Chapter 54

JASPER

A fter what seemed like hours of recounting everything from rescuing her in the alley by the lounge, to saving her in the basement of the abandoned warehouse, and all the events in between, Harper was wide-eyed and brimming with questions, just as I had anticipated.

I opened up to her about my father and his lifestyle. Since we were embracing honesty, it was best to lay everything on the table. I put myself in a vulnerable state, one I wasn't sure I was ready for. I'd never wanted to be accepted like I did with Harper. Max was the only person to know me personally, and even he was kept in the dark about some things. It was different with Harper; Having anything between us just felt wrong.

What the hell is this feeling?

It was important, that if we were to pursue a relationship, or whatever was happening between us, honesty would be key for both of us.

"I still don't understand how those two monsters found me?" She spoke in a broken voice, the pain seeping through the mask that hid her fragile state.

She was skeptical of what I told her, and I could feel her hesitation. Honestly, I wouldn't trust it either. I wish I had been honest; I could have protected her more effectively. If I had been, she would have been more inclined to believe my run-in with the Petrov brothers, and the fact that they found her there, was just a coincidence.

"Do you trust me, Harper?" I whispered, nearly deflated from the back and forth. I watched as she contemplated her answer. Then something changed in her eyes. The fear I saw only moments earlier started to dissipate. She stared at me for a long minute, then she nodded.

"I need your words, Doll."

I needed to hear her say it. I needed to listen to the words cross her perfect lips, not just for my benefit, but for hers.

Her lips quivered, "Yes. I trust you, Jasper." Her whispered words held so much truth. I watched another tear roll down her cheek, knowing it was hard for her to say that since she had never been able to say that about anyone. I treasured each syllable and silently vowed never to break her trust. I realized right then, that I would dedicate my life to proving that she could always trust me if she would allow it.

I was the first man to touch her intimately, and the first person she shared her story with. I already knew it, because I asked Max to gather the information. In hindsight, I regret learning of her deepest secrets through a piece of paper; I should have waited for her to confide in me.

I'm so damn impatient.

Harper opened her mouth but then snapped it closed. Her eyes fixed on mine.

"Tell me Doll. What's on your mind?"

There was a small moment of hesitation. Her eyes threaten tears.

"What happened to me when I was a young girl was terrifying, but I escaped it. I've spent the rest of my life, up until now, never letting anyone close enough to hurt me. Close enough to break me, any more than I already am. I've held on to the pieces of me that were left over from what they did to me and alone I've slowly tried to put them back together, mending the parts that were too shattered. You have opened my heart and showed me things I never thought I would see. You made me feel things I've only read about in books. You make me feel alive." She said as she held back tears. "I could never thank you enough for that."

She lowered her head, letting a sole tear drop onto the blanket draped over her lap.

She pulled her hand from mine, swatting at tears from her cheeks aggressively. When she looked up, the emerald green with the smallest amount of brown hues in her eyes shined brighter than I'd ever seen, filled with emotion.

I stayed quiet, sensing she wasn't.

"I've always had to shut myself off from everything, protecting myself from everyone. I've never felt like I needed to shut myself off, to protect someone else as much as I do right now," she said those words with so much pain and hesitation behind them.

"They wouldn't have targeted you if they weren't looking for me."

I shook my head not saying anything.

She had it all wrong.

I held my breath knowing exactly what was to come next. She put her head down into her palms and let out small sobs.

"What is it that you think you have done Harper?" I asked before she could say the words.

"I bring chaos to your life that you don't need, Jasper. I can't do this to you anymore." Her voice was a forced whisper. She didn't want to say the words, and she didn't want to feel the feelings behind them either.

Pressing my finger to her chin, forcing her to look at me, I sought the right words to ease her pain. I understood she had so much more to confront on her own, but I would be right by her side throughout her journey to recovery.

"Harper, before you my life was meaningless. I had money and my firm, but I lived my life on repeat every day. I threw myself into work and never enjoyed the fruits of my labor.

When you came along you, showed me there is so much more to life. I never imagined wanting to be married or to have children. When I look to my future now, I see you in it. I want a type of love that makes me do crazy things, like going to the same bookstore, and reading the same book every day for the rest of my life, just because it reminds me of you. I want you Harper, and if that means added chaos, well it will be the most B eautiful Chaos I've ever enjoyed."

She wrapped her arms around my neck and almost leaped into my lap, but the IV she was still connected to, halted her mid-straddle. I gently moved her back to her pillow and lay down beside her. She leaned into my side pressing her face against my chest. I completely understood her need to be closer. I pushed the hair from her face behind her ear and caressed her cheek with my hand, as she looked up at me through her lashes.

"Kiss me," she demanded softly, yet her voice carried an undeniable need.

I smiled. Happy to oblige, I grabbed her by the nape of her neck, wrapping her hair around my fingers, I smashed my mouth to hers, parting her lips she let me deepen the kiss, her tongue softly caressing mine.

"Mine," I growled.

"Get a room," Aster made gagging noises pretending to be disgusted, her voice filled the space when came through the door with impeccable timing. Harper stopped kissing me and stilled. Her lips still pressed against mine, she laughed into my mouth.

"What did I miss?" Max asked walking into the room that was suddenly filled with laughter. One laugh in particular had my heart soaring. The most beautiful sound my ears could ever hear.

Enjoying that remarkable sound for the rest of my life wouldn't be the worst thing to bear.

I smiled to myself.