Page 68 of Jasper

“Good.” He slowly and gently pulls out of me and gets off the bed. “Because now, Daddy is going to clean you up, slide your pacifier into your mouth, and snuggle you all night long.”

And they say fairytales don’t exist. I’m starting to think that’s a big fat lie because I think Jasper is my prince.

“Can we have sex again?”

He chuckles as he heads to the bathroom. “I’m not sure we’re going to get to sleep any time soon, rainbow. I’ve just got a taste of you, and I’m already dying for more.”

Luckily for me, we didn’t go to sleep until nearly four in the morning after he made up for his quickness several times.

Best. Night. Ever.

* * *

The sun is warm on my skin, a soft breeze rustling the leaves above us as I lie sprawled on a thick checkered blanket, surrounded by snacks and giggles. We’re having a picnic—me, Ember, and Rowie—all of us nestled in a little pocket of sunshine beyond the gardens.

Cage and Jasper spread out blankets for us earlier, making sure there was enough room to stretch out and enough pillows to lounge on. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this content just… existing. The sky is a perfect pale blue, and the scent of flowers mixes with the buttery aroma of pastries stacked on a tray near my elbow.

We’ve got little plates with cheese and crackers, grapes, strawberries, and flaky croissants, plus sippy cups filled with juice that makes Ember giggle every time she takes a sip.

“This is the best picnic ever,” Rowie declares, lying on her back and kicking her feet into the air.

Ember hums in agreement, her mouth full of raspberry pastry. “Especially because I don’t have to share.”

I laugh, nibbling on a cracker, feeling the sun’s rays and the sweetness of the moment soaking into my bones. I don’t remember ever having a moment like this—carefree, soft, safe.

Footsteps crunch softly on the grass, and we all glance up as Theo approaches. He gives us a crooked smile and lowers himself onto the edge of the blanket I’m lounging on, stretching his legs out beside mine.

“Ladies,” he says, nodding. “How’s the royal feast?”

“Delicious.” Rowie grins.

Theo glances at my plate, then shoots me a quick wink. My heart does a tiny flip.

Without hesitation, he reaches over and grabs one of my crackers already topped with a neat square of cheese. He pops the entire thing in his mouth, chewing with exaggerated slowness, making Ember giggle again.

I laugh, too, because something’s different this time. Normally, someone touching my plate would send a spike of panic straight through me. But now? Now, I feel… okay.

When Theo reaches for another cracker, his hand hovers briefly, his eyes flicking to mine. He’s checking. Making sure it’s all right with me.

I give a small nod, and he snags another, this time more confident.

A crumb falls from his hand and lands right on his dark T-shirt. Without thinking, I reach out to brush it off, but then stop myself short, my fingers only inches from his chest. My eyes go wide as I yank my hand back, embarrassed.

Theo looks down, sees the crumb, then looks up at me.

“It’s okay,” he says softly.

I swallow and nod, reaching out again, this time slower, and sweeps the crumb away. His body tenses slightly under my touch, but he doesn’t pull away.

When our eyes meet again, his expression is unreadable for a beat, then he gives me a small, grateful smile.

“Thank you,” he mouths silently.

I grin, my cheeks flushing, and turn back to the plate of fruit just as Ember launches into a story about a squirrel she saw dancing outside the kitchen window. We all laugh and chatter, lost in our own little world.

And to me, it’s the most perfect world ever.

* * *

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