9. Harper #2
“He’s only in town for work. His company is actually doing the renovations for the shopping strip on Elm.
” She nods, waiting for me to continue. “Bree, he’s gorgeous, like dampen your panties gorgeous.
Blue eyes, brown hair, with tattoos.” She moans along with me at the description, but I know it doesn’t do him justice.
“For the first time in a long time, I wanted something with someone, but then I looked back at my stellar track record of relationships and just couldn’t let myself take that chance. Lizzie needs me whole and present.”
“No, Lizzie needs you to be happy and fulfilled. You work yourself to death, doing everything for her. No one would fault you for finding your own pleasure.”
“Well, he’s only here to get the project started, then he’s leaving, so there’s no point.”
“Huh, I can think of a few points, if he’s as hot as you say.” We laugh, and my heart already feels lighter.
“Oh, speaking of Bobo the sperm donor,” I add, remembering my call with Cass.
Bree recoils, scrunching her pert little nose. “Ew, do we have to?”
“I was talking with Cass yesterday, and apparently, her mom called her so excited to drop some fresh gossip. Seems he showed up at an event last week drunk off his ass, rambling about the pressure on him from his in-laws. How no one understands the stress he’s under and the demands being placed on him.
His wife just stood there looking mortified over the whole thing. ”
“Yikes.”
“Oh, there’s more.” Bree pulls her feet onto her chair and leans forward, primed for all the dirt.
“He spotted my aunt there and made a beeline for her. Started asking where I moved to, how my kid was, did I have a boy or girl, how old the kid was. When she said she wasn’t sure, he got all worked up, demanding she call and find out, and he even asked for my number.
He was so belligerent that security had to escort him out of the gala.
It was quite the spectacle, if my aunt's recount can be trusted.”
“His poor wife. Gah, can you imagine being married to that tool?”
“No kidding. I’m so glad things didn’t work out with him.
It’s kinda creepy that he suddenly was talking about me after all this time.
For once, I’m glad my family doesn’t give a shit about my life and couldn’t give him details about Lizzie.
Even if it was only due to being drunk, it’s wild that he thought he had any right to know anything about us after ignoring our existence for five years. ”
“Absolutely! What a douche.” Bree shakes her head, toasting me before taking a huge gulp of her wine and deadpans, “How much do you want to bet your blue-eyed dream boat’s junk is twice the size of Curtis’s?”
Of course, she says that right as I take a drink. The unexpected comment causes an uncontrollable laugh to burst free and wine to pour out of my nose.
She has a good laugh at my expense before we move on to plans for the fair tomorrow.
Saturday is loud and busy, and last year, it overwhelmed Lizzie, but Sunday is more lowkey.
Lots of kids’ events, and a town dance to cap it off.
Lizzie loves that part, so I planned our massage booth to only be on Saturday, that way I could be with her all day.
Wren will sell products and discounted bookings, but the booth will be closed by four, so she can have fun and join the revelry, too.
Bree stays another hour before heading off with plans to meet up at the festival.
It felt good telling her about Jace. It’s a silly crush, but it’s also the first time in so long that anyone has sparked my interest. Of course, he’s only in town for a short while, and nothing can happen, but it woke something in me that I had given up on—hope.
Hope that maybe, someday, I will find someone to share my life with.
Crawling into bed, my mind goes back to my time with Jace.
Watching him in the competition, the feel of his hard muscles under my hands, his intense stare that made me feel like I was the only person around.
My core tightens with need, wetness pooling.
Knowing I won’t be able to sleep like this, I snake one hand up under my shirt, teasing and twisting my nipples until they are both hard peaks.
Picturing Jace’s mouth on them, sucking and biting.
Closing my eyes, I give in to the fantasy of him, here in my bed.
Body poised above me, his mouth tasting and taking what he wants.
Reaching into my nightstand, pulling out lube and my favorite vibrator, I settle in for some self-care. It’s been a while since I used this, and the way I’m already on fire from just some nipple play tells me it has been too long. Settling back, I press the power button.
“Shit,” I groan when nothing happens. It probably needs to be charged. Tossing it to the side, I close my eyes again, determined to not let that keep me from this fantasy.
I slip my fingers into my sleep shorts and slide them through my seam.
The wetness pooling there is further evidence of how much that man affects me.
Slowly, I dip my fingers inside of myself, gathering more wetness, before pumping into my pussy a few times just to feel the friction before sliding them to my swollen clit.
Swirling slow rhythmic circles around the sensitive bud, my breath hitching.
Biting my lip hard to stifle the moan, I continue working myself, picturing Jace between my thighs.
I’ve never had anyone go down on me, but I imagine that rough stubble on his cheeks brushing against the inside of my thighs.
His blue eyes watching me as he feasts on my pussy.
My hips rock against my hand, chasing release.
My body heats, and my core goes tight as an orgasm slams through me.
“Jace!” I cry into the dark room, panting, wishing like hell it was his tongue between my legs instead of my fingers. Once my breath returns, I run to the bathroom to clean up, then fall asleep still thinking of those blue eyes.
Sunday of the Summer Berry Festival is my favorite. The town all shows up to eat, play, and have fun. The street dance will start soon, the band on stage tuning their instruments, and the crowd is growing steadily in anticipation. We already hit up the bouncy house, carousel, and pony rides.
Lizzie wasn’t quite ready to ride this year, but she did pet one of the ponies and fed her an apple.
Her sweet giggles made everyone smile as the horse's soft muzzle rubbed her palm. We sat and watched other kids take rides for a full hour. Maybe after the fair, I’ll see if Lizzie and I can visit the farm to try and get her used to them without the crowds and noise of the festival.
I love horses and have been reading about how kids with autism benefit from equine therapy.
The plan had been to spend today at the fair with Bree, but unfortunately, a migraine and horrible cramps took her out of commission right before dinner, so it’s just me and Lizzie tonight for the dance.
The sun is setting, and the twinkly lights that run along the main street just came on.
It makes everything feel magical. As soon as the band starts to play, Lizzie grabs my hand, clutching me tightly with her little fingers.
She leads me into the crowd and starts dancing.
The way she lights up on any dance floor and the pure joy emanating from her in these moments is all I could ever need in my life.
We dance for four songs before I insist on a break and some water.
Lizzie is just starting to tug at my hand again when my name is called out, “Harper!” Without looking, I know it’s Wren.
I spin to greet her, and my heart leaps into my throat.
She has Blake in hand and Jace is trailing a step behind with his hands stuffed into his pockets.
He’s in jeans and a baseball tee, Vans, and has that same ball cap on, flipped backward.
Lord, save me. My fantasy did not do him justice.
Heat flares on my cheeks as I remember moaning his name as I orgasmed around my fingers last night.
“And hello to you, too, Ms. Lizzie.” Wren drops to her knees, not concerned with her flowy dress now in the dirt. I watch them for a second before looking at Jace. Our eyes meet, and everything around us falls away.
“Hey.” His smile makes my knees weak.
“Hey yourself.”
I’m lost in his stare until Lizzie launches herself onto my legs. I stumble and am caught by strong hands that grasp my arms. Electrical currents course through me feeling his skin on mine. I’m frozen, staring at Jace like an idiot.