Chapter Twenty-Two
It’d been hours since Vick’s confession.
Jasper tried to calm the fuck down, but it wasn’t working. He still didn’t know what to think. His emotions were all over the place. So, he laid on his bed, staring up at the ceiling, and tried to quiet his mind.
He understood why she’d become an escort, but it still didn’t make the news any easier. Jasper almost wished she hadn’t been straight with him. And yet, perversely, he wished she’d told him sooner, trusted him with the whole truth.
The thought of Simon paying for her, owning Vick in some sense, drove him insane. He felt like finding the jackass and blowing a few holes through him, starting with the groin.
All his instincts were screaming. Vick felt like his already, even though they hadn’t had the big talk yet.
He’d kissed her, touched her. Loved her. No, Jasper had been in love with her for years, but he’d been too stupid to do anything about it.
“You’re angry.”
He sat up in bed to see Vixen lingering by the door.
“No, I’m not.”
“Talk to me. Please?”
“I can’t.” Jasper wasn’t sure he could keep his anger in check any longer. He didn’t want to say something he’d regret later. “You’ve been through enough. Tomorrow we’ll talk to Rodriguez, and if we’re successful, we’ll hash this all out afterward.”
“No, we’ve gotta settle this now.” She sat on the end of the bed.
“Why?”
“Because one or both of us might not make it out alive.”
“Vick, it’s gonna be fine.”
“You don’t know that, Jasper. With the work we do, every day might be our last.” She clasped her hands together. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
Dammit.
“So let’s talk.”
“Fine, let me start. Either we’re close Vixen, or we aren’t. And bein’ close to somebody means you let them in, share everythin’ with them, even the gritty stuff.”
“You’re right. I shoulda told you all this a long time ago.”
“Damn straight. Are you keepin’ anythin’ else from me?”
“No, and you’ll get the whole truth from now on. No more secrets.”
“Thank you. I’ll hold you to that.”
“Please do. What else is on your mind?”
“I know this ain’t right, but it kills me, that you went to Simon for help, instead of me.”
“You didn’t have the money either.” Vick gave him a lopsided smile. “I know everyone’s financial info.”
“Yeah, but…” Jasper trailed off. It sounded selfish, but he wanted to be the one who came to Vixen’s rescue, and Jasper wouldn’t have added strings to the deal.
“I didn’t ask Simon because I trust him. Don’t forget. Simon never even knew the real me. He only just discovered my actual name a couple days ago.”
Jasper didn’t know what to believe anymore. Since she’d lied to him for so long, he questioned everything she’d told him.
“Please, just listen. I didn’t complain or ever have a bad day. When Simon didn’t want to talk to me, I made myself scarce. When he wanted attention, I gave it to him. But I was never myself with him.”
It made him feel a bit better, but they had a ways to go yet.
“I don’t like to think about him touchin’ you.” Truthfully, he didn’t want anyone’s hands on her but his own.
“Yeah? Me either.”
“How could you…” Jasper didn’t know how to phrase the question without sounding insulting. How could she sell herself to someone? In Jasper’s book, Vick was priceless.
“How could I market my body?”
“Yeah, to Simon, and those stupid guys online.”
“I could give you a hundred excuses, but what’s the point? I did it to survive, to put myself through school. You don’t understand what it was like.” Vick scooted closer to him, and he didn’t back away this time.
“You’re right. Talk to me.”
“I spoke about the financial benefits, but there were others.” She shrugged. “I’m chubby, always have been. Sure, I dated in high school and college, but I had to win them over with my wit first. Guys never pursued me.”
“Because they’re idiots.”
Vixen was gorgeous. She reminded him of an old school pin-up girl. She had luscious hips, a heaving bosom, red lips, and those glasses. God knows she turned Jasper on, but it was more than that.
Vixen was beautiful inside, too. She had a good heart, and she deserved better than that creep. Hell, she deserved better than himself, too. Someone who didn’t kill people for a living.
“Maybe.” She turned away from him, so he could no longer see her face. “Whenever I performed, I felt wanted. They desired me. I had a room full of pantin’ guys watchin’ my every movement, payin’ for the privilege of watchin’ me.”
Jasper ground his teeth.
“That kind of thing can go to a girl’s head.”
“You didn’t feel exploited?”
“No, because I controlled everything—my schedule, what I wore, what I was willin’ to do, and the prices I charged. They used me to get off, and I used them for cash. And I made a boatload of cash.”
“Yeah, but—”
“I wasn’t a victim, Jasper. Not until Simon crossed the line. Up until then, we had a mutually beneficial arrangement. I’m not sayin’ it’s that way for everyone. Some women in the sex industry are abused, but I wasn’t one of them.”
Jasper didn’t know what to say. He was glad Vick hadn’t been hurt, but he didn’t quite get it.
“And I know how this is gonna sound, but part of me got off on it.”
His breath caught. “You did?”
“Yeah.” She raised a brow. “It’s all about the tease.”
All of a sudden, Jasper had this perfect image of Vick sprawled on his bed once more. Only this time, she wore something white and lacy. Her legs were splayed apart, a pink dildo in hand, playing with her plump little pussy while he watched every single move she made. His cock hardened instantly.
Dammit, he shouldn’t be getting aroused by this.
“Most nights I got wet.” She licked her lips. “Just the thought of all those eyes on me.”
A sensual spell had fallen over them both. Vixen knew exactly what he was thinking. Of course, she did. She’d been teasing men for years
“And how did you, uh, tease them?” Jasper’s voice sounded raspy, even to his own ears.
“I played the look, but don’t touch game. Let me show you.” Vick stood and walked around the side of the bed until she was only a couple feet away.
God help him. Jasper was already straining against his trousers.
“First, I’d dance, rockin’ back and forth.” She turned away, swaying back and forth, shaking her ass.
Fuck, he shouldn’t be doing this, but couldn’t stop himself. Jasper was mesmerized. It was a scene straight out of his fantasies.
He’d pictured fucking her glorious ass cheeks. Not anal sex, though. No, in his daydreams, she straddled him, a reverse cowgirl position and he pressed his cock between the two pale mounds, teasing them both as he humped her.
“Vick, I don’t know if we should—”
“Shh, Jasper, I’