“So are you two like together now?” Anna demanded tersely.
“I…I don’t know,” Kait was painfully aware of how lame she sounded.
“Well, maybe you should iron that out, don’t you think? Robert’s friend is perfect for you! I suggest you think carefully before cancelling on Friday!”
Kait squeezed her eyes shut and wondered if she was just looking to self-sabotage her chance at happiness. What if Anna was right? What if Robert’s friend was perfect for her and she was just looking for an excuse not to open herself up to someone new? Or what if Jasper was who she was truly meant to be with?
“You need answers from him, Kait,” Anna ordered. “He can’t keep toying with you like he does.”
“I know that.”
“Do you?”
“Yes!” Kait snapped defensively.
“I’m just looking out for you,” Anna said softly. “I only want you to be happy.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I’m just irritable as I didn’t get much sleep.”
“Oh?” Despite her disapproval, Anna’s voice piqued with interest.
“And that’s all you get,” Kait laughed. “But you’re right; I do need answers. I can’t keep living on maybe. I’m going to confront him on it.”
“Good for you!”
“Thanks.”
“And if he’s a total ass hat again, at least you’ve got the arms of Robert’s perfect friend to run in to.”
Chapter 13
As Kait unlocked the door to her apartment, she expected to be greeted by the usual wall of silence. Her heart leapt into her throat when she stepped through the door and heard distant voices coming from the television and the sizzle of something being fried in the kitchenette. The air smelt of cooked bacon and intrigued, Kait stepped further inside.
She found Jasper dressed and standing over the stove cooking a fry up. The news was playing on the television over in the living area. Kait looked between them aghast. She had never come home to find someone in her apartment.
“Jasper?” She said his name with surprise. She couldn’t believe that he hadn’t left.
“Hey,” Jasper looked up from the pan he was using to cook with and smiled at her. The darkness beneath his eyes had faded, and he appeared well rested though still worn out.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I thought I’d cook us some dinner.”
“No, that’s fine, thanks.” Kait slid her handbag off her shoulder and dropped it onto the sofa.
“I slept all day,” Jasper explained as he returned his attention to dinner. “I only woke up like half an hour ago.”
A knife twisted in Kait’s side. Was he only here because he’d only just woken up? Would he be leaving imminently?
Anna’s words echoed in her mind, and she knew it was now or never. If she let him get close to her, they’d just end up in bed together. She could already smell the freshness of his skin from when he’d showered. All she wanted was to dig her nails into his strong chest as she straddled him.
Shaking her head, she forced herself to remain focused.
“Jasper, we need to talk.” She delivered the words sharply, leaving no room for ambiguity over what they were going to discuss.
To Jasper’s credit, he turned away from the frying pan and gave Kait his full attention.
“What’s going on here?” Kait demanded. “And don’t say something cute like you’re cooking dinner. I’m being serious. You can’t keep coming back in to my life like this and then just cutting me out like I mean nothing to you.”
“Kait-”
“Let me finish,” she raised a hand in his direction. “I have other options, Jasper. Guys who want to legitimately date me. Guys who would put me ahead of their career and make time for me. And as much as I care about you and enjoy our time together, I need to know…”
Her voice trailed off. She felt awkward and embarrassed, like a little girl on the playground asking the boy she liked to be her boyfriend. She was an adult now; she didn’t need a label, yet she craved one all the same.
“Are you asking if we’re in a relationship?” Jasper asked, his eyes glued to her.
Stiffly, Kait nodded.
“Yes,” she found her voice though it sounded awkward and strained. “That’s exactly what I’m asking.”
“Okay,” Jasper smiled slightly at her. “Then sure, we’re seeing each other. How’s that?”
“Exclusively?” Kait cringed the second she said the word. She wanted to clamp her hands over her mouth and stop herself from speaking, but it was like verbal vomit that she had no control over.
Jasper’s smile broadened.
“Exclusively, sure.”
“Are you serious?” Kait squeaked. Before he’d been so eager to push her away, and now he was saying that they were exclusively seeing each other.
“Yeah,” Jasper nodded slowly. “I mean, I like you, Kait. A lot. I admit that it’s been a long time since I was serious with anyone so it’s kind of strange for me, but we’ll find our way through it as long as you’re patient with me.”
“Of course,” Kait floated over towards him, feeling like her feet barely touched the ground. He was saying the words she’d waited so long to hear. She ran her fingertips up his arm which bulged out within the tight fitting t-shirt he was wearing. He groaned slightly at her touch and moved away from the frying pan, completely disregarding the dinner he was preparing.
He lowered his head towards her, and their lips met. Kait moaned in pleasure as her lips parted, and his tongue pressed up against hers. Soon, his hands were roving all over her body and hoisting up her skirt.
