by Sofia Grey
He looked like an elemental sea creature, and I laughed at my overactive imagination.
He must be feeling the cold, just standing there.
When I stopped in front of him, he took back the barbells, and my arms instantly felt weird.
“Shake out your arms and legs, and get your breath back,” he said. “Same again this evening?”
I complied. “I don’t know what time I’ll be back.”
“Tomorrow morning, then? You did well, Caitlin.”
I did? I wanted to preen. This fitness thing? I could totally do it. “Thank you.” I wasn’t as out of breath as I expected, and I couldn’t hold back a smile. “Tomorrow morning. Same again.”
I practically skipped up the steps to my cottage. I felt good. Lightheaded and hungry, but buzzed. Jasper said I did well. He smiled at me. I downed a mug of water in the kitchen and thought again about him. This was his job. Of course he’d smile and say nice things. If I galloped around like a baby elephant, he’d still praise me.
When I emerged from the shower a short while later, I gazed at my ample reflection in the bathroom mirror. Chubby cheeks, pink from the heat. Two chins, at least. My shoulder-length hair clung to my skin, and I gathered it up with one hand, pulling it back from my face. Nope. I looked even fatter like that. Perhaps I should color it before the wedding? Something bright and daring—a clear fuck you message to Bruce.
Or more likely, I’d sneak in, watch from the back, and then go home to cry into my pillow.
It wasn’t too late. There were other specialty cake makers in the area. Someone else could make the cake for Bruce’s wedding. It was a sign of madness to insist I stick to the promise I made, when it was supposed to be our wedding. Before he dumped me for his best friend.
Chapter Six
Deanna and I worked solidly through the morning, only taking a break for lunch. By this time, I feared I’d pass out from lack of food, and I devoured a tray of chicken and avocado sushi Deanna fetched from the local café.
Our little office block was busy today—unusual for a Friday. While we assembled the cupcake mountain, people walked in a steady stream past our unit and up and down the stairs. Part of me was curious to see what was going on, but I kept my focus on the job at hand. In a close-knit city like Wellington, personal recommendations mattered. If we did a good job for Nick Parrish, the chances of us picking up more business were high.
It was only when I went to bring my car to the front that I paid any attention to the activity in the rest of the building. Elaine’s office was closed, as was the little stationary supplies shop. That was normal. Most small businesses finished early on a Friday. Something was going on, though. Men in yellow jackets and hard hats clustered around the bottom of the stairs, poring over a clipboard. Probably remodeling one of the empty units upstairs.
We loaded the cakes into the back of my car, and then locked my office. Deanna would come back for an hour in the morning, to finish up some paperwork, but otherwise we were done with this order.
It was a short drive through the pre-rush-hour traffic to the Intercontinental Hotel, easily the most luxurious in the city, where Nick was throwing his party. The staff at the front desk were ready to meet me and show me to the suite, so we could unpack and stage the cakes on a catering trolley. There were ooohs and aaahs from the partygoers at the sight of the cupcake mountain, and Deanna handed out business cards while I added the finishing touches in the form of fresh flower petals.
Nick arrived and shook our hands. “It looks amazing. Thank you. I’ll be praising your services tonight.”
We walked out on a total high. What a difference from how I felt yesterday. I gave Deanna a quick hug, and we parted ways. She went to the pub, to meet her boyfriend, while I set off up the coast again. Maybe Jasper was my lucky charm. Today was better than I could have planned.
All that, and I was back at the cottage before six in the evening. The night stretched ahead, empty and quiet, and I sat at the kitchen table and wondered what to do with myself. I wanted to celebrate the Parrish order, but who with?
Jasper.
He asked if I was free to exercise again this evening. If he was still keen, I’d do it. Granted, it was almost dark now, but his street was well lit.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I walked up to his house. Lights blazed from the front windows. Someone was home. I knocked on the door, and a cacophony of barking replied. I froze. How did I forget the hounds?
