Page 174 of Entangled

“Right,” I breathe, looking down at my lap. The churn in my stomach worsens. I don’t know if I can do this—sit here while he picks at my wounds with clinical eyes.

After a moment, I hear Jasper sigh, and glance up to see him settling back in his chair as he regards me.

“Eden, are you here for my help?” He pauses, and his voice lowers. “Or for another reason?”

What other reason could there be?

I become aware of just how much collarbone his unbuttoned shirt reveals, the strong, elegant wrists exposed by his pushed-back cuffs. How he is always so covered and elegant, and yet somehow always manages to look carnal.

“Another reason?” I ask uncertainly.

“What is it you want from me, Eden?” His question is a gentle lure, his eyes intense. “Do you want my help? My friendship?” His brows lift, and his voice becomes a purr. “Mycock?”

My eyes widen in shock, a breathless sound escaping me. A smile touches his lips as he waits.

I stare at those lips, his pretty, refined lips that I’m somehow stunned can form a word like that. Such a round, ripe word, with a hard smack on the end that he takes in the back of his throat.

Jasper’scock.

I came here with my workbook. Why on earth would he thinkthat?

I clear my throat to calmly explain that he’s mistaken, but—to my horror—a panicked laugh escapes me instead. It comes out high-pitched and a tad hysterical.

“N-no. I wouldnevertry to...” My eyes drop to his lap, where his legs are crossed, then I rip them away to stare over at the bookshelves. “I’m not here for... for that. Not that— I’m sure it’s very nice. Lucky seems fond of it.”

Eden!Stop. My mouth opens again, and I swing my horrified eyes back to him.

“Notthat I’m thinking about that. That isyourbusiness. I’ve never imagined it. I’ve never even thought about... My God. I am so sorry. I don’t know what I?—”

Jasper’s dark, rich laugh cuts me off, and my horror swirls down a drain.

Thatsound.

Jasper’s laugh is like a fresh swirl of cream over the bitterest chocolate torte. The sweetness is classic, but unexpectedly debauched.

I stare at him as his chuckles fade, and he regards me with undisguised amusement. He absently traces his lips with a fingertip.

“Do tell me more about how you arenotthinking about me,” he murmurs, wicked enjoyment painting his voice.

I want to respond, but my brain has been seared clear of words. My eyes track his every feature, fascinated by how such small changes in his muscles somehow transform his whole face. The lush give of his mouth, the savage angle of his jaw, the hollows and the light of his face and throat.

Jasper is more than beautiful—he’s biblical.

“I didn’t know you could do that,” I whisper.

It’s an absurd thing to say, and possibly offensive, but Jasper just arches one brow.

“You thought I fell for a man like Lucien and didn’t have a sense of humor?”

Jealousy stings, but so does my own flutter of affection. “He’s determined to help me discover mine.”

His eyes warm. “I know.”

The air kindles between us, but still, I hesitate. I can’t help but watch him, waiting for the moment he’ll close off again.

Jasper takes it in, seeing through me as he always does. His finger taps thoughtfully against the leather arm of his chair.

“How can I make you comfortable, Eden? What is it you wish to know?”

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