"You're crazy," Kait whispered angrily to herself. "He's actually made you go crazy."
At least she'd stopped crying though her cheeks were still damp. With a shaking hand, she wiped at them and willed herself to get up, but her legs felt leaden and reluctant beneath her. All she wanted to do was remain sat on the floor until it became dark outside. Then she might crawl over to her sofa and sit watching her favorite films whilst cradling a tub of ice cream. And she'd need the entire tub not just a bowl.
Behind her, the door trembled as someone knocked upon it. Startled, Kait scrambled to her feet. For a moment she thought she'd hallucinated the sound, but when it came again, she was certain it was real. Anxiety swept through her. Had someone seen her running back in to the building in an agitated state? Were they now coming to check in on her? What would she even say if they asked her what was wrong?
"Oh, I'm fine I just humiliated myself in front of the guy I was pretty sure I was falling in love with."
Even thinking the word made her throat burn. How could she have been so very wrong about him? How could he not have felt it too?
Taking a steadying breath, Kait unlocked her front door and prepared to face whoever was standing there. She almost fainted in shock when she locked eyes with Jasper. His head was tilted apologetically towards her.
"You're right." His voice was so deep and rich when he spoke. For a moment, Kait could only stare at him, suddenly rendered speechless by his presence.
"Kait, you're right." He repeated.
"About what?" Kait squeaked. She wished she sounded as confident as he did. She sounded like a startled mouse.
"About us, about me, about everything."
Kait pursed her lips at his vague response.
"I'm the guy who stood up for you in the car park!" Jasper was leaning towards her, his eyes wide and insistent. "I'm the guy who bought you flowers and took you to dinner! That's the real me; that's the guy I am! I don't want to be this asshole that only cares about winning fights. There are more important things in life, Kait. You're more important."
"So, you're saying I'm more important than your career?" Kait could hardly believe what he was saying as it was a complete contrast to what he'd told her all along.
"Yes!" Jasper told her, stepping forward so that they were so close their noses were almost touching. "I should have told you before, but I was stupid."
"And stubborn," Kait added though she was smiling now.
"Yeah, that too," Jasper was also smiling. He leaned down, and their lips met. Electricity surged through Kait as she melted against him, her heart pounding deliciously as he swept her up in his strong arms. Their tongues hungrily roved together as they backed up into the apartment. Jasper kicked the door shut but didn't disconnect from Kait. He pressed against her with such urgency that it was like he needed her kisses in order to breathe. His hands were starting to lift her shirt when Kait forced herself away from him and stepped back.
"I'm not … " she was breathing hard and struggling to speak. "This," she gestured at the space between them. "Jasper, this can't just keep happening like it does."
"I know," Jasper nodded as he expertly snaked a hand around her waist. "And it won't."
He leaned down and nuzzled against her neck. Kait wanted nothing more than to get lost in the delirious sensation it induced, but her mind was screaming at her to remain focused, to be logical. Jasper had hurt her one too many times. She wasn't about to let him do it again.
"Jasper, what is this?" Kait demanded. "You say we're seeing each other, and then you treat me like a booty call."
"I know, and I'm sorry." The sincerity in his voice surprised her. "I've treated you terribly, and I can't take that back. But please, know that I'm all in now. Kait, I want you. I need you."
His words hummed in her mind. Words she had waited so long to hear.
"I need you too," she admitted, becoming tearful. "But I can't … I can't just keep getting pushed aside. I need to be treated with respect, Jasper."
"I know."
"I need to be able to come to your fights and support you as your girlfriend."
"I know."
He was pressing up against her, his tongue tickling her neck. Kait wanted to resist him longer, to keep talking, but she was powerless against her body's desires. When Jasper reached to take off her shirt, she didn't stop him. As his hands cupped her breasts, she moaned with delight. This was what she wanted. She led him towards the sofa. The sofa where she'd previously planned on spending the evening alone with just ice cream for company. Jasper growled with approval as she slid out of her pants and then positioned herself on all fours, arching her back towards him. When he entered her, she gasped in delight. She could feel his entire, impressive length inside her. Jasper grabbed her hips and angled her towards him. Kait called out his name as her passion reached its climax.
Chapter 69
Kait woke up on the sofa. It took her a moment to realize where she was and why she was there. As she stood up, she noticed Jasper curled up beside her. Clearly they'd never made it to the bed the previous night. Wiping a hand across her eyes, Kait tried to wake up. Outside, it was starting to get light.
She remembered Jasper's visit, how they'd ended up having sex again. But then things had been different. Jasper hadn't just grabbed his things and left in a hurry. They had curled up on the sofa and ordered in a takeaway. Together they had watched an action film, and then on Jasper's insistence started the sequel, but their earlier exploits caught up with them and they both fell asleep. Kait felt stiff from spending the night on her sofa. She stretched her arms above her head and started walking over to the kitchenette. Twice, she paused to steal glances at Jasper who was still resting.
It had been so nice to spend real time together doing things that normal couples do. It made her feel that maybe Jasper's apology really was sincere, that this time things would be different between them.
"Hey," Jasper's head appeared over the sofa as Kait flicked on the kettle.
"Sorry," she said quickly, "did I wake you?"
"No," Jasper stretched his arms and then smiling changed his answer, "yes."
"I didn't mean to."
"It's okay." Jasper stood up, and Kait noticed the way he winced when he placed his weight on his knee.
"Are you … alright?" Kait gestured to his leg.
"I'll be fine." Jasper gave a dismissive shrug.
"Okay," Kait chewed her lip, unconvinced by his response. But they were finally in a good place; she didn't want to start rocking the boat. "Can I make you something for breakfast?"
"Yes, please," Jasper came over and wrapped his arms around her waist and nuzzled in to her neck. Kait closed her eyes and savored the moment. This was what she'd wanted all along, to truly be with Jasper.
"So are we really, truly, actually together?" She spun around to face him, needing affirmation that this was real this time, that it was going to last.
"Yes, this is really, truly actually real," Jasper teased with a smile. "Though I'm afraid I can't offer you a certificate of authentication."
Kait playfully nudged him in the ribs.
"Don't tease me," she smiled. "I just … I don't want this to be over before it's even begun."
"It won't be," Jasper reassured her as he leaned in for a long, sensuous kiss.
Chapter 70
"Mr. Duboix?" Jasper raised his head expectantly and then walked over towards the doctor in the white coat, leaving behind the sumptuous waiting room adorned more lavishly than his own apartment.
"Thank you for waiting," the doctor stated solemnly. Jasper could only nod. What choice had he other than to wait? Behind Carl's back, he'd booked himself in to a private clinic to get his knee checked out. Whilst costly, it meant that there was no risk of his visit getting leaked to the press or worse, back to Carl.
"So we did an X-Ray and an MRI scan of your knee," the doctor explained, turning around his computer and gesturing to the images which were now on the monitor. Jasper recognized the familiar shape of a knee bone but little else. He couldn't tell if there was anything wrong or not. But that was what he was paying the doctor for.