Moments later, Holly opened the door, thankfully without the dogs. “Hello,” she said, a smile on her face. “How are you today? Jas was talking about the exercise routine he’s developing for you.”
“I’m good, thanks. Is he in?”
“Who is it, Hol?” Jasper appeared behind her. It took him a second before he spoke. “Hi, Caitlin.”
This was probably going to be a bad idea, but I took heart from how well the rest of the day went. “Hi. I’m back early and wondered if you were busy?”
They glanced at each other, and I braced myself for his refusal.
“We’re just on our way out,” he said, “but why don’t you join us?”
“Yes. Please, do,” chimed in Holly. “We’re going up to Long Beach for pizza and a couple of drinks.”
Pizza. So far from my diet, it could be a different planet. “I shouldn’t, but thank you.”
“Oh, come on,” said Holly. “We’re kinda celebrating tonight, and it’d be fun with someone else.”
I should have walked away, but I stayed. “What are you celebrating?”
“Zack’s coming home early. He’ll be back on base next week.” She squeezed my arm. “Say you’ll come with us. Jas is sick of the sight of me.”
Her good mood was infectious, and I snuck a look at Jasper. He gazed at his sister, an expression of fond exasperation on his face. “Hol is a terrible liar,” he said, turning back to me. “Come get dinner with us, and we’ll make plans for exercising in the morning.”
It was hard to say no, and as easily as I was swept into their house yesterday, I was herded into the back of Holly’s aging Honda. It wasn’t far to the waterfront bar, but probably further than Jasper could walk.
I’d been careful with my food intake today. A little pizza wouldn’t hurt, and the food looked amazing. I hadn’t been here before, but it seemed Holly and Jasper were regulars. She waved to people and greeted them by name, before guiding us to a quiet table at the back of the room.
The waitress rattled off a list of specials, too fast for me to catch them.
Jasper touched the back of my hand. “The pizzas are really good. Is there anything you don’t like as a topping?”
“I like a bit of everything.”
“Same.” He looked pleased.
“Jas, will you order for me? I just want to say hello to someone.” Holly was already on her way.
Unfazed, he gave a list of toppings to the waitress, who jotted them on her notepad.
“Drinks?” She asked, pencil poised and ready.
Jasper hesitated. “Give us a minute?”
Holly looked deep in conversation with a couple of women at another table, and I watched her, envious of her confidence. Being alone with Jasper felt unsettling. Like a pseudo-date. I trawled my brain for something to say.
“My sister is like a force of nature. Hurricane Holly,” said Jasper.
“You seem very close.” It came out like a question, and he nodded.
“Yeah. We are. Our parents died when we were kids, and I guess we looked out for each other.”
“I’m sorry. About your parents. I don’t see mine often, but they’re still around.”
“It was a long time ago.” He fiddled with the cutlery on the table and wouldn’t meet my gaze. “So how was your day?”
I knew an abrupt subject change when I met it. He probably felt as awkward sitting here with me, as I did with him.
Chapter Seven
I fixed a bright smile on my face. “I feel a bit like cel
ebrating tonight, too.”
Holly rejoined us and slid into the chair next to her brother. “Tell us.”
“My business picked up a last-minute order for a new client, and he liked what we did. We may get some more work through him.”
“Well done,” said Holly. “What kind of business?”
“I make celebration cakes. Specialty ones.”
Holly snapped her fingers, a beaming smile on her pretty face. “Caitlin’s Cakes? The cocktail cupcakes?” I nodded, and she clapped her hands. “They’re fabulous. You made them for a friend’s baby shower recently. Angie Harris. Lives in Kilbirnie.”
I remembered the heavily pregnant brunette. “Yes, we did.”
Jasper glanced at Holly. “You brought one home for me, and then ate half of it.”
She laughed. “Sue me. Such gratitude. Do you have brothers, Caitlin?”
“Yes, two of them.”
“Lordy, you poor thing. One is enough for me.”
