Marked Chapter 12 - To Make You Feel My Love

EPOV

Earl Grey tea... I burrowed my nose down further into that scent, frowning in confusion when I felt something tighten around me and my bed vibrate lightly.

Wait...bed?

And what's that noise..?

I raised my head a little, my eyes still closed as I tried to figure out why I was hearing a baby crying.

Baby?

I muttered softly, "Oh shit, Bella!"

As soon as I realized that the noise I was hearing was coming from the baby monitor, I remembered where I was. Opening my eyes, I saw Jasper - still asleep, but beginning to stir - lying half-under, half-next to me against the back of the couch. My throat tightened a little when I recalled that he hadn't wanted to let me go the night before.

He wanted me to stay.

As much as I wanted to just lay there in his arms and watch him, I couldn't ignore Bella's cries, so I tried to ease out of his hold in an attempt to let him sleep a little longer. He tightened his arms around me, though, so I reluctantly nudged him, whispering, "Jazz, baby? Let me get up so I can check on Bella?"

"Hmm?"

He stirred, blinking his eyes a few times before focusing on me with a content smile. "Mornin'."

I chuckled, kissing him lightly on the lips. "Good morning, Cuddles. You need to let me go, baby. Bella's crying."

The response was instant. Jasper's eyes flew open as he finally registered both my words and her cries, and he bolted upright, knocking me off the couch in the process.

"Ow, hey!"

"Shit! Sorry! Are you alright?"

I looked up at him from the floor, leaning on my elbows, and I chuckled, shaking my head at him. "Yeah, my pride's hurt more than anything else..."

He reached a hand down to help me, and I grabbed it, letting him pull me up to my feet before kissing him briefly. Bella was still crying, so I walked to the guestroom with Jazz muttering apologies as he began to follow me. Before he caught up to me, though, there was someone at the door, knocking insistently. I heard him say, "I'll be right there. Hold your horses!" followed by muffled voices.

I chuckled softly at Bella as I murmured, "Good morning, Cara Bella. Did you know that your godfather's kinda cute when he first wakes up?"

As I went through the motions of changing her and putting her in a clean outfit, I took the time to enjoy just being with her. She had stopped crying almost as soon as I picked her up. I started singing softly to her, and she rewarded me with a huge smile as she cooed and made those silly baby noises. Her eyes were on me the entire time, and I was sure I didn't stop smiling once.

I picked Bella up with the intent to get her a bottle, but as I was walking to the kitchen, it dawned on me that her parents must be here. I glanced at my watch and felt my eyebrows rise a little when I saw that it wasn't even seven in the morning yet. I grinned down at Bella, whispering, "I think your mommy might be a little anxious to see you, sweetheart. What do you say we hold off on your bottle for a little bit and go say hi?"

She just smiled, so I headed to the living room where I saw Jasper talking to a young couple. As soon as I stepped into the woman's line of view, her eyes widened, and she walked quickly up to me. She took Bella from me with a sigh of relief, and I could see the anxiety leave her face as soon as she held her baby. She was whispering softly into Bella's hair, not paying anyone else any attention.

I heard someone clear their throat, and I looked up to find a guy with short black hair and the same eyes as Bella. He had a friendly face, and he gave me an apologetic smile as he held out his hand to me.

"Hi, I'm Ben, and you're Edward, I'm guessing?"

"I am; pleased to meet you." I felt a surge of pride that Jasper had talked about me enough for him to make that assumption.

He grinned. "And you." He lowered his voice a little and added, "Sorry about that, and for being so early. I tried to convince Ang to wait and just enjoy having time together, but she was going crazy. It was all I could do to keep her from calling at midnight." He shrugged, then said with a mischievous gleam in his eyes, "At least she was distracted enough most of the night."

Jasper tilted his head back and laughed. "Good God, Ben, spare me the specifics, please," he said as he shook his head at his friend.

I just stood by and chuckled softly, watching Jasper and Ben as they chatted back and forth for a bit. It felt good to see this side of Jasper, too, not to mention having the chance to meet some of his friends. As if she finally realized that we were in the room with her, Angela came and stood next to her husband. Jasper smiled at her, then turned to me and said, "Edward, this is Angela." He looked at her with a grin and said, "Ang, Edward."

Her eyes flickered from me to Jasper, and it seemed they were having a quiet conversation. I wondered what that was about, but when I glanced at Ben, he just shrugged. Finally, Angela turned her attention back to me again, holding out her hand awkwardly, as she still had Bella in her arms.

"Edward, nice to finally meet you." She stepped a little closer, lowering her voice as she gave me a stern look. "Only going to say this once. Treat. Him. Right... Or else."

What the fuck? What the hell happened to Jasper for her to say something like that?

There was no doubt in my mind that she meant it. I didn't feel particularly threatened by the woman, but the sentiment was still clear. I watched her with wide eyes, and I just nodded. "Of course."

I glanced over at the other two men, both of whom had matching stunned looks on their faces. When I looked back at Angela, it was to find her watching me with a crooked grin on her face, her eyes twinkling with mirth - though there was something hidden behind that, as well.

She tilted her head, her eyes going between Jasper and me as she said, "You two had better have behaved yourself last night..."

Jasper rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes cutting to mine as he blushed a little. "Yes, Angie, don't you worry none." He rolled his eyes, but she narrowed her eyes at him before doing the same with a giggle.

Bella had been fussing a little in Angela's arms, and she cried out suddenly, her fists waving angrily. Angela bent her head over her baby, murmuring to her softly before she glanced up at Ben.

"She's hungry," she said quietly, rocking Bella as she shifted her weight from foot to foot.

"I'll get a bottle," Ben said, heading for the kitchen, but he stopped when his wife shook her head.

"Jazz, do you mind if I use your room?" She raised a hand to brush her hair back from her face as she looked at Jasper pleadingly.

Jasper looked confused for a moment before realization dawned on his face. "Oh...oh, 'course not, Ang."

She flashed him a smile, and he led the way down the hall, opening the door to what must be his bedroom. He ushered her inside, and she paused in the doorway, looking up at him. He leaned down, and it seemed as if her eyes flickered toward the living room where Ben and I stood watching them before she whispered something in his ear. He listened for a long moment and then nodded, whispering something in return. She said something else, and he smiled softly, hugging her as best he could before I heard him murmur, "Thanks, Angie."

She nodded at him and then went inside. After closing the door behind her, Jasper came back down the hallway into the living room. He ran his fingers through that messy blond hair as he walked, and even with Ben standing right beside me, I couldn't take my eyes off him - the way his shirt was molded to his chest, letting me see the outline of his nipple rings, and the way his jeans hung so low on his hips that I knew if I lifted the hem of that shirt, I'd find that little blond trail leading down to my personal heaven.

I realized at once that my tongue ring was between my lips and my thumbs were rubbing against my fingertips, seeking that soft, unique feeling of flesh even if it was my own. I rolled my eyes at myself and cleared my throat, chancing a glance at Ben. Thankfully, he wasn't paying any attention to me. He'd picked up Bella's bag and was unplugging the monitor, muttering to himself as he began packing things up.

Jasper and I took the opportunity to watch each other for a moment, and he gave me an almost-shy smile before his eyes left mine to travel over my body. I saw him drinking me in with a hunger that equaled my own, and I was suddenly ready for the happy family to leave. As thrilled as I was to meet some of Jasper's friends, at the moment I just wanted the man himself.

