Chapter 40

HARPER

I woke up to a soreness that I welcomed. Jasper was so careful and sweet with me last night. I smiled as my fingers instinctively found my lips where I could still feel his.

I glanced over my naked body feeling the cool chill of being completely exposed. I yanked the sheet up to my neck and looked around.

Nervous habits…

I reached over to the vacant side of the bed and felt for any sign that Jasper was there, but it was already cold. My mind began to clear from the fog of blissful ecstasy. I faintly remembered Jasper waking me with a gentle kiss before he left but I could have been

dreaming. If I hadn't woken in his bed, I would have thought I imagined it all. Everything he did to my body felt like a dream. He was so experienced yet not pushy. He didn't do anything I didn't consent to at first. In the beginning, it made me feel adolescent, or inexperienced, but the more he asked my permission before touching me, I felt I controlled everything.

I felt empowered. I felt resilient.

He must have left early because it was still dark out when I opened my eyes. I barely had the energy to speak, to beg him to stay longer in bed with me. A strong sense of sadness overcame me. Not because we did the things we did but because he wasn't here with me now.

Am I feeling clingy right now? Get your shit together, Harper.

Jasper had to rush to the office today to finalize the details for an upcoming major case, leaving me to fly solo this morning. Tonight is the big event, and to say I'm excited would be a drastic understatement.

He wouldn't be picking me up this evening, so, I had the whole day to myself.

Jasper arranged for a hairdresser, makeup artist, and nail technician to come and prepare me for the event. I told him it was unnecessary, I could do all of that myself, but he insisted I get pampered. I would have fought him on it, but since Aster was out of the country, I didn't know what the hell I was doing.

I knew he needed to get to the office to get his work done and if I kept arguing he would have stayed to see that I allowed them to do the job, so I gave up and accepted his request as if I had a choice in the matter. I had a few things I needed to get done for the paper, and some emails I needed to answer. before I returned to the office on Monday morning.

I also had a conversation with old man Frank, about going back to work next weekend. He was sad because he hadn't seen me, and honestly, I missed him and the bookstore. It would be nice, to get back to reality, but I enjoyed my mini staycation with Jasper. It amazed me how much my life had changed in just one week.

* * *

I took an extra-long, hot shower and put on some baggy sweats. I let my untamed waves, hang loosely to air dry, and walked down the long hall toward the kitchen. The penthouse was so quiet and echoey without Jasper in it.

An entire week of waking up to him each morning, and having breakfast together had spoiled me. Now being alone felt lonely.

I walked into the kitchen planning to make an egg and some bacon. When I turned the corner to the kitchen, the bar was covered in eggs, bacon, pastries, fruits, and freshly squeezed orange juice. There was enough food to feed a family of 6.

I shook my head at the gesture, giggling, as I walked over to pick up a croissant. To my surprise, it was still warm. He must have just had them delivered. I took a bite and sighed loudly as the luxurious taste overwhelmed my taste buds.

Without even a breath in between, I ate the entire thing in three bites. I was so preoccupied with eating, that I failed to notice the teal-colored box placed next to the plate set out for me. Had I not been displaying my barbaric side and eating with my hands, I might have used that plate and discovered the box much sooner. Maybe even before I greased my hands up with the flaky buttery goodness I was still tasting.

Just as I was reaching for the card, my phone rang. I looked down at the screen and saw

Jasper's name. A smile crossed my face as I remembered what his tongue tasted like. "You miss me already?" I giggled into the receiver.

"Yes, ma'am. I wish I could have stayed with you rather than meet these assholes. Did you get something to eat?"

"No, I didn't really see anything I liked. Maybe I'll Uber Eats something." I teased.

"Aha. Brat!" He retorted. "Hey!"

"Hey yourself, did you get your gift?" He asked, and I could hear the excitement he tried to

conceal in his tone.

"No, I'm sorry, I was so fixated on the mountain that covered the bar, I didn't notice the gift until now."

Disappointed, he sighed. "Well, open it now, then!"

I giggled at his impatience.

"Yes, sir," I teased.

"Don't talk like that or I may have to come home, and show you how to be my good girl." He

hissed.

"Okay, okay, calm down big boy."

I reached over to the counter to grab the teal-colored box and slowly untied the ribbon. My breath hitched when I lifted the top to see a diamond necklace.

"Oh my God Jasper, it's beautiful," I whispered, "This is too much. You didn't have to do this."

"Do you like it, Doll?" He asked with uncertainty. "I can take it back, and let you pick something out if you don't like it."

"No, I love it. It's stunning."

It was beautiful. It had to have cost him a fortune.

Did he buy this as a subtle way of paying me for what we did last night?

"Jasper. Why did you buy this for me?"

"I wanted you to have something nice, something you wouldn't have to borrow from Aster." He replied. I could almost hear the smile in his voice. I didn't want to spoil his happiness, but I had to know.

"You didn't buy this as some sort of payment for what we did last night did you?" I asked as my voice cracked, internally pleading that wasn't the case.

He choked at my question, "abso-fucking-lutly not." He laughed. but I could tell it was forced.

I offended him.

"I-I'm sorry, I just meant," I tried to explain. "I just mean…I'm not used to having a man be so nice to me. I don't know how to… I don't know." I said in a small voice.

"Harper, you are a fucking breath of fresh air." That was his only response before he was interrupted by what sounded like Max. "I gotta go, Doll, see you tonight."

I stood staring at this completely over-the-top, gift Jasper left for me, when the doorman buzzed the intercom to let me know that Magda and her crew had arrived.