“Hey, I’m sitting right here, y’know.” Jasper’s grumble looked good natured, and I fought to contain a giggle that wanted to escape. I wasn’t a giggler, but I couldn’t deny I was having fun with these relative strangers. They didn’t know about Bruce or have any expectations of me. It was liberating.
The pizzas were good. Light, thin crusts, with a spicy tomato sauce and an assortment of toppings. Holly insisted I have a glass of wine, since she was driving, and I relaxed further. We talked about everything under the sun, from the Council plans to build more houses nearby, to concerts and TV shows. Jasper didn’t say much, but Holly chattered enough to fill the gaps.
I admitted to a minor addiction to legal drama serials, and Jasper glanced up, amusement shining in his eyes. “I don’t think I even own a suit. You’d never catch me in a job where I had to dress smart every day. What is it about chicks liking guys in suits?”
My mind flew unbidden to Bruce. He could rock a business pinstripe.
“I think it’s the power-and-confidence thing,” replied Holly. She waved her glass at me. “Sexy. Don’t you agree, Caitlin?”
“It can be.” I meant to be guarded, but the alcohol had loosened my tongue. “My ex looked hot in a suit, but he was still a shit.” I clapped a hand over my mouth. “Oops. I didn’t mean to say that.”
“Why not, if he was?” Holly looked at her glass of soda, but her gaze was unfocused. “I’ve dated guys like that, and they were all assholes. Give me Zack any day.” She grinned. “Zack in his birthday suit... Hubba hubba.”
“Dear God.” Jasper rolled his eyes. “I feel like sticking my fingers in my ears and chanting shut up. I don’t want to think about your boyfriend nekkid. You’re my big sister. You’re not supposed to think about sex.”
Holly met my gaze, and I snorted with laughter at her impish expression. Yup. This was the most fun I’d had in ages.
A tall, bearded guy stopped at our table, to speak to Holly and Jasper. The wine had left me in a mellow mood, and I sat back in my chair and watched them. It was noisy in the bar, and I wouldn’t be able to join their conversation without leaning forward, even if I wanted to.
Jasper’s face was all angles and shadows, his longish hair gleaming in the reflected sparkle from the hundreds of fairylights strung across the ceiling. His shoulders were broad, his stomach flat, and he filled his black T-shirt to perfection. Dark ink snaked under his short sleeves. Tribal tattoos? They were popular. How old was he? Holly was older, but not by much. If I had to guess, I’d put Jasper somewhere between twenty-three and twenty-six. With his bone structure, he’d age gracefully.
As though he felt me looking at him, he glanced back and caught me staring. Busted. My cheeks heated, but he gave me a faint smile, before returning to their conversation.
What would it be like to live here? To have Jasper and Holly as neighbors and friends? To hang out with them and eat pizza?
Lost in a fuzzy daydream, I realized belatedly that the bearded guy was gone and was replaced by a girl. Slender and elegant, she had long blonde hair that cascaded down her back, and a multitude of colored bangles adorned her arms. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, and silver hoops caught the light when she moved. She bent down and said something to Jasper, a smile dancing across her heart-shaped face.
I was struck with how pretty she was.
Jasper nodded and replied to whatever she said, and the girl laughed. Placing one of her graceful hands on his arm, she spoke into his ear, and they both chuckled.
Maybe they were friends? Or she was an ex? Her flirting skills were advanced. She played with the trailing ends of her hair, and then touched her lips, her gaze fixed on his face all the while.
“Hey,” said Holly, snagging my attention. “We have a bottle of Polish vodka back home if you’d like to join us after we leave here.”
Did I? Maybe half an hour ago I’d have said yes, but sanity prevailed. The blonde straightened and turned to Holly, clearly waiting for her invitation too.
It was supremely petty of me, but I didn’t want to be introduced. She was everything I could never be, and it just underlined what a mess I was.
“Thanks, but I’ll pass,” I said, with just the right amount of regret in my voice. “I need to get back, and I fancy the walk. It looks mild out there.”
“Huh? We can drive you back,” said Jasper. “Don’t go, Caitlin.”
