by Eva Haining
“You’re badass. You know that, right?”
“I’m sorry I pushed you away, I thought it would be best… for you.” I gently grasp her chin between my thumb and forefinger, lifting her gaze to meet mine.
“Don’t ever do that again. I’d rather go bankrupt and live the rest of my life in obscurity than go another day without you.”
“You say that now, but what if I’m not enough?”
“Jesus, Maisie. What do I have to do to prove to you that the fame and fortune don’t mean shit if I haven’t got you? I’ve never fought with someone so much in my life.”
“Exactly.”
“But I’ve also never craved a woman the way I crave you. I’ve never known a love so fierce, and I’ve never felt so destroyed I couldn’t breathe. When I thought I’d lost you… fuck… I’d rather saw my arm off than feel that kind of pain again. I can deal with anything that comes my way as long as you’re with me.”
“I’m here.”
“We can take it as slow as you want. Start over. I know we’re not in the same place, but I can wait.”
“Slow is overrated. I don’t want to start over. I love you, Jasp. We fight, and we fuck, and we laugh, and we love. It doesn’t matter where we started, all that matters is where we end up. Together.”
“That’s my girl.” Rolling her underneath me, I grind my hips, letting the length of my hard cock caress her slick sex before sinking balls deep, ready to claim her again and again.
I’ll never get enough of her.
It’s been a few weeks since Maisie and I found our way back to each other, and I’ve been selfish with her, keeping her to myself.
I can’t believe I pulled it off, although it didn’t quite go according to plan. Maddox and Jax helped me arrange the trailer and getting Maisie there.
I thought I was going to lose it when she bailed on visiting the ranch the first day. I’d been sitting in that damn trailer for hours, waiting, worrying, going over my big romantic speech in my head so many times. And then the guys convinced me to go to Cardinals with them which almost ruined everything. Thank God, Jax intercepted Maisie, or I’d have ended up face to face with her after she’d had one too many shots of tequila. It took everything inside me not to go after her, even just to walk her home.
The next day I sat in the trailer from the crack of dawn, praying she’d show up. I’d almost given up hope when I saw her ride through the trees like some kind of warrior princess. It was supposed to be all sappy, and shit, when I gave her the camera trying to recreate a new and improved version of our meet cute.
In the end, I think it happened the way it was supposed to. Maisie and I are never going to be a cookie-cutter couple who fawn all over each other and agree about everything, but that’s okay. In fact, it’s better than okay, it’s fucking awesome.
“Close your eyes.” Today I have a surprise.
“I’m not even allowed to see the drive?”
“Nope. Now turn around so I can blindfold you.” The fresh smell of her hair mixed with the light addition of perfume fills the inside of the car. As I plunge her into darkness, my cock twitches in my pants. Yeah, we’re using this later.
“You know every street around here, so if I let you see where I’m driving, you’ll know where we’re going.”
“True. But now I’m nervous as a whore in church.” Worrying her fingers together in her lap, I’m mesmerized as she chews on her bottom lip. “Why aren’t we moving?”
“Because you’re blindfolded and biting that lip of yours is making me all kinds of hard.
“Mmm. Drive somewhere private, and I’ll ride you like a prized bull. I’ll even keep the blindfold on.” Fuck. I need to stay focused on the task at hand, but holy hell, I want her to play that out, riding my cock while I lay back and watch every one of her curves undulate, taking her pleasure from my body while giving mine what I need, what I crave with every breath.
Focus.
The engine roars to life, a welcome alternative to the silent seduction taking place in the confines of my car.
“This car’s got grunt. Is it a rental?” I let out a deep, throaty chuckle.
“A Bugatti Chiron is not a rental car, baby. It’s one hundred percent mine.”
“How did you get it here?”
“How does anyone get a car from A to B? I drove it.”
“From LA?” This is a good distraction. Mais is sharp as a tack and could probably track my turns through town without needing her sight. This is her hometown.
