A Mother for His Twins

‘That guitarist—the one who came running through the audience and then jumped up on the small stage at the back and did his guitar solo…’ She squeezed his hand tight and even wrapped her other hand about his arm, drawing him even closer. ‘Wow. It was just…Wow.’

He laughed and decided it was the perfect opportunity to let go of her hand, but only to slip his arm around her shoulders. She didn’t stop him, instead sliding her own arm around his waist.

‘Thank you so much for bringing me, Jasper.’

‘It was my pleasure.’ He looked down and winked at her as they continued to the car park. ‘Although I have to say I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this animated before.’

‘That’s because I haven’t felt this alive in years, and I mean years, Jasper. I knew coming back to Parramatta would help with the healing, but I hadn’t expected to find this.’ She hugged him close.

‘This?’

‘This bond we seem to be forging. It was the nicest thing in the world for you to get the tickets, to invite me when you knew I liked classic rock ’n’ roll. It was so thoughtful. So caring.’ She stopped walking in the middle of the footpath, pulling him to a halt before leaning up to press a kiss to his cheek. ‘Thank you.’

Jasper put his other arm around her, pulling her closer, both of them uncaring of other people who were now having to walk around them. ‘Jennifer.’ He’d wanted this moment for so long, to be holding her close like this, to feel her breath mingling with his, and now that it was here he wanted to savour it, to memorise it. ‘I’m not sure whether—’

‘Shh.’ She placed a finger over his lips before sliding her hand around his neck, her fingers lacing into his hair as she urged his head down. ‘Kiss me, Jasper. Just kiss me.’

‘Never argue when the woman’s right,’ he murmured in that moment before his lips touched hers for the very first time. The moment was electrifying, mind-numbing and, oh, so perfect. Her lips were the most perfect fit for his own. His mind was most definitely numb and the energy, the need pulsing between them could have been harnessed to power a small city.

She tasted like the night, dark, sleek and seductive, and the one thing that gave him hope that what he was feeling for her wasn’t just that of a passing fancy, was that neither of them had consumed any alcohol that evening. With not knowing if they’d be called to an emergency, it had seemed the wise course of action but now he was pleased because it meant her reaction to him was real. There were no inhibitors making her act out of the ordinary. The woman he held in his arms, the woman whose mouth was pressed so firmly to his own in the most sweetest and seductive kiss he’d ever experienced, was happy to be with him.

When they broke apart, neither of them spoke. It was as though the emotions had been too powerful, too strong for them to process in that moment, and they continued to the car park. Jasper drove the Jaguar back towards Parramatta, holding Jennifer’s hand firmly in his own.

When he turned into her driveway and cut the engine, he turned to face her. ‘Jennifer.’

‘Hmm?’

He could see she was tired and drowsy, coming down from her earlier euphoric high. It made him realise that now wasn’t the time for a talk. They were both tired. Both had a busy day tomorrow and both needed sleep. Still…tonight had changed things and he needed her to acknowledge that.

‘I had a really good time tonight.’ He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it, relieved when she smiled.

‘Me, too. It was…exactly what I needed.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes.’ She gestured to her house with a jerk of her thumb. ‘Want to come in for a cup of tea?’

‘Are you awake enough to make it?’ he quizzed.

‘Probably not, so I should say that if you accept my invitation, you’ll be making the tea.’

He chuckled and leaned forward to brush a kiss over her lips, thrilled when she didn’t pull away or tense up. If anything, she seemed to relax more, sighing into him, her breathing even, her eyes closed. ‘You’re exhausted,’ he declared.

‘Mmm.’

‘I’ll pass on the tea.’ He climbed from the car, coming around to the passenger side to open the door for her. When the cool night air hit her, though, she was instantly alert.

‘I had the most wonderful time, Jasper. Thank you for asking me,’ she said again.

‘Thank you for accepting.’ He pulled her into his arms and she snuggled into his warmth.

‘Mmm. You smell nice.’

‘So do you.’

‘Are you sure you don’t want a cup of tea?’