by CORY CYR
“An emotionally unavailable man. Someone who is fighting with himself not to want anything past his self-imposed rules. You’re a stunningly attractive man that has made me feel safe, yet I sense so much violence behind those blue eyes. In full transparency, I want you inside me so badly. It’s all I think about.”
“And you thought chicken fried steak was the key to my cock?” I surmised.
“No, but I thought the biscuits and gravy might motivate you.” She chuckled. “Help me put all these in the dishwasher.”
“Wait. I have a dishwasher?” I asked with a wink.
“Feeling cocky, are we? I’m sure there are a million things you don’t realize you have. I found that masculine-looking apron and those hot pads stuffed under the sink.”
I followed her into the kitchen and watched as she put the leftovers into dishes that she covered with foil. Then I helped her load the dishwasher. This felt entirely too domestic. It made me wary.
I chastised my dick as it hardened. I had been fighting its misbehavior since Daisy announced she wanted me inside her. I’d fuck her on the kitchen island if I knew there would be no emotion behind it.
I needed to clean up, then go see Fady. I knew my leaving would anger Daisy again, but I didn’t care. In truth, if I stayed, it would be because I cared. Having her live under my roof was providing her protection. It didn’t mean I had to be with her every minute. I would put distance between us and be with Fady during the evenings. That would secure Daisy’s fury. The one emotion I could deal with.
Chapter Sixteen
Jasper
Ten Weeks Later…
“Son of a bitch.”
“And to what do I owe the pleasure of your swear words?” Reese asked as he sat on my office sofa.
“That woman has to stop. I can’t take any more. Every day, over and over,” I snapped.
Reese looked at me with a condescending smile. “Has Daisy gotten to you? I kind of knew she would—eventually.”
I bristled and rolled my eyes. “It’s not that, you wanker. It’s her blasted cooking. I’ve gained seven pounds since she moved in. Between all the fried dinners, desserts, and butter-drenched pancakes, my suits feel snug.”
Reese chuckled at my misery. “Well, as you know, exercise can help with that. Honestly, Jasper, I don’t see the extra weight. Good God, man, you’re six feet six. You sure those seven pounds aren’t in your head?”
“I weigh myself every morning before I work out, and I’ve had a ton of sex.”
Reese’s eyes grew huge at my admission.
“Once again, Reese, I’ve been going to see Fady every night. Just because Ms. Jones is making me breakfast and baking pies doesn’t mean recompense via fucking.”
“So you truly haven’t been tempted by Daisy’s baked goods?” Reese kidded. “What the hell, Jasper? I’ve never seen you blush—ever—and I’ve known you for years. What aren’t you telling me?”
“What are you talking about? I never blush. That’s a woman thing.” Even as denial pinched my lips, I could feel my cheeks warm.
“Tell me the truth. Don’t be like Kai and admit it after the fact. We only have each other, so spill.”
I exhaled loudly. “I may have dabbled. But that was during the first week and per Daisy’s request. Nothing since. I made a mistake by allowing what occurred. She wants more than I offered, and she thinks baked goods are going to help her cause when, in truth, if I continue to consume her cooking, being naked will never happen, even with Fady. That country bumpkin will have ruined me for all womankind.”
“Define dabble.” Reese laughed as he pierced me with mischievously green eyes.
“Shut up, will you? How do I get the woman to stop cooking? I don’t even know how she finds the time. She’s in her office all day,” I exclaimed with frustration.
“Fuck her. That will occupy her time. If you keep her sated, she’ll be too tired to cook.”
I blinked several times. “I can’t do that. Having sex with Daisy will confuse her.”
“Are you sure it will be her? I mean, the one confused. I know you, Jasper, and I can tell when you’re hedging. You like her.”
“Well, of course I like her. Ms. Jones is a very nice and comely person.”
“Oh, no, you don’t get off that easy. Admit it. Tell me the truth. You’re always waving that flag of honesty.”