I’d already scrambled out of my seat, a grizzly bear next to this perfect waif. I could walk back to my cottage in under half an hour, and God knew I needed the exercise. I left some cash on the table for my share, said a rapid goodnight, and fled
I felt like an idiot before I reached the end of the road. I was having fun, and yet I sabotaged what could have been a great night. I was my own worst enemy sometimes. I couldn’t stay, though. Jasper was Mr. Gorgeous. Holly was stacked and pretty, and the blonde—with her delicate, ethereal beauty—could have been a model. I couldn’t sit there, sucking in my stomach and pretending I didn’t notice how out of place I was. Their spur-of-the-moment invitation stemmed from a sense of guilt, over his dogs scaring me. Nothing more.
I stomped along, ignoring the drizzle, and told myself I didn’t care.
Chapter Eight
I didn’t sleep well, tossing and turning all night. I eventually fell asleep thinking of Jasper and wondering if he’d be there for my exercise session in the morning. I suppose it made sense that I’d dream of him.
Like all my dreams, they were disjointed. There was a conversation, in which Jasper said he looked good naked too and invited me to look at his tattoos. With his help, I peeled off his T-shirt and found more ink on his chest, a spiral of ivy leaves that trailed down his stomach and disappeared beneath the waistband of his jeans.
Dream-me was shameless and ran her fingers over every inch of ink that she found.
“It goes down to my cock,” said dream-Jasper. “Want to see it?”
I couldn’t resist his sultry night-time voice, and I eagerly popped the button on his jeans. That was as far as I got. I jerked awake in time to hear a knocking. Someone at the door? What time was it?
Daylight crept in through a gap in the curtains, and I checked my phone. Seven-thirty. Way too early to be up, since I’d had maybe four hours of sleep.
At least I had pajamas on.
The knock sounded again, and I hastened to the kitchen. I saw who it was right away. Jasper.
I look good naked, too.
My cheeks burned as I opened the door. “Hey,” I managed to say, not looking at him. I couldn’t help myself; I glanced at the top of his jeans, as though expecting to see ivy leaves peeping out from beneath his shirt.
It goes down to my cock.
Stupid, I told myself, but it didn’t help. I dragged my gaze up to meet his, and saw his puzzled expression. He could probably fry eggs on my cheeks, and heat spread down my throat. This took embarrassment to a whole new level of Hell.
“I thought you were exercising this morning,” he said. “Are you o
kay? You’re kinda pink.”
I clapped my hands to my face. “Yes. Fine. Thank you.” The words ran together.
“Did I get you out of bed? Sorry.”
The word bed reminded me of the dream again. Of kneeling beside him, caressing the impressive hard-on inside his jeans. Dear God. I had to think about something else.
“I overslept,” I said. “Give me five minutes?”
“Sure. I’ll wait out here.” He hobbled to the outdoor chairs, and I found myself admiring his ass. What was wrong with me? Jasper would be mortified if he thought I lusted after him. He was a nice guy, trying to help me, nothing more. And I bet he looked amazing with no clothes on. Unlike me.
I fled back inside the cottage. Two minutes in the bathroom, and then I pulled on my underwear and jog pants. Where was my oversized T-shirt? Not where I left it. In desperation, I rummaged through my clothes and pulled out the next largest. While baggy over the chest, it was short and barely covered my belly. It was either that one or an ancient Foo Fighters shirt that clung to my tits like a second skin.
Hiding my thighs was more important, and I shimmied into the top, conscious that Jasper waited.
I slunk outside, sneakers in one hand, and sat on the deck to put them on, buying myself a few moments. I needed to gather my composure. I’d seen hot guys before. I’d been engaged to one.
I was used to making a fool of myself, but it didn’t mean I had to keep doing it.
“What’s the plan?” I mumbled the question, my head bent as I tied my laces. “Same again?”
“Yep. And a little further today.” He paused. “Was everything okay last night? You left in a hurry.”
“Yes. Fine. Thank you.” I fixed a bright smile on my face before lifting my head. “Let’s get started.”
