Harley
“Are you excited for the trip, ?” Kit asks.
“It will certainly be great to get away. I could do with a vacation.”
“It really is a beautiful place. Nothing but peace and tranquility,”
Tristan says.
“And sometimes, when I’m a good girl, Dad lets me ride the horses.”
“Horses?” I ask.
“Dad has some horses at the lodge and if the weather is nice, we usually go horseback riding.”
“Wait, you all know how to ride horses?” I ask.
They nod.
We’re off to the lodge this weekend once Jasper finalizes his business commitments with Candy before she takes some time off, too. I am really looking forward to this break, and if this lodge is anything like how the children have described, I know I’m going to have a great time. Over the last few weeks, Jasper and I have gotten close, really close. We’ve kissed a few more times, and to be honest, we really haven’t been able to keep our hands off one another. However, we’re respectful of the children and keeping things on the down-low at the moment until we find the right moment to tell them. Jasper and the children are my world right now, and truthfully, I didn’t really think I could trust myself to fall in love with another man after everything that happened with my ex, Damien. Being with Jasper though has been … amazing. In every possible way that I could have wanted. We haven’t slept together; in fact, it hasn’t even been a subject of conversation yet. Right now, the two of us are just enjoying one another’s company.
“Are you daydreaming again?”
Tristan asks.
“Huh?”
“He’s been doing that a lot lately,”
Violet says, as she places lettuce in the cart and we continue with our grocery shopping.
Jasper told me that there isn’t a store near the lodge for miles, and sometimes, in bad weather, the roads can flood, we can lose power, and all sorts of things, so he said it would be better to do all our shopping now, so that we are fully stocked when we get there in case an emergency does happen and we can’t leave the lodge.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,”
I reply in answer to their question.
I mean, I can’t exactly admit to them that the one thing I am daydreaming about is their father. His black hair with streaks of blond running through it, his piercing eyes, and that sexy arm porn. Jesus, the man has the biggest biceps I’ve ever seen on a man. Not that I’ve seen them in the flesh, of course; just through the fabric of his shirts. And it hasn’t been for a lack of trying to get his shirt off either. Whenever the kids are out and the two of us are alone, we start undressing one another, completely forgetting the fact that Drew and Candy could walk in on us at any moment too. I don’t think they suspect anything, but Jasper and I have agreed that if we want to keep this private, then the only way we can do that is when everyone has gone to bed. Although, I’m quite happy with the way things are going at the moment, and as much as I’d love to see what he’s hiding underneath all those layers of clothing, I’m not in any immediate hurry either.
When we get to the register, the kids unload the groceries on the conveyer belt, and the woman behind the register scans our items. Violet and Kit then carefully place the items back into the cart, and when the woman is done tallying up the groceries, I hand her the credit card. She swipes it through the reader, then hands me a receipt and we walk out of the store and into the parking lot.
After unloading the groceries when we get home, the children run off to their rooms to do their own thing, and as I make myself a coffee, I hear the front doorbell. I walk through the living room and over to the front door, I pull it open and see Yaz standing outside.
“Hey. What a surprise,”
I tell her.
“Hi. Are you busy? Is this a bad time?”
“No, come on in. I just finished putting the groceries away, actually. What brings you here?”
I ask, closing the door.
“I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d come and check out the mansion. And holy shit. I knew it was big based on everything you’d told me, but I had no idea it was this fucking big. This is huge. I’m surprised you don’t need a GPS to find your way around the place.”
I chuckle at that and help her with her coat and place it on the coatrack. Then the two of us walk into the living room and take a seat on the couch.
“So, where is he?”
“Jasper?” I ask.
“He’s out with Candy, finalizing some stuff before we head away this weekend.”
“Away?”
she inquires.
“Didn’t I tell you? Jasper has invited me to join him and the kids at his lodge for the holidays. We’re going to spend Christmas and New Year’s up there.”
She looks at me in total awe and wide eyes.
“You never mentioned it, no.”
“I guess it must have slipped my mind,”
I tell her.
“How does something that big just ‘slip your mind?’” she asks.
I say nothing but give her a wide smile, and I mustn’t be doing a very good job of trying to act cool and natural, because she smirks.
“What?” I ask.
“What’s going on with you, ? I know that look. I haven’t seen you this happy since … since you met Damien.”
She lets out a loud gasp. “Oh. My. God. That’s it! You’re in love with the guy, aren’t you?”
“What? Don’t be ridiculous,”
I tell her.
“Bitch, please. You’re so giddy right now, the sun is practically shining out of your asshole. And you’re not exactly denying it either. It’s disgusting.”
She laughs.
“You have no idea what you’re talking about,”
I tell her.
“Bullshit. Don’t try and play the whole innocent act with me, Valentine. I know you better than most people, I’m like the sister you never had.”
I certainly can’t deny that. Even though she wasn’t around when shit went down with my parents, I did tell her the entire story of what happened. After calling my mother and father every name under the sun that weren’t very ladylike, she comforted me and promised to stand by me through thick and thin, and she hasn’t backed down on her word ever since.
