‘It’s second nature.’ He left his cup where it was and shifted to face her, his arm running along the back of the lounge. ‘It’s been nice having someone else here.’
‘To help?’
‘Or perhaps I should clarify that by saying it’s been nice having you here…and not just because you’ve helped out.’ He leaned forward and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Then, leaving his hand there for a moment, he looked into her eyes. They were relaxed and filled with open desire. Not only that, they were filled with acceptance and it was that acceptance that gave Jasper the confidence to follow through on his urge.
Reaching around her, he gently pulled the band from her hair and the black strands fell in a soft, silky mass around her face and shoulders. He sucked in a breath at the pretty picture. The woman was stunning. Like a child at Christmas, Jasper sifted both of his hands through the luscious locks, unable to believe how incredible they felt.
‘You have the most beautiful hair.’ He made sure he didn’t rush, didn’t tug, but instead savoured every moment of the silken strands against his skin.
‘Thanks.’ The word was breathless and for a second he thought he felt her tremble.
‘Am I hurting you?’
‘No.’ She closed her eyes loving the way his fingers felt near her face, her scalp, in her hair.
‘Why do you tie it back?’
She smiled as she opened her eyes. ‘It gets in the way.’
‘Logical…but why? It’s perfect.’ Jasper cupped her cheek and angled her head up a little. ‘You’re perfect.’
‘No. I’m not.’
‘In this moment in time, here with just the two of us, you are perfect.’ He shifted to angle his body towards hers, moving in closer. They stared into each other’s eyes, mentally devouring and emotionally communicating their needs. ‘I want to kiss you, Jennifer.’
‘Jasper.’ His name was a caress and she put a hand on his chest, not to push him away but to draw him closer.
‘I’ve been wanting to kiss you for so very long. It feels like an eternity instead of just yesterday.’
‘Yes.’
‘You feel it too, don’t you? That amazing pull that exists between us. I know you’ve told me before but—’
Jennifer lifted her finger to his lips to silence him, the intimate touch sending her senses off into an anticipatory frenzy. ‘You’re talking far too much.’
‘Mmm.’ He kissed her fingertip, the sensual action making her gasp. ‘I am.’ He moved in closer. ‘I just want to make sure…make sure this is what you want, too.’
‘It is. I want you to kiss me, Jasper, and I wish you’d hurry up and—’
Her words were cut off as his mouth met hers, both of them sighing into the moment after that first buzz of electricity had been ignited. The tension, the build-up to that first amazing touch had been so big and so long in coming that the realisation that his mouth was actually on hers, that he could not only hold her and kiss her but that she wanted him to do so, was overpowering.
Jasper slid his arms around her, gathering her close. The feel of her body next to his continued to fuel his hunger but he pulled superhuman strength from somewhere to ensure he kept himself completely under control. He knew how fragile Jennifer was, what she’d been through, how big this step was for her, and he didn’t want anything to ruin it.
Slowly…ever so slowly he moved his lips over hers, tenderly caressing and filling the emptiness she hadn’t realised had been there. For a brief moment she’d been certain of feeling raw passion surge through him but in the next instant his mouth was gently exploring, gently coaxing to ensure she was right there with him, side by side on this journey into the unknown.
On a sigh of delight Jennifer lifted her hands to his head, lacing her fingers into his hair ensuring his head stayed in place. With her eyes closed, she could concentrate on the hypnotic scent of him, the pheromones which were being generated by both, mixing together with the warmth of the fire, igniting to consume them both.
Finally, the need for air made Jasper pull his mouth from hers, both out of breath. Jennifer opened her heavy eyelids and looked at him from beneath her lashes as he placed light, feathery kisses on her cheeks, stopping in the middle to cover her lips with his as though he couldn’t get enough.
‘You’re…amazing,’ he whispered close to her ear, and she smiled.
‘You’re not so bad yourself.’
‘Perhaps it’s this…togetherness…’ he pressed a soft kiss to her waiting lips ‘…that suits us.’