Chapter Three
Jasper
My night is not going well. It's not going well at all. And I'm not entirely sure what's going on… But I have the sneaking suspicion that my infuriating sister is somehow at fault.
She usually is when shit spins out of control.
"So…" I say, just to make sure I've got shit sorted. "You think that prick was your date?"
"His name is Alex," Sarah mumbles, chewing on her pouty bottom lip. "We met online."
Yep. This has Olive written all over it.
"Online?" I ask, just to be sure that's what I heard.
"Yeah. Olive made me a dating profile, and he reached out, suggested we meet here tonight."
Motherfucker.
I don't know what my sister thinks she's up to, but I'm going to throttle her, because Sarah has no fucking clue that she was supposed to meet me here tonight. I'm Alex…Jasper Alexander Medlock.
"Sarah, baby girl, that's not exactly accu—"
"I'm never dating again," she mutters, her bottomless blue eyes locked on the tabletop. Even flushed and anxious, she's so fucking sweet, it hurts to look at her. "I didn't even want to come in the first place."
Fuck.
I snap my jaws closed, grinding my teeth. If I tell her the truth, she may walk out of here right now and never look back. My one shot will be over before it even starts.
I can't take that risk. I fucking can't.
"He's a prick," I mutter, sliding into the seat across from her. "You deserve better."
I know I'm going to hell for not telling her the truth. But if keeping it to myself means she gives me a chance, I'll make the trip with a goddamn smile on my face. There isn't much I won't do for her.
"Thanks, Jasper." Her eyes are still locked on the tabletop. "And thanks for rescuing me. I a-appreciate it."
"Hey." I slide my hand across the table, covering hers. She startles slightly, her big blue eyes meeting mine. "It's all good, baby girl. At least you don't have to eat with that prick, and I don't have to eat alone." I grin at her. "It's a win-win."
"W-what?" She blinks at me. "You want to have dinner with me?"
"Why not?" I glance around. "You put on that pretty dress. We're already here. Might as well get a meal out of it, right?"
"Are you sure? You don't—"
"Sarah."
Her teeth sink into her fleshy bottom lip.
"I'm sure. Let's eat."
"Okay," she whispers, those wide eyes meeting mine again. And for the first time, I see what Olive tried to tell me earlier. She isn't looking at me like she's afraid of me. She's looking at me like I'm her fucking hero.
Jesus.
I clear my throat roughly, trying to think about anything other than how much I want to drag her across the table onto my lap. My dick is already rock hard, pressing against the fly of my jeans, the same way it always does when she's anywhere near me.
I think I'm addicted to this girl.
I'm also not stupid enough to try to kick the habit.
We sit in silence for a moment before the bartender bounces up to the table, grinning. "So…are you two ready to order now that you handled the creep?" she asks.
Sarah blushes beet red.
"You want the chicken tenders and mac like usual, baby?"
"Uh…" Sarah looks caught off guard before she nods quickly. "Yes, please."
The bartender nods, jotting it down.
"I'll have a steak, bloody. The biggest one you have. With broccoli, mac and cheese, a loaded potato, and asparagus." I glance at Sarah. "You want wine or a Cosmo?"
"Just water," she whispers.
"I'll have the same."
"Got it. I'll have it out soon." The bartender grins at us again and then hurries back toward the bar.
"You remembered my order," Sarah says into the silence, like it matters to her.
I think about shrugging off the comment, but quickly decide I don't want to do that. The truth is, I remember every fucking thing I've ever learned about her. "I remember more than you think."
She glances down at the table, blushing again.
I bite my tongue, fighting a groan.
"So…you're home," she says after a moment.
"Yeah, I am. You miss me?"
She jerks in her seat, her gaze flying to mine. Her hand flutters beneath mine, but she doesn't try to pull it away. "I…" She trails off, nodding quickly.
And Christ, I feel like a million bucks. My girl missed me. She thought about me while I was gone.
"When do you leave again?" she asks after a moment.
"I don't."
Her gaze flies back to mine, her eyes wide.
"I'm home for good this time."
"Really?"
"I was eligible for retirement, so I took it."
"Wow. How come?"
Because you're here, and I'm fucking tired of being where you aren't.
"Thought it was time to try something new," I murmur instead of telling her that.
"Olive will love that." She smiles at me. "She hates it when you ship out."
"What about you?"
"I still work at the bookstore."
I'm well aware of where she works. I've driven by there every damn day since I got back, just hoping to see her through the windows. She's different in the bookstore in a way that's fascinating. It's like she comes alive there. It's not just her safe place, it's her home.
"That's not what I meant, babe. Do you hate it when I ship out?"
She stares at me for so long, I'm not sure she's going to answer, and then a soft breath shudders from her lips. "Yes."
Fuck. Me.
Olive was right. My shy little bookworm is in love with me. She's been in love with me for a long time. And I'm a fucking idiot because I didn't see it. I watch her like I can't look away, but I missed this.
Well, I do now.
"I w-worry about you when you're gone," she whispers. "I pray for you every night, Jasper."
"Do you dream about me, baby girl?" I rasp, unable to stop the desperate question from spilling out.
Her body jerks, her hand fluttering beneath mine again. "Yes."
This time, I can't stop the groan that breaks free. It tumbles out like I'm in agony. Hell, I am. She's been dreaming about me, getting herself off to thoughts of me. She could have been mine long before now if I weren't a fucking blind idiot.
"Come home with me," I growl, knowing damn well that I'm playing with fire here. One asshole already propositioned her tonight. But this is different. We're different. "Right now. Tonight."
Truthfully, I expect her to tell me no. She has every right to draw that boundary and make me work like a dog to earn the right to put my filthy hands on her. I've kept her waiting for so goddamn long. She deserves for me to work my ass off to earn her, and believe me, I will.
But I've been dreaming of her for years, and I want to be a little bit selfish and a little bit reckless right now.
"Yes," she says, her voice firm and clear for the first time all night.
I swear to God, I feel it echoing in my soul.