Page 26

CHAPTER 26

NATE

The hot water cascades down my back as I lean against the shower wall, my mind replaying earlier moments with Caspian. Steam fills the bathroom, fogging the glass doors. My body responds instantly to the memory of his touch, of his taste.

I’ve been hard since lunchtime, and now, as I take the necessary care to prepare myself for Caspian, I’m harder than ever.

I take my time washing carefully. The anticipation builds with each passing moment. It’s been a while since I’ve trusted anyone enough to be this vulnerable, to want this kind of intimacy. But with Caspian, everything feels different. Natural. Right.

After finishing in the shower, I dry off quickly and wrap a towel around my waist. The mirror is fogged, but I can still make out my reflection—cheeks flushed from the hot water, and I swear my body gives away how much I want this.

The afternoon’s work is now long forgotten—endless emails about tree assessments, Jason’s detailed report from today’s visit, and three more requests from farms wanting evaluations before spring.

I pull on a pair of comfortable gray sweatpants, debating whether to go to Caspian’s or wait here when the doorbell rings and settles that question. Caspian is here. My skin is still warm from the shower, and I skip the shirt for now.

When I open the door, I find him laden with boxes and bags, his cheeks pink from the cold. His eyes travel appreciatively over my bare chest, and I feel a surge of satisfaction at his obvious approval.

“Need some help with those?” I ask, reaching for some of his burden.

“Thanks,” he says, passing me the bags as he toes off his boots. “I, uh, picked up some groceries. I thought you might not have had time to shop with how busy you’ve been.”

The thoughtfulness of the gesture catches me off guard, warming something deep in my chest. “That’s… Thank you. I actually really needed to go shopping. Was planning to order in tonight.”

“No need.” He grins, following me to the kitchen. “I made dinner. And dessert.”

We set everything on the counter, and I can’t help but pull him close for a kiss. He melts against me, his cold hands pressing against my warm skin, making me shiver in the best way.

When we break apart, his eyes are half-lidded. “What was that for?”

“Because I wanted to,” I say simply. “Because you’re thoughtful and kind and…” I trail off, suddenly unsure how to express everything I’m feeling.

Caspian’s smile softens, and he leans in to press another quick kiss to my lips before pulling back to unpack the bags. “I made maple-and-cheese scones,” he says, pulling out a container that’s still slightly warm. “And I brought that artisanal bread you like, some fruit, and that aged cheddar I saw in your fridge before.”

I watch him moving around my kitchen with easy familiarity, putting things away like he knows exactly where they belong. Because he does. When did that happen? When did he learn all my preferences, habits, the organization of my kitchen?

“For dinner,” he continues, pulling out more containers, “I made a hearty vegetable soup. Perfect for this weather. And there’s this.” He produces a final box with a flourish. “Apple pie. I know it’s not as exciting as maple pie, but…”

“It’s perfect,” I say, meaning more than just the food. Everything about this moment feels perfect—Caspian in my kitchen, caring for me in these small but significant ways, the comfortable domesticity of it all.

I move behind Caspian as he’s arranging the containers on the counter, pressing my chest against his back and wrapping my arms around his waist. “How hungry are you?” I murmur against his ear.

He leans back into me, his breath catching slightly. “I could wait.”

“Will dinner keep?” I ask, sliding my hands under his sweater to feel the warm skin beneath.

“Y-yes,” he stammers, tilting his head to give me better access as I trail kisses down his neck. “Everything can be reheated.”

In one fluid motion, I spin him around and lift him onto the counter, stepping between his legs. His eyes are dark with desire as he looks down at me, and I can’t resist capturing his lips in a heated kiss. His legs wrap around my waist, pulling me closer.

“You know,” I say between kisses, “I believe you owe me something from earlier.”

His laugh turns into a gasp as I nip at his collarbone. “Is that right?”

“Mm-hmm.” I pull back just enough to meet his eyes. “I’ve been thinking about having you inside me all afternoon.”

The way his pupils dilate at my words sends heat coursing through my body. “Yeah?”

Instead of answering, I grab his thighs and lift him off the counter. He yelps in surprise, arms automatically wrapping around my neck as I carry him toward the bedroom. When we reach the bed, I let myself fall backward, bringing him down on top of me.