As if he could read my thoughts, he gave me a cocky smirk and raised an eyebrow in challenge. He leaned against the wall, his shoulder against the corner as he crossed his arms over his chest, and my jaw clenched as I fought to keep myself from taking the few steps needed to press the rest of him against that wall.

"Hey, Jazz, do you know where Bella's other paci is?"

Jasper jumped and blinked, tearing his eyes away from me, and I saw the faint blush creep up his cheeks.

He fucking forgot they were here...

I chuckled, and he shot me a look that promised retribution later. I just shrugged and grinned, crossing my arms over my chest much as he had.

Bring it, Mr. Whitlock.

He narrowed his eyes at me before pushing away from the wall. "I think I left it in the kitchen...hang on."

"Oh hey," Ben called as Jasper escaped into the other room. "Can you bring the rest of Bella's bottles, too?"

"Yup." Jasper's voice was a little curt, making my grin widen.

"Need some help with the stuff in the guestroom?" I asked Ben, and he paused briefly, scratching the back of his neck as he glanced around the room.

“Yeah, if you don’t mind.” Relief was evident in his voice, and I smiled at him as I told him “sure” and we walked down the hall together. I could heard Jasper banging around in the kitchen, likely making sure he had everything, and I felt my body respond with an urge to go in there and kiss him until he begged me to stop.

Somehow, I didn’t think he would, and that thought made me grin.

Bella’s stuff had somehow ended up strewn all around the room. There was a burp cloth on the guest bed, tiny socks on the floor…just random shit everywhere. I gathered up all the little odds and ends as Ben started to take down the Pack ‘n Play. When I stood up again, my arms full of baby supplies, I found him staring at it in confusion. It was partially folded, but one side was still standing straight.

He frowned and tilted his head, muttering under his breath, “I’m a goddamn engineer…how hard can it be?”

“What’s wrong?” I asked, dropping Bella’s stuff on the floor beside her bag.

“Damn thing won’t budge.”

I stepped over, kneeling down to take a look at it. I pressed the button and tried to get it to fold, but it was stuck. I pressed harder. Nothing.

“Here, maybe if we…” Ben began, lifting the two bars that made up the side while he nodded for me to mash the button again. Still nothing.

“Motherfucker,” Ben muttered, and then his eyes widened as they shot to the doorway, which was empty. I chuckled at the look of relief on his face, and he grinned at me, shrugging. “She’s been after me to clean up my language.”

Nodding in understanding, I asked him if it always stuck like this, and he said he didn’t know – they’d never used it before. We were still wrestling with it when I heard Jasper’s drawl from the doorway.

“Did you read the instructions?”

By that point, I was on my knees, hoping that the change in angle would help, and I glanced over my shoulder to find him leaning lazily against the doorframe. He lifted a hand, running his fingers through his hair, and his eyes danced with mischief. I smirked when I saw those blue eyes linger on my ass.

He took his time bringing them back to my face, and I felt a warmth in my gut – and just a bit lower – at the sheer want I saw on his face.

Can’t wait to get him alone…

For the time being, though, we had to help Ben figure out the surprisingly tricky Pack ‘n Play, so Jasper joined us on the floor. It took a few more tries, but between the three of us, we managed to get the damn thing folded and packed away along with the rest of Bella’s things.

By the time Angela emerged from Jasper’s room, the three of us were drinking coffee in the living room, talking about the Patriots game later that day. Ben was apparently a much bigger football fan than baseball, and he seemed incredulous that I was the opposite. I explained that I loved football, too – especially playing it – but that baseball was my first love.

Jasper shot me a look at that, and I smiled when he put his hand on my knee. He’d been keeping his distance a bit all morning, and I had a nagging worry that maybe he regretted letting me stay the night. The soothing circles his thumb was rubbing on my knee told me otherwise, though, so I relaxed as much as I could.

Angela walked into the room then, and she smiled quietly at Jasper and me where we sat close to each other on the couch. Ben was in the armchair, and he drained the last of his coffee as he stood up. He asked her if she wanted anything, but she shook her head, saying she was ready to get Bella home for her nap.

Jasper and I both got up then to walk them to the door. I stood back, watching with a quiet smile as Jasper said goodbye to his friends. He hugged each of them in turn, leaning down to press a gentle kiss on Bella’s forehead, and my heart ached at the sight, much as it had the whole night.

He would be an amazing father.

It wasn’t the first time I’d had the thought – or the second, or even the third. Jasper was fantastic with Bella, and I found myself wishing fiercely that I might get to see him become a dad someday…that I might be a dad with him someday.

Before I could let myself get too wrapped up in a future so distant and uncertain, I banished the thoughts and focused instead on what I had right at that moment: an almost-boyfriend in an apartment that would be empty in mere moments.

I felt myself harden just a bit at the thought and shoved my hands in my pockets, trying to surreptitiously adjust while their attention was diverted. Angela put Bella into her carrier and buckled the straps, and Ben turned to me, holding out his hand.

“Hey, Edward, it was really nice to meet you.” His eyes flitted to Jasper’s face before he glanced back at me with a smile. “Hope to see you around some more…”

“It was really nice to meet you, too,” I said as I shook his hand. I debated saying more, but Jasper seemed uncomfortable enough as it was, staring at his feet as he hooked his thumbs into his back pockets.

Ben turned away, picking up Bella’s bags and the Pack ‘n Play. He looked like a damn pack mule, and an amused smile was on my face when Angela surprised me by appearing right in front of me. She hugged me tightly and said, “It really was nice to meet you, Edward. Thank you for keeping Jazz company and helping take care of Bella.” I just had time to hug her in return, patting her back, before she took a step back and looked up at me. “Don’t be a stranger, okay?”

Much like Ben’s had, her eyes went to Jasper as she spoke, but the look she gave him was more serious. Silent communication passed between them, and Angela nodded with a soft smile before hugging me again. She didn’t say anything else to me as we all took the final few steps to the door, and I felt a thrill of excitement in the pit of my stomach as the door swung closed.

Jasper locked the deadbolt slowly and then turned around, leaning against the door with his hands behind his back. He smiled at me and said, “So…what do you want for breakfast, Princess?”

I gave a low, playful growl and closed the distance between us, my hands going to his hips as I pulled him to me. He moaned when he felt my hardening cock against his. I kissed along his neck, making my way to his ear where I murmured, “Depends…can I have you?”

“Fuck, Edward,” was his only answer as he put his hands on my cheeks, pulling my lips to his. He kissed me eagerly, his fingertips digging into my flesh before he slipped his hands into my hair.

Much too soon, he pulled away, his forehead against mine, our noses meeting as he whispered, “Let me treat you right, sweetheart…”

“You are,” I answered, kissing him again.

The little resistance he’d tried to put up dissolved, and he turned us around, pressing me against the door with his hips flush against mine. His hand slipped beneath my shirt, his fingertips finding my nipple as he twisted it gently. He nibbled on my bottom lip and kissed his way down my chin, licking at the hollow of my throat.

“Jesus, Jasper…” I reached for the hem of his shirt, and he lifted his arms automatically, taking a step back so I could pull it over his head. He paused, running his fingers through his hair as his eyes raked over my body, and I sensed that he was trying to rein himself in for some reason.

I didn’t want him to.

My eyes were drawn to his chest, to that delicious metal shooting through his darkened nipples, which were pebbled from the chill current of the air conditioning and – I hoped – arousal. I took in the lightly muscled planes of his abdomen, letting my eyes drift down to see that, yes, his jeans really were as low as I thought they were, and then my eyes snapped back up to his.