“Okay, fine. But you’re such a bitch, you know that, right?”
“What’s your point?”
She is right though. I am all giddy on the inside, and perhaps I’m so giddy with happiness that it’s obvious on my face.
“I’m actually glad that I can finally talk to someone about it, to be honest.”
“What have the children said?”
“We haven’t told them. We’re trying to find the right moment so we can tell them together. Jasper wants to tell them while we’re on vacation at the lodge. But I think we should tell them before we leave.”
“I’m with Jasper on this one. I think you should wait.”
“I just don’t know if that’s such a great idea. I mean, what if the kids aren’t happy with the idea that their father and I are dating? It would make the entire vacation awkward and ruin it for everyone.”
The last thing I want is to make this vacation awkward for everyone. And although I have built a very close bond with all the children, this is the one thing that could ruin everything. I can’t risk that, not with all the progress I’ve made after such a rocky start, especially with Tristan.
“I see your point. So, what are you going to do?”
“I’m planning on telling them tonight when Jasper gets home.”
“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“Why not?” I ask.
“What if it goes badly? What if he doesn’t agree and the two of you have a massive argument or something? Do you really want to risk all that?”
Things are moving rather smoothly with Jasper and I at the moment, and I wouldn’t dream of jeopardizing anything between us. I understand Yaz’s concern, and I know that Jasper would do anything to protect his children. But would he really give up a chance at happiness for them? Okay, so maybe that sounds totally selfish, but I just want things to stay the way they are between us … perfect.
“The children mean everything to me and to Jasper, and I know he would do anything he can to protect them. But I also don’t think he would be willing to give up a chance at happiness.”
I purse my lips at the thought and realize that maybe I haven’t given this as much thought as I should have. Of course, Jasper would choose his own children over me. They’ve been in his life a lot longer than I have and he would certainly sacrifice anything for them … including love. I let out a long and painful sigh, and it’s painful because of the sadness that has suddenly dawned on me because of the reality that I have failed to acknowledge.
“I don’t know the man as well as you do, , obviously. But I know that if I were a parent, I would be putting my children ahead of anything else. I just want you to be careful and be prepared. But I also want you to know that whatever happens, I’ll be right here for you.”
She gives me a reassuring smile, and I return the gesture. Then, at that moment, the front door opens and Jasper walks inside.
“Hello,”
he says, placing his jacket on the coatrack.
He moves into the living room, then Yaz and I both get to our feet.
“Jasper, I’d like you to meet a dear friend of mine. This is Yaz. We used to be colleagues at the restaurant I worked at.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Yaz,”
Jasper says, holding out his hand.
“The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Harding,”
Yaz replies, grabbing his hand in a firm handshake.
“Please, call me Jasper. There’s no need to be so formal.”
“You have a beautiful home,”
she tells him.
“Thank you. Would you care to join us for dinner? I can have Drew make up another place setting.”
“No, thank you. I really should get going. I was just in the neighborhood and thought I’d pop in to say hello.”
“Well, it was a pleasure. Please feel free to drop by anytime,”
Jasper tells her.
“Thank you.”
She grabs her purse and the two of us head toward the front door. After kissing her goodbye on the cheek, I close the door and head back into the living room where Jasper is now sitting on the couch. I slowly make my way back into the living room, and when I’m standing only a few feet away from him we say in unison, “We need to talk”.
We chuckle at our replies, then the two of us get comfy on the couch, and Jasper slides closer toward me until our thighs are rubbing against one another. He then takes a hold of my hand and intertwines our fingers.
“I’ve been doing some thinking today,”
Jasper says.
“Funny you should say that, so have I,”
I tell him.
“You first,”
we both say together.
We laugh. I look down at our intertwined fingers and smile. I place my free hand over the top of his and brush it gently.
“I think we need to tell the kids,”
we say in unison, again.
Okay, so it’s obvious that we’ve both had the same idea, which is such a relief because at least now I know the two of us are on the same page.
“You don’t know how happy it makes me to hear you say that,”
Jasper says.
“Me, too. it’s been on my mind the last couple of weeks, and to be honest, it’s really been freaking me out.”
“Freaking you out, why?”
Jasper questions.
My pulse immediately starts racing, and it’s probably because I’ve never been more scared or nervous about revealing a secret. I feel like a teenager right now who is hiding something huge from his parents. And let’s be honest, this is definitely huge.
“We’re about to tell your kids that we’re, what … dating? Seeing each other? Kissing? What exactly are we telling them?” I ask.
“The truth. That I’ve met a man who not only makes me smile but also incredibly happy. A man who makes my children happy and a man who makes me fall in love with him every single day, just by being the sweet,”
he leans in and kisses my neck, hitting the spot that makes my cock twitch with anticipation, “generous,”
then he moves up to my chin and gently bites down on my stubble, “and deliciously sexy,”
he finishes, before placing his lips over mine in a hot and passionate kiss. Damn, this man has a talented mouth.
