Jasper Vale (The Edens)

“Do you think it’s a bad idea for us to keep having sex?”

“Now?” Jasper’s cock, still buried inside me, twitched. “You want to talk about this now? When my come is leaking down your legs?”

I giggled. “Okay, let’s talk about it later.”

“Yeah.” He held me tight for a moment. His arms were wrapped around my shoulders, his chest pressed to my back.

But like always, he let me go too soon and slid out. Then he tucked himself into his jeans before bending to pull up my panties and joggers.

“Back to work.” He swatted my ass. “What room do you want to pack next?”

“Bedroom?” We’d been in the middle of sorting through the kitchen when Jasper and I had brushed against each other.

He’d been closing a box. I’d been filling another. Our elbows had touched. That was all it had taken for the spark to ignite.

We’d flown at each other, kissing wildly. Then he’d ripped down my pants, freed himself and fucked me against the counter.

Since last night at the A-frame, we’d had sex three times. Once last night in his bed. Once this morning in the shower. And now in my kitchen—former kitchen. This desire for him was overwhelming. Startling. Every time we were together, I wanted more and more.

That was normal, right? This was just chemistry. It would fade eventually. Most newlyweds probably couldn’t keep their hands off each other too.

Granted, most newlyweds had probably intended to get married. And to stay married.

While I was lost in this sexual haze with Jasper, I’d asked my attorney to get a jumpstart on preparing our divorce papers. That way they’d be ready once we returned from this wedding at the end of June.

“So.” I put a set of measuring cups in the open box. “Do you think it’s a bad idea for us to keep having sex?”

“No.” Jasper hefted a box in his arms, the muscles of his biceps flexing as he strode from the room.

I waited, thinking he’d just set it with the other boxes in the living room and come back to expand on that answer. But then the front door opened and closed.

“Good talk.” With an eye roll, I went back to packing.

My husband, I was learning, had a proclivity for tiny sentences. The shorter the better.

I’d just finished packing the last of the kitchen boxes when he strode into the room.

“Do you want to stop having sex?” he asked.

“No.” Before Jasper, I’d had no idea sex could be like this. Addictive. Freeing. Thrilling. There were no inhibitions. We came together with fireworks. The moment he touched me, the world beyond us disappeared.

He snared my focus with that gorgeous face. With the way every muscle in his body flexed and bunched with raw, primal power as he drove inside me. Jasper delivered twice as much pleasure as he took.

Sure, maybe sex would muddle feelings. Maybe it would make it harder in the end when we parted ways. Or maybe we could just take it for what it was.

Sex. Crazy, phenomenal sex.

“I like fucking you, Eloise.”

A flush crept into my cheeks. That rugged voice, his rasp, always made my breath catch. He might not be a man of many words, but when he used them, I listened.

Jasper crossed the kitchen with that slow swagger, like a man on the prowl. Even his walk was hot. As intoxicating as his voice. He stopped, towering in front of me. It forced me to tilt my chin to keep his gaze. “I’m going to keep fucking you.”

“Right now?” I was okay with right now.

The crinkles at the sides of his eyes were the only sign of his amusement. It was like Jasper’s secret smile.

And it was all mine. For now.

“Let’s wrap up here.” He lifted his hand to my face, his fingertips skimming my cheekbone. “Head back to the cabin. Spend the rest of the day in bed.”

“Yes, please,” I breathed.

“You like that, don’t you? I talk about fucking you, and your face turns this pretty pink. Almost as pretty of a pink as your pussy.”

“Jas,” I whimpered. If my face had been pink before, now it was a flaming red.

He bent, his mouth a whisper against the shell of my ear. “You call me Jas later, okay? When I’m so deep inside you that you’ll feel me in your throat. You call me Jas. And I’ll make you come so hard you’ll scream.”

God, I loved his dirty mouth.

His fingers came to my throat. His hand was so large that he could wrap his palm all the way around my nape and his thumb could still trace the line of my windpipe. His teeth nipped at my earlobe before his lips skimmed my cheek.

