Fall I Want (Cozy Creek Collection #1)

by Lyra Parish

It only takes one bad pumpkin to ruin the whole damn patch.

I even downloaded a dating app and didn’t match with a single person. Not one.” “Because you have a certain type, and they usually aren’t on apps trying to get laid.”

Beautiful people are not caged by the same rules.

“You’re feisty as fuck,” he says.

“What does the man who has everything want from little ole me?” “Friendship.”

Then he takes one step forward, leaning in and whispers in my ear, “May I kiss you?”

I study him and nod, giving him all the permission he needs. His large hand rests softly on my cheek and his mouth gently slides across mine. I grab his shirt with my fist and our tongues

slide together. It’s explosive, instant fireworks. He tastes like spearmint and smells like fresh mountain air. It shouldn’t feel like this. It shouldn’t feel like home. It shouldn’t feel like I want to do this again and again and again. But it does. My body buzzes and the sensation nearly brings me to my knees as the kiss deepens further. I whimper against him and I’m lost in this moment. Nothing else in the world matters. As if Zane realizes we’ve gone too far, he gently pulls away, his swollen lips hovering above mine as he fists my hair. “It wasn’t supposed to be like that,” he whispers, placing his fingers on my chin, forcing me to look into his eyes, and I drown. “I know,” I say. He takes a step back, creating much-needed space. We crossed a line, one we probably shouldn’t have, even if we’ve walked it finely so far. “See you tonight, Pumpkin,” he says. “Yes,” I say, surprised I can even form words because I’m pretty sure he stole my soul when our lips touched. Zane shoots me a wink and chuckles. “Perfect coffee, babe.” He raises his cup, then walks away. I watch him, stunned, and when I come back to reality and turn around, I realize the entire coffee shop witnessed our first kiss. Immediately, I tuck my hair behind my ears and walk in. Julie and Blaire smile wide as the room bursts into applause and encouragement from regulars. “Marry that man,” a woman yells from the back, and I laugh.

Autumn takes my hand and pulls me back to her. “This conversation isn’t over.” She closes her eyes and keeps them closed as she nervously smiles. “I just need to blurt it out.” I chuckle, waiting for her answer. “I’ve had dreams about you,” she rushes. “What?” I stare at her until her long eyelashes flutter open. Her heart rate ticks in her neck and her breathing grows ragged.

“For thirteen years, I’ve dreamed about a man who looks and sounds like you.” She pauses. “Okay, this is where you’re supposed to find it adorable. You promised.” “Sorry.” I shake my head, realizing my sister’s prophecy has officially freaked me the fuck out. “I do. I swear. But I don’t know what to say.” “Imagine how I feel,” she says. “You’re a figment of my imagination; every time I’m with you, it feels like I’m losing it.” I laugh. “I’m literally the man of your dreams?” She sucks in a deep breath and whispers, “He said he’d find me. So, seeing you . . .” Autumn doesn’t finish her sentence. I can’t take my eyes off her as her wavy hair blows in the cool breeze. The smells of cider and sweet bread float in the air. Not to mention the electricity that surrounds us.

“You’re eye fucking me.” “And I’ve explained why,” I say. “I can’t help it.” “And now you’re thinking very inappropriate thoughts,” he adds. “Get out of my head.” The conversation is easy and fun. “Make me,” he teases. “Just avoid door number three. That’s where the naughty thoughts are kept.” “About Mr. Dreamy?” I burst into laughter, watching the crowd enter the festival. “I almost regret telling you.” “You wanted me to know, Pumpkin,” he states, shooting me a wink, and then he grows serious. “Meeting you has already been my greatest pleasure.” I smile, feeling the same, but also shocked that he’s the man who said my coffee tastes like shit. “It’s been a long time since I’ve allowed anyone new into my life.” “You allowed nothing. You trespassed my personal space, so I fairly did the same to your boundaries,” he says, rolling his sleeves up to his muscular forearms. My body is on fire, too, but I’m relaxed. The line to enter the pumpkin patch still snakes to the street, but we’re in no hurry to join it. Once it calms down, we’ll go in, too. “I could’ve said no,” I state. “No wasn’t an option. I’d have haunted you in your dreams.” I scoff. “You play dirty.” “Nah, just have an advantage. Thanks, Mr. Dreamy.” He laughs, focusing on the crunchy leaves tumbling across the sidewalk.

