AGThanksgiving_JCSmith (9 page)

Autumn felt more brazen than
she’d thought she would as she grabbed his shower gel and squeezed some in her
palm. Rubbing her hands together, she spread the suds over his shoulders and
down his broad chest. Gabriel watched her, but she felt his heart race beneath
her fingertips. His nipples beaded as her hands skated over them and down his
tight abs. When she finished washing the front of him, except for the most
important part, she got more shower gel.

Her hand wrapped around his
erect cock, sliding down the long, hard length. He sucked in a breath as she
stroked and teased him. Her other hand cupped his balls, massaging and rolling
them. Gabriel braced a hand on the wall and tipped his head back, his hips
thrusting forward, shoving his cock further into her hand. She tightened her
grip, twisting her hand on the upstroke.

Gabriel groaned and she felt
his cock swell in her hand. A moment later, he erupted, spraying her hand and
belly with his seed. She’d figured it wouldn’t take much to make him come, not
after he’d been so long without a woman’s touch. Gabriel pulled her under the
water and helped her rinse before rinsing himself.

“What made you do that?” he
asked, smoothing her hair back from her face.

“As I sat in that cemetery
today, I realized that I had been foolish to keep you at arm’s length. I
decided that if I made it through in one piece, I would change things between
us. You were right. We’re mates, whether there’s a ceremony or not.” She
squeezed his biceps. “I’ve never enjoyed sex before, but I know it’s going to
be different with you. I want to be your mate in all ways, Gabriel. As soon as
you can arrange it, I want to go through with the ceremony.”

“I don’t want you agreeing
because you had a near death experience.”

“It’s what I want. Truly.”

He bent his head and claimed
her lips in a gentle kiss, his mouth coaxing and teasing. Autumn parted her
lips and his tongue slipped between them. As their tongues danced and tangled,
she found herself leaning into Gabriel, wanting more contact with him. He had
an incredible body and she wondered what all of those hard muscles would feel
like against her softer curves.

Gabriel pulled back, leaving
Autumn panting and wanting more. His hands stroked down her arms, but that
wasn’t where she wanted them. Gabriel’s gaze never left hers as he reached for
the shower gel and washed her from head to toe, his hands caressing and driving
her passion higher. Autumn had never wanted anyone the way she wanted Gabriel.
She should have been a little afraid of her feelings, but she’d decided to
throw caution to the wind and just embrace whatever happened between them. She
was ready for this, wanted it. She had no doubt that her heart was ready to
love him; she just needed to turn off her brain.

“Let’s move this to the
bedroom,” Gabriel said before kissing her again.

She fumbled for the shower
knob and shut the water off. Gabriel helped her out of the shower and dried her
off before drying himself, and then he lifted her into his arms and carried her
into the bedroom, laying her on the bed. Autumn sprawled across the unmade bed,
waiting to see what he would do next.

He cupped her breasts,
tweaking her nipples, before taking a rosy tip in his mouth and sucking long
and hard. His teeth gently grazed her and Autumn buried her fingers in his
hair, holding him close. As he trailed kisses down her body, she felt herself
tense. Was he going to… She let out a gasp as his tongue traced her slit, his
hands spreading her thighs wide.

No one had ever put their
mouth on her there before. Perry had only been interested in his own needs, not
caring if she enjoyed her time in his bed or not. As Gabriel’s tongue flicked
over her clit, she couldn’t hold back her moans of pleasure. Her hands fisted
the bedding and she lifted her hips, wanting more, needing more. He listened to
her silent plea and sucked the bud into his mouth, drawing on it hard before
lashing it with his tongue again. It was all Autumn needed to send her over the
edge. She came, calling his name, as her body flushed hot and strained, not
wanting the incredible feeling to go away.

When she lay replete, he
kissed his way back up her body and pulled her to the edge of the bed, lifting
her legs around his waist. She was amazed he was hard again already and flushed
in pleasure as she realized he’d gotten that way while sending her to the moon
and back. It had been the first orgasm she’d had and she hadn’t been
disappointed.

The head of his cock parted
her folds and slowly pressed inside of her. He was bigger than Perry had been
and she felt stretched to the max as he filled her, but it wasn’t an unpleasant
feeling. Gabriel’s hands gripped her hips, lifting her so that he could slide
in deeper. Autumn tightened her legs around him, urging him to move. He felt
incredible and she knew it was only going to get better.

“It feels so good,” she
murmured.

“You feel amazing.” His grip
tightened on her.

