Page 34 of Thinking It Over

ELEVEN

JASPER

The past weekhad been a challenge. Not only was the honeymoon period over with a couple of my classes, which meant they were pushing me to see just how much it would take for me to crack, but the uncertainty between Austin and me left a bad taste in my mouth. Feeling ill at ease was never pleasant. Add in that we hadn’t managed more than a handful of text messages, and it made everything feel so much more difficult.

But then he’d kissed me.

When his own concern had stared right back at me, the turmoil making life so unpleasant had immediately eased. Not quite disappeared, as a conversation between the two of us was overdue, but as I pulled up outside his home, excitement tumbled through me.

The previous weekend away had been incredible, close to perfect even. It was only the appearance of his high-maintenance ex that had abruptly put an end to the bubble of happiness.

A sweet grin lit Austin’s features when he opened my car door, having arrived a few seconds before me.

“And who said chivalry was dead?” I said when I exited. “Thank you.” Sweet gestures were a surefire way of making me swoon, and from the softness in his gaze changing to heat, I figured he knew as much.

“My pleasure.” He reached out and took my hand, the connection pleasant and reassuring. “Be warned, Penny may pounce when she sees you.”

I laughed. “Is that right?”

“She’s been pining.”

I side-eyed him. “After three weeks of knowing me, I would imagine that’s a vast exaggeration.”

He shook his head and stopped, angling to stand before me, hand still clasping my own. “Sometimes all it takes is one meeting to know there’s a connection. Add in the next handful of times, and when you’re left smiling, your heart hammering in your chest, already counting down the time until you’ll see that person again, pining is a given.”

Swallowing to clear the dryness in my throat, I fought hard to maintain my composure. “Penny doessmile a lot with her eyes.” The words came out breathily, not as flippant or even as jovial as I’d intended. But, in all fairness, beyond slamming my mouth to his, I was unsure how else to respond to his sweet words.

He nodded, his eyes searching mine. “She’s lucky that you came back,” he settled on.

While my heart flipped, my lips quirked. “I’m lucky that you’ve reminded me how good and right it feels to be here.”

Apparently, those were the words he was waiting for. His mouth slanted over mine. His kiss demanding. Urgent. Our hands clung to each other, grasping for contact as he reminded me just how good this was between us.

And he was right.

That first moment we’d met, I’d sat up and taken notice. And now, clinging to him, not quite sure how I’d let go, I kissed him back with all that I had. His fingers threaded through my hair, and I groaned at the contact. Heat zipped through me, starting in the tips of my toes and continuing to race around until I had had no choice but to pull back and gasp for air.

Heavy breaths puffed out of me, and I pried my eyes open, reveling in Austin’s flushed cheeks and own ragged breaths.

“Did you forget to breathe, or did I take your breath away?” Amusement danced in his eyes as he spoke, and I snorted, angling back a little so I could laugh louder and not right in his face. Grinning his ass off, he clasped my hand once more. “Let’s go on in. I dread to think what she’s doing to the front door. She’ll know we’re here.”

Together, we headed up the wooden steps. Whimpers were audible from the other side of the door. “See?”

“Is she usually this excited?” I asked.

Austin shrugged. “This week is worse as I’ve barely been home.”

I nodded in understanding, happy it was the weekend.

“Billy’s picked up the slack. He’s probably going to grumble at me for the fuss she’s been making while I was busy leaving you breathless.” Loud laughter followed his words, and I elbowed him, not even bothering to fight back my smirk.

“Sometimes remembering basic functions is difficult.”

“Like breathing?”

“Especially breathing.”

I rolled my eyes. “Is Billy here? I didn’t see a vehicle.”

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