Page 24

24

Piper

I tug my sleeves over my hands, leaning against Jake’s kitchen island, avoiding his gaze.

His home surprises me—warm hardwood floors, a well-worn leather couch, wide windows overlooking rolling fields. Not the chaotic bachelor pad I expected. Instead, it feels… lived-in. Comfortable.

Jake sets two mugs of hot chocolate on the counter, nudging one toward me. “Extra marshmallows,” he says with a smirk. “Figured we’d go sweet tonight.”

“Thanks.” The mug warms my fingers, but my mind is already spinning. “So, Violet’s with Annie and India tonight?”

Jake nods, leaning against the counter like this is just another night. “Yeah, Annie volunteered. Violet practically begged. Sleepovers at Annie’s mean pony rides, craft parties, and enough sugar to fuel a small army.”

I smirk. “Perks of built-in babysitters.”

He arches a brow. “Oh, so that’s all Annie is? A glorified nanny?”

I roll my eyes. “Relax, Cowboy. I just meant it must be nice to have backup.”

His smirk fades into something softer. “Yeah, I won’t lie—it helps. We all pitch in when someone needs it. Annie, my brothers… Even Blaze, when he’s not being a pain in the ass.”

“Blaze? With kids?” I snort. “I need to see that.”

Jake chuckles. “It’s a sight. But Violet’s got them all wrapped around her finger.”

“She’s lucky,” I murmur, swirling my drink. “Not every kid gets a whole crew in their corner.”

Jake studies me, but I keep my gaze on my mug. “Yeah. She’s got a good life here.” He hesitates, then adds, “She likes you, you know.”

Something tightens in my chest. “She does?”

He nods. “Loves that you always have your camera. Thinks it makes her famous.”

I laugh lightly, but there’s a flicker of guilt beneath it. If she knew the real reason I was here… I shake off the thought, forcing a grin. “So, I’m safe from toddler mutiny?”

“For now.” His eyes glint with something unreadable. “But don’t get cocky.”

I smirk, taking another sip of hot chocolate. “Too late.”

Jake studies me.

“Something on your mind?”

I clear my throat, taking a sip. “We need to plan our next public appearance. The kids’ hockey game?”

He leans against the counter, watching me. “Yeah. We’ll show up, take pictures, do a meet-and-greet. Keep the family-friendly angle going.”

“Exactly.” My voice feels too even, too professional—a shield against the way he’s looking at me.

He nods, but his gaze lingers. “We can talk more tomorrow.” A pause. “But I don’t think you came all the way out here just to talk schedules.”

A flush creeps up my neck. “I, um… also wanted to see you.” The honesty slips out before I can stop it.

Jake pushes off the counter, stepping closer. “That so?”

I swallow hard. “Yeah. We’ve been dancing around this for a while.”

His fingers brush a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “We have,” he murmurs. “What do you want to do about it?”

I exhale shakily. “I don’t want to overthink it anymore.”

He smirks. “Then don’t.” His hand slides to my waist, sending a pulse of heat through me. “Just say it, sweetheart.”

The air crackles between us. My fingers tighten around the mug before I set it down. “I want you.”

His grip tightens, his voice rough. “Say it again.”

My breath shudders. “I want all of it. No more pretending.”

Jake exhales sharply, then his mouth is on mine, the kiss slow at first, then deepening with hunger. My hands grip his shoulders, clinging to him.

We break apart, breathless. “Bedroom?” he rasps.

“Yes.”

We leave our mugs behind, stumbling down the hall, bumping into walls, laughter mingling with urgency. My heart pounds, anticipation and nerves tangling.

Inside his bedroom, he slows down, his palms cradling my cheeks like he’s scared I’ll bolt. “Are you sure?” he asks softly.

I take a breath, my heart hammering in my chest. “I… need to tell you something first.” My voice wobbles, but I force it out. “I’ve never actually… done this before.”

He blinks, brows lifting in genuine surprise. “Wait—never, as in never ?”

A nervous laugh slips out of me. “Yeah. Never. Like the dictionary definition of never.”

Jake’s jaw goes slack for a beat, but he recovers fast. “Wow,” he says. Then, without missing a beat, he adds, “You’re sure you want your first time to be…with me?”

I grimace. “Are you fishing for compliments right now?”

He cracks a grin that makes my stomach flip. “No, but you’ve gotta admit, it’s a big deal.”

“Oh, trust me, I know,” I say, trying to sound confident instead of terrified. “We can always bail and watch Netflix if this is freaking you out.”

His eyes dance with amusement. “Tempting. But I’d be lying if I said I’d prefer Netflix to…this.” He lifts a hand to skim it down my arm, and electricity shivers through me.

My face burns. “I swear, I’m not making this more dramatic than it has to be. I’m just… I’ve never done it, so my bar is set really low. I figure you can’t disappoint me too bad.”

He narrows his eyes playfully. “Is that your way of saying I’d better bring my A-game?”

I roll my eyes. “Something like that.”

His expression grows gentle again, all teasing aside. “Okay. I hear you.” He leans in, brushing his nose against mine. “And I promise, we’ll go slow. You set the pace.”

Relief floods me. I hadn’t realized how tense I was until that moment. “I want you,” I whisper, feeling a little ridiculous and a lot turned on.

The humor fades from his face, replaced by raw heat. “Then I’m yours,” he says, voice tight.

I open my mouth to throw out a comeback—something along the lines of Damn right you are —but the words get lost when he captures my lips in a tender, almost reverent kiss. Slower this time—softer. His mouth is warm, deliberate, coaxing me open. When his tongue strokes mine, it’s like a fuse is lit deep in my belly. I feel dizzy with it. Overwhelmed in the best way. All the jokes and nerves vanish in an instant, and I melt into him.

