Page 54 of Djinn in Love

Veronica started laughing again and said, “I’m almost sad for the wedding to be over and go home tomorrow. Your family is pretty entertaining.”

Jasper guided her toward the buffet lines, his mind stuck on what she said about the wedding being over. He hadn’t let himself consider it, but tomorrow, they would be leaving after the brunch and going back to Dallas. He would have to take Veronica to her apartment…and go home alone.

He hated the idea. They had only been here for two and a half days, but he’d gotten used to waking up with her and going to sleep with her. And even though they spent the last two days apart, he’d looked forward to going back to their cabin and finding her there. He didn’t want to go home to an empty house tomorrow.

He wanted her to stay with him every day. He wanted to learn about her habits, even if some of them might drive him crazy. He wanted to truly know her, though he doubted he would ever get to the point where there was no mystery to her. Veronica felt things too deeply and spent a lot of time in her own head. She was a difficult woman to learn, and it would likely take him decades to do it.

He looked forward to it.

Jasper also knew that she wouldn’t want to move in with him so soon. He knew what he wanted, and he was ready to make the move, but Veronica still had to catch up. Yes, she said she was falling for him, but she expressed her worries that it was too soon for that conversation. If he brought up the idea of her moving in with him, or vice versa, because he honestly didn’t give a shit where they lived, she would balk.

Still, he would figure out how to get what he wanted. He always did. This time he knew it would require compromise, but as long as he got time with her, he didn’t care.

He managed to be polite to his family when they interrupted what he considered his last full day with Veronica. He also found time to track down his aunt and let Samira know that they wouldbe having a conversation on Monday after work. Judging by the look on her face, she knew why he was upset.

Surprisingly, she just nodded and said she would call him after dinner on Monday.

The only reason Jasper didn’t hurry Veronica out of the reception after they ate, and his brother and Prema cut the cake, was because the band his mother hired started playing and the music was good. Perfect for holding her close and swaying.

He may not be an empath, but he’d noticed how much she seemed to crave touch. Not just sexual, but affectionate and casual touch as well. If he put his arm around her, she leaned into him. If he scooted his chair closer to hers, she angled her body, so her thigh pressed against his. If he took her hand, she would lace their fingers together.

The biggest giveaway was the way she behaved in her sleep. When she slept next to him, she plastered her body against his in her slumber. If he got up, she would roll away, only to turn over and wrap herself around him like a vine when he returned to the bed. It was as if she was seeking maximum contact when she was fully relaxed, and her guards were down.

He didn’t tell her because he knew she would be embarrassed. And if she felt embarrassed, she might try to stop. Jasper didn’t want that. He liked having her right next to him all night, even if his arm went numb from her head lying on his bicep. Or his hip ached from digging into the mattress when she all but draped her weight over his back when he was on his stomach.

Still, after an hour of dancing, he was ready to leave and have her to himself. They said their good-byes and went back to the cabin, where he “helped” her take off her dress. Which meant they ended up naked in the bed, where he made love to her again. Then, he spent the night pinned to the bed by her weight, something he enjoyed immensely.

He did the same the next morning, only this time, he made her come twice with his mouth before he pulled her on top of him and had her ride him again. It was a view he could get used to.

The brunch wasn’t as loud or crazy as the wedding, probably because most of his relatives and family friends were hungover from their indulgences the night before. His mother made an effort to chat with Veronica, making it clear to him that she liked her. He knew it was mostly because she wanted him to know that she approved, but the added benefit was that Jasmine had a front row seat to the maternal approval Leila was bestowing on Veronica.

He didn’t need to be an empath like his woman to understand that Prema’s younger sister was bitter with jealousy.

Resolutely, he ignored it. Giving her any sort of attention would only feed her need for drama. As long as she didn’t do or say anything to upset Veronica, he wasn’t going to entertain her attitude.

They finished the brunch, gave his parents, brother, and new sister-in-law hugs, and returned to their cabin to pack. Veronica seemed distant. Lost in her own thoughts.

Jasper gave her space and a chance to figure out whatever was in her head, but when she still hadn’t talked to him about it when they were packing up the car, he decided to address the issue head-on.

He took her hand when she turned to walk from the rear of his car to the passenger door, stopping her. “Is something bothering you, Veronica?” he asked.

She huffed out a laugh. “Yes. I’m sorry. I’m not upset with you or anything. Just stuck in my head.”

He lifted his free hand and stroked his thumb over her cheek. “Tell me.”

Her answering smile was a little sad. “I feel kind of silly.”

“I don’t care if it’s silly. I want to understand what’s bothering you so I can help if I’m able.”

Her eyes were soft as she returned his stare and, to his surprise, she didn’t dance around the answer. “It’s only been three days, but I’ve gotten used to having you around. I’m not ready for you to go yet.”

He used his hold on her hand to pull her closer and smiled. “That’s good because I feel the same way.”

She shocked the shit out of him yet again. Shy Veronica licked her lips and asked, “Would you come home with me today? And stay tonight?”

“I was hoping you’d come home with me.”

He could immediately tell she didn’t like that idea. “My house is comfortable and fully stocked. I think you’ll love it,” he explained.

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