The light blue was darkened, and I stepped toward him just as he reached for me. His arms wrapped around my shoulders and slid down my back to squeeze my ass as I leaned down, taking his nipple between my lips. I teased the metal barbell – flicking it with my tongue, pulling it with my teeth – and I heard him begin to mutter fragments of desire under his breath.

“Fucking right...don’t…don’t stop…like that…need to…goddamn…”

I smiled against his skin, enjoying the way he was already losing control, and I switched to the other nipple as my hands went to the waist of his jeans. I pulled the button free from the heavy denim slowly and then lowered the zipper, slipping my hand inside to rub his cock through his thin boxers. His hard length twitched in my palm, and I could feel the moisture at his tip. I couldn’t take the barrier between us, so I pushed his boxers down over his hips.

I wrapped my fingers around him, but he surprised me by grabbing both my elbows and murmuring, “Wait, Edward…”

I raised my head, looking at him in confusion. He gave me a little half-smile and whispered, “Goddamn gorgeous,” before kissing me once more. His hands at my hips tugged on the bottom of my shirt, and I reached back, ripping it off and tossing it to the floor. I took his cock in hand once more and began stroking him slowly as he nibbled my earlobe and kissed his way down my neck…over my collar bone…his tongue swirling around my nipple.

I felt the pull of denim as he began to unbutton my pants slowly, freeing each metal stud from its slit in the thick fabric. His mouth returned to my ear, his breath cooling my moist skin as he whispered, “Don’t think I didn’t notice that you’re going commando again…do you have any idea how fucking hard it’s been to control myself? But there’s no one here now…nothing to stop me from doing this…”

With that, he shoved my jeans down over my hips, and they came to rest at my knees just as he dropped to his in front of me. He wasted no time, licking me all the way from base to swollen head before the warmth of his mouth enveloped my cock, and I felt the muscles of his throat tighten around my head.

My knees buckled, and I leaned back against the door to brace myself. “Holy fuck…”

I couldn’t take my eyes off him - so fucking beautiful - and just like always, he was staring back up at me, his eyes intent on my face as he watched me enjoy the pleasure he brought me . He actually managed to smirk up at me as his head began to move back and forth, and the last sight I took in before my eyes rolled back in my head was my cock glistening with the wetness from his tongue as it was revealed and then disappeared again into his mouth. Both my hands were in his hair, and I couldn’t seem to relax my grip as I pulled and my hips rocked, thrusting deeper down his throat.

“J-…Ja-…” I swallowed, my voice panting and breathless as I tried again, “Jazz, baby…gotta…gotta stop…”

I felt him shake his head just slightly, and I opened my eyes, looking down to find him gazing up at me with determination. My fingers tightened around his golden curls, and I pulled his head back. I nearly lost my resolve at the seductive sight of my cock slipping from his reddened lips, but there was something else I wanted to do.

Something I finally felt ready for.

I ignored his confusion as I pulled him to his feet, and I relished the feeling of his firm body against mine as my arms encircled his waist. I kissed him hard, pouring every ounce of passion I felt into him through our parted lips. His response was immediate, his hunger equal, and we moaned as one when his hips ground into mine.

His hand moved to the back of my head, and he yanked my hair, pulling my chin up so he could suck at my Adam’s apple, murmuring, “Why did you stop me?” A rough bite at my jaw. “I wanted to feel you.” Teeth tugging at my tragus piercing. “I wanted to taste you.” Hands cupping my ass, fingertips digging into my flesh. “I wanted to hear you scream my name when you came.”

I gasped, his words and attention pushing me toward the edge, and I found I couldn’t even answer the question. Instead, I asked one of my own. “Hey, baby…remember that fantasy you told me about?”

He growled, thrusting his hips hard against mine as he bit my shoulder. His right hand shifted, his fingers moving toward my entrance. “Fucking right I do.”

“Make it happen.”

My words were quiet but definite, and they hung in the sudden stillness of the apartment like a blanket, a palpable presence that enclosed the room in a hush that was broken only by the ticking of the clock on the mantle.

Gradually, Jasper lifted his head. He voiced no words, but his eyes spoke volumes as they searched mine. He found no hesitance, no wavering on my part, and I saw his smoldering desire flare just before he pressed his lips to mine.

His face hovered inches from mine as he whispered, “Not here.”

I felt a stab of exasperation. Although he’d never said as much, I’d wondered if he was purposefully keeping me out of his apartment, but this was too much.

Does he seriously want to go to my-?

My thoughts were interrupted when Jasper gave me a crooked smile and took both my hands. He whispered, “Don’t worry, Princess…you want me to bend you over the couch, and I will. But not this time…” His lips brushed mine once more and then he turned around, starting to lead me down the hallway.

A smile flirted on my lips when I realized he was taking me to his bedroom, but I was quickly distracted when he paused, leaning over a bit to pull his pants up so he could walk better. I reached out, caressing his ass as I slipped my fingertips between his thighs, brushing just behind his balls. I caught his whispered, “Fuck,” before he picked up the pace.

I had to pull my pants up to catch up to him, but he still disappeared through his doorway before I got to the end of the hall. As soon as I walked in, I glanced around, my eyes widening at the bookshelves lining his walls. I hadn’t expected those, hadn’t realized he was such a reader, and it made me realize that there was a lot I still didn’t know about this man I’d fallen for.

“Now you didn’t come in here just to read, did you?” His gentle drawl made me shiver as he whispered in my ear, stepping closer. “Promise I’ll let you look all you want later, but for now…”

He took my hands again and started backing toward his bed. It didn’t take a hell of a lot to convince me.

The books were completely forgotten as we finished undressing, our jeans falling hastily to the floor. Jasper’s boxers followed, and I put my hands on his shoulders, pushing him down so that he was sitting on the edge of the bed. I dropped to my knees in front of him, using my hands to spread his thighs so I could lick and suck at his balls. He uttered quiet words of encouragement accented with hisses and moans, and before long, he was the one pulling at my hair, begging, “Come here, please…please, Edward…”

I was only too happy to comply, pushing him back on the bed as I crawled over him. My cock brushed against his as I moved, and I couldn’t stop myself from biting his bottom lip hard.

“Fuck!” he muttered, and then he was on top of me as I was suddenly on my back. He kissed and licked all over my chest, his hips writhing against mine. He worked his way up my neck and whispered in my ear, “Are you fucking sure? Because one more second of feeling you against me, and I’m not going to be able to stop.”

I moaned softly, my arms snaking up his shoulder blades to pull him closer so I could feel his chest against mine. “God, yes…fuck me, Jasper. Let me feel you, baby…” My voice was breathless and light, and I kept up a steady stream of babbling encouragement as he thrust his hips against mine.

He sat up, his ass resting on his heels as he looked down at me. My legs were already parted as he knelt between them, and he put his hands on my thighs, kneading them as he smiled. I followed him, sitting up as I crashed my lips to his again. I couldn’t get enough of kissing him, needing to taste him on my tongue, feel his soft lips against mine, feel the tremors of his moans reverberate through me.

Breaking away, I murmured, “Where?”

“Nightstand,” he answered quietly, his lips finding purchase at the join of my neck and shoulder. We needed no more explanation, but I couldn’t move for a moment as my head lolled back while Jasper lavished attention on my flesh. He bit harder, and I cursed softly as I rolled away, flipping onto my stomach as I reached for his nightstand.

Jasper’s hands never left me, sliding from my shoulders down my back. I felt him grip my hips before they slipped even further, cupping my ass. His thumbs pressed just behind my balls, making me groan as I tried to focus enough to open the drawer and search for what I needed.

