24. Ariana
24
ARIANA
T here’s something about the way Jasper holds me that makes everything quiet inside.
All the chaos that normally lives behind my eyes—the constant hum of fear, the tight coil of anxiety, the dull ache of abandonment I’ve carried with me since the day I was told to leave my foster home—goes still. Like someone finally found the switch and turned it off.
Like he found it and turned it off.
I melt into him, my cheek pressed against the solid warmth of his chest. His heartbeat is a steady rhythm beneath my skin, calm and strong and impossibly grounding. My fingers curl into his shirt, holding on—not because I think he’ll let go, but because even now, there’s a part of me that can’t believe I’m allowed to hold on at all.
The blankets are pulled up around us, cocooning us in heat and safety. His arm is wrapped solidly around my back, his thumb moving in slow, lazy circles on my spine. I feel the rise and fall of his breathing, slow and even, like he could stay this way forever.
I don’t want to ruin it.
But there’s something sitting heavily in my chest, something I need to say aloud. So I pull back just enough to look up at him. The room is dim, with soft shadows and golden streaks from the nightlight on his dresser. His eyes are already on me, as if he knew I was about to speak.
“Do you think I’m a terrible person?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
His brows pinch together, confusion flickering in his expression. “What?”
“For stealing,” I continue softly. “All those years. All the things I took. From strangers. From people who never even saw me coming. Do you think that makes me a bad person?”
He doesn’t answer right away. He studies me, his gaze steady and serious, weighing up my words like he knows how much they cost me to say.
Then he shakes his head, firm and sure. “No. I don’t.”
“But—”
“I think,” he interrupts gently, “you did what you had to do. You were surviving. You were doing what you were taught to do by people who should’ve known better. That doesn’t make you bad. That makes you strong .”
My throat constricts. I blink quickly, trying to keep the tears at bay.
“But you don’t have to do that anymore,” he says. “You don’t have to steal. You don’t have to hustle for scraps or sleep with one eye open or wonder where your next meal’s coming from.”
I shake my head, swallowing hard. “It’s not that easy. You can’t just… take care of me, Jasper.”
His arms wrap around me tighter, like he’s afraid I might slip away.
“I can do whatever the hell I want,” he says, voice gruff and low. “I’m your Daddy, remember?”
I roll my eyes, even as my heart skips in my chest. “That doesn’t give you magic powers.”
He lifts a brow, smirking. “You sure about that?”
“Positive.”
He leans in close, the heat of his breath brushing my ear. “Do you want a spanking, Little girl?”
A bolt of electricity shoots straight through me. My breath catches, my entire body going still.
“No,” I whisper, too fast.
His chuckle is low and dangerous, curling around me like smoke. He shifts his hand beneath the blanket and delivers a swift, stinging swat to my backside. Just one. Though it’s enough to make me gasp.
“Then behave,” he murmurs, and before I can gather a single coherent thought, his mouth is on mine.
It’s not a kiss for comfort. It’s a claim. A promise. His hand fists in my hair, holding me close as his lips move over mine with intention, with heat. He kisses me like he means it, like he’s marking the moment, branding it into the space between us.
By the time we part, I’m breathless and flushed and clinging to him like I’ll never get enough.
He cups my chin, lifting my face so I can’t look away from him.
“You’re mine now,” he says, voice rough. “I’m going to take care of you, every damn day. You hear me? No more running. No more surviving. You belong with me, and I’m never letting you leave.”
I narrow my eyes and arch an eyebrow. “That sounds suspiciously like kidnap.”
He laughs, full-bodied and unguarded, the sound rumbling from his chest like thunder.
“Guess you better not try to run, then,” he quips, grinning and kissing me again.
And for the first time in my life, being someone’s doesn’t feel like a trap.
It feels like being chosen .
He says I belong to him, and I believe him. But I want more than that. I want him to own me. In every way. I want to give myself to him like I’ve never done with anyone because deep in my heart, I know we are something so special. People spend a lifetime looking for the connection we share, and yet, I don’t think we’ve done more than scratch the surface.
“Daddy,” I whisper, trailing my hand down his front, feeling the hard planes of his rigid muscles as I go lower and lower.
Jasper holds his breath for a beat before he answers me. “Hm?”
