Chapter Twenty-Two
GOING BACK to regular college life in the morning was a special kind of torture. Jasper couldn’t deny that Vincent letting him stay the night had helped ease the anxious knot in his gut, but he wished he hadn’t had a complete and utter emotional breakdown in the first place.
He really needed to work on not overthinking things.
But he was glad to finally get everything out in the open and know where they stood with each other. Even if he was still falling hard, at least now he knew Vincent reciprocated on some level.
Knowing he’d be able to start another contract when this one ended was as much a relief as it was exciting.
And terrifying. What if Vincent changed the rules this time?
Not that he thought Vincent would do anything too drastic, but something would change, right?
Surely he’d ask for something more… kinky?
He was fairly certain everything they’d done so far was pretty tame.
They didn’t even use the playroom that often, and there were some contraptions in there they hadn’t used at all yet.
Vincent had mentioned punishments a few times, and he couldn’t deny he was curious, but marshmallows? Seriously? He hadn’t dared ask if Vincent would actually follow through on that threat, but surely not. Right?
Should he tell Vincent he was okay with being punished?
He knew better than to say he was okay with being punished for anything, but how the hell was he supposed to know what was a punishable offense?
What if he’d been making so many mistakes that he’d end up being punished every day if he agreed to it?
Jasper closed his eyes and took a breath. He really needed to stop overthinking things; that was how he fucked things up. So he forced himself to breathe and focus on his classes and assignments and work, and allowed himself to text Vincent at least a few times each day.
Then it was Wednesday, and the agony of the past two days was worth it when he headed out of his last class and saw Vincent’s car waiting for him. Not the one the driver used, but the sports car Vincent drove himself.
He climbed into the passenger seat and leaned over to kiss Vincent’s cheek. “Hello, Sir.”
“Hello, pet. How were classes?”
“Educational,” he replied, grinning when Vincent snorted. He glanced in the back seat at the groceries and shifted in excitement.
Vincent would be spending the rest of the afternoon and hopefully evening with him.
Maybe even spend the night. At home. Granted, it was Amber’s place, but he earned his keep by doing laundry twice a week and odd chores to keep the place clean.
So long as he kept his grades up he didn’t feel too guilty about not paying rent, and his part-time job gave him enough cash he never had to ask for much.
He’d stayed up last night, after finishing some required reading, making sure the kitchen and dining room were spotless and ready for them to cook.
He was more than thrilled Vincent had agreed to see him outside of his own home. It made this feel more like a relationship. He had to bite his cheek to keep from grinning like a madman despite the ever-present fear of everything blowing up in his face.
Jasper leaned over to prop his head on Vincent’s shoulder. “Missed you, Sir,” he said softly. It’d barely been two full days, but it was the truth. He closed his eyes as Vincent ran fingers through his hair before getting them on the road.
When they got home, he helped Vincent carry in the bags and emptied their contents onto the counter.
He tossed his backpack on the dining table and put away the items that needed to go in the fridge, rolling his eyes when he found the apron.
Vincent really meant it when he said he’d bring everything he needed.
He laid out two cartons of mushrooms, parsley, onion, garlic, parmesan cheese, broth, chicken, and a fancy-looking box of rice. “Sooo, what’re we making?”
“Mushroom risotto.” Vincent paused as he set a knife down on the cutting board. “Do you like mushrooms?”
Jasper grinned. “Love mushrooms. Hate olives.”
Vincent groaned. “Heathen.”
He laughed and snatched one of the onions to peel it, but he’d only gotten half of it done when he realized he was still dressed.
He shifted on his feet as he debated stripping.
They weren’t in Vincent’s home, but no one else was here, and it wasn’t like he hadn’t seen the others in various states of undress. But this was different.
“Pet?” Vincent asked, eyeing him as he finished washing the mushrooms.
Jasper sighed and set the onion down, quickly pulling his shirt over his head before he could second- and third-guess himself.
His fingers hesitated a beat on his jeans, but he pushed those down too.
When he straightened and risked a peek, Vincent had his arms crossed and was propped against the counter with an amused look.
“I’m not complaining, but are you sure?”
He swallowed and gave a sharp nod, snatched up his clothes, and dashed upstairs to toss them in his room.
Then he had to take a moment to breathe.
It wasn’t like he was naked; he still had his boxers on, but that wasn’t enough to keep his heart from skipping like a kid stealing ice cream as he headed back downstairs.
