17. Jace #2
“Hate to break it to you, Jace, but I’m pretty sure my legs are too limp to move after that many orgasms. My ass isn’t going anywhere.
” Fuck, hearing her say that has my cock perking up again.
Grinning, I head into the bathroom, tossing the condom in the trash and cleaning up.
Suddenly, I remember my present in the living room.
Walking out of the bathroom to Harper splayed out on the bed, naked, stops me dead in my tracks.
This woman is quickly becoming everything to me, and just the idea of a future with her tightens my chest so much it’s hard to breathe. I’m one lucky son of a bitch.
I eye my cum-covered boxer briefs and decide to go commando in my jeans. Yanking them on as Harper watches me with concern etching her features. “Where’s the fire?”
“I’ll be right back. I have something for you.
Don’t move.” I dart toward the door and make it halfway before I race to the bed, kiss her hard, then rush out the door.
The bag is still where I left it tucked under the sofa.
On my way back to Harper’s room, I see Tink sleeping at the top of the stairs, right in front of Lizzie’s door, making my heart squeeze again.
Stepping into her room, I find Harper sitting up in bed with the sheet tucked up around her, covering her still naked body. Making my way to her, I’m already thinking of how quickly I can get that sheet off her body, and mine on her instead.
“Aww, is this a backup gift in case the sex was bad?” she teases.
With mock indignation, I glare at her. “No way in hell could it be bad between us, Harper, I came in my pants just watching you tonight. I haven’t come like that since I was fifteen. This was something I planned to give you after dinner but got distracted by you.”
As she pulls out the tissue paper, I start getting nervous.
Shit, was this weird and corny? Will it freak her out?
Is it dumb, instead of cute, like I thought in my head?
I’m a second away from yanking it out of her hands when she pulls out the purchase agreement.
Her eyes dart back and forth as she reads the document.
The sharp intake of air, and the way she freezes, lets me know she figured it out.
“Jace?” She looks up, her eyes full of questions.
“I’m staying, Harper. And before you think I’m a psycho.
Yes, you were a factor, a rapidly growing factor, in my wanting to stay, but I was already thinking about it before I met you.
During my first night at the rental cabin, I felt so much peace for the first time in a very long time.
I’m not a city guy. I like my space and to be around nature.
The house is a wreck, but the property is gorgeous, and there’s a workshop in the back that’s in perfect shape, so I can expand on the furniture building side of the business. ”
She breaks our eye contact and just stares at the papers, not speaking. Fuck, fuck, fuck. Did I just ruin this? “Harper, please say something.” I sit on the bed beside her, clenching my hands into fists so I don’t reach for her.
“You’re really staying?” Finally, she looks at me, and the tears coursing down her face gut me. Then through the tears she smiles, her face lighting up like I just handed her the moon. Sucking in a huge breath that I hadn’t realized I was holding, I meet her stare.
“Yeah, babe, I’m staying.” Dropping the sheet, she crawls over, straddling my lap and wrapping her arms around me.
“Thank God!” she cries, grabbing my face between her hands, kissing me so fiercely I have to remind myself to breathe.
We stay wrapped up in each other for a while, kissing and touching, but not going any further.
I only had one condom, so unfortunately, I won’t get to go round two with her tonight.
Suddenly, the future looks like a dream, and I intend to hold on to it with both hands.
Rolling her onto her back, I kiss my way down to her pussy, needing to taste her all over.
After making her come two more times, I crawl up and hold her, checking the clock, knowing I probably need to leave soon.
“What are you comfortable with, Harper? I’ll gladly stay just like this until morning, but I know you have Lizzie to think about.”
“As much as I want you to stay, Lizzie is pretty particular with her morning routine, and I don’t want to confuse her.” Nodding, I kiss her forehead then roll off the bed.
“You’re such a good mom, Harper. I hope you know I’m happy to follow your lead with all of this.” Pulling my shirt on, I turn and find her working her bottom lip between her teeth, completely lost in thought. Reaching over, I tug that lip. “What are you thinking?”
“A lot.” She hops up and throws on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. “Jace, I like you a lot. And could quickly become addicted to you, especially after tonight. But my track record with guys is bad. And I’m terrified I’ll end up with my heart broken.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m totally bewitched by you, Harper. We can take this slow if you need. No expectations of more sex. I just want to be with you and spend time with you. I’m all in, babe.”
She continues to look unsure, and it makes my heart ache.
“Jace, I’m so freaking happy you’re staying, but are you sure?
Lizzie and I come as a package deal. Getting involved with a single mom is a lot for any relationship.
But…I don’t just have a kid, I have a kid with autism, and that comes with a whole different level of commitment.
I’m not asking for a promise to stay together forever, but I do need you to really think about it and understand what that means if we do this.
If we are really together. I love Lizzie with every ounce of my being, but raising a child with autism isn’t easy.
Beautiful and rewarding, yes, but also very hard. ”
I nod, my mind taking in what she said. I had guessed Lizzie’s diagnosis after a few interactions, but it’s the first time she has come right out and said it.
Her vulnerability and her trust in opening up to me, have me falling even harder for her.
I search for the right words to say. Nerves settle in my gut, not because the diagnosis changes anything, but because I know that what I say in this moment will have a lasting impact on our future.
I grip Harper's hips, keeping her in place, wanting her to be able to see me fully. “Harper, thank you for trusting me. I know that’s not something you say lightly. And I know it means there are going to be hard days. I’m not scared of that.
I’m not looking for easy. I’m choosing you both, knowing it won’t always be simple.
But it’ll be us figuring it out. Together.
I may not know everything you've been through, or all the sacrifices that come with being a single parent to a child with special needs, but I do know what I want. And if we do this, I’m not going to disappear when things get tough.
I don’t want a version of you that doesn’t come with Lizzie. I want the whole picture.”
Her eyes search mine before she whispers quietly, “How do you keep saying all the right things?” I pull her into my arms, just happy to be able to hold her, content in the fact that she’s mine, and I get another chance, another day to cherish her and prove to her that she is worth any obstacle, any hardship, anything that might come our way.
She and Lizzie aren’t a burden, I’m not settling, they are exactly what I want, and I can’t wait to show them that every damn day.