I yanked the drawer open and reached inside, but I couldn’t see what I was doing. Pushing up onto my hands and knees, I grinned to myself when I heard Jasper’s moan behind me. I took a moment to glance over my shoulder and inhaled sharply at the sight before me. Jasper was sitting back on his heels, his stiff cock in hand as he stroked himself near the head. His eyes were trained on me, his brow furrowed and his lips parted as he watched my ass. The thumb of his other hand slipped between my cheeks, grazing my skin, and my hips bucked involuntarily.

I barely saw the smile that flitted across his face before I turned back to the drawer, muttering, “Where the fuck…? Ahh…”

The box of condoms was open and half-empty, and my jaw clenched at the thought of him with anyone else. I felt a surge of possessiveness that I tried to let go as I snatched a condom from the box and picked up the bottle of lube. Jasper was caressing my ass, his hand rubbing gently, but before I could turn around, I felt the warm wetness of his lips kissing the tops of my thighs. His tongue teased my balls before licking upward, and I dropped to my elbows, my head hanging down, when I felt that delicious warmth circling the sensitive flesh of my entrance.

I stayed there, paralyzed with pleasure while he worked his magic for a few moments before I rallied my resolve and pushed myself back up on my hands and knees. Jasper didn’t stop, simply adjusting with me, and I took a sharp, short breath. Reaching back, I dropped the condom and lube by my knee, and he paused finally.

I wanted to pout when his lips left my skin, but the snap of the tube of lube stopped me. His hands left me for only a moment before they were back, a slick finger pressing into my entrance as he hovered over me. His arm wrapped around me, and my cock was enveloped in the slippery tightness of his hand as he began stroking me slowly. He leaned down, his lips tracing abstract patterns on my back as he prepared me for him.

As I gave myself over to the pleasure he was providing, I marveled that this was happening. I’d wanted Jasper since the moment I first saw him, but I hadn’t wanted just a quick fuck and to never see him again – though, to be completely honest, I would’ve taken it if that had been my only option. We’d come so far since that night, and my body quivered with anticipation at the step we were about to take together.

A second finger joined the first, and then a third, and soon I was panting, my breathing shallow and labored as my hips rocked in time with his hand stroking my cock. At once, both hands slipped away, moving to my hips, and I felt his bare length pressing against my ass, his balls against mine before he leaned down, kissing between my shoulder blades tenderly. The heat of his body left mine, and I pressed my forehead against my forearm as I worked to catch my breath.

The sound of the condom wrapper ripping reached my ears over the pounding of my heart, and I lifted myself again, turning to look over my shoulder at the beautiful man behind me. His brow was furrowed in concentration as he pinched the tip of the condom and rolled it down his glistening length. With a practiced motion, he flipped open the lube and squeezed a little into his palm, snapping it closed even as he began stroking himself. He looked up at last and caught me watching him. He flashed me a smile as his free hand moved to my back, his palm searing against my skin that was already cooled with sweat.

“Are you ready, Princess?” Despite the nickname, his voice wasn’t taunting. It was rough and raw and needy and…caring.

I didn’t trust my own voice, so I merely nodded, turning my face back to his headboard as I felt him lift onto his knees. His left hand gripped my hip while his right was between us, and I whimpered when I felt his head pressing slowly into me. He never paused, stretching me steadily with an exquisite burn that made me feel alive. His left hand moved to the small of my back, where he rubbed slow circles as he murmured words I couldn’t understand. His grunts and moans were easier to interpret, and once he was about halfway in, he stopped at last, both his hands going to my hips as he cursed.

His fingers flexed, his fingertips digging into my flesh, and I could’ve sworn I heard him whisper, “I like you,” as he suddenly thrust the rest of the way into me. If those words were spoken, though, they were lost in the sound of my voice crying out.

“Oh, fuck!”

I didn’t know which of us said it. It’s possible we both did. Jasper stayed still for an eternity that passed in the blink of an eye, and then we both moaned when he began moving at last. He pulled nearly all the way out, and I breathed in and out slowly twice before he slammed back into me. The slap of our flesh was loud to my ears, the sting invigorating, and suddenly we were moving together. My hips rocked back against him as he thrust forward, one hand on my shoulder while the other was wrapped around my waist, holding me firmly against him.

I’d known he was strong, but he was so sure, so steady, and he took me with an almost feral confidence that made me feel more desired than I ever had before. Our bodies moved with a grace that belied our crude noises, and we seemed to be one person in truth as we chased after the highest pleasure together.

Curses uttered in broken voices added urgency to our union, and my heartbeat was reaching a frenzied pace when Jasper slowed. He leaned forward, his fists on either side of me pressing into the mattress as he kissed along my shoulders. The motion of his hips continued; I could just picture the way his ass would clench as his hips rolled. The image had me biting my lip, my eyes closing as my hands wrapped around the slats of his headboard, just needing something to hold onto.

His right arm wrapped around me, his hand pressing against my sternum as he panted, “Come here, baby.”

We sat up as one, my back against Jasper’s chest as he reclined on his heels. I took over, lifting my hips and dropping back down as he bucked against me. His forearm crossed my torso as he pinched my nipple between his thumb and forefinger. As he twisted and teased it, he took my cock in his left hand and began pumping me from base to head.

My jaw was clenched, my head thrown back with my eyes closed, and I could hear Jasper’s husky voice murmuring disjointed phrases. He was talking to me, encouraging me to let go, and my ass tightened around him as I fought the urge to listen to him.

“Fuck, Edward…” He took a shuddering breath. “God damn please…just…oh god…can’t…” His teeth pinched my biceps, and I drove down on him hard, quivering as the last of my restraint was put to the test. “Fucking cum for me, baby…please…”

At the sound of his pleading, I couldn’t control myself anymore, and my body seemed to disintegrate, my nerves tingling as the world around me flickered and faded, leaving me with nothing but Jasper – his arms holding me, his dick filling me, his sweat-slickened skin slipping against mine. I felt my hot release surging across my chest as he stroked me, paying special attention to the ridge around my head as he coaxed out every shred of pleasure.

His hand fell away, moving to my hip as his other hand pressed down at the base of my neck. As soon as I was on my hands and knees once more, he was thrusting into me hard and fast, grunting with exertion as my raw voice encouraged him now.

“Oh fuck, yes…that’s it…so…so goddamn good…fill me up, baby…fucking hell, Jazz…”

The last was lost in the sound of his harsh cry as he pounded into me one last time. His fingers were iron claws grasping my hips, curving around my hipbones to dig into the softer flesh. I felt him shudder and then he gave three more quick thrusts in succession before he collapsed against me, his dead weight on my back nearly making me fall.

“Oof,” I exhaled, and I felt his cheek lift in the middle of my back as we both chuckled.

He took a deep breath before saying, “God damn, Edward…” in a rough, breathless voice. His weight lifted from my back, and my arms and legs both quivered with weakness as he kissed the indention of my spine. “Turn around, sweetheart.”

It was easier said than done as it took me a moment to be able to straighten up without my head spinning. His strong hands never left me, and I loved their steadying presence on my waist. At last, I was facing him, both of us on our knees with our arms wrapped loosely around each other’s waist. His blue eyes were dancing, swimming with too many emotions to begin to name, and the smile on his lips warmed my heart.

This time I heard him clearly.

“Thank you…” He leaned in, brushing his lips against mine as he whispered, “I like you.”

