Chapter 63

HARPER

I left Jasper naked and breathless under our black satin sheets. He nearly refused to let me leave the bed until I threatened to burn the chicken pot pie, I desperately needed to take out of the oven. If I were to judge I'd say he was just as shocked at my intrepid behavior as I was, but it was obvious he thoroughly enjoyed it, twice.

At the moment, I felt sexy and confident, so I acted on it before I lost my nerve. Something, or should I say someone, happened to me over the last couple of months, that brought out a side of me I never knew I had.

This side of me feels more fearless, and self-assured, more assertive. The weird part about it is, that it doesn't feel odd or unusual, it feels natural.

I had a strange feeling that I was finding myself, finding who I am. The me that was hidden, and shut off because of fear. I hope this me, sticks around.

I kind of like her.

I took a quick look in the oven, and I was pleased to see that my hours of hard work were paying off. The crust had a perfect golden color, and the top shined with buttery deliciousness. My mouth started to water when I realized I had forgotten to eat lunch.

My stomach growled loudly.

"Harper, why is your stomach growling like that? Did you eat lunch today?" Jasper snapped from behind me, causing me to jump, and burn my hand on the top of the oven.

"Ouch, damn it, shit! that hurt!" I squealed. I threw my other hand over my mouth realizing all the profanity I just used. I glanced up to find Jasper, his expression one of surprise. He quickly regained his composure, grabbed my burned hand, and led me to a cupboard over the bar. Reaching inside, he got a white box marked with a red cross.

"Be still, Baby. this might sting a bit." He held my hand firmly and poured a green gell onto my burn. The immediate cooling sensation made me tense, but there was relief shortly after. Jasper grabbed a clean towel from the drawer, wrapped it around my hand, and led me to the stool opposite the bar. He wrapped his arm around my waist and lifted me to sit.

"You, okay?" he asked, with concern. His gaze did not leave mine until I answered, so I nodded. He leaned in, and pressed my head to his chest, as he kissed my forehead.

"What else do you need to do?" He grabbed the apron from the counter and put it on tying it in the back.

I laughed at him wearing such a vulgar command across his chest.

"I need you to take out the pot pie carefully, before it burns, please." He put a potholder mitten on each hand. Then standing in front of the stove with his legs spread and knees bent as he closed the gap between the fingers and thumb hole on the mitten. He looked like he was preparing for a fight. I giggled.

He glared in my direction. "What?"

I shook my head, "Nothing at all chef, go ahead." I said, through another giggle, waving my hand and dismissing his antics.

It was only a few minutes into Chef Jasper's kitchen show when I heard the ping of the elevator door. Jasper was lost in his tasks, if he heard the elevator, he didn't acknowledge it.

Max walked in, amused by the humorous scene Jasper was creating. He rested his hand on my shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze. It always seemed like he'd rather do something else, but he stopped himself from a full greeting, to avoid making me uneasy—a considerate gesture, given my overreaction when we first met. I can't help but feel a bit foolish about that day.

"What's going on here," Max asked nodding towards Jasper, chuckling.

"I burned myself, so he offered to step in." We both threw our heads back on a laugh when Jasper dropped a dish towel and dropped it like it was hot to pick it up. I'm talking, one hand in the air, as he looked back at me, while he did it. He was completely mortified to see Max standing and watching. Jasper's face turned a shade of red I had never seen on him.

"Oh, don't stop I was just about to go out for singles." Max teased.

"Shut the fuck up, dickhead." Jasper retorted, quickly ridding himself of the apron. Just then another ping to the elevator sounded. I got up and rushed to the doors nearly knocking Aster over.

"Hey! Let's get this party started," she announced holding up a bottle of our favorite cheap wine. Jasper noticed the bottle and scrunched his nose. It's not what he is used to but that's a part of me he could never change.

"Dang girl, it smells yummy in here, did you make your famous chicken pot pie?"

"Yup. Jasper helped." I said trying to hide a laugh, when I couldn't, Max busted into laughter along with me. Aster looked between me, Max and Jasper confused.

"What did I miss?" She whined. "I always miss everything."

"That sight will be burned to my retinas, be glad you missed Jasper's almost strip tease in an apron."

"What?!" Aster said wide-eyed. I wrapped my arm around hers leading her into the kitchen.

"Come on girl, I'll tell you about it," I whispered loud enough for everyone to hear, looking over my shoulder at Jasper's reddening face as I did.

* * *

"There's no way you have been sleeping in his bed and you haven't slept together," Aster pried as she walked around the table putting silverware in the wrong places.

"I don't know what you want me to say," I smirked at her walking behind her and correcting the place settings. She raised the butter knife towards me and said, "Don't lie, Harper, he is one sexy piece of ass. I wouldn't blame you for laying it on him." I wasn't ready to divulge all the details yet. It wasn't that I didn't trust her, it was just that I liked what we had and part of me was waiting for the other shoe to drop because good things like Jasper Whitlock didn't happen to me.

The sound of someone clearing their throat brought me back to reality. Jasper and Max were standing, and more than likely listening to our very private, but empty conversation. "I'm gonna have to get in the habit of knocking before walking into a room," Max said, as he walked over and chose a place at the table. He reached to the chair next to him and patted the seat.

"Aster you should sit here," he used his palm while he rubbed circles over the fabric seductively. Jasper and I laughed at Aster's reaction to the playful banter.

"No thanks, I'll sit here." She pointed to the seat on the other side of the table.

"Suit yourself," Max said, shrugging his shoulders and loudly taking a sip from his tumbler.

He leaned back in his seat and sighed, smacking his lips. "That's good Whiskey." he cheered, ending his sentence with a forced burp.

"Oh my god Max, do you have any manner?" she snapped feigning annoyed.

"Now children, Harper worked hard on this meal, behave at the dinner table." Jasper mocked. Pouring a generous amount of wine for Aster, and me, from the bottle she brought, I smiled appreciatively. I knew how much he wanted to pour from one of the more extravagant bottles in his elaborate collection.

Max raised his glass. "I'd like to make a toast, to newfound family, friends, new traditions, and to Harper who took the stick out of Jasper's ass," he smirked at Jasper and downed his drink. I looked at Jasper who was glaring at Max. Max seemed completely unbothered as he looked at Aster, waggling his eyebrows. Aster seemed irritated, but I could tell she was having a blast with the playful banter. This is exactly what I wanted. Everyone that I loved was at one table.

"Let's eat!"