Page 65 of Jasper

He might even take her suggestion and talk to someone. Professionally.

Or not. It seemed too weird to talk to a complete stranger about your feelings. She said it helped her, though, so he hadn’t completely closed the door to that possibility.

Possibility.

She gave him that. She gave him back all his possibilities.

He wouldn’t say he loved her. Hell, they barely knew each other, but he would say he liked her. Strongly liked. Enough that he wanted to explore a relationship once this mess was cleaned up.

“Hey, pretty girl, wake up.” He nudged her with his elbow. He knew she’d want to see the city all lit up for Christmas.

She came awake with a jolt, and he felt bad for startling her after everything she’d been through. “Sorry. I just thought you’d want to see the city as we came into it. It’s all decked out for Christmas.”

Her eyes lit up like a little kid who’d just been handed a spoon to the biggest ice cream sundae known to man. She sat forward, and her eyes devoured the city as they drove through it. Even this late, it was bustling. New York truly was the city that never slept. There was a hot chocolate and chestnut vendor that usually set up shop right down the street from KSI. He planned on taking her there so she could experience the truest meaning of chestnuts roasting on an open fire. The guy roasted them right there at his cart. It smelled delicious.

Watching her take in the city with such child-like wonder, he started to see things from her perspective. Snow was gently falling amidst all the bright lights twinkling. It was beautiful, but not nearly as beautiful as the girl whose face shone with the magic of Christmas. Despite everything that had happened to her, the holiday still meant something to her.

“Don’t you just love it?” She smiled softly as she gazed out over the city. “It’s like a winter wonderland with all the lights.”

“I can’t deny that it’s pretty, but it’s nowhere near as pretty as you.”

That earned him a smile. He winked at her as they turned down the street toward the KSI building. He drove around and punched in the code to open the back gate. It swung shut behind him seconds after he’d entered it. Mason designed it to know if there was another car behind him, and if not, to shut immediately.

Sloane looked around when he parked and came to help her out. He’d texted Max while he waited on the Washington Bridge. Even this late, the damn thing was still packed.

He was about to unlock the back door when it was thrown open to reveal Kade Kincaid glowering down at him.

“Do you know—”

“Hi,” Sloane interrupted, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear as she stood there, clutching the cat carrier to her chest and looking forlorn and helpless.

Kade’s mouth snapped shut, and his expression softened. “You must be Sloane.”

She nodded and stepped closer to Jasper. Kade noticed it and stepped back. “I’m Kade. Why don’t you come on in? It’s freezing out there.”

Jasper’s hand pressed against the small of her back and guided her into what looked like a very large kitchen. She glanced around, curious. She’d never expected the office to come equipped with a full, state-of-the-art kitchen with more gizmos and gadgets than she could even name.

Kade stood by the coffee pot and glared at Jasper. She wasn’t sure why he was so upset with him. Kade’s dark hair and even darker eyes shot daggers at Jasper, and it made her a little uneasy. This man was huge, but Jasper didn’t seem the least bit intimidated. That was a plus, right?

“Can I get you a cup of coffee?” Kade asked, once again trying to put her at ease and failing miserably.

“No. I’ll be up all night if I drink coffee this late, but thank you.”

“Jasper, why don’t you show Sloane to her room upstairs? And then you and I need to talk.”

“It’ll keep until the morning. I’m dead on my feet, Kade. I’ve had about three hours’ sleep.”

“No…”

“It’ll keep until the morning,” Jasper bit out and took the handle to Sloane’s suitcase. “As soon as I get you settled, I’ll get the kittens’ things.”

Sloane glanced back toward Kade as Jasper hustled her out of the kitchen. He had this calculating look on his face, and she wasn’t sure what to make of it.

Jasper led her to a bedroom on the second floor. It was spacious and done up in tones of yellow and blue. The comforter on the bed was silver instead of white, with a trim of blue roses. There was a dresser with a TV on it instead of a mirror, a chest of drawers, and a small table with a desk chair. It wasn’t big, but it was comfortable.

“This do, sweetheart? There are a few others to choose from, but this room reminds me of you.”

“It does?” She set the kittens’ carrier on the desk. They were still sound asleep.

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