Then he was gone, chuckling as he strode from the kitchen.

The air rushed from my lungs, and I gripped the counter behind me, holding tight until my head stopped spinning. Wow.

Foreplay with Jasper was an experience like no other. It had been an education.

With him, foreplay didn’t start the minute we hit the bedroom. It started first thing in the morning. A casual touch as we crossed paths. A sensual stare. A chaste kiss. Dirty words and promises of what was to come.

It had been mere minutes since he’d given me an orgasm, but I ached for another already. Waiting until the packing was finished might kill me.

I shook my head, clearing the fog. Then I swallowed hard and followed him down the hallway to the bedroom.

Jasper had already taken the suitcases out of my closet and had them strewn open on the mattress. “You start on clothes. I’ll get another box for shoes.”

“Okay.” I moved for the dresser just as he passed by.

His arm touched mine, intentionally. Tingles cascaded across my skin.

“You’re an evil man.”

He chuckled from the hallway.

I smiled, collecting my panties and bras from the top drawer, tossing them in a suitcase before moving to the second drawer.

We’d be taking most of my things to the A-frame today. The plan was to haul over everything that could fit in boxes. The furniture, we’d deal with later. This was our second trip so far, and we’d need at least one more.

Though if Jasper wanted to delay packing and spend the rest of the day in bed, he’d get no arguments here. I could grab the rest after work this week. And if we were in the bedroom, I could continue to avoid reality.

For just another few hours.

Then I had to face my family.

My stomach twisted. Other than my sisters, no one had called me since the coffee shop yesterday. Maybe they hadn’t told anyone. Or maybe they’d told everyone.

The fact that I hadn’t heard from anyone was both relieving and stressful. But before I made the announcement, I wanted to be able to tell everyone that Jasper and I were living together.

I was going to confess that Jasper and I had gotten married on a whim. That the past month, we’d been spending time together. Getting to know each other. And the reason we’d kept it a secret was because I’d been unsure. Hence my outburst about the annulment at the coffee shop yesterday.

Then I’d tell them the truth. We were staying married. I’d moved into the A-frame. We were giving it a shot.

No one needed to know that that “shot” had a deadline.

The idea of lying to my parents and siblings made me queasy, so I focused on packing. Packing, I could control.

We’d already finished the bathroom and office. The kitchen hadn’t had much to begin with because, unlike Knox and Lyla, I didn’t hoard gadgets and cookbooks.

Once everything was at the cabin, I’d start the process of sorting. What we wouldn’t use for the next few months I’d put in storage. There was an empty shed tucked into the trees behind the A-frame that was about to get stuffed with boxes and my furniture.

I’d lived in this house for nearly two years, but my lease was up in June. I hated letting this place go, mostly because it was so close to work. But if I kept this house, my parents would ask questions. They’d have doubts. So in an attempt to convince my family and the community this marriage to Jasper was real, I’d let it go. Even if that meant a major headache this summer finding a new house. Rentals in Quincy, decent rentals, didn’t pop up often.

I spun in a slow circle, taking in the bedroom’s tan walls and thick crown molding. I’d miss this little home.

This house was cute. Old, but cute. Yes, the winters were too cold and the summers excruciatingly hot because this place had been built long before decent insulation was a standard. Still, it had been mine.

When Jasper and I parted ways, where would I go next? With any luck, maybe I could just come back here. There might be something else within walking distance to downtown. Worst case scenario, I could move to the ranch.

There was a loft apartment above the barn at home. My uncle Briggs had been living there for a while, but his dementia had progressed to the point where he needed more care, so Mom and Dad had moved him into a local home with nursing staff to help.

Mateo had lived in the barn loft for a while before he’d moved to Alaska. It wouldn’t be horrible. Mom would cook for me. That was a major bonus since I was still working on refining my cooking skills. But the drive to town alone would be time consuming, especially in the winter when the roads were icy.

And my poor pride might never recover if I had to move home after the divorce. I could already hear the snickers at my ten-year class reunion.