“Yeah. Cost me a small fortune in gas, but man oh man was it a smooth ride.”
“But now you’ll have to drive it back. That’ll take days.” God, she’s a born worrier.
“Today is supposed to be fun, and you’re coiled like a spring. Relax.”
I didn’t really consider the dirt track up to our destination when I decided to bring my car. We’d have been better served in her beat-up old Tacoma. As I gingerly creep down the dirt road, my pulse is racing so hard it’s booming in my ears as we come to a stop.
“Don’t take it off yet. I’ll come round to your side.”
When I open the door, her hands instinctively reach for me, her delicate fingers wrapping around my biceps.
“Don’t let me fall flat on my face.”
“Never.” Positioning her at just the right spot, I move behind her, my chest tight against her back as I loosen the blindfold.
“Your heart’s going like the clappers. Are you okay?”
“Never been better. Now… look straight ahead.”
There’s an audible gasp followed by silence. Oh crap. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea.
“It’s the old Boudouin Boarding House.” Her voice is awestruck, so I’ll take it as a sign to continue.
“Do you like it?”
“I’ve always loved it. It’s been dilapidated for years, but I used to come as a kid and just play out here. It seemed romantic somehow. I could never put my finger on it. Maybe it was the actress in me, I thought it was very Gone With The Wind.”
“Phew.” I pull in a lungful of air, unaware I’d been holding my breath for her reaction.
“Why are we here? It’s probably not safe to go take a peek inside.”
“This,” I motion to the rundown old mansion, “is going to be our new home if you’ll have me?”
Spinning around, she whips me in the face with her curls.
“You want to live here? With me?”
“Maisie, I want it all. I want to restore this place to a palace fit for my queen. To sit out on the front porch and watch our kids play in the yard. I want to make love to you in every room and fall asleep with you in my arms every night for the rest of my life.”
“What about LA? It’s your home.”
“Wherever your heart is beating, that’s my home.” Her lips crash down on mine, her tongue stroking my desire.
“I don’t want you to give up anything for me, Jasp.”
“I’m not. I’m gaining the love of my life. Welcome home, Maisie. This is now the Savage-Bryant residence.”
“Can we keep Boarding House in the title?”
“Whatever you want, baby. As long as you’re in there with me, you can call it whatever you like.”
“I think it should be the Savage Boarding House.”
“I want your name in there, too.”
“It will be… Maisie Savage has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?” My cock stiffens along with the rest of me as I take in her words.
“Baby, did you just propose?”
“I know what I want now, and it took me too long to realize it. I want you, Jasper. The whole kit and caboodle. The home, the babies, the life you see for us, but I want to do all of those things as your wife. So…” she drops to one knee in front of me, “… Jasper Savage, will you make an honest woman of this stubborn, sassy southern cowgirl? If you do, I’ll spend every day of the rest of our lives proving how fierce I love you.”
There are no words, only
emotion coursing through my veins, my skin alight with a fire so wild I can’t contain it. Pulling her up, I grab her hand and stride through the brush to the trees at the back of the property.
The second I’m sure her body will be shielded from view, I tug at the hem of her dress, dragging it up the length of her, to her waist, her breasts and over her head before dropping it to the ground. Her blush pink lace bra and panties are sexy as hell, but they’re just in the way.
The rise and fall of her chest have me straining against my jeans, but I want to kiss every inch of her with reverence, to worship at her altar before giving her my body. She can sense my hunger, the heat in my gaze commanding her without words. Reaching back, she unclasps her bra and lets it slip from her shoulders, her nipples budded tightly as the soft breeze caresses her naked flesh. As her hands move lower, I drop to my knees at her feet.
“Let me.” Pressing my lips to the apex of her thighs, I nuzzle at the lace, teasing myself until I can’t stand even this smallest of barriers between us. Sliding my fingers under the delicate lace, I drag them down her legs until she steps out of them, leaving her legs parted in invitation.