He guides me to the bed, backing me toward it until my knees hit the edge. I fall back gently, and he follows, bracing himself on his forearms, his body caging mine without crushing me.

His eyes lock onto mine as his hand slides down to my thigh. “You tell me if anything doesn’t feel good,” he murmurs. “We stop whenever. Got it?”

I nod, breathless. “I want this.”

“I know.” He kisses me again, and this time there’s more heat behind it. “I’m going to make it good for you, Piper.”

He undresses me slowly, reverently. Every button, every inch of fabric peeled away like unwrapping something precious. His eyes never leave mine. Not once. When I'm finally bare, he doesn't dive in—he just takes a moment to look at me.

"You're beautiful," he murmurs, voice thick.

Heat floods my skin, but I don't look away. I want him to see me. All of me.

His hands skim down my arms, then back up to cup my breasts, his thumbs brushing over my nipples. I shiver, breath hitching. When he dips his head, he kisses each one gently before trailing his mouth lower. My stomach quivers as he kneels in front of me, pressing a kiss to my hipbone, then lower still.

He doesn't rush. Everything he does is slow. He kisses my inner thigh and the flick of his tongue makes me whimper, my back arching off the bed. My skin feels too tight, too hot, every nerve ending sparking under his touch.

His hand trails down, over my belly, then lower. His fingers trace the waistband of my panties, then slip beneath.

“Can I feel you?” he asks, voice rough.

I nod.

He groans softly when his fingers slide through the slick heat between my thighs. “You’re soaked,” he whispers, kissing me again. “God, you feel so fucking good.”

His thumb finds my clit and starts circling slowly—tight, teasing strokes that make my hips jerk. I gasp, clutching at his shoulders. My legs fall open instinctively, and he takes the invitation, sliding two fingers deeper between my folds.

The sensation is new—so much, so fast—but not too much. Not with him watching me like I’m the only thing that exists.

His fingers explore my pussy, careful but deliberate, learning every spot that makes me squirm. He keeps circling my clit as one finger slides inside, shallow at first, then deeper. The stretch burns a little, but his voice is there, grounding me.

“You’re doing so fucking good,” he murmurs. “Let me open you up, baby. Let me get you ready for me.”

He pumps the finger slowly, curling it until he finds a spot that makes my eyes roll back. “Oh my God—Jake—”

“That’s it.” He strokes deeper, licking over my nipple again. “Just like that. Let me take care of you.”

The build is slow but relentless. His finger rocks into me, his thumb flicking my clit just right, and heat coils tight in my belly. I try to hold on, but my hips grind into his hand on their own, chasing that edge.

“Jake, I—I think I’m—”

“Don’t fight it,” he growls, kissing my throat. “Come for me.”

I break apart with a cry, my pussy clenching around his finger, my thighs trembling as wave after wave rolls through me. He kisses me through it, easing the motion, letting me come down in his arms.

Before I’ve caught my breath, he’s stripping out of his clothes. I catch a glimpse of his cock—hard, thick, flushed at the tip—and my pulse skitters all over again.

Jake rolls on a condom, then settles between my thighs, his hands braced on either side of my head.

“You ready for me?” he asks, voice roughened with restraint.

I nod, still panting. “I want to feel you.”

“Fuck,” he breathes. “You sure?”

“Yes.”

He kisses me, then lines himself up, dragging the head of his cock through my folds. I flinch at the pressure—he’s big—but I want it. I want him.

The first push has my breath catching, but he pauses. “Breathe, baby. Just a little more.”

He pushes in slowly, and the burn intensifies—unfamiliar, tight, overwhelming. I tense.

“Look at me,” he says softly, his forehead against mine. “Eyes on me. I’ve got you.”

I breathe through it. His hand cups my cheek, grounding me, and he doesn’t move until I nod. Then he inches deeper, rocking his hips gently, inch by inch, until he’s fully seated inside me.

We stay like that for a moment, both of us breathless.

“You’re so fucking tight,” he groans. “God, Piper, you feel unreal.”

I gasp. “It’s a lot.”

“I know. I know. I’m right here.”

He starts to move in slow, shallow strokes. My body adjusts, the pain melting into fullness, into heat, into something I didn’t know I was capable of feeling. And then I moan—high and helpless.

Jake kisses me hard, his pace still slow, but deeper now. Every time he pushes in, I feel stretched and claimed and adored. His hand finds my clit again, rubbing in circles that match his thrusts.

“That’s it, sweetheart,” he whispers. “Take it. You’re mine now.”

I shatter again, this time with him inside me, my pussy clenching around his cock as I cry out. Jake groans, thrusts once more, and then stills, buried deep as he pulses inside the condom.

His body sags over mine. His lips press to my cheek, my jaw, my neck.

Then he lifts his head, brushing my hair back. “Tell me how you’re doing,” he says, voice low and rough.

I blink up at him. “I… I feel everything. And I mean that in the best way.”

He smiles, cupping my face. “That’s exactly what I hoped.”

He pulls out slowly, careful, and grabs a towel from the nightstand. I wince slightly, still sensitive. He whispers soft apologies, then helps me settle beneath the covers, tucking me in beside him.

I curl into his chest, his heartbeat steady beneath my cheek.

There’s a silence that feels full, not empty. And in it, I realize I don’t feel small. I don’t feel used. I feel… seen.

Held.

Wanted.

Loved?

Not yet. But maybe someday.

And for tonight, that’s enough.