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“No,” he says. “Talk to me, Cass.”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” I say as tears roll down my cheeks.

“Why is that?” he asks, gently swiping them away.

“Because,” I sniff. “You got what you wanted and now you can go back to just being Detective Omen.”

“You think that’s all this is?” he asks, cupping my cheek. “You think you and Eliza were just a notch in my belt, and now I’ll move on?”

“Yes,” I say tearfully. Jasper takes my face between his hands and gently kisses me. “Why would you… any of you…”

“Stop,” he says. “You and Eliza are amazing women, and when I say my feelings were unexpected, I mean it. It hit me hard, and this was not just about fucking you and walking away. You communicate better through physical connection than talking. Eliza does best with talking first. She and I talked, and you and I connected. Now we are talking.”

“I don’t understand,” I whisper.

“I’ll say it bluntly then,” he says. “I love you, Cassidy. I love Eliza. I don’t know how or when it happened, but it did. I absolutely did not expect to fall for someone just a few years older than my children, but I did.”

“I do have daddy issues,” I admit with a laugh as he wipes away my tears again.

“I have been talking with the guys for weeks now. Eliza and I talked a few days ago. This is where we are, and where we go next is up to you.”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“If you want this. Us. I’m here. We are all here,” he says.

“That’s a lot of people.”

“It is. Seven men and four brats,” he says. “Kimmy and Gina were the first ones I told, and you know what they said?”

“Probably something along the lines of being happy they could get fucked by someone with a dick that won’t break them in half.”

“Close,” he laughs. “If you want it, you can have it.”

“And everyone is in agreement?”

“Yes,” he says. “That’s not to say your answer is dependent on what they do, because it’s not. We are going to be here, and you are not required to participate.”

“Why me?”

“Good question. I guess I’m just attracted to brats who bully me,” he says, making me smile. “You are kind, compassionate, driven, and beautiful inside and out. You are silly and can make anyone laugh in even the most serious or mundane situations. Andfuckthe way you sound when I’m inside of you… it’s incredible.Youare incredible, Cassidy.”

“I do like caring for the elderly,” I say and giggle when he smacks my ass with both of his hands before squeezing.

“If I’m being honest… I like you a lot. I didn’t really understand it until I woke up with you holding me but… I think it would breakme if I never had a chance to experience that again. It’s not just about sex. It’s about being close to you. Y’all have seen me at my absolute lowest point, and no one ran away. You all played an equal role in helping me heal. I just want you close.”

“Then I’m right here,” he says before gently kissing me again.

“But like… what about your kids?” I ask.

“We called them earlier. Obviously left out the part where I fucked you into a coma, but they know.”

“Even the part where you are the same age as the man who raised me?” I ask.

“Yes,” he laughs.

“And I won’t get stabbed?”

“No. They’re happy that we are happy. They were raised together with two moms, so this isn’t exactly surprising.”