Page 71 of Reclaimed Roots

Irolled to the side, pulling her with me so she was tucked against my chest. As we lay there, basking in the afterglow, reality started to rear its head.

"We should probably talk about what happens next," I said reluctantly.

Natalie nodded, her expression turning serious. "You're right. We can't ignore the orchard's problems, or the mess with my dad's accounts."

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I know. But we'll figure it out together, okay? You don't have to carry this burden alone anymore."

She looked up at me hesitantly, her eyes glistening. "You mean that?"

"Of course I do. We're a team, Nat."

A small, shy smile tugged at her lips. "Okay."

I pressed a kiss to the top of her head and pulled her closer. "Whatever happens, we'll face it together. Deal?"

"Deal."

As we sealed our agreement with a kiss, I felt a sense of hope tentatively unfurling in my chest.

"So what's our first move?"

"Take me home, Jas."

"Are you sure?" I asked, hardly daring to believe it.

"So sure. I hate it here. It's loud, and it smells. My job here was soul-sucking."

Her words gushed out, as if she'd been holding them back for far too long. "I thought I needed to leave Sable Point to live out my dreams, that they could only be achieved in the big city. But now I see how wrong I was. Iwant to help people, like my dad did. I want to be surrounded by family. I want quiet pancake breakfasts with Mom and afternoons on the lake with your brothers and sister. I want to catch up on everything I missed out on over the last seven years."

Her next words sucker-punched me, stealing my breath.

"Sure, I've been living in the city, but I haven't really been living. Just existing. Missing you. You'remyhome too."

I wanted to grab her and kiss her senseless. But I held back, treasuring this moment, committing every word, every movement of her face to memory.

"I've waited seven years to start living again, Jasper. I'm done waiting."

All I could manage was a shaky laugh. "Well thank fuck for that."

Maybe this really was our second chance. A do-over. A chance to get it right this time.

The thought sent a thrill through me, equal parts excitement and fear. I was still trying to put words around what I was feeling when Natalie's stomach growled loudly.

She laughed, a light blush coloring her cheeks. "Sorry. I guess all that...activityworked up an appetite."

I grinned, pressing a quick kiss to her lips before sitting up. "Well, we can't have that. How about I go see what I can rustle up in that kitchen of yours?"

"You're going to cook for me?"

"Don't sound so surprised," I said, pulling on my boxers. "I'll have you know I've become quite the chef in your absence."

She raised an eyebrow. "Oh really? And what culinary delights can I expect from Chef Jasper tonight?"

I paused at the bedroom door, turning back to look at her. The sight of Natalie, hair mussed and cheeks still flushed from multiple orgasms, had my spent cock twitching against my thigh.

How did I get so lucky?

I winked at her. "That, my dear, is a surprise. But I promise it'll be better than those burned grilled cheese sandwiches I used to make."

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