“This is where I want to be,” she assured him.
“Want to see my place?” he asked them.
“Sure!” Enid agreed.
“Why do you stay at the apartment with your cousins if you have this place?” Hana asked.
“Well, it’s not all that fixed up yet. I’m gradually adding to its comforts. It’s pretty basic at the moment.”
“Does it have a bed?” Enid asked with a smirk.
“Yes, Miss E. A king sized one. But not much else. I just finished it recently and I’m still kinda moving in.”
He opened the door almost shyly. The room was done in very masculine colors, but there was very little furniture in the living room. Aside from a sectional couch and a widescreen TV, there wasn’t much else. He did have a sound system and shelves for DVD’s and CD’s, though most of them were empty. Boxes, marked with their contents, neatly lined the wall.
Enid decided to stay in the living room while he showed Hana the rest of the house. “Don’t forget I’m out here, and get carried away. I’ll get grumpy.”
Jasper laughed and clicked on the TV. “I promise, I won’t be naughty,” he assured her. “But I can’t promise not to have wicked thoughts.”
“Putting them into action, is what gets a man in trouble.”
“I’ll save that for another time. Spoilsport,” he said as he kissed her cheek.
“More like spoiled brat,” Enid countered with a grin.
Jasper led Hana around the house, showing her every room proudly. His bedroom was stacked with more boxes. The only things he had in place were the bed, two night stands and a dresser.
“How recently did you move in?”
“A week before you got here. I haven’t had a moment to deal with it.”
“We could come work on it together, if you want. I’m a little leery of the great outdoors right now. I’d just as soon spend some time inside.”
“Promise me something,” Jasper whispered, easing the door shut. “If we do, you’ll spend some quality time indoors.” He took her in his arms, holding her close.
Hana enjoyed his lips on hers as his firm body pressed against her. Suddenly, there was nothing more in the entire world that she wanted as much as sharing that quality indoor time with Jasper. His obvious desire filled her with longing as she returned his kisses.
“Yes, I promise.”
A low growl rumbled in his chest sounding a lot like a lion purring. Hana cuddled in his arms, swaying slowly as she listened to the beating of his heart.
“I love you so much, Hana. I can’t wait to make you all mine.”
“I want that, too,” she murmured.
They both remembered Enid waiting for them out in the living room. The promise had been made, the time would present itself. Jasper was, for the moment, content.
Later that day, Hana started making phone calls. Arrangements needed to be made for getting her things from storage in Albuquerque. She and Jasper planned to fly down and send a truck back to the Lazy J. Another flight would take them to her family home in Houston. Once there, they would get what things Enid most needed, and close down her home there until she felt like going back.
Two days later, Jimmy drove them to the airfield. It didn’t surprise Hana to find that one of their family members not only owned a small airport, she also had a few private jets for hire. She flew them to the city airport for free. From there, it was a short flight to Albuquerque. Hana had booked them a room at a local hotel. Aunt Enid told her to get a room with a single king sized bed, and to enjoy themselves. Hana fully intended to take that advice.
Travel weary and feeling slightly grubby, they each got a shower and dressed in comfortable clothing. Neither of them felt like going out for dinner, so they splurged and ordered room service. The food arrived a little while later. The waiter set up the food on a small table, decanted the wine and left them to their meal. They ate in near silence, both anticipating the after dinner time.
“Hana, if you’re nervous….”
She held up her hand, touching his lips. “I am, but I want this. I want you. Don’t think for a second that I don’t.”
Jasper smiled, kissing her fingers. “Have I mentioned that I love you a lot?”
“Not in the last hour. Dropped the ball there.”
“Neither have you.” He winked.
Hana smiled. “I love you, too. Eat. You’re going to need your strength.”
Jasper burst out laughing. “I am, huh? You’re not?”
“I intend to make you do all the work. I’m just going to lie there.”
“Oh. Gotcha. You know, it’s a lot more fun when you actually do something, right?”
“Really?” She honestly hadn’t thought about it.
“Really. I mean, you can lie there like a lump, but we’ll both have a lot more fun if you rock with me.”
©2022 Dellani Oakes
Dellani Oakes 