"Well, I kind of think you're worth it," Kait purred the words flirtatiously, looping her arms around his neck.
"Oh?" Jasper grinned at her.
"So how about you give me my money's worth?" She teased.
"Absolutely," Jasper purred as they embraced and kissed passionately.
Chapter 117
The white sand felt warm and soft beneath Kait's bare feet. Above her, an endless ocean of clear blue sky stretched towards the horizon. The short white sun dress she was wearing showed off her lean legs and impressive tan. Her blonde hair fell down her back, still damp from her swim in the sea.
Taking a deep, contented sigh, Kait looked out towards the turquoise colored sea as it lazily lapped against the pure sand of the beach. She felt like she had somehow stepped into heaven. Everything about the island was wonderful from the pristine beaches to the towering palm trees. It was paradise, and she got to experience it all at the side of the man she had fallen in love with.
"There you are," Jasper jogged up to her wearing only a light pair of board shorts. His toned muscles shone in the sunlight, and Kait chewed her lip to try and suppress some of her longing. They'd already made love upon the beach but both times under the cover of darkness. Either she had to drag him back to their cabin for another afternoon beneath the sheets or she'd need to distract herself from such thoughts. Pushing a strand of hair out of her eyes, she decided to focus on the beauty of the shoreline.
"I wondered where you were," Jasper explained, standing beside her and also looking out to sea. "I went over to the cabin after I'd finished at the gym."
"How's the training coming along?" Kait asked.
"Great," Jasper wrapped an arm around her delicate shoulders. "When I'm back home, I'll get a new agent and reclaim all of my old titles."
"Did you hear from Carl?" Kait asked, feeling a shudder dance up her spine despite the heat of the day.
"Nope," Jasper tensed as he replied. "Although," his voice lightened, "I should probably call him to thank him for funding our holiday. And the new cars we treated ourselves to."
"Yes, it really was so very kind of him," Kait deadpanned, but then her lips widened into a smile and she laughed.
"I can't believe what an asshole he turned out to be," Jasper shook his head as he continued to gaze out at the gently rippling waves.
"I know," Kait leaned against him, loving how strong and powerful he felt.
"I totally didn't see it coming. I guess I didn't want to believe that he could do that to me. After all the years he'd spent having my back." Jasper sighed. "But you stuck by me, Kait," he said softly. "You were there for me when no one else was. You believed in me when everyone else had written me off."
"I'm kind of good like that," Kait said teasingly as she turned in to him, having to rise onto her tip toes to meet his lips.
"God, you look good," he murmured between kisses. His hands began to reach for her curves, cheekily pushing up the hem of her sundress.
"Hey!" Kait playfully pushed his hands away and scolded him. "At night is one thing, but during the day, we risk giving some of the other guests a scare!"
"Then let's give them a fright to remember!" Jasper pulled her back close, pressing their bodies together so that only the flimsy fabric of her dress and his shorts were between them, and even that wasn't enough to contain the mounting heat.
"Jasper," Kait had to step back from him else she knew she'd succumb to his charms. "Later." She purred the word at him and began to slink her way up the beach, heading back towards their cabin.
"Where are you going?" He called after her.
"To get changed," Kait shouted back. "You said we were going out for dinner tonight."
"Yeah!" Jasper called back. "Wear something nice! It's a really fancy place!"
"Is it courtesy of Carl Santino?" Kait asked, laughing.
"No," Jasper shook his head, his expression sincere, "tonight is all on me."
Chapter 118
Kait looked at her reflection and wondered for the tenth time whether or not to get changed. She was wearing a bright blue halter neck dress which fell to her knees and showed off both her toned legs and her curves. She loved how she felt in the dress, but she feared she might not be dressed up enough for wherever they were going. Jasper had been strangely cryptic about their plans saying that he'd meet her on the beach, which made little sense to Kait as all the best restaurants were up in the main hotel complex set back from the beach.
She decided not to dwell on it. Spinning around, she gave her reflection one last check before leaving their plush cabin which stood on stilts over the water. At night, she could lie away and hear the waves rippling beneath it. It was the most calming thing she'd ever heard, and over the last few days she'd slept better than she had in her entire life. She was finally truly happy.
Tiki torches lit the route towards the beach, and beyond that up to the hotel. Kait walked briskly in her beige patent wedges, eager to catch up with Jasper. It had been several hours since she'd seen him. Where he'd got to she didn't know. He'd been acting quite mysterious.
"Jasper!" Kait stopped dead in her tracks when she saw him on the path just ahead of her, patiently waiting. He was wearing a smart cream suit which made him look like a movie star. Kait suddenly felt undressed in her halter dress and also stunned by how amazing he looked.
"Oh my God, where the hell are we going?" She gasped. She didn't even know that Jasper owned a suit. He was more of a smart jeans and suit jacket kind of guy.
"Do I scrub up okay?" Jasper wondered nervously. Kait stared at him in shock. How could he possibly be nervous? He looked amazing!
"I should say so," Kait tentatively approached him. "Jasper, you look so handsome. But why the suit? Do I need to go back and change?" She glanced back towards the cabin in the distance, but Jasper reached for her hand and locked it in his, guiding her further down the path.
"You look beautiful," he told her warmly. "Besides, we're almost there."
"But, Jasper, we're on the beach and - "
As they talked, they left the path and moved on to the beach. It was then that Kait spotted the private table over by the shoreline, surrounded by about fifty flickering candles. A smartly dressed waiter stood beside the table with a bottle of champagne ready to be poured and a lady in a long gown lingered beyond the candlelight, holding a violin.
"Oh my God!" Kait froze and took in the romantic scene. It felt like something out of a movie, but it was right in front of her and very much real.
"Jasper … this … "
"It's all for you," Jasper kissed her cheek and then led her over to the table. "I wanted to give you a magical night beneath the stars to thank you for everything you've done for me."
"I don't know what to say," Kait admitted as she sat down at the table with the ocean stretching out dark and mysterious beside her.
By candlelight, they dined on exquisite food, drank champagne, and were serenaded by a solo violinist. It was the perfect evening.
Feeling full and content, Kait smiled across the table at Jasper.
"This evening," she breathed, "It's all just been so perfect, Jasper."
"Wait!" He raised a hand at her. "I've got one surprise left."
Kait laughed in shock. What more could he possibly have up his suit sleeve? He'd already whisked her away to paradise and given her the most romantic evening of her life. Surely there was no way he could top that.
Jasper nodded at the violinist and the waiter who respectfully took their cue to leave. Now the couple was completely alone.
"Kait," Jasper was sweating on the other side of the table despite the cool evening air. He loosened the top button of his shirt and nervously cleared his throat multiple times.
"Jasper, are you okay?" Kait began to fear that he was having some sort of allergic reaction.
"Just let me talk, please," Jasper pleaded.
Kait nodded silently and sunk back in to her chair as Jasper climbed out of his. He smoothed down his jacket and came around to her side of the table. In the flickering candlelight, he looked so handsome and strong. Kait remembered the first time she'd seen him, when he'd saved her. And now she'd finally been able to repay the debt and save him too; they were even.
"Kait, you stood by me when the whole world thought I was a loser," Jasper told her, his voice shaking.