“What is it you want me to say? That I find her sexy as hell? I do. When I’m fucking Fady, I often think of her. I do. Daisy is everything I never thought I wanted, but that isn’t enough to negate the fact that I can’t go there with her. You think you know me, Reese, but you don’t really have any idea who I am. If you did, I’d doubt we’d be friends.”
“Jesus, Jasper. We’ve gone through tough times together. You hardly knew Kai and had only known me for a few weeks when we made the decision to ship him off to rehab. When he got mixed up with Tegan, we both thought that would end this place. We’ve always survived the bad times and celebrated the good times by relying on each other. Both Kai and I knew you had a past that haunted you. I’m your friend no matter what. Don’t shut me out because you’re afraid of what I might think. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever known. Though, I’m a little envious that Daisy prefers you to me,” Reese admitted. “Let her in. She may surprise you with more than just cookies.”
“Never have I allowed a woman to baffle me, but I’ll confess Ms. Jones is a paradox.”
“Ha, that’s what they do. It’s called a mind-meld. Women don’t even know they’re doing it. I think it’s second nature to keep us guessing.”
Just then, my intercom beeper went off. “Yes, what is it, Fady?”
“Turn on the telly. We’re in for some bad weather.”
“Thank you. Will do.”
I quickly clicked the remote to the television. Reese and I watched as a meteorologist pinpointed a storm with heavy rains and strong winds preparing to slam into the Virgin Islands later tonight.
“I’ll let the hotel know to do storm prep. You take care of the announcements. I don’t want to alarm our guests. They said it was fast moving, so hopefully, by tomorrow morning, it will have passed.”
“I’ll let maintenance know that every building needs to be checked and verified that either shutters or boards have been put in place. We have at least two storms per year, so we’re accustomed to them. I’m not worried,” Reese offered.
“I’m not concerned about us or even the long-term employees. It’s the newbies and guests. I don’t want them to panic, thinking this is something we can’t handle. The last storm did wreak havoc to some of our boats and caused mass erosion on the beaches. I just want calm and stress-free clientele. If there are some that would feel safer going to the mainland, we can take them up until midafternoon. After that, I don’t want any of our launches out because we need plenty of time to tie them down securely.”
“All of us know the drill, Jasper. I’ll take care of everything and speak to the staff. Then I need to go to my place and secure the windows and doors. I’ll have Howard go by your house and put up the storm panels and secure the furniture on the patio. I suggest you siphon some of the water from your pool. Remember what happened last time.”
Reese was right. One year ago, during a rather violent storm, I hadn’t emptied enough of the pool, and it overflowed, flooding the house. It had been quite a mess. I didn’t wish to repeat that mistake.
“Most certainly. I don’t have any desire to have my carpet and furnishings replaced again.”
“You might want to let Daisy know, and, Jasper, no trips this evening to see Fady. Hide out in your room if you must, but don’t leave her alone. Not tonight.”
I nodded in agreement as we said our good-byes. I then walked next door and knocked before entering Daisy’s office. She was staring out the window, observing the darkening skies.
“I came by to let you know about the impending storm. But I guess you’ve heard.”
“Yeah, one of the g
irls from payroll called,” she uttered. Her expression read apprehension.
“Now, Daisy, you needn’t be anxious. We’ve weathered storms before. You’ll be astonished how proficient we are at battening down the hatches.”
“So you’re saying the weatherman is overemphasizing this and it won’t really be bad.”
“No, we’ll have high winds and steady rain, but we always prepare for the worst just in case and have come through just fine.”
“Want a butter cookie? I made them last night.”
That’s how she found the time. While I was fucking Fady, she was cooking or baking. Now I felt bad.
“We need to discuss your cooking.”
“I thought you liked it. I mean, you said you did,” she said sadly as she put a cookie between my lips.
The baked good melted in my mouth, the taste of sweet heaven. Good God, she was doing it again. Vexing woman. “You have to stop. Please, Daisy, quit cooking and baking. You have caused chaos with my waistline.”
