Chapter 21 #2
I took my time, dragging one of my straps down my shoulder, tantalizing him with glimpses of my skin until I had removed the second strap. And then I let go, allowing the silk to slide over my skin until my breasts were revealed.
“Fuck, Halle.” He was practically salivating, and I was just as needy, filled with a yearning so strong it nearly overpowered me. “You’re so gorgeous.”
I preened at his words. “Your turn.” I gestured toward him.
He adjusted his phone then undid the top few buttons of his shirt. I watched as he stripped out of it before reaching behind his neck and tugging his undershirt over his head. He was bare-chested, his skin tanned and toned with a light dusting of hair. He was perfect.
“I want to see you. All of you.” He gave me a meaningful look.
“Same,” I said, waiting until he agreed.
He started unbuttoning his pants, quickly shucking them aside. He returned to his position at the headboard, cock in hand. Hard and waiting.
I laughed, loving his enthusiasm. And then I slid out of my nightgown before removing my underwear.
“That’s better,” he sighed, drinking me in. “Now show me how wet you are for me.”
I nearly whimpered at his demand. Something about his commanding voice and the idea of being on camera—on display—for Jasper, made desire rush to my core. If I hadn’t already been soaked, I definitely would be now.
I swiped a finger through my folds then held it up to the camera. It glistened with my desire, and Jasper watched me through hooded eyes.
“Taste yourself,” he demanded.
I slid my fingers into my mouth, imagining his cock instead. I moaned.
“Delicious, right?” he asked. “Like heaven.” I nodded. “You’re so good, Halle. Following my instructions.”
My breath hitched, and I waited for his next command. Jasper gave his cock a few lazy pumps, and my eyes pinged from his lips to his chest to his hands and back to his face. I found him smirking, sexy and devious and so hot I thought I might combust.
“Spread those legs, love. Show me what I’m missing.”
I did as he asked, using my fingers to trace circles on my clit. I shuddered at the sensation, the way he was looking at me. As if I was his everything.
“That’s it, love.” He gnawed on his bottom lip, stomach muscles clenching as he watched me. I liked watching him, and I liked him watching me.
“If I were there, my mouth would be on that pretty pussy. My tongue flicking your clit.” Shadows played on his face, making his jawline seem even sharper.
I shuddered, my pulse quickening. I could picture it exactly, just as he’d described. “Yes. I want that too.”
“Show me how much you want me,” he demanded, his voice gruff. “Make yourself come.”
I continued touching myself, my pleasure rising. I wanted him. Not just on the screen but here with me. “Only if we can do it together,” I said, my skin growing slick with sweat.
“Yes. God, yes,” he panted, his strokes coming faster now, his movements less controlled.
Jasper coaxed me to my climax, taunting me with promises of all the things he intended to do to me when he got home. I couldn’t wait. I couldn’t…
“Tell me you’re close,” he said.
“I’m…” I trailed off, overcome. “Yes,” I hissed.
My toes curled into the sheets, a wave of pleasure cresting over me. When I opened my eyes, Jasper was watching me, his hand moving faster than ever as he grunted out a stream of curses along with his release. The veins of his forearm flexed, and I couldn’t believe he was mine.
“Don’t stop.” His voice was gravelly. “Not until you come again.”
“I ca—”
“Halle—” He cut me off, and I knew he wasn’t going to relent. When I placed my hand to my clit, it was already so sensitive that a whisper of touch was almost enough to set me off again. I whimpered.
“That’s it, love,” Jasper said. “That’s it.”
And the next time I came, it was with him.
He relaxed against the headboard with a sated smile. I melted into my mattress. At least I did until my door handle rattled.
“Oh shit,” I whispered. “I think Kai’s trying to come into my room.” I scrambled to grab my nightgown.
“Mum,” Kai groaned, rattling the door. Thank goodness I’d locked the door earlier. I just hoped he didn’t ask me about it.
