“Jesse, you’ve already seen every inch of me.”

  “Well, I don’t want to see it now.”

  Her heart shriveled.

  With a grunt, he slammed the drawer. “Don’t need lust clouding my judgment. That’s how we got into this mess in the first place.”

  In the bathroom, she shed her wet garments, blotted her sopping hair, and pulled on Jesse’s clothes, warm and soft against her bare skin. The plaid flannel shirt nearly reached her knees, but since he was so averse to seeing her body, she stepped into the sweats and cinched the waist tight. The socks were ridiculously large, too, but better than padding through the cold house in bare feet. Borrowing his comb, she unsnarled her mane before stepping into the bedroom.

  “Jesse?” No sign of him, but a fire crackled in the fireplace.

  “How freakin’ romantic,” she muttered, bitterness sharp on her tongue.

  She found him in the kitchen stirring two mugs of hot cocoa. When she approached, he turned and wordlessly held up a bottle of Jameson.

  “Yes, please.”

  He added a generous glug to each mug, handed her one, and beckoned her to the living room, where he sat on the sofa and patted the cushion beside him.

  Nerves wound tight, she sat and curled her legs beneath her.

  He wrapped the worn sofa quilt around their shoulders, then gave her a long, narrow-eyed stare. His jaw muscles worked. She could almost see the wheels turning in his skull—tick, tick, tick.

  He crossed his arms, making his biceps bulge. Unfair—how was she supposed to concentrate?

  “My gramps had a saying about how people are like tea bags. You don’t find out how strong they are until they land in hot water.” He reached for his mug.

  She did the same, taking a big gulp of sugary liquid courage before twisting to face him. “Look, Jesse. I am what I am. Flawed, impulsive, insensitive.”

  Jesse nodded, his expression solemn.

  Throw me a crumb, will you? She took another sip and plowed ahead. “And you’re flawed too. Jealous when there’s no need, stubborn, and far too Netflix and chill for my taste.”

  “Hmmph.” His lips quirked to the side.

  She laid her hand on his knee. “But here’s the thing—I’ve felt more alive, more myself these past weeks with you than I have in a long time. Flitting from place to place scratches an itch in my soul. I don’t know how to reconcile that with loving a man who’s deeply rooted to one place—even if it’s a town as magical as Trappers Cove.”

  Jesse’s hand closed over hers. His eyebrows unclenched. “Did you say loving?”

  Her belly fluttered, but she raised her chin and faced her fear. “Yes. I love you, Jesse Del Toro. And that’s terrifying, because being tied down to one place makes me…”

  “Itchy?” He cocked an eyebrow. “Or do you just hate being tied to one person?”

  “No.” With a firm head shake, she took his face in both hands, loving the scratchy softness of his beard against her palms. “I don’t feel that way about you. In fact, I’m ninety-nine point nine, nine, nine percent sure you’re the one. My person. Isn’t it weird that fate would send me the least compatible man imaginable and make him so completely irresistible that I have to rethink everything?”

  Jesse’s gaze softened. He enfolded her hand in his warm, work-roughened palms. “I don’t want you to rethink everything, Gemma. I just want you to be mine. And if I have to let you go wander sometimes, I can live with that. I’ll be edgy the whole time you’re gone, but I’ll endure it for your sake.”

  She dropped a kiss into his palm. “How about coming with me?”

  A huge grin spread his lips. “If I can get someone to watch the greenhouses, yeah. Sometimes I’ll come with you.” He wrapped her in his strong arms and pressed his forehead to hers. “I don’t want you to change your nature, Gemma. I find your nature intoxicating.”

  The glow in her chest obliterated the howling storm outside, the fears holding her back, and every last defense that stood between her and her prize—Jesse Del Toro’s love. Arm in arm, heart to heart, they’d figure out a way to make this star-crossed connection shine bright and strong and true.

  Jesse gathered her against his chest and nuzzled her hair. “You know what I want now, more than anything?”

  She arched her breasts against him, wishing he’d get on with it already. “I want that too, Jesse.”

  “Perfect.” Grinning, he pressed his forehead to hers. “Bubbles or no bubbles?”

  “Huh?”

  “You’re still shivering.” He ran his hands up and down her arms. “Let’s warm up in the bath.”

