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An unexpected tenderness
She may be the co-owner of an elite lingerie boutique that caters to women’s intimate fantasies, but Autumn Dupree doesn’t believe in happy endings. Although determined to keep her own romantic yearnings under wraps, she reluctantly agrees to be her sister’s maid of honor. Worse, she has to share the nuptial festivities with Chicago’s most irresistible bachelor...
Best man Ajay Reed arouses a passion Autumn longs to fulfill. The entrepreneurial nightclub owner has his own reasons for guarding his heart. But the alluring temptress is awakening new feelings he cannot deny. Can Ajay convince Autumn that they both need to take a leap of faith? As well as trust in the promise of a love that could give them everything they ever dreamed of?
He tried not to touch her, but he couldn’t help but drag a single finger down the exposed part of her arm. As suspected, she shivered beneath his touch.
“Giving in would mean I get to unleash the heat and passion that I know you keep hidden. Although I can’t understand why you try to hide it.”
She finally turned to him, lust reflected in her eyes. “You left out one key factor in your statement.”
“Which is?”
Her eyes dropped to his lips and lingered there for a while before meeting his gaze. “You never asked me what I wanted. Whether or not I wanted you to act on your attraction or not. You didn’t even ask me if I’m attracted to you, too.”
Chemistry this strong couldn’t be one-sided, so he sensed she was attracted to him, as well. Even so, he had to ask just to be sure. “Are you attracted to me, too?”
“A pretty obvious yes...”
When she turned forward in her seat again, he didn’t miss the smile that crept across her face. He was sure this was one of those moments that he was supposed to speak and figure out if this conversation concluded with them agreeing to act on their attraction. Or them agreeing that they shouldn’t. But he couldn’t seem to find the right words, and apparently, neither could she.
Dear Reader,
When Autumn Dupree was initially introduced in Enticing Winter, I immediately knew that she was the perfect match for Ajay Reed. Autumn needed a hero who would take the time to understand her, and Ajay needed a heroine who would really challenge him.
Autumn and Ajay were one of my most favorite couples to write about. While writing their story, I became so wrapped up in the emotions of each character. Both Autumn and Ajay had very difficult past experiences, but sometimes, the best way to overcome adversity is to confide in the one person who may understand you more than anyone else.
Summer’s story is next, and I’m really excited for that release. You will finally meet Summer in Falling for Autumn. In addition to being just as driven as her sisters, she’s also just as feisty.
Much love,
Sherelle
authorsherellegreen@gmail.com
@sherellegreen
Falling for Autumn
Sherelle Green
www.millsandboon.co.uk
SHERELLE GREEN is a Chicago native with a dynamic imagination and a passion for reading and writing. Her love for romance developed in high school after stumbling across a hot and steamy Harlequin novel. She instantly became an avid romance reader and decided to pursue an education in English and journalism. A true romantic, she believes in predestined romances, love at first sight and fairy-tale endings.
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This book is dedicated to the readers who enjoyed the Elite Events series so much that it inspired me to write this spin-off series. I hope you enjoy the Dupree sisters just as much as you enjoyed the women of Elite Events. Thank you so much for all your book love and support!
Acknowledgments
To my cousin Dennis, who not only gave me inspiration for Ajay’s character, but Jaleen’s character, as well! There is so much more to you than what meets the eye, and not only are you charismatic with a big heart, but you’ve had to overcome a lot of adversity to become the man you are today. Not only are you extremely family-oriented, but you make sure that those you love know that they can count on you when needed. Life will always throw us curveballs, and you prove that obstacles don’t keep us down, but make us stronger. I’m so proud of you, and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store.
Contents
Cover
Back Cover Text
Introduction
Dear Reader
Title Page
About the Author
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Epilogue
Copyright
Prologue
In order to win the love of a strong-minded man, he must feel challenged, and desire that woman so bad that it hurts. Ajay Reed reflected a little more. He’d overheard an older man telling a group of twentysomething-year-old guys that statement one day. Even though it had been years since he’d heard it, the comment still stuck with him. He considered himself a determined man, but he’d come across enough women to know that he no longer enjoyed the thrill of the chase. He was simple. Easy to understand, if you knew what you were looking for.
When anyone asked, he always claimed that he liked his women as he liked his everyday life...uncomplicated. So he couldn’t understand why he seemed to be mesmerized by the mouthy woman standing before him giving him a lecture on the menu for Inferno, his newest lounge. Autumn Dupree didn’t know the definition of uncomplicated. She was the type of woman who always had an opinion about everything.
“I’m sorry, but can we back up this conversation?” Ajay said, motioning for her to slow down. “How did Taheim and Winter asking us to meet result in you questioning my menu?”
She tilted her head to the side as one of her hands went to her hip. “Since we’re standing in your office in Inferno right now, this conversation hardly constitutes as irrelevant.”
