Chapter 29
Chapter Twenty-Nine
JASPER
"Your dad taught me. When you moved away, he missed having someone he could speak Korean with. So I asked him to teach me, and he did."
The look of love and awe on Natalie's face nearly brought me to my knees. Her shimmering brown eyes locked onto mine, sending a pang straight through me that made my stomach flip and my legs tremble. My eyes were drawn to the soft curve of her lips. I could almost taste the sweetness of her breath. My fingertips tingled. I longed to trace the delicate line of her jaw, to feel the warmth of her skin beneath my hands.
"I can't believe you did that for him."
I shrugged a shoulder. "He was like a father to me. You know that. We spent a lot of time together while you were gone. He's the one who taught me how to manage all the books. Guess I did a shit job, though, since I missed the problems we're dealing with now. "
The words evoked a bitter mixture of grief and self-loathing that threatened to choke me. I couldn't bring myself to look at Natalie. Instead, I focused on the worn floorboards beneath my feet, tracing the patterns in the wood grain.
Natalie's tremulous reply was barely audible. "Jasper, it's not your fault. You did everything right. Everything you sent over to him was perfect. But..."
"But what?"
I watched as her brow wrinkled. She looked like she was struggling with herself, fighting to get the words out.
"When I went through everything, I noticed that he started making errors when he got sick. They were small, but over time, they added up. It's not just the Ever Eden account either. I've been going through all his files. They're a mess."
I sucked in a sharp breath. "Shit, Nat. I'm sorry. I should've given you a chance to explain. I know you're carrying a lot. I should've been there for you."
I wanted to comfort her, but I didn't know how anymore. All I could do was stare at her helplessly. The gulf between us, carved by seven bitter years apart, felt wider than ever.
But I'd be damned if I let her go again.
Get her back.
"Natalie, I don't wanna go another seven years without you. Fuck, I don't wanna go another seven minutes. If you wanna stay here in the city, then I'll stay. I'll follow you anywhere. I should've come for you then. I won't leave you now."
Her eyes widened, and her face crumpled. For a moment, I thought she might cry, but then a slow smile spread across her face, lighting up the room. "You'd really do that? Leave Sable Point? The orchard?"
"In a heartbeat. You're worth more to me than any piece of land or family legacy."
She stepped towards me. Her coconut and vanilla scent permeated the air between us. I longed to touch her, to pull her close and never let go.
"Jasper." She paused, biting her lower lip. "I don't want you to leave Sable Point. You love it there. It's your home."
I cupped her face in my hands. Her skin was soft, warm beneath my palms. "You're my home, Nat. You always have been."
She leaned into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed. When she opened them again, the tears finally spilled over.
This time, I didn't hesitate. I closed the final inches between us and captured her mouth with mine. The kiss was hungry and frantic. Natalie's hands fisted in my shirt, pulling me closer as she parted her lips, inviting me deeper.
I lost myself in the taste of her, her soft whimpers as I explored her mouth. My hands roamed her body, and she arched into me, pressing the length of her body against mine. I groaned at the contact.
"Jasper," she whispered against my lips. I pulled back just enough to meet her gaze. "I love you. So so much."
I'd dreamed of hearing those words again for so long, but the reality was sweeter than any fantasy.
"I love you too, Nat. God, I never stopped."
I pressed my lips to hers, pouring every ounce of longing and love into the kiss. She moaned into my mouth, her fingers tangling in my hair. The sound ignited something primal in me, an animalistic urge I couldn't control.
My muscles tensed as I lifted her easily, her slight weight nothing compared to the heavy crates I hauled at the orchard. I carried her to the bed I'd spotted in the corner of her tiny studio apartment. The feel of her body against mine, warm and soft, set my heart pounding.
I couldn't get enough of her.
I laid her on the bed, drinking in the sight of her. Her eyes were dark with desire, and I felt a rush of pride knowing I was the cause.
Our kisses grew more heated, hands exploring with desperate need. I trailed my lips down her neck, savoring the taste of her skin. She arched beneath me, a soft mewl escaping her lips.
"Jasper, please."
I looked up, meeting her eyes. "What do you need, baby? Tell me."
Her cheeks flushed, but her gaze didn't waver. "I need you. All of you."
A growl rumbled in my chest. I captured her lips again, my hands working to remove her clothes. Each inch of skin revealed was a gift, and I worshipped it with lips and tongue.
