Chapter 9
CHAPTER 9
JASPER
If Marshall doesn’t quit being so damn hot, I’m going to lose it.
It’s not just his face or his body, which sure, I am definitely down with both of those things.
No, it’s how he interacts with the rest of the firm, buying everyone a round, which is apparently what he normally does. Every week. Of the expensive stuff, too.
The salute to his late husband, keeping his memory alive is not just regular guy sort of stuff.
It’s not just that, though, but how he greets and speaks with the other people here, too. There is a real sense of community in Bear Valley and Marshall is part of it. He must stand up a million times to shake a hand or step away from the table for a quick chat with someone.
I’ve met my share of the locals, too. Everyone is welcoming, and every time some guy shakes my hand, I feel Marsh’s eyes hot and heavy on me. I like it, the feel of his gaze. I want to do whatever I can to keep those eyes on me.
Bear Valley makes me want a career like Marsh’s. So far, the three-year slog of law school has me focused on which law to practice and what to avoid, more than the life I would build around that practice.
Watching Marsh makes the idea of a small-town life quite appealing. Not that anything about Taylor Law Partners is small. They have a large reach, but due to the kind of work they do, they can choose a small ski resort in Colorado as their headquarters.
Of course, if I can pull off this summer internship, and the symposium and special edition of the law review next year as the editor, then I can put myself in a position to make choices like this for myself. I can create this kind of life.
“You ok?” Marsh’s voice is low and I can feel his breath across my neck as he takes his seat from yet another quick word with a local.
Suppressing the twin needs to shiver and lean into him, I just nod.
“It’s about five, and that’s when we usually wrap up. Or,” he smiles, and it’s so relaxed, my brain instantly remembers the smile he gave me leaning against the doorway of my extended-stay room. “Actually, I make sure to leave about five, so no one feels obligated to stay later,” he confesses, still leaning into my space. “Would you like a ride back to your place?”
I watch a bit of blush creep across his cheekbone and wonder if that’s because he’s remembering how he knows where I’m staying.
I nod and in no time he’s paid his tab and we are back in his car.
“I apologize,” he says, his forearms catching my attention even as he shifts the car into gear, “I didn’t think about how you might take our ritual with Keith.” His eyes are warm and intense when he looks over to me while we are stopped at a stop sign. “But, rest assured I’m not cheating on anyone—” Marsh blows out a breath. “Wasn’t, I mean.”
“That’s your business.” My words come out sort of primly, but this conversation is taking off for dangerous waters.
“What about you? Someone back home?”
I catch my breath—that’s not the question I was expecting next.
“N-no. I don’t think I could ever cheat on a partner,” I say. “Plus, I’m focused on school, really. Top of the class isn’t easy.”
He smiles a slow sexy smile that matches a look in his eye I can’t really describe.
“I remember.”
He then switches to asking about law school, thankfully, as he navigates the short distance to my hotel.
“Let me walk you up,” he says, already out of the car so that my “that’s not necessary” reply is swallowed by his closed door and the quiet of his vehicle.
I hastily exit, and he frowns as he rounds the car, looking at the door as if he is offended that I opened it. Was he going to open my car door? Who even does that?
It’s a short walk to my room, just through a mostly empty lobby and up the elevator. I should say something, make small talk, but I can’t think of anything to say because my mind is so overwhelmed with the idea that he might want to come in.
I settle on “thanks,” as I reach into my pocket for the key, awkwardly standing in the hall by the door.
When I look up, he’s close, dark eyes heated and on me.
“Just wanted to see you safe,” he says. “You never know who is staying at these places.”
I shake my head before I can stop the movement. Maybe he’s right, but something is off about his statement.
“That’s not it.”
A slow smile takes over Marsh’s face, and I swear the heat in this hallway cranks up and the oxygen evaporates. That smile is lethal.
“I wanted to tell you that you are sexy as hell, Jasper.”
I blink—not what I expected him to say at all.
“You—”
I’m cut off by his hand cupping my cheek, fingers trailing across my skin. I shut my mouth tight against the needy whimper that wants to escape.
He’s so close, so warm, and smelling divine. What I wouldn’t give to press my nose right into that soft spot under his neck, the one that made him give the needy sounds the night I blew him. But, I’m rooted to the spot.
I’m not going to spend all summer playing his hot and cold games. Maybe he’s struggling with how to handle an intern who he hooked up with, and I get that. But, he’s had a week to get his shit straight.
I let out a breath, not moving as his eyes roam across my face, chasing answers to unanswered questions. Swallowing hard I resolve that he’s had his time to process and I’m not going to beg to hear whatever conclusions he’s come to. If he wants more, he can damn well ask.
“I should go,” he says, and I try not to let my eyes flutter under his touch, but it’s hard. “I don’t want to—so I should.”
I nod, the resolve of seconds ago still in place.
I press the key card to the door, and as soon as it’s closed behind me, I slump against the door with a smile.
At least Marsh is the kind of guy who isn’t afraid to show he’s interested, or at least turned on. That he finds me sexy. I definitely like him showing that he’s struggling with our attraction to each other.
Our mutual attraction.
Damn, it’s nice he validated that.
Still. He’s had a week to figure it out. If he keeps up this game, I’m going to call him on it.