The Banker (Modern Love Book 3)

by Piper Rayne

  Brady’s off his stool in a second, running to his dad and throwing his arms around his dad’s neck. Jasper’s arms lock around his son’s waist, bringing him up to hold him to his chest. His large hand splays across the back of his son’s head as though he can’t get close enough.

  The image is so tender and caring that I have to fight the tears welling in my eyes. I’ve always known that Brady and Jasper love each other, but I’ve never witnessed this level of adoration.

  Brady draws back and Jasper looks him over once more before hugging him tight again.

  “I was in the emergency room,” Brady says like it’s a source of pride and not one of the scariest moments of my life.

  Jasper nods and mumbles something I can’t hear. When I glance to Natalie expecting to find her washing dishes, her eyes are set on me. She arches her graying eyebrows and I move my gaze away from her.

  Once they’re done, Brady hangs off his dad’s neck as he walks over to me.

  “Hey,” he says, kissing my forehead. “Thank you for taking care of him.”

  I nod.

  “She didn’t do it alone,” Natalie says, trying to make a joke, I think, but we all understand her underlying meaning.

  “Yeah, your mom cleaned,” I deadpan.

  Jasper’s eyes move from me to his mom and back to me. I should’ve tried to hide my annoyance more.

  “And Lennon watched television,” Natalie says with a condescending smile.

  “Thank you both,” he says, giving me another kiss. This time on the lips.

  A little tongue would have been awesome, but since Brady is literally millimeters away, probably not a good idea. See, I’m getting this whole having-a-kid-around thing.

  Brady slides off Jasper and onto the breakfast stool.

  Jasper walks back over to the door and opens his computer bag, pulling out a brown paper bag. Anyone can tell it’s from McDonalds and Brady’s smile is bigger than when Jasper came home. Jasper places it on the counter and slides his bowl of soup over.

  “Thanks, Dad. I asked but Grandma said no.” He gives her the stink eye and although we shouldn’t laugh, we do. He tears the bag open, pulling out the carton of chicken nuggets and fries out.

  “Jasper.” His mom sighs.

  “It’s been his go-to every time he gets sick. It’s our thing.” Jasper silences her and she listens, moving to the stove.

  “Okay, but be prepared for him to get sick again.” She shakes her head, wiping down the counter.

  “So, Mom, we’re good now. Go home to Dad.” Jasper walks over to her, stealing a slice of bread from over her shoulder. Okay, if Jasper survives, that loaf is mine.

  “It’s okay, honey. I can stay for a while.” She pats his shoulder.

  Jasper’s gaze shoots to me and I try to act indifferent, although I want to sneak him into his bedroom for at least a real kiss.

  “I insist, Mom. Thanks for taking care of the insurance thing at the hospital. You didn’t have to come back here.”

  She looks to me and then to Brady and back to Jasper. “Can I have a word?”

  His head falls back and he shrugs off his coat, placing it on the back of a kitchen chair.

  “How about tomorrow? I’ll call you,” he offers, dipping his bread into my soup.

  Soup that’s gone cold now. Like my heart for this woman.

  “It will only take a moment. In the hall.” She moves to grab her purse and overnight bag that she brought to the hospital.

  Obviously, she isn’t taking no for an answer.

  “Fine.”

  “Bye, Brady.” She comes over and kisses the top of his head.

  “Bye, Grandma.” He continues to play with the toy from his meal.

  “Lennon,” she says in her usual curt tone.

  “Bye, Natalie. Safe trip back home.” To hell on your broomstick, I don’t add.

  “I’ll be right back.” Jasper shoots up his eyebrows with a tight smile, obviously not looking forward to his mother’s lecture.

  “So, what did you get?” I ask Brady, trying not to think about what Natalie is saying to Jasper a few feet away behind a closed door.

  Brady plays with his toy and my eyes stay glued to the door until the doorknob turns. Then I focus my attention solely on my soup as though I don’t care what his mother had to say.

  “Brady,” he calls out, shutting the door behind him. “Lennon and I will be right back.”

  Brady doesn’t really answer, his mind still on his meal and toy.