“What do you mean? You look fine to me. I think you’re being a drama queen. I eat the same food as you, and I haven’t gained an ounce.”
“Trust me when I say I’ve put on seven pounds. And I’m sure this butter cookie has a shiteload of calories and cholesterol, among all the other bad things.”
Daisy shrugged. “My grandma lived to be over a hundred, and she ate this food.”
“Just lucky, I suppose. The fact that I’ve put on extra weight in less than three months shows I’m not being overdramatic.”
“Maybe you need more exercise,” she said in amusement.
“Very funny. You sound like Reese.”
“I don’t know what to do with my time. You’re gone after dinner. I have no one to talk to, so I occupy my time in the kitchen.” She gazed at me with doe eyes. “I suppose I could call Reese. I’m sure he’d provide me with adequate conversation… if that’s what you want.”
Siren. The thought of Reese taking my place irritated me to no end. “Rest assured, I plan to stay in tonight. I’d hate for you to weather the storm alone. Maybe read a book. That’s what I’m planning. I find it’s a good way to get lost in someone else’s life, rather than dwelling on your own misfortune. And for God’s sake, Daisy, do not cook anything for dinner. I’ll bring something from the hotel kitchen. I need to get back on my regimen, and unfortunately, your meal plans fall short.”
“But I—” She started.
I waved my hand. “No buts. For now, I need to eat as an athlete would. I may be able to carb load once a week after I’ve lost the seven pounds you’ve unmercifully put onto my hips. Possibly, I’ll allow you to cook meals on Sunday.”
I could tell by her posture that Daisy was infuriated, which was fine. It meant her anger would carry over into tonight. I would get her some skinless chicken and a baked sweet potato for dinner and some love story novel from one of our boutiques. That should keep her occupied. I planned to eat a huge sirloin with a variety of raw vegetables, followed by a protein shake, then retire to my room and read some book about submarines. I wanted to stay awake and monitor the storm.
I would set out candles, flashlights, and battery-run lanterns. The electricity would certainly go out if the winds got above sixty miles per hour. I had a generator but used it primarily for the appliances in case the storm surpassed a forty-eight-hour period. I knew the darkness and noise might scare Daisy, so I wished to be prepared.
I couldn’t send her to the mainland because I didn’t trust the sodding FBI. Her husband, if he’d located her whereabouts, could use the cover of this storm to make his move, and as much as she irritated me, I promised her safety. Not providing adequate protection was out of the question.
Chapter Seventeen
Daisy
He’d allow me to make Sunday meals. That arrogant British douchebag. Jasper probably thought I was trying to make him fat so no other woman would want him. Well, women would be least repelled by his weight. He might be nice-looking, but he came across holier than thou when he spoke. I was just as educated, maybe even more so. I had degrees and street smarts. He had neither, at least according to what I knew about him, which was basically nothing.
The man acted as though he was doing me a favor by staying home tonight. Oh, the woman—or possibly women—must be crying in despair that the self-absorbed prick wasn’t coming by to fuck them.
Jealous much?
Hell yes.
I was pretty, or so I’d been told. For forty-three, I had a great body. I’d cooked, cleaned, and I was able to carry on an intellectual conversation with him. True, I was not sexually experienced for my age. I suppose there was something to be said for not being labeled a slut, but I’d done enough to know what’s what. Of course, judging from what I’d found in his bedroom, Jasper was far more advanced in sex than I was. I’d Googled quite a few things, including the violet wand.
He probably thought this country girl was beneath him. Right where I want to be.
I had to stop trying to be that woman. Jasper didn’t want me. Not that way. I guess it just made me mad as a hornet’s nest that I didn’t appeal to him. I wondered what kind of women he preferred.
I locked the ledgers in my desk, then gathered my purse to leave. The air was quite warm for the sky being so black and scary. The wind had definitely picked up since this morning.