An hour slipped away like a minute as Jasper pressed her against the counter top and she squeezed her thighs around him. The air started to smell like burned bacon but neither of them cared. They were too lost in one another.
Kait threw her head back in ecstasy and shuddered. Every fiber in her body tingled as though they were on fire. Jasper nuzzled against her neck, giving her soft little kisses. It always amazed Kait how he could be so powerful and also so tender. It made him an exhilarating lover.
She traced her hands down his spine, loving how strong he felt. Leaning close, she inhaled his intoxicating scent. This was what she had wanted from him for so long. Commitment. They were finally where she wanted them to be. She had a legitimate excuse to bail on the double date over the weekend. She and Jasper were dating, and she couldn’t be happier.
“I’m glad you came over yesterday,” she whispered the words directly into his ear as she squeezed her legs tightly around him.
“Me too,” he agreed, his hot breath tickling her neck.
Chapter 14
The ache in Jasper’s bones was beginning to ease. Stretching out, he smiled contentedly as he noticed Kait sleeping soundly beside him. He felt happier than he’d expected to. It had been so long since he’d been in a relationship that he’d expected himself to freak out when she asked if they were truly together, but he was happy to say that they were seeing one another. Being with Kait didn’t seem as daunting as he’d feared it would.
He could hear the soft rise and fall of her breath as she slept. Her golden hair fell over her eyes, and her cheeks were blushed with warmth. It had now been almost twenty four hours since Jasper had turned up at her door. A whole day without contact with Carl, without shouted orders from his trainer. And the rest had done Jasper the world of good. He felt less wrung out, less sore. His knee still throbbed when he placed too much weight on it, but he was starting to feel more like his old, powerful self, and it felt good.
Carefully, he left the bed so as not to disturb Kait. She murmured dreamily and rolled on to her side. Jasper stole one final glance back at her before leaving the room and heading for the kitchenette. The growl which resonated out from his stomach told him that he needed food and fast.
A quick raid of Kait’s fridge produced several eggs and some tomatoes. Jasper set about creating a basic omelet, eager to get the protein into his body.
As he cooked, he heard the bedroom door distantly creak open. She must have woken up after all.
“Hey.” Kait was bleary eyed as she ambled towards the kitchenette, her hair gathered wildly around her head.
“Morning,” Jasper grinned fondly at her.
“You’re still here,” she exclaimed with a wry smile. “Shouldn’t you normally have snuck out by now?”
“Normally, yes,” Jasper agreed with a laugh.
“But things are different now,” Kait titled her head and eyed him affectionately.
“Yes,” Jasper nodded in agreement. “Things are different now.”
He shared the omelet between the two of them, though he’d have secretly preferred to have it all to himself. He made a mental note to grab a protein shake before heading to the gym.
“So what are your plans for today?” Kait asked between mouthfuls. “I’ve got Netflix set up on my TV so you can watch that if you like.”
Jasper felt his shoulders tense as he realized what Kait was implying. She thought he was going to spend the day at her apartment.
“Actually, I’m heading to the gym today.” He said casually as he watched her expression harden. She dropped her fork against her plate with a clatter.
“The gym?” She echoed in disbelief. “But Jasper, you collapsed there the other day. You need to rest.”
“I can’t afford to rest,” he told her tersely. “I’ve got another big match coming up. I need to be on top form. I’ve already taken too much time off as it is.”
Frowning, Kait picked up her fork and continued to eat her breakfast whilst wearing a sullen expression.
“I promise not to push myself,” Jasper offered, not wanting to end their morning together on bad terms.
“Okay,” Kait sighed, pushing away her now empty plate. “I’ll be back here by six at the latest. What do you want to do tonight?”
Jasper blinked at her with uncertainty. He wasn’t sure if she was joking or not. Later, all he wanted to do was sit on his own sofa, watch his own TV before creeping into his own bed. If his drill sergeant of a trainer was still at the gym, he already knew he was going to be in for a brutally draining day.
“I’m uh, going to be at my place tonight,” Jasper said after nervously clearing his throat.
“Oh,” Kait pursed her lips and nodded stiffly. “Well, that’s fine,” she added brightly, “I can come over to yours.”
Jasper almost choked on the piece of omelet sliding down his throat. She didn’t understand what he was saying. They’d just spent the night together; he now needed some time alone. Just because they were now seeing one another didn’t mean that they had to live in one another’s pockets.
“Yeah, I can’t do tonight,” he told her, hoping he didn’t sound too cold or aloof. “I’m anticipating that today in the gym will be tough, so I’ll just be looking to crash out later.”
Kait’s cheeks began to burn as his intentions became clear.