“I’m ready for you,” I whisper against his lips.

His eyes widen slightly at the implication, and then he’s kissing me like he wants to devour me whole. And I let him because I trust him. Because I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anyone. Because somehow, in the short time I’ve known him, he’s become everything I never knew I was missing.

The realization almost stops me, but I’m way too gone for this man to stop now.

Caspian straddles my hips, his weight a delicious pressure. The warm lamplight catches the tan tones of his skin as he slowly pulls his shirt over his head, never breaking eye contact. My breath catches at the sight of him above me, and I can’t resist running my hands up his thighs to rest on his waist.

Caspian’s hands find my waist, fingers brushing against the waistband of my sweatpants. The touch sends a shiver through me.

“You’re so strong,” Caspian whispers, his gaze roaming over me with such reverence that I feel my cheeks heat.

“I’d argue you’re the strong one here, Cas. You moved all the way across the country for a dream. I’m in awe of you.”

Caspian blushes at my words but quickly recovers with a playful grin. “Someone’s wearing too many pants for this conversation to continue.”

“Ditto.”

Caspian chuckles, his hands moving to my shoulders as he uses me as leverage to stand up. “Your wish is my command.” He shimmies out of his jeans and panties in one smooth motion, kicking them aside, and then he helps me out of mine.

My breath catches. Even though we’ve seen each other naked before, this feels different. More intimate. More real.

Caspian comes back to bed, but this time, I open my legs, and he gets the message. Our cocks line up, but he ignores them and instead cups my face in his hands. “You still good?”

I nod, leaning into his touch. “More than good. Just…a little nervous.”

“We’ll take it slow,” he promises, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. “I’ve got you.”

He reaches for the nightstand, pulling out a condom and a bottle of lube. A thrill runs through me—a mix of anticipation and nerves.

“Talk to me,” Caspian says, his voice gentle. “Tell me what you’re feeling.”

I take a deep breath. “Excited. Scared. Like I might combust if you don’t touch me soon.”

He laughs, the sound warm and rich. “Well, we can’t have that, can we?”

Caspian’s hands are sure and steady as he opens the condom, rolling it on with practiced ease. He uncaps the lube next, warming it between his fingers.

“Ready?” he asks, his eyes locked on mine.

I nod, spreading my legs more. “Ready.”

The first touch of his slick fingers makes me gasp. It’s cold, but Caspian’s gentle movements soon have me melting into his touch.

“That’s it,” he murmurs, working me open with careful precision. “You’re doing so well, Nate.”

I close my eyes, focusing on the sensation. As Caspian continues, adding another finger, pleasure starts to build, warm and insistent.

“Oh,” I breathe, my hips moving of their own accord.

Caspian’s free hand strokes my thigh. “Feel good?”

“Yeah,” I manage, opening my eyes to meet his gaze. The love and desire I see there take my breath away. “Caspian, I—I need you.”

He nods, understanding. “I’ve got you,” he says again, positioning himself between my legs.

As he pushes in, the world narrows to just us—the slide of skin on skin, the catch of breath, the way Caspian’s eyes never leave mine. It’s intense and intimate and overwhelmingly right.

“You okay?” Caspian asks, his voice strained with the effort of holding still.

I nod, adjusting to the feeling of fullness. “Yeah. Move, please.”

He does, starting slow and building a steady rhythm. Each thrust sends sparks of pleasure through me, and I find myself meeting him halfway, our bodies moving in perfect sync.

A moan escapes me as Caspian hits a particularly sensitive spot. “Oh god, right there,” I gasp, my fingers digging into his shoulders.

Caspian’s eyes light up, a mix of mischief and determination. “Here?” he asks, angling his hips to hit the same spot again.

“Yes!” I cry out, arching my back. The pleasure is building, a delicious tension coiling in my core.

Caspian leans down, pressing his forehead against mine. Our breaths mingle, hot and heavy. “You feel amazing, Nate,” he murmurs, his voice rough with emotion. “So perfect.”

I want to respond, to tell him how incredible he feels too, but words fail me. Instead, I pull him down for a kiss, pouring everything I can’t say into it. He responds eagerly, his tongue tangling with mine as he maintains his steady rhythm.