A smile flitted across my lips before I whispered the words in return, meaning so much more than I could say. I tried to tell him with my kiss, though, and he gave a contented sigh as we finally parted.

He let me go, flopping down on the bed beside me with a “Fucking hell!” He pulled the condom off and rolled onto his side, dropping it into a trashcan before resting on his back again. His arm was across his eyes, a happy smile on his lips, and his other hand sought mine, our fingers intertwining as I stretched out beside him.

We lay that way for some time, catching our breath and occasionally laughing softly with relief and sheer satisfaction. Eventually, Jasper lowered his arm and turned onto his side. I rolled to face him, my hand on his hip as I leaned in to kiss him. He hummed contentedly, his eyes drifting closed lazily as he returned my kiss.

When he opened his eyes again, they were bright and happy, making me smile in response. He moved his hand to my shoulder, his fingers idly playing with the hair on the nape of my neck as he murmured, “Can I ask you something?”

“’Course you can…” I answered, my thumb rubbing along his hipbone.

His eyes moved back and forth between mine as if he were reading me as he decided how to phrase something. He licked his lips slowly and then said, “What changed…?”

I knew right away what he meant, but he apparently thought I didn’t. As I lay there, trying to decide how best to respond without scaring him away, he frowned and clarified, “I mean…when we were in the shower, you said you weren’t ready. Why were you this morning?”

The answer, to me, was obvious. But Jasper clearly didn’t look at last night’s events the same way, which made me wonder once again if I’d been reading too much into the lack of invitations to his apartment – or if it was just so ingrained that he didn’t even realize he kept people at a distance. That thought gave me pause and made my chest constrict with pain and sympathy for him.

My hand trailed up his side to cup his cheek, and I ran my thumb along his lips before I answered, “I just felt closer to you. You…” I bit the inside of my cheek and thought for a moment. “You let me in, invited me over. I liked seeing you with Bella…” With a smile, I kissed him again and murmured against his lips, “And you were just so cuddly last night…”

“Shut up, you,” he muttered, playfully punching me in the ribs, but he was smiling against my lips, and he kissed me thoroughly before he pulled away to look me in the eyes. He seemed undecided about something for a moment. I wasn’t surprised when the next words out of his mouth had nothing to do with what I’d told him, though I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little disappointed. His smile was somehow apologetic as he cleared his throat. “So what do you say to a shower and some breakfast?”

For a split second, I considered making a big deal about this – getting upset, demanding more from him. But I was too blissed out, and he was too fucking beautiful and vulnerable there smiling at me.

Whatever he needs, I reminded myself.

I might be ready -

Might? I scoffed at myself.

I was ready for more, ready for it all, but he wasn’t. And he’d just given a hell of a lot of himself to me, and I had to remind myself that we were growing together. He just needed a little time.

Besides, the man was too goddamn seductive for my own good. As he waited, his fingers danced along my ribs, and he tweaked my nipped with a grin. My light-hearted mood returned, and I mentally took a step back, looking at the situation objectively. It wasn’t like he’d fucked me and was shooing me out the door. Just like last night, he was asking me to stay, letting me be a part of his life in a way I hadn’t been before, and Katie would call me a damn fool if I didn’t jump at that chance.

And she’d be right.

“A shower sounds perfect.” I rolled onto my back and sat up, glancing at him over my shoulder. “Cuddles.”

With that, I hopped up off the bed and walked toward the open door to his bathroom with a cocky swagger.

He yelled, “Hey!” and I felt the rush of air as he swatted at my ass and missed. I laughed and heard the creak of his bed as he got up to follow me. He caught up with me before I was halfway across the room, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me back against him. “Just where do you think you’re going, Princess?”

Strangely, I felt a little thrill in the pit of my stomach at the sound of his silly nickname for me in that Texas drawl, and I pressed my hips back against him. His fingers tightened on my belly as I grinned to myself.

I’ll have you again soon, Mr. Whitlock. You don’t stand a chance.

Of course, neither did I.

“I believe you were the one who said something about a shower?”

“Mmhmm…” His nose traced a line up my neck, nuzzling at my ear. “That I did…but don’t think you’re going in there without me.” The tenderness in his voice surprised me. I smiled as I reached back, my hands grabbing onto the small of his back as I held him closer. He kissed my neck and then urged me forward.

Because of the angle, I hadn’t been able to see inside while we were in his bedroom, and I let out a low whistle as I stepped through the door. He let me go, chuckling as he stepped around me and went to turn on the water in the glass-enclosed shower. There was no curtain, providing an unobstructed view of whoever was inside. The whole bathroom was crafted from blond wood, the walls polished tongue and groove slats that provided a serene backdrop for the green plants scattered around in pots.

There was a garden tub in the corner – not quite as large as mine, but definitely big enough for two – with fluffy sage green towels folded on the shelf above it. His sink was a clear glass basin on a matching glass counter, and I was struck by the modern minimalist design. When I looked questioningly at Jasper, he just shrugged and said, “One of the reasons I decided to rent this place,” as he reached a hand inside to check the temperature of the water.

I shook my head, my eyes widening as I stepped closer and slipped my arms around his waist. “Guess I’m not the only one who likes the finer things…”

“Guess not…” He kissed me, his hands sliding down my ass to tease me before he opened the shower door and motioned me inside.

Standing beneath the warm flow, we relaxed for a moment, letting the water wash away the stickiness of our activities. Then Jasper put his hands on my elbows and adjusted us, putting me squarely beneath the shower head as he tilted my head back. I closed my eyes, humming to myself as he washed my hair. His fingernails scratched at my scalp as he massaged it, and I could feel my arousal stirring once more as he paid such close attention to me.

When he finished, I returned the favor, running my fingers through his wet blond curls as I squeezed out the water. The fragrance of Earl Grey tea was strong when he wet his soap and lathered up a wash cloth. I snatched it from him and managed to wash his chest before he jerked it out of my hand to clean mine. I pinned his arm behind his back as I took it away from him again, and as I reached around him to bathe his abdomen, he gave a low moan.

The needy sound spread warmth through my body like wildfire, and I let the cloth trail lower, taking his cock in hand through the terry cloth as I rubbed and cleaned. I could feel him hardening in my hand as I kissed his neck gently and began to bathe the rest of him. His head dropped back onto my shoulder, his breathing becoming more labored; I smiled into the crook of his neck as I looked over his shoulder to watch my hands do their work.

I bit my lip to stop my moan as I realized that might not be the best idea because the sight of Jasper nude, his cock semi-hard and glistening with the iridescent soapy water, was making my body respond quite enthusiastically despite having been fully sated only moments earlier.

How the fuck does he do that to me?

I didn’t know, and I didn’t care.

The fact was…he created visceral, uncontrollable reactions in me that I had never felt before – not to that extreme. I took a half-step back, trying to at least delay the inevitable hard-on I seemed to have so often around him. It didn’t help much, though, as I could still see his muscles flexing and relaxing, still smell the heady scent made up of his soap and just…him.

It did, at least, hide the reaction from him, though, and I was able to drop to my knees to wash his legs without him noticing. I lifted each of them in turn to wash his feet, snickering when he squirmed and nearly lost his balance.

So fucking ticklish…

Before I stood, I leaned forward, playfully biting his ass, and he jumped, startled. He laughed as he turned around, but the smile on his face turned impish as his eyes traveled down my body while I straightened.

I saw the slight widening of his eyes, and I licked my lips, shifting my weight though I didn’t try to cover myself up. He met my gaze at last, a cocky smirk on his lips as he stepped toward me. He pressed his body lightly against mine and murmured, “Well, well, Dr. Masen…did you not get enough?”