“Oh, of course,” she mumbled quickly, getting up and taking her plate with her. “I didn’t mean to intrude or anything.”
Jasper didn’t say anything as he finished off his own portion of the omelet. He heard Kait cleaning up behind him and could imagine how tense and jerky her movements were.
“So when am I going to see you next?” She asked sharply as she turned off the tap. Jasper squeezed his eyes shut and tried not to freak out. This was the part about a relationship that he didn’t like – the accountability. He was no longer able to just think about himself, but Jasper needed his independence. He couldn’t become a partnership overnight like Kait was seemingly expecting him to do.
“Kait,” he took a deep breath, “how about we ease in to the whole couple thing, okay? I’ll see you later this week, but there’s nothing formal in place. We don’t need to pencil each other in to our schedules. I’d like to keep things relaxed for a while.”
Kait came and stood within his eye line. He could see the disappointment plainly etched in to her pretty face.
“Relaxed?” She repeated the word incredulously.
“Just for a while,” Jasper insisted. “This is all pretty new to me.”
Folding her arms across her chest, Kait considered his request.
“I need to keep my independence,” Jasper said slowly, apologetically.
“I’m hardly asking you to sell your apartment and move in!” Kait cried as she threw her arms up in anger. “God, Jasper, I was just hoping to spend some time together! Is that so much to ask?”
Jasper flinched. This was what he had been dreading. Relationships always involved arguments, and the last thing he wanted to do was bicker before going to the gym. He was about to defend himself when Kait declared that she was going for a shower before storming off in the direction of the bathroom.
Suddenly alone, Jasper considered what he should do. He knew that really he should stay and speak with Kait when she came out of the shower, but he was in no mood to just keep arguing. Quickly he gathered his belongings and left the apartment.
Chapter 15
“You’re slipping.” Carl was standing by the kitchen counter when Jasper walked into his apartment.
“Nice to see you too,” Jasper muttered angrily, wondering why he’d been stupid enough to give his agent a key to his apartment. At some point, he’d definitely need to try and get it back.
“I heard about what happened at the gym.”
“Thanks for your concern,” Jasper noted grimly.
“I am concerned!” Carl insisted, walking over to his client and resting his small hands upon Jasper’s huge shoulders. “I’m concerned you won’t win your next fight,” Carl continued. Jasper shook him off and strode over to the fridge to grab a bottle of water.
“Is that all you’re concerned about?” He asked bitterly.
“It’s all you should be concerned about!” Carl vented. “You need to win this next fight, Jasper! The rest of your career depends on it! How do you not get the seriousness of the situation?”
“I get it!” Jasper snapped. “Trust me, I get it.” His shoulders sagged as his anger drained out of him. Carl was right; he knew that. He needed to remain focused on his next fight. He couldn’t start entering into domestic arguments with Kait. Not when it was paramount that he keep training and stay on top of his game.
“So today, are you ready to train?”
“Yes.” Jasper narrowed his eyes with determination. “I’m ready to train.”
“That’s what I like to hear,” Carl smiled. “I need you to stay focused, Jasper.”
“I will.”
“Where were you yesterday?” Carl squinted with suspicion.
“At the hospital.”
“After that.”
Jasper sighed and rolled his shoulders. He knew where Carl was going with it, and he was in no mood to have yet another argument.
“It’s not what you think,” he told him. “I just went there to crash.”
“So you’re not entering in to a relationship with this girl?” Carl challenged, sounding every inch the protective parent in their dynamic. “Because you know how foolish that would be right now.”
“I know,” Jasper was nodding as he spoke. “And no, I’m not entering in to a relationship.” The lie came easier to him than he’d thought it would. Perhaps he wasn’t as ready for something serious as he’d originally thought.
“Good, then let’s get your ass to the gym.”
Chapter 16
As he sprinted on the treadmill, Jasper tried not to think about Kait, about how disappointed she’d looked when he’d said he didn’t want to meet up that evening. His bad knee was covered in a tight fitting support band which helped with some of his discomfort. He had been running for twenty minutes straight, and sweat was pouring down his back.
“Good,” his trainer complimented him from nearby where he was checking Jasper’s stats on the treadmill’s digital display.
“Happy to please you,” Jasper said sarcastically. Despite sw
eating profusely, he had yet to lose his breath and could still hold a conversation. His day spent sleeping in Kait’s bed had renewed him. If only his knee wasn’t in such a bad state, he’d almost be back to his best.
“I think we should train in the ring this afternoon,” his trainer decided, running a hand through his perfect mane of golden hair. Jasper was grateful that the gym was guys only. If girls trained there, they’d doubtlessly be drooling over his trainer all the time.
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