“Were you talking about Carson?” Kendall asked. When Knox nodded, she added, “Because he’s definitely getting invited back next year.” She then turned to Halle to resume their conversation.
Emerson unbuckled and moved over to take the seat next to Nate. He draped his arm over her shoulder, and I’d never felt more jealous than in that moment. I was happy for Nate, truly. But I wanted what he and Emerson had. I wanted to be able to show Halle affection in front of my family. Fuck. Even just not having to pretend I felt nothing for her when she was in the room would be a welcome change.
“I was thinking we should try to get Carson to do some classes for the Huxley Grand’s in-house exercise program,” Emerson said.
“Yes.” I pointed at her, loving that idea. “Yes. Do that.”
Since marrying Nate, Emerson had taken an active role in the wellness component of the brand. She had so many great ideas and contacts in the industry, and I was always impressed with the experiences she developed. She and Lily were also working on some wellness retreats for the Fleur-de-lis line that were brilliant.
“Awesome. I’ll reach out to him,” Emerson said, making a note in her phone.
“Great. Thanks.” I set my coffee mug on the side table, and Tabitha quickly whisked it away before asking if I’d like anything else.
I had to hand it to Kendall; the auction had been a huge success. It had not only raised a ton of money but garnered a lot of positive attention for the foundation and its mission. I still wasn’t looking forward to my charity date, but I hoped itwould be a fun, easy afternoon. Maybe a helicopter ride, lunch on the terrace at the hotel.
Even so, I resented the idea of giving up some of my limited free time to a stranger. No matter how much she’d donated.
Maybe next year I will no longer be a bachelor.
The thought came to me unbidden, and I couldn’t help but hope that it might be true. That Halle and I would find a way to be together, because I was done with being apart. And I was going to do everything in my power to show her that she could trust me. To remind her how great we were together.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“$40,000. That’s forty thousand. Can I get fifty?” The auctioneer scanned the room, all eyes on the stage.
When I looked up, I realized that the spotlight was directed at me. I was the one onstage. I was the one people were bidding on. My skin felt tight.
From the back of the room, someone said, “Stop.”
The crowd gasped, and the auctioneer seemed irritated. But then the spotlight focused on him. On Jasper. “She’s mine.”
Jasper’s eyes were on me when he said those words, and I felt his voice reverberate through me like a tuning fork. His declaration sang through my blood with the very truth of his words. Of all the people in the room, he was the only one who saw me. Truly saw me.
His eyes never left mine, and I knew he was checking in with me. Trying to make sure I was okay. I was far from okay, but having him here with me made everything seem better.
“You have to win her first,” the auctioneer stated.
“I will,” Jasper said, and there was no doubt in my mind that he would. My nipples pebbled at the command in his tone.
The setting changed, shifted. The next thing I knew, Jasper and I were in his office, and he was staring down at me. I wanted him so much I felt as if I were going to burn from the inside out with longing.
“Beautiful.” He knelt between my legs, kissing his way up my calves, my thighs. His touch was reverential. Every stroke of his hands was done in a way to comfort me. Please me. “Absolutely beautiful.”
I shivered from his touch and the intensity of his expression. He was so…resolute. So focused on doing everything he could to bring me pleasure.
With his hands midway up my thighs, Jasper peered up at me, seeking permission. Confirmation. He might be the one in control, but he was making it very clear that I held all the power. I watched his hazel eyes swirl with desire. And when I inclined my head in assent, something in him seemed to both relax and coil tighter still.
He kept his eyes locked on mine as he glided his hands the rest of the way up my thighs. His palms were smooth, strength radiating through his hands on my skin. My breath gusted out of me the closer he got to my center. And when he used his fingers to spread my folds, inspecting me, I let out shaky, “Fuck,” finding it increasingly difficult to remember words. What they meant. Anything.
Jasper continued teasing me, circling my clit. He alternated his pressure, his tempo, until it felt as if my heartbeat were centeredbetween my thighs. When I gasped, he latched on to my reaction, holding that tempo. Slowly, ever so slowly, increasing his speed.
“That’s it,” he coaxed. “I want you to scream my name as you come on my fingers.”
I held his gaze as long as I could, my body unraveling. I held his gaze until my legs were shaking and everything in me was clenched tight. It was such a strange sensation—this feeling of tension and release.
“I’m so close.” My head fell back against the chair on a moan.
“Take your time,” Jasper said, leaning forward to tease my nipples with his mouth as he inserted one finger into me. “Take all the time you need.”