“Give me just a sec,” I said, quickly righting my nightgown and hoping I didn’t look too flustered. “Hey,” I said to Jasper. “I can call you back or…”
“It’s fine. I’ll wait. I should get cleaned up anyway.”
“Sorry.” I mouthed to Jasper.
He chuckled, and I left my phone on the bed while I went to open the door. I took one look at Kai and frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t feel good.” He flopped on the bed, and Rosie trotted in a moment later. He picked her up, and they cuddled on the bed together.
I brushed Kai’s hair away from his face. “What’s bothering you?”
“My stomach.” He curled up into a ball, his little face racked with pain. I hated seeing him go through this time and again with no way to help him.
I had a feeling this wasn’t going to be a quick thing, and I didn’t want to keep Jasper waiting. It was even later there, and I knew he had a lot of meetings in the next few days before he came home.
I picked up my phone, my heart still pounding. “Hey. Sorry. I’m going to have to go.”
“Who are you talking to?” Kai asked then leaned over to see my screen. Fortunately, everything below Jasper’s waist was covered up. “Oh. Hi, Jasper.”
Rosie also decided to jump into the frame, and I laughed. This call wasn’t going at all to plan. My kid and Jasper’s dog were hijacking the conversation.
“Hey, kiddo.” Jasper’s hair was mussed, and he was shirtless. He looked relaxed. A little smug. And deeply satisfied. “How are you?”
“Not so good.” Kai hugged a pillow to his chest.
“I’m sorry to hear that, bud.” Jasper frowned. “I hope you feel better.”
“When are you coming home?”
“Two more days,” Jasper said. “And it can’t come soon enough.”
I nodded my agreement and mouthed “Miss you,” while Kai’s attention was focused on Rosie. He mouthed it back.
“Mummy.” Kai groaned again, clutching his stomach. “I really don’t feel good.”
Jasper’s eyes darted between the two of us as he tried to assess the situation. I could tell that he didn’t want to hang up, but he was also trying to respect my wishes about keeping our relationship a secret from Kai.
We spent time together as the three of us—well, four with Rosie. But we didn’t want to confuse Kai or risk spilling the secret until we were ready.
Finally, Jasper said, “I should let you get some rest.”
Before I could hang up, Kai said, “Mum. I think I’m going to—” And then he threw up all over my bed.
“You hungry?” I asked Kai.
“Not really,” he said from the couch where he was watching a show with Rosie.
I decided to order some food anyway, hoping it would entice him to eat.
When the on-site doctor had visited earlier, he’d suggested a mild diet, hydration, and then referred us to a pediatric gastroenterologist. I wasn’t sure whether to be relieved or concerned that he wanted me to get Kai into the gastro right away, but it was nice to have my concerns taken seriously.
My stomach growled, and I realized I also hadn’t eaten all day. I’d been up most of the night taking care of Kai, worried about him and trying to figure out how to juggle everything. Because with Jasper in Colorado and Sloan still out on maternity leave, my calendar was jam-packed.
I’d had my assistant cancel all my meetings, but I couldn’t completely shut off work. And I also couldn’t devote myself fully to it. Not with a sick kiddo.
Pre-K was out. Even if Kai hadn’t had a fever, he’d been throwing up. And I also wasn’t going to leave him in the care of a nanny I’d never met before, even if I could call the Hartwell Agency and secure someone at the last minute.
But between taking care of Kai and trying to squeeze in work where I could, I’d barely had time to breathe, let alone eat or get dressed.
I paused in front of the mirror, evaluating my messy topknot and oversized cardigan.
I was still wearing my silk nightgown from the night before.
And my call with Jasper seemed like a lifetime ago.
I sighed and placed the order for room service. Some oatmeal for Kai and a sandwich for me.
Kai was watching TV when there was a knock at the door. I went to answer it, grabbing some ones for a tip from my wallet as I opened the door.
I blinked a few times, stunned. Surely I was seeing things. Because there was no way Jasper was standing at the threshold to my suite. He was supposed to be in Colorado. For two more days.
