Page 38 of The Autumn Leaf Bookshop (Everly Hollow #1)

Twilight

Sylas

T his adult only tent event, showcasing the Blackberry Moon Lily Drop, is spectacular.

Raene should be very proud because she brought her vision to life. We chatted earlier during setup before going back to my place to shower and change.

We figured taking a shower together would save us some time, and it did, for the most part. Until she asked me to scrub her back. So, I did, but she braced her hands on the tile, arched her back, and stuck her ass out against me.

Yet, thankfully, with the help of our friends, they made setting up for the event a breeze. Especially with the multiple tents connecting to fully cover the courtyard and give it a separate ambiance from the fall decor outside.

Tables and chairs are spread out, the deep velvet fabric hanging from decorated columns. Fairy lights twinkle above us, casting a soft, purple glow that gives the tent an ethereal feel.

The dance floor is ready. I see Oriana pull Malik toward it, his tie wrapped around her hand. Waiters and waitresses weave through the crowd with platters of food, and we’ve got a bar set up, staffed by Hannah and a few people she brought to help.

The event looks like twilight, and I see the brightest star, swaying her hips a little to the beat.

The band is playing a blues song, and I think I’m just going to sit back and enjoy the view of her.

She’s wearing a dark blue dress with flowy long sleeves.

The hem kisses the tops of her boots at her knees.

The neckline plunges to the middle of her breasts.

She’s just in her element. She has her weather system, and it’s summer.

Her honey-brown eyes, her beautiful sun-kissed brown skin, her talent, her happiness, and joy.

She’s the sun, and I’m the idiot who’s going to go blind from staring straight at it and not giving a damn.

She stands out. She radiates those around her.

I walk over to her, right when she stops to take a sip of her drink.

“I like your moves,” I say, taking a sip of my drink, which was the number one special on tonight’s menu.

“Is that the best you can do?” She asks. She sets her glass down at a nearby table as her fingers walk up my chest, arms wrapping around my neck.

“I thought you had pick up lines that could make my toes curl…” she teases.

I don’t hesitate to pull her close to me. She’s all soft curves and warmth pressed against me.

“I love the way your body moves, but I would prefer it if it were under mine.”

Her breath catches.

“How was that?” I say in a hushed tone in her ear .

“It was better…definitely better.” She nods her head, and it brings a laugh out of me.

“Are you having fun?” I ask, voice low enough that only she can hear over the band.

Her head tilts up at me, that smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “Maybe.”

“Maybe?” I arch a brow, pulling her into me. I love how her heart races when she’s around me. The excitement.

The anticipation. The wonder she has in her eyes at what I am going to do next.

I see her earrings sparkle; the mist inside of them shifts slightly.

Why is such a simple act of her wearing my gift, making me want to lose all control?

She shrugs, playful. “It could be better.”

“Is that so?” I ask, clearing my throat. “Could I make it better?”

“Yes.”

“Then dance with me,” I ask, giving my shoulders a light shrug.

Her eyes search mine for a moment with parted lips, before they curve into a small smile.

“Are you always this confident, Ash?”

“Always… especially when it comes to what matters most.”

I can see the wheels turning in her head, her lips tick upwards into a small smile.

Taking her hand in mine, I gently tug her to the makeshift dance floor, weaving in and out of the groups of people. She turns around, giving me her back as she moves her hips again, moving that ass like a beacon drawing me to it .

My hand slides to her waist as we move to the rhythm of the beat. The music wraps around us like fog. One of her arms is by her side, the other is resting on one of the arms I have encircled around her waist. She feels so good dancing with me like this.

“Say you can sense this, can’t you?” I murmur into her ear as we move together slowly, in a sensual trance.

I do. Goddess, I do.

Turning her around to face me, my thumb strokes lazy, small circles at her waist as she leans in to kiss me.

“I feel it,” she admits, her voice barely a whisper.

We dance like this till the song ends. Moving together in the dim lighting, ignoring everyone else on the dance floor, we sneak sweet touches and light kisses to one another.

I want to stay in this moment. I wish this night would never end.

I get excited to see her in the morning, but I dread the evenings because it is one day closer to her imminent departure.

I have to soak up every bit of her as I can until I see her again. I hope everything can work out flawlessly, but all we can do is try.

Even if she doesn’t want to put labels on this, it is long-distance. We can take it, day by day, but we are still trying for something. Trying to see where this takes us and if the end result would be worth it.

She is worth it.

“When can I see you next?” I quickly ask. We gently sway side to side as she flips through the mental calendar in her head .

“Next weekend? Do you want to try to come visit? Even if it is just for a day or two,” she pauses for a moment. “I still would want to see you.

“Well then, let’s plan for that. Is that okay? I know you didn’t want to put a label on this, Raene, but it’s important, right?

Us.

“This will be a long-distance thing, and that thing is called a relationship. You need to admit that otherwise, there will be no point in trying.”

Her nose scrunches up as she thinks, and she looks down at our feet.

I gently tilt her head up to look at me. “Don’t hide, and don’t be scared. If we try, we can see how this goes, and I want to see how far this can go, Raene, but if we go in now thinking it’s nothing important, then it won’t be.”

She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes, then nods her head. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I am scared. I feel like putting a label on this makes it seem that much more real, but this is real, and I do feel something for you, Ash.”

I stroke her cheek as she leans into my hand.

“So can I call you my girlfriend?” I joke.

“No,” she says, shaking her head. “I’m your goddess, remember?”