“His name is Matt Conklin. He’s an engineer for a private defense company. My father was a security consultant for them. That’s how we met.”
“And what did he think about you leaving to move across the country?”
My smile falters a little, embarrassment and a still-tender wound making my lips tremble. “He didn’t like it. At least that’s what he said, anyway.”
“You don’t believe him?”
I shrug, trying to act casual. “Well, he let me go, so . . .”
“His loss,” Jasper declares. I’ve tried a million times to tell myself that, but it never takes the sting away from being so easily forgotten. “He’s probably kicking himself now.”
I appreciate the thought, and I’ve often wondered if Matt ever thinks of me, ever misses me or regrets letting me go so easily. He wasn’t about to uproot his life and come with me into obscurity.
We fall quiet for what ends up being just a few more minutes until Jasper spots the sign for the hotel he was looking for. Once out of the car, we follow much the same routine as we did previously, only this time I intend to pay for both rooms, since I was in such a twirl last night that I didn’t even get near the counter. The only thing that’s missing is that kiss. God, that kiss!
My skin feels flushed and sensitive as the memories of having Jasper pressed to my front, his lips devouring mine, burn through me like long, hot flames. Holy Lord!
Ruthlessly, I jerk my mind back to the present and I stare, probably a little harshly, at the hotel clerk as she types furiously into the computer, searching for vacancies. She’s an attractive blonde who I estimate to be in her early thirties. She has a thick accent and bright blue eyes that continually flicker to Jasper. I can’t blame them. He’s standing beside me, tall, strong and silent. He doesn’t have to say a word to make an impression, though. He just has to show up. He just has to be.
I slide a sidelong glance in his direction. He’s watching the woman work, his face a blank mask. His expression is neither rude nor open. It’s simply blank. Politely blank, I guess. I think again of the chameleon. Dressed in a plain black tee that looks to be of higher quality, his short, jet-black hair in neat disarray (if that’s even a thing), Jasper could be a stock broker in casual attire or the bouncer for a high-end night club. He has a dangerous, primal look about him that could be attributed to his lethal actions in a boardroom or to the fact that he carries a gun somewhere in his belongings. The one thing he remains to be at all times, in all situations, and in any attire is attractive. Compelling. Elusive. Fascinating.
And I’m damn sure fascinated.
“The only vacancy we have is a single smoking with two double beds. Will that be a problem?” the attendant asks in her exotic voice.
I don’t glance at Jasper. I don’t want him to see my blush, don’t want him to pick up on my reaction. It’s not like it’s a big deal, really. It just feels like a big deal in some vague, disturbing way. I mean, it’s not like Jasper wouldn’t just come right on into my room if he had the urge to anyway, just like he did last night. It’s just that this seems . . . intimate somehow, sharing the same space. A tiny room where he could have unrestricted access to me all through the night.
My reaction to the idea is immediate and visceral, my core bubbling with sensual awareness.
God, you’re pathetic! I think before collecting myself enough to answer, “That’ll be fine.”
From my right, Jasper leans in and utters a smooth, “Parlez-vous français?”
The woman’s eyes snap up to lock on Jasper
“Oui!” It’s clear that she’s very pleasantly surprised. “How did you know?”
Jasper spouts off some long answer that sounds like a love letter and makes the woman laugh. Suddenly he’s neither a stockbroker nor a bouncer. He’s a classy world traveler with the face of a Greek god and the smile of a fashion model. I stare at him, open-mouthed, as he converses fluidly and effortlessly with the older woman.
Finally, in words that I can understand, Jasper thanks her. “I appreciate you moving things around this way. My sister . . . well, she has special needs.”
I have to work hard to keep my mouth from dropping open in aggravated astonishment.
The woman glances at me for a split second and then her eyes are once again glued to Jasper. “I completely understand. I’m only happy to accommodate your needs, sir.”
Oh, I just bet you are! I think waspishly.
Jasper’s answering smile is downright heart-stopping. I can’t help staring at him like he’s grown a second head, all the while feeling cheated that I never get that smile.