Vincent was still where Jasper had left him, closing the oven on the chicken. He held up an apron when Jasper stopped beside him.
He wrinkled his nose and shook his head. “Defeats the purpose if I cover up your view, doesn’t it?”
Vincent tipped his head back with a laugh and draped the apron over himself instead.
Jasper couldn’t help feeling smug as he picked up the onion and got back to work.
When he moved to the cutting board to start chopping, Vincent shifted to stand behind him, his arms resting lightly around Jasper’s waist. He shivered and tilted his head to the side as Vincent’s lips found his shoulder.
He stared at the onion for a moment, surprised by the casual affection. Maybe he shouldn’t have been. Even from the beginning, Vincent hadn’t been stingy with his touches, but he hadn’t really expected it here.
“Pet?” Vincent asked, propping his chin on Jasper’s shoulder.
He shook his head and cut the onion in half. “Just thinking,” he murmured, focusing on dicing the onion, but he couldn’t keep from thinking about punishments. Again. “Sir?”
“Mm-hmm?”
“I’ve been thinking,” he started but then couldn’t quite get the words out.
What was he supposed to say, that he wanted to try being punished?
He didn’t want to give Vincent the wrong idea: that he wanted to make it a thing.
He didn’t want to say yes and be stuck with the consequences if he didn’t like it.
“Jas,” Vincent murmured wryly.
Jasper sighed and let his head thunk against Vincent’s shoulder. “You’ve mentioned punishments a few times.”
Vincent hummed against his neck. “And?”
Jasper shrugged his shoulder. “I might be curious about what it would be like?”
“How are you imagining it would be?”
Wasn’t that the million-dollar question. “Spanking?” he guessed, rolling his eyes as he felt Vincent’s lips curve in a smile against his neck.
“Sounds more like a reward.”
Jasper huffed and scooped the diced onion into the bowl before starting on the next one. “Well, it’s better than marshmallows in my ass,” he muttered.
Vincent laughed and tightened his arm around Jasper’s waist. “That’s a different kind of punishment.”
“Of course it is.”
“What are you worried might happen?”
“I dunno…. Being punished for no reason?”
Vincent shifted behind him, grasping Jasper’s wrist and sliding to his hand to press it against the cutting board until he released the knife, then he nudged Jasper around to face him.
“Look at me, pet,” he murmured, waiting until Jasper flicked a glance up to continue. “None of this is a game to me. Punishment is just another type of scene. I’d never discipline you for something without you understanding why and agreeing the discipline is suitable.”
Jasper swallowed, a knot of worry in his chest loosening a bit. “I know,” he murmured.
“Do you?”
He flicked his tongue against his lips and toyed with the bottom button on Vincent’s shirt.
Vincent had done nothing except exactly what he’d said he would from the start.
He hadn’t lied or hurt him, and he went out of his way to give Jasper what he needed, which was more than anyone else had ever done, aside from Amber giving him a place to live.
He’d never so much as raised his voice, even when he had reason to.
“Yes,” he said softly, meeting Vincent’s eyes. “I trust you.”
Vincent tilted his head, studying Jasper a moment before his lips curved in a small smile. “Thank you,” he said, pressing a kiss to his nose.
Jasper huffed softly and kissed Vincent’s lips, then turned back to the cutting board. He cleared his throat and ignored the heat creeping into his face as he said, “Sooo, I guess we can experiment?” he asked. “At least once?”
Vincent settled his hand on Jasper’s hip, lightly rubbing his thumb against the base of his spine. “I can give you a taste of punishment for being a complete brat the other day.”
“So long as it doesn’t involve marshmallows.”
“I think I can come up with something,” Vincent replied dryly.
“Okay.” Jasper tried to ignore the flush of excitement, but warmth still pooled low in his belly as he wondered what Vincent would do to him. He reached for the mushrooms to start slicing and frowned as he noticed how many ingredients were laid out. “Isn’t this too much food?”
“No. There’s enough for your family if they show up.”
Jasper wrinkled his nose. He really hoped they didn’t show up. The last thing he wanted was his time with Vincent interrupted.
Vincent pulled his phone out and put on some quiet music, and Jasper smiled.
This was nice. This was something he’d always wanted. Someone he could simply exist with. The sex was great, but this was something that fed a deeper craving.