"And that's all you get," Kait laughed. "But you're right; I do need answers. I can't keep living on maybe. I'm going to confront him on it."
"Good for you!"
"Thanks."
"And if he's a total ass hat again, at least you've got the arms of Robert's perfect friend to run in to."
Chapter 45
As Kait unlocked the door to her apartment, she expected to be greeted by the usual wall of silence. Her heart leapt into her throat when she stepped through the door and heard distant voices coming from the television and the sizzle of something being fried in the kitchenette. The air smelt of cooked bacon and intrigued, Kait stepped further inside.
She found Jasper dressed and standing over the stove cooking a fry up. The news was playing on the television over in the living area. Kait looked between them aghast. She had never come home to find someone in her apartment.
"Jasper?" She said his name with surprise. She couldn't believe that he hadn't left.
"Hey," Jasper looked up from the pan he was using to cook with and smiled at her. The darkness beneath his eyes had faded, and he appeared well rested though still worn out.
"I hope you don't mind, but I thought I'd cook us some dinner."
"No, that's fine, thanks." Kait slid her handbag off her shoulder and dropped it onto the sofa.
"I slept all day," Jasper explained as he returned his attention to dinner. "I only woke up like half an hour ago."
A knife twisted in Kait's side. Was he only here because he'd only just woken up? Would he be leaving imminently?
Anna's words echoed in her mind, and she knew it was now or never. If she let him get close to her, they'd just end up in bed together. She could already smell the freshness of his skin from when he'd showered. All she wanted was to dig her nails into his strong chest as she straddled him.
Shaking her head, she forced herself to remain focused.
"Jasper, we need to talk." She delivered the words sharply, leaving no room for ambiguity over what they were going to discuss.
To Jasper's credit, he turned away from the frying pan and gave Kait his full attention.
"What's going on here?" Kait demanded. "And don't say something cute like you're cooking dinner. I'm being serious. You can't keep coming back in to my life like this and then just cutting me out like I mean nothing to you."
"Kait-"
"Let me finish," she raised a hand in his direction. "I have other options, Jasper. Guys who want to legitimately date me. Guys who would put me ahead of their career and make time for me. And as much as I care about you and enjoy our time together, I need to know … "
Her voice trailed off. She felt awkward and embarrassed, like a little girl on the playground asking the boy she liked to be her boyfriend. She was an adult now; she didn't need a label, yet she craved one all the same.
"Are you asking if we're in a relationship?" Jasper asked, his eyes glued to her.
Stiffly, Kait nodded.
"Yes," she found her voice though it sounded awkward and strained. "That's exactly what I'm asking."
"Okay," Jasper smiled slightly at her. "Then sure, we're seeing each other. How's that?"
"Exclusively?" Kait cringed the second she said the word. She wanted to clamp her hands over her mouth and stop herself from speaking, but it was like verbal vomit that she had no control over.
Jasper's smile broadened.
"Exclusively, sure."
"Are you serious?" Kait squeaked. Before he'd been so eager to push her away, and now he was saying that they were exclusively seeing each other.
"Yeah," Jasper nodded slowly. "I mean, I like you, Kait. A lot. I admit that it's been a long time since I was serious with anyone so it's kind of strange for me, but we'll find our way through it as long as you're patient with me."
"Of course," Kait floated over towards him, feeling like her feet barely touched the ground. He was saying the words she'd waited so long to hear. She ran her fingertips up his arm which bulged out within the tight fitting t-shirt he was wearing. He groaned slightly at her touch and moved away from the frying pan, completely disregarding the dinner he was preparing.
He lowered his head towards her, and their lips met. Kait moaned in pleasure as her lips parted, and his tongue pressed up against hers. Soon, his hands were roving all over her body and hoisting up her skirt.
An hour slipped away like a minute as Jasper pressed her against the counter top and she squeezed her thighs around him. The air started to smell like burned bacon but neither of them cared. They were too lost in one another.
Kait threw her head back in ecstasy and shuddered. Every fiber in her body tingled as though they were on fire. Jasper nuzzled against her neck, giving her soft little kisses. It always amazed Kait how he could be so powerful and also so tender. It made him an exhilarating lover.
She traced her hands down his spine, loving how strong he felt. Leaning close, she inhaled his intoxicating scent. This was what she had wanted from him for so long. Commitment. They were finally where she wanted them to be. She had a legitimate excuse to bail on the double date over the weekend. She and Jasper were dating, and she couldn't be happier.
"I'm glad you came over yesterday," she whispered the words directly into his ear as she squeezed her legs tightly around him.
"Me too," he agreed, his hot breath tickling her neck.
Chapter 46
The ache in Jasper's bones was beginning to ease. Stretching out, he smiled contentedly as he noticed Kait sleeping soundly beside him. He felt happier than he'd expected to. It had been so long since he'd been in a relationship that he'd expected himself to freak out when she asked if they were truly together, but he was happy to say that they were seeing one another. Being with Kait didn't seem as daunting as he'd feared it would.
He could hear the soft rise and fall of her breath as she slept. Her golden hair fell over her eyes, and her cheeks were blushed with warmth. It had now been almost twenty four hours since Jasper had turned up at her door. A whole day without contact with Carl, without shouted orders from his trainer. And the rest had done Jasper the world of good. He felt less wrung out, less sore. His knee still throbbed when he placed too much weight on it, but he was starting to feel more like his old, powerful self, and it felt good.
Carefully, he left the bed so as not to disturb Kait. She murmured dreamily and rolled on to her side. Jasper stole one final glance back at her before leaving the room and heading for the kitchenette. The growl which resonated out from his stomach told him that he needed food and fast.
A quick raid of Kait's fridge produced several eggs and some tomatoes. Jasper set about creating a basic omelet, eager to get the protein into his body. As he cooked, he heard the bedroom door distantly creak open. She must have woken up after all.
"Hey." Kait was bleary eyed as she ambled towards the kitchenette, her hair gathered wildly around her head.
"Morning," Jasper grinned fondly at her.
"You're still here," she exclaimed with a wry smile. "Shouldn't you normally have snuck out by now?"
"Normally, yes," Jasper agreed with a laugh.
"But things are different now," Kait titled her head and eyed him affectionately.
"Yes," Jasper nodded in agreement. "Things are different now."
He shared the omelet between the two of them, though he'd have secretly preferred to have it all to himself. He made a mental note to grab a protein shake before heading to the gym.
"So what are your plans for today?" Kait asked between mouthfuls. "I've got Netflix set up on my TV so you can watch that if you like."
Jasper felt his shoulders tense as he realized what Kait was implying. She thought he was going to spend the day at her apartment.
"Actually, I'm heading to the gym today." He said casually as he watched her expression harden. She dropped her fork against her plate with a clatter.
"The gym?" She echoed in disbelief. "But Jasper, you collapsed there the other day. You need to rest."
"I can't afford to rest," he told her tersely. "I've got another big match coming up. I need to be on top form. I've already taken too much time off as it is."
Frowning, Kait picked up her fork and continued to eat her breakfast whilst wearing a sullen expression.
"I promise not to push myself," Jasper offered, not wanting to end their morning together on bad terms.