Husband With Benefits-Chapter 603: A Prize

It was a long time later that Autumn stared at Gabe, pulling off his t-shirt. Watching him strip after what they’d just done made her blush. Were they going to go for round two? She didn’t know. After what they’d just experienced, she wanted more, yet she was scared.

"Are you admiring my body?" Gabe teased, catching her gaze.

"Yes," Autumn answered, feeling a bit... speechless. She should have denied it, but that would probably mean turning her head away from him. And he looked so beautiful.

Gabe chuckled at her straightforward response, a playful glint in his eyes as he walked back to the bed. "Well, I’m flattered. I’ll work hard to keep it pleasing for you," he said, his voice low and teasing. He lay down beside her, the mattress dipping under his weight.

Autumn watched him, her heart racing with a mix of anticipation and nervousness as he slipped under the covers. She couldn’t help but wonder if they were going to do ’the deed’ tonight.

As if sensing her thoughts, Gabe groaned and covered her eyes with his hand. "Autumn Frost, you have no idea what you’re doing to me," he muttered. "I already feel like a schoolboy for coming all over your hand... and now... close your eyes, we’re going to sleep."

"Why?" Autumn asked quickly.

Gabe paused and took his hand off her eyes. He leaned over her then, his eyes scanning her face. She looked even more beautiful and contented in the dim light.

Seeing his silence, Autumn decided to repeat her question. "I meant, why not now?"

Gabe sighed, a mix of amusement and exasperation in his eyes. "Because," he said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face, "if we don’t, I’m not sure I’ll have the willpower to stop, and I don’t want to rush this. Especially not tonight."

She continued to send him that confused look and he pulled her to him so that she was laying on top of him and explained," Our first time together is not going to be because you wanted to console me. You’re not a consolation prize, Autumn. You’re a treasure that I’ve stumbled onto. And I’m going to take my sweet time plundering this treasure...In the future, when we do it, I do not want you to ever doubt that we were together because I wanted you. Not just a warm body."

Autumn’s heart fluttered at his words, feeling the sincerity and affection radiating from him. She lay on top of him, their bodies pressed close, and she could feel the steady beat of his heart beneath her and her own racing wildly. She was falling for this man. Or maybe she’d already fallen. She had no idea.

Her heart raced then as she realized what she was thinking. She was in love with her husband? The very thought made her breath catch in her throat.

Even as she tried to understand this, his hands traced soothing patterns on her back as he questioned her, "Autumn? Do you understand?" he asked softly, his eyes searching hers carefully.

And that is when another thought came to her. She couldn’t let him know. Not when she was feeling so raw over the fact that he was absolutely in love with his dead wife. He may hate her and have regrets but that was all there because of love.

Autumn lifted her head to look at him, trying to mask her swirling emotions as she nodded. She didn’t know what she understood, what he’d asked her. But she knew that she would agree to anything he said.

"You’re thinking too much," he whispered. "Relax, Autumn. Just be here with me."

She gave him a small smile, nodding slightly. "I’m trying."

Gabe’s hand moved to cup her cheek, his thumb brushing against her skin. "You don’t have to try so hard," he said gently. "Just let it happen. Sleep for now"

Autumn nodded again, leaning into his touch. She needed to focus on the present, on the warmth of his embrace, and the comfort of his presence. Her feelings could stay hidden for now. There was no need to complicate things. She’d be with him until they were ready to divorce.

Eventually, the steady rhythm of Gabe’s heartbeat and the soothing warmth of his body lulled Autumn into a peaceful sleep. Her breathing evened out, and her face relaxed, nestled comfortably against his chest.

Gabe lay there for a while, holding her gently. He waited until he was sure she was deeply asleep before he let himself relax. He opened his eyes and stared at her sleeping face, feeling an unexpected sense of peace wash over him. Her earlier words echoed in his mind, reminding him not to think of Arabelle. free𝑤ebnovel.com

As he traced her features with his eyes, he felt himself go still. This was how he used to spend the nights with Arabelle. On nights when she was unwell, they’d just lay side by side. But he’d never felt this peace. There had always been worry about what tomorrow bring.

Gently, he pushed back a strand of hair from Autumn’s face and sighed," You have no idea what you’ve given me. Thank you, Autumn for pushing away the cold in my heart...I didn’t even know it had been there all this time."

For the first time in a long while, he felt at peace, ready to face whatever the future held without a hint of worry. He knew that whatever happened, they’d at least be together.

Unable to help himself, he pulled her closer still and let her warmth lull him to sleep. This was what he had imagined life would be like in the past. A new day to look forward to everyday with the woman he would love forever. It was only as he lay there, almost asleep, that an errant thought entered his subconscious- He could spend a lifetime with Autumn...The thought however would soon be forgotten in the morning as he returned to wakefulness..