He started a slow, easy
rhythm, his hard shaft plunging deep, and then withdrawing only to do it all
over again. A fine sheen of sweat coated Autumn’s body as she felt that now
familiar tightening, her body letting her know that she was close to coming.
She clawed at the bedding as she panted for breath. Gabriel increased his
speed, driving into her deeper and harder, the crown of his cock rubbing
against her g-spot with every thrust.

Nearly mindless with pleasure,
Autumn cried out as she came, her channel squeezing and releasing him as he
found his release. It wasn’t until that moment, as she’d felt the warmth spread
through her, that she’d realized they hadn’t used protection. She wasn’t taking
anything and she wasn’t certain how soon Gabriel would be ready for children.

Gabriel withdrew from her body
and leaned down to kiss her. “We should get cleaned up and head to dinner. I
know you have to be starving by now.”

“Dinner sounds good.”

He lifted her into his arms
and carried her back into the bathroom, starting the shower once more. It
didn’t take them long to get cleaned up and dried off. Autumn wrapped the towel
around her body and hurried downstairs to pull on her clothes. She was just
slipping her feet into her boots when Gabriel appeared in the bedroom doorway.

“When we get back, we’ll move
your things upstairs,” he said.

“All right.” She reached out
and laced her fingers with his.

He handed her the leather
jacket hanging in the hall closet and she wondered where it came from. She’d
seen a picture of Kiera in his bedroom and knew her cousin had been quite a bit
smaller than her, so it couldn’t be Kiera’s. She gave him a quizzical look.

“I picked it up earlier while
you were having lunch with Marin. I hope you don’t mind, but I snooped through
your things to get your size.”

Her hands caressed the soft
leather. “You bought me a coat?”

“You’ll need if we’re going to
take the bike. It’s chilly out there, especially at night. I don’t want you to
get sick.”

She rose on her tiptoes and
pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you.”

He smiled and led her out the
door, stopping only long enough to lock up. Gabriel swung his leg over the bike
and started the engine as she climbed on back. Autumn wrapped her arms around
his waist and squeezed as close to his body as she could. After having been
intimate with him, and knowing the feel of his body against hers, the thought
of riding on the back of his bike made her panties damp.

Chapter Eight

Autumn blew a wayward strand
of hair out of her eyes as she pulled the candied yams out of the oven. She’d
already made the glazed carrots, a pecan pie, and a chocolate cake. She’d been
at it since five that morning and now it was nearly time to go.
 
She had just enough time to shower and get
dressed, giving the candied yams some time to cool a little. She’d used a Pyrex
dish that had a lid so, once they’d cooled a little, they would be good to go.

She paused at the foot of the
stairs and smiled as she saw Gabriel in the living room. A football game was on
and he was leaning forward, his arms braced on his knees. She’d heard him
shouting at the TV several times and now she knew why. He’d already showered
and dressed his hair still damp against his collar. She hadn’t seen him dressed
up before, but he’d put on a pair of khaki slacks and a blue pinstripe button
down shirt.

Autumn hurried up the stairs
and got the shower going. While she waited for the water to warm, she pulled
out her short sleeve heather gray knit dress and a cranberry colored shrug.
Snatching her black peep toe heels off the floor of the closet, she set them
out too. She didn’t know why Gabriel didn’t drive the SUV parked in the driveway,
but he wouldn’t have a choice today. Between her dress and the various food
items she was taking, they would need something with doors.

Autumn took her time in the
shower, letting her conditioner set for three minutes, making sure she shaved
really well, and used her brown sugar scrub to exfoliate. When she got out, she
dried off and used the matching brown sugar body cream to moisturize. She added
a bit of anti-frizz stuff to her hair before blowing it dry. Then she rolled it
using her steam curlers.

She knew it wouldn’t take long
for her hair to curl so she scrambled into her clothes and shoes, then applied
a light layer of make-up. Gabriel had mentioned that he preferred her fresh
faced, but there was no way she was going to Thanksgiving with the family
without any make-up on. A light dusting of powder, a sheer glittery eye shadow,
and a tiny bit of blush and mascara.
 
A
neutral lip-gloss finished the look. Autumn took down the curlers, turned her
head upside down, and shook the curls loose. When she turned right side up
again, her hair was fluffy and curly. She had to admit she looked nice.

Gabriel must have heard her
coming down the stairs because he was waiting at the bottom when she reached
the second floor landing. He wolf whistled at her and grinned as she made her
way down to him.

“Don’t you look sexy as hell,”
he said, wrapping his arms around her.

She smoothed her palms up his
chest and wound her arms around his neck. “You clean up pretty nice, too.”

The light in his eyes dimmed
for a moment. “I guess we’re taking the SUV, what with everything you’ve been
cooking all morning.”