My hands went to his hips, pulling him against me as I answered huskily, “Of you? Never.” It was the simple truth.

He grunted, lifting his chin to kiss me hard as his hands kneaded my ass. Before I knew what was happening, he’d turned off the water and opened the door. He didn’t break our kiss as he guided me out of the shower, reaching to my right to grab a towel.

His lips left mine at last as he began drying me off quickly. I pulled a towel from the shelf and did the same for him, but our hair was still dripping when we started toward Jasper’s bed, stumbling along the way because we wouldn’t take our hands off each other.

As we moved, Jasper took over completely, and I gave in. I enjoyed the way it felt to have him so insistent, so determined; I moaned as he pushed me down on the bed and crawled over me, straddling my abdomen. He leaned down to kiss me, his tongue tracing my lips before delving into my mouth and brushing against my tongue ring.

He pulled away, panting. “Fuck, I need that,” he muttered under his breath. His fingers were laced through the hair on top of my head as he walked on his knees, working his way up my chest. He stopped when his dick was resting across my lips. Before the word “Please” had even fully left his lips, his cock was between mine.

His skin was still wet, the scent of him overpowering, and I licked eagerly, loving how his fingers tightened in my hair. I knew what he wanted, so I flattened my tongue, letting the metal barbell tease the ridge of his head as his hips rocked toward me. The angle made things a little more difficult, but I took him as deeply as I could, letting my teeth scrape lightly along his length as I pulled back.

I hollowed my cheeks, sucking as I moved, and soon he was gliding back and forth between my lips, my tongue ring stuttering along his flesh in a way that made him hiss and curse. His thighs quivered beside my shoulders, and his ass settled on my chest, his weight and heat increasing my excitement. He was moaning and muttering, whispering my name and those dirty words of encouragement that he knew would have me begging in just a few minutes more.

He leaned back, his weight heavier on my ribs as he reached behind him. His hair dripped cold water onto my abdomen as he wrapped his hand around my cock and stroked me, his rhythm irregular. His hips were writhing against me, his cock forcing its way into my mouth, and I finally pulled away, licking and kissing at his head and along his shaft as I couldn’t keep up with him anymore. I bit my bottom lip, looking up at him, but he was looking over his shoulder, focused on the sight of his hand around my dick. I took a moment to enjoy the sight of his taut abs, stretched and on display as a tiny rivulet of water made its way down the deep V of his hips.

He reached further, his palm sliding down my shaft to my balls, which he rolled gently between his fingers before finally turning his face back to mine. When he saw me watching him, he smiled and shifted back, leaning down to kiss me soundly as he spread his body out on top of mine. Our cocks were sandwiched between us, our bodies still moist from the shower and from the sweat that was building once again. He rolled his hips in a circle, anything to generate friction as his kisses became more urgent.

I grinned when he suddenly lifted his head and pushed himself up, reaching toward his nightstand. Feeling mischievous, I raised my shoulders from the bed, wrapping my arms around him as I bit at his nipple, catching the curved barbell between my teeth and shaking my head.

He laughed, and I felt the rumble through my body as he whispered, “You are eager as fuck, aren’t you?”

In answer, I thrust my hips against his, and he moaned, his eyes rolling back in his head before he began speaking quickly, breathlessly, “Don’t you fucking worry…you’re gonna get it…” He was kissing me then, his lips moving along my neck and shoulders as bits and pieces of broken words bathed my skin.

He moved steadily down the bed, a condom and the bottle of lube in one hand as he settled between my knees. He leaned down, licking me once from balls to tip, and I thought he was preparing me for him. Instead, he ripped open the condom wrapper, pinching the tip as he placed it over my head.

I propped myself up on my elbows, watching him curiously.

As he began rolling the condom down my length, he glanced up at me with a wicked grin that faded when he caught the expression on my face. “You don’t mind, do you?” he asked, confusion clear in his voice. “I mean, I wouldn’t have figured you as a strict bottom or any-”

I laughed, shaking my head as he broke off. “Fucking right I don’t mind…” My voice was lower than I expected, and I actually saw my dick twitch at the thought of fucking Jasper. He caught it, too, and smirked at me as he licked his lips.

He kept his eyes on mine as he slowly opened the bottle of lube. In my peripheral vision, I saw him pour some into his palm, and I felt him stroking me, but I couldn’t tear my eyes from his. The blue was deeper, smoldering, and he seemed to be trying to communicate something that I couldn’t quite understand.

With a soft moan, he began crawling back over my body, reaching between his legs as he made sure he was ready. As he pulled his hand away again, it went straight to his cock, rubbing and twisting seductively as he settled his knees on either side of my waist.

He was moving deliberately, his body exuding a feline grace as his muscles stretched and flexed. Both his hands pressed into the mattress on the side of my head, his eyes boring into mine as he leaned closer. His nose trailed from my chin upward over my lips, where he brushed a soft kiss before murmuring, “You want to fuck me, don’t you?”

I didn’t bother answering the idiotic – and obviously rhetorical – question. He shifted his hips down my torso, his ass brushing my dick. I growled in frustration, secretly loving his teasing, and his eyes brightened as a smile flirted on his lips before he schooled his expression.

My hands were gripping his thighs as I worked to control myself, and he put a hand around each of my wrists, prying them away. He stretched my arms above my head and wrapped my fingers around the slats in his headboard. His chest was flush with mine when he brought his lips to my ear and breathed, “Don’t move.”

The words were soft, barely audible, but the tone brooked no argument. My hips betrayed me right away, shifting upward, and he raised an eyebrow at me pointedly. I managed to still them, but my toes curved inward with the effort.

He had frozen, watching to make sure I was listening, and when I went for a few seconds without moving, he smiled. “Perfect.” He lowered himself again. His warm lips on mine were torturous, and it took nearly all my self-control not to respond. That ephemeral smile appeared again as he whispered, “Kiss me.”

Immediately, my head left the pillow, my lips crashing against his with a force that surprised me. His lips parted, our tongues brushing as I moaned at the taste of him. He bit my bottom lip, a satisfied smile on his face as he pulled away much too soon for my liking. I quickly recovered from my disappointment, though, when he lifted higher on his knees so he could reach between us.

My abdomen tightened with anticipation as he took me in hand, adjusting us both as he began to slowly lower himself onto me. “Oh, fuck…” My curse was quiet and my knees jerked upward when I felt him tighten around me just past my head.

The feeling drew my eyes, and I found myself unable to blink as I watched Jasper ever-so-gradually take all of me. When I felt his pelvic bone digging into me, I let my eyes drift closed, inhaling and exhaling shallowly as I focused on how it all felt – how tight, how hot…how goddamn unbelievable it was to be buried so deep in Jasper when I’d fantasized about him for so long.

As soon as I thought of him, I had to see him. When I opened my eyes, I found him watching me. His smile had faded from the cocky domineering one into something a little more like the Jasper I usually saw, and he ducked his head to kiss me as he started moving at last.

As fantastic as he had been earlier, he was even better now. He was a fucking god as he rolled his hips, undulating and squeezing, his hands on my chest as his blunt fingernails dug into my flesh. He was sitting up, his head thrown back, and I watched, mesmerized as his parted lips murmured words I couldn’t hear, his tongue wetting them as he groaned loudly. He didn’t try to control himself – not the sounds he made and not the way his body responded. He gave himself over to it – to me – entirely, and I was fascinated. Touched.

And incomparably excited.

