by Talty, Jen
“Yes, sir.” Jasper couldn’t believe that Derek had filed an official complaint against the commander. Or that it almost tainted the commanders career.
“You never told them the extent of the disagreement between me and Derek, protecting my daughter’s reputation, but you said enough that got me off the hook, and him off my team.”
Heat rose to Jasper’s cheeks. He hadn’t seen the pictures, but just talking about them made him ill at ease for both Ashley and her father. “I told the truth, as I saw it.”
“I’ve never forgotten what you did. You’re an honorable man.”
“Thank you, sir.” Jasper tried to hide the crack in his voice. He didn’t think he was any more admirable than anyone else.
“Stop with the sir, crap. It’s Riggs.” He buttered a bagel. “It must have been hard to grow up with such a notorious mother—”
“Excuse me?” Jasper gripped the armrests, his hands turning white as he held on as tight as he could, controlling his anger. It’s never good to get into it with a man who outranked you.
Or the father of the woman you were determined to have some kind of meaningful relationship with.
“Relax.” Riggs put his hand up. “During the investigation into the incident, it was brought up by the idiot representing Derek, trying to discredit you.”
“That information is supposed to be sealed,” Jasper said, biting down on the inside of his cheek. “The government has jumped through hoops for me, making sure my real identity is protected.”
“It has been. All they knew was that there was a confidential file on you. They had no idea what it was, but they sure as shit tried to find out.”
“How’d you find out?” To Jasper’s knowledge, only half a dozen people knew he was the daughter of Renee Nuniez, head of one of the largest drug cartels.
“It doesn’t matter.” Riggs leaned back in the chair. “I helped make sure that information was buried so deep, it would be nearly impossible for even the president to find.”
Jasper willed his pulse to slow as he relaxed his muscles. It had been years that he had any kind of conversation with anyone about his past. He’d almost allowed himself to believe that that part of his life was gone forever.
But now he wondered if he’d be running from it forever. “I appreciate it.”
“Personally, I’m impressed by what you’ve done with your life. You’re a good man. I mean that, in spite of who your mother is.”
“My mother is a dangerous woman and in all fairness, if she knew where I was, or what I’ve been doing with my life, she’d probably have me killed.” Jasper’s mother still haunted his dreams, and he often worried the longer he stayed in the states, the sooner she might find him, because part of him knew she hadn’t ever believed the story the world was told.
Marcus Nuniez, his former self, died when he’d turned eighteen in a raid on one of his mother’s drug factories. He’d been the one that worked with the FBI and set up a sting operation to bring his mother down.
Only, she got away, and he went into protective custody. It was there, someone suggested he hide in the military. It had been a good gig, and maybe he should have stayed with the Army, but it hadn’t been exactly what he wanted to do. Being a trooper had leant to a much better career fit.
“That’s a tough way to live.”
“I don’t think about it much. It’s been eighteen years, and not once has there been any reason for her to believe I wasn’t blown to bits,” Jasper said. His pulse still pounding against his throat. He shifted, trying to hide his discomfort with the discussion.
“I hope it stays that way.” Riggs wiped his mouth with the napkin and tossed it on the plate. “How did you meet my daughter?”
“I had an injury a few months back. She was my physical therapist.”
“She didn’t tell me she was bringing a date.”
“I haven’t seen her since after my first surgery, three months ago. We had no idea the other would be here,” Jasper said.
“Sounds like she was lucky you were here. Amazing what a small world it is. Suzie Pendleton’s father and I were college roommates,” Riggs said. “So, where are you stationed these days?”
“I’m not in the Army anymore. I’m a New York State Trooper,” Jasper admitted, rubbing his knee.
“So, you live near my baby girl.”
“I don’t know where she lives, exactly. But I’m right outside the village of Lake George. Been there since I retired from the Army. Only now I’m facing another potential career choice.
“Why’s that?”
“I pushed too hard and ended up having to have a second surgery, and my days in the field with Special Operations Response Team are over.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, but if you haven’t seen Ashley in months, then I take it you went somewhere else for your second round of PT?” Rigg’s arched a brow and the corner of his mouth twitched up into a smile.
Jasper’s palms grew sweaty, the guilt was eating him alive, which was crazy. “I did.”
Riggs set his mug down on the table and slapped his leg, laughing. “I bet she didn’t like that.”
“No. She didn’t, and I had to admit to making a big mistake by not going back to her, but it wouldn’t have changed the outcome. The damage was too extensive.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I honestly don’t know yet. I planned on spending this weekend thinking about my options.”
“And instead, you ended up babysitting my drunk daughter.” Riggs shook his head. “I told her to wait for me before doing anything. Derek is a hot button.”
Jasper wouldn’t call spending time with Ashley as babysitting, even though she’d been so drunk she could have very well ended up in a bad situation. “It was a tough night for her all around.”
“I appreciate your kindness, and I’m sure my daughter does, too.”
“Speaking of her, I think maybe one of us should go check on her. It’s been almost an hour since I left.”
“She’d be pissed if I went, so you go. Tell her to call me when she gets a chance.”
