16. Harper
Harper
Jace comes in just as I’m setting the table. “Wow, something smells good in here,” he says, smiling. I nearly trip over my feet. I’m so nervous about tonight but also excited beyond belief.
“Hope you like fettuccine alfredo,” I call over my shoulder as I get Lizzie’s plate made.
“Love it, can I help with anything?”
“No, everything is ready. Just getting Lizzie some dino nuggets and mac and cheese; she’s a picky eater.” Smiling, I try to hide my anxiousness. I’ve never had a guy over for dinner with Lizzie and me. This is all such unchartered territory with Jace.
“Ah, I see she has refined taste. Dino nuggets are the superior nuggets, after all.” And just like that, he put me at ease.
“Oh, yes, she has a very discerning palate. Kraft mac and cheese is the only acceptable form of mac and cheese to pair with any meal.”
He chuckles, opening his mouth to speak, but Lizzie races in, halting all conversation. She looks at the table and instantly starts to protest, shaking her head and pointing at the offensive pasta sitting on the table.
“Lizzie, that is for mommy and Jace, but this is for you!” I say, showing her the plate I’m filling with all her favorites.
Not wanting to risk a food meltdown in front of Jace, I had pulled out the sure things in Lizzie's diet.
She claps her hands then crawls into her booster seat, ready to dig in.
Once we are all settled in our seats, Jace and I fill our plates.
It’s then that I realize we still have Sofia the First playing in the living room.
I know proper etiquette would be to turn it off, but Lizzie is content and happy, and having someone new at dinner is so out of routine, so I decide to let it stay on, hoping it keeps Lizzie content and doesn’t make Jace go crazy.
There is a lull at the table, and I realize I need to say something, anything to fill the silence, but fuck, my mind has gone blank.
As in, I cannot think of a single thing to say that isn’t about chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, and kids’ shows.
Dammit, what am I doing? I’ve been solely in mom mode for so long, and apparently, I have lost the ability to make small talk with a sexy man.
I glance up to find Jace watching me, and I feel my cheeks go pink, knowing I probably look frazzled. He grins, giving me a wink before turning his attention to Lizzie.
“Hey, Lizzie, are those dino nuggets good?” She turns to look at his plate then at her own.
I watch curiously to see what she will do.
Lizzie picks up one and starts to reach out to give it to him, then snatches it back and puts it down on her plate.
Which she covers with a napkin then hops up and patters over to the counter where a plate of nuggets sits.
She grabs one in her little fist and runs full speed to Jace, holding it out.
He starts to reach for it, and she drops it on his plate instead then stands there watching him closely out of the corner of her eye.
“You don’t have to…” I start but Jace picks up the now squished nugget and inspects it carefully before biting off its head with a growl.
“This is delicious, Lizzie, thank you.” Lizzie’s peals of laughter fill the room, and I watch in awe at his easy way with her.
Lizzie moves back to her plate and digs in.
After that moment of utter cuteness, Jace and I find our rhythm and chat comfortably the rest of dinner.
He’s gifted two more nuggets from Lizzie, one missing its head because she decided to take a bite.
He takes it all in stride, and my heart flutters at their budding friendship.
Lizzie is very discerning and doesn’t like just anyone, but those that she connects with are friends for life, and based on what I just saw, I think she might have a new best bud.
“Harper, that was delicious, thank you so much. My cabin only has a tiny stove and no oven, so I’ve been living on takeout mostly. I didn’t realize how much I missed a home cooked meal.”
“Well, it was the least I could do, and it was nice having company tonight.” I bite my lower lip, working up the nerve to see if he will stay while I get Lizzie to bed, but after the fiasco at The Toasted Bean today, I’m scared it’ll look like a booty call.
Lizzie yawns dramatically and starts rubbing her eyes, halting my tumbling thoughts.
I know that look, and I have maybe fifteen minutes before we hit drama mode, and bedtime becomes a battlefield.
Other than Bree and Wren, I’ve never had a guest at this time, and I’m unsure how to gracefully handle the situation, so I just dive in.
“Lizzie, sweetie. It’s time for bed. Go get ready for your bath, I’ll be there in a minute.” Turning, still working on what to say, Jace beats me to it.
“Why don’t I take care of the dishes, while you get Lizzie to bed? Once the kitchen’s cleaned up, Tink and I can get out of your hair.”
“Oh. Yeah. Sure. That sounds great, but you don’t have to do dishes, Jace. Dinner was my treat and the least I can do.” He nods, and I swear disappointment flits through his eyes before it’s masked with a bright smile.
“Then, I guess, Tink and I will just head out.” He stands, rotating his shoulder absently, and moving toward the door. Panic fills me. I don’t want him to leave.
“Wait!” I cry, then realize I have no clue what I want to say, just that I don’t want him to go.
“Uh. Can you hang out while I get Lizzie to bed? Shouldn’t be more than half an hour, and I want to check your shoulder.
Maybe I can work on the muscles and alleviate some of the pain from that board?
” Holding my breath, I wait for his response.
“I’d love that. Go. I’ll be here whenever you’re done, no rush.” Borderline giddy, I make my way up the stairs, trying to remember if I’m wearing sexy underwear, just in case things go where I hope they do tonight.
Lizzie was too tired to notice the way I sped through her bath and bedtime routine.
At the top of the stairs, I peek under my shirt and skirt, relieved that I’m wearing one of my black lace sets.
