Chapter 13 #3
A contented smile stretched my lips. I was really starting to like the way that sounded.
Husband. We’d been using it jokingly, but the more time I spent with Jasper and the more he used it, the more I wanted it to be true.
Maybe I wasn’t in the clearest headspace to think about it with the handjob session so fresh in my mind making the lines all very murky.
“Bees are matriarchal, I don’t think they will accept the husband excuse.”
“No, probably not. It’s just as well, I suppose. I’ve gotta get up and head to my storage unit. George’s team is going to help me install my torch and desktop kiln today. I might even be able to fire it up.”
The way his eyes lit up made my heart dance.
Sitting up, I grabbed my glasses off the side table so I could see him better.
I loved the way he looked when he talked about his work.
His golden irises shone with the starlight that first caught my eye.
Although, the intense heat I’d seen in them yesterday had made an entirely different impression. “Oh yeah? Do you need help?”
Jasper cocked his head. “Don’t you have to answer to Queen Beeatrix?”
“Queen Beeatrix?” I asked with amusement.
“Yes. your queen bee. I don’t know her name. What’s her name?”
“I haven’t given her one.”
Jasper gasped and put his hand to his chest. “I’m shocked. Shocked! To think you could be married to someone and not even know them.”
I snorted at the insinuation. “Imagine that.”
He cut me a look that was both playful and accusatory. “How could you not name her? I mean I understand not naming the boys, but she’s the queen. The queen, Gio!”
Pursing my lips to hold back my smile. “There’s a new queen every two to three years.”
“So what? She earned her crown and she deserves to be recognized. From this day henceforth, she shall be named Queen Beeatrix the First of the McNeely Clan.”
Forgetting he was naked, I reached over and grabbed him, pulling him into my lap, loving the squeak that popped out of him at the quick action.
Unable to resist, I held his face in my hands, and pecked a kiss to his lips.
Meeting his eyes, I said in as serious a voice I could muster while trying not to grin like a fool.
“So it has been written, so let it be done.”
Jasper snickered. “Glad we were able to set things right. Anyway, I know you have stuff to do, so you don’t have to come with me.”
“I can call in reinforcements. The kids have all helped in the apiary. Let me see who’s available and I’ll come with you.”
That starlight returned and he threw his arms around my neck.
I hugged him, loving the weight of his body on mine.
I tried not to think about his bare ass on my cock, separated only by the shorts I wore.
With his scent in my nose and the vivid memories of last night, it was foolish to think I’d be able to control my reaction to him.
Jasper gave a little wiggle on my lap, making the situation worse.
When he pulled away, he wore an impish smirk, clearly aware of what he’d done. “Come on, Daddy, we’ve got places to be.”
Jasper slid off me, not attempting to hide the semi he was sporting. I cleared my throat. “Yeah. In a minute.”
He barked out a laugh, and sauntered off to the bathroom, allowing me to enjoy the view.
When the door closed, I shook my head, trying to clear it, and keep myself from following him.
Just because we’d gotten off once, and he was comfortable being affectionate while nude, didn’t mean this was that kind of relationship. It wasn’t.
Grabbing my phone, I sent a message to the family group chat.
Me: Is anyone available to work today? I’m going to help Jasper with some of his equipment.
Yahir: His equipment, huh? I bet he loves it when you use his equipment.
Me: Yahir! May I remind you that Jasper is in this chat, too.
Yahir: Jasper, how well does Papa handle your equipment?
Me: Yahir!
Yahir: What? I was including him in the conversation.
I let out a sigh and shook my head. He always liked to push in that playful way of his, but it was different now that I had someone in my life, someone I cared about, and didn’t want him to feel objectified.
Me: You can’t see my face, but I’m sure you can imagine what it looks like.
Yahir: Sorry, Papa. And Jasper. I’m just having a little fun.
I knew he didn’t mean any harm, but he was growing a little too comfortable and confident in his young adulthood.
No, he wasn’t my biological son, I hadn’t raised him from birth, so I usually gave a lot of leeway when it came to his lewd comments, but there were times he needed to learn to rein it in a bit.
Nicky: I can leave after second period and come home.
Me: No, young lady. I appreciate the thought, but you gotta stick it out the whole day.
Nicky: They’re watching a movie in Government and I can work on my essay for English at home.
Me: Sorry, sweetheart, you gotta stay at school. Also, I’m pretty sure you’re not supposed to be texting in class.
Nicky: It was the family chat, I had to make sure it wasn’t important.
Me: We’re all fine, put your phone away.
Nicky: Sigh. Bye everyone.
Eduardo: I wish I could, but they have a big delivery at work today and my boss asked me to come in early.
Me: That’s fine. Go the extra mile, it makes a good impression.
Yahir: I can come.
Now I felt bad for making him feel bad, it was the hardest part of this role I’d taken on.
Me: I’m not mad at you, kiddo. I don’t want you to do it because you feel like you have to.