  I climb off the stool, slowly following Jasper to his bedroom. He walks in, leaving his suitcase by the door and then shuts and locks his bedroom door.

  “What did—”

  His lips slam onto mine as his body cages me against the door. My hands circle his neck, and I arch my back, needing his hands on me. Shivers run up my skin as his hands slide under my shirt, moving up my back until he undoes my bra.

  Once it’s loosened, his hands slide forward, squeezing both my breasts at the same time. A small moan escapes my throat as one leg wraps around his muscular thigh.

  He tears his lips from mine. “You have no idea how hot it makes me that you took care of Brady. I’ve had a raging hard-on since I walked through that door and saw the two of you in my house, at my breakfast counter.”

  I pull his mouth down to mine again, and his tongue wastes no time invading my mouth. His lips slide off mine, traveling down to my jaw and then my neck as he scoops me up in his arms and I wrap my legs around his waist.

  He walks us toward the bed and then drops me on the mattress.

  “Quickie?’ I ask and he nods, unbuckling his belt and slacks until they fall to the floor.

  I shimmy out of my pants and underwear, spreading my legs for him. He stares down at my pussy and his chest rises and falls with rapid breaths.

  “Tonight, I’ll take my time,” he promises and then yanks his boxers down, steps out of them and he’s inside of me within three minutes of shutting that door.

  33

  Mondays can suck it.

  As I walk into the office, with my three coffees on the tray perched in my hand, I glance at the names on the cups and laugh to myself.

  Brittany’s painting her nails when I place the coffees on the receptionist’s desk. She looks up and, without saying anything, picks up the phone. “Mr. Banks,” she says. “Miss Hart is here for Dr—Mr. Ashland.” She catches herself.

  At some point, hopefully, I’ll be able to just walk past her and straight to Jasper’s office so that I can spare myself the irritation of dealing with her.

  “He said to go in, but wanted to be clear that you go to his office.” She lifts her eyebrows, clearly insinuating that Jasper is going to have me bent over his desk.

  Well, I’ll show her—little does she know that it’s me on my knees when it comes to Jasper’s office.

  “Thanks, Brittany.” I walk down the hall, and catch Jasper on the phone when I reach his office. He waves me in and since his assistant isn’t there, I walk through his door.

  He holds up his hand so I place his coffee down in front of him and then grab mine, taking a seat on his couch. Circling the cup around, he laughs when he spots the words.

  “Yeah, I understand. Okay, I said I’d handle it,” he says, his tone about as irritated as I sound with his mom.

  “Mom,” he sighs.

  Huh. I guess she has that effect on everyone.

  “Yeah, if you could watch him overnight. It’s Lennon’s dad’s retirement party.” He rolls his eyes, and his head falls back in frustration. “I’ll drop him off. He can spend the night with you guys.” And almost a lifetime later—“Bye.” He hangs up, stands with his coffee and walks around the desk. He shuts his door, flicking the lock, and I grow wet between my thighs.

  “I have to meet Drew, or as his cup now refers to him, Sugar Daddy,” I remind him but he pays no attention. Not even a raised eyebrow.

  “He’ll understand if you’re late. I’ve had a rough day.” He
sits down, his hand threading through his hair.

  Under normal circumstances, I’d probably fall to my knees and work that irritation out of him. But I have to meet Drew and that has to come first today.

  “Why’s your day been so bad?” I ask, afraid of the answer.

  He looks at me and shakes his head. “Nothing. What are you and Drew going through today?” he asks, attempting to move the conversation along.

  “Jasper?” I ask with a tone clear that I want an answer.

  He shakes his head. “Nothing I can’t handle.”

  “So, what does she want now? Me on a stake so she can set it on fire?”

  He chuckles until he sees the seriousness on my face. “She doesn’t hate you.”

  I cross my arms, similar to Brady when he doesn’t get his way. “Really?”

  Now I’ve never told Jasper what his mom said to me at the hospital. Nor did I tell him what my mom told her. I’m not going to put him in the middle. I’m a big girl and I fight my own battles.

  “She’s just protective.”

  I huff. “Protective? She thinks I’m scum and that I’m completely incapable.”