Darting my tongue out to trace her folds in one long, languorous lick, I’m rewarded with her soft moans.
“Back against the tree, baby. You’re going to need something to hold onto.” As my words vibrate against her sex, she reaches back, anchoring herself, naked and unabashed, sensual and overwhelmingly sexual.
My fingertips trace their way up her leg until I reach her knee, hooking it up and over my shoulder, opening her to my greedy gaze. God, she’s wet for me. I bury my head between her legs, lapping at the evidence of her arousal, flicking my tongue over her clit in a punishing rhythm before thrusting two fingers deep inside her.
“Oh, God, don’t stop!” As if I could. The place could be on fire right now, and I wouldn’t be able to give up the warmth of her on my tongue. When she’s close, I still my head, my fingers pumping deep inside, becoming slick with her juices, I let her ride my mouth with wild abandon. Her hands fist in my hair, forcing me to take her hard and fierce. Screaming my name as she finds her release, I gaze up at her, more in love than I’ve ever been. She’s so resplendent in the afterglow of an explosive orgasm.
“You taste so fucking good, baby.”
“I need you inside me… now.” Without another word, I rip open the button fly of my jeans, my cock aching to break free. Maisie tears at my shirt, her hands raking down my back before pushing my jeans and boxers just low enough for my erection to spring free. Pushing her up against the tree, I drop my head to her breasts, capturing first one and then the other with my mouth, positioning myself between her legs, the tip of my cock stroking her entrance.
“Tell me you’re mine, Mais.”
“Tell me you’ll marry me first.”
“Say it, baby. I need to hear you say it.” In one fluid movement, I fill her, sinking to the hilt. Her sharp intake of breath is followed by an ethereal groan of pleasure.
“I’m yours, Jasper.”
“You better believe I’ll marry you.” As I begin to move, her muscles tighten around me, staking her claim, and it’s so fucking hot. Circling my hips, I know this is going to be hard and fast. I’m too turned on to draw it out. “God, Maisie, I’m yours.”
Gripping her leg, I wrap it around my waist, opening her wider to take all of me from base to tip, grinding inside her, engulfed in her warmth as I chase my release.
“Jasper, I’m so close… oh God!”
“Come with me, baby. I can’t hold back any longer. Let yourself go.” As the words fall from my lips, she crashes over the edge, spiraling out of control, taking me with her as I bark out my release, so intense as every hot burst spills inside her. Wave after wave taking over a cognizant thought, our bodies moving in time, riding the aftershocks together until we’re completely spent.
I pull her into my arms, lowering her to the ground next to me in an attempt to calm myself, my legs too weak to hold us up. Letting my head drop back into the grass, I breathe in the thick scent of sex in the air between us.
“Woman, you’re going to be the death of me.”
“Not the worst way to go, right?” Her fingers trace circles on my chest as she leans her chin on my shoulder, her impossibly beautiful gaze trained on me.
“Best way to go.” Her satisfied purr has me twitching already. “Why is it that every time I try to do something sweet and romantic for you, we end up naked in a field?”
“Just lucky, I guess,” she says with a wry grin.
“I’m one lucky son of a bitch, that’s for sure.”
“So, did you mean it?”
“What?”
“That you’ll marry me.”
“On one condition.”
“Name it.”
“You let me buy you a ring. You sort of stole my thunder there, but I have a feeling our life is going to be full of moments when your sass outstrips my male ego.”
“As long as you know that, I guess I can deal with a rock on my finger.” Pressing a gentle kiss to my lips, she snuggles close to my side. “You really bought this place for me?”
“For us.”
“What about your life back in LA?”
“There are plenty of actors and actresses who don’t live in Hollywood. That was my home for a time, but this, Kingsbury Falls, you… are my home now.”
I reach for her clothes, unwilling to let go, but suddenly so possessive of her naked body. Draping her dress over her like a blanket, we rest for a while, looking at the bones of the house that will become our first home. It’s going to be beautiful, and best of all, it’s going to be ours.