“Yes, sir…I mean Riggs.”
Riggs stood, and Jasper followed him to the door, trying to keep from limping, though he failed miserably.
“I can tell you like my daughter.” Riggs took Jasper’s hand and squeezed a little too hard. “Hurt her and I’ll do more than break your nose.”
“I think she’ll be the one breaking my heart.”
4
Ashley blinked, the bright sun stinging her eyes, adding to the crushing pain in her head. Nausea floated in her gut as the taste of last night’s alcohol lingered in the back of her throat. Carefully, she pushed herself to a sitting position, keeping her eyes closed. The smell of coffee seeped into her nose, easing the queasiness. She didn’t think anything would help the pounding in her head, though.
Pushing the covers back, she set her feet on the floor and padded to the bathroom. She wanted to avoid the reflection in the mirror, but her big, puffy eyes were like passing an accident on a highway. No matter how much you wanted to look away, you couldn’t rip your eyes from the horror.
She splashed cold water on her face before grabbing her toothbrush. It would take a steam cleaner to remove the wretched taste in her mouth. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her dress from last night hanging in the shower. There was so much she didn’t remember and what she did, she’d rather forget.
After two shots of mouthwash, she stepped from the bathroom and gasped. She gripped the doorjamb for support staring at the sexiest man she’d ever laid eyes on.
“How are you feeling?”
“Jasper?” He sat in a chair by the window, folding the newspaper and setting it on a table lined with some pastries and a carafe of what she prayed was coffee.
“Shit,” she mumbled. “What time is it?”
“Nine thirty.”
She groaned, rubbing her temples. “Where’s my phone?”
“On the bed,
but I already talked with your father, if that is who you wanted to reach.”
So many questions raced through her cobwebbed brain. “Did he come banging on my door and see me like this?” She groaned, not wanting to know how it came to pass that Jasper and her father spoke.
Glancing down, thankful she had clothes on, though no more than a bra, T-shirt and her panties, she had to wonder what happened after…after… the last thing she remembered was offering to perform sexual favors.
Or getting sick.
She wasn’t sure which one came first.
Quickly, she climbed back into the bed, pulling the sheets up to her chin.
“No.” Jasper sat on the edge of the bed, his hand dangerously close to her leg. “Your phone went off this morning, and there was a reminder. I thought it better to meet your dad in your place, versus him worrying about you.”
Jasper’s blue eyes brightened like the sky in the morning sun. He smelled of fresh soap and an ocean breeze. “It appears my father didn’t smash your face in, so I’m hoping that means you were a perfect gentleman last night, and you left right after I got to my room.”
He cocked his head. “I did stay here last night. But nothing happened. I’m not that kind of man, and I think you know that.”
Her cheeks heated. “I wasn’t referring to that. I know you wouldn’t take advantage of a drunk woman. I don’t remember much, but what I do remember isn’t pleasant, so I was hoping you’d bypassed being privy to certain things.” A memory of someone holding her hair back told her otherwise.
The softness of his fingers surprised her as he traced them across her hairline, pushing her tangled mess behind her shoulders. “We’ve all been there at one time or another. Don’t think twice about it.”
“Was my father really mad?”
Jasper shook his head. “He’s worried about you, him, and Derek being in the same room, but he just asked that you text him or call when you’re vertical.”
“I have to meet Suzie downstairs by eleven to get my hair done and all that nonsense. I’m going to look like shit.”
He palmed her cheek. “You look beautiful and fortunately, on your worst day, you’ll still upstage the bride.”
Her pulse raced as the thumping of her heart echoed with the throbbing pain between her ears. The corners of her mouth tugged into a smile, even though she fought it. “You’re a sweet man.”
“I have my moments.” He leaned in, his mouth hovering a few inches away. “But now that you are sober, I’m going to do what I thought about doing last night.” He brushed his lips over hers once. “Feel free to push me away if you don’t want to be kissed.” His hand slid behind her back, pulling her body closer. He tasted like chocolate and coffee with a hint of sugar.
Her mind screamed to stop.
Her body hummed to life as if last night never happened. It was as if his kiss had the power to heal her aches and pains both physically.
And emotionally.
His strong muscles flexed under her touch. Their tongues gently teased each other with a promise of something more.
A moan escaped her lips as he stretched out beside her with her leg draped over his hip in a not so subtle invitation. She had to be crazy to even be contemplating letting this go any further. Every second she thought to pull away, her body pressed harder against his, feeling his warmth wrap around her like the heat coming from a fireplace.
“I didn’t think that through,” he whispered, dribbling kisses down the side of her face, landing on that sweet spot under her earlobe.
“What do you mean?”
“I intended on kissing you. Once.” He cupped her face, staring into her eyes with an intent so raw it nearly gave her an orgasm right there. “Leave you hanging, hoping that later we could pick up where we’d left off, but now I’m drunk on you.”
She tucked her face into his neck, trying to stifle a laugh, but it proved impossible.
