Chapter 19 #2
“Yeah, yet… But I’m really hoping that changes.
” I hold her gaze, letting every ounce of what I feel pour into it.
I want her to see everything I’m not saying out loud.
No games. No pressure. Just my truth laid bare between us because whatever this is, whatever it’s becoming, it matters, and I want her to know I’m all in.
“That’s sweet,” Brenda says with a fond smile. “See? Jasper understands. Love is meant to be forever.”
“I agree,” Addie says softly. “Love is forever… but only if it’s the right kind.”
I watch her carefully, something tightening in my chest. “And what does the right kind of love look like to you, Addison?”
Her eyes shift away from mine, and her teeth catch her bottom lip like she’s holding back everything she wants to say. But before any of it slips out, she clears her throat. “Excuse me, I need to use the bathroom.”
I’ll give her two minutes, then I’m going after her.
“I’m sorry about that, Jasper. She’s been through a lot.”
“I know. But don’t try to push her back toward someone who doesn’t value her. She’s beautiful, and there are men out there who would kill for the chance to love your daughter. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get myself a drink.”
I make my way through the crowd, eyes scanning until I spot the bathrooms. The second I see the sign, I don’t hesitate. I slip inside, and I’m immediately hit with the scent—it’s so much nicer in here than the men’s room. It smells like perfume and something floral, maybe jasmine or lavender.
Addie’s standing at the counter, both hands gripping the edge, staring hard at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes lift and catch mine just as I reach behind me and turn the lock.
Three strides and I’m right behind her, close enough to breathe her in and bury my face in the curve of her neck. My lips find her bare shoulder, lingering there while my fingers trace the delicate strap of her dress and ease it down her arm.
“Jasper…”
“Tell me,” I murmur, sliding my hands over the silk of her dress until my thumbs brush her nipples, feeling them tighten under my touch. “Tell me I’m not the only one who’s fallen in love.”
“You’re not,” she whispers. “You know you’re not.”
My hand glides down her side, over the dip of her waist, and I don’t dare look away from her reflection.
I find the slit in her dress and drag my hand up her thigh, slow enough to drive us both mad, until my fingers slip between her legs, and I cup her bare pussy. I just hold her there, fingers spread, feeling how she flutters against my palm.
“You feel that?” I whisper, my eyes holding hers in the mirror, as I push my fingers to the edge of her entrance. “That’s not just need. That’s your body begging for me, not just to fuck you, but to love you.”
“I love you, Jasper,” she whispers, turning her face toward mine.
“I don’t know what will happen tomorrow.
I don’t know what this becomes when you leave, and there’s still so much I need to figure out here…
But I do know that I want to love you out there.
I need to love you out there in the real world, where it’s loud and messy and hard.
Because, god, Jasper… you’re everything. ”
That’s it. That’s all it takes. I kiss her like I might never get another chance, tongue sliding past her lips, needing her everywhere, needing her always.
We don’t stop, not even as my fingers find her clit, brushing slow circles over her, my heart thundering so hard it feels like it could break right through my chest and fall into her hands.
She loves me.
The thought drives my fingers lower, and I push one inside her, slow at first, then deeper, rougher, as need takes hold. Our kiss turns savage, and her moans melt into my mouth as I start fucking her with my fingers.
When I finally tear my lips away, her eyes find mine in the mirror. My left hand covers her mouth, catching the sounds she can’t hold back, and her body tightens around me as I curl my fingers just right.
She’s shaking, her breath hot against my palm. “Keep your eyes on me. Don’t you dare close them.”
My fingers keep moving inside her, and the way she looks at me is like she’s high on everything we are.
On everything I give her.
On me.
“I’m so in love with you, angel,” I whisper against her skin. “Can I keep you forever?” She moans loud enough against my hand that I’m taking it as a hell yes.
My fingers stay buried inside her, knuckles deep, still moving, when the door handle rattles behind us, and everything stills.
“Adds?” I roll my eyes and drag my teeth along her shoulder, biting down just hard enough to leave proof. My girl. My name on her body. “I know you’re in there. Your mom told me.”
I slip my fingers from inside her, but I don’t stop touching her. I bring the wetness up and over her clit, while my other hand leaves her mouth. She looks at me, her eyes wide with panic.
I raise my brows—answer him.
Her eyes narrow back—are you fucking crazy?
For her? Always.
“We need to talk. Let me in.”
“Leave me alone, Mikey.”
“Atta girl,” I murmur darkly. “Now keep talking while I make you come with him right outside the door.” She shudders, and I feel it all—every twitch, every shake, the way her body begs to break for me.
“We’re not done, Adds,” Mikey barks from the hallway. “Open the door.”
“Maybe we should let him in,” I whisper. “Let him see it just once. The first and last time he ever gets to watch you come. Watch you fall apart for someone who actually knows how to touch you.”
She lets out a broken whimper, and her pussy clamps down on my fingers. I slap my hand back over her mouth, dragging her closer to my chest.
“I can feel it,” I growl into her ear. “You’re gonna come for me, aren’t you, angel? You’re going to soak my fingers while he stands there begging for a piece of something that was never really his.”
Her whole body jerks, her moan muffled against my palm, and I don’t let up. I can’t. I’m too far gone, and she’s too perfect like this.
The door handle rattles violently, and I slide my hand away from her mouth again, just enough for her to speak.
“Will you fuck off, Mikey? Only crazy people barge into women’s bathrooms.” My brow arches slowly, my head tilting as I catch the grin curling across her lips.
I’m the crazy bastard who came in here uninvited, backed her into a corner, and didn’t ask for permission—and she let me because she loves me.
“You think that’s crazy?” I whisper, dragging my tongue across her skin.
“You don’t even know what crazy looks like yet.
” I pinch her clit between my thumb and forefinger, rolling it slowly.
“Tell me, angel… Are you really ready to tell the world you’re mine?
Because once you do, there’s no going back. ”
She stills, breath hitching in her throat, and then she nods.
“Yo, Mikey,” I call out, loud enough to carry through the door.
There’s a pause—longer than I expected—and I can’t help the wave of satisfaction that rolls through me.
“Who’s that?” he finally asks, and I can hear the crack in his voice.
“I’m trying to make my girl feel good, so maybe do what she asked and fuck off.”
“Hastings?” he yells. “Is that you?”
At the sound of my name, her whole body pulls tight. She’s about to snap in my hands, and fuck, she’s right there, fluttering, soaked, and desperate to break.
“Call out to me, angel,” I whisper, my forehead pressed into her hair. “Let me belong to you.”
I slip my hand from her mouth just as she comes undone, her body shuddering against mine, her cry—“Jasper”—tearing from her throat, and it’s fucking stunning.
I keep stroking her through every aftershock, holding her up as she melts back into me, both of us ignoring the pounding at the door. Thank God this bathroom is tucked away from the party, or Mikey would have the whole place witnessing this.
For the next few minutes, all I want is to kiss her. Then I’ll make damn sure Mikey King knows he’s never getting anywhere near her again.