Chewing on the inside of my cheek, I stare into his eyes. “I think it was… For me. Not intentionally. I think I kept you at arm’s length.”
Jasper lets out a sad laugh. “I’d say you probably did.”
I nod, my throat tight. “Right, and I don’t want to do that anymore. I want to be close to you. I want you to… Fuck—” I shake my head, looking away from him. Why is this so hard to say? Why does it feel like being vulnerable with Jasper might kill me.
There’s no reason for me to think that. Not really. It’s not that Idofeel that way. It’s just… Hard to admit.
Cupping my jaw, Jasper tilts my head back again.
His blue eyes roam my face, searching. For what? I’m not sure. Maybe the truths I can’t say. Would be nice if he could drag them out of me.
“I get it, baby boy,” he whispers. “You want me to make love to you.”
Hot embarrassment burns through me. How annoying. “Yes,” I croak out, darting my gaze to the side.
Jasper’s lips land on mine in a rush, his hand tightening on my jaw. I whimper against his mouth, melting into his kiss.
When he finally pulls back, my heart is pounding in my throat, and I’m breathless.
“I can do that,” he says, rubbing his nose along mine. “I promise.”
He doesn’t need to promise anything. I already know he will. He said he would, and that’s enough for me. I don’t need anything but his words. That’s how much faith I have in him. It’s terrifying and horrible, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
“Okay,” I breathe.
“We should get cleaned up and ready for bed, baby boy. The first day of school is almost upon us.”
I nod. “You’re right.”
When we’re cleaned up and dressed, much to my dismay, we climb into bed together.
As soon as we’re settled, Jasper wraps his arm around my waist and hauls me to him, holding me close. I rest my head against his chest, soothing myself with the solid beating of his heart.
Within minutes, my eyes are growing heavy, and I’m dozing off. Even so, a realization trickles through the sleepy fog. LovingJasper Tate no longer feels like it’s going to break my heart. It feels like it’s going to be the thing to save it.
Chapter 28
Arlo
“Areyouallgonnabe okay without me?”
I blink at Jasper over the rim of my coffee cup. “We’re gonna have to be.”
True to his word, Jasper took off work to help me get settled with the kids. They’ve been in school for almost a week now, and even though it’s been… an adjustment, for Salem more than anyone, I think we’re good.
Ready or not, here we come anyway.
“First day I’ve worked since you moved in with me.” Jasper grins. “I get to spend the whole shift thinking about how you’re in my bed, just waiting for me to come home.”
I snort. “You really think I’m just gonna be sitting around waitin’ on my big, strong man to come home?”
Jasper sticks his bottom lip out, fluttering his lashes at me. I shouldn’t have taught that man how to pout. It really is unbecoming. And also hot. And it works too well, because I always want to give him what he wants. “No, I guess I don’t really think that.”
I’ll miss him, but I need to start getting ready to go back to work myself. I’ve been off long enough. I’m not convinced it’s the right move considering how Salem has been acting, but again, ready or not.
Speaking of, Salem walks into the kitchen, his hair covering his face and his backpack slung over his shoulder.
Jasper smiles. “Good morning.”
