Written in Ink (Montgomery Ink #4)(53)

“Morning breath,” she mumbled.

He snorted then kissed her again, this time leisurely tangling his tongue with hers. She moaned against him, her nails digging into his shoulders. He pulled away and rested his forehead on hers.

His thoughts went in a thousand directions, and he could feel hers do the same from her body language alone.

“I have toiletries you can use in the bathroom.”

She blinked up at him. “I have a bag in my trunk.”

He nodded, a little relieved and saddened at the same time that she had a backup plan. “I’ll go get it.”

Her nails dug into his arms once again.

“I’ll be safe.” He kissed her then took her keys from the nightstand and left her in bed, confused and a little rumpled. He wanted to put her at ease, but he wasn’t sure he knew how. He wasn’t as good at this as he’d like to think.

Senses on alert, he made his way out to the car, grabbed her suitcase from the trunk, and pressed his lips together at the sight of her emergency kit, extra water and rations, and countless other things in her trunk. No wonder she’d been so scared when her car had broken down. If she lost this, she’d have lost her way out. He knew the bag she kept on her person at all times was important, as well.

He couldn’t comprehend what it must feel like to be this scared all the time.

Trivial things like cleaning up after him and helping him finish his book paled in comparison to the hell she’d lived in for a decade.

He quickly made his way back into the house with her things, taking care to set the alarm system. He found her in his bedroom, frowning over his phone.

She looked up at him as he set her back down. “You told them?” Her tone wasn’t accusatory, more curious.

He went to her then and she opened her legs slightly so he could stand between them. He ran a hand through her hair, and she leaned into him.

“I didn’t tell them what is going on exactly, but I did tell Decker to gather the troops in case this guy knows about us.”

She let out a sound like a whimpering kitten, and he could have kicked himself.

“This is not your fault.”

She let out a breath and seemed to gather herself. “You’re in danger because of my presence. You had to tell your family to watch their backs and keep their children close without giving them details because of me. How is that not my fault?”

He cursed and placed his hand on the back of her head, forcing her gaze to his. “I told them to be cautious. And I’m thinking that when it’s time, you will tell them everything. Not the children, of course, but you know what I mean. You are not alone, Autumn.”

“You keep calling me Autumn.”

He frowned. “That’s what I know you as. It’s who you’ve become. Autumn means change. Death before rebirth. You’ve become a woman I know and care about. If you want me to call you Hannah, I will, but I see you as Autumn. I see you as my Fall.”

Emotion ran over her eyes, and he couldn’t tell what it was. He hadn’t told a woman he cared about her since Lauren, and he’d been too young then to truly understand the depth of such emotion.

It should have scared him, but he was too worried about what could happen rather than what could come of letting go.

“I…I like you calling me Autumn.” She pulled away from him slightly. “I hate that I’m stuttering and having trouble coming up with words. I don’t like being the scared little girl.”

He nodded. “Then let’s get ready for the day and make breakfast. We’ll figure out what the next step is on a full stomach.”

She raised a brow. “You always think with your stomach.”

“True. Now, let’s get going.” He pulled her up, kissed her hard then turned her toward the bathroom with a slight smack to her ass.

Autumn stared at him before going around him to pick up her bag and head back to the bathroom. She looked like she wanted to say something but didn’t. Instead, she kept going, as if she needed to keep busy before everything crashed down. He knew how she felt. Or perhaps he was the one putting those thoughts on her.

He watched her go, his heart thudding in his chest. God, he was falling in love with her.

The big L.

Fuck.

He needed to make sure she was safe. Then he could think about more.

He quickly picked up a clean pair of jeans and went to the guest bathroom. He took the fastest shower of his life, wanting to be at least clean and ready in the kitchen when she came back. Hopefully, having coffee in her system as well as food in her belly would make her feel like she was human again. He hadn’t lied when he’d said he wanted her to stay there.

Things weren’t safe at her place, and he wanted her by his side. His hand curled around the handle of the pan as he forced himself to take a deep breath. He didn’t know if the tension came from this caveman instinct of his that had reared its ugly head, or the fact that someone had dared to hurt her, but he wanted to throw the damn pan out the window. Of course, then he’d be out of breakfast and would scare the hell out of Autumn.

He put some bacon in the pan then got out another pan out for eggs. He wasn’t the best cook, but even with one good hand and one in a cast, he could scramble eggs, fry some bacon, and make toast. That paired with coffee would have to do. Autumn could probably do better, but he wanted her to focus on healing, not feeding him.