I’ve already gotten his attention, and for some reason, it makes me feel powerful.
“Fuck me,” I blurt out.
Heat rises to my cheeks, and I bite back a smile. I can’t believe I just said that. Like I’m some experienced woman who just tells men to fuck her. Go me.
“Baby,” he mutters roughly.
He’s so tense under my touch, like he’s barely hanging on. And maybe he is. I’ve seen him adjust his pants a few dozen times since we met.
“Fuck me, Daddy. Please? I trust you, and I know you’ll make it so good. I want to do the same for you, too.”
A low groan rises from his throat, and he tightens his arms around me. “Shit, rainbow. You’re killing me. Do you think I can say no to you? You have me wrapped around your tiny little fingers.”
Before I can respond, he pushes me onto my back and rolls over me, holding himself up on his forearms. The vein in his neck bulges and races as he stares down at me.
“You’re sure?”
I nod and wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him into my core. His dick is already hard as it presses against me. Shoot, it feels big. A rush of arousal courses through me at the thought of him stretching me wide open and taking me. I’ve touched myself more times than I can count while thinking about that happening, but now, feeling him, it’s definitely going to be a tight fit.
“I’m positive. If I want you to stop, I’ll say red.”
His pupils dilate, and seconds later, he’s tearing both of our clothes until we’re both completely naked under the covers. When I look down between us, a soft gasp escapes.
“Don’t worry, baby girl. I’m going to get you ready. I don’t want to hurt you. That’s the last thing I ever want to do in this life.”
I’m not really sure how he plans to get me ready, but he doesn’t give me time to wonder because his mouth is on me. Kissing, licking, biting everywhere. My lips, my earlobe, my neck, down to the swell of my breast. His scruff scrapes against my skin, and I shiver from head to toe.
“So beautiful,” he says the words while pressing a kiss to the center of my chest. “So soft and sweet, yet sassy and silly. My perfect Little thief.”
He closes his lips around my nipple and when he starts to suck, I see stars. I jolt and whimper, my fingers threading through his hair.
Oh, God, that feels good. How does it feel so naughty?
“Shit,” I cry out.
Jasper chuckles and lifts his head. “My girl has a filthy mouth when she’s aroused.”
I shoot him an innocent smile and shrug. He merely winks at me, then goes back to my nipple.
Wetness pools between my legs, and I use his thigh for friction as I start to thrust my hips. As if he knows exactly what I need, he moves his knee higher, giving me more pressure. The longer I grind against him, the more turned on I get until I’m panting and crying out his name. Electricity shoots through me and Jasper sucks and bites my nipples while I ride the waves of pleasure.
“Fuck, baby. You’re coming. Good fucking girl. So good.”
My clit convulses, and my nipples tingle as I explode, my nails digging into Jasper’s shoulders for leverage. He might be bloody by the time I’m done, but that’s a later problem. And from the way he’s thrusting against me, too, I don’t think he minds the bite of pain.
When I quiet, he presses slow, gentle kisses to my neck, but I push him back so I can look him in the eye.
“I want to feel you. You can do all this stuff another time. I’m going to die if you don’t fuck me right now.”
Raising an eyebrow, he smirks. “Are you in charge here?”
Uh-oh.
“Um, yes?”
He chuckles and reaches over to the nightstand. “Remind me to spank your ass later for being sassy. I’m going to let you get what you want this time, but that’s not going to happen every time, rainbow. Sometimes, I won’t let you have any control in bed whatsoever. Understand?”
Okay, when he says it like that… Maybe I should have let him take control. Except, knowing Jasper, if I don’t demand it this time, he might take all night getting me ready because he’s worried about hurting me. The big grump has a heart of gold sometimes, especially when it comes to me.
“Yes, Daddy,” I say a little too enthusiastically as I bob my head even more.
He rips the condom wrapper open with his teeth and shakes his head like he can’t believe he’s actually letting me tell him what to do. Then he lines the head of his cock up with me, and I’m suddenly unable to breathe.
“Baby, look at me,” he commands.
I obey and meet his tender gaze. “I’m okay.”
“I’m going to go slow, but it’s going to pinch. Tell me to stop, just say so. I don’t want to hurt you.”
Tears fill my eyes, and I blink them back the best I can as I give him a watery smile. “You won’t, Daddy. I trust you.”
