Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Ikept stealing glances at Jasper throughout the meeting.
I’d tried to keep my attention on the head of hospitality, but I was finding it incredibly difficult to focus on anything but Jasper.
We’d texted some last night before I’d gone to bed, and I couldn’t wait to be alone with him again.
Not that I was sure when that would be. We both had busy schedules, and my weekends were my time with Kai.
Jasper adjusted his tie, and I wondered if he was struggling as much as I was. When he met my gaze across the table, his eyes darkened. I shifted in my seat, seeking relief from this ever-present ache. His attention darted to my legs, and he smirked.
Was I being reckless? Most definitely.
But that was the thing about living in the present. It was freeing in a way. Consequences seemed like a problem for future me.
“Unless there are any other questions,” said the head of hospitality, “I think that about covers it.”
“No questions,” Jasper said. “At least not from me. Halle?”
I shook my head, wishing I’d paid more attention there at the end. “I’m good. Thank you.”
Jasper stood, signaling an end to the meeting. “Halle, can I see you in my office after this? I want to review those numbers.”
“Of course,” I said, hoping it was a pretext to spend some alone time together.
I grabbed my things and followed him down the hall to his office, greeting everyone we passed. As soon as we were inside, and the door was shut, he pushed me up against it. I reached for him at the same time he grabbed for me, and our lips collided.
It was electric, and I felt as if I couldn’t touch enough of him fast enough. As if I’d been deprived of oxygen until now. Until him.
I reached behind me and pressed the button to lock the door. I didn’t know how long we had, but I did not want any interruptions.
“That meeting was torture,” Jasper rasped.
“All morning has been torture.” I let my head fall back against the door as he kissed my neck, my collarbone, squeezing my breasts through my dress. I groaned my appreciation as my nipples hardened, brushing against the lace cups of my bra.
“Did you wear this dress to taunt me?” he asked, skimming his hand down my hips, over my ass.
“Maybe.” I bit back a grin, and he squeezed my ass, his hard-on digging into me. We groaned in unison.
“And these shoes?” He lifted my leg, and my phone fell out of my pocket, landing faceup on the floor. It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered in this moment but Jasper.
I wrapped my leg around his waist, rocking against him. Seeking more friction as our kiss became heated. Desire unspooling deep within me.
This. This was what I’d needed. Jasper.
When my phone rang, I was tempted to ignore it. But then I saw Sloan’s name on the screen.
“Shit.” I unhooked myself from Jasper and bent down to pick it up. “She’s probably calling for our weekly check-in.”
“Answer it if you need to,” he said.
Even though Sloan wouldn’t be able to see me, I smoothed back my hair, trying to regain my sense of composure. I hit the button to connect the call, turning so Jasper was behind me. Maybe I’d be able to concentrate if he was out of sight.
Doubtful.
But then Jasper smoothed his hands over my stomach, pulling me flush to him. Letting me feel the effect I had on him. Concentration shot.
“Sloan, hey,” I chirped.
He gathered my skirt, lifting the material until it was bunched above my waist. I glanced at him over my shoulder, my eyes wide. “What are you doing?” I mouthed.
Jasper leaned in so his breath tickled my skin. He grazed the shell of my ear with his mouth. “Relax,” he whispered.
I glared at him. How could he expect me to relax at a time like this? I was on the phone with my boss—his sister. And he was touching me. At work.
“I, um—” I swallowed hard when he slid his hand up my thigh toward my center. “I was just finishing up a meeting with Jasper. If you give me a minute, I’ll be back in my office.”
“Actually, that’s perfect,” she said. “I had a few things I wanted to loop him in on. Can you put me on speaker?”
“Give me just a second.” I put the phone on mute and then said to Jasper, “She wants to talk to both of us.”
“Good.” He kissed my shoulder, sliding his hand beneath my underwear. “That gives us an excuse to spend more time together.”
“Jasper. You have…” I gasped when he circled my clit, my head falling back against his chest. “You have to stop.”
I didn’t want him to stop. Not when it felt like this. But Sloan…
He used the other hand to grab my breast, pinching my nipple. Arresting my attention. He always seemed to know exactly what I needed to get off.
“I’ll stop when you come.”
“I can’t…” I squeezed my eyes shut, nearly overcome with pleasure. “This is so,” I panted, “unprofessional.”
“What’s unprofessional…” His voice was low in my ear, dark, dangerous, and seductive. “…is keeping your boss waiting. Now hit the mute button again so she doesn’t wonder what’s up.”
Crap! I’d almost completely forgotten about Sloan. I grabbed his wrist, but instead of trying to remove his hand as I’d intended, I found myself using it to hold on. Gripping his wrist as he plucked at my sensitive nerve endings. Was I asking him to stop? Keep going? I wasn’t even sure.
