Page 36 of Hearts & Embers

The small exchange made me smile, but the humour faded as his gaze settled on mine. Nothing about the moment felt rushed, yet my pulse began to quicken because I understood where it was leading. I’d wondered more than once what kissing Jasper would feel like. The thought had crossed my mind in the coffee shop, the bookstore, at the hospital, and more times since than I cared to admit. Now he was close enough that wondering seemed unnecessary.

Jasper lifted his free hand and brushed his fingers lightly along my jaw.

"Tell me if this isn't what you want."

The quiet restraint in his voice affected me more than any boldness could have.

"It is."

The answer barely left my lips before he leaned closer.

His kiss was gentle at first, warm and careful, as though he was giving me every opportunity to change my mind. I didn't. Instead, I moved closer, mindful of his shoulder but unable to resist closing the distance between us. The kiss deepened slowly, and everything that had been building between us since we’d met seemed to gather in that single point of contact. His hand settled at my waist, his fingers flexing with enough restraint to remind me he was still injured, and I found myself wishing he wasn't because I wanted far more of him than caution allowed.

When his mouth moved against mine with more confidence, heat curled through me and settled low in my stomach. I rested one hand against his chest while the kiss deepened, aware of the steady beat of his heart beneath my palm. The careful distance we'd maintained for weeks disappeared completely, replaced by something neither of us seemed interested in resisting any longer.

Without thinking, I leaned closer.

A faint wince crossed Jasper's face.

I pulled back immediately.

"Sorry. Did I hurt your shoulder?"

He shook his head.

"No. You're fine."

"That didn't sound convincing."

A smile touched his mouth.

"I'll survive."

I studied him for another second before relaxing.

The second kiss held less hesitation. It was still careful because his injuries gave us no choice, but it carried none of the uncertainty that had shaped the first. My fingers curled into his shirt, and for a few minutes the rest of the world narrowed to the warmth of his mouth, the controlled strength of his body beside mine, and the growing certainty that everything between us had changed. If the evening had ended there, I would have remembered it forever.

A knock sounded at the door. Jasper stopped kissing me but didn't immediately move away.

The second knock followed.

I closed my eyes and lowered my forehead to his uninjured shoulder.

"Please tell me that's not Cody."

Jasper's laugh was quiet and slightly breathless.

"I'd love to."

"Can we pretend we didn't hear it?"

"He has my medication schedule and absolutely no respect for privacy."

The third knock was followed by Cody's voice from the hallway.

"Cartwright, if you're dead in there, I'm telling Ingrid you ignored the discharge instructions."

I lifted my head and stared at Jasper. Before standing carefully and smoothing a hand over my hair. Jasper looked far too amused for a man whose friend had just ruined a very promising moment.