He leans down and kisses me as he presses his hips forward. I whimper as his cock stretches me open, inching his way in so unbelievably slowly that it’s almost worse than the physical pain.
I try to move my hips, and as I do, I rub my clit against him, sending a shot of pleasure through me so I do it again and again.
Jasper groans in my ear. “Fuck, baby. You’re going to make me come if you keep doing that.”
“It feels good,” I pant breathlessly.
“Then keep doing it, baby. Keep taking the pleasure you need. Use me for your satisfaction, Little one.”
We both move together, grinding against each other while we cling to one another like our lives depend on it. It’s almost a mix of fucking and making love as we kiss and bite and moan.
Almost all the initial pain is gone, replaced with nothing but pure magic when Jasper starts thrusting faster and harder as I beg him for more.
Something prickles within me, and as if he feels it too, he lowers his head and latches onto one of my nipples, sending shockwaves through me that make me unable to hold on any longer. I claw and thrash, bucking against his hips until I scream.
“Daddy! Oh, fuck me,” I cry, my head falling onto the mattress while I soak in every second of my orgasm.
“Jesus Christ,” he roars at the same time. His balls slap against my ass loudly as his movements become erratic.
When he pauses mid-thrust, I feel his cock pulsing, sending a wave of satisfaction through me.
“It wasn’t supposed to go that fast,” he mumbles, hovering over me, both of us panting.
I smile and let out a soft giggle. “Should I take it as a compliment?”
He grins. “Yeah, rainbow. It’s a huge fucking compliment. Love being a three-second man for you.”
“It was longer than three seconds!” I hit his chest playfully, smiling up at him. “Besides, you were a perfect gentleman and let me come first.”
“Christ.” He rolls his eyes, then leans down and kisses me. “I’m glad you came, but I’m sorry it was so rushed. Your first time should have been special.”
Reaching up, I cup his face in my hands. “Daddy, that was special. We’ll have more chances to take our time, but that… that felt perfect.”
Jasper stares at me for a long moment, as if he’s trying to make sure I’m being honest. Relief washes over him as he nods and presses a gentle kiss to my lips.
“I’m glad, baby. You mean a lot to me, Ariana,” he says roughly.
A lump forms in my throat as I nuzzle into him. “You mean a lot to me, too, Daddy.”
“Good.” He slowly and gently pulls out of me and gets off the bed. “Because now, Daddy is going to clean you up, slide your pacifier into your mouth, and snuggle you all night long.”
And they say fairytales don’t exist. I’m starting to think that’s a big fat lie because I think Jasper is my prince.
“Can we have sex again?”
He chuckles as he heads to the bathroom. “I’m not sure we’re going to get to sleep any time soon, rainbow. I’ve just got a taste of you, and I’m already dying for more.”
Luckily for me, we didn’t go to sleep until nearly four in the morning after he made up for his quickness several times.
Best. Night. Ever.
* * *
T he sun is warm on my skin, a soft breeze rustling the leaves above us as I lie sprawled on a thick checkered blanket, surrounded by snacks and giggles. We’re having a picnic—me, Ember, and Rowie—all of us nestled in a little pocket of sunshine beyond the gardens.
Cage and Jasper spread out blankets for us earlier, making sure there was enough room to stretch out and enough pillows to lounge on. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this content just… existing. The sky is a perfect pale blue, and the scent of flowers mixes with the buttery aroma of pastries stacked on a tray near my elbow.
We’ve got little plates with cheese and crackers, grapes, strawberries, and flaky croissants, plus sippy cups filled with juice that makes Ember giggle every time she takes a sip.
“This is the best picnic ever,” Rowie declares, lying on her back and kicking her feet into the air.
Ember hums in agreement, her mouth full of raspberry pastry. “Especially because I don’t have to share.”
I laugh, nibbling on a cracker, feeling the sun’s rays and the sweetness of the moment soaking into my bones. I don’t remember ever having a moment like this—carefree, soft, safe.
Footsteps crunch softly on the grass, and we all glance up as Theo approaches. He gives us a crooked smile and lowers himself onto the edge of the blanket I’m lounging on, stretching his legs out beside mine.
“Ladies,” he says, nodding. “How’s the royal feast?”
