Chapter 36

JASPER

M y heart nearly stopped when Harper looked me in the eyes, and with every ounce of

strength she had, she breathed the words I was so desperate to hear. I didn't expect her to do what I had asked of her so easily. I was na?ve to think she would shy away from my request. Instead, she stood there in front of me and took a deep breath, her face and neck flushed that shade of pink I loved so much.

"Jasper, I want you."

She's so fucking strong.

I took it a step further as I forced specifics, but not because I needed to hear them, her desires were clear, unmistakably displayed on her face, and reflected in her body language, but I wanted her to know what she wanted. To have the confidence to feel her desires and take what she needed.

"What do you want from me, Doll?" I teased her but she didn't flinch. She didn't break eye contact or falter. She lowered her chin slightly and pushed her bottom lip through her teeth before she answered, "Everything. "

"Fuck, Doll."

One word was all I could take before I was back against her body as I laced her fingers in mine, pulling her toward me. I placed my forehead against hers leaving little space between us. My lips were so close they brushed over hers as I spoke.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked, to be certain before I took her to my bed, once she was

there, I would never want to stop.

"I need you to understand that once I have you to myself you are mine ." I opened my eyes to

see hers closed and her cheeks still flushed.

"I want you to take me, Jasper," she whispered her reply against my hungry lips.

Releasing one hand and tightening my grip on the other, I led her through the office door and into the hallway.

If I'm going to claim her, I will do so in my own damn bed.

"Where are we going?" She gasped, as she obediently followed me, not that she had much choice in the matter, since I had her wrist in my hand firmly. She didn't mind the command of my grip. If she struggled or showed any sign of hesitation, I would let her go and leave this all for another day, but my girl wanted me, and she could have all of me.

We stood at the entrance to my bedroom, my hand on the doorknob. Without turning to face her, I asked one more time: "Doll, it's okay if you want to stop. I will understand. We don't have to do anything you don't want to do." Praying she didn't want to turn back

because now, I needed her more than I needed air.

She was silent for a long moment, too long . Her unsteady breathing was the only sound as I stood unmoving, waiting for her to respond.

"Open the door, Jasper," she demanded in a confident, needy voice.

"As you wish, Love". I turned the knob and pushed the door open, stepping to the side and letting her pass me. Keeping hold of her hand I kicked the door behind me; the slam of it made her jump.

She stood facing the bed as I stood behind her. I wrapped my arm around her waist and raised one hand to brush the hair from her neck, peppering kisses along her collarbone.

"We. Will. Take. This. Slowly." I said each word in between my kisses. "I will ask your permission before I do anything." I breathed into her ear. "If you feel uncomfortable or want me to stop, I want you to say it. You don't owe me anything, Harper. This is about you; I want you to remember that." She nodded in compliance.

"That's my good girl," I praised.