“Halle,” he chided, stilling his hand. A warning. “Unmute the phone.”
My legs were shaking, but I tapped the mute button again so she could hear us.
“Halle?” Sloan asked.
“Sorry about that,” I said, hoping the delay hadn’t been too suspicious. “You’re on speaker with Jasper and me.”
There was a pause, and I briefly wondered if she’d heard something she shouldn’t. The rustle of our clothes. The sound of him thrusting his finger into my body. The moans I was biting back.
“Are you okay?” Sloan asked. “You sound different.”
“I’m—” My words were cut off when Jasper inserted another finger, and I tried not to gasp. “I’m great. Yeah. Just busy. You know how it is, running between meetings.”
“Of course. This won’t take long.”
No, it wouldn’t. Not with the way Jasper was touching me.
“How was the gala?” Sloan asked. “I saw some of the pictures online.”
I widened my eyes at Jasper, pleading with him to answer. We’d missed most of the gala because we’d been stuck in the stairwell.
“Successful,” Jasper said, though his eyes were still on me. Was he thinking about the stairwell? Or our conversation on the plane? Or what had happened after? Maybe all of it.
“Good. We should do something nice for Kendall to thank her.”
“Absolutely,” Jasper said.
“Are you looking forward to your date?” Sloan teased.
“Mm,” Jasper hummed, leaning in to nuzzle my neck.
Sloan continued talking, and I tried to stay focused on what she was saying. But all I could concentrate on was the feeling of Jasper’s hands on me. The way he made me feel both weightless and secure.
Every so often, Jasper responded, his voice rumbling through his body and into mine. My eyes closed of their own accord as he continued coaxing my pleasure from me. What we were doing was reckless, but somehow the danger of getting caught only added to the thrill.
My release blazed through me, and I shattered, right there in Jasper’s arms. In his office. Jasper clamped his hand over my mouth, silencing me as he continued to work my body until I sagged against him.
“Okay. Well, I think that’s it for now,” Sloan said. Thank god. “Any questions?”
The only thing holding me up right now was Jasper. My limbs felt heavy. My body buzzing with pleasure.
“Answer the question, Halle,” he whispered, nipping my shoulder.
I jolted. “No. No questions.”
“Great. I’ll let you get back to it, then.”
“Okay. Thanks.” I’d never hit the end button on a call so fast. I lowered my dress and whirled to face Jasper. “What the hell was that?”
He smirked. “I told you. I was helping you relax.”
I smoothed my hair and crossed my arms over my chest. “I thought we agreed that we wouldn’t let our personal relationship compromise our professionalism.”
“This wouldn’t have happened if I’d gotten to see you last night.” He was taunting me.
“Oh, so now you’re going to blame this on me?” I teased.
“Pretty sure this—” he gestured to his erection that was tenting his pants “—is all your fault.”
“Poor baby.” I pouted, closing the distance between us. “Do you need some help with that?” I palmed him through his pants.
He groaned, dragging his thumb down my lip. “Yes. Always.”
“Does that feel good?” I asked, continuing to touch him. Tease him.
“You know it does,” he ground out.
My phone chimed, and I brushed my lips against his. I retreated to the desk, grabbing my phone before sliding it into my pocket. “Sorry. I have to go. I have a meeting in five.”
“Seriously?” he asked.
I nodded, trying not to laugh at his stricken expression. “Afraid so.” I grabbed my things and headed for the door.
He grasped my wrist. “When can I see you again? Outside of work,” he added. “Do you have plans this weekend?”
“Not yet, but I have Kai.”
“I know.” He pulled me to him, gripping my hips. “I was hoping we could do something together—the three of us. Well, and maybe Rosie too.”
“Yeah?” I tilted my head, surprised by his eagerness to include my son. I placed my hand on his cheek. “I’d like that, and I know Kai would too.”
“Great. Bring your swimsuits, and we can hang out by my pool. Unless…”
“Unless what?”
“Kai has been begging me to take him for a flight on my helicopter. I know his birthday’s coming up. We could go to San Diego. Spend the day at Legoland.”
“He would absolutely love that,” I said, knowing how excited Kai would be about either one of those things. I could only imagine how he’d react about both. Still…what kind of message would it send?
“But…?” Jasper said, perhaps sensing my hesitation.
“But it seems…extravagant. Plus, aren’t you worried about being seen together in public?”
“In San Diego?” He chuckled. “No. I’m not a celebrity like Nate or Emerson. And I don’t think anyone would expect to see me at Legoland.”