“Last resort,” I told myself, then finished unloading the dresser, zipping both suitcases closed.

My closet was next. Maybe we could just leave everything on the hangers. Was there enough room in the A-frame’s closet for all this?

Wait. Did the A-frame even have a closet? I hadn’t noticed one in the bedroom this morning. Maybe it was downstairs by the laundry room or bathroom.

“Jasper, how much room is in the closet at the A-frame?”

No answer. Where was he? Where was that box for my shoes?

“Eloise,” Jasper called.

“Yeah?” I hollered back.

“Come out here.”

I hefted a suitcase off the bed and popped the handle, dragging it behind me down the hall. “How much room do you have in the closet at the cabin?”

Jasper still didn’t answer.

“Can you not hear me?”

Silence.

“Apparently not,” I muttered, trudging to the living room. When I reached the mouth of the hallway, I came to an abrupt halt.

Oh shit.

Jasper stood, legs planted wide, arms crossed over his broad chest, staring at two angry men.

They also stood with their legs planted wide and arms crossed over their chests.

Griffin and Knox didn’t so much as glance my direction. Their glares were locked on Jasper.

Okay, so I guess Talia hadn’t kept this quiet.

My heart climbed into my throat as I risked a step into the room. The testosterone was stifling. It was like walking through a dense fog.

“Hey!” I smiled too brightly, hoping it would cover up my nerves.

Nope. My voice was shaky. Damn it. Someday I’d master cool and collected when faced with my angry, scowling brothers.

One hesitant step at a time, I walked straight through the wall of alpha-male energy to stand between them and Jasper.

Still, they ignored me completely. They looked straight over my head to scowl at Jasper.

This was the problem with marrying a man just as big as your brothers. I was ignorable.

“Did you bring one truck or two?” I asked.

No response. Could anyone hear me today?

“Griffin.” I reached out and poked him in the gut. His scowl deepened but he dropped his gaze, finally shifting his focus to me.

I realized my mistake too late. Because his gaze might as well have been a flamethrower.

“Is it hot in here?” I gulped. “Maybe we should all go outside where there’s more air. You can carry this suitcase for me.”

Nothing. Not even a blink.

“Okay, I’ll just wheel this one out myself.”

“You got married.” Knox’s voice was as lethal as Griffin’s glare.

“Right. Um . . . about that.”

Griffin’s nostrils flared.

“I see that Talia called you yesterday,” I muttered, my gaze flicking to Knox.

“It was Lyla,” he said. “Would have been nice to hear from you.”

I winced. “In my defense, I called both Winn and Memphis earlier. Neither of them answered.”

My strategy for breaking this news was to tell the easy people first. Hopefully earn a couple of allies. So I’d called their wives, breathing a huge sigh of relief this morning when neither had answered.

“You called at five o’clock this morning,” Knox said. “Memphis was asleep since she spent most of the night up with the baby.”

“And you called Winn’s personal phone,” Griffin clipped.

I knew that Memphis didn’t sleep with her phone in their bedroom, and Knox had been taking the early morning shift with the boys. And Winn always had her work phone close by in case the police station needed to get ahold of her. But I’d counted on her personal phone being out of battery or lost, like normal.

“I’m sorry.” I clasped my hands in front of me, a silent prayer for forgiveness. “I’m really, really sorry. But given you’re standing in my living room, it’s not like you’ve been in the dark for long. And I was going to tell you today. I swear.”

A muscle in Griffin’s jaw flexed. The scary muscle.

“I’m sorry.”

My apologies weren’t helping. Because we all knew I shouldn’t have waited. I should have talked to everyone yesterday. But the dread had been crippling. So instead of dealing with it last night, I’d escaped reality by sleeping in Jasper’s bed.

No more escaping.

It was time to face the consequences of my actions. And so far, this was playing out exactly as expected. They were mad, rightly so. And worse, they were disappointed.

“Do Mom and Dad know?” My breath lodged in my chest as I waited for Griff’s answer.

