Chapter 603: A Prize
It was a long time later that Autumn stared at Gabe, pulling off his t-shirt. Watching him strip after what they’d just done made her blush. Were they going to go for round two? She didn’t know. After what they’d just experienced, she wanted more, yet she was scared.
"Are you admiring my body?" Gabe teased, catching her gaze.
"Yes," Autumn answered, feeling a bit... speechless. She should have denied it, but that would probably mean turning her head away from him. And he looked so beautiful.
Gabe chuckled at her straightforward response, a playful glint in his eyes as he walked back to the bed. "Well, I’m flattered. I’ll work hard to keep it pleasing for you," he said, his voice low and teasing. He lay down beside her, the mattress dipping under his weight.
Autumn watched him, her heart racing with a mix of anticipation and nervousness as he slipped under the covers. She couldn’t help but wonder if they were going to do ’the deed’ tonight.
As if sensing her thoughts, Gabe groaned and covered her eyes with his hand. "Autumn Frost, you have no idea what you’re doing to me," he muttered. "I already feel like a schoolboy for coming all over your hand... and now... close your eyes, we’re going to sleep."
"Why?" Autumn asked quickly.
Gabe paused and took his hand off her eyes. He leaned over her then, his eyes scanning her face. She looked even more beautiful and contented in the dim light.
Seeing his silence, Autumn decided to repeat her question. "I meant, why not now?"
Gabe sighed, a mix of amusement and exasperation in his eyes. "Because," he said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face, "if we don’t, I’m not sure I’ll have the willpower to stop, and I don’t want to rush this. Especially not tonight."
She continued to send him that confused look and he pulled her to him so that she was laying on top of him and explained," Our first time together is not going to be because you wanted to console me. You’re not a consolation prize, Autumn. You’re a treasure that I’ve stumbled onto. And I’m going to take my sweet time plundering this treasure...In the future, when we do it, I do not want you to ever doubt that we were together because I wanted you. Not just a warm body."
Autumn’s heart fluttered at his words, feeling the sincerity and affection radiating from him. She lay on top of him, their bodies pressed close, and she could feel the steady beat of his heart beneath her and her own racing wildly. She was falling for this man. Or maybe she’d already fallen. She had no idea.