“Maybe according to you. But to me it seems very irrelevant, since I didn’t ask for your opinion on the menu.”
“Well, maybe you should have,” she said with a snarky smile. “I just don’t understand why your menu doesn’t offer any healthy options. You don’t even list the calories of your dishes in the menu.”
“That’s because this is a lounge. Not a health club.”
“What does that have to do with offering healthier options?”
He glanced at his watch, wondering what in the world was taking his brother, Taheim, and Autumn’s sister Winter so long to arrive. He hadn’t heard from Taheim in days, and before Autumn started arguing with him over the menu, she’d stated that she hadn’t heard from Winter lately, either.
“Can we just talk about something else?” he offered. Anything that would get her to stop her rant about his choices in food.
“Like what?” she asked with a shrug.
“Like why my brother and your sister asked to meet with us after being MIA for almost a week.”
“I have a theory...” She slightly worried her bottom lip and crossed her arms over her chest.
“And what might that be?” he asked when he realized she wasn’t going to continue. Her eyes searched his face. He wished he knew why every time she observed him, he felt a slight kick in his gut. That was the main thing that irritated him about Autumn. He couldn’t figure her out, and Ajay prided himself on being a good judge of character. After being burned by people one too many times, he’d spent years perfecting that trait. However, Autumn made him doubt his ability to read people. One minute she’d be giving her opinion on something he wished she wouldn’t, and the next he’d catch her staring at him...trying to read his thoughts.
As much as she annoyed him at times, there was no denying her beauty. Her hazel almond-shaped eyes, full seductive lips and smooth milk-chocolate skin tone were definitely features that had instantly attracted him to her. No matter how much she tried to ignore their chemistry, sometimes he caught that look of interest in her eyes, too.
“Well, let’s look at the facts,” she said, uncrossing her arms. “Almost a week ago, Taheim made a declaration of love and proposed to Winter in front of everyone in attendance for the Inferno grand opening. Then, both Taheim and Winter disappeared, only sending us both texts to say they were fine. So we can assume they were in their own love cocoon.”
“Okay, and those facts tell us what exactly?”
“If I had to bet money on it, I’d say they called us here to discuss the wedding. They probably set a date and I’m guessing this is their official ‘will you be my best man and maid of honor’ speech.”
He was already shaking his head before she finished her statement. “There’s no way they chose a date already. I know my brother. He’s a careful thinker, and even though the proposal was a bit spontaneous for him, I’d bet he wants a long engagement. When he proposed, he hadn’t even picked out a ring yet.”
“I disagree,” she replied, lifting an eyebrow.
“Big shocker.”
“No, seriously, I’ve been paying close attention to them lately, and I figured if they did decide to tie the knot, I couldn’t see Taheim wanting a long engagement. He’s been waiting for weeks to tell anyone who would listen how much he loves Winter.”
He took a moment to think about how Taheim had been lately. Autumn was right. He had been acting real territorial with Winter. But there was no way he was telling her that she was right.
“Well, if they did call us here for that, good for them. I haven’t been a best man yet, so I’m ready to take on that honor.” A quick observation proved that Autumn didn’t share the same feelings as he did.
“What about you? Ever been a maid of honor before?”
“Um, no, and I don’t really want to start now.”
What? Maybe I heard her wrong. “Are you saying you don’t want to be Winter’s maid of honor?”
She waved him off. “Winter is already well aware I disagree with the whole wedding thing.”
“I thought all women imagined their wedding day and being in their friends’ or sisters’ wedding party.”
“Ha! That may be true for some women, but not for me. While I believe in marriage, I don’t believe in the so-called wedding enterprise.”
“Wedding enterprise?”
“Yeah, those suckers in the industry who convince you that in order to marry the person you love, you have to be willing to spend money unnecessarily. When in reality, they reap all the benefits. You know, like the venue, the florists, the cake designer. All those people get paid, but not the couple. Unless by some miracle they get back a ton of money in the form of a wedding gift.”
He studied her eyes, detecting her seriousness about the matter. She talked with a lot of passion, he’d give her that. He remembered his brother telling him a few weeks ago that Autumn was one of those people who spoke only when she felt as if there was something she needed to say. He was sure Taheim was just repeating how Winter had described her, but since he’d met Autumn, he couldn’t recall there ever being a time when she didn’t have something to say.
And he had no idea why he wanted to hear more about her point of view on weddings, but he did. She wasn’t like any woman he’d met before, and the old Ajay would have wanted to accept the unspoken dare to try to figure her out. Unfortunately, he’d changed a lot since then, so he’d have to pass on accepting the challenge.
“Aren’t you friends with the founders of Elite Events Incorporated?” he asked. Ajay and Taheim had grown up with Imani, Cydney and Lexus, since their families were from the same neighborhood, and had quickly developed a friendship with Mya, as well. He was proud of the corporation the four women had built from the ground.