Soon, we were both naked, skin sliding against skin. The feel of her beneath me, warm and soft and perfect, nearly undid me. I paused, resting my forehead against hers.
"You sure?" I asked, needing to hear it one more time. "We don't have to?— "
Natalie cupped my face and gazed steadily into my eyes. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."
That was all the confirmation I needed.
As I positioned myself at her entrance, a wave of emotion engulfed me. This wasn't just sex. It was a homecoming, a reunion of two souls that had been apart for far too long. I pushed inside her slowly, savoring every inch, every sensation.
It was overwhelming. She gasped and her nails bit into my back. The exquisite sting of pain drove my arousal to new heights. My groan was almost a purr as I buried my face in her neck.
Fuck. How did I live for seven years without this?
"God, Jasper," she moaned. "You feel so good."
Her words spurred me on. I picked up the pace, driving into her with more force. The headboard banged a steady beat against the wall.
Natalie's cries grew louder, and her body tightened around me. My balls contracted as I barreled towards my own impending release.
But I wanted this to last. In a truly monumental feat of restraint, I gritted my teeth and pulled out of her.
She whined in protest, but it was cut short when I flipped her to her hands and knees. I glided a hand down her spine and palmed the taut globes of her ass. My other hand soon got in on the fun, kneading, caressing, spreading her wide for me.
Then I dove headfirst into her sopping wet pussy.
She screamed, dropping to her forearms and thrusting her cunt back into my face. But I wanted more. I flopped onto my back and scooted myself higher on the bed. I gripped her hips tightly and maneuvered her until she was straddling my head. My mouth watered as I stared up at her slick, swollen folds. "Sit," I demanded.
My girl complied so quickly. She was riding my face, grinding down so hard I could barely breathe but, fuck, if this was how I went out, damn, what a way to go.
I gripped Natalie's hips, guiding her movements as she ground against my face. Her thighs quivered on either side of my head, and I could feel the tremors building in her core. The taste of her arousal flooded my senses, sweet and tangy and so fucking perfect. I lapped at her greedily, my tongue delving deep inside her before flicking up to tease her clit.
Her moans grew louder, more desperate. She tangled her fingers in my hair, tugging almost painfully as she rode my face with abandon. I groaned against her, the vibrations making her gasp and shudder.
"Jasper, oh God, yes," she panted, her voice husky with need. "I'm so close, please don't stop."
I had no intention of stopping. I redoubled my efforts, sucking her clit between my lips and sliding two fingers inside her. The wet heat of her cunt clenched around my digits, and I curled them, searching for that spot that would make her combust.
A keening cry tore from her throat as she came undone. Her thighs clamped around my head, and her whole body shook as waves of pleasure crashed over her. I gentled my touches to soft broad strokes with the flat of my tongue, working her through it as she started to come down.
When she finally released me, collapsing onto the bed beside me, I felt a surge of smug satisfaction. Her cheeks were flushed, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. I'd never seen anything more breathtaking.
I leaned in to kiss her, letting her taste herself on my lips. She moaned softly, lifting a clumsy hand to stroke my face.
"That was..." she trailed off, shaking her head with a breathless laugh.
I grinned, nuzzling against her neck. "Just the beginning, baby. I'm nowhere near done with you yet."
Her eyes darkened with renewed desire. She reached between us, wrapping her fingers around my painfully hard cock. I hissed at the contact, my hips jerking involuntarily.
"Good," she said, stroking me slowly. "Because I want to feel you inside me again."
I growled and rolled over so she was pinned beneath me. Her legs parted instinctively, cradling my hips. I could feel her wet heat against me, and it took every ounce of self-control not to thrust into her right then.
Instead, I paused, savoring the moment. Her hair was mussed, her lips swollen from our kisses. Her eyes met mine, filled with love, trust, and a hunger that matched my own. I aligned our bodies, savoring the moment, then I entered her with a slow, steady push.
Natalie let out a broken wail. "Oh God, Jasper," she moaned.
I chuckled and started to move, setting a rhythm that had us both panting.
"Fuck, Nat," I grunted. "You feel so fucking good. "
She met me thrust for thrust, wrapping her legs around my waist to pull me deeper, digging her heels into my ass. The angle shifted, and suddenly I was hitting that magic spot.
She cried out, her back bowing off the bed. "Right there, Jas. Don't stop!"