Griffin gave me a single nod.

My arms wrapped around my stomach. The regret swallowed me whole. I sucked as a daughter. “How mad are they?”

Knox scoffed. “Guess.”

Mad. Super mad.

“What the actual fuck were you thinking?” Griffin uncrossed his arms, planting his fists on his hips. “You got married. When? Where? Why the hell didn’t you tell your fucking family, Eloise?”

“See? This was why I wanted to talk to Winn first.” I shied away from that furious glare. “Because I knew you were going to yell at me.”

“You married a stranger. In secret. And you hid it from us. I’m going to fucking yell.”

“Griff—”

A strong arm wrapped around my shoulders, stopping another lame apology.

Jasper hauled me backward, flush against his chest. “That’s enough.”

Griffin’s gaze leveled on Jasper. “This is a private conversation.”

“You’re yelling at my wife.”

My jaw dropped.

It took a brave man to stand up to my brothers. That calm and collected I dreamed of? Jasper had it. Maybe he’d teach me.

Knox blinked. Then he dropped his chin, lifting a hand to rub over his mouth. Almost like he was surprised.

I stared up at Griffin, expecting to see that murderous glare he’d inherited from Dad. Except his scowl was gone. He looked . . . shocked. Intrigued? What the hell was happening?

“Sorry,” Griff muttered.

Jasper just kept staring at Griffin, his gaze as hard as I’d ever seen. Goose bumps broke out on my forearms as I stood between them, my head whipping back and forth, waiting for someone to speak or make a move.

But they were locked in this strange staring contest. Was this a good thing? A bad? Why were men so complicated?

We needed to go back to the yelling because then at least I knew what was going on.

Griffin was the first to break. His arms fell relaxed to his sides. He dropped his attention, his blue eyes finding mine. “You need to call Mom.” His voice was so gentle it hurt.

“I will.”

“Now. Not later today. Now. I know you’re avoiding this because it’s going to be hard. But she’s hurt.”

Ouch. “Okay.”

“Better add Talia and Lyla to your list.” Knox gave me a sad smile.

Griffin sighed, shaking his head. “Do you need help hauling stuff out of here? I can go home and bring in a horse trailer.”

My chin began to quiver. Tears welled. They might be mad, disappointed, but they were still my big brothers. And they’d help me move.

“Rain check?” I asked.

Griffin nodded, touched the tip of my nose, then without another word, turned and walked out of the house.

Knox jerked up his chin to Jasper, then followed.

It wasn’t until the rumble of Griffin’s truck vanished down the block that I relaxed, sagging into Jasper’s hold. “Sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.” He let me go, then stepped around me, taking the suitcase I’d hauled out, carrying it to the Yukon.

I walked toward the door, watching as he loaded it inside.

Well, that had gone . . . it had gone.

“Stupid Eloise,” I muttered.

Not only had I hurt my family but Jasper hadn’t deserved that ambush from my brothers. The person at fault here was me.

And I had more apologies to make.

So I squared my shoulders and headed for the kitchen, to where I’d left my phone earlier.

By the time I was done making phone calls, Jasper had taken the SUV to the A-frame and unloaded the boxes. When he came back to pick me up, I’d already cried three times.

Once, while talking to Mom. Again, while talking to Dad. The third time, after I’d left a message for Lyla.

I’d called Talia after my parents, and she’d warned me that Lyla might not want to talk.

It was heavy. Carrying around the weight of this kind of mistake was heavy. Maybe Jasper felt it too because when we got back to the cabin, he changed clothes and left for a run.

I spent the rest of the day unpacking, claiming the small closet in the tiny office for myself. Dinner was quiet. Afterward, Jasper built a fire and read a book while I continued to unpack. And after darkness fell, he retreated to the loft.

“You coming up?” he asked from the top of the stairs.

“In a bit.”

He gave me a sad smile, then turned off the light.

This was going to end in a disaster, wasn’t it? We were doomed.

Instead of climbing the stairs, I found a blanket and pillow.

And fell asleep on the couch.