Better Than Fiction

by Alexa Martin

“What are you doing standing over here looking all sad? Is it because you’re wearing those sandals again?” “The way you come for me every time you see me is still completely unnecessary, Mona.” We live in Colorado: Birkenstocks are not only a completely reasonable footwear choice; it’s practically mandatory for all Denverites to own a pair.

And it’s the exact place I need to be after Jasper Williams almost put me under whatever hot-guy spell he’s wielding.

“Why don’t I help you grab the rest?” he asks, the stupid timbre of his voice doing stupid things to my stupid body. “Teamwork makes the dream work, am I right?” Teamwork makes the dream work? This guy, who is an award-winning writer of words, just said that? His cheeks redden beneath my gaze and a kinder person would move on, pretending that didn’t happen. “Did you really say that?” I guess I’m not very kind. “I honestly regretted it the second the words came out of my mouth. I was hoping you would let it slide.” His smile widens, and I’m not one hundred percent sure, but I think it’s the only thing that could distract me from the topic at hand. This must be why hot people get away with so much.

Because what did he do? Oh, that’s right. He walked into my bookstore to do a reading for an old-lady book club looking like a whole-ass glass of water—and there’s been a drought in Colorado practically my entire damn life. Damn thirst trap.

Why build equity and own something when I can just throw my money away every single month to a landlord who raises the rent every other year but doesn’t do anything to improve the building?

“Or because I like the owner with not-so-great book knowledge, but who’s turning out to be a fantastic travel guide.”

“You’re like . . .” I look back to the still-reddened teen who’s staring at Jasper’s back despite helping another person. “A teenage-girl slayer.” “Oh god.” He cringes. “Please never say that again. I’m pretty sure if an officer was nearby and heard you say that, I’d already be in cuffs. I don’t want to be a teenage-girl slayer of any kind.”

Taking in the views is the reason we’re here, after all.” I was planning on teasing him for his grand feelings about the word grand, but then he said that last bit and my mind went blank. Not because he’s so excited to walk up this first stretch of road, but because when he said he was here for the view, he looked directly at me. Like I’m the view he’s here for. Like a day spent looking at me would be a day well spent.

It sounds so silly because I’m a grown woman who’s had sex with multiple partners in my life, but in this moment, all I want to do is wind my fingers through his and hold his hand. I want to know what his touch would feel like. Would it be sweet and unassuming like he is or would it feel firm and possessive? I have a feeling I would love either, that my body would cry out for him in any form. Just the thought of it alone causes my stomach to perform flips that would blow all those Olympians nearby out of the water.

“Well, as the creator of many romance couples, I have to say, I’m not sure anything I write will hold a candle to this. I don’t know if I’ll be able to create something that compares to this trip or a character as patient and kind as you’ve been today.” Okay. Wow. That was sweet. Like really, really sweet.

try to keep my eyes open, I try my hardest, but I can’t. They fall shut and I lean into his hand, not wanting to lose his touch. Maybe Jasper is a magician after all. Because with the barest hint of contact, I’m not in control of myself anymore. This is Jasper’s body now.

“I’ve wanted to kiss you from the first time you turned around and I saw your face. I don’t know what it is about you, but I can’t make myself walk away.”

Maybe it’s another of my never-ending list of issues stemming from my childhood, but I don’t want to watch someone get saved. I want to watch them save themselves. I want to know they can live a fulfilling life with or without a love interest.

“I can’t say no to Red Vines. It’s one of my fatal flaws.” I snatch it from his hand and rip off a bite before I can think better of it. I always steal them from him when he’s at the Book Nook; he’s started bringing an extra pack just for me.

I feel like I should be ashamed by how much I’m enjoying watching him struggle in front of me, but I’m not. The opposite, to be honest.

“I write dreams, but never, not in my wildest imagination, could I have dreamt up anything better than having you naked underneath me.” His words send shock waves through my body. “You’re everything I never thought I could have. And I’m never going to let you go.”

“Thank you for staying.” “I’m not sure you’ve realized this yet, but I really like you, Drew.” The faint light from outside my window filters in through the small crack in my curtains, just enough so I can see the shadows and lines of Jasper’s face soften. “I always want to stay with you.” “Careful.” I bring my hand to the side of his face. “Those are the kinds of things a man says to make a woman think they’re in a relationship.” “I know.” He pushes his cheek into my palm, a slow and lazy smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “Is it working? Because there’s nothing I want more than to be able to call you mine and me yours.”

It’s a fantasy I never allowed myself to have. But like everything with Jasper, he’s allowed me to envision a life I never thought was a possibility before. And now it’s all I want.

“I feel like I might be a broken record this weekend”—Jasper wraps his arms around my middle and pulls me into him—“but wow. I can’t believe how beautiful this all is.” I angle my head up so I can see him taking in the view, but when I do, his eyes are focused on me. “Most beautiful sight in the entire world,” he whispers before taking my mouth with his. “Thank you for bringing me here.” I don’t know why he’s thanking me when I feel like the lucky one.

“I love you.” My vision fogs over and not just because Jasper loves me. But because I know he sees me. All of me. I’ve shown him the messy, ugly bits that I spent my entire life trying to hide from people, yet here we are. And he loves me. “I love you too,” I tell him again, just a little more direct this time. “I know I’m new to this grand gesture thing, but at the end of your book, Liam and Isabella kiss, so I think that’s next.”

Who would’ve thought that I, of all people, would end up with a love that’s even better than fiction? Talk about a plot twist.