All For You

Chapter 11

    Jess's mind seemed to be clouded over in fogginess even after their walk and they went their separate ways to get ready for the zoo. For whatever reason, Jasper's kiss eased her every thought. It eased her internal anxiety and calmed her down instantly.
    She didn't know what to think, but she knew that she wanted to kiss him a hundred times over.
    At the zoo, Jasper paid for her as well, despite her continual protests. He also would not let go of her hand, which was making her self sabotaging thoughts just start up again. She hated that she couldn't just be happy with him for a day without questioning everything. Were they together? Did he get over his worry about Liam? How were they going to move forward?
She tried to dispel her endless thoughts, but she couldn't. They followed her everywhere.         Everything he did just made her question them more.
    Jasper was way different today. He wouldn't stop smiling and touching her. He even bought everyone ice cream while they walked around looking at the animals. They spent the entire day there, following Liam around while he bounced from pen to pen, a happy smile on his face.
    The day was perfect. It was clear from everyone that they enjoyed it, large smiles all around. Everyone was tired when they got home, sunburnt from the long day.
    "Daddy, do you like Jessy?" Liam asks Jasper as he says goodnight to his son. They'd spent the whole day with her, so he knew that this question would come up eventually.
    Jasper's first instinct was to say no. He didn't want to like her at all, but he really couldn't control himself. He remembered Liam's smile after he kissed her and thought that maybe Liam wanted him and Jess to be together. "Do you want me to?" He asks instead.
    Liam nods frantically. "Yeah. Jessy's sooo nice and I think she likes you, Daddy."
    Jasper smiles. "I do like her, kiddo."
    "Then what's taken so long?" Liam asks. Jasper was surprised by how perceptive his son was.
    "Jess and I liking each other affects you too, buddy. I didn't want to hurt you by catching feelings for her.
    Liam laughs, shaking his head. "You wouldn't hurt me. I like Jessy! And she's really pretty." Liam whispers the last part like it's a secret, smiling his huge grin that brings both dimples to life.
    "You're sure, kiddo?" Jasper asks, watching Liam's reaction.
    "Definitely." Jasper kisses Liam's forehead, pulling his blankets up higher. "Good night, Daddy."
    "Good night, son. Sweet dreams." After saying goodnight, Jasper closes Liam's door and heads down the hall, walking past his room and going downstairs. He steps out the back door and takes a deep breath as he walks up to the guest house, knocking on the door.
    It doesn't take long for Jess to appear from behind it, still looking beautiful in her sundress that she'd worn to the zoo, her hair tied up in a cute messy bun. Jasper could hardly keep his hands off her at the zoo, having trouble removing his eyes as well.
    She smiles at him. "Hi, Jasper."
    He returns her smile, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Hey, can I come in?"
    She doesn't hesitate before opening the door wider for him, inviting him in without a word. "Can I get you anything to drink? I've got beer in the fridge."
    "Beer sounds nice," he says, watching as she heads to the kitchen, pulling out two beers. She opens them before handing him one and they sit down on the couch. He could tell that she was curious about why he came, so he decided to just come out with it. "Jess, I want you to know that I would never purposefully lead you on. I like and respect you too much for that."
    She blushes and ducks her head. "I'm sorry I accused you like that. I kinda freaked out this morning."
    He chuckles, reaching out and taking her soft hand, smiling to himself as she doesn't fight him. "That's okay. I get it." Sensing that she has more questions, he decided to help ease her thoughts. "What are you thinking?"
    She pauses before asking her question, wondering if he would even answer it. "Why did you kiss me? Was it just to shut me up?"
    He laughs again, shaking his head. "No, it was because I like kissing you."
    She takes a sip of her beer, frowning. "So, what now?"
    He leans forward, watching her plump lips as she chews on her lower one. "Now?"
    She nods. "Yeah. You keep kissing me, but you also keep saying that you don't want anything committed because you have to focus on Liam. I get it, I really do. I'm just wondering."
    She freezes as he leans forward further, his hand that isn't holding her's rising up and caressing her cheek as his lips near her's. He kisses her, parting her lips with his own and tasting her beer. She kisses him back instantly, moaning softly into his mouth as she presses against him.
    He pulls away slowly, keeping close to her as he inhales the smell of her perfume that smells deliciously like vanilla. "I want to give us a try, Jess," he whispers bravely, eyes meeting her's.
    "Are you sure?" She whispers back, her breath wafting across his lips.
    He nods, saying, "I'm positive," before kissing her again. Before he knows it, their beers have disappeared completely and he's hovering over her on the couch, his hands in her hair as he kisses her furiously. He pulls away breathlessly.     
"Do you want to?" He asks, remembering that it's mostly her choice.
    She nods, her fingers running through his hair. "Yeah. I want to." She kisses him this time, both of them addicted to each other like a drug that just pulls them in deeper and deeper.
    Jasper's hand undoes the bun atop her head, letting her soft hair cascade down around her face. Wrapping his arms around her, he lifts her up and she wraps her legs around his waist, kissing him while he carries her to the bedroom.