The sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting soft beams across the room. I woke up early, the quiet stillness of the house wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. I glanced at the clock, the numbers telling me it was only just past 7:00 AM. My gaze shifted to the bed beside me, where Nicole still slept soundly, her hair spread out across the pillow in soft waves, her breathing even and calm.
A small smile tugged at my lips as I watched her, still so peaceful. There was a part of me that wanted to stay right there beside her, to let the world outside fade away for just a little longer. But the farm called, and there were animals to feed.
I gently slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb her. The cool morning air hit me as I stood, stretching my limbs before quietly moving toward the door.
As I stepped out into the hallway, I heard the sounds of life around the property—dogs barking in the distance, the faint clucking of chickens, and the low hum of the tractor engine as it kicked on. It was the sound of a new day on the farm. The sounds I had come to embrace as part of my routine.
I stepped outside, the cool air brushing against my skin, and made my way toward the barn, the old Challenger parked nearby with the sun glinting off its hood. I could feel the weight of yesterday's moments still hanging in the air—the warmth of her body beside mine, the easy comfort of her presence. But there was no time to dwell on it now. I had work to do.
Nicole's POV:
The soft rustle of the sheets was the first thing I noticed as I began to stir. My eyes blinked open slowly, the unfamiliar room pulling me out of my dreams. The scent of fresh air mixed with the earthy aroma of the farm filled my senses, and I realized with a start that this wasn't my bed. The previous night rushed back to me in a flood of images—Jasmine, me, us together.
A rush of heat flooded my cheeks as I glanced down at my body, now marked with signs of our night together—love bites, lingering warmth. I couldn't help but smile at the thought. Jasmine had certainly been... insatiable. And if I was being honest, I didn't mind it one bit.
I reached for my phone, hoping to see a message from my team, but instead, I found a small note lying next to it. I picked it up, reading the familiar handwriting:
"Hey, I didn't want to wake you up because I know I wore you out. 😀 I have to feed the animals so I left a towel and a toothbrush in the bathroom which is the door to the right. Hopefully, by the time you wake up and get dressed, I will be finished with everything and have food on the table. I will try to work fast. Don't be afraid to use anything in my bathroom.
XO Jaz
PS: You might see my dogs, they are friendly so don't worry. Just shout to me if they are a problem.
PSS: I love seeing my mark all over you 😋"
I couldn't help but grin at the note, my heart racing at how sweet—yet bold—she was. It was simple but felt so... her. The day felt like it had the potential to be a little bit different from all the others.
The simple words made my heart flutter in my chest. I couldn't help but smile again as I set the note down and picked up my phone. I saw a few missed calls and texts, the first batch from Logan, followed by a more recent one from Giselle. Her messages were just as I'd expected—playful and teasing, with clips of Jasmine and me dancing at the club, her grinning in the background, clearly rooting for me. The loud music from the club and the group's laughter echoed in my mind, and I could almost hear Giselle's voice shouting encouragement. It made my face flush with embarrassment and annoyance.
Her most recent message, sent just five minutes ago, was asking me to call her back. I hit the callback button, and after a few rings, she answered.
"Hey, how was it? Did you have fun? You obviously had fun because it's 10:45, and you usually get up early." She said this way too loudly, even through the phone.
I sighed, rolling my eyes. "You didn't post those videos, did you?"
"Of course not," she said, laughing. "We all know you're a very private person, and the whole world doesn't need to know you got laid. Well, except for our team. It boosts morale and it's fun to see you annoyed."
"Thanks," I said dryly. "I'm glad you think this is funny."
"I don't think it's funny, just happy for you," Giselle said more seriously. "We may joke around, but we're genuinely happy for you. Especially after being married to Jasper... and I know the sex wasn't great with him. He just vexes me with his pompous ass."
"He wasn't always like that," I replied, a little defensively. "And the sex wasn't bad, just... I don't know. Sex."
"Well, I don't care about him," Giselle shrugged. "I want to know about Jasmine. Were you satisfied?"
I hesitated, glancing around the room to make sure Jasmine hadn't come back inside. I went to the bathroom for privacy and took a deep breath. "I am more than satisfied with last night. And even without the sex—she was great to be around. Funny, smart, confident, compassionate, and very generous. I've never felt this way for anyone—not even Jasper. She's got great stamina, and honestly, I had to tap out a couple of times just to get water. If I hadn't stopped her, I don't think we would have stopped until at least late morning."
There was silence on the other end of the line, followed by the unmistakable sound of an ear-piercing scream.
"OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! WOULD YOU SHUT UP!? How can I? Our captain got laid and it was good. No, GREAT!" The voice came from someone else in the background, and I could hear the excitement in their tone.
"Giselle, who are you talking to?" I said, confused but also not entirely surprised by the scene on the other end.
"Sorry about that," Logan's voice cut in. "Laney and Sato are trying to calm Giselle down. She's running around the diner like a maniac. We might get kicked out."
"Congratulations, by the way," Logan added with a chuckle. "Do you need to be picked up?"
"Yeah, we have a meeting at 1700, and I don't know how far the base is from her house. Just pick me up in an hour," I said, turning on the shower.
"You don't want to leave?" Logan teased.
"Shut up," I muttered, hanging up the phone and stepping into the shower.
After a glance at the time—already past 10:00 AM—I decided to shower before exploring. I wasn't exactly snooping, but there was something about the house that piqued my curiosity. The rustic charm of it drew me in. Wooden walls, a stone fireplace in the corner, and a bed that looked like something out of a dream. It reminded me of the cottage I'd spent summers in as a kid, back home.
As I wandered down the hallway, I saw framed photos of Jasmine with her kids, their laughter frozen in time. The family seemed close-knit, and the pride in Jasmine's eyes was unmistakable.
But then I noticed something that made me pause. At the end of the hall, tucked behind a door that looked like part of the wall, was a small stash of weapons—nothing too alarming, just a few knives, a handgun, and some other tools I couldn't immediately identify. It wasn't exactly surprising, given the wild nature of the land around here, but I wondered about the necessity of it. Still, I figured it was her prerogative. I wasn't going to overthink it.
As I stood there, staring at the massive creature, my mind whirled with confusion. The animal was enormous, its black and brown fur looking almost too thick for a normal dog. It was lying comfortably in the hallway, yawning as if it were an ordinary day. But something about its presence was intimidating. It was like nothing I had ever seen before.
The bear-like creature lifted its head slowly, its eyes lazy as it regarded me, then yawned before settling back down. My heart skipped a beat when I realized that it wasn't a bear at all. My mind flashed to Jasmine mentioning her dogs, and it clicked. It must be a Tibetan Mastiff—a giant breed known for guarding and protecting. I blinked, trying to make sense of the situation.
The German Shepherd by the door didn't seem concerned. It looked at me with mild suspicion before walking slowly toward me, its eyes alert but not aggressive. I froze, waiting for any sign that the dog might be a threat. That's when I felt something brush against the back of my leg. I turned sharply, my pulse quickening.
Standing behind me was the third dog—another giant, this one a Belgian Malinois. It was sleek and agile, moving with precision and an air of confidence. Its amber eyes gleamed as it watched me, head tilted slightly as if sizing me up.
I stood perfectly still, remembering Jasmine's note. "Just shout for me if they're a problem." No signs of aggression yet. I took a deep breath and spoke softly, more to myself than anyone. "Well, you're definitely a lot to take in."
The Belgian Malinois seemed to approve of my calm response. It gave a soft bark and trotted toward the Tibetan Mastiff, nudging it as if to say, "Get up. We're not done with our patrol."
I couldn't help but chuckle. Jasmine had a small army of dogs, each one more impressive than the last.
Jasmine's POV:
I was lost in the rhythm of breakfast when I heard the light footsteps behind me. Nicole appeared in the doorway, still looking slightly dazed from the night before but undeniably beautiful. Her eyes were a little wider than usual, but when she caught my gaze, a soft smile spread across her face.
"Morning," I greeted, turning to hand her a fresh cup of coffee. "Sleep well?"
"Best sleep I've had in a while," she answered, her voice still hoarse. "Smells like heaven in here."
I chuckled and set a plate of pancakes down in front of her. "Breakfast's ready."
She took a sip of the coffee, her eyes wandering out the window, taking in the sweeping view of the property. The land stretched out before us—fields, trees, and the few animals that made the place feel alive.
"So, what's on the agenda today?" Nicole asked, teasing me with a mischievous grin. "Are you going to give me a riding lesson, or do I get to work with the dogs?"
I leaned back against the counter, savoring the quiet morning as I sipped my coffee. The day felt like it could go in so many directions. "I could offer you a riding lesson if you want, but the dogs could probably use some work too. If you're up for it, I could show you how they're trained."
She raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "I'll take the dogs. It'll be good to put my hands to work."
"Alright, then." I grinned, pleased with her choice. "I'll show you how to earn their trust."