Falling for Autumn, page 15
“I know this isn’t what you had in mind when I said I had a surprise for you, but I didn’t want to tell you. I haven’t told you this, but I’m terrified of heights. I don’t even like roller coasters that go too high.”
She squinted her eyes in confusion. “If you don’t like heights, then why do you want to zip-line?”
He averted his eyes before peering back down at her. “I never like losing control, but I lost control with you, and now I can’t imagine being with you any other way. When you were in the shower, I called Winter and Taheim and asked for permission to skip the morning activities, and then I called the concierge desk and asked them to book this zip-lining tour. I’ve been experiencing a lot of firsts lately and I’m really enjoying this feeling... I don’t want it to end, and I’d love to experience another first with you by facing my fear of heights.”
She melted. Literally melted into a puddle of mush on the ground. Never had she ever heard someone talk to her so honestly. With Ajay, she didn’t have to push him for more information or ask him to clarify how it felt. With Ajay, she just felt. She didn’t want to lose that feeling.
Once they were strapped in, they both were secured onto the first zip line. During this round, two separate zip lines would be released at the same time, giving individuals the chance to zip beside their loved ones or friends.
“Are you ready?” she asked when the countdown began.
“Are you?”
“I’m ready for whatever you’re willing to give.” Those were the last words on her lips before they were released to fly through the canopy of lush trees. It felt amazing. So freeing. She heard Ajay yell and was able to glance over at him just as he pumped a fist into the air and extended his legs in front of him. They were in the air for only about fifteen or twenty seconds, but she had a feeling the impact of actually facing his fear of heights would offer hours of countless memories.
When they landed and were unclipped, they walked to the back of the wooden platform to prepare for the next round. Ajay had her in his arms within seconds.
“I can’t thank you enough for experiencing this with me. I could not have done this without you.” He squeezed her a little tighter. “Lately, there’s not much in my life that I want to do without you. We just fit... As if we were made to fit perfectly together.”
Did I just moan? If not out loud, she’d definitely moaned in her head. There was no denying it now. Absolutely no point in lying to herself. She’d fallen in love with Ajay Reed, and the thought brought tears to her eyes. At one point in her life, she hadn’t known if she would ever experience true love. She didn’t know how he felt, but even if he didn’t feel the same way, she was glad that she’d allowed herself to fall for a man as amazing as Ajay.
“You’re very welcome,” she whispered as he continued to hug her. She could stand there hugging him forever.
* * *
They made it back in time for the rehearsal, although Ajay would have preferred to skip that, as well. He was excited for the wedding, and as sentimental as it sounded, he was even more excited to see the look on Taheim’s face when Winter walked down the sandy aisle to join his hand in marriage.
Despite his excitement, his mind was occupied with thoughts of the woman walking down the beach with her arm linked to his and a bouquet in the other. It was hard to walk down the aisle and not imagine being in his brother’s place one day. He had a feeling he wasn’t the only one imagining that scenario.
He looked to his left and noticed Autumn’s father observing them closely and wearing a smile. When they’d returned from zip-lining, they’d been informed that Autumn’s father had arrived, and as soon as they were introduced, Mr. Dupree had wasted no time making small talk with him. He hadn’t asked him too much; just enough to imply that he could tell he was interested in his daughter. Even though it was only a twenty-minute conversation, Ajay already liked him. He knew Mr. Dupree was French, but he hadn’t imagined a six-foot-five man who looked a bit intimidating but was really easy to talk to.
His eyes gazed down at Autumn, and just as he’d hoped, she met his gaze as a soft smile formed on her lips. Movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention, and he looked over in time to see his parents share a knowing look.
The rehearsal lasted only an hour. It took only a few minutes after it ended for him and Autumn to get pulled in opposite directions. He didn’t like it, but he understood that the entire reason they were in Bora Bora was to witness the union of Winter Dupree and Taheim Reed.
Now the rehearsal dinner was in full swing. The hotel staff had suggested they dine in a secluded private area of the resort grounds that sat mere feet away from the soothing water. Different groups were conversing with those in the section of their table, and Ajay was pretty sure he should be doing the same thing.
He wasn’t being antisocial. He just couldn’t keep up with all the conversations when the only person he wanted to talk to was seated ten people down from him. She was wearing a red sundress that dipped low in the front, and her curly hair was free and flowing in the wind. She looked gorgeous, just as she always did.
While he was getting dressed for dinner, he’d had a chance to think about how he would approach Autumn about continuing their relationship. Technically, they hadn’t even had a conversation about being in a relationship, so maybe he should start with that. In his mind, they’d been together for months because somewhere along the line, Autumn had become the center of his thoughts...the center of his world.
Slow music began playing and couples began standing up from the table to dance. Ajay glanced around the room and noticed that everyone on the floor was either married, engaged or dating. All the singles appeared to be at the bar, flirting or talking among each other. As he excused himself from the groomsmen he was talking to, he began walking to Autumn. Her eyes followed his every step.