“Is there something wrong with
it?”

He shook his head. “It was
Kiera’s.”

Autumn cupped his cheek with
her palm before gently kissing his lips, thankful her lip-gloss was the kind
that stayed put.

“She would have wanted you to
have it,” he said. “And if you don’t like it, we’ll trade it in for something
else.”

“I’m sure the SUV is fine, but
would you be more comfortable if we have something else? I know there are a hundred
things around here that remind you of her, but I don’t want you to feel bad
every time we go somewhere and don’t take the motorcycle.”

He squeezed her waist. “I’ll
take you car shopping tomorrow. I still have some money in savings so you can
get whatever you want.”

“Let’s get to Marin’s house
before they send out a search party for us. We’re going to be late.”

Gabriel released her and took
the keys off the hook by the door. He helped her carry everything to the car
and then slid behind the wheel. His hands flexed on the steering wheel a few
times, but eventually he blew out a breath and started the engine. Autumn hated
that this was so hard for him, knew he had to be missing Kiera with it being
the holiday season.

After he backed down the
driveway, he reached over and took her hand, resting their joined hands on his
thigh.

“I don’t want you to think
that I don’t appreciate you, that I don’t love you, because I do,” he said.
“This is just my first holiday without her.”

“I understand, Gabriel. She
was an important part of your life. I don’t expect you to just forget about
her. I know that you still love her, and a part of you always will. Believe it
or not, I’m okay with that.”

He glanced her way. “You’re an
amazing woman, you know that?”

She smiled and squeezed his
hand.

It didn’t take them long to
reach Marin and Cole’s house. As Gabriel put the car in park, Cole and Michael
came out to greet them. The men carried everything inside, leaving Autumn with
nothing to carry. As she stepped inside the house, the smell of turkey teased
her nose. It seemed everyone was already gathered, with the men in the living
room watching the same game Gabriel had been watching at home, and the women in
the kitchen getting things ready.

Autumn followed everyone to
the kitchen and hugged the women. Was it just her or did Marin hold her a
little tighter? Her friend was glowing, her smile brighter than ever before. It
made Autumn wonder what was up. She knew everyone was excited that Gabriel had
joined them, but she doubted that was it.

“Ramsey, Harper, and Hunter
are joining us too,” Marin said.

“And Eric,” Aislinn added.

“Do you have room for
everyone?” Autumn glanced down the hall, thinking about the dining room she’d
passed.

“I have a table set up in the
sunroom. Harper and Ramsey offered to sit out there with the kids. Hunter and
Eric will join us in the dining room,” Marin said. “I think we’re ready. We
just have to put everything out on the table.”

The women got to work,
carrying everything to the dining room. When they were done, they called
everyone in to eat. As they gathered around the table, Autumn realized Harper,
Ramsey, Hunter, and Eric had arrived while they were busy. Everyone eating in
the sunroom made their plates and headed that direction, while everyone else
took a seat. Cole sat at one end of the table and Gabriel claimed the other,
seating Autumn to his right.

Cole cleared his throat,
getting everyone’s attention. “Marin and I have something we’d like to tell
you.”

Marin was beaming from ear to
ear as she took Cole’s hand.

“We’re going to have a new
addition to the family in about seven months,” Cole said. “It seems Eric healed
Marin well enough that she’s still able to have children.”

“That’s wonderful!” Autumn
jumped up to go hug her friend. “No wonder you were glowing in the kitchen!”

Eric smirked and Autumn wasn’t
sure she liked that look. “What?”

“Marin isn’t the only one
expecting in this family,” Eric said. “I’m just not sure if I should say
anything or let the couple discover it on their own.”

The women all looked at one
another, but Marin winked at Autumn.

“What was that for?” Autumn
asked.

Eric grinned. “Because you’re
the other momma-to-be.”

Autumn felt her knees go weak.
“But…”

Gabriel rose and helped her to
her chair. “Are you certain?” he asked Eric.

“Once is all it takes,” the
sorcerer said. “If you weren’t planning to be a papa again anytime soon, you
should have used protection.”

Autumn’s face flamed in
embarrassment. Gabriel waited until she was seated to reclaim his chair. He
lifted her hand and kissed the backs of her fingers.

“I’m surprised, but not
unhappy about it,” Gabriel said.

“You really don’t mind?”
Autumn asked. “I was worried it would be too soon for you. I’d thought to bring
the subject up later tonight. I know it wasn’t just Kiera you lost.”

“If you’re pregnant, then this
is what was meant to happen,” Gabriel said. “Besides, I’d love nothing more
than to start a family with you.”

