I recall how he helped me up, how there was something about him that pulled me in. I think back on our digital conversations and how we seemed to be made for each other.
The more we talk now over our delectable dinner, the more I know — I wasn’t wrong.
We go together like candy canes and hot cocoa.
Jasper wines and dines me, but I want more.
I want him.
I wonder if he took me up on my facetious suggestion to book a room. And if he didn’t, I consider what the likelihood is that the Inn has a room open on such short notice.
Because I want to jump his bones.
But more than that, I want to experience all that he seemed to promise when he sent me that video of his beautiful cock exploding.
I want to claim him as my own.
Tonight.
Jasper
I do it up right for my woman, the salmon followed by a sumptuous creme brûlée for dessert, all it of it accompanied by red wine.
And yes, I absolutely am thinking of Bethany as my woman now. I wasn’t wrong in sensing during our messaging how well we’d fit together. This dinner has proven us a perfect match.
It almost didn’t happen. And there were explanations and apologies, which could have led to an awkward evening. But instead, our conversation and punning were as effortless as ever.
So when we rise tipsily from the table, it feels natural to invite Bethany up to the room I never canceled.
Her hands fly to her mouth. “Oh my gosh! You really booked one?”
I cringe. “Should I not have? We do not need to use it.”
Her arms wind around the back of my neck. “Yes, we certainly do,” she murmurs, nibbling at my ear.
My cock and I know there’s only one thing to do.
Take this woman upstairs and fuck her good for the first time.
I refrain from throwing Bethany over my shoulder and hauling her up to our room. Instead, I take her hand in mine and head for the pub’s bar. She looks at me questioningly but follows without resistance.
There, I order another bottle of red wine plus two glasses. I tell the bartender to charge it to my room. He flicks a knowing glance over the two of us. “’Tis the season, huh?”
I shake my head. “No, this woman’s always in season. Although,” I turn to beam at her, “she does make my Christmas bright.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere, dear sir,” Bethany says airily. But I don’t miss how her cheeks flush and her eyes don’t quite meet mine. She’s not used to hearing compliments.
I intend to change that.
The bartender hands a chic basket bearing the wine and two glasses over the bar to me. “Well, horny — I mean happy holidays to you both.” He winks and turns to the next customer while Bethany and I dissolve in laughter.
“We’re pretty transparent, huh?” she says as we head to our room.
I shrug. “It’s because we’re pretty in love.”
She stops in the hallway and turns to face me. “In love?” she challenges, but there’s a sparkle of humor in her blue eyes.
I incline my chin. “I know it’s only been a few days since we’ve started truly getting acquainted, but I’m falling for you, Bethany Nave. I’ve never felt so seen, so wanted for who and how I am right now. And I’ve never felt simultaneously so at ease and so on fire for a woman until you.” I offer her a shy smile. “So yeah, I’m pretty sure I’m in love.”
Bethany grabs me by the knot of my tie and pulls me close until my lips are a breath from hers. “Good,” she growls. “I feel exactly the same way.”
And she kisses me, hard and deep with lips and tongue and so much heat.
My shaft is yelling from my pants, angry to be shut away, cut off from the action. I break away from Bethany and pull her the rest of the way to our room.
I intend to throw her on the mattress and start making sweet love to her right away. But when we open the door, we both stand on the threshold with mouths dangling, frozen as we try to absorb the cozy beauty of the room.
The room is simple but inviting. There’s a four-poster bed spread with meticulously stitched white quilts and more pillows than I can count. The windows span nearly floor to ceiling, draped with gauzy white curtains, a pull-down privacy screen behind them. I was told upon booking that during the day we’ll have a view out onto the Inn’s gardens
There’s also a working fireplace with logs stacked on its hearth. Brocaded chairs and an antique table are pulled up close to it. Through a door on the far side of the room, I can just see a vast clawfoot tub.
“I wish I’d reserved more than one night,” I murmur, pointing at the table and chairs near the fireplace. “That’d be an amazing space for you to write.”
Bethany turns to me, blue eyes turbulent.
“Are you okay?” I ask, throat constricting. Did I say the wrong thing?
Suddenly her cheeks are damp with tears. “You’re perfect, you know.”
I laugh, but softly. “Hardly.”
“Fine. You’re perfect for me. Do you know how many people in my life have cheered me on in my romance writing aspirations?”
Mutely, I shake my head.
“I can count them on one hand.” Her voice is rough with emotion. “But you . . . for some reason you think it’s personally reasonable that I write tawdry fiction as a side gig. Or, more accurately, an attempted side gig that I hope will one day turn full-time.”
I set the basket of wine on the table, frowning. “Why wouldn’t that be reasonable? We all have dreams. You’re one of the few who go after them. I have nothing but respect for that.”
She falls into my arms, emitting a sound that’s something between tears and laughter. “I love you,” she speaks, muffled directly into my suit jacket.
Kicking the door closed behind us, I wrap my arms around this incredible woman and guide her to the bed. There, I hold her, head tucked beneath my chin.
We lay in silence for a long time.
It feels like coming home.
I could hold Bethany forever and never grow tired of it. Of her.
She is mine — to encourage, to protect, to champion, and to love.
We’ve all got dreams. Hers is to make a living writing love stories. And mine? I thought it was to become a badass businessman in the big city. But I went to the city and, while there’s nothing wrong with that dream, I discovered that it wasn’t the right one for me.
So I came back to the place of my raising to try to rediscover myself and my aspirations.
Now that I’ve got Bethany nestled against my heart, I find myself wondering if this isn’t the dream — a good life with a woman I adore, building a family out in the country.
It’s too soon to tell, of course. Too soon to be talking kids and forever.
Even though that’s exactly where my heart’s at. Even though I’m so ready.
I’ll take my time with Bethany. The last thing I want is another New York on my hands.
But I’m pretty damn sure — no matter what happens in my life from this day forward, I want this woman at my side through all of it.
Bethany
Jasper holds me and I’ve never felt so safe in all my life.