I didn’t even question it. I walked toward Jasper’s outstretched arms, closing my eyes as he held me.
And as we stood there, embracing, I realized just how much I’d come to rely on him.
And while the idea of relying on anyone, especially a man, terrified me, another part of me felt so…
at ease. Because it was him. Because he was a supportive partner.
This is what love is.
The thought gave me pause. But the more I thought about it, the less surprised I was. The more it all made sense.
I loved him. I loved Jasper, and even though he may not have said the words aloud, there was no doubt in my mind that he loved me. The fact that he’d dropped everything to fly home to be with Kai and me was further proof of it.
Jasper had chosen to miss a major, important meeting to be with Kai and me. He’d chosen us over his job. He’d put my son above everything else.
But when the elevator chimed, I remembered that we were standing in the hallway where anyone could see us. As much as I wanted to revel in Jasper’s presence, I knew we needed to continue being discreet for now. So I grabbed his arm and pulled him inside with me, closing the door behind me.
Kai peered over the back of the sofa, and Rosie came running to greet Jasper, her little collar jingling from the movement.
“Hey, kiddo,” Jasper greeted Kai while picking up Rosie.
“I thought you were out of town,” Kai said, his voice lacking its usual enthusiasm.
“My trip ended early. Is it okay if I hang out with you?”
“Really?” Kai asked.
“If it’s okay with your mom.” Jasper turned to me for confirmation.
“Of course,” I said, still shocked that he was here. “He shouldn’t be contagious.”
He waved away my comment, as if to say, like I’d let anything come between spending time with Kai.
As I watched Jasper with Kai, my heart melted a little more. At the way Jasper treated my son. At the care and attention and patience Jasper showed Kai. He listened as Kai told him about Lego Star Wars. And he subtly encouraged Kai to drink. Jasper was a good caregiver. Nurturing.
When room service arrived, I pushed off from the barstool.
I collected our order at the door and thanked Ethan before returning inside.
I didn’t want to risk anyone seeing Jasper here, not when he was supposed to be in Colorado.
I wondered what he’d told everyone, how he’d explained his abrupt departure.
But I supposed that was one of the perks of being the CEO—he could do whatever he wanted.
He didn’t have to justify his decisions to anyone except maybe the board.
But they weren’t going to weigh in on something like this.
“Here you go.” I handed Kai his oatmeal before turning to Jasper. “Do you want me to order something for you?”
“I’m fine. I had lunch on the flight. Besides, you don’t need to be worrying about me. I’m here to help you.”
Since Kai was preoccupied with his show and oatmeal, Jasper came to join me in the kitchen.
Kai’s back was to us, and he was so invested in the characters, he wasn’t paying attention to anything else.
The TV provided enough background noise that I wasn’t overly concerned about him overhearing our conversation.
I updated Jasper on what the doctor had said, ultimately referring us to a pediatric GI. I’d made an appointment, but the earliest I could get in was in six weeks. It seemed so far away, too far away, but they’d promised to call if something opened up sooner.
Jasper slid his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder. “I missed you.” He pressed a kiss to my neck.
“I missed you too,” I said, placing my hands over his. “I’m glad you’re here, but how did you explain your sudden need to leave?” I asked as the TV droned on in the background.
“I said I had a family emergency.”
“Yeah, but…”
“Halle.” He pulled me into him. “When are you going to realize that you’re my family? I love you and Kai, and I would do anything for the two of you.”
I turned to face Jasper, my heart in my throat. I tilted my head back to look at him, to really see him. This wonderful, caring, loving man who adored my son and me. Who would do anything for us.
“I love you too.”
He smiled and cupped my cheek, glancing over at the couch before pressing his lips to mine. The kiss was sweet and chaste, but I could feel his love all the same.
I turned so we were both facing the couch, sliding my arm around his waist. He draped his arm over my shoulder. He was so solid and reassuring. I knew I could do this on my own, but it was nice that I no longer had to.