Freya followed his guidance. He still couldn’t believe anyone would want to harm her. She was sweet and compliant, didn’t like making waves, and was a sexy goddess in the bedroom. He hadn’t lied when he told her he could fuck her sweet pussy until the end of time. Every time it got better and better.
Once they were settled in the tub, he positioned her between his legs and had her lean back against him, letting him support her. It still stunned him because she fit. Like she had been crafted specifically for him.
“This is nice.” She leaned her head against his chest with a hearty sigh.
“I figured you could use it. Can I ask about your family, lass? Why didn’t they help you with your ex?” It was a part of her tale that he couldn’t figure. Because if a member of his family needed help, he would be there, no questions asked. Although, he understood that not every family was like that.
She snorted. “You sure you want to know?”
“Aye, I do.”
“Well, let’s see. My mom ran off with the local pastor when I was eight. My dad is a drunk. Last I heard, he lost his license for his third DUI and was under house arrest. And my younger brother got caught dealing heroin and is serving twenty years with the Georgia Department of Corrections. Neither of my parents maintained good relationships with their family. I didn’t even think to call them when things went sideways with Ian. Why would I? They were never around.”
Oh, his sweet lass.
No wonder she questioned him when he offered her the simplest help. Jasper held her close, aching for her at having no one she could rely upon. “I’m sorry you’ve had to fight so many battles on your own, lass. Have you heard from your mum at all since then?”
“I looked her up when I was sixteen. I was…struggling in school, struggling with my dad’s alcoholism and the fact that he was a cantankerous asshole. She and her new husband were living it up in New Orleans. And she told me she never wanted to be a mom and not to contact her again.”
“Oh, lass.” He pressed a kiss against her forehead. His heart bled for her.
“It’s why I had to leave Ian when he turned his violence toward Maddie. When she was born, I made her a promise that I would always be there and would shield her come what may. And I knew if I stayed, he’d hurt her, and I couldn’t let that happen.”
“I think it was a very brave thing you did, lass. It shows the depth of your love for her. Even with everything you’ve been through, Maddie is a well-adjusted, intelligent, happy toddler. You’re a great mum.” His mind flashed with the sudden image of her belly rounded with his child. It rocked him to his core because he fucking craved it. The thought of seeing her ripen with his seed left him aching to toss her in their bed and not let her leave until she was pregnant, cursing that he would have to wait months until her birth control wore off.
Because if he tied her to him in every way possible, he could make her stay with him.
Before her sudden entrance into his life, Jasper never considered himself a family man. He’d spent the last few years in the States, working his way through the sub pool at Eros. But Freya had him reconsidering his stance on everything.
Freya shifted and stared with a dewy expression. “Thank you. No one has ever told me that before.”
“It’s the truth. You are, lass. I wish I would have met you sooner.”
She snorted. “Please. Let’s be real. You wouldn’t have looked my way.”
She put her hand over his mouth when he opened it to argue. “I’m not saying it’s a bad thing or dissing you over it. But it’s the truth. I would have been another woman passing by.”
He shook her fingers off. “No. You haven’t been from the first. I would have noticed you. Whether or not I would have done something is another story. But I’m not sorry I married you, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
A host of emotions flooded her eyes. She settled on surprise. “I’m not either. You’re a good man, Jasper. The best I’ve ever known. And what you’ve done for Maddie and me is something I can never repay.”
“I’m not doing it so you’ll repay me.”
“Then why? I’m not trying to start a fight or anything. I’m just trying to understand. Because a week ago, I was cleaning houses and getting paid cash for my work, wondering how I was going to keep a roof over our heads, buy diapers, and feed Maddie.”
“Because I looked at you and wanted you.” And it had been a soul-deep want. He’d been inexplicably drawn to her.
“Just like that.”
“I’m used to getting what I want, lass.”
“But why marriage and not asking me to be your girlfriend or mistress for a year?”
“Would you have said yes to being my mistress?”
She grimaced. “No. Likely not.”
“And that’s why I offered marriage, that and because with my last name, you and Maddie are protected from your ex.”
She took his face between her hands, and her eyes searched his. Did she see he was obsessed with her? That he couldn’t move past his fascination. That he wanted her all the damn time. All he had to do was think of her, and he was hard. Like now.
And there was a part of him that thought if she was a con artist, that he didn’t care. He would simply keep plying her with gifts and sex until she became as addicted to him as he was with her.
She leaned in, and he met her halfway, hungry for her taste. He let her lead because if he did, they’d be having sex. That wasn’t what she needed tonight. She needed to be taken care of tonight, and that’s what he was going to do. Even if it killed him.
He broke the kiss. It was the only way to keep himself from tossing out his good intentions and fucking her in the tub. “Just relax a bit more.”
She snuggled against his chest. And his heart swelled as he wrapped his arms around her. Fuck, she fit him like a lock finally finding its key.
They stayed in the bath until the water cooled. Then he helped her out. Wrapped her up in a thick, fluffy towel while he dried himself off.
And then he grabbed lotion and tugged her into the bedroom. “Lay on the bed facedown.”
She arched a brow. “We’re not going to—”
“Not tonight, lass. You’re exhausted. I’m giving you a massage. Then will tuck you into bed. We’ve got a whole year to have sex as often as we would like.” And suddenly, a year with her didn’t seem long enough. Would he even want to let her go when their time together was officially up?
“A massage?”
“Yep.”
“I haven’t had one of those in years.”
“Then you’re well past due.” He smacked her rump. “Go on with you and get into bed.”
She gave him a baleful stare but then sashayed to the bed, casting him a seductive glance over her shoulder.
The woman was playing with fire, but fuck, he loved the way it burned. “I know what you’re trying to do, lass, and it won’t work.”
“You sure about that?” she asked, gracefully stretching out on the mattress and spreading her legs just enough so he could see her enticing slit.
Jasper gritted his teeth. “Someone is aching for a spanking.”
“Can I help it if I want to have sex with my husband?”