“Alysa, you don’t know what you’re saying.”
“You keep telling me that. Maybe it’s you who doesn’t know how to respond?” I smirked. This was my chance to challenge him to face what he didn’t want to. It’s now or never, Jasper. I know you’re planning on making me leave tomorrow. Burke had already delivered her the news. At least this time, it was expected. “Tell me again how you feel.”
“I explained to you why I don’t.”
“Because I’ll miss you more when I leave?” I asked and he nodded. “You do not understand women, at all do you?”
He raised a brow and asked, “What does that mean?”
I couldn’t believe how the pitch of my voice had risen. “Because you’re being an idiot. You tell me you like me and then tell me that you can’t tell me because I might like you back? Well, guess what, Jasper, it’s too late. I already do like you. So now what are you going to do?”
“Alysa, I called James. You’re leaving tomorrow,” he said flatly.
I know.“But we have tonight.”
There was no extending my stay here any longer. But I didn’t want to leave without being in his arms again. I wanted him and I knew he wanted me. If this was all we ever had, then I wanted to enjoy every second we had left.
Jasper didn’t move or say anything. His eyes focused on mine. I could see the internal battle taking place. Don’t worry, Jasper. You’re not going to hurt me. I know what I want.
I got up, walked around the desk, and sat on the edge, just inches away from him. “Tell me you want me to go back to my room and I will.” Once again, he said nothing, but he closed his eyes. I needed him to say something, anything. I was putting myself out there and that isn’t easy for me. At least he could do was meet me halfway. “Jasper, please,” I pleaded.
Jasper slipped an arm around my legs and pulled me down onto his lap. In a husky voice he said, “Alysa, do you know how hard I am trying to do the right thing?”
“What is right? Denying what we feel? What we want?” Because it sure didn’t feel right.
“I’d do anything not to hurt you,” he said.
“If that is the case, then I ask you again, tell me how you feel,” I prodded.
He reached up and cupped my face and said, “I’m afraid that if you don’t leave Tabiq, I might fall in love with you.”
I was prepared for like, and care about, but love? That was a word Reesa said Jasper never used. But there it was, straight from his own lips.
Now I was afraid and lost for words. I couldn’t describe what he meant to me. All I knew was he made me feel like no one else and we hadn’t even had sex. Was he right - should we stop now before our feelings grew any further?
His hand rested on my thigh and as his lips came towards mine, I said breathlessly, “Jasper.”
His lips were so gentle and I found myself melting towards him, and wrapped my arms around his neck. I’m not letting you go till I have to.
Jasper ran his hand up my thigh and around my back to cup my ass. He moaned against my lips and I knew he wanted me as much as I did him.
“I haven’t been able to think straight since the moment I laid eyes on you,” he muttered, tracing kisses down my neck.
And you have me breaking all the rules.I didn’t care. Burke was wrong about Jasper. I might not have been able to prove that to him, but one day, everyone would know the Jasper Florraz I knew.
My need skyrocketed at his words. Breathlessly I replied, “Then…don’t think…just feel…”
A blur of feverish kisses trailed back up my neck and finally claimed my lips again. My hands slid down his shoulders and began unbuttoning his shirt. My fingers trembled and I was becoming impatient. I needed to touch him.
Jasper scooped me into his arms and carried me down the hall, not to my room, but to his. Once inside he sat me on the edge of the bed and stripped off his clothes while I watched intently. God, you’re…perfect.
Jasper stepped closer to me and said, “You’re…overdressed.”
I had no issue providing him a show as well. I pulled my shirt over my head and tossed it on the floor, then slipped out of my skirt. I reached behind my back, unhooked my bra and let the straps slip from my shoulders. My panties were next, until I stood naked aside from the white gauze patching me up. I saw his expression as his eyes fixated on it. Oh, no. Not tonight.
I stepped closer so our bodies were pressed firmly against each other. I hated to admit I felt a twinge of discomfort from my surgery. I was going to have to be careful. The right position and we shouldn’t have any issue.
“Jasper, we can still do this, just…slowly,” I said.