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Sometimes he makes me feel as if our relationship is more than just friends with benefits. It feels more like we’re an actual married couple. But I shake my head, because I know we will never be that. This marriage will always be based on business transactions. It just comes with better benefits now. To the world, we’re a happily married couple, but behind closed doors, we’re just friends fucking each other.
This is more complicated than I thought it would be.
“Do you think it is possible for me to run a daycare for special needs kids?”
He cocks his eyebrows as his wet finger strokes my cheek, causing the back of my neck to feel hot.
“Yes, why would I judge you for that?”
“I don’t know. When I brought it up to my mother a couple of years ago, she told me it was stupid, that I needed to be a trophy wife.” I feel even more stupid for asking such a silly question, but I need his approval before I do anything. I need his validation. “I want to open a daycare. There’s a building I’ve been eyeing in Lower Manhattan, and it’s perfect. You don’t have to put in any money and I don’t want to use our resources. I want to e—”
He shakes his head. “No, you’re going to use every resource we have.”
Everything is transactional with Jasper, so I know he’s going to want something in return.
I crinkle my nose. “What do you want in return?”
“What do you mean?”
“You always told me everything is transaction and comes with strings, so I want to know wh—”
“Not with you. You don’t have to return any favors. I’ll write you a check for how much you need.”
He’s not the same Jasper I went into this marriage with. The Jasper I knew would tell me he would have a contract drawn up in the morning and tell me his terms and conditions. It took me disappearing to get the hint. I don’t care about anything else between us being a contract, only our relationship—that’s a hell no.
My mouth hangs open and he uses that to steal the breath right out of me. My heart melts in my chest, and I kiss him back hard before I pull away.
“So, you approve of me not just being your wife and branching out on my own?”
“You don’t need my approval for shit, Poppy.”
“You’re not going to be disappointed in me if I fail? I don’t want to let you down.”
He kisses me again, long and hard. “Poppy. You don’t have to prove yourself to me to do the things you want, and if it fails we can start over again.” He pauses. “Do you have a business plan?”
I nod. “I did research on how to open up a business, and I know how to market, but I think with a little bit of guidance I can be successful.”
I grab my phone from the counter and pull up a Google Doc. I shove the phone in Jasper’s hand for him to look over my plans. He reads through it.
“It needs more work, but I’ll help you with it.” He strokes my cheeks. “I’m proud of you.”
His words warm me, I’ve never had anyone try to help me with my dreams. Tears gloss over my eyes and Jasper kisses me again. I twist and hug him tight, as if I don’t want to let him go. I rest my head on his shoulder, inhaling his clean skin, and I take in his essence, hoping to capture this moment forever. He makes me feel safe and wanted without strings attached.
We started off as a business transaction, but now things are so different between us.
I can’t help but wonder if I’m falling in love with him.
Poppy
The next morning before work, I meet with Sophia. I heard back from Aurora and she gave me information about Tate. Me showing Sophia evidence about her husband will do one of two things: she’ll thank me for having her back and get the courage to leave him, or it’ll all backfire on me and she won’t speak to me again.
Either way, I feel like I’m about to do the right thing. She deserves to be with someone who doesn’t use her face as a punching bag and mentally abuse her. I hope she doesn’t hate me for what I’m going to tell her.
The doorbell rings, and I rush to the door to open it. Sophia stands there in leggings and a tank top with a light jacket on top.
“Where is Bailey?” I ask.
“She’s with the babysitter.” She pushes past me to the living room, and the maid brings out fresh, steaming coffee. I thank her before she scurries back.
