Until Autumn

“Yes, sir,” Thorne says, the happiness in his tone unmistakable. “You have my word.”

“And you, Autumn?” he questions, looking back at me. “I trust that you are on-board with this arrangement?”

I nod. “I’m not going to pretend that doing my assessments with such an amazing doctor like yourself isn’t going to give me the worst kind of anxiety, but I’ll be better for it, so yes, I agree completely.”

“Good, now I’m sure you both have places you need to be. Be sure to let me know what happens with your police report.”

“I will,” I say, getting to my feet once again. “Thank you for your time.”

Dr. Terrace nods my way, and just as Thorne goes to follow me out of the room, his voice rings out once again. “Dr. Mayson,” he says, making Thorne spin back around with a narrowed gaze. His eyes sparkle with laughter, and I wait with bated breath for some reason, not wanting to miss what comes out of his mouth next. “I was quite fond of that parking space this morning. Perhaps I will take you up on your offer to use it any time I like.”

Thorne laughs, that usual cocky grin spreading wide across his face. “Go right ahead, sir, but just know that every time I drive into work to find your Aston Martin parked in my space, I’ll be parking my Ferrari right in the middle of your lobby.”

The two men stare at each other for a long moment before Dr. Terrace finally laughs and shakes his head. “Fair call, Thorne. Now, get out of here before you give me a reason to change my mind.”

With that, Thorne and I haul ass out of there and make our way back to the maternity ward.

Just when I think we’re in the clear to get back to work, Thorne’s arm curls around my waist and yanks me into an on-call room.

The door is slammed behind us and my back is pressed up against the wall. Thorne’s lips come crashing down on mine in a bruising kiss, and I instantly sink into his hold, kissing him back with everything that I have.

When he finally pulls back, we’re both panting, desperate to catch our breaths. “You said you were madly in love with me,” he comments, using the exact phrase that I’d used in Dr. Terrace’s office.

A grin tears across my face, seeing the happiness in his eyes. “What can I say?” I tease. “You dared me to fall in love with you, and I’m not one to back down from a dare. But you better be warned, I don’t intend on loving you easily. It’s going to be hard, and fast, and the most intense kind of love either of us has ever felt.”

“Well then,” Thorne says, his hand snaking out and flicking the lock on the back of the door before grabbing me and throwing me down on the bed, my bruised ribs momentarily forgotten. He comes down on top of me, his eyes shining with the promise of a lifetime of perfection. “What the hell are we waiting for?”

CHAPTER 20

AUTUMN

“Okay, are you ready for this?” Thorne asks, his hands on my shoulders as we stand at the door of his Aunt and Uncle’s home, looking as though he’s about ready to pass out.

“Are you okay?” I ask, reaching up to feel his forehead with a smile stretching across my face. “You look sick.”

He knocks my hands away with a goofy grin and a roll of his eyes. “Don’t start that shit with me,” he laughs. “I’m fine. It’s you I’m worried about.”

I can’t help but laugh. “Are you sure? You look as though someone has you by the balls and is forcing you to walk inside that door.”

“First off, you have me by the balls, and after this dinner is over, you’ll understand,” he tells me. “I’m just trying to be a decent kind of guy and warn you that what you’re about to walk into is some next-level bullshit, alright? They’re going to love you and they’re not going to hide it. You’ll never be free after this.”

I push up onto my tippy-toes and press a kiss to his lips. “Of course they’ll love me,” I say with a proud, smug grin. “I’m awesome, and not to mention, I’ve delivered two of the Mayson babies and mended a broken arm. What’s not to love? I’m every family’s dream come true.”

“You won’t have any issues fitting in here,” Thorne tells me as he reaches out to press the button for the doorbell but before he gets a chance, the door is pulled wide and the woman I’d met in the ambulance bay stands before us with a wide, excited smile.

“Thorne,” she coos, instantly grabbing him and pulling him into her chest. “How are you, my dear?”