Page 40 of Growing Into Love

I catch sight of the wi-fi password on the nightstand and quickly connect my phone. A text from Declan pops up.

How’s America.

Typical Dec. No question mark, no how are you.

Just got to the hotel. It would satisfy even Autumn’s standards, I reply.

Then I get another text notification. It’s Theresa.

Hey Jaz, just wanted to apologize again. I feel horrid about what’s happened. Maybe we could chat and clear the air? Let me know x

My heart clenches like a fist; the urge to give in to her like I always do is right there, tugging at me like a trout on the end of a line. I grit my teeth and look around the room. I don’t want Theresa poking her nose into this. This is Cass’s space. Besides, I’m not sure what she could possibly say that wouldclear the air. We had sex and she left me. Again. End of story.

My mind flits to the giddy grin on Cass’s face when she smelled the fancy shampoo, the way her jeans hugged her ass as she left the room just now. I blink and force my thoughts to the present.

The practice. I need to check on my practice.

I leave Theresa’s text unanswered and ring Clive.

“Evening boss,” he says cheerfully. “Or, sorry, what time is it there?”

“Afternoon,” I say. “How is Hart’s Crossing? Anything I need to be aware of?”

“All’s well over here,” Clive says. “The puppies are thriving, even the little runt you saved. Stephen O’Donnell’s sheep are on the mend. I checked on that alpaca at Oak Hill, she’s over the stomach bug. All of the Oak Hill alpacas need their teeth filed, but that’s nothing I can’t handle. Reggie Cawthorn found a stray cat and brought her in, so I’ve been giving her a wash to get the ticks off. He says he wants to adopt her.”

“Check with his mum first,” I say. Diana Cawthorn is a nurse who works all hours. Reggie is a good kid, but I don’t know if he’s up to taking care of his own pet. Though he’s terrific with the animals at Oak Hill. And cats are independent creatures.

“Will do,” Clive says. “I told Mr. Donaldson that I’d come round tomorrow and check on his Highland bull—he’s worried the old lad has gone infertile.”

“Good luck,” I say, thinking of the bull probe and not envying Clive that job.

“You know what they say—gotta grab the bull by the horns,” Clive jokes.

“Right,” I say. “Thanks so much for the help, Clive. I really appreciate it.”

“My pleasure,” Clive says. “This gives me a chance to get to know the town a bit better. Though Mrs. Williamson seems awfully suspicious of me.”

I laugh. “Mrs. Williamson hates everyone. Don’t take it personal.”

I say goodbye and hang up. I’m dying to use the jacuzzi tub but it’s Cass’s room and that would be rude. Surely she wouldn’t mind if I used her shower though. It would be nice to wash the travel off me.

I head to the bathroom and am both pleased and surprised to see there are multiple showerheads. There’s a rainfall shower overhead and two nozzles on either side. I’m beginning to understand Autumn’s appreciation for the finer things in life.

I turn all the showerheads on and strip out of my clothes. My cock stands proudly at attention, like it was just waiting to get hard again since that embarrassing moment on the plane. My thoughts drift to Cass’s legs, the slender length of her neck, that cheeky grin, and it throbs even harder. I step under the blast of water and let out anohhhhh. It feels like the water caresses every part of me, running in rivulets over my chest and down my thighs like a thousand delicate fingers. I grip my shaft in my hand and let my mind wander to places it shouldn’t. I imagine stripping Cass out of her fleece, her breasts falling heavily into my hands. I stroke myself insistently as I picture lifting one firm tit to my mouth, sucking on her sweet nipple until it hardens under my tongue. I bite it gently and she moans.

I pump more urgently, chasing that blissful high, imagining my hand is hers, those long fingers wrapping around my shaft. I picture that devilish look on her face as she takes me in her mouth and ohmyfuckinggod I explode against the tile wall of the shower, my orgasm surprising me with its force. Sparks flare in my vision as my ass clenches. I lean back, letting out a long groan until the ripples of pleasure fade to dull throbs.

I open my eyes and wipe the water out of them. Oh shit. I just masturbated to Cass in her shower. I quickly clean any remaining evidence off the wall, then clean it one more time just to be sure. I feel a touch embarrassed—this isn’t my room, she’s Declan’s sister—but the rush of endorphins keeps a grin on my face. That was incredible. Imagine what actually touching her would feel like.

No. I can’t imagine that. Touching her is reserved for David the fucking Dentist.

I wash myself off and shampoo my hair. I don’t want to get out of this shower but I don’t want to miss a call from the front desk either. I towel off and my groin aches. I feel myself getting hard again. Why does Cass suddenly make my body behave like it’s seventeen again?

I change clothes and head down to the front desk to see if there’s been any updates.

“Hi,” Betty says. “You’re Not-Delilah-Cunningham, right?”

“That’s right,” I say. “I’m Jaz.”

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