“Delicious.” Rowie grins.
Theo glances at my plate, then shoots me a quick wink. My heart does a tiny flip.
Without hesitation, he reaches over and grabs one of my crackers already topped with a neat square of cheese. He pops the entire thing in his mouth, chewing with exaggerated slowness, making Ember giggle again.
I laugh, too, because something’s different this time. Normally, someone touching my plate would send a spike of panic straight through me. But now? Now, I feel… okay.
When Theo reaches for another cracker, his hand hovers briefly, his eyes flicking to mine. He’s checking. Making sure it’s all right with me.
I give a small nod, and he snags another, this time more confident.
A crumb falls from his hand and lands right on his dark T-shirt. Without thinking, I reach out to brush it off, but then stop myself short, my fingers only inches from his chest. My eyes go wide as I yank my hand back, embarrassed.
Theo looks down, sees the crumb, then looks up at me.
“It’s okay,” he says softly.
I swallow and nod, reaching out again, this time slower, and sweeps the crumb away. His body tenses slightly under my touch, but he doesn’t pull away.
When our eyes meet again, his expression is unreadable for a beat, then he gives me a small, grateful smile.
“Thank you,” he mouths silently.
I grin, my cheeks flushing, and turn back to the plate of fruit just as Ember launches into a story about a squirrel she saw dancing outside the kitchen window. We all laugh and chatter, lost in our own little world.
And to me, it’s the most perfect world ever.
* * *
“I want to show you something.”
Jasper laces his fingers through mine, his palm soft against my own as he gently pulls me toward the stairs in his house. I follow without question, butterflies fluttering in my stomach. There’s a quiet excitement in the air, and it’s thrumming between us with every step.
We reach the second floor, and he leads me down the hallway to a door that’s closest to the main bedroom. He pauses there, turning to face me, his expression unreadable for a beat before it softens.
“I’ve been working on this since the first night you slept in my bed,” he tells me, voice low, almost hesitant. “I didn’t think I’d ever find someone for me. But I found you. And you’re it, rainbow. You’re my perfect Little girl.”
My heart catches in my throat.
He squeezes my hand gently, searching my eyes. “I want you to stay. Forever. I want it to be official that we both know you’re not leaving.”
I blink up at him, the corners of my lips twitching into a small smile. “Do I have a choice?”
To my surprise, he smiles back, a quiet warmth in his eyes. “Of course you do. You have the ultimate power. Always. It’s your choice, baby.”
I step a little closer, pressing my forehead gently to his chest for a second before tilting my head up to meet his gaze. “From the moment you brought me here… you and your family have treated me like I belong. Like I’m not a burden. Like I’m… wanted. And for the first time in my life, I actually feel like I belong somewhere.”
His jaw flexes, like he’s trying to keep his emotions in check.
“And even though it’s only been a few weeks,” I continue softly, “I can’t imagine my life without you now. I don’t want to. I want to stay. I’d love to stay.”
His eyes brighten, and his grip on my hand tightens just a little, as though the words physically anchor him.
“But,” I add, lifting my chin just slightly, “I have one condition.”
He raises a brow, wary. “What’s that?”
“I want to figure out how to get a job. Learn some skills. Be capable of taking care of myself, too. I don’t want to always be dependent on someone else to survive.”
He groans softly, like the idea physically pains him, but he nods. “Fine,” he mutters. “But I still get to spoil you.”
I grin. “Deal.”
He releases my hand long enough to reach for the doorknob. “All right, close your eyes.”
I giggle but obey, squeezing my eyes shut.
There’s a soft creak as the door opens, the faint scent of fresh paint drifting out. Then his voice, low and full of emotion: “Okay. You can look now.”
I blink and my eyes fly open—and instantly, I gasp.
The room beyond the door is a dream.
Soft pinks and pastels color the space, with plush rugs, twinkle lights strung across the ceiling, and a cozy reading nook in the corner surrounded by shelves filled with picture books. There’s a small table with coloring supplies, bins of toys and stuffies, and in the center of the room, there’s a fluffy, oversized bean bag with a rainbow blanket draped over it.
Tears spring to my eyes, unbidden.
“You… you did this for me?” I whisper, stepping into the room, my hand flying to my mouth.
“Every bit of it,” he says from behind me. “For you .”