He’s such a great kisser, and I love what he’s doing with his tongue inside my mouth right now. I don’t know how long the two of us are in that position, but the next thing I know, I hear someone clear their throat, and the two of us pull away quicker than a bolt of lightning.
I look over my shoulder to see Tristan standing at the edge of the coffee table with his hands folded across his chest.
“Tristan, I––”
Jasper begins.
“Have a boyfriend, it would seem,”
Tristan finishes.
“Tristan, please––Wait, what?”
Jasper gasps.
“It’s about bloody time,” he says.
The two of us both get our feet and then Jasper inches toward his son.
“You’re not angry? Or mad?”
Jasper asks.
“Please. The way you two have been all over each other recently, I’m surprised you haven’t gotten together sooner.”
I’m not sure what makes me turn to Jasper instead of looking at Tristan, but to be honest I’m rather glad and even perhaps a little––a lot shocked about this sudden revelation.
“How long have you known?”
Jasper asks.
“I’ve had my suspicions for a while now, and this just confirms that I’ve been right all along.”
“Have we really been that obvious?” I ask.
“Not entirely. But I haven’t seen Dad this happy since he and Dadda were married. And not to mention the tension in the air whenever the two of you are in the same room together.”
“Tension?”
Jasper questions.
“The sexual tension and then how you both try and act all normal whenever me, Kit, and Violet walk into the room. It was actually quite funny,”
Tristan admits.
I could seriously leap forward and give the kid a great big man hug right now. I’m so relieved that he’s cool with me and his father being together. Being in love again is––wait, did I just say … love? I can’t help it, it’s exactly how I feel whenever I am with this man, and it’s the most wonderful feeling in the world.
“I’m really glad that I have your blessing, son. It really is a weight lifted off my shoulders. and I were actually planning on telling everyone tonight before we went away on the vacation.”
“I––we wanted to make sure that you were all okay with the two of us seeing one another before the vacation. We didn’t want things to get all awkward and weird. That’s why we were planning on telling you all this evening. I guess now that you know and we have your blessing, I’m hoping your brother and sister will be just as happy for us.”
“Well, let’s find out. I’ll go get them.”
He starts walking toward the staircase, then just as Jasper takes a hold of my hand, Tristan turns around.
“Dad, I really am happy … for the both of you.”
Jasper gives him a wide smile, then he turns back around and runs up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
“He seems genuinely happy,”
I say, as the two of us sit back down on the couch. “Have we really been that obvious? I don’t think we’ve been that obvious, do you?”
“I thought we hid it quite well. But then again, you are deliciously irresistible, so perhaps there have been a few moments where I’ve drooled all over you.”
He leans in and presses another kiss to my lips, although this time we’re cautious of the other kids walking in, and when we hear them coming down the stairs, we pull our lips apart. We straighten ourselves on the couch as Kit and Violet enter the room. Violet sits between me and her father on the couch, and Kit sits in the armchair next to his dad.
“There’s something you wanted to tell us, Dad?”
Violet asks.
“Yes, sweetheart.”
I angle my eyes in his direction and watch as he picks up Violet’s hand and clasps his hand around her palm. “Darling, how would you feel if Daddy started seeing someone else?”
“You mean like ?”
Violet asks.
“Is there anyone in this house that doesn’t know about us?”
Jasper asks.
“Not really, no. You two are the worst at trying to be subtle,” Kit adds.
“So, Drew knows, too?”
Jasper questions.
“Of course! I think she’s secretly relishing at the thought knowing that Candy doesn’t stand a chance with you now that you’re off-limits,” Kit says.
“But doesn’t Candy know that you’re gay?” I ask.
“She knows, she just doesn’t care. She seems to think that she has the power to make a man straight,”
Kit continues.
“So does this mean that is going to be staying here now … forever?”
Violet asks.
“I don’t know about forever, sweets. But I’ll be here for as long as you all need me.”
“I want you to stay forever,”
she says, wrapping her tiny arms around my waist as she pulls me in for a hug.
“I promise I’m not going anywhere,”
I tell her.
“Does this mean we have your blessing?”
Jasper asks.
“I just want you to be happy, Dad. That’s all we’ve ever wanted,” Kit says.
“Thank you, son. That means the world to me.”
“We should go and leave the two of you alone to … whatever,”
Kit says, getting off the armchair.
Violet gets to her feet, then she turns around and leans down until her nose is an inch away from mine. She moves to the side of my face and whispers in my ear, “Thank you for making Daddy happy again. I love you, .”
She presses a kiss to my cheek before quickly pulling herself away and walking out of the living room with Kit. I turn my attention to the man sitting beside me, his piercing eyes meeting mine, and fuck, that hair. I just want to run my fingers all the way through it and find out how it feels. More importantly, I want to explore every sexy inch of this man, but I also know that above all he is still my boss. And I know the two of us dating might be breaking about a million boundary rules but honestly, when you’re in love, it’s all about taking risks, being adventurous and spontaneous, right?