She smiled. “I like you, Donovan. I always did. In fact, I liked you too much, and that weekend we spent together scared me. They say time heals old wounds. I’m not sure mine will ever fully heal, but I’m tired of letting them control my life. Last year when we met, I wasn’t ready. Full disclosure, I’m not sure I’m fully ready now. I still take sleeping pills just to relax enough to fall asleep at night, and I might not be as trusting as I should be. But I’d like to try, if you’re still interested.”

I smiled. “Is my interest even a question in your mind?”

She bit down on her bottom lip. “Well, I didn’t want to assume.”

“Let me make it crystal clear.” I took both her hands and inched closer on the couch until our knees were touching. “I have never been more interested in a woman in my life. Whether you wanted me or not, you’ve had me for the last year, Autumn.”

She smiled. “We need to take it slow.”

“I can do slow.”

Autumn chuckled. “I’m not sure I believe that. But I do believe you’ll try to do slow.”

“You don’t think I can do slow?”

An hour ago, listening to her story had made my heart feel broken. Now the smile on her face felt like the glue piecing it all back together.

“I’m not sure either of us is too good at slow when it comes to the other.”

“At least we’re not alone in the struggle.” I lifted her hand and brought her palm to my lips. “It won’t be easy, but I’ll try to be less charming.”

She giggled, and another crack in my heart sealed up. “I’m sure that will be tough for you.”

I looked into her eyes. “Thank you for sharing everything with me tonight.”

“Thank you for not giving up on me.”

“Come here.” I tugged her hand, guiding her from the spot next to me on the couch onto my lap. This time when I wrapped her in my arms, it felt different. She wasn’t letting me console her; she was letting me hold her because she wanted me to, and it felt fucking incredible. When I pulled back, our faces were close, and I wanted so damn badly to kiss her, but I refrained—and I was pretty proud of myself.

My hands smoothed down the hair on either side of her face. “I think I might need some ground rules for going slow. All I want to do is kiss you right now, and I’m afraid I’ll fuck up if I don’t have set boundaries.”

She smiled. “Okay. That’s probably a good idea.”

“So lay it on me. How do we do this?”

Autumn tapped her finger to her lips. “I guess we should limit how often we see each other. What about once a week?”

“Three times.”

She laughed. “Oh my God. You just jumped into lawyer mode to negotiate. I feel like I need my own attorney now so I don’t get trampled.”

I smiled. “Sorry. How about two days?”

“I think that’s good.”

“Okay. What else you got?”

“What about if we try not to get into a routine? I feel like that’s what happens when a relationship moves into serious territory. You settle into a day-to-day, familiar predictability. Maybe we could extend what happens at the beginning of dating, where you sort of experiment with where you go and what the other likes.”

I shrugged. “That sounds good to me. I like to try new things, and trying them with you is even better.”

“And we probably shouldn’t make long-term plans. I think keeping things to the immediate future—say, the next few weeks—keeps things lighter.”

“Alright. Anything else?”

She bit down on her lip. “Just one more, I think. But I have a feeling you might not like it.”

“Lay it on me.”

“Well, sex… I didn’t have it for a few years after…you know…and then I only had it without an emotional connection. So, it’s honestly been a long time since I combined the two, and just contemplating that really scares me.”

My face fell, though it had nothing to do with not having sex.

Autumn noticed. “I didn’t… No, that came out wrong. I didn’t mean to say I didn’t have an emotional connection with you the weekend we spent together, if that’s what you’re thinking. Just the opposite, actually. I felt things for you, and that’s why I didn’t want to have actual sex that weekend. I thought that would keep things on some sort of a friendlier level. But even without the sex, what I felt made me run as fast as I could. Which is exactly what I’m trying to avoid happening now by going slow.”

I dragged a hand through my hair, blew out a deep breath, and nodded. “Yeah, of course. Whatever it takes.”

“Thank you. I know I’m asking a lot.”

I ran my fingers down her cheek. “It’s fair. I’m getting a lot in return. You.”

She nuzzled her cheek against my hand. “I think that’s it for my rules. What about you? Anything you want to add?”

“You didn’t mention exclusivity. I don’t think I can take knowing you’re going out with other men at this point.”

She shook her head. “I won’t. Even when I was avoiding relationships that might lead to anything, I didn’t go out with more than one person at a time. It’s just not my thing.”

“Good. Then we’re on the same page.”

“So that’s it?” she asked.

The lawyer in me couldn’t help but think of things in terms of a contract, and one thing I always liked to negotiate for my clients was an out clause. “I’m going to stick to these rules as best I can,” I said. “Because they’re important to you. But the ball’s in your court, Red. If you get to a point where you’re ready to spend more time together, or want to make plans for the future, you just need to let me know.”

She smiled. “Does the same go for if I want to have sex? I just have to let you know?”

A wicked grin spread across my face. “No, sweetheart. For that, you have to do more than let me know. After all this time, I’m going to make you beg.”

CHAPTER 25

* * *

Autumn

“Where is he taking you?” Skye laid on her stomach on my bed with her feet swinging in the air like a teenager.

“He won’t tell me. That’s the problem.” I tossed another outfit next to her and walked back into my closet.

“Did you ask him what to wear?”

“He said wear something sexy.” I have no idea what that means. “Like, do I wear heels or not?”

Skye grinned. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this.”

I popped my head out of the closet. “Like what?”

“A nervous wreck. You really like this guy, huh?”

I sighed. “I do.”

“Do you mind if I stay until he gets here? I’m curious to meet him.”

I shook my head. “Of course not. But he should be here in about twenty minutes, so help me find something so I’m not naked when he arrives.”

Skye got up and joined me in the tiny closet. “Being naked when he arrives might solve your outfit problem. I’m sure he’d love that.”