Page 21 of Jasper

We’re lying on the couch together, wrapped up in one another after our bath. I’m wearing his t-shirt, something I haven’t done since those early college days. His finger makes circles on my thigh. “You’ve always looked better in my clothes than I did.”

I grin, turning my face into his shoulder. “I loved them because they smelled like you.”

“You can wear them any time you want, but I especially like knowing you’re wearing it after what we just did.” He drops a kiss onto my shoulder. “Are you hungry for a snack?”

“Yes! Popcorn?”

“You know I always have it. I’ll go fix it.”

I’m not used to this Jasper. If he’s going to be like this every time he has an orgasm maybe we’ll do this more often. He’s getting the glass bowl ready to put in the microwave with the kernels of popcorn when there’s a knock on the door. I think it’s going to be Barrett, so I answer with a grin on my face, ready to embarrass the shit out of him.

Instead, standing there is an older man with a scowl.

“Jasper. It might be a good idea to make sure your wife is dressed before she answers the door.” I shriek, and Jasper pushes me behind him.

“Thomas. You checking on us to make sure we’re really cohabitating?”

“You could say that.”

“As you can see by how little she’s wearing, we weren’t prepared for company. We’ll see you at the party.”

With that, he closes the door, and closes his arms around me. I don’t like that man. His eyes were cold, and I wonder just how much warmth he ever offered the scared little kid that Jasper was.

It obviously wasn’t enough, and never will be.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Jasper

"Do I look okay?" Daisy asks as she comes out of the bathroom.

My mouth is dry as I look at her, and I'm silent for so long, she smooths the fabric of the dress down with the palms of her hands. "You look absolutely breathtaking."

"You don't think the sparkles are too much?" She tilts her head to the side, nose scrunched up.

"No, they fit your personality, and if there's one thing I like most about you, it's your personality. Even when I want to not be happy, you make me that way because that's how you live your day-to-day." I don't know why I've just said this to her. Another glimpse into my inner workings that I didn't mean to give.

"Aww, Jasper, thanks. Sometimes I think you're barely tolerating me." She blows out a breath.

"Oh, babe, that's not just you. I'm barely tolerating everyone." I shrug on the jacket to my suit.

She laughs loudly, coming over to smooth my shoulders. "I can't believe you just made a joke. You must be worried about this dinner if you're choosing to deal with it in a sarcastic joking manner."

It's tough to put into words how this does make me feel. "There's a lot riding on this. It's the first time he's seen us together, and he has to know that this is for real. If he suspects anything is off, he'll pull out all the funding. And make no mistake, he's looking for it, Daisy Mae. He's always looking for it. The old bastard can spot a con job a mile away. I need you not to hide how you feel about me tonight." It's a shitty request to make. I'm fully aware of how she feels about me.

Standing in front of me, she licks her lips before sliding her arms around my waist. "Then I have a request for you, Hamilton. Don't hide how you feel about me, either. For once I want to see it reciprocated, and I know there are times when you can't help it. I'm not going to hurt you. That's hard for you to trust, I get it. But we're in this together."

I've never been part of a team before, unless you count the group of friends I have. This request is different than anything that's ever been made of me, but I'll do it for her, for my parents, and for the future I want to see come to fruition. "Okay. I can do that."

"I won't expect it all the time," she whispers, a sexy smirk tilting the edge of her mouth. "But given how much makeup I had to use on my neck today, you can't hide it all the time, either."

My face burns hot at the memory of what we did in that bathtub last night. I let go in a way I haven't since the first few months we were together back in college. "Next time, I'll make sure we're in a bed."

Her eyes roll playfully. "We were in a bed right after and you didn’t fuck me. Don't make promises you can't keep."

My throat is tight as I say these next words. They're so important and I want to make sure she really hears them. "Only because we haven't talked about trying for a baby. You and I both know that's part of what's required, and I want to make sure we're on the same page. As soon as I know we are, all bets are off, Daisy. It's been hell keeping my hands off you, even though it's only been a week and a half."

"We'll have that discussion tonight after we get home. I think we're both going to be on the same page, and I don't think you have anything to worry about. But if we don't want to be late, we need to get going."

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