  “Oh.” Disappointment popped her happy, horny bubble, until she realized what a bath with Jesse would probably entail. Warm, relaxed muscles, slippery skin, squeaky clean manly bits ready for her delectation. Grinning, she ran her fingertip over his whiskered jaw. “You pick.”

  His feral grin glinted in the firelight. “I love it when you let me take charge.”

  “Hmmm.” Her fingertip traced spirals over his chest. “I noticed that.”

  His fiery gaze pinned her for a long, heated moment. His nostrils flared, and he clutched the back of her head and claimed a searing kiss—sweet, hot, and a bit chocolaty. Absolutely delicious.And then he released her.

  Whimpering, she reached for him.

  “Patience, love.” He rose to his feet and backed away, wearing a devilish grin. “I’ll fetch you when it’s time.”

  She curled on the couch, lulled by the thrum of rain and wind and the fire’s crackling counterpoint. She was on the verge of drifting off to sleep when she felt hot breath on her cheek. “Your bath is ready. Let’s go.” His strong arms tunneled beneath her body and lifted her into the air.

  “Jesse,” she squeaked, almost ashamed of how much this clichéd gesture turned her on. Sailing down the hall cradled against her man’s chest was all kinds of delightful.

  In the bathroom, he set her feet on the fluffy rug, grasped the hem of her borrowed shirt, and whipped it over her head. His hands smoothed over her sides, down her back to rest on the swell of her ass. “I didn’t think I’d ever touch your satin skin again. I’m so glad you came back.”

  She flattened her palms on his broad chest and gazed into his whiskey brown eyes. “I’ll always come back to you, Jesse. Wherever you are, that’s my home.” She gave his collar a clumsy yank. Must’ve been more alcohol in those drinks than she’d realized. Good thing his flannel shirt fastened with snaps and not buttons.

  Running her hands all over his bare torso was almost as heavenly as the pleasure to come. She’d missed this strong, solid man, the sensual contrast between his smooth skin and the coarse hair across his muscular chest and belly.

  “Damn, woman, you sure can tie a knot.” Grumbling like a horny bear, Jesse tugged on the drawstring of her borrowed sweatpants.

  “How ‘bout I do mine and you do yours?” Giggling, she slithered out of the giant sweats while Jesse unfastened his jeans and let them fall to the floor.

  His fat, ruddy cock rose to greet her. She reached for him with greedy hands.

  “Ah, ah, ah, bath first.” With a teasing smile, he climbed into the oversize tub, spread his knees wide, and waggled his eyebrows.

  Stepping carefully, she settled between his splayed legs and rested her back against his hot, muscly chest. Thoughtful man, he’d stocked up on her favorite soap from Zora’s shop, a fresh, herbal scent with rosemary, eucalyptus, and mint. He lathered up his big hands and stroked them over every inch of her body while she purred and stretched.

  “Turn around, Gemma.”

  Giggling, she hugged her knees to her chest and spun on her behind so he could massage her feet and run his strong fingers between her toes, leaving her weak and giddy with pleasure. Leave it to Jesse to reveal yet another erogenous zone.

  “Your turn, love.” She wrapped her legs around his waist and gave him the same slow, sensuous soaping, taking her time to relish every curve and plane from his neck to his powerful legs. When she soaped his feet, he squirmed and laughed, sloshing water onto the floor.

  Ticklish, eh? She filed that away for future use.

  Saving the best bit for last, she skimmed past his tempting cock and reached for a plastic pitcher on the tub’s rim. “Tilt your head back.”

  She sluiced warm water over his head, then filled her palm with shampoo and lathered his thick curls, massaging in firm circles with the pads of her fingers.

  “Ahhh.” His eyes closed on a sigh, and his head lolled onto her shoulder. “You really do have magic powers, don’t you?”

  She rinsed away the suds and lathered her hands again for the pièce de résistance. His hips bucked as soon as she gripped his rigid shaft. Well, that part certainly hadn’t relaxed. When she gently cupped his balls, he whimpered, then scooped her up by her armpits and tugged the plug away with his toes. “Time for bed.”

  He unfolded a big, fluffy towel—because of course Jesse made sure each sensuous detail was perfect—and dried her in firm strokes. She’d only halfway dried his big body when, eyes aflame, he whisked the towel from her hands, lifted her into his arms, and carried her to the bed.

