Page 2 of Cherished Lands
Better to opt for a quick, casual fuck.
I thrust into the brunette once, twice, three times. My cock pulsed, and I spilled into the condom separating us. Her walls were still fluttering around me as I pulled out of her with a groan and rolled onto my back, panting.
"That was... so good. I've never actually come during sex like that."
My chest puffed up with pride. That definitely inflated myego a little. But part of me wondered whether she was simply inexperienced or one of the many unfortunate women who'd never been with a man who could get them off.
"How old are you?" I asked.
"Don't you think that's something you should've asked before you fucked me?"
I barked out a laugh. "Yeah, probably."
"I'm twenty-one."
Same age as my baby sister. Fuck.
"Fuck."
"Why? How old are you?"
"Thirty-one."
"I like an older man."
An uncomfortable silence settled over us as I worked to catch my breath.
"Can... can I get your number?" she asked. "I'm here for another week."
"I don't think that's a good idea, sweetheart. I'm going to be busy with work. This was a last hurrah for me. One I greatly appreciate."
I chanced a look at her. A crestfallen frown marred her pretty face.
"I'm sorry I wasn't more..."
I rose on my elbow and gripped her chin, forcing her eyes to mine.
"Donotapologize. You are beautiful and sweet. Any man would be lucky to have you. I'm just not that man. You are more than enough exactly the way you are."
I meant every word. She would be more than enough forwhatever lucky man tied her down someday. Difference was, I would have liked toactuallytie her down, and it was clear we weren't on the same page.
Supposedly, there was someone for everybody.
Just maybe not me.
The next morning,I strode into my parents' kitchen, immediately spotting my brothers at the island. Jasper was hunched over his laptop, scowling at a spreadsheet. He looked like the entire weight of the orchard's financial crisis was pressing down on his shoulders.
It was like looking at a slightly younger version of myself. While Chase and I were identical, Jasper wasn't far off, except his eyes were amber where ours were blue. We had the same tall, bulky build and the same dark hair. On more than a few occasions, folks had mistaken us for triplets.
I loved both my brothers, but I was endlessly grateful for Jasper. I couldn't give two shits about numbers and computers. I was meant for working the land—pouring my blood, sweat, and tears into it. Jas had taken over the business side of the orchard without hesitation. It made sense, given that he'd spent so much time in Edward Choi, our family accountant's, office.
Jasper had been in love with Ed's daughter, Natalie, since he hit puberty. Before that, they were best friends. But she broke his heart when she rejected his proposal and left town after graduation. Ed's death earlier this year had forced Natalie toreturn to Sable Point, and shit played out exactly as everyone expected. The moment those two were back in each other's orbit, it was inevitable they'd be pulled back together.
Chase, on the other hand, sat with his feet propped up on the counter like he didn't have a care in the world. Our physical similarities were undeniable, but our attitude toward life? Toward responsibility? We couldn't have been more different.
Chase hadn't taken an interest in the manual labororthe business side of Ever Eden. At times, I envied his ability to just not give a shit. But mostly, it annoyed the hell outta me, especially when the rest of us were working our asses off to save this place.
"Where were you last night?" Jasper asked, barely glancing up from his screen. "We missed you at dinner."
