Page 54 of Intrigued
“She lied to me.”
“And you lied to me.”
He pursed his lips. He wasn’t even going to defend himself.
I shook my head then dug his gift out of the bag. “This is for you. I’m going to bed. Don’t come in my room tonight.” I grabbed my other bags and slammed my trunk closed.
Before I could walk off, Jasper grabbed me from behind. “I won’t say anything to her. And please don’t ban me from your room. I need you, Holly.”
I could feel through his pants how much he needed me. My heart was throbbing like his dick. It was too late to resist Jasper Christmas. I wasn’t even going to try.
“Okay,” I barely said.
I could feel his chest rising and lowering as he sighed.
“Join us for Christmas Eve dinner. I want to see your face at the table,” he said.
How could I say no to an invitation like that?
Chapter Nineteen
Jasper carried my bag into the house. As we walked, the fact that he made sure to stay one step ahead of me was not lost on me. We didn’t appear as two people who were doing it and had been doing it often as we entered a living room area, which was near where last night’s party had been held. The space was ginormous and was designed to look like a modern living room spread inTown & Country Magazine. Strings of gold lights were draped around a large Christmas tree, which was minimally but tastefully decorated with blue, gold, and white satin bulbs. Presents all wrapped in the same silver paper lay at the foot of the tree. I was surprised there were so many. The Christmases didn’t strike me as big gift exchangers. But then I realized it was all about the optical illusion with people like them.
“Holly brought presents,” Jasper said, holding up my shopping bag.
His siblings, who were lounging on the heavy and expensive furniture, had no reaction. Asher sat on one side of the sofa and Bryn on the other. She was sipping a glass of wine with her arm stretched across the top of the immaculate piece of furniture. She appeared worn from the events of the morning. Asher’s attention was hailed by whatever was happening on the screen of his phone. Spencer was on the other side of the room. His posture was just as carefree as Bryn’s, but he was drinking something stronger. None of them appeared as if they wanted to be there. I could actually feel their energy. It was as if they had one foot out the door already.
Finally, Asher glanced up at me. “She’s still here?”
“Show her you have some maturity for once,” Jasper snapped. He handed me the bag. “Give them your gifts.”
“Put them under the tree,” Bryn said.
My mouth dropped open. This was not how the gift-exchange portion of the night was supposed to go.
“She’ll give them to you now,” Jasper insisted, apparently reading my expression.
I shook my head. “It’s okay. I’ll put them under the tree. They’re just small tokens of my appreciation.”
Bryn, Asher, and Spencer looked at me as if I had just spoken a language they couldn’t understand.
Jasper opened his hand to receive the shopping bag, and I gave it to him. It felt good to watch him put the gifts under the tree for me. I was also happy and surprised he’d so readily come to my defense.
Asher’s muttered objection was indecipherable. “Can we get this fucking show on the road already?” He stuffed his cell phone into his pocket. “There’s no use hanging around here any longer.”
“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Bryn asked.
“Away. And I’m not staying for dinner.” He aimed a finger at Spencer. “You can thank him for that.”
Bryn rolled her eyes. “Gina is a prostitute, Ash. She’s loyal to the one who will pay the most money.” She looked up at me. “Get a glass of wine, Holls. Sit.”
I stiffened, still slightly offended that she wouldn’t at least ask what the gift was I’d bought her. But the Christmases weren’t the sort of people who were taught the joy of the little things in life.
“I’ll get her a drink,” Spencer said.
Jasper threw his hand up. “No, you won’t.”
“I don’t want a drink,” I said.