“May I have this dance?” He held out his hand to her. She placed her smaller one in his.
“Absolutely.”
They hadn’t shared a dance before, and even though Ajay enjoyed dancing, he’d never been into slow dances. At least, he hadn’t been until he was dancing with Autumn. She felt perfect in his arms.
“I had a good time today. Thank you for surprising me.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed yourself.” That was an understatement. He was thrilled that she hadn’t hesitated to embrace zip-lining after she realized how important it was to him.
“You’ve been surprising me since we met.” She gave him a soft smile as she curled her arms around his neck. It was true. There was so much that he hadn’t expected to happen. Her eyes were filled with so much emotion, and he knew he couldn’t have been alone in his feelings.
He had to talk to her. He had to know if she was as interested in continuing their relationship in Chicago as he was. When she laid her head on his shoulder, his arms pulled her in tighter, closer. I can’t let her go. He didn’t want to even contemplate letting her go. Emotions this strong could only mean that she’d captured him in ways he never saw coming. He hadn’t just fallen in love with her mind and body. He’d fallen in love with the person she rarely let others see. The woman whose soul and spirit matched his.
* * *
Later that night, he was able to spend more time with her. He wasn’t sure how they’d managed to get alone time when the wedding was only hours away, but they had. With their hands linked, he followed Autumn down the deck of her villa to the stepladder that led to the lagoon.
“Let’s get in.” She motioned for him to follow her.
“You never cease to amaze me.” When she’d told him she wanted to put on her bathing suit so they could take a dip, he hadn’t expected her to want to take a dip in the lagoon when it was already dark out. He followed her to the ladder and they both waded into the warm water.
The light from her deck and his was enough to illuminate a portion of the water. She curled her arms around one of his arms as she looked around at the water.
“Just so you know, going into the ocean or any body of water that I know is home to a host of fish is one of my fears. Even more terrifying if it’s dark outside.”
He suddenly understood why she’d asked him to get into the water. He pulled her in front of him as he continued to tread water. He wanted her to feel comforted. Protected.
“Since I helped you face one of your fears, it seemed only natural that you help me face one of mine.”
Her statement was true, but it wasn’t accurate. She hadn’t been helping him face one of his fears. He’d faced so much more than that. He felt her shiver, and began rubbing his hands up and down her arms.
“Are you ready to get in the plunge pool?”
“Oh, my God, yes,” she said with relief. They were both still laughing when they slid into the plunge pool. Since Ajay could stand and Autumn still had to tread water, he used it to his advantage. He pinned her in a corner of the pool, and she immediately wrapped her legs around his waist. He dropped his forehead to hers.
“I love it when you do that,” she whispered. “When you place your forehead against mine.”
They closed their eyes as he breathed in her scent that had quickly become his latest addiction. He wasn’t sure who opened their eyes first, but their lips mingled in a kiss that he felt all the way down to his toes. He didn’t know if it was possible, but their kiss seemed to be filled with even more emotion than kisses they’d shared previously.
As their tongues tangled, demanding that they both give in to temptation, his hands roamed up and down her spine. She shivered beneath his touch, and her hips slowly, seductively began rolling her body over his groin.
Skilled fingers drifted to the string of her bikini top and untied the bow. The wet material eased down her breasts with her bikini bottoms quickly following. His swimming trunks were the next to be removed, and within seconds, he’d sheathed himself and positioned himself directly in front of her sweet spot.
His eyes were pinned to hers as he entered her in one long pleasurable stroke. There was no holding back when he was with Autumn. He wouldn’t even try. Being embedded deep in her core didn’t just feel like he was coming home... It felt much deeper than that. As if he was laying a foundation for their future. A future full of hopes and promises.
He wasn’t sure how she did it, but it always seemed as if she could read his mind and knew exactly what he was thinking. Her eyes danced with desire, and he was sure the feelings floating through his body were evident on his face, as well. He wished he could bottle up this moment and hold on to it forever.
Chapter 18
There was nothing more perfect than witnessing a moment of true and undeniable love. As Autumn watched Winter and their father walk down the white sand beach, she couldn’t help the tears that formed in the corners of her eyes.
They had been through so much as a family, and to see Winter so undeniably happy was truly the most precious moment. Winter’s long A-line backless chiffon dress was a gorgeous snow white. The sexy lace V-neck and white-gold foot jewelry in place of shoes just added to the elegant grace of her look and style. It was hard for any of the attendees to take their eyes off her, especially Taheim, whose eyes watered as he watched his bride glide down the aisle.
The slight breeze in the warm weather and birds flocking overhead were in perfect rhythm with the slight waves crashing on the shore of the beach. Nature was so in tune with the wedding that it seemed as if everything came together for this one special moment.
