Page 48 of Jasper
“And I want you to do whatever makes you happy, but right now, don’t worry about it. Me and my club will keep you safe.”
“It’s strange how something that might have turned my life upside down in the worst possible way looks like it’s becoming the best thing that ever happened to me,” I say, looking at him. The light is casting shadows on his face, but rather than make him look like something to be scared of, I just see my protector. “Thanks, Jas.”
His face lights up. “I just got a nickname. You must be growing fond of me.”
I smother back a worried smile. “Yeah, that goes without saying.”
He falls right into flirting like nothing wild and crazy just happened to us. “It’s because I’m a good kisser, right?”
We banter back and forth all the way to the clubhouse. With each sentence, I start to feel more relaxed and more sure of this situation with Jasper. I know the club girls all see him as a high-status catch because he’s a club officer, but I just see Jasper as a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders. As someone who takes care of everyone else and deserves to have someone take care of him. Maybe I’m just a soft touch, but I really do want to make his life easier.
Chapter 19
Jasper
When we pull into the clubhouse, our escort flanks us, parking tight before swinging off their rides. My family’s already out front. I catch sight of them before I even kill the engine. Ma’s standing on the porch, her arms crossed and worry plain on her face. My old man is next to her, wearing that same deadpan look he always does when he doesn’t wanna freak her out. But I can see it in his jaw, in the way he stands—he’s fuming.
My boots crunch on gravel as I swing off the bike, circle around, and pop her door.
Tessa glances up, her eyes all wide and uncertain. “Are your parents angry?”
“Nah, just worried about us,” I tell her, pulling her in a little closer.
She nods. “Should we get my bags?”
I look over at a nearby prospect and jerk my chin. “Yeah, grab ‘em. All of ‘em.”
He hustles. “Yes, sir. Where you want it all?”
“My suite. Get some of the boys to help you haul it.”
When we hit the steps, Ma’s already coming down, her stride fast, almost twitchy. “You two okay?” she asks, and before anyone can answer, she yanks Tessa into a hug like she’s knownher forever. Tessa freezes, then slowly leans in, hugging her back.
“We’re alright,” Tessa says, voice low.
I murmur, “They blindsided us. I didn’t even know they were sniffin’ around me. Unfortunately, I led ‘em right to my baby mama.”
Ma smacks my chest with the back of her hand. “You know I hate that term.”
I brush off the spot pretending like she knocked the wind outta me. “Yeah, yeah. Sorry, Ma.”
She turns, eyes sharp on Tessa. “You’re safe now. Come on, let’s get you upstairs.”
Rock steps in, looks me over. His voice is a quiet rumble. “Drone?”
“In the trunk.”
He grunts. That’s my dad’s version of ‘we’ll handle it later.’
Ma slips an arm around Tessa’s shoulders, guiding her towards the steps like she’s done it a thousand times. I fall in behind, eyes sweeping the lot, my instincts still red-hot and twitchy.
Soon as we’re inside my suite, Ma heads for the kitchen, rummaging through cabinets, lookin’ for shit because she’s not been to my place in forever.
Tessa stands just inside the door, her arms crossed, her eyes flicking over the place. My suite is clean, filled with leather furniture, and my wooden floors shine. I have a decanter of whiskey on my side table for those times when I need a stiffdrink. These are all the perks of a club officer. Trying to see it through her eyes, I now realize there is nothing soft or homey about my suite, no feminine touches to indicate I’ve had women living with me. This poor woman is lookin’ like she’s not sure whether to sit or bolt.
I motion her over. “Crash wherever. You’re welcome here, for as long as you need.”
Her eyes find mine. There’s a thank you there, buried under all the fear and adrenaline.
