Chapter 23 – Jasper Cleary
Jasper Cleary
R iley blushes every time she makes eye contact with me lately. No idea why, she has nothing to be ashamed of. I'm the asshole who watched her come on another man's cock.
I also caught the unmistakable look of loving affection Finn shot her. That man is done for. I couldn't see Cannon's face, but I did see how he protectively wrapped his body around hers.
The lovely omega might not quite see it yet, but she's definitely got herself a pack. No, they've not yet bonded. I imagine that won't be far off.
The sweet tang of her perfume curled so deeply around the house that I had no choice except to follow it. Had to ensure she wasn't in heat and desperately in need… which is ridiculous.
She wouldn't have needed me even if she was.
Sadly, it seems no one truly needs me.
I'm the black sheep of the family. The fuck up.
I've had many successes in business and my family still views me as a failure. They're surprisingly level-headed and family oriented. They'd rather see me poor and happy than wealthy and alone.
Which is an unsettling revelation to come to when I've pretty much destroyed every friendship and relationship I've had to ensure I succeeded in business. I'm beginning to see that my cutthroat drive to be the best at any cost might not be a good thing.
This is fucking bullshit. I'm not even thirty, it's too early for a midlife crisis.
I blame this on the succulent smelling omega. All her problems seem so much more dire than my own. I'm starting to feel like a righteous bastard for feeling sorry for myself. I've always appreciated a good pity party before rallying and slaying all my foes.
"Jasper?" Riley says in a tentative tone.
"Yes, Riles?" I ask, finding her standing a few feet away on the other side of the bar.
"I heard you're my ride home tonight?" she asks, picking at the edge of her shirt.
"Mmm yes, are you done?" I ask, glancing around. Sure enough, the place is practically empty.
She nods.
Cannon had inventory to do so he made it clear I was to drive her home after work. I'm sure Killian would have been happy to come pick her up, but apparently, I'm not the only one who's noticed she's been avoiding me since that night.
How very fortuitous Cannon was feeling generous. She won't be able to escape me in the car, although the ride is less than ten minutes.
I guide her through the restaurant to the break room and we both bundle up.
"The snow has melted and we call this mud weather," I say, smirking down at her. I link my arm with hers and guide us out of the back door.
Like the gentleman I am, I open her door for her and wait for her to get settled inside. She always strips out of her jacket in the car. It's adorably bizarre that she puts it on for the two minute trek across the parking lot. I gently close the door and make my way around.
Once I start the car, I glance over at Riley.
"Are you practicing for your big win? Aiming for the gold in a quiet game battle?" I ask, waiting for the heat to kick in.
Riley snorts, she's still looking out her window though. "Don't know what you're talking about Assper."
"Good Lord," I snicker. "She is quite lucky she's cute."
Riley laughs behind her palm.
"Why are you avoiding me?" I ask, bumping her shoulder with mine. "Are you embarrassed I saw your O face?"
Riley snorts. "Are you embarrassed you got caught perving on a private moment?"
"Hell no." I laugh. "Are we good?"
"Yeah," she says, shoving my hand away from her face. "We're good."
"Don't forget you've got an appointment to try on dresses tomorrow morning," I tell her, checking the parking lot and backing out.
"I told you, I can likely find something in my closet. Or the one I've got out in the cottage," Riley says, rolling her eyes.
"No way, sorry Riles. You've got no idea how fancy this shindig is going to be," I say, grimacing. Shit. Did that come off dickish? Fuck, maybe it did.
"I'm going to embarrass the hell out of you," Riley whimpers, covering her face with her hands.
"Fuck no, you're not," I growl, grabbing her hands in one of mine. "Stop that shit. Your ex is a douche canoe, we already determined this. You're going to look beautiful and smell like the potent little omega you are and we're going to dance and laugh and not give a fuck what anyone else thinks."
"You don't think your family will hate me?" Riley asks, fidgeting in her seat. "That I'll make a terrible impression and they'll be pissed you brought me?"
"First of all, while I love my family, they in no way control my thoughts or actions. By the way, your ex is a dick. Second of all, no way. I've already told you. You're going to be making me look good," I say, carefully maneuvering us home on the slushy roads.
