Page 51 of Jasper
Her eyebrows fly up, and she responds sincerely, “I believe it.”
“Look, I’m gonna be really honest here. Anyone who puts a hand on you is gonna regret it.”
She doesn’t flinch at the violence in my voice. Nor does she try to calm me down or tell me to be careful. Instead, she just says, “I know.” She gently leans her head against my shoulder.
My whole body goes still because I enjoy her sweet touches far too much. It’s not a sexual thing, more like a Tessa thing.
Her voice is quiet when she speaks again. “So, what’s the plan moving forward?”
I turn my head slightly, enough to feel her hair against my jaw. “We take that drone apart,” I say. “We find out who’s financially backing the Hyenas and target them first. After that, we just pick the Hyenas off one by one. They won’t last long without financial backing. They fade into history, just like all the others.”
Tessa’s voice is barely audible, almost lost in the hum of the overhead light.
“I just want to make sure no woman in this town gets trafficked and no kids end up on drugs.”
I tighten my arm around her. With no hesitation, I tell her, “If I can help it, none of them will. I promise.”
Tessa pulls away first. Not far, just enough to lift her head and meet my eyes.
“You look exhausted,” I tell her. “Want to grab a shower and hit the sack?”
“Yeah,” she answers. “I just have to unload all the stuff from the bed in your spare room.”
“Naw, take my bed. I’ll behave.”
She follows me down the short hall, her bare feet soft against the wood floors. We have to pass the guest bedroom to get to the master. Her boxes are stacked neatly along the wall, with the duffel bags on the bed, untouched since the prospects dropped them off.
“I’d better grab a change of clothes.”
She rummages around in one of the duffel bags and pulls out an oversized t-shirt and a pair of yoga pants.
“Did you pack toiletries?” I ask. “If not, I’m sure my ma can fix you up with whatever you need.”
“I’m good for tonight, I remembered to pack my toothbrush,” she says.
While she’s showering in the master suite, I use the guest room shower. Truth be told I’d love to join her, but I’m being on my best behavior.
After I’m done, I head back to my room. She’s still in the shower so I quickly try and tidy it up a bit. I’m in the middle of collecting discarded socks when the bathroom door opens.
“Are you sure you want me in your bed?”
She’s standing in the open doorway wearing nothing but a t-shirt that stops a few inches above her knees. It looks well-worn and covers up her curves.
Do I want her in my bed?
Fuckin’ right I do. In my bed… In my life… On my cock.
“Absolutely. You can have the left side,” I say as I pull back the comforter, then I hesitate. “Unless you’re a right side kinda girl. I pretty much sleep where I drop, so it doesn’t matter to me.”
Her smile is soft. “Left’s good.”
She walks over and sits on the edge, then pulls her legs up under her. I take the opposite side, easing down beside her. There’s enough space between us to be polite, but I don’t want distance between us right now.
She leans back onto the pillows, with a sigh. It’s clear to my eyes that she’s had a rough day and rest is the highest thing on her priority list right now. I shift to my side to face her.
After a while, she says, “It’s weird.”
“What is?”
