It was an unexpected outcome, given how much antagonism had existed between them initially. Brett savored how earnestly Autumn now pressed herself against his body. He stooped to meet her upturned head and kissed her deeply. Her hands were roaming in appreciation of his developed flanks and back, which were the product of years spent on his family's farm. In turn, Brett grasped her tiny waist and the cleft of her buttock. Autumn was rendered weightless when he plucked her off the floor in a flare of passion. This was going to be their first time, and the spontaneity of the moment was like a riptide.
Autumn was at his mercy, in the same way objects fall into orbit around a star. He was controlling how quickly they were progressing toward his bed, and she held the opinion it was not fast enough. Her brow furrowed, and she winced at how her disdain for him had once been so fixed. His unapologetic intellectual consistency had infuriated her when they first shared college courses together. She thought Brett was cold, but he was never cruel when his observations dismantled what she deemed to be laudable solutions to the world's ills. They believed in similar ends but his obedience to the natural order of things seemed to thwart all of her egalitarian arguments. It did not help Autumn's ire that, gradually, glances at Brett had caused her intrusive thoughts that involved her naked body positioned receptively under his mass.
Her hand swept down to the front of his jeans in an effort to provoke him. She felt his erection straining hard against denim and spread her fingers to trace his generous girth.
Brett intended to drag out the anticipation further and, setting her back on her feet, issued a disapproving grunt. He caught the wrist of the offending hand, pinned it behind her back, and opened his eyes. Autumn's eyes blazed up at him with genuine fury. Brett knew she was his now but was reminded of how contentious things had been between them before. A memory flashed in his mind as Autumn vengefully latched her teeth onto his lower lip.
He recalled the 300-level class was uneventful until the topic of irrigation water volume over a given area was introduced. Autumn had pointing out the majority of farmers who could best make use of the aforementioned ratio were located in developed countries. She postulated it would be better to investigate strategies to improve third-world farmers' access to water. Autumn had visibly stiffened when the professor called on Brett's raised hand. His rebuttal was flawless. "The volume of food produced by developed nations makes a significant difference in feeding third-world populations. Therefore, it is important to understand how to maintain those globally-relevant systems before investigating local improvements in budding nations." The professor responded with praise. Brett saw Autumn toss her hair to her shoulder away from him. The motion betrayed her annoyance as she stole a look back at him. He kept his countenance a calm appraisal of her own. Autumn's expression had been blank but he knew she was seething behind that mask. The moment passed, and she turned her attention back to the front of the classroom. It took time for the scent of Autumn's hair to waft back to Brett but, when it did, he inhaled deeply.
He was breathing in sharply again; partly due to his recollection and partly from the sensation in his lip.
Autumn had made her point and released him. Brett tongued the inside of his mouth appraisingly and tenderly placed his hands on her shoulders. She did not expect it when he shoved her back onto the mattress and she gave a yelp of surprise. His strength was enough to place her against the pillows at the head of the bed. Autumn watched as he pulled his shirt over his head. The streetlights from outside the second story window were sufficient to highlight the definition on Brett's upper body. She had spent plenty of time in the rec center and recognized the functional strength of his body was different to that of the guys who sat curling dumbbells.
A victorious grin spread across Autumn's face, and she began to wriggle out of her leggings. Brett reached out and grasped her by the ankles. "No. Not yet." Brett's command caused her grin to fade, and she whined, "Baby, I want you." It was Brett's turn to smile. It was the first time she had called him that, and she felt her face flush.
Autumn was suddenly aware of how unfamiliar the situation was to her. The boys who fucked her in the past had rushed to peel off her clothes and pay lip service to how beautiful she was. They all promptly thrust themselves inside her, and it had been fun but this moment with Brett was different. No one had ever made her dangle in torturous anticipation. It was clear he cared for her but his control had made her the reckless one; starved and trembling. Suddenly, Autumn was struck with the realization she was experiencing love with a man, for the first time. She had chosen Brett after dueling with him for years. He was now making her agonize over waiting a few minutes longer.
An astute professor had paired them, for a months-long project, the previous year. Neither was willing to sacrifice their grade in the class so they cooperated begrudgingly. They agreed on a novel concept as the focus of their work and were genuinely excited for its potential. Weekly meetings in the library led to invitations to their respective apartments. Brett's and Autumn's roommates noticed the pair displaying an appreciation for each other's company. Autumn remembered the first time Brett cracked a joke and when she opened up about her personal life. They were constantly sharing text messages by the end of the semester. Their project received top marks in the course. The commercial value of their product led them to discuss launching a joint venture, which was a very unexpected outcome.
"Please."