My eyes drift closed as Maisie fills my mind with plans for every room, so vivid I can almost reach out and touch them. A blissful peace I never saw coming.
Six months ago, I’d have given anything to work with anyone else but the smart-mouthed country girl who now lies nestled in my arms. My arrogance was disarmed by her authenticity. My body knew long before my heart that this girl is the one for me. A tumultuous journey from enemies to lovers, Maisie has become my whole world, my best friend, my verbal sparring partner, and my epic love.
I, for one, can’t wait to see where life takes us as long as we’re together, at home, in Kingsbury Falls where it all began—our life together, our future, and our happily ever after.
EPILOGUE
MAISIE
I’m so nervous, my entire body is vibrating, alive with a hum of expectation as the limo pulls up outside the famous Grauman's Chinese Theater for the movie premiere. I’m dressed head to toe in couture and dripping with diamonds. Twisting the giant rock on my left hand, I feel like I’m going to wake up any moment, and this will all have been a dream.
In the months since Jasper and I consummated our desire to walk this crazy path called life together outside the relic that would become our home, life has been a whirlwind. Within days, Jasper had a dedicated crew working around the clock on the house to transform it into my every heart’s desire. Down to the smallest details, he ensured its loving restoration with a very specific end goal.
Instead of a housewarming party with all of our friends, we decided the first night in our new home would hold an altogether different significance. Four days ago, Jasper presented me with the keys to our home, along with a wedding ring. The extravagant foyer of the Savage Boarding House became the stunning backdrop to our wedding. The restored grand staircase garnished with flowers and thousands of twinkling lights, my aisle.
It was bittersweet to descend the stairs without my dad by my side. I would’ve loved for him to see me grow into the woman I’ve become and to meet the man I’ve chosen to spend the rest of my life with, but fate had other plans. The second I set eyes on Jasper, my heart was filled with nothing but pure, unadulterated joy and a love so deep it called out to him.
Jax teared up the day I asked him to walk me down the aisle, pulling me into the tightest hug of my life, his voice t
hick with tears as he accepted. He’s been such a loyal friend for both Jasper and me, even helping orchestrate Jasper’s return to Kingsbury Falls. For that, he’ll always be more than a friend, the family we choose for ourselves. With my arm wrapped tight around his bicep, he held me close, making sure I wouldn’t falter as I made my way to the man of my dreams.
Jasper was every inch the Hollywood heartthrob in a stunning tailored tuxedo, his hair in the sex-mussed style I love so much. Standing across from him, we made our vows to love, honor, and cherish each other for as long as we both shall live in the presence of God, our friends, and family.
There were no cameras other than the photographer Mad uses at the ranch’s wedding barn. An intimate affair filled with love and laughter and a whole lot of dancing. The band from the wrap party was playing out in the vast field behind our new home, Mirabelle’s voice echoing with haunting beauty as we took to the dance floor that Jasper had constructed for the occasion. Lost in each other’s arms, he held me close as the lyrics to ‘Thunder in the Rain’ washed over us, enveloping us as we danced for the first time as husband and wife.
It was a perfect evening.
The town came out in force for the reception, everyone toasting our future with the love and merriment I’ve come to hold so dear. Even Thomas came, but I have a suspicion it was more to watch Mirabelle sing than wish us well. Whatever his reasons, I was glad he came.
That night, when all the guests had left, Jasper carried me over the threshold of our new home and straight to our bedroom. We made love with a passion so consuming it truly felt like we became one. A perfect coming together of two bodies, two souls, embarking on one life together.
“Where’s your head at, beautiful?” Jasper’s raspy voice brings me back to the moment, the limo coming to a standstill with roaring applause just outside the darkened windows.
“I was just thinking about the wedding. Seems so crazy it was only four days ago, and now we’re here, and the world is about to see the movie. It’s all so surreal.” Pulling me close to his side, caressing his hand over my cheek, he presses a whisper of a kiss to my lips.