Riley snorts a laugh. "I see, you're using me for my family cred not just the benefit of having an omega at your side."
I literally face palm for her. Shoving my hand over her face. Riley laughs against my skin and I fucking shiver in response.
My life is so weird lately. Normally, I could be mistaken for a race car driver.
At the moment? Yeah, I could probably pass for an eighty-year-old driving a minivan.
I refuse to let myself consider why that is. Obviously, it's because Riley is a mom. She's precious cargo. Fuck, I don't know how Killian does this regularly. I'm clutching the steering wheel tight in both hands and simultaneously going gray.
What the hell is happening to me?
* * *
"That's the dress," I say, nodding at Ainsley.
"I agree," she says, clapping.
"There's not very much of it," Riley grumbles, staring at herself in the mirror.
"You're too cute," Ainsley says, grinning at Riley as she pins the dress to her measurements.
It's a cream silk covered with a lace overlay.
There's a silvery gold piping? Trim? I'm not sure the word for it and yes, I'm aware they're two different colors.
However, I'm not sure there is a word to accurately describe that color.
The dress is masterful. It fits every plentiful curve like a glove.
I don't know enough about clothes to figure out how the dress does it, but it looks nearly indecent on Riley despite being floor length with a high neckline.
Shaking my head, I glance away. I cannot be getting a hard on in Ainsley's store. I had to promise my mother Riley was nothing like Cynthia. She never let Cynthia enter this store, a fact I find myself strangely thankful for at the moment.
"Absolutely not," Ainsley says, drawing my attention. "Take the shoes today and practice in them. They match the dress perfectly. You have to wear them."
"If I break my neck," Riley grumbles. "For the love of God have mercy and bury me in flats."
I snort, wiping a hand over my face. She's utterly adorable. My heart skips a beat as I study her smiling face.
Shit. That can't be healthy.
Riley changes back into her clothes and as she practically skips to my side, I find myself grinning down at her. My stomach does a strange teetering and I decide it might be time to consult a doctor. My mid-life crisis is obviously having physical health related consequences.
* * *
The pushy waitress won't step out of my way. I'm starting to feel growly. My inner turmoil is spilling over into exterior angst.
I needed to piss woman. Not be followed and accosted.
"Excuse me," I say in a firm tone. "I've got to get back to my date."
"She's talking to some old dude," the server says.
I growl.
Skirting around the pushy woman, I stomp back to the booth. Tyler Davidson stands, leaning over the table and he's in Riley's space.
That fucking asshole. He's a big bastard, last I heard he played football for New England. Why the fuck is he talking to my Riley? He sees me stomping over and frowns.
Riley's head bounces between the two of us as I slide in close to her side. I toss an arm over her shoulder and pull her into my chest. Riley doesn't fight me, which means that fucker was making her uncomfortable.
"Tyler," I snarl. "How can I help you?"
"Jasper Cleary?" Tyler asks, frowning. "You two know each other?"
"We live together," I tell him, stretching back with a cheeky smirk. "How do you know Riles?"
"Met her a few times," Tyler says, laughing. "How are the girls?"
"G-Good," Riley says. "We've actually got to get back to them."
"Ready, love?" I ask, glancing down and studying Riley's face. She's got a hand resting on my chest and suddenly I feel invincible.
"See ya around Riley," Tyler says, knocking his knuckles against the table.
I drop several extra hundreds down in my haste to get us the fuck out of the seafood restaurant.
Oh well, I'd rather not deal with that waitress again anyhow. Waiting outside the men's room? That's only slightly classier than following me inside.
Riley and I quickly exit the restaurant and make our way to the parking lot.
"How the fuck do you know Tyler Davidson?" I ask as I settle Riley into my car.
Riley glances away and shrugs. "We've met a few times."
"Ohmigod," I hiss. "Tell me he's not their dad."
Riley gasps, shaking her head no. "No, he's not. I swear."
Thank Christ for that. I tenderly make sure she's inside before closing the door and stomping off.
Tyler stands near the building watching us carefully. He raises an eyebrow at me. He's talking into his cell phone and my hackles instantly rise. He's definitely not someone I want interested in Riley. Not one fucking bit.