Chapter 39

JASPER

A n annoying buzzing woke me from my sleep. I had only been asleep for a few hours. I looked over to see Harper's naked body next to me. Lying on her side opposite me, she rested her hands beneath her cheek, her arms crossed over her chest covering her perfect breasts.

She looked like a piece of art, delicately sculpted from perfection. Stunningly beautiful. I could still hear her screaming my name as her luscious lips spasmed around my throbbing cock as I thrusted a final orgasm out of her. I barely had time to clean her up before she was cuddled under me, letting out tiny moans in her sleep.

My cell phone buzzed again, drawing my attention from Harper. I glanced at the clock and saw it was only five-thirty in the morning. I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and answered.

"WHAT!" I snapped in an aggressive whisper. I didn't know who it was, but it better be

someone important calling me this early.

"Um, hello sir, I'm Rufus. I run one of your Casinos in Georgia." He hesitated.

"Why are you calling me? Do you not know how to follow the chain of command?" I whispered as Harper let out another tiny moan and rolled over onto my chest. She still smelled of lavender and vanilla despite having my scent all over her last night.

Fucking delicious.

"Yes sir, I apologize for the inconvenience, but I have a message for you, I was physically warned to go through no one else."

"Physically warned? By whom?" I got a tight feeling in my chest. Something told me I knew

exactly what this was about.

"When I arrived to take over from the night manager this morning, there were two large guys here. They roughed my head of security up badly, and threatened to do the same to me if I didn't call you at home to give you this message, directly."

"Is everyone okay?" I still had to give a shit. Technically, I had become their boss, although I delegated responsibilities to Max and his selected team who usually manage shit like this, so I don't have to. Plus, I'm not a complete asshole.

"Yes, sir. Just a few bruises and a broken rib, but otherwise, he is doing okay."

"What's the message, Rufus?" I snarled, a bit more aggressively than I intended.

After a lengthy pause, he took a deep breath and sighed.

"Rufus," I warned.

"They said to reconsider their offer, or they will come after anybody you love."

I let out a low growl through gritted teeth.

"Alright, thank you. Rufus, could you collect the video footage, time stamps, and any other relevant information? Please send it to my personal email; do you have the address?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. I'll be in touch. And keep this information to yourself, Rufus."

I ended the call and threw my phone across the room where it landed perfectly in a chair. It

was a good thing because I didn't have time to replace it.

Harper and I have the Plaza event tonight for my nephew's engagement party. Though he's technically Max's younger brother, after knowing him for so many years, you come to realize you've gained a family member you never knew you needed. Christian was a huge pest growing up, but he had turned out to be a respectable young man. Wealthy, too – well, he's getting there. He was right out of college when he invented some sort of device that the military used to detect heat rays in the desert or some shit.

Anyway, the kid is doing things with his life. He managed to persuade a young woman to marry him, who, according to what I've heard, comes from a wealthy family with a reputable name in Atlanta. I'm fucking proud of him, as proud as an uncle should be.

When I heard that he was getting married and he planned to move here once he finalized a significant deal, I offered to help host the engagement party here in Miami at one of the most prestigious hotels in town.

I told him we could invite some of the elite members of society, mostly old douchebags with hoarded money or young douchebags with inherited money. There were a few who worked for their wealth, myself included. Seems like most people don't want to work for what they have, and then they gloat about those things, knowing damn well it wasn't their sacrifices that got it for them.

I thought Christian could do a little socializing with the wealthier Floridians. It was important to build rapport with potential benefactors within the community.

In his line of work plus the need for funding to back research and development, a little networking would do him some good. He would also have a chance to introduce his lovely wife-to-be in the process.

I hired the best security, sent out VIP invites, leaked some details to the media, and attached my name to a few things. Being one of the wealthiest bachelors in the city, I was well known despite my heavy attempt at not getting noticed. One of the most popular reasons was my eligibility, but I can't say that one didn't help when I needed the company of a woman for a night.

When you let word of mouth, and thirsty gossip tabloids take the lead, you turn a small engagement party into The party of the year. People falling all over themselves to be invited.

It's good for business and great for publicity, but the best part is that I get to be the uncle cheering on his nephew. Max hated it and that was the best part.

* * *

After I showered, I stood in nothing but my towel staring at Harper as she slept.

I still felt the phantom remnants of her body on my fingertips. I shook my head trying to pull myself from my thoughts when a smile formed across her lips. I wondered what she was dreaming about.

How could someone so passionate, caring, and humble be lying in my bed? I've never felt less deserving of anyone and not because she had done anything to make me feel that way. If anything, the exact opposite, she is too perfect for anyone to deserve her. I'm glad she hasn't realized it, and she decided to give me a chance.

I walked over to her side of the bed, laid a small kiss on her forehead, and brushed the hair from her face. She let out another quiet moan and rolled over.

Fucking gorgeous.

I called Max for a meeting at the office. We needed to figure out who was making those threats.

I asked Hector to stop by my office on his way over, I needed him to retrieve a gift that I ordered for Harper. I planned to put it on her tonight after she finished with Magda and her crew. Magda was a Russian woman with a keen eye for hair. She came with her hand-picked crew at my request. The only other time I needed her was when I asked her to make-over an assistant I hired. We needed to make an appearance at an event, and she was still young and unaccustomed to the lifestyle of paparazzi mobs. She quit after getting too close and realizing her feelings were not returned.

With Magda and her team, everything a woman needs for proper pampering can be provided right in the comfort of the penthouse, like a mobile salon. After those threats were made, I needed Harper to stay indoors, just until I knew she was safe. No one knew how I felt about her or that she had been staying with me, except for a select few of my trusted companions, and employees, but it's better safe than sorry. Living in my father's world has taught me one crucial lesson: Never let your guard down.

* * *

A pang of guilt washed over me as I stood in the parking lot, waiting for Hector to arrive. I brought Harper here to protect her from her demons, and potentially put her in the way of mine. I didn't know how serious those fucking threats were, but I'll be damned if they get to Harper. I'll keep her safe at all costs.

I picked up my phone and called the bakery down the road from my home and

ordered a ton of food to be delivered later, for when she woke up, which if I had to guess I'd say wouldn't be anytime soon. The things we did together last night were amazing and kept us up all night, into the early hours of the morning. I could still smell her on my skin and taste her on my lips.

I have never wanted to be around a woman so much in my life. I couldn't get enough of her. At one point, I was deep inside of her, and it still wasn't enough. Now that I've had her, I'm never letting her go.

Being with her last night was something I never thought I would enjoy. I am an animal in the bedroom. I'm rough, ruthless, and primal. I've always made sure the woman enjoys herself and leaves satisfied but I am not a gentle lover, by any means.

But with Harper…I made love to her slowly, tenderly, and with a passion I hadn't experienced before. Not just because she needed that from me but because it's what I felt and damn it I enjoyed every single raw fucking minute of it. I can't count the minutes fast enough till I get to be with that goddess again.