“Yes, but what do they have to do with anything?”
“Since they’re event planners, they often plan weddings. And Lex is your cousin-in-law while Mya is your soon-to-be cousin-in-law.”
She squinted her eyes in confusion. “Once again, not seeing the correlation here.”
He wondered if she was being difficult on purpose or if she genuinely didn’t see where he was going with his thoughts. “Doesn’t that make them part of those groups of suckers you’re referring to?”
“Ah, now I see what you’re getting at,” she said, nodding her head. “Simply put, the answer is yes. However, I’m not that biased to believe that all people in the industry are out to get your money. I happen to really respect Elite Events Incorporated and what the women have accomplished. Besides,” she said with a shrug, “they are well aware of my views on the matter, just like my sister is.”
“Unfortunately, anyone who knows you is well aware of your views,” said a female voice coming from the office doorway.
Ajay turned to see Taheim and Winter enter the room looking as if they didn’t have a care in the world. There was also no mistaking that huge rock on her finger.
“So, baby bro, I guess you really didn’t waste any time getting a ring.”
“Are you kidding me?” Taheim said, never disconnecting his hand with Winter’s. “I couldn’t wait to put this ring on her finger and let everyone know that she is mine. The sooner men know she’s off the market, the better.”
As the newly engaged couple shared an intimate kiss, Ajay glanced over at Autumn just in time to see her mouth Told you. She was mouthing something else after that, but he didn’t catch the rest of her words. He was too busy admiring the way her lips moved. Pouty. Sensual. She must have noticed him staring, because she stopped moving her mouth and gave him an inquisitive look. He gave her a look right back as if to say, “Yes, I was looking. What are you going to do about it?”
“Did you hear what I just said?” Taheim asked, gaining back his attention.
“Sorry, what did you say?”
Taheim looked at Winter with a huge smile on his face. “We decided to get married next October.”
“Wow, congrats, bro,” Ajay said, leaning in for a hug. “That’s great.”
“Even better,” Winter said with a squeal, “we’ve chosen to have a destination wedding in Bora Bora.”
Ajay glanced over just in time to see Autumn slightly cringe at her statement. After what she’d just told him, he assumed she was probably thinking about all the unnecessary money the couple would spend on a destination wedding.
* * *
Autumn lightly squeezed the bridge of her nose, hoping that she was hearing her sister wrong. “That’s less than a year away. Isn’t that a bit soon for a wedding out of the country?”
Winter smiled. “What about saying congrats before you lecture me?”
“I’m sorry, sis.” The last thing Autumn wanted Winter to think was that she wasn’t happy about her engagement to Taheim. She walked over to give Winter a hug. “I’m so happy for you both and I think you’re perfect for each other.” Winter returned her hug while Taheim offered her a smile.
“So what made you both choose Bora Bora?”
Winter held Taheim’s eyes the entire time she spoke. “Well, I really wanted a destination wedding.”
“And I really wanted to get married someplace hot,” Taheim added.
“I wanted only our closest friends and family in attendance.”
“And I reminded her that even that number is larger than she may think.”
Oh, great, they’re already finishing each other’s sentences. On one hand, Autumn found it adorable, and on the other, she was surprised their relationship had escalated so fast.
“Neither one of us likes things to just be ordinary, so we knew we wanted to have a different type of wedding.”
“You mean different besides the fact that you want to have the wedding in Bora Bora?” Ajay asked.
“Oh, yeah,” Winter responded. “We’re talking different as in beach chic and sexy elegance complete with a masquerade beach theme and reception.”
Autumn was sure her mouth dropped, although she honestly shouldn’t be surprised. Winter was a free spirit who loved to make a statement, and judging by what she knew of Taheim, making a statement were his middle names.
“Can I ask how exactly you two came up with this wedding theme?”
“You could, sis, but I already know that any validation won’t change the fact that although you’re happy for us, you hate weddings.”
“Hate is a strong word. I think strongly dislike is more accurate.”
She heard Ajay huff, but refused to look in his direction. Being around him threw her off her game. Instead of sounding like an intelligent realist around Ajay, she came across as a babbling chatterbox.
“Autumn, despite how you feel, I want you by my side for my wedding.” Oh, no, here it goes. “It wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t have my sister and best friend right beside me on my special day, so I got you this.”
Trembling fingers accepted the teal-and-white box wrapped in a beautiful lace ribbon. She looked from the box to Winter, unable to keep from smiling after noticing the huge grin reflected on her sister’s face. When she opened the box, there was a photo of them when they were teenagers.
“Do you remember when we took that?” Winter asked.
“Of course.” It was the day after a lot of drama had happened with their parents and they had promised each other that if they found true love, they would be there for each other every step of the journey. When she lifted the photo, she noticed a custom wineglass and a small bottle of her favorite red wine with a note attached to it.