“As your girlfriend and future fiancée, I deserve to know.” “Future wife,” he tells me with a smirk, then continues.

“Wait, you caught her cheating and didn’t end it? She did?” His jaw clenches tight. “My weakness is my heart.”

“What?” he asks, glancing back at the little boy catching a pumpkin frisbee. “I think your heart is your greatest strength,” I say. Time freezes for a few seconds as the cool wind blows through my hair. If I don’t walk away right now, my lips will be pressed against his again. I stand and hold out my hand, hoping he’ll take it. He does. “Let’s get through this stranger phase as fast as fucking possible,” he mutters, interlocking his fingers with mine as we move toward the crowd waiting to enter the pumpkin patch. “I agree.” I want to know everything about him and his past.

“So what’s our plan?” I ask, glancing over at the side-by-side towing a trailer with four bales on it. It’s the first year I’ve spotted the miniature hayride. “We’re carving pumpkins for the porch of my haunted house.” His words make me laugh. “I’m down for that.”

I think I hear him mutter, “My good fucking girl.”

“I couldn’t wait to see you.” He joins me, closing the door. Moments later, we zoom away. “I’ve never met a man who’s admitted that.” His brow quirks up. “You could’ve stopped that sentence after man.” A chuckle escapes me. “Unfortunately true.” I swim in his deep blues as he pours us both a glass of champagne. “You look . . . gorgeous.”

“Did you have to be like that?” “She was a bitch toward you. So yes, I had to be like that. Be grateful I didn’t fire her on the spot.” He says it nonchalantly. I watch him, knowing he’s serious. “Do they all greet you like royalty?” “Yes,” he says, focusing on the menu. “Even royalty.”

My lips part, and maybe I’m just as guilty as the woman who sat us and I don’t realize the magnitude of this man. “Who are you?” “The heir of Xander Resorts and Enterprises. A total asshole. I’m also a brother. A son. A kick-ass friend. Oh, and a damn good lover.” He focuses on my mouth before meeting my eyes. “And a tease,” I add. This makes him laugh. “I don’t want to rush anything. Especially not with you.”

“I’ll brush my teeth and use the bathroom.” “Okay,” he tells me, and I straddle him to take a shortcut and he digs his fingers into my hips. I’m still naked and his eyes trail over my body in the glow of sunlight. I grind against his hardness through his boxers and want to go for round two after I empty my bladder. But damn, he feels so good. I gasp, my head falling back on my shoulders as his cock grazes my clit, creating just enough friction to make my heart rate increase. “Shit,” he whisper-hisses and we almost lose ourselves again. I place my hands on either side of his head and hover above him. “I’m not going to disappear.” “I’ve heard that one before,” he says. “But go pee.”

I wake with my hands on Autumn’s hips as she rides me with the Las Vegas skyline sparkling in the distance. “Good morning,” I moan, realizing how hard I am and how wet she is. I’m buried deep inside of her. “You started this,” she says in a sleepy tone, taking full control, fucking me like our lives depend on it. “Uh, fuck,” I groan, sliding my palms onto her ass, thrusting upward as she comes down, adding more friction. I don’t know what time it is, not that it matters. Autumn is the only thing on my agenda from now until eternity.

“I finally found you,” he says, sounding like Mr. Dreamy. “I’m not ever letting you go now. That’s a fucking promise. One I’ll keep until my last breath,” he says, nuzzling against my neck.

My beautiful wife. You are all I think about. You give me purpose.

I found my daydream She helps me fight my monsters My wife, forever

“I’m ready for dessert,” she whispers

“You’re a dirty girl.” “You like it,” she quips as soon as the fresh air hits our cheeks. “No, Pumpkin. I fucking love it.”

The next morning, after I eat Autumn for breakfast, we go downstairs, where I prepare the batter for a batch of pumpkin pancakes.