Page 22 of Jasper

“I’ll get it,” I say to Erin, pretending as though I’m not on the verge of tears myself.

To think, I was almost convinced that I could move to North Haven and build a life with Jasper.

Almost.

With a shaky hand I fight to steady, I pull open the door. Remembering after it’s too late that there’s a peep hole.

Jasper stands on the other side.

“This isnota good time,” I hiss.

He holds up a navy blue bank bag, and I nearly crumble to the ground in relief. “Where did you find this?”

“Good Samaritan turned it in.”

“Good Samaritan?”

“My second grade teacher, actually. Mr. Clausen.”

Once again, I’m reminded that North Haven isn’t just a duty station to Jasper, but the place he grew up. The place that shaped him into who he’s become. Had it not been for that connection, the admission money might be lost—or stolen. Never in a million years would I have been this lucky at an event in Houston.

Because I can hear Erin sniffling behind me, I resist the urge to fling myself into Jasper’s arms and kiss him until we’re both breathless. It shouldn’t surprise me anymore how quickly all can be forgiven when it comes to this man. “Give me two minutes?” I ask him instead.

“What happens in two minutes?” he asks, handing over the bag, our fingers grazing. A blazing trail of fire ignites inside me.

“You’re getting me out of here so I can thank you,” I drop my gaze purposely to his crotch. “Properly.”

14

JASPER

Vanessa Steele is backwhere she belongs—in myhouse.

We barely make it inside before she attacks me. Our quickly discarded clothes end up scattered throughout the open concept living area as we practically rip them off one another. There’s too much urgency to wait until we reach my bedroom to undress one another.

Her panties—red lace this time—are the last to go. I fling them away, and they catch on the dining room chandelier.

We both laugh.

Then our lips crash together once again.

I lift her bare ass onto the kitchen counter and step between her open legs. A silver heart-shaped pendant dangles on a chain between her bountiful tits, those pebbled nipples begging my mouth to be on them. Except our lips are too busy alternating between crashing together and exploring each other’s naked bodies. Her hand fists my cock, and I groan at the touch I’ve been craving for so fucking long.

“Vanessa—”

“Ineedyou, Jasper,” she says, tugging me closer by my dick. She scoots to the very edge of the counter, bringing my length toher core. Using it to pleasure her swollen clit as she lathers me in her juices. She’s so fucking wet I nearly nut on the spot.

I watch in rapture as she rubs me against her, those sexy moans and whimpers nearly undoing me.

“I want you inside me,” she insists.

“Condoms are in?—”

“I’m on the pill,” she says. “Clean, too.”

“I’m clean, too.”

She raises an eyebrow at me, as though challenging my answer. It doesn’t stop her from rolling her hips against me as my swollen head rubs against her button.

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