Until Autumn

Autumn pants, desperately trying to catch her breath as she looks at me like I’m some kind of god. “Holy crap,” she whispers, her lips twisting into a wicked grin. “That was—”

“Yeah,” I agree, equally as stunned by just how compatible we are but as I meet her eyes and grin right back, I know she sees exactly what I’m thinking. “I’m not nearly done with you though.”

She throws herself off the counter and straight into my arms. “I was counting on it,” she tells me and without hesitation, I walk us straight to her bedroom and throw her down on her bed.

My hand curls around my cock as I watch her on her bed in the mess of sheets below her, and without a doubt, I know that I’m already falling for her. “Well,” she says, licking her lips as she watches my hand slowly moving up and down, completely mesmerized. “What are you waiting for?”

And just like that, I come down on the bed, spread those pretty legs, and push up into her until we’re both seeing stars and the sun is creeping through her bedroom window.

CHAPTER 16

AUTUMN

God, I’m so freaking jealous.

Thorne stands across the OR with his hands shoved up some pregnant woman’s coochie as he helps one of his other students deliver her first breech baby.

My jaw clenches. I hate this.

I haven’t had a chance to deliver a breech baby yet, but I can hardly expect Thorne to always pick favorites. It wouldn’t be fair. We’ve been together for nearly a month now, and it has honestly been the best month of my life, but we’ve been adamant that we keep our work-life professional. After all, it’s in both of our best interests to do so.

That doesn’t mean that the rumor mill hasn’t been spinning, though, because it damn well has. Thorne and I were seen out at a restaurant two nights ago, and the news is spreading far and wide. It’s only a matter of time before someone important hears about this and our asses are busted.

I watch on from the worst spot in the room, wishing that I could be right up there with the action, and judging by the way Thorne glances up and smirks at me, he knows exactly what I’m thinking. But I can’t deny that no matter where I stand in the room, watching Thorne work is the most erotic thing I’ve ever seen.

He’s just so good at what he does. His knowledge and confidence are boundless. The way he comes through one hundred percent of the time is the most impressive thing I’ve ever witnessed. I’m so lucky to have him in my life and to have him willing to share all that information with me to ensure that I become the best midwife I can be.

Once I get through my training program, Thorne and I will be an unstoppable team.

I shuffle around, desperate to get a better view as the baby’s body is delivered. Then listening to every precise instruction that Thorne gives her, the other student works quickly to get the shoulders through the birth canal.

A smile stretches across my face, despite my raging jealousy that I don’t get to do this. No one can deny how freaking awesome it is.

With some assistance from Thorne, the shoulders come out, but when the student begins to panic and fumble with the baby’s head, Thorne has no choice but to step in and take over.

It shouldn’t make me feel so good, but it does. I love that Thorne gets to be the hero, and I love it even more that I’m the one he’s going to seek out afterward with a grin the size of Texas stretching across his face.

For so long, Thorne has had to silently celebrate his victories by himself. Even when he explained it to his family and friends, they never quite understood—but me? I get to see him in action. I understand that when he says it was the hardest thing he’s ever done, he truly means it, and when he grins that goofy grin, I know just how damn proud he is, which makes me the happiest woman on earth for being the one who gets to stand by his side.

Thorne doesn’t look up, but I don’t expect him to. Breech deliveries come with a whole list of possible complications and he needs to work quickly and efficiently.

No distractions are acceptable.

Everyone watches with bated breath as the mother pushes with everything she has, in a world of pain while also fearing for her baby’s life. Breech deliveries … fuck. I don’t envy women who are put into that position, but she has the best doctor in the state, which only serves to give her and her baby the best possible chance.

The head is just about out, and my eyes remain locked on the procedure, waiting anxiously to see this precious baby boy delivered safely. Not to mention, be there to receive the smile from Thorne when he finally delivers it.