When her dad gave Winter away, he wiped the tears from his eyes before leaning in to kiss her cheek. He was giving away his eldest daughter, and even though he was giving her away to an incredible man, Autumn knew it was hard for her father. He was the strongest man they knew, and there were only a few who knew the struggles he’d had to overcome. But when it came to his daughters, Vail Dupree was a softy. Autumn glanced behind her at her sister Summer, who seemed to be trying to hold back tears just as hard as she was.
Once the guests were seated, she glanced at Ajay, not surprised to find him already watching her intently. She’d known he was watching. She could feel his gaze by the way her skin tingled with awareness. The way it always did when he was watching her. She’d been hesitant to look back at him for fear that she would be more consumed in watching him than observing the wedding. She brought her attention back to Winter and Taheim, but as always, her gaze slowly found his again.
It was amazing how one day you could be living a balanced life and then, without warning, someone could swoop in and knock you off your axis. That was what falling in love with Ajay felt like. Love was messy and demanding. It took hard work to make a relationship successful, and even then, love made no promises. What she’d learned by giving her heart to Ajay was that love may not have the ability to make promises, but it was a great foundation for building promises together. Promises that you would forever keep. Love may be challenging and at times overwhelming. But love was also worthwhile. Loving someone meant trusting a piece of your heart with the person and having the confidence that the individual would take care of it. Love meant finding a person who made you want to get up every day and fight to be a better person.
The hardest part of falling in love was not turning your back on it when you found your soul mate. Not allowing it to slip through your fingers because of past experiences. Everyone had his or her own definition of what it meant to fall in love, but for Autumn, falling in love meant entrusting that person with every single part of you. Knowing that once someone learned details about your past that impacted the person you are, the individual would stay with you and love you that much harder. Ajay was that for her.
She smiled as she thought of the couple they’d noticed at the wine bar a month ago. Never in a million years had she thought she’d experience what they had...but she did. She still was. Even from a short distance, she could see his eyes change color. She’d been around him enough to realize that they didn’t just change when he was aroused or intrigued. His eyes also changed—deepened even—when he was filled with any type of emotion. It wasn’t limited to just one feeling. The way he looked at her was so intense. So intoxicating. He consumed her in every way possible.
Her eyes went back to the happy couple as the officiant told Taheim that he could kiss his bride. There it was. There was that look of complete and utter satisfaction on their face as they were officially announced husband and wife.
The next forty minutes were filled with excitement and pictures as the bridal party gathered to congratulate Winter and Taheim before they headed to the chic beach reception.
“I’m so proud of you, sis,” Autumn said as she pulled Winter into a hug after Summer hugged her.
“I couldn’t have done it without the two of you.” She wiped a couple of tears from her eyes. “Everything turned out so beautifully.”
“It really did,” Summer agreed. “The wedding could not have gone better. It’s going to be hard for Autumn to top this.”
“What do you mean?” she asked. “Why just me and not me or you?”
“Because I don’t have a man like that,” Summer said, turning her to face Ajay. “Staring at me as if I hold all the answers to his future.”
Autumn glared at Summer because she’d said it loud enough for Ajay to hear. When she mouthed sorry to him, he said, “I’m not,” loud enough for her to hear.
“She’s right,” Winter said when Autumn had turned to face her. “I know you don’t do the whole wedding thing, but it’s obvious how Ajay feels about you.”
She felt it, too, but they hadn’t really spoken about their feelings, or continuing their relationship when they got back to Chicago.
“I’m actually starting to think that weddings aren’t that bad.” Both Winter’s and Summer’s jaws dropped.
The conversation was soon forgotten as the other bridesmaids joined them and began sharing their favorite parts of the wedding. A couple of minutes later, the photographer had them get into position to begin taking the group shots. When Luke was positioned to stand right beside Autumn, Ajay quickly changed positions with him so that he was beside her instead.
“He was too close,” he whispered in her ear. His breath teased her neck in a way that had her quivering on cue.
“You’re not supposed to talk,” she said between her clenched teeth. “You’re supposed to be smiling.”
He focused for about two more shots before she felt his gaze on her again. When she turned to tell him to focus on the photos, he tugged her into a sugary kiss before she could voice her words. The way that he kissed her was flawless...perfect in every way.
* * *
The reception was just as beautiful as the wedding, complete with elegant beach decor. The white linen tables were garnished with tea-light candles and teal sea glass. Three glass vases of different sizes containing white rocks, seashells and faux turquoise sea coral were decorated with pearl beads on wire garland. White or teal wooden signs stuck in the sand were used to show guests the direction of the sweets table, gift table, beach and other places they may want to check out. Crisp white material hung delicately across the tented section of the reception while white hydrangeas intermixed with native island flowers topped off the chic look.
Giving the best man speech had been a lot harder than he’d thought. Taheim was so much more than a brother. Ajay often thought about what would have happened had Taheim not insisted on him coming over that day they met at the Boys & Girls Club. Taheim had found him once again at a time in his life when he’d felt as if he had no one. Would he have ever met the Reed family had it not been for Taheim? He’d like to think so, but it was unlikely. He owed Taheim everything...