It only took me ten minutes to drive my company car home. I noticed that all the windows were covered and the patio had been cleared. I stepped across an oversized hose, the end dropped in the pool, and my eyes followed it down the embankment. I was just about to unlock the sliding doors when Jasper let me in.
“I wasn’t expecting you this early,” I said in a startled voice.
“I did tell you I’d be home tonight. I needed to make sure the generator was in good order and some of the lanterns had fresh batteries. The food is on the table. I got you chicken. I hope that’s all right.”
“I thought you said this storm was nothing to worry about.”
“I just like to be prepared. I’m sure the electricity will go out. It always does with high winds. I put a lantern, candles, and a flashlight in your room. You’ll probably sleep through the worst of it, but just in case.”
I moved over to the table and peeked into the foil-wrapped plate, frowning—bare-as-a-baby’s-butt piece of chicken and a baked sweet potato. I noticed Jasper had already begun to eat his meal. He had the biggest steak I’d ever seen. I tossed my purse on one of the vacant dining chairs and sat. The table had been set with silverware, napkins, and tea.
I took a sip. It was sweet. “How ever did you get one of those snooty chefs to make sweet tea?”
Jasper chuckled. “You’d be surprised what one of the owners can get a chef who wants a raise in the near future to do. Plus, I actually like the taste of sweet tea. I did have them modify it and use Stevia.”
“Yeah, I thought it tasted different. Still my mama’s recipe. If you ever meet her, let’s keep your change a secret.”
The lights flickered with a flash of lightning, then a burst of thunder rolled loudly. Large, fat raindrops began to hit the patio as we ate. The harder it rained, the hotter it got. As a precaution, Jasper had shut off the central air to prevent damage from power surges.
“If it gets too humid, take a shower. That’s what I do,” Jasper commented as he put the utensils in the dishwasher. “Once the storm passes, we’ll run it since it’s almost full. Don’t tell anyone, but I’ve rarely used this. I always eat in the hotel or cook outdoors. Then I hand-wash my dishes since it’s only me.”
“I grew up without a dishwasher, but Maynard and I had one, so I learned how to use it. You do know it’s not good anyway to leave it dormant. You should run it at least once a month.”
“What would I do without you, Daisy Jones?”
“Not complain about your weight and have to buy a new dishwasher,” I replied as I grabbed my purse off the chair.
“You going somewhere?” he asked.<
br />
“I thought I’d take that shower you mentioned. I’m sweating. It’s so damn sticky.”
“Oh, I almost forgot. I thought you might enjoy this.” Jasper handed me a book.
“You bought me a paperback. You shouldn’t have.” I uttered mockingly, scouring the front, then reading the back. “A romance…”
“I just assumed… you being a woman…” He cleared his throat, obviously uncomfortable. “You might enjoy the genre.”
“Oh, truly, because my love life is so thrilling. Let’s see… I have a husband who wants to kill me, the amount of lovers I’ve had I can count on one hand, and the man I’m living with finds me lacking in looks, body, and sexual interest.” I stopped short, realizing I’d said way too much. “Thank you for the book. It was thoughtful.”
“Daisy, none of that’s true. Maybe the first two items, but about me, none of that is what I think. You’re a beautiful woman and have an amazing body. I have to keep myself in check when I’m around you. You have the capacity to make me want you. And I’m not the man for you.
“I promised to protect you. Well, this is me protecting you from your husband and myself. With you, it would be so easy to backslide and have sex. I never want to fuck you. If you truly knew me, you’d understand why. You deserve far better than I could ever provide. I’m not the man you desire. I’m the one you run from. Now go and take your shower. I’ll be in my room, reading.”
I’d never gotten that much information from Jasper. I had known him for almost three months, and this was the first time he confessed any feelings toward me. His admittance made him come across as vulnerable.
I laid the book on the bed before I stripped off my clothes. As promised, candles, flashlights, and lanterns were on the dresser. Out of habit, I clicked on the bathroom light, glad to see the electricity was still working.