What she needed was time. Time to decompress. Time to process everything that had happened. Time to navigate her new existence without waiting for the other shoe to drop.
But she was a coward, and she ran. Because Jasper engaged her emotions by acting like the type of guy she wished for growing up, the knight in shining armor who would swoop in and save her from her lackluster, humdrum existence. She had many fantasies of the man who would save her.
And Jasper was giving her all the feels because he acted just like her fantasy. He’d taken care of her and Maddie in a way no one ever had, not even Maddie’s father. It wasn’t just the money he spent on them either. She wouldn’t feel this shaken and unsteady if it was, but it was so much more than that. He truly wanted to ease her burden and make her life easier.
And other than their rocky beginning when he caught her trying to steal from him, he’d been the sole of propriety. Was he overbearing? Yes. Was he somewhat of a Neanderthal? Absolutely. Did she secretly want to bang him? More than any man she’d ever met. Would she ever act on that desire? The jury was still out. Was she already having a difficult time keeping her emotions from getting involved? Oh god, yes!
Freya was getting addicted to his sexy smirks, to the way he and Maddie seemed to bond like peanut butter and jelly, to the way he took care of them to where she didn’t know how she would give him up when the time came. And she really looked forward to those times when he looked at her like he wanted to take a bite, like she was this decadent dessert he yearned to savor.
And it was those that worried her the most, because how could she maintain a safe emotional distance when he acted like her dream man?
13
Later that evening, when the house was quiet, Jasper sat at the kitchen table with most of the lights in the house off and a bottle of Meath Irish Whiskey, sipping on a glass of the potent brew as he contemplated his future.
And mainly, what to do about his bride. They’d be man and wife in two days’ time.
Shite! The story she’d told him about her ex today had been worse than he imagined. Men like that wanker pissed him the fuck off. Jasper longed to bring down justice upon him. And that was only after putting the fear of god in that bloody bastard. But he’d love to clarify that Freya and Maddie were his now, and he protected what belonged to him.
He didn’t understand his fascination with Freya. She was the opposite of every woman he’d ever dated. She was fierce and resilient, while she had this whole earthy, domestic goddess vibe he found deeply arousing. So much so he could imagine himself coming home to her year after year. It made the Dom in him deeply satisfied because, unlike the other women he’d dated, she resisted his attempts to take care of her like a scared hissing kitten, and he wanted to make her purr.
Which made him totally mental.
Not to mention he was totally gone over on her little girl. Maddie was the sweetest little girl he’d ever met. She was adorable, with her bright red hair and blue eyes. If he didn’t know better, he’d say she was a Scot’s lassie. It touched him, the way she grinned with her little arms reaching for him. Man, it struck him straight through the heart. She was a treasure, and any man worthy enough of the title should be proud to be her father.
Freya had done a fabulous job raising her. And he was doubly impressed because she’d accomplished such a feat with limited resources.
Freya.
The woman was a fire in his blood. He wanted her fiercely and ached with his desire. She didn’t have an ounce of pretension. If she felt something, she wore it on her face, broadcasting it for the world to see. And he’d heard her heartbreak when she told him about her ex. She’d bemused him with her simple joy she tried to hide over the new clothes. For someone who’d tried to steal from him, she was the least greedy individual he’d ever known.
And try as he might, he hadn’t been able to forget the kisses they shared.
Christ, they were only kisses! He’d done far more than that with the submissives at The Eros Pit over the years. Although not a single one of them had held his fascination this way until it grew into an obsession.
Jasper had to have her. Freya was enticing, engaging every one of his senses, and the fantasies he’d already had left his cock rock fucking hard. He’d taken to jacking off like a randy teen. He yearned to go dominant on her sweet ass and discover if she truly was submissive. The thought of being the first to train her in the lifestyle left him aching.
But even if she wasn’t submissive, he wanted her. That desire was the real reason he hadn’t called the cops the other day. It was why he had offered marriage. Because he wanted her, and he always got what he wanted.
The way she responded to his kiss…Jesus, he’d never had a woman react with such ardent passion.
He’d bet she did not know how much he craved her. That would change soon. Because the moment the vows were spoken and she was legally his, he had every intention of waging a seductive campaign until she was in his bed permanently.
Hell, the new clothes had been only the beginning of his crusade. Had he spent a small fortune? Aye. But he’d spend it all over again to watch the uninhibited joy on her face. Her smile had twisted his gut and left him hungering to do whatever it took to keep that expression on her gorgeous face. Her smile alone made him want to slay her enemies.
He chuckled to himself. Wouldn’t she be surprised when she learned he had Sage add bras, panties, pajamas, shoes, purses, watches, jewelry, and makeup. And he’d done it just so he could watch her surprised consternation. She didn’t want to be excited over the things he’d bought her. But he was starting to live for her smiles.
Bollocks. He had it so bad he’d even instructed Sage to add a full eight-piece luggage set for her and then another one for her kid. At least this way, when they left the cabin, they’d have a way to cart everything with them easily.
He poured another snifter of whiskey. Before he took a drink, the woman of the hour waltzed into the kitchen wearing one of her new pajama sets. She jolted when she spied him, halting her steps with uncertainty splashed across her gorgeous face.
“Oh, I didn’t realize you were still up.”
Jasper felt like a hungry lion who’d just come across his prey. His entire body tightened. His cock pressed against the confines of his jeans. He lifted the glass, acting for her sake so he didn’t petrify her, that he was seconds from pouncing. “I could say the same about you. Couldn’t sleep?”
“No.” Her hand clenched and unclenched nervously into fists. Like she wasn’t sure what to do since finding him here.
“It’s fine to be anxious. This has been a big week for us both. In a few short days, we’ll be married. Come have a drink with me, lass.” Jasper felt like the Big Bad Wolf attempting to entice Little Red Riding Hood into his lair so he could eat her.
She wore a nightgown and matching robe she haphazardly belted in eggshell white. The satin material made her skin glow, and her eyes were luminous in the low-lit room.
She chewed on her bottom lip for a moment before she nodded. “Okay, you’re on.”
“There’s wine in the fridge.”
“I’d prefer the whiskey, if that’s all right.”
Fuck, she was killing him here. With every new aspect he learned about her, the more he was convinced she was bloody perfect. Too perfect for the likes of him, but he was a greedy bastard when there was something or someone he wanted. His lips curled up as he caressed her lithe form, not hiding his desire.