Husband With Benefits-Chapter 614: Devious

Autumn jumped at the sound of Gabe’s voice, turning wide-eyed to face him. "I’m changing the light bulb," she replied, her tone slightly defensive.

Gabe nodded, averting his gaze. Her eyes—startlingly intense so early in the morning—had caught him off guard. Shaking off his distraction, he turned back to see Autumn still struggling to reach the bulb holder, even standing on a chair.

"Why don’t I help you?" he offered, stepping closer. Before Autumn could accept or reject his offer, his hands went around her knees and he lifted her higher.

Autumn gasped, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck for support as she almost dropped the light bulb. "Gabe!" she exclaimed, caught off guard by his sudden move. "What are you doing?"

"Saving you from hanging onto that holder like Tarzan!" Gabe grinned as Autumn tried to catch the light fixture which was now swinging back and forth due to Autumn having hit it when she was picked up by Gabe.

With one hand on his shoulder, Autumn caught the fixture with the other, and once it had stopped moving, carefully fixed the light bulb inside, letting out a breath of relief. Finally, it was inside and she would have light again in the kitchen.

The job done, Autumn looked down to tell Gabe to let her down. Her breath caught in her throat as she looked at him though... Holding her gaze, he slowly buried his face near her belly and slid her down the chair. She tightened her hands on his shoulders, as she looked at him with hear in her eyes. As she reached level with his face, his hands slid to her back. With a sharp move, he pushed her towards him and caught her lips.

The movement was sharp, almost hopeful, but it ignited a passion within her. She closed her eyes and kissed him back, forgetting they were in the kitchen.... She wanted more of him. Autumn tapped with her fist onto his biceps, wanting more. But before she could speak the words, a startled scream woke her up, breaking the two apart as they immediately realized it was Arabelle who was screaming.

Carefully, Gabe placed Autumn down and the two people hurried towards the room, only to find Arabelle screaming again, her eyes closed. Gabe breathed a sigh of relief as he moved to gently awaken the little girl.

Arabelle’s eyes snapped open and she stared wide eyed at Gabe as he gently caressed her forehead and declared," I had a nightmare."

"Really? What was it?"

"I dreamt that I was hungry and there were no pancakes or hashbrowns in the world!", Arabelle complained with a pout.

Autumn and Gabe stared at the little girl’s complain and then at each other before breaking into chuckles, each relieved about the content of the nightmares of the little girl.

"Are you laughing at me?" Arabelle asked with narrowed eyes.

Quickly composing his look, Gabe shook his head and asnwered gravely," That does sound like a scary dream for a hungry little girl."

"It was," Arabelle agreed, looking up at him with big, earnest eyes. Gabe shook his head, already knowing what the look meant.

Caving in, he tapped her button nose and squished her cheeks, as he offered," Then how about we have some pancakes and hash browns for breakfast today?"

Arabelle’s eyes lit up and she nodded hurriedly," yes yes! Can we please? Autumn can help you. I am so hungry!" As she said this, Arabelle rubbed her little belly, making the other two chuckle some more as they nodded," Then, we’ll whip up the most delicious breakfast for you, Miss Arabelle. You just stay here."

"Make sure they’re really good!" she called after them, already feeling better knowing that pancakes and hashbrowns were on their way. Feeling like a little princess, Arabelle happily cuddled the little bear on the bed and closed her eyes. She would take a nap for the time being.

As they returned to the kitchen, Autumn paused, remembering what they had been doing here a few moments ago... Blushing, she quickly stammered," I’ll peel the potatoes." And rushed towards the pantry.

Without a word, Gabe started to gather the ingredients for pancakes as he watched Autumn moving around the kitchen before quickly taking up a corner to peel the potatoes. His gaze fell on the cabinet above her head and with a mischievous look in his eye, he called out," Autumn, can you please pass me the sugar?"

Autumn stood on her tiptoes, stretching her arm as far as it could go, but the sugar remained out of her reach. Just as she was about to give up, Gabe came up behind her. "Wait, I’ll help you," he said, his voice close to her ear.

Before she could protest, he lifted her effortlessly. Stunned at being lifted again, Autumn reached out and grabbed the sugar. As Gabe gently set her down, Arabelle’s voice echoed in the room, "What are you doing?"

Gabe turned to face the little girl standing in the doorway, a curious look on her face. "Autumn couldn’t reach the sugar, so I was helping her," he explained, as he gently placed Autumn back down, while he took the sugar container from her hand.

With a concerned look, Arabelle asked, "Why didn’t you take it yourself, Gabe? That would have been easier."

Gabe blinked as he shot a look at Autumn whose eyes had widened with the realization of what he had been upto. Sigh! He was busted.

"Well, I suppose I could have," Gabe murmured before leaning close to Autumn and whispering," but then I would not have had the opportunity to hold you this morning and just now." With a wink in her direction, he returned to the task at hand, leaving Autumn stupefied.

Yes. He could have done it himself. Instead of picking her up. He could have gotten up on that chair instead of lifting her...He could have taken the sugar... What a devious man!!!!