Page 49 of Jasper

ARIANA

The days blend together in a whirlwind of fun, adventure, and bossy Jasper. Every morning since I’ve been here, I wake up to sunshine streaming through windows while snuggled in a warm, comfy bed. It’s strange how quickly this has become my new normal: eating meals with the family, playing with Rowie and Ember, and constantly feeling Jasper’s possessive gaze following my every move. The man is like an eagle. He doesn’t miss anything. I find it both endearing and annoying. Mostly because I can’t get away with anything.

Sunscreen, Ariana.

You haven’t had enough water today, Ariana.

Quit running before you get hurt, Ariana.

Of course, I pretty much always sass him… and then I do what he says. Because apparently, I’m a people pleaser. Or a Jasper pleaser. Ooh, that sounds kinky.

The girls have become my best friends, just like they said they would. We spend hours in the playroom, coloring and building block towers while giggling over silly, random conversations. It’s during these moments that I feel safest slipping into Little Space, letting my guard down completely. Rowie always shares her markers with me, and Ember makes sure I get the best spot on the rug near the twinkle lights.

Every evening at six, we all sit down together for dinner. The ritual of it is soothing. The entire time it’s loud between the clatter of plates and the overlapping conversations, yet it’s during mealtimes that my mind is most quiet. Jasper always dishes up for me and cuts my food without comment. I try not to eat too quickly, but the habit is hard to break. I’m getting better at it, though, and of course, Jasper has noticed and told me how proud he was.

He asks me questions sometimes, gentle probes about my past. I deflect the majority of them, even though guilt gnaws at me when he’s so open with his own story. When I ask about his childhood, he tells me about growing up in foster care, about the darkness there, about how he met his brothers, and being rescued by Deke Black. He doesn’t hide anything from me.

His past is horrible, and I basically lived a fairytale life compared to him, but for some reason, it feels too heavy to share. Maybe because even thinking about it still makes me sad. So I keep my answers as minimal as possible because I don’t think I want to open that box of emotions.

One morning, Jasper appears in the bedroom just as I finish getting dressed with a mysterious smile on his face. “Come with me, rainbow. I have something to show you.”

He leads me downstairs and into the living room, where several large bags and boxes are arranged. My steps slow, and my heart races when I realize what they are.

Clothes. Brand-new clothes. All in my size. Cute stuff that’s my style. Pastels and tie-dye and flowers. Dresses, leggings, sweaters, pajamas, even panties, and what look like training bras. And gardening supplies. Everything from basic tools to specialty items I’ve only ever dreamed of owning.

“These are for you.”

Tears well up in my eyes as I touch a soft sweater. “Jasper... I can’t accept all this.”

He furrows his brows and uses the pad of his thumb to wipe my cheek. “Yes, you can, and you will. Because I said so. The garden beds are yours. Plant whatever makes you happy.”

I throw my arms around him, grinning from ear to ear. “You know people won’t do what you want just because you said so, right?”

His arms close around me, and he strokes my hair. “Maybe not, but you will because you’re a good girl, aren’t you?”

Shoot. He’s got me there.

“Thank you,” is what I reply.

“You’re welcome, Little one.”

When he lets me go, I step back and tug on his hand. “Come outside with me? Please? I want to start right away.”

He chuckles but lets me drag him out to the garden beds, carrying all my new stuff and not letting me lift a finger to help. I’ve never met someone quite as stubborn as him.

The morning sun is warm and bright, but it feels amazing as I sink onto the knee pad Jasper got me. The soil is soft and fluffs up easily between my fingers as I start clearing weeds. It doesn’t take long before my mind clears and I’m floating in a headspace that’s part adult and part Little. Sometimes I wonder if I’m also a Middle during times like this, but I’m not sure if it’s possible to be both a Littleanda Middle. Maybe I should ask Ember and Rowie. Then again, who cares? I can be anythingIwant to be.

Movement in the dirt makes me pause and peer closer.

“Look!” I exclaim, holding up a wiggly worm. “I found a friend!”

Jasper watches me from a few feet away, his expression unimpressed with my find. “That’s, uh, that’s nice, rainbow. What are you going to name it?”

“Wigglesworth!” I burst out giggling as the worm dangles from my fingers. “He’s going to help make the soil super good for my plants.”

I continue chattering about all the different types of vegetables I want to grow, getting progressively dirtier as I work. Jasper moves closer, and suddenly his arms wrap around me from behind, his masculine scent surrounding me. Gosh, the man is so big and strong. He practically cocoons me. And he definitely gets my heart pounding.

“You’re absolutely filthy,” he murmurs against my ear. “I think someone needs to get cleaned up.”

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