With only a few passes of his hips, I felt my balls tightening, and I clamped my eyes shut, trying to deprive myself of the only source of stimulation I could control. I couldn’t stop my ears or dull my nerves, and Jasper’s heated body moving over mine was rapidly driving me toward the brink.

In desperation, I turned my head, opening my eyes as I searched for the bottle of lube. I found it beside his knee and snatched it up, popping the top. A little spilled onto my chest in my haste to pour it into my palm, and I inhaled audibly at the cool sensation. Jasper’s quick hands made good use of it, gliding along my chest before he took my nipples between his slick fingertips.

As my hand tightened around Jasper’s throbbing cock, he hissed and twisted my nipples, his mouth returning to mine as we kissed furiously. I pumped him faster and faster, my hips rocking on the bed as I began to take over. Jasper’s palms flattened on my chest as he braced himself, pressing back against me as he grunted with every move I made.

It took me a moment to realize every grunt carried the word, “Harder.”

“Fuck me,” I nearly whimpered as both my hands flew to his hips, grasping and struggling to hold on. My slippery skin finally found purchase, and I curved inward, raising my head so I could watch our union as the sound of skin meeting skin reached my ears again and again.

“Shit.” Jasper’s oath was breathless, and his hand replaced mine on his glistening length, swollen and nearly purple. I watched the ridge of his head disappear and reappear until I couldn’t take it anymore, and my back arched, pressing my head back into the pillow as I braced my heels on the bed and thrust as hard as I could.

Again.

And again.

And then I cried out, my voice choked and hoarse as my orgasm racked my body, leaving me weak-limbed and panting. I kept moving as best I could, vaguely aware that Jasper was aching and not yet finished.

I was too sensitive, biting my bottom lip to keep from pulling away, and when I felt the warmth of Jasper’s release spilling across my chest, I laughed in relief.

I heard his deep laugh mingle with mine as his hands went to the mattress on either side of my shoulders once more. His head hung down low, his curls tickling my forehead, and his breath was hot on my face as he worked to control it.

“God damn, Edward…” he whispered at last. He started to move away and then stopped. I grinned when I felt his thighs quivering against my side.

That’s fucking right.

My mental strutting continued as he paused to gather his strength, and I finally opened my eyes to look at him when he chuckled. He shook his head, muttering something under his breath. I caught “arrogant ass” and snickered, closing my eyes again.

“Not arrogance if it’s true,” I retorted, smiling lazily. I could practically feel him rolling his eyes, but he didn’t argue.

When his hips began to lift at last, I reached between us, holding the base of the condom as he pulled away. I felt a strange sense of loss as soon as his weight left me, and I frowned, opening my eyes to find him. He was sitting up in bed, running his fingers through his hair, and that was entirely too fucking far away from me.

Sliding closer, I curled my body around his and wrapped my arms around his waist. He laughed softly, reaching down and a little behind him to run his fingers through my hair. “And you call me ‘Cuddles’…” he scoffed.

I didn’t give a shit. He was warm, and I loved him, and I was holding him, and he could tease me all he wanted. He didn’t, though. He tried to shift, but I tightened my arms around him, and I heard his quiet chuckle again.

“Hey, Princess,” he murmured, scratching my scalp lightly. “At least let me stretch out…”

I smiled, my face buried in his hip, and then I finally let go, straightening out on the bed once more. He moved to lie beside me, relaxing on his side so that he was facing me. We watched each other for a few minutes, smiling stupidly, each with an arm draped over the other’s waist. He began idly scratching my back, and I nearly purred, shifting and stretching to help him hit all the good spots.

His smile was fond as his hand stilled and his eyes drifted closed. He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly, and I loved the way his face relaxed completely. That serene expression was rare on his face.

He seemed to be drifting off to sleep, but I was waking up, nudged toward alertness by my desire to memorize the way he looked just then. As I lay there, my mind began to clear, thoughts and questions that had been pushed away by virtue of raw lust returning.

“Hey, Jazz?”

“Mmm…”

“Baby?” My fingers rubbed his back, trying to urge him toward coherency.

“Mmhmm,” he hummed noncommittally.

I sighed, rolling onto my back as I ran my fingers through my hair. I decided I should let him sleep, so I took a deep breath, puffing my cheeks out as I exhaled. I carefully pulled the condom off and leaned over the edge of the bed, dropping it into the trashcan I’d seen him use earlier.

Jasper apparently didn’t like the distance between us, and he pushed himself up onto his elbow, frowning at me. “Where’d you go?” he mumbled.

Smiling, I shifted so that I was propped on my elbow as well. One of my feet slipped between his calves, and I leaned over, kissing him. “Sorry, baby…I was going to let you sleep.”

“I’m ‘wake now.” He yawned, blinking a few times afterward. “What’s the matter?” His eyes seemed guarded as he spoke, as if he were afraid of my answer.

“Nothing’s the matter, Jazz…promise. I just…” I frowned, trailing off as I tried to put words to my curiosity. “I just…I guess I was sort of…surprised…that you wanted me to top?” I hadn’t meant it to be a question, but the way my voice rose toward the end made it into one.

He understood, though, nodding with a smirk before I’d even finished. “Well…usually, you’d be right.” He shrugged and flopped back onto the pillow, staring up at the ceiling as he spoke. “It’s not because I don’t like it, though…it’s because most guys don’t know what the fuck they’re doing, and it just pisses me off. You know?” He turned his face to me then, and I laughed.

“Yeah…guess you’re right.” I raised an eyebrow at him, assuming a cocky attitude that I didn’t quite feel. “Guess it’s a good thing you don’t have to worry about that shit anymore, huh?”

He rolled his eyes at me and then looked at me appraisingly. “Well…I guess you’ll do.”

At my indignant expression, Jasper laughed. He licked his lips and rolled toward me, his hand on my ass pulling me closer as he kissed me. “You’re fucking amazing. And you know it. So stop this ‘am I any good?’ bullshit.”

I smiled against his lips before I kissed them. When we parted, I slipped my hand up to cup his cheek, my thumb tracing his cheekbone. I saw some sort of indecision in his eyes, so I bit the inside of my cheek to keep myself from questioning him further.

At last, he swallowed, and his voice was low and quiet when he spoke again. “My ex…Paul…” Pain flickered in his eyes as he said the name, and I knew at once that it was his name. I didn’t know what had happened between them, but whoever this Paul motherfucker was, he was the reason Jasper was so skittish, so hesitant. “He liked to be in control. Of everything.” He grimaced, and his nostrils flared before he continued again. “Anyway, it used to be weird for me to top, and now I guess it’s usually the other way around.”

He shrugged, and I felt torn. Now that he was talking – really talking – I wanted to know more. I wanted to know it all. But…somehow I felt like the best way to shut him up would be to bombard him with questions, ask him more than he was willing to tell.

He shifted to lie flat on his back, tucking both his hands under his head as he cleared his throat. I thought maybe he wasn’t going to say anything more, and I had no idea what to say, so the air was filled with an expectant silence. His hushed, raw voice was so quiet that it was difficult to hear, even with no other sound in the room. “I don’t like to talk about Paul. He was a fucking prick, and I was stupid.” I watched his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed.

When I didn’t answer, he turned his face to me, and I was taken aback by the look in his eyes. They were dull, lifeless, the fire I’d seen in them so often masked by some ancient pain that he struggled to hide.

Jesus, what the fuck did that jackass do?

