Page 35 of Hostile for the Holidays

“You need to sleep on it. But you want to know my theory?” he asks.

“Hmm, I guess.”

“I think wrapped up in all that hostility and loathing you have for me, there’s a part of you that likes me.”

“Whoa.” I hold up a hand. “Don’t flatter yourself, Jensen. I think I’m just horny.”

My body shivers, and he rubs his hands up my arms in a warming gesture. But I’m not cold. I’m so fucking warm, I think I might burst into flames.

If I thought the kiss at the bar was going to keep me up all night, now there’s been rubbing and friction. I’ll never sleep again.

“I’ve got a thing to go to tomorrow. Come with me.”

“What kind of thing?” I ask, distracted, my mind wandering to the fact that we’re both staying at our parents’ houses with various other guests and I’m wondering how I’ll manage to make out with my fake boyfriend when there’s zero privacy.

“You’ll like it. I promise.”

I promise.

I don’t think Jasper has ever said those words to me before.

Tonight is a night of firsts.

Kisses and promises.

It’s scary to be seeing this side of Jasper, but if I admit that then I wouldn’t be any good at my ability to adapt to this new game we’re playing.

“Okay.”

He presses one last soft kiss to my lips before he leaves, but I don’t go inside. I watch him walk across the street and onto his porch.

“Go inside, Stella,” he calls.

I cup my hands around my mouth to project my voice. “You first.”

“We’ll do it at the same time.”

“Fine.”

We open our doors and step inside, slowly closing them to make sure the other person is following through with it. When the door is latched, I take a moment to lean against it and collect my thoughts.

Tonight proved one thing, it’s a new competition for Jasper and me. With new tactics and rules. But the objective is the same, to stay vigilant, and never drop my guard.

TWELVE

JASPER

I closethe door behind me and slip off my shoes. I’m about to head upstairs when I hear a sound in the kitchen.

I find Juniper there making a snack.

“PB&J with potato chips. You want one?” she offers.

“Hell, yeah.” I pull up a stool and start making a sandwich. Once the peanut butter and jelly are spread, I put a handful of kettle cooked potato chips on one side, then layer it with the other piece of bread.

“What’s really going on with you and Stella?” she asks. “I thought this wasn’t a real relationship, but I just saw you kissing her outside.”

“It’s complicated.”

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