  He stares out this window, sipping his coffee. “I just got it from her. Can I not get it from you, too?” he asks, annoyance laced through his deep voice.

  “Sure. I need to meet Drew anyway.” I stand and grab Drew’s coffee from the tray.

  “Don’t.” He comes up behind me, his lips finding that magic spot halfway between the back of my neck and my ear. “I need you,” he whispers. “I want to be buried deep inside of you right now.”

  “I want lots of things I can’t have, too,” I sneer and he chuckles, thinking I’m joking.

  Don’t do it, Lennon. Don’t do it.

  “You do know one day you’ll have to choose?’

  You idiot, you did it.

  His hands fall from my stomach, his lips leave my skin. “What?”

  Say forget it and go to Drew’s office.

  “Do you think I’m going to allow her to treat me like shit forever?”

  He tilts his head and I’m guessing he’s wondering where this is coming from.

  Apologize and say you lost your mind.

  “I understand she hasn’t been the nicest, but eventually she’ll come around.”

  “When? She acts like I’m letting Brady shoot up heroin and taking him out to the strippers when I’m watching him. She purposely undermines me in front of him. And you just sit there in la-la land.”

  Okay, strike that last sentence. Tell him to strike the last sentence.

  “La-la land?” he asks, his voice as cold and smooth as a bottle of vodka resting in a freezer. “It’s not her decision to decide who I’m with, Lennon. It’s mine.”

  I shake my head. “That’s what you think. She continues to throw me under the bus and nitpick everything I do and you’ll start believing it. It’s inevitable, Jasper. One day you will have to choose between us.”

  His hand slams down on his desk, his business card holder falling down. “Goddamn it! Don’t do this. Don’t make this an issue before it is one.” His voice rises and I swear I never thought this conversation would get this kind of reaction.

  What do I do? What I do best. Get angry right back.

  “If you heard what she said about me—” I shake my hand and raise my hand. “Never mind. I need to go.”

  I turn around to walk out of his office. My one hand is on the doorknob, Drew’s coffee is in the other when his arms wrap around my waist again like they’ve found their home.

  “Don’t,” he whispers in my ear and goose bumps ignite across my skin.

  “I’m already late.” But I don’t move. Instead, I stand there while his arms tighten.

  “We’ll figure this out. I’m sorry for getting angry,” he says, sounding a little desperate. I’ve never encountered this side of Jasper. Almost like he’s fearful I’ll leave him.

  I swivel around in his arms, placing Drew’s coffee down on the side table near the door. “Pretty soon my mouth is going to open and she’s not going to like what comes out,” I warn.

  His eyes are distraught but he shakes his head. “I promise, it will never come to that.” He pulls me into him, his arms so tight that I fight to breathe for a moment. “Just give me some time,” he says softly.

  I will, but after the hospital and his condo, I’m unsure if we can ever co-exist. I hate the thought of putting both Jasper and Brady in the middle almost as much as I hate the thought of having to deal with her bullshit for eternity.

  34

  “So, his mother said what?” Whitney says, her mouth hanging open.

  “‘Fun toy’ were her exact words.”

  “Well, she doesn’t sound so fun herself.”

  “Sorry, girls.” Tahlia runs in with ten bags hanging from her arms. She drops them on the neighboring table and sits down in front of the coffee we already bought for her. “Whatcha chatting about?”

  “Jasper’s mom’s a monster,” Whit informs her.

  “Oh, my God, have you ever seen that movie Monster-in-Law?” Tahlia asks.

  “Of course you have a movie to compare it to.” I roll my eyes.

  Whitney laughs. I’m not sure there’s a romantic comedy that Tahlia doesn’t know.

  “Her mother-in-law was such a bitch. Did you know it has Mary Fiore in it?” Tahlia asks us.

  “You mean J-Lo?” I correct her.

  “I only see her as Mary Fiore,” she singsongs.

  For those of you who don’t know, Mary Fiore was the main character in The Wedding Planner and since Tahlia’s wanted to be one since forever I’m guessing she’s got a little girl crush going for J-Lo. Me? I’ll take J-Law any day. She’s much more my speed—a say-what-you-think-and-not-take-things-too-seriously kinda gal.

