this is not for you, as much as I would hate it, I would let you go. You don’t have to worry about another stalker. ”
I shook my head vehemently, the thought of him walking away causing a pain in my chest. “That isn’t going to happen. I feel too deeply for you too.”
I felt him relax, the tension leaving his shoulders. “Good. I know it’s complex and new. I know the variables make it more difficult, but together, we’ll figure it out. But I need you to be open with me. Talk to me when you’re upset or have doubts. If we’re honest, we’ll work.”
“I want us to work.”
“Then we’re in agreement.”
I sat up, slinging my leg over his hips and settling on his thighs. His reaction was instant. He grew hard under me as our gazes locked. He gripped my hips, the relaxed man of moments ago gone. His eyes were on fire, hot and burning.
He groaned as I moved over him, slow and teasing. “What are you doing, mo fhiadh beag? You need sleep.”
“I need you more.”
“Then ride me. Take whatever you need.”
“I need all of you.”
He sat up, his erect cock exactly where I wanted it.
Our chests pressed together, the friction of his rougher skin on mine delicious.
“You have me. All of me.” He covered my mouth with his as he held me tightly, kissing me until I was breathless.
He shifted us, sliding into me, slowly claiming me inch by inch until we were fused together.
And it was perfect.
SULLY
She was awake when I left the next morning, sending me off with her sweet kisses and gentle voice.
It amazed me how a simple touch from her or the sound of her voice soothed me.
I grabbed a cab home and showered, changing into a fresh suit and my favorite tie.
I brushed my hair until it gleamed, deciding I needed to squeeze in a haircut.
Luckily, there was a barber close to the office, and I’d get it done at lunch.
I wasn’t one to have my hair done at a salon or use the beauty products some of my younger colleagues discussed.
I had a brand, I stuck to it, and I had been going to the same barber for years.
I swore some of the more youthful lawyers in the office had hair and skin routines that rivaled the most high-maintenance woman I had ever dated.
Good for them—but it wasn’t my thing. And luckily, Autumn didn’t seem to mind.
She was easily the most low-maintenance woman I had ever dated.
I used my clippers, leaving scruff on my face.
She’d loved how it felt against her skin last night, and anything she loved, I was good with.
I ran my hand over my face then splashed on some cologne—again, a brand I had used for years.
Autumn had commented more than once she liked how I smelled, so I had zero plans on changing it.
It couldn’t compare with her scent. Alluring, feminine, with hints of flowers and citrus—it was lovely and suited her.
I walked to work, using the time to make a personal call.
Aunt Roisin answered, sounding happy and healthy.
She had given us all a scare a couple of years ago, and I was pleased she had rebounded so well.
She was thrilled about Finn and Niall both having gotten married.
She loved their wives and had returned a short time back from visiting them in Toronto.
She was full of news and excited to share.
I listened patiently as I walked, asking a question or two if I could get one in.
I stopped for coffee, standing outside the small shop as I sipped, looking around the streets as they began filling up with workers arriving for the day.
“I don’t suppose you have anything new to tell me, aside from corporate espionage?” she asked. “No lovely girl? No personal tidbits?”
I laughed. She always liked to think my job was far more interesting than it was. “Are you sitting down?”
“What?”
“I met someone.”
There was silence. Then she spoke. “You have never uttered those words to me before.”
“I’m aware.”
“Tell me all about her!”
“She is from Canada, she knows Bonnie. Her name is Autumn, and I plan on marrying her someday.” I paused, taking a sip of coffee. “Soon.”
This time, the silence stretched on so long, I became worried. “Aunt Roisin?”
“I think I just had a stroke, and it fecked up my mind. I thought you said you were going to marry someone.”
“I did.”
The squeal was loud. Drawn-out. Then the questions started. When? Where? How? When could she meet her? How long had I been hiding her? Did the boys know? Was she pretty? How old?
I couldn’t keep up.
“Hush now, you old bat. I’ll give you the basics to satisfy your overzealous curiosity so you have something to share with your cronies next door. She is beyond pretty. She is smart, kind, funny, and makes me happy. I haven’t been hiding her anywhere. We met recently, and we both fell hard.”
“She’s from Canada? Does she know Finn or my Niall?”
I laughed. “She knows the hotel.”
“But she lives here now?”
“She will soon enough. If we can’t get a visa for her, we’ll marry so she can stay.” I cleared my throat that became thick just thinking of Autumn leaving. “I can’t be without her now.”
“I’m coming to Edinburgh.”
“No. I’ll bring her to you.”
“When?”
“Soon. We’re working on getting her here to stay, but I’ll bring her to you soon.”
“And you’re sure it’s not just, ah, her wanting to stay here, Sully? That she isn’t using you?”
I smiled over her concern. “No. I begged her to stay. I said it first. Trust me, Aunt, once you meet her, you’ll know there is nothing underhanded about her. She is the most guileless person I have ever met. Bonnie loves her—they were friends long before we met.”
“Sully, I’m so happy for you. I’ll get the guest room ready. Oh, I’ll bake her some barmbrack. Does she like tea? Does she like Irish food?”
“She would love the barmbrack, I’m sure. She does have a sweet tooth. She drinks tea, although I think coffee is preferred. I have no idea about Irish food—I haven’t fed her any yet. Fish and chips is big for her. Oh, and she had a pie and mash at the pub by the cottage.”
“You took her to the cottage?”
“It’s where we met by accident. The best accident to ever happen in my life.”
“Bring her to me soon, my boy. I want to meet her.”
“I will.”
I hung up and smiled. Aunt Roisin was like a second mum to me. She’d stepped in when mine died, and I would always be grateful to her for that.
I glanced at my watch and headed to the office. It was going to be a busy day, and Autumn was joining me at my place tonight.
I needed to make plans. Lots of them.