Sweat prickled on my forehead, my muscles straining with the effort of holding back my own release.
Not yet. Make her come again.
I worked a hand between us and ran my thumb over her hard slippery clit. Her body tensed beneath me as I circled it in tight, fast strokes. Her walls clamped down like a wet velvet vise, and I sped up my ministrations, murmuring words of encouragement. "That's it, baby. Come on my cock."
Natalie's eyes fluttered closed, her mouth falling open in a silent scream as she came undone. The sight of her lost in pleasure, combined with the feel of her pussy clenching around me, pushed me over the edge.
I bellowed out a groan, my hips jerking as I emptied myself inside her.
As the aftershocks faded, I carefully lowered myself onto her, mindful not to crush her with my weight. Her arms came up to wrap around me, holding me close.
We lay like that for a long moment, just breathing each other in. Finally, I lifted my head to meet her gaze.
"I love you," I whispered, pressing a soft kiss to her lips.
Natalie smiled, her fingers tracing patterns on my back. "I love you too, Jas. So much."
I rolled to the side, pulling her with me so she was tucked against my chest. As we lay there, basking in the afterglow, reality started to rear its head.
"We should probably talk about what happens next," I said reluctantly.
Natalie nodded, her expression turning serious. "You're right. We can't ignore the orchard's problems, or the mess with my dad's accounts."
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I know. But we'll figure it out together, okay? You don't have to carry this burden alone anymore."
She looked up at me hesitantly, her eyes glistening. "You mean that?"
"Of course I do. We're a team, Nat."
A small, shy smile tugged at her lips. "Okay."
I pressed a kiss to the top of her head and pulled her closer. "Whatever happens, we'll face it together. Deal?"
"Deal."
As we sealed our agreement with a kiss, I felt a sense of hope tentatively unfurling in my chest.
"So what's our first move?"
"Take me home, Jas."
"Are you sure?" I asked, hardly daring to believe it.
"So sure. I hate it here. It's loud, and it smells. My job here was soul-sucking."
Her words gushed out, as if she'd been holding them back for far too long. "I thought I needed to leave Sable Point to live out my dreams, that they could only be achieved in the big city. But now I see how wrong I was. I want to help people, like my dad did. I want to be surrounded by family. I want quiet pancake breakfasts with Mom and afternoons on the lake with your brothers and sister. I want to catch up on everything I missed out on over the last seven years."
Her next words sucker-punched me, stealing my breath.
"Sure, I've been living in the city, but I haven't really been living. Just existing. Missing you. You're my home too."
I wanted to grab her and kiss her senseless. But I held back, treasuring this moment, committing every word, every movement of her face to memory.
"I've waited seven years to start living again, Jasper. I'm done waiting."
All I could manage was a shaky laugh. "Well thank fuck for that."
Maybe this really was our second chance. A do-over. A chance to get it right this time.
The thought sent a thrill through me, equal parts excitement and fear. I was still trying to put words around what I was feeling when Natalie's stomach growled loudly.
She laughed, a light blush coloring her cheeks. "Sorry. I guess all that... activity worked up an appetite."
I grinned, pressing a quick kiss to her lips before sitting up. "Well, we can't have that. How about I go see what I can rustle up in that kitchen of yours?"
"You're going to cook for me?"
"Don't sound so surprised," I said, pulling on my boxers. "I'll have you know I've become quite the chef in your absence. "
She raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? And what culinary delights can I expect from Chef Jasper tonight?"
I paused at the bedroom door, turning back to look at her. The sight of Natalie, hair mussed and cheeks still flushed from multiple orgasms, had my spent cock twitching against my thigh.
How did I get so lucky?
I winked at her. "That, my dear, is a surprise. But I promise it'll be better than those burned grilled cheese sandwiches I used to make."
Natalie laughed. "Well, that's not a very high bar to clear, is it?"
"Just for that, I might have to withhold dessert."
Her eyes darkened, a mischievous glint appearing. "Oh? And what exactly did you have in mind for dessert?"
I hefted Natalie's bag into the bed of my truck, the dull thud echoing through the concrete cavern of the parking garage. The air was thick with the smell of exhaust and damp asphalt—a far cry from the crisp orchard air I was used to.
"My car is here, Jasper. I have to drive home," she said reluctantly.