Yahir: I don’t. I’ll be there. You have nothing to worry about. Go help your husband.
Me: Thanks, Yahir. We’ll be back later, let me know if you need anything.
With that set, I got out of bed, needing to pee. I went to the bathroom door and hesitated, not wanting to barge in. I knocked and Jasper shouted out with a muffled voice, “You can come in.”
We had seen each other naked, or mostly, and had made each other come, surely sharing the bathroom shouldn’t be such a big deal, but it felt like it. It was intimate in an entirely new way. Slowly pushing the door open, I saw Jasper—still nude—brushing his teeth at the sink.
“Sorry, I have to pee.”
He gave a nod toward the toilet and said around the toothbrush, “Go ahead.”
Was this any different from standing at a urinal beside another man?
I chanced a glance, eyes raking over Jasper’s perky ass, an ass I desperately wanted to explore.
The thought made my cock chub up. Yup. Definitely not the same as a public bathroom.
I stood at the toilet, and tried to think of anything but him, until I was able to relieve myself.
When I was done, Jasper slid over, giving me room to wash my hands as he spat in the sink.
I met his gaze in the mirror with my cheeks flushing red and he gave me a wink while white foam sat on the corner of his mouth.
That simple action had my mind swirling through possibilities.
Nope. Focus, Gio. Focus and flee. I hurried out of the bathroom and rushed to get changed.
Jasper came out a few minutes later. He’d changed his septum ring from a sparkly one to a simple bull ring with silver balls on the ends.
Noses weren’t really something I’d paid a lot of attention to, but I loved his piercing.
He was able to change his look with a simple piece of jewelry.
I found myself always checking to see which piece he wore and what kind of styles he liked.
It was one of those details I filed away for later.
Jasper got dressed, wearing basic jeans and a tee with his logo on it. Kiss My Glass. The name made me smile. I loved that he was so confident about starting his glass business that he already had branded clothing. Seeing the logo again, an idea popped into my head, another thing to tuck away.
Soon, we were in my truck, which we decided would be easier to load than his Jeep.
I didn’t know what to expect when we got to the storage unit, but when he opened the rolling door, my jaw dropped.
It was a large unit and it was full. I knew he said he’d been preparing for a while, but it didn’t fully sink in until I saw the endless crates and boxes.
“Wow.”
Jasper nodded his head and turned around, holding his arms out. “Yeah. This is a shop in a box, basically.”
“There’s so much.”
“I had big plans. Have big plans.” He walked to a nearby crate and trailed a finger along the top of it. “I’ve spent so much time collecting what I needed in hopes they would all have a home some day, and it’s finally within reach.”
Sidling up to him, I slipped my hand into his and gave it a squeeze. “It’s so close, Jasper.”
He let his head fall against my shoulder. “Thanks to you.”
“No, I don’t get all the credit. Look at this. Look at what you’ve done all on your own. I mean, I don’t know what everything is, but I’m sure it all has a purpose.”
Jasper stood up and rolled his shoulders back. “It does. God, I can’t wait to show it all to you. Do you know you’re the first person I’ve brought here? I’ve never had anyone to share all of this with.”
“I’m honored it’s me that you’ve chosen to share it with.”Jasper lifted his eyes to meet my gaze with a look of sincerity. “Thank you for caring, Gio.”
I reached up and tugged on the end of one of his long curls that hung around his face. “I do care, Jasper, and I’m so proud of you.”
Jasper pushed up on his toes, smashing his mouth into mine. It wasn’t a probing, heated kiss, but one that was filled with gratitude. I could practically feel it pouring out of him.
When he parted, lowering back down until his feet were flat on the floor, he had tears welling up in his eyes. “That might be the first time someone has said that to me.”
My heart ached for him. I wanted to draw him in my arms and hold tight, never letting go. I wanted to smother him with all the praise he deserved. And I wanted to throttle his parents for never recognizing what an incredible person their son was.
“Let’s load up, so we can get back, and you can show Daddy what you can do.
” The word came out unintentionally, and I froze, realizing what I’d said.
Jasper had been using it more often and I had to admit it had been growing on me.
I never imagined myself as a Daddy, but damn, if it didn’t sound good coming out of his mouth.
Jasper’s eyes sparked and he grinned wickedly. “Ha! You like it. I thought so.”
I felt my cheeks burn hot. “I don’t… not like it.”
His beautiful laugh echoed around the storage unit and he slid a hand up my chest, making my skin warm beneath my shirt. Jasper leaned in close, whispering in my ear. “I’m going to get so hot for you, Daddy.”
I swallowed audibly as my brain shut off completely. “You… are?”
“Yup. As soon as we get this torch set up. It fires at about thirty-six hundred degrees.” He patted my chest and gave me a wink before directing me to one of the crates, and pulling me out of my paralysis.
Damn. He could go from sweet to hot to playful in a matter of seconds and I was ready to buy unlimited tickets to this delightful rollercoaster ride.
I looked at the ring on my hand. I wonder how many this would get me?