  “You better not drop me, mister.”

  With a sexy snarl, he nibbled her neck, then tossed her onto the mattress. Laughing, he dove on top of her and wrapped her with his arms and legs. “You should have seen your tits bounce. Magnificent.”

  Laughing and tickling, they wrestled until he sprawled atop her, one leg between hers, his cock throbbing against her belly, his fingers tangled in her hair.

  “Gemma. So beautiful.” His smile melted into a gaze of reverence. Never had she felt more cherished.

  He rose onto his elbow and twined a damp strand around his finger. “Is it true? Do you really love me?”

  “I do, Jesse.” She wound her arms around his neck. “Now come to me.”

  “Hallelujah.” He opened the nightstand drawer, sheathed himself, then covered her hungry body with his, sliding against her until her nerve endings crackled and flashed. Nimble fingers parted her folds, settling on her hyper-sensitized clit.

  She arched on a moan. The emotion of the day swam just under her skin. Swirling together with this heady arousal, the mixture threatened to combust.

  “Please, Jesse,” she gasped. “I need you inside me.”

  He entered her in one slow glide, stretching and filling her until she wanted to weep and sing and hold him this close forever. No games this time, no teasing, just undulating in each other’s arms, his pleasure twining with hers, spinning them higher and higher until he shouted her name, and she clasped him so tight, bliss wiping away every fear, every thought but Jesse, Jesse, Jesse.

  Afterward, she lay in his arms, happy and content, one hundred percent sure she’d made the right choice. It wouldn’t be easy, finding a way to join their contrasting natures, but their connection was strong enough, sweet enough, true enough to last.

  Chapter Fourteen

  After circling the vendors’ parking lot at the Portland Expo Hall again and again, Jesse finally found a spot for his truck. He secured a tarp over his rolling cart to protect his tender plant babies, survivors of last week’s storm, from the wicked wind. He’d hoped to contribute much more to this event, but even with the help of a dozen friends, he was only able to salvage about half his crop after repairing the greenhouses.

  He texted Gemma.

  Here. Where’s your booth, love?

  Aisle Five, halfway down

  The Esoteric Arts Expo had started two hours ago, but an emergency call from Francesca’s restaurant delayed his arrival. At least his ladies weren’t late to the party. And what a party! The cavernous hall was bursting with woo-woo types from flower-crowned hippie grandparents to tiny kids in home-spun sweaters. He rolled his cart past vendors selling kombucha and kimchi, past-life regression, aura readjustment, enough jewelry for multiple dragon hoards, and every CBD product known to man, not to mention all the tie-dyed, bejeweled, funky clothing.

  And he’d thought his borrowed Renn faire shirt and Celtic knot necklace would fit right in. Ha! He felt positively bland among all these crystal-bead-fairy types.

  He spotted Zora’s purple fortune-teller tent from Trappers Cove’s July Fourth bash. She’d even brought her crystal ball. Probably just a prop, but you never knew with Zora. Her elaborately carved chair sat empty, though, and a sign on the tent flap read The Seer will be back in ten minutes.

  Gemma hadn’t seen him yet, so he took a moment to drink in the sight of his ladylove in her element. Dressed in a long velvet gown, a flowered crown over her loose, wavy hair, she made a perfect Maid Marian. Hmm, maybe some costumed role play? He added a mental note to his Keeping Gemma Interested file.

  As she bent to ring up a handful of crystals, her dress gaped at the neckline, displaying her creamy cleavage. His inner bull snorted, riled at the idea of all these shoppers ogling his woman.

  He shoved the beast back into its stall and rolled his cart behind the table. “Morning, beautiful.”

  “Jesse!” Her smile shone brighter than all those crystal doodads as she threw her arms around his neck and rose on tiptoe to kiss him.

  “Sorry I’m late. Francesca had a basil emergency.”

  She patted his chest. “I’ll bet she just wanted to ogle the herb farmer. Love the shirt. You’re quite the swashbuckler.” With a sexy little growl, she swirled her fingertip in his chest hair.

  Joy filled him like sunshine. God, he loved this woman.

  “C’mon.” She tugged him to the display. “Come see what Marquetta made.”

  The table was piled high with cellophane packets holding teas, smudge sticks, bath salts, plus herb-infused massage oils, lip balms, and hand creams, all emblazoned with colorful labels reading Del Toro Botanicals.

  “I scoured the internet to find the perfect bull. He looks just like you, my sexy beast.”

  Jesse squinted at the image, then threw back his head and roared with laughter. If Gemma thought he resembled this curly-haired brute with fiery eyes and steam shooting out its snout, he wasn’t about to argue with her.

  “The logo is awesome.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I’m truly flattered. Where should I unload the plants?”

  She pointed to a wooden shelf, then turned her attention to a customer. He finished unloading in time to hear her say, “Del Toro Botanicals, our partner for organic herbs, was a victim of last week’s storm.” She tapped a large jar half-filled with coins and bills. “Any help you can give to the rebuilding fund would be much appreciated.”

  The old hippie dude dumped his change into the jar.

  “You made a tip jar for me?” He peered at the label, a photo of his hodgepodge crew of helpers in front of the decimated greenhouses.

  She shrugged. “The aunties and I want to do what we can to help.”

  “Gemma, you are the best.” Tears prickled his eyes as he pulled her to his chest and rocked her, heedless of the crowd.

  Zora and Marquetta arrived with a tray of chai lattes, interrupting their embrace. “Oh,” Marquetta cooed. “Look at the lovebirds. It warms my old heart to see you two back together.” She set down the drinks and threw her arms around both of them.

  Zora joined the hug scrum too. “I love our little family,” she sighed into Jesse’s back.

  Jesse grinned so hard his cheeks ached. All the help he received from Trappers Cove this past week proved they really were much more than neighbors—they were the best kind of family, connected by bonds stronger than blood. Adding Gemma to his clan of the heart was the crowning touch. He truly was a happy man.

  “Okay, enough mushy stuff.” Marquetta released him and rubbed her palms together. “Show us your surprise, Jesse.”

  “Right.” He blotted his eyes on his sleeve. “I found this collection of old pots in the rubble. Gramps must’ve used them for decorative plants back in the day.” He’d cleaned up the ceramic pots, big and small, shallow and deep, and filled them with whatever herb plants he could salvage after the storm. With a homemade stencil and gold spray paint, he labeled each Good Vibes Garden. Hand-lettered popsicle sticks identified the herbs in each pot.

  “Didn’t have time to research all their magical properties, but I figure you ladies can explain that part to customers.”

  The three women couldn’t have looked happier if he’d presented them with a basket of kittens. Gemma clapped a hand over her heart. “But you don’t believe in this woo-woo stuff.”

  Jesse shrugged. “Not really, but you do, and that’s good enough for me.” He took her hand and kissed it. “Thank you for showing this stubborn ass a way to expand his market.”

  Gemma snuggled into his arms. “And thank you for helping me expand my–well, everything. You taught me something important about myself.”

  “What’s that?”

  “The value of roots. Guess I had to fall in love with a farmer to learn that lesson.” She pressed her soft lips to his.

  Honestly, if she kept on kissing him like this, both his heart and his dick were going to explode.

  She purred into his ear, “Of course, I’ll always crave new experiences. It’s my Aquarius nature, you know.”

  He squeezed her hip. “Woman, you and your new experiences are going to wear me out. What do you have in mind?”

  She giggled. “You look mighty fine in that pirate shirt. How about adding an eye patch?”

  He gave her a mock-stern glare. “Okay. But I draw the line at a parrot.”

  She laughed into his kiss. “Agreed. The only one I want to hear squawking in our bed is you.”

  “Ahem.” A middle-aged couple in medieval garb stood at the table. “We’re ready for our reading.”

  “Of course you are, darlings,” Zora cooed, smoothing her velvet caftan. “Come in, have a seat.” She ushered them into her tent and closed the curtain.

  While Jesse enjoyed his spicy latte, Gemma tended to customers, charming them with in-depth knowledge of her woo-woo wares. Grinning like a kid on Christmas morning, he watched her work the crowd. Loving Gemma was a huge risk, but she’d taught him a valuable lesson—if you want to fly, you’ve gotta take a leap of faith. And he was so glad he’d jumped.

 

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