Eric cleared his throat.
“Perhaps the two of you would like to have a mating ceremony first?”

Autumn and Gabriel shared a
look. They’d discussed it again that morning and had decided to wait until
after the holidays, but definitely before Christmas. They had planned to call
Connor in a day or two and ask if he would be willing to conduct the ceremony.

“I came prepared,” Eric said.
“If you want to have the ceremony today, that is.”

Autumn’s gaze swung his way.
“You’re going to officiate the ceremony? Can you do that? I mean, I thought it
had to be the alpha.”

“Since Gabriel is an alpha,
it’s perfectly acceptable for another magickal being to perform the ceremony.”
Eric smiled and reached into his shirt pocket, withdrawing two gold rings with
etchings on them. “Like I said, I came prepared.”

Autumn looked at Gabriel
before returning her gaze to the sorcerer. “After dinner,” she said. “Assuming
everyone isn’t too full and miserable to sit through the ceremony.”

“We’ll hold off on dessert
until after the two of you are officially mated,” Michael said with a smile.
“We can cut that chocolate cake I carried in as a mating celebration.”

Everyone dug into their food,
the family seeming as anxious as Gabriel and Autumn to get on to the ceremony.
She couldn’t wait to officially tie her life to Gabriel’s. In her heart, they
were already mated and this was just a formality, but it would be nice to be
seen as his mate by more than just their family, especially knowing they had a
little one on the way. Things were happening so fast between Gabriel and her,
but it felt right. She didn’t have any doubts that she was right where she was
supposed to be, and she agreed with Gabriel. If she was pregnant, she was meant
to be pregnant at this time. Who knew what the fates had planned for them?

As Marin carried the last
plate to the kitchen, Eric pushed his chair back. “I know it’s cold outside,
but would you like to do this out back? Their Japanese Maple still has red
leaves on it. Might make a pretty backdrop if anyone wants to take pictures.”

“I brought our camera,” Chloe
said.

“We have one, too,” said Cole.

“I can take some with my phone
and send them to you,” Hunter offered, pulling his iPhone out of his pocket.

As they stepped outside and
walked down the back stairs, Autumn shivered. It was too cool outside for short
sleeves and goose bumps erupted on her arms, but she wasn’t about to have
pictures of her ceremony taken with her wearing a coat. She’d just suffer
through and hope her teeth didn’t start chattering. It had to be in the fifties
outside, maybe colder. Winter was definitely on the way, if it wasn’t already
here.

Gabriel linked their hands
together as they stood before Eric, their family and friends gathered nearby.
Autumn heard the click of a camera going off and smiled up at Gabriel. She
could hardly believe this was really happening. Yes, they’d planned for it, but
it felt like a dream come true.

“Gabriel, even though you’re
alpha of your pack, do you promise to put Autumn, and your children, before all
others? Do you promise to love her and honor her for the rest of your days?”
Eric asked.

“I so promise,” Gabriel said,
his eyes full of love.

Eric turned to her. “Autumn,
do your promise to be the best mate you can be? Do you promise to help Gabriel
lead the pack, to be there for those who need help? Do you swear to love him
and honor him for all your days?”

“I so promise,” Autumn said
softly.

“Are there any objections to
this mating?” Eric asked. He waited a moment to see if anyone would respond,
and then he handed them the rings. “Once you place the rings on one another’s
fingers, you will be officially mated.”

Autumn, with a shaky hand,
accepted the ring and slid it onto Gabriel’s finger. His hand was steady as he
placed her ring on her finger. He lifted her hand and kissed it where the band
rested before lacing their fingers together.

“Congratulations,” Eric said.
“You’re officially mates.”

Gabriel leaned down and kissed
Autumn. What started as a slow caress of his lips against hers, turned to
something stronger, fiercer, setting a blaze in her that only Gabriel could put
out. She’d never wanted to get to a bedroom so fast in her life, but knew they
still had a few hours with the family before that could happen. As they broke
apart, everyone cheered and hugged them.

“I love you,” Gabriel said, as
he drew her into his arms once more.

“I love you, too. Are you
really okay about the baby?”

He smiled at her warmly. “I
couldn’t be happier. I’ll have my brothers come clean out Radha’s stuff and
we’ll go shopping next week. A new start for a new family.”

Autumn hugged him tight and
realized how truly blessed she was. She’d not only gained the love and support
of an incredible man, but had gained a family as well. Not just the one they
were starting, but Gabriel’s brothers and cousins and their mates. Autumn’s
heart was full of love and she couldn’t wait to see what would happen next in
her new life. Whatever it was, she would face it head on, with her sexy,
wonderful, sinfully gorgeous mate by her side.