“You’ve already done a great job at helping me acknowledge my feelings for Taheim,” Winter said as she watched Autumn read the card. “I need you by my side. I need you to be my maid of honor.”
Autumn couldn’t help the emotion she felt in her heart. “Of course I will, sis.” As they hugged, she glanced over her shoulder in time to see Taheim ask Ajay to be his best man. After he agreed, Ajay caught her eye and for the first time tonight, her dislike for weddings wasn’t her most prominent thought. Instead, she was trying to calculate approximately how much time the best man and maid of honor would have to spend together. Spending any amount of time with a man as handsome as Ajay was enough to make a woman like her lose her ability to think straight.
Chapter 1
Eight months later...
I need you to be by my side. I need you to be my maid of honor. Autumn Dupree couldn’t seem to forget her sister’s words no matter how hard she tried.
“You must be so excited for your sister.”
Autumn downed the rest of the champagne in her glass before facing the enthusiastic voice. “Of course I am,” she replied through gritted teeth. “All this love, happiness and months of planning ahead for a single twenty-four-hour day. Who wouldn’t be happy, right?” The perky woman blinked her eyes a few times before abruptly walking away.
“Maybe you can work on a stiff smile and refrain from the sarcasm until after the engagement party.”
Autumn rolled her eyes at her friend and store manager of Bare Sophistication lingerie boutique, Danni Allison. “I refuse to pretend to believe in weddings when I don’t.”
“But you agreed to be the maid of honor, and in doing so, Winter expects you to at least pretend to be happy for her.”
“I am happy for her.” Autumn shifted from one leg to the other in frustration as she glanced around the crowded Reed family home. “But this is too much fuss for one freaking day. I mean, what’s in the Chicago water we’ve been drinking, because since I moved here a few years ago, there have been more engagement parties than I can count. And we already had an engagement party for Winter and Taheim right after they were engaged months ago, so I don’t even know what this is.”
“Taheim’s mom had a bunch of old college friends in town and she wanted to do something special for her soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Especially since a lot of people won’t be going to Bora Bora for the wedding. Didn’t you read the email I sent you?”
She turned up her eyebrows at Danni. “You know, studies show you only have thirty seconds to intrigue a reader, and that booklet of wedding stuff you sent me lost my interest within the first five seconds.”
“You should have been the person putting that so-called booklet together. I’m just a bridesmaid.”
“You’re already aware that I’ve been hosting a lot of our Bare Sophistication masquerade lingerie parties while Taheim and Winter have been on tour showcasing all their designs from their own clothing and lingerie lines. You told me it wouldn’t be a problem.”
“It isn’t a big deal, but at the very least, I expect you to read what I email you.”
“Last I checked, fifteen percent of engagements are called off anyway, so I figured it would be a waste reading something that may not even be relevant in a few months.”
“You’re lucky I appreciate your snarky attitude,” Mya Winters-Madden said as she approached the women with Lex Turner-Madden walking beside her. “Otherwise, I’d have some real issues with that statement.”
Mya had married Autumn’s cousin Malik Madden just last month—only three months after giving birth to a beautiful set of boy and girl fraternal twins, believing for months that they were only pregnant with one child. Lex had married Malik’s brother, Micah, a year and a half ago. Growing up, she remembered conversations she’d had with Malik, Micah and Winter about how none of them were ever getting married. Boy, had the tables turned.
“Although I’m glad my cousins found such amazing women like the two of you, I still stand firm in my beliefs regarding weddings.”
Lex laughed as she shook her head. “We wouldn’t expect you to be anyone but yourself. Even so, Mya and I have both been in Winter’s shoes, and it helps when you know that those close to you support your marriage.”
“I’ll support their marriage wholeheartedly. It’s weddings that...”
“We know, we know,” Danni interrupted. “It’s weddings that you dislike, not the idea of marriage.”
“Exactly.” There wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for Winter, but she still couldn’t believe she’d actually agreed to be a pivotal part of this shindig. Weddings were superficial. If one did decide to take the plunge, she never understood why they didn’t just go to a courthouse and save themselves the hassle of planning. However, she knew people were tired of hearing her talk about her view on weddings, so she had to do a better job of keeping her mouth shut.
“I’ll try my best to show my support.” Her voice didn’t sound as believable as she hoped it would, but she really meant what she said. After a few more skeptical looks, they finally turned their focus to another topic. Out of all the people Autumn had met since moving to Chicago, Danni and the ladies of Elite Events Incorporated probably knew her better than most of the friends she had back in New York. Autumn wasn’t an easy nut to crack. Oftentimes, it took people a while to understand her quirky personality. However, she’d decided long ago that it didn’t matter if people didn’t appreciate the type of person she was. As long as she knew who she was, that suited her just fine.