“Yeah, that’s about the cheesiest thing I’ve ever said.” He rolled to his side, keeping one arm around her, his fingers dancing up and down her arm, giving her goosebumps.
“I’ve heard worse.” Unable to control herself, she laid her hand over his rock-hard stomach. “But we probably better stop now before we take things too far.” She kept her body still, waiting for him to react to her words.
“What would be too far, exactly?”
“I’d say doing something that would make me blush when I had to take your arm at the end of the ceremony while we pass by my father, but that’s going to happen anyway. I mean, I’m assuming you undressed me last night.”
His lips pressed against her forehead. “You helped. You didn’t want to stop either. I practically had to restrain you.”
She covered her face. “That’s so embarrassing.”
“Nah. I’m just glad I was there, and you didn’t throw yourself at someone else.”
“Thanks for being a gentleman.” She kissed his chest, letting her hand glide across his nipple, grazing gently.
“That’s dangerous,” he said with a strained voice.
“Why is that?”
“Because this time I know I wouldn’t be taking advantage.”
“I seem to remember you telling me last night that when we were together it would be because I wanted it. Well, I want it.” A pang of guilt tickled her senses. Being with him might make it easier to be around Derek and Valerie, but she’d still be using him simple because it would give her something else to focus on.
“You’d be breaking all your own rules,” he said with an arched brow and a wicked grin.
“Some rules are meant to be broken,” she whispered, straddling his waist.
“I don’t want you to do anything you’ll regret later.”
“Are you trying to talk me out of this?” She curled her fingers over the edge of her T-shirt. “Having second thoughts?”
“Neither.” His hands rested on her knees, gliding gently up her thigh. “But what exactly are we doing?”
Her heart sank to the pit of her stomach. “We’re having our one night, only it’s happening in the morning.” Derek was right. She was a bitch. But she couldn’t have Jasper perusing her when they got home. Being in a relationship with him was out of the question.
“So, we’re just hooking up at a destination wedding?”
“If you can’t deal with that, then maybe we should stop.” She shifted to her right. Tears threatened to sting the corners of her eyes and she couldn’t let him see that. She’d been rejected before, just not half naked with her sitting on a man.
He tightened his grip. “I can handle it. I just wanted to know what the expectations were because I might want to do this again.”
“Just this once. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to lead you—”
“You not leading me on. You’re being honest,” he said. “And for the record, I might spend the weekend trying to get you to change your mind, but I won’t be that guy who doesn’t know when it’s time to walk away.”
She ripped her shirt over her head, tossing it to the floor. She hadn’t a long-term relationship since Derek. Every time she got involved with someone, about a month in, she found herself running for the hills. It was like the second anyone started real feelings, she hit the door running.
Jasper had proven to be trustworthy on many fronts, but mostly his word and if she told him that was it, than she knew he’d respect it.
One morning.
One morning she won’t soon forget.
His fingers dug into her flesh when she unhooked her bra, letting it roll over her shoulders, slowly exposing her breasts. She enjoyed how his ocean-blue eyes widened with desire. His pink tongue glided over his lips in a lustful gesture.
He raised up, taking her nipple into his mouth, his hot, wet tongue flicking over the top and in a circle.
Taking in a long breath, her chest rose to meet his lips. She’d thought about him kissing her body. Dreamt about it once. Until this moment, she hadn’t realized how consum
ed her thoughts had been since she’d last seen him. Watching him go from one nipple to the other, lapping gently, letting his teeth graze while his fingers pinched, she couldn’t remember a time this had felt any better.
She rolled her hips, teasing his growing erection, enjoying the deep, throaty groan that came from his mouth, filling her ears with the sweet music of passion.
“You’re a dangerous woman,” he whispered, lifting her up and laying her down on her back on the bed. He knelt between her legs, yanking his shirt off.
Instinctively, she reached for the button on his jeans. “Why would you say that?” She pressed her lips against his navel as his pants popped open. Carefully, she eased the zipper down, her hand rubbing against him in a promise of what would come.
“Besides being gorgeous, you’re smart, kind, generous, and the kind of woman that could destroy a man’s heart with the snap of your fingers.”
She pressed her hand against his chest, staring up at him while his fingers tugged through her long hair, unsure of what to say. His gaze tore through her with intense heat. Those weren’t just words, and for a second, she couldn’t catch her breath.
“I’m sure you’ve broken many,” she said.
“Not a single one that I know of,” he said. “And I can’t say that I’ve had mine broken, but if anyone could do it, it would be you.”
He didn’t have to say such sweet things to get her in bed, she was already nearly naked with her hand over him while he removed the rest of his clothing. Jasper was like no man she’d ever met. She believed every word he said and felt them deep to her core.
Ignoring the warning in her mind, telling her to tread lightly because she knew without a doubt, he could easily hurt her, she lowered her mouth over him, holding his gaze. She’d never been shy in the bedroom, which was what led to those tasteful nude pictures which turned disgusting when Derek decided he needed the world to know what he had, which hadn’t meant her stunning personality, just her physical attributes.
Derek had never loved her, a fact that turned into a hard pill to swallow.