We break apart, panting. Caspian’s hand finds mine, intertwining our fingers. It’s such a small gesture, but it nearly undoes me. The trust, the intimacy—it’s almost too much.

“Caspian,” I whimper, overwhelmed by sensation and emotion.

He squeezes my hand. “I know, baby. I’ve got you. Let go.”

The tension that’s built within me snaps, and I’m swept away in a wave of intense pleasure. “Caspian!” I cry out, clinging to him as my body shudders with release. The ecstasy is all-consuming, radiating from my core to the tips of my fingers and toes.

Caspian’s rhythm falters, his movements becoming erratic. “Nate,” he gasps, his dark eyes locked on mine. “I’m… I’m…”

“Yes,” I urge him, cupping his face. “Come for me, Cas.”

With a low, guttural moan, Caspian reaches his own climax. Watching him lost in pleasure, knowing I’m the cause of it, sends another spark of arousal through me. We cling to each other, riding out the waves of our shared bliss.

As the intensity fades, Caspian collapses on top of me, burying his face in the crook of my neck. I wrap my arms around him, savoring the weight of his body on mine. For a moment, we just lie there, catching our breath and basking in the afterglow.

“That was…” I start, searching for the right word.

Caspian lifts his head, a lazy grin spreading across his face. “Mind-blowing? Earth-shattering? The best sex of your life?”

I laugh, swatting his shoulder playfully. “All of the above, you dork.”

He chuckles, pressing a soft kiss to my lips before carefully pulling out and disposing of the condom. Then he’s back, curling up beside me and pulling me close.

“You okay?” he asks, his hand tracing patterns on my skin.

I nod, feeling wonderfully sated and content. “More than okay. That was…perfect.”

I trace my fingers along Caspian’s collarbone, marveling at how natural this intimacy feels. His warmth seeps into me, chasing away the lingering chill of the Vermont winter outside.

“Hey,” Caspian whispers, his dark eyes twinkling with that infectious joy I’ve come to adore. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

I smile, feeling a little vulnerable but safe enough to share. “Just thinking about how…right this feels. You and me, I mean.”

Caspian’s smile falters slightly, an uncertain look crossing his face. His fingers find their way to my hip, tracing the maple-leaf beauty mark there. “The maple leaf,” he says softly.

“What about it?”

“Did you…?” Caspian starts, then pauses, his finger still circling the mark. “Did you spend New Year’s Eve in Burlington?”

The question seems to come out of nowhere, and I frown slightly. “Yeah, I did. Why?”

“It was me,” he says quietly, his eyes fixed on the beauty mark.

“You… What?”

“The man behind the mask.” His voice is barely above a whisper now.

I freeze for a moment, letting the words sink in. The mysterious stranger from New Year’s Eve—the one whose touch had felt like fire, whose connection with me had been immediate and electric—had been Caspian all along?

A laugh bubbles from deep in my chest, starting soft and growing until I’m practically shaking with it.

“Why are you laughing?” Caspian asks, uncertainty clear in his voice.

I pull him closer, pressing a kiss to his forehead. “Because I’m a lucky idiot. I spent so much time thinking about that night, about the mysterious guy behind the mask. I even considered driving back to Burlington on random weekends, hoping I might run into him again.” I shake my head, still chuckling. “And then you showed up on my doorstep, and suddenly, that guy didn’t matter anymore. Because there you were—warm, real, and so much more than a memory from one perfect night.” I cup his face, meeting his worried gaze. “And now I find out you’re the same person.”

How did I get so lucky?

Caspian’s response is to surge forward and capture my lips in a tender, searching kiss that makes my toes curl. When he pulls back, his eyes are bright with emotion.

“Are we…? What are we doing, Nate?” he asks softly. “Are we dating? Just hooking up? I need to know.”

I run my thumb along his cheekbone, my heart racing at the vulnerability in his voice. “I’d very much like to date you, Cas. See where this goes. Exclusively.” I pause, suddenly unsure. “If that’s something you want too?”

His answering smile is radiant. “Yes. God, yes. That’s exactly what I want.”

I pull him in for another kiss, slow and deep, trying to pour all my feelings into it. We might have stayed like that for hours, but Caspian’s stomach lets out a loud rumble.

I laugh against his lips. “I think that’s our cue. Time for that soup you made.”