Page 70 of Chains
“You gotta ice your face right now. Do you have an ice pack?”
“No.” She groaned. “I know all this and can’t believe I didn’t think of it. I guess I’m still in shock.” Autumn started to get up, but he stopped her.
“Stay here—I’ll get something for you.”
“I have a package of frozen berries in the freezer, and there’s a dish towel in the bottom drawer next to the sink.”
In less than five minutes, she held the frozen fruit against her face while Chains cradled her in his arms.
“How’s your work going? I know you had to finish up for one of your clients,” she said.
“Good. I got it done after I left last night. Do you need anything for the pain?”
“I’m good. I have a pretty high threshold.” Autumn put a hand on one of his. “I talked about you with my friend Sadie. We met for coffee today.” She wanted to steer Chains’s thoughts away from Bret so he would cool down.
“And?”
“She remembers you at the brunch. She thought you were totally hot, but I don’t think I’m telling you something you haven’t heard a ton of times.”
He let out a low chuckle. “What didyousay about me?”
“That I thought you were hot too”—she ran a finger up his arm—“and sexy and sweet.”
His arms tightened around her. “Is that all?”
“No,” she whispered. “I told Sadie that I feel a pull toward you—something I’ve never felt with any other man.” Autumn held her breath.
“Is that good?” he asked, his voice thick.
She exhaled. “Very.”
“The connection thing is real—I feel it too.”
Tilting her head back, she looked up at him. “You do?”
The heat in his eyes chased goosebumps up and down her arms and shivers across her back.
“Yeah.” His gaze lowered to her mouth.
The bag of berries dropped to the floor as Autumn twisted in his arms and looped hers around his neck, tugging him toward her.
Chains lowered his mouth to hers.
“Autumn,” he whispered, the sound of her name on his lips unfurled a desire deep inside her.
She melted into him when he tangled his fingers in her hair and pulled her closer. Autumn trailed her hands around his body, feeling each line, each ripple of his perfect physique. Chains trailed his hands down her neck; then, he ran fingertips over her breasts as she arched into him.
“Oh, Chains,” she murmured.
He brushed his lips gently across hers. “I want you so fuckin’ bad,” he rasped.
“Take me,” she whispered, holding him tighter.
Chains softly pressed his mouth to hers, the kiss searing her lips. He raised his head. “Are you feeling okay?” His eyes narrowed. “Your face is pretty swollen.”
“I can’t kiss you the way I want to, but the rest of my body is just fine. I’ll give you a raincheck on the kissing.” She smiled.
“That’s your second raincheck, baby. Where’s your bedroom?”
“Upstairs.”Holy shit! This is really happening.Nerve endings crackled and arousal surged through her senses.Wait! What the hell am I doing? Don’t overthink this like you always—
In one fluid movement, Chains stood up and swooped her into his arms, cradling her close. Autumn’s pulse was racing, and she clung to his neck as he took her up the stairs, two at a time.