It’s been a while since I cared about my undergarments, but if tonight is my first night with Jace, then the last thing I want him to see me in is white cotton panties and a worn-out bra.
Descending the stairs, butterflies take root in my stomach. I know he still might leave, but Bree’s right. I can’t let fear keep me from seeing where things might go with him. I turn the corner and Jace is in the kitchen, which is now spotless. “Jace. I meant it, you didn’t need to do that.”
“It’s nothing. You cooked. I’m happy to do some dishes in return.”
“Want to sit in the sunroom? It’s my favorite spot in the house.
” My voice shakes a little, partially from nerves and partially from excitement.
I catch him humming the theme song from Sofia the First as we get settled on the couch in the sunroom, and I can’t stifle the giggle it causes.
“Sorry! That show has some catchy songs, and it’s on repeat in this house. ”
“I’ll drive Blake nuts this week, humming it nonstop. So, totally worth it.” The way he puts me at ease so effortlessly is amazing.
“I know that's not what you would choose to watch all evening. And I usually don’t let her watch during dinner, but...”
“Harper,” he says my name so gently, tilting my face toward his, “dinner was perfect.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.
“Harper, I...” His eyes dart between mine, and suddenly, I can’t wait another second to kiss him.
To show him, somehow, what he has come to mean to me.
Closing the distance between us, my lips press to his.
His tongue teases the seam of my lips, and I open, allowing him to take control.
He angles my head to deepen the kiss. My moan is met with one of his own.
The kiss goes from exploring to an inferno.
Teeth and tongues clashing, hands roaming, unable to get close enough.
I fist his shirt in my hands as I climb over to straddle him.
His hands are in my hair, and he gently tugs fistfuls. “God, yes, Jace,” I breathe against his lips. My body is on fire. In this position, and in a skirt, I can feel every ridge of his rock-hard cock. I start rocking my hips along it, desperate for the friction.
“Harper, baby, you keep that up, and I’m going to come in my pants.
” His words are a growl as he peppers kisses along my neck, giving soft nips that send heat straight to my core.
Too good, this feels too good, and it’s been so long since anyone has touched me like this.
I need it. I need him. Releasing the tight hold on my hair, his hands skim down my neck, until they are cupping my breasts.
His thumbs drag over my already straining nipples.
His kisses pause and he meets my gaze, his hands gripping the neck of my shirt.
Nodding, I give him permission, and he doesn’t hesitate.
My top is yanked down, exposing my lacy push up bra, and his mouth skims over the swell of my breasts, grasping the lace in his teeth.
With a tug from his mouth, my breasts spill from the bra.
“Perfect, you’re fucking perfect, just like I knew you’d be.” Then his mouth is on me, sucking and biting at the stiff peaks. My core clenches, and I can already feel my climax building. My hips undulate against him, riding his cock.
“That’s right, baby, take what you want. Show me how good you look when you come.” He hooks his fingers under my skirt, skimming over the thin strip of lace covering my throbbing pussy. “Fuck, Harper, you’re so wet.”
“I’m always wet when you’re around,” I admit as I squirm, trying to get his fingers closer to me.
“Is that so?” He leans back slightly, looking down to where his hand has disappeared below my skirt. “If I dip my finger inside of you, would I find you dripping with pleasure for me?”
“Yes!” I shimmy my hips before whining, “Jace, please!” The words are barely out of my mouth before the lace is pushed aside, and his fingers plunge inside of me. The walls of my pussy clench around them.
“Harper, I’m going to come, baby. You’re too good, you feel too good,” Jace pants as his finger plunges into me again, and again, the wet sounds loud in the quiet room.
My abs tighten, and I let my head fall back, as pleasure builds in me like I haven’t felt before.
His teeth skim over my sensitive nipples, tugging then licking the sting away.
When his finger starts circling my clit, finally giving that spot his full attention, I moan loudly. So close.
“Come!” he commands with his lips around my nipple, sucking hard, as he pinches my clit between two fingers, his hips jerking below me. My orgasm barrels through me, and he keeps working my nipple and clit the whole time. His movements gentle as my climax settles, easing me back down.
My mouth finds his, and we kiss until I’m gasping for air. I glance down and see a large wet spot on his pants. “Shit, is that from me?” Mortified, I move to get off him, but his hands stop me, holding me in place.
“It’s from both of us.”
“Did you?” I’m shocked. Did I really just make him come?
“Harper, babe, watching you come might be the sexiest thing I have ever seen. I was powerless to stop it. You're a siren, and I can’t get enough.” Snuggling in close, I let him hold me.
A noise comes from upstairs, and we both shoot up from the couch.
He rights my top and my skirt, then puts his hands in front of himself.
Suddenly, a squirrel darts from the roof onto a tree and we both huff out relieved laughs.
“Next time, maybe we should take this to a bedroom.”
He cocks his head at me. “Next time? You done already, babe?”
“But you said that you, you know. Went.” I can feel my cheeks warm. Damn him, for making me say it. His smile is feral as he backs me up to the doorframe, pressing his body against mine.
“Harper, that was just to take the edge off. I’m nowhere near done with you.” This time when he claims my lips, it feels like a promise.
Strong arms grip my thighs, lifting me up, and I wrap my legs around him, pointing toward the door leading to my bedroom.
“Please tell me that door has a lock.” His voice is rough, and it feels like he’s barely holding on to his restraint.
“It does, a very good one.” With that, he’s striding for the door.