Combined with the warning Angela had given me earlier – and the cryptic one Billy had delivered after our first date – that expression filled me with a sense of dread. A fierce protectiveness also rose up in my chest, and I felt the urge to just…maul. Maim whoever this fucker was that had hurt the man I loved.

His eyes widened as he took in my expression, and then they hardened.

Fuck.

I breathed evenly, getting my temper under control, and gave Jasper a soft smile. I moved toward him, rolling so that I was half-lying on him as I placed small kisses along his jaw. When I reached his ear, I murmured, “You don’t have to talk about him, baby…not now…”

From the corner of my eye, I saw his fist clench, and he swallowed again before he exhaled loudly. He put his hand on my hip, turning his face to capture my lips with his. When we parted, he didn’t speak, and I continue my attentions, tracing his earlobe with my tongue as my thumb rubbed gently along his hipbone. “Thank you…” I kissed just beneath his ear. “For last night…” I smiled as my lips brushed against the join of his shoulder and neck. “For this morning…” I sucked lightly at his Adam’s apple, my grin broadening when his teeth bit into his bottom lip. “For fucking me…and letting me fuck you…” His arms slipped around my waist then, and he pulled, settling me on top of him. I licked the hollow of his throat, moaning at the salty sweat glistening there.

I continued lavishing him with affection and whispered words, thanking him for talking to me and trusting me, for letting me into his life. I sprinkled the dirtier thank you’s throughout and got a much more obvious response to those. He interrupted from time to time, chuckling when I whispered my gratitude for his tongue on my cock and grabbing my ass as he thrust his hips against mine when I thanked him for letting me suck his.

When I finally finished, I raised my head, and I was so fucking grateful to see that playful fire back in his eyes. I could feel us both against my abdomen, semi-hard and already goddamn interested…again. But fuck if we didn't need a little bit of a break, so I raised a cocky eyebrow and lifted myself to lie beside him.

He turned to face me, saying simply, “Thanks.”

I nodded. “Any time…just the truth.” With a grin, I lowered my head onto his shoulder, my hand tracing idle patterns on his chest. We lay in silence for a long time, just relaxing, and I thought maybe he was falling asleep. Since he wasn’t showing me to the door first, I was perfectly okay with that idea.

Just as I yawned, he said, “I’m fucking starving…how about you?”

I laughed, the movement of his chest shaking my head as he did the same. “I am.” We sat up, Jasper stretching his arms over his head, and he stood first. I popped his ass, snickering at the startled expression on his face. “What are you making me for breakfast, Mr. Whitlock?”

He shook his head, amusement dancing in his eyes as he said, “You really are a goddamn princess, you know that?”

“Yup.” I shrugged. “And you love it.”

He rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath as he went to his dresser. He pulled out two pairs of flannel pants and put one over his shoulder. The other, he folded carefully over his arm before walking to me. He bowed with a flourish, proffering the pants with a dry, “The royal attire, Your Highness.”

I plucked them off his arm, holding back a laugh as I said, “You know, you do that quite well. I believe I might keep you around, Jeeves.” His head snapped up, his eyes narrowing at me, but I saw the way his lips twitched.

I reached over, patting his behind as I murmured, “Might want to watch bending over like that, though. Never know when the princess will decide to take advantage.”

He laughed finally, shouldering into me as I tried to pull my pants on. I staggered into the bed with a grunt, and he snickered at me.

So much for dignity.

We both finished putting our pants on, and then he offered me his hand with a smile. When I took it, he pulled me to my feet, yanking a little too hard so that I bumped into him. “A little clumsy, Dr. Masen?” he murmured, wrapped his arms low around my waist as he kissed me. “Maybe you’re light-headed from all the exertion…” He tugged on my hand, leading me out of the room as he threw back over his shoulder, “I know how delicate the royal constitution is.”

“Ass.” I kicked out, nudging the back of his knee, and I chuckled when he missed a step.

We acted like idiots the rest of the way into his kitchen, but as soon as we walked in, he turned around, kissing me once. “Take a seat,” he said, patting the counter. As I hopped up on it, he stepped between my knees, resting his hands on my thighs. “Sorry, sweetheart…you’re just too damn fun to tease.” I could feel the goofy grin on my face as I leaned down to kiss him again. He hummed and then pulled away with a smile. “Bacon and eggs okay?”

“Perfect.”

I put my hands behind me, supporting my weight on the countertop as I watched the man move around his kitchen. There was a comfort here, a level of familiarity and intimacy that gave him more confidence as he worked.

God damn, he’s fucking beautiful…

Jasper brushed back the curls from his forehead as he stirred the eggs in the pan, and my eyes followed the motion from his fingertips, tracing the shape of his forearm and the bulge of his biceps. I let them drift further, enjoying the sight of his bare chest with the inky phoenix spread over his heart.

When he turned to pull shredded cheese from the refrigerator, his fractal tattoo brought back memories of the night we met. I thought I’d suppressed my groan, but it must have escaped because Jasper cut his blue eyes to me as he sprinkled cheese over the eggs, before picking up his wooden spoon and stirring them again. He taunted me, licking his lips ever-so-slightly as his eyes roamed my body suggestively.

Before I could do anything in response, he chuckled and turned back to his work. I shifted my hips, pulling at my pants as I adjusted myself. To take my mind off the seductive man who seemed intent on tormenting me, I glanced around his kitchen instead.

It wasn’t state-of-the-art or anything, but it was pretty well decked out, and Jasper seemed to have everything he needed. It was definitely a lot smaller than mine, the narrow floor space sandwiched between the massive stainless steel wall unit with the refrigerator, oven, and microwave on one side and the countertop where I sat on the other. I turned my head, my thumbs tapping my thighs as I looked through the frosted glass doors of the cabinets to see the pots, pans, and dishes piled within.

“Pretty nice place ya got here,” I observed.

Jasper glanced over his shoulder, grinning at me as he took up the last of the bacon and spread it over paper towels folded on a plate. He shrugged. “Yeah, it’s not bad. Especially for a guy living alone.”

“Nice kitchen, too. Looks pretty well-stocked.”

I knew my voice was antagonizing, and I couldn’t decide if I would take it back if I had the opportunity. He opened one of the cabinets, pulling down two plates. As he was splitting the eggs between the two, he suddenly slowed, his movements becoming more deliberate. He separated the bacon, putting pieces on each of our plates, and then he carried them both over to where I sat. He stood between my knees again, picking up a piece of bacon and slipping it between my lips.

I raised an eyebrow questioningly at him as I chewed.

His fingertips hovered near my mouth as he said, “I don’t have a wok, Edward.” I blinked, a little surprised that he’d picked up on my hints, though I supposed I shouldn’t have been. He smirked. “But…I know I…” He trailed off, his teeth worrying his lower lip before he continued, “I know I wasn’t being…very…welcoming…”

He traced my lips with his index finger, and I caught his wrist, taking his finger between my lips to the first knuckle. I teased the tip with my tongue, and desire flashed in his eyes. I pulled his hand away, lacing my fingers through his as I murmured, “I’m sorry, baby. I should’ve just asked…”

He gave a small smile. “And I should’ve just said.” He shrugged again. “We good?”

With a nod, I said, “Yeah, we’re good…”

“Good.” He smiled at me, his eyes mischievous. He reached into a drawer to my right and grabbed two forks, handing one to me before he leaned against the counter and picked up his plate. “Now, eat up, Buttercup…”

When I glanced at him, he met my gaze with an impish grin. “You’re gonna need your strength. I haven’t even bent you over my couch yet.”

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Chapter 11 ~ Chapter 13

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