Autumn

Chapter 9: Jessie Daniels

Autumn's P.O.V.

   She was fierceness and tenderness within the same breath and pure hearts bring strong men to their knees..

       "What's your favorite color?" I asked Jessie while aimlessly wandering around the room. The ornate prints on the walls were smoother to the touch than they looked.  Sunlight from the bay window caressed every wooden crevice and article of furniture in the room and in the presence of such intense natural light, the need for artificial illumination seemed obsolete.

   I didn't know what time it was or how long I'd been at Jessie's place nor did I really care. I haven't checked my phone since I got here. There was a good possibility that my parents were worried but I felt as though I could stay here forever-- admiring the antique fixtures like the mahogany desk that was visible from the partially opened office door. It was a beautiful home; large open rooms and so much to admire.

    And Jessie looked right at home amongst it all.

  He was like an extension or an accent piece to the entire room. His dark brown hair complemented the rich undertones of the wood. Eyes the glimmering gold of fresh honey twinkled like the chandelier in the huge dining room and his strong jaw and rugged nature accentuated the deep woodsy aura of the bayou just outside these four walls. Yet somehow, I knew that even the fire place in the corner would not give off as much warmth as he could.

   I turned to face him; reclined on the large black leather sofa, and for once he looked so at ease. I could not help but appreciate the sight before me. His golden brown complexion was accentuated by his all black outfit; the jeans fitting in the right places and the deep plunging v of his shirt hinted at a much more toned figure than I could see. The flowing black lines of his tattoo, dipping down across his chest drew my eyes  downward to what I could only imagine was hardened muscle under that shirt. He was glorious to say the least-- I had never described a man that way before but from the moment I saw him I knew that was the word for him. Why he was even interested in me was the real question.

  He had been staring at me the entire time and I had dubiously been staring right back. After two tries, I was finally able to find my voice and break the silence. 

  "Did you hear what I said?" I asked in a voice that sounded to raspy to be my own.

   "Sorry, no I didn't," he replied in a baritone as smooth as velvet and I felt a little part of me melt into a puddle. " But I'd like to hear it if you don't mind repeating yourself."

  He held out one large hand to me and without thinking, I put my hand in his. It was such a natural thing to do and a large part of me responded to him instinctively in a way that I didn't understand.  In one swift moment, he tugged on my hand and brought me down onto his lap. 

  I squealed, surprised. "What was that for?" I murmured between giggles and wrapped an arm around his shoulders to steady myself.

  "I did it because I wanted to. I can assure you, that as comfortable as this sofa looks, right where you are is a much better seat." A huge smirk crossed his face; either at the snide comment he'd just made or the blush that was forming under my alabaster skin.

  Kissing my cheek softly he asked, "Now what did you want to ask me?"

   "You're favorite color?" This would be the beginning of a drawn out version of 20 questions; I wanted to know as much about him as possible.

   "Blue; all shades......" He brushed the fishtail braid behind my shoulders "..but I normally go with teal or baby blue. However.." Jessie's fingers pushed a few stray locks of my hair behind my ear. "Would it be cliché of me to say that I'm beginning to love the color green because its the color of your eyes?"