  “You realize your obsession with Mary Fiore isn’t actually healthy.” I sip my coffee.

  “Hello? You used to look up to that Kat woman who has her own tattoo company and was dating Jesse James, remember?”

  “Um, Tahlia…” Whitney cringes, knowing she did not just school me.

  “Kat is a real person who really tattooed people. Jennifer Lopez played a wedding planner along with a dancer, an abused wife, and Selena.”

  Tahlia shakes her head as if I’m not telling the truth. I won’t completely burst her bubble today. Especially since I feel like my love bubble is slowly depleting of air the more Mrs. Banks wedges her way between Jasper and me.

  “Forget all that,” Whitney says, waving her hand at Tahl, “what does Jasper say?”

  I shrug. “He says it will take time. That he’s sure she’ll come around.” I roll my eyes, because I’d put money on hell freezing over first.

  “Hmm,” Whitney murmurs, agreeing with me.

  “It could happen. She’ll see how great you are with Brady. She’s probably worried.” Tahlia offers her glass-half-full advice.

  “No.” I shake my head. “This woman wants me out. I doubt anyone would be good enough for her son, but I’m her worst nightmare.”

  The side of Whitney’s mouth lifts, attempting to show support. “Well, I’m sure Jasper will choose you.”

  I sip my coffee and place it down on the table. “That’s the thing. I don’t want him to choose. I mean, Brady loves his grandparents. Even if Jasper did choose me, he’d end up resenting me.” I tell my friends the truth.

  “God, I’m glad I don’t have to deal with that. I’m sorry.” Tahlia pats my hand.

  “Cole doesn’t like his family any more than I do, so it has yet to be an issue with us.” Whitney places her hand on top of Tahlia’s and I’m wondering if we’re about to say, “Go, team,” and disperse.

  “You’ll prove it to her,” Tahlia says and they each take their hands off of mine.

  “That’s the thing, I don’t want to prove myself to her. Actually, the more she expects me to kiss her ass the less I’m inclined to. You know how I am.”

  They both laugh.


  “Yeah, we know, but you have to remember… you’ve never had this much to lose.” Whitney’s eyebrows lift.

  Lose. Yeah, my heart aches thinking about losing Jasper and Brady. When the hell did that happen?

  “Well, if they can’t love me for me, they aren’t worth my time.”

  “Classic Lennon.” Tahlia shares a look with Whitney.

  “What?” I ask.

  The two share another look and then Tahlia’s gaze meets mine while Whitney sips her coffee.

  “The more you care, the more you’ve got one foot out of the relationship. The problem this time is we’re not just talking about some fling with a guy who will eventually move on. We’re talking about a kid…who wants a mom.”

  “Maybe that’s not me,” I say and they each shake their heads as though I’m a lost cause.

  “I think all three of us know you are, Lennon,” Whitney says. “For the first time in your life, you might have to let that defense mechanism of indifference fall. I think you’re just scared that if you give your whole self to someone, they might not choose you back.”

  I push back the feeling that I’m not good enough, not strait-laced enough, not in the box enough. It’s a feeling I’ve worn like a second skin my entire life and if I’m honest with myself, maybe there’s something to what Whitney’s saying. But I don’t want to be honest with myself. Right now, I have a whole other mess to deal with.

  “I better go. I’m meeting my brother at his office to tell him about Jasper.” I change the topic fast and rise to my feet.

  They each huff again.

  “Lennon, we’re talking,” Tahlia says.

  “Right now, I don’t plan on seeing that woman for a while,” I say, grabbing my purse.

  “Why doesn’t your brother know about you and Jasper?” Whitney asks, letting the topic of my insecurity fall to the wayside, for which I’m grateful.

  I slide my chair into the table and grab my coffee cup. “Remember, he refused to introduce me so I took matters into my own hands?”

  “He still knows nothing about you two?” Tahlia asks.

  “Nope. So I’d better hop to it before the retirement party. Don’t want the surprise to be on Jacob.” I try to laugh but cringe instead, thinking about how pissed he’s about to be at me.