"No. You asked me to take you home, I'm taking you home. Plus, I'm not spending the next five hours away from you. We'll come get it next week. We can make a whole weekend out of it. You can show me all your favorite spots in the city. "
I watched her face, searching for a reaction. A mix of emotions played across her features—surprise, uncertainty, excitement.
"Yeah?" she asked, a smile lighting up her face.
My stomach swooped. God, I loved that smile. Loved being responsible for it. "Yeah," I replied. "I'd like to see what you've been up to these past few years."
I climbed into the driver's seat, and Natalie settled in beside me. God, how many times had I imagined this moment? Turning up in Chicago and sweeping her off her feet. Rescuing her from the bustle and grind of the city. Bringing her home.
As we pulled out of the parking garage, the city skyline unfolded before us. Natalie fidgeted with the radio until a soft melody filled the silence between us.
"So," I ventured. "Five hours, huh? Got any road trip games up your sleeve?"
Natalie laughed. "I spy with my little eye, a man who's terrible at small talk."
I grinned. "Ouch. Direct hit, Choi."
As we hit the highway, leaving Chicago behind, Natalie's hand brushed against mine on the center console. I glanced over, catching her eye. The hope and uncertainty in her expression mirrored my own feelings.
"Jasper," she said softly. "I know I've made mistakes, but I want you to know?—"
A loud pop interrupted her, and the truck lurched violently to the right. I gripped the wheel tightly, guiding us safely to the shoulder as the distinctive flap-flap-flap of a blown tire filled the air.
"Shit," I muttered, putting the truck in Park and flicking on the hazards. I turned to Natalie. "You okay?"
She nodded and shot me a wry grin. "Just our luck, huh?"
"Yeah, well, at least we're in this together now."
I opened the door and the rush of passing cars drowned out her response. I paused, one foot on the gravel shoulder, and looked back at her. "What was that?"
"I said, be careful out there," she called, her voice barely audible over the traffic.
I nodded, giving her a reassuring smile before shutting the door. The last of the summer heat beat down on me as I headed for the back of the truck and pulled out the spare tire.
As I worked, I caught glimpses of Natalie through the side mirror. She was leaning against the passenger door now, arms crossed, watching me with an intensity that made my skin tingle. Focus on the damn tire, Everton.
I tightened the last lug nut before I stood and faced her. "I told my family last night." I wiped my hands on my jeans, leaving greasy streaks behind. "About the orchard, I mean."
Surprise flashed across Natalie's face. She took a few steps closer, her eyes darting to the passing cars before settling back on me. "You did? How...how did they take it?"
"About as well as you'd expect. Dad's in denial, Mom's worried, Chase is an asshole..." I trailed off, shaking my head. "Let's just say it wasn't a fun family dinner."
Natalie gnawed her bottom lip with her teeth. It was a habit she'd had since we were kids, one that always surfaced when she was deep in thought. "I've been thinking," she said, her voice cautious. "I might have some ideas on how we can turn things around."
"Yeah?"
She nodded. "But we need to sit down with everyone. Your parents, your siblings—it's going to take a team effort to make this work."
The idea of facing my family and mulling over our financial struggles was less than appealing. But as I looked at Natalie, at the grim resolve on her face, I suddenly felt more hopeful. Deep down, I'd always believed my girl could fix anything she put her brilliant mind to.
"Alright," I said, surprising myself with how steady my voice sounded. "We'll talk to them. Together."
"Together," she echoed, reaching out to squeeze my arm. "We should get back on the road. We've got a lot to discuss."
We climbed back into the truck, and I started the engine, stealing one last glance at Natalie as she settled into her seat. She caught my eye, her smile softening into something more intimate, more vulnerable.
"What?" she asked, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
How did I tell her that having her here, fighting for my family's legacy, meant everything to me? I'd always secretly worried that she resented the orchard, saw it as a millstone that would always tie me to Sable Point. Seeing her so determined to save it meant more than I felt capable of expressing. I cleared my throat. "I just—I'm glad you're here, Nat. That we're doing this together. "
Her eyes sparkled. She was looking at me like she used to. Like she loved me. She reached out and took my hand again. I had to force myself to focus on the road ahead.
"Me too, Jas," she said. "I know we have a lot to figure out, but I think... I think maybe this is our second chance."
A second chance. With Natalie. God, how many times had I dreamed about this? I tightened my grip on her hand. "Yeah, I'd like that."