Page 47 of Thinking It Over

I heard him huff out a breath. “Okay.” He glanced around the kitchen. “You need any help here? If not, I’m going to grab a quick shower.”

“I’m all good, thanks.” I’d managed to escape from work not long after the last period so I could prepare. Jasper had immediately headed home, where Ian was waiting for him. He’d got in about midday and had picked up the key from Sarah at the café.

This week had been fairly uneventful. Other than thedinner with Jasper and his mom and admittedly the slight panic and inquisition that I recognized was ridiculous about Jasper’s future, there’d been no dramas or dilemmas.

I had reported my suspicions about Rupert to the police after talking to my friend on the board, and I agreed that while I didn’t want him chased down for further investigation, I wanted it on record.

But since the standoff when he’d appeared unannounced, I’d thankfully heard nothing from him.

It meant I could focus and give my all to creating a version of normal with Jasper. And what I saw so far, I liked. A lot.

I grabbed the veggies and took them to the patio, where I lit the grill. I then collected the potato salad, stopping midwalk when Penny barked. My smile was immediate when I heard the familiar rumble of Jasper’s vehicle. After placing the bowl down, I made my way to the door, reaching it a couple of seconds after the knock came.

“Hey,” I greeted, smiling briefly at Ian before focusing on Jasper as he stepped forward and planted a kiss on my waiting mouth. My body exhaled at the touch. There was something addictive about contact with Jasper, and I was more than happy to encourage the habit.

“Hey back.” He pulled away, his eyes roaming over my face, his expression full of ease. “Good day?”

“Yes, all good, thanks.” I moved back so he could walk by, then I reached out and shook Ian’s hand in greeting. “Safe journey?” I asked Ian.

“It was, thanks. Hardly anything on the road really.” He glanced around. “Jasper told me how great your house is, but this is a really nice place you have.”

Genuine appreciation filled his voice, and I smiled. “Thanks. I have Tanner actually taking on a few projects in a few weeks or so.”

“Oh, that’s great. Have you seen his and Carter’s place yet?”

I shook my head.

“It’s incredible. He did all of the work.”

Hiring Tanner appeared to have been the right thing to do. He’d emailed me with the quote early Tuesday, and by midday, I’d accepted it. Even without Jasper’s influence and his praise for the man, I’d heard enough about Tanner’s work to believe he was excellent.

“I’m eager to get the place up to scratch and looking beautiful again.”

“It already is beautiful,” Jasper said, placing a couple of bottles of wine on the kitchen counter.

While I agreed with him and appreciated that he loved my home as much as I did, broken boards and rotten timber weren’t something I could continue to ignore.

“We eating outside?” Jasper asked after glancing around the room. I nodded. Immediately, he scooped up the wine and headed in that direction, his familiarity in my space easy and natural. I was more than okay with that. “What does Frankie like to drink?”

“Frankie likes whatever’s going.” My brother stepped into the room, looking refreshed. Humor lifted his words, and there was a twinkle of self-assured certainty in his eyes that had me smiling.

Jasper laughed. “I should have anticipated that, I suppose,” he sassed, throwing him a grin before continuing outside.

I turned to Ian, whose wide eyes were fixed on my brother, and I cringed a little internally. My brother was handsome as well as physically fit. Hours and hours snowboarding would do that to a guy. Plus he had that whole sun-kissed glow thing going on from his recent season. It wasn’t unusual for men or women alike to crush on him.

“Ian, this is my brother, Frankie.”

They greeted each other with a handshake and a smile before Frankie led Ian outside, passing by Jasper, who returned to my side.

He walked directly into my arms and, without aword, slanted his mouth over mine. Our tongues tangled and caressed as our lips moved. He was heat and temptation and felt so perfect in my arms. The kiss slowed, and, all too soon, Jasper angled away. Eyes at half-mast, he gazed up at me, his mouth tugging upward.

“I’ve wanted to do that all day,” I said, unable to resist kissing him once more. I didn’t deepen the connection, aware I’d struggle not to drag him into the laundry room and drop to my knees before him.

“Every time I saw you today, I wanted to do that,” he admitted. “I think I’m going to have to stop leaving my classroom, just in case.”

A chuckle rippled through me. “Self-control is a fickle thing, right?”

He nodded. “I need to get the glasses. I saw the grill is on.”

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