“I do too, pet.” Vincent rubbed his palm against Jasper’s back. “I can’t promise how long it’ll last, but I have no intention of letting you go anytime soon.”
It wasn’t much of a promise, but it was enough for now. Jasper hadn’t irreparably ruined their vacation, and Vincent didn’t want to end their contract early. As he finally drifted to sleep, Jasper told himself not to worry about their time together until their current contract neared its end.
Chapter 19
VINCENT WOULDnever admit it, but he was relieved to be back in the cabin. He’d known Jasper’s father had to be a piece of work, but seeing it for himself was worse than his imagination. He wasn’t too impressed with Amber, either, though he supposed family had a tendency to bring out the worst in each other. It didn’t make it any easier to keep from offering to let Jasper move into his spare bedroom.
The last person he’d lived with was Adam, and that was only after dating him for their final year at Oxford. Looking back, even that had been too soon, but that likely had more to do with Adam being a toxic asshole and Vincent ignoring everyone around him trying to tell him as much. The fact both Zach and Ash had taken to Jasper should have been enough to quell any doubts, but Jasper moving in would hopefully mean wearing Vincent’s collar and an entirely new level to their relationship.
Not that he didn’t want that. Jasper had already proven to be an amazing sub, and they worked well together, but were they really ready for that kind of commitment? Jasper was still young, still in college, likely hadn’t even reached the point of fully realizing who he was or wanted to be yet. None of which were deal breakers, but they weren’t to be ignored either.
Jasper shifted in his sleep, rolling away from the streak of watery sunlight filtering through the blinds. He curled closer to Vincent, most of his warm olive skin exposed where he’d kicked the covers off in the night.
Vincent draped the sheet over him as the AC turned on with a rush of cool air, content to watch Jasper sleep for a few minutes before finally getting up to start the day. He neededa shower, but if Jasper was still in the mindset of wanting Vincent to make decisions for him, he had plans for how to accommodate.
He settled for wiping a warm cloth over his face and neck, then headed down to start breakfast. While the pans warmed he grabbed his phone, glad to see no missed calls from Amber. A text from Zach confirmed they were free to have lunch whenever, and that Ash could do the photo shoot as soon as the rain let up.
He got the eggs and bacon started and then checked the forecast. The rain was supposed to last all day, but the rest of the week should be clear. He suggested two days out for the shoot, to give the ground a chance to dry up, and lunch the day after. A thumbs-up response came through a few minutes later, and he set his phone aside to focus on cooking.
Jasper stumbled into the kitchen like a zombie as Vincent was finishing the first pancake and plastered himself to Vincent’s back. “Not allowed to leave me alone in bed,” he grumbled, wrapping his arms tight around Vincent’s stomach.
“My mistake. I’ll be sure to wake you next time I’m up before dawn,” he replied dryly.
“Why would you be up before dawn?” Jasper asked, his words warped by a loud yawn. “Only psychos get up that early.”
“Who says I’m not?” Vincent grabbed a plate and pried one of Jasper’s hands free to press the dish into. “Eat up.”
Jasper made a happy noise. “Am I going to need my strength?”
He leaned over to steal a quick kiss. “Always,” he murmured with a swat to Jasper’s ass.
Jasper grinned and filled his plate, and Vincent was glad to see it was more than he’d been eating the last couple of days.
Once he had his own plate and had settled at the table, he eyed Jasper. “Where’s your head at today?”
Jasper shot him a curious look. “I’m okay… I’m up for anything.”
Vincent hesitated, then remembered how Jasper had circled the slave for a day option. “If you still want to give up making decisions, I can make you my slave for the day.”
“Yes,” Jasper said, heat staining his cheeks as he straightened. “Please.”
“Do you still want to stop using condoms?”
Jasper’s flush darkened as he flicked his tongue against his lips. “Yes.”
Vincent let out a satisfied hum and motioned for Jasper to finish eating. If Jasper wanted to forget the past few days, he could help with that. It might not be the healthiest response, but Vincent was of the opinion that Jasper’s father had earned the contempt of his sons. There wasn’t anything for Jasper to do from here, and it was clear he hadn’t been wanted or needed there by anyone but Amber. The least Vincent could do was help him enjoy himself for the rest of their time here.
Once they finished eating, he left Jasper to clean up as he retrieved a blindfold and two pairs of cuffs from the playroom, then motioned Jasper upstairs to the bathroom. “For the next few hours, you’re completely mine,” he said, turning Jasper to face him. “Give me control. You don’t need to worry about anything except your safeword or the signals I request of you.”
Jasper’s throat worked as he swallowed. “Yes, Sir,” he whispered. “I’m all yours.”
“Good boy.” Vincent pulled him in for slow lingering kisses while divesting him of what little clothing he had on. Then he pointed out the hand grips near the top of the shower. “Hold on to those.”
Jasper stepped into the stall and grabbed on to them, adjusting his hands before glancing over his shoulder.
“Good.” Vincent lifted the blindfold and waited for Jasper’s nod to secure it around his eyes. He rested his hands on Jasper’s shoulders and brushed a kiss against his ear. “Relax, pet. I’ll take good care of you.”
Jasper tilted his head enough that Vincent caught the faint smile on his lips. “You always do, Sir.”
