Page 40 of Glass & Groundwork
“Bees are matriarchal, I don’t think they will accept the husband excuse.”
“No, probably not. It’s just as well, I suppose. I’ve gotta get up and head to my storage unit. George’s team is going to help me install my torch and desktop kiln today. I might even be able to fire it up.”
The way his eyes lit up made my heart dance. Sitting up, I grabbed my glasses off the side table so I could see him better. I loved the way he looked when he talked about his work. His golden irises shone with the starlight that first caught my eye. Although, the intense heat I’d seen in them yesterday had made an entirely different impression. “Oh yeah? Do you need help?”
Jasper cocked his head. “Don’t you have to answer to Queen Beeatrix?”
“Queen Beeatrix?” I asked with amusement.
“Yes. your queen bee. I don’t know her name. What’s her name?”
“I haven’t given her one.”
Jasper gasped and put his hand to his chest. “I’m shocked. Shocked! To think you could be married to someone and not even know them.”
I snorted at the insinuation. “Imagine that.”
He cut me a look that was both playful and accusatory. “How could you not name her? I mean I understand not naming the boys, but she’s the queen. Thequeen, Gio!”
Pursing my lips to hold back my smile. “There’s a new queen every two to three years.”
“So what? She earned her crown and she deserves to be recognized. From this day henceforth, she shall be named Queen Beeatrix the First of the McNeely Clan.”
Forgetting he was naked, I reached over and grabbed him, pulling him into my lap, loving the squeak that popped out of him at the quick action. Unable to resist, I held his face in myhands, and pecked a kiss to his lips. Meeting his eyes, I said in as serious a voice I could muster while trying not to grin like a fool. “So it has been written, so let it be done.”
Jasper snickered. “Glad we were able to set things right. Anyway, I know you have stuff to do, so you don’t have to come with me.”
“I can call in reinforcements. The kids have all helped in the apiary. Let me see who’s available and I’ll come with you.”
That starlight returned and he threw his arms around my neck. I hugged him, loving the weight of his body on mine. I tried not to think about his bare ass on my cock, separated only by the shorts I wore. With his scent in my nose and the vivid memories of last night, it was foolish to think I’d be able to control my reaction to him. Jasper gave a little wiggle on my lap, making the situation worse.
When he pulled away, he wore an impish smirk, clearly aware of what he’d done. “Come on, Daddy, we’ve got places to be.”
Jasper slid off me, not attempting to hide the semi he was sporting. I cleared my throat. “Yeah. In a minute.”
He barked out a laugh, and sauntered off to the bathroom, allowing me to enjoy the view. When the door closed, I shook my head, trying to clear it, and keep myself from following him. Just because we’d gotten off once, and he was comfortable being affectionate while nude, didn’t mean this wasthatkind of relationship. It wasn’t.
Grabbing my phone, I sent a message to the family group chat.
Me: Is anyone available to work today? I’m going to help Jasper with some of his equipment.
Yahir: His equipment, huh? I bet he loves it when you use his equipment.
Me: Yahir! May I remind you that Jasper is in this chat, too.
Yahir: Jasper, how well does Papa handle your equipment?
Me: Yahir!
Yahir: What? I was including him in the conversation.
I let out a sigh and shook my head. He always liked to push in that playful way of his, but it was different now that I had someone in my life, someone I cared about, and didn’t want him to feel objectified.
Me: You can’t see my face, but I’m sure you can imagine what it looks like.
Yahir: Sorry, Papa. And Jasper. I’m just having a little fun.
I knew he didn’t mean any harm, but he was growing a little too comfortable and confident in his young adulthood. No, he wasn’t my biological son, I hadn’t raised him from birth, so I usually gave a lot of leeway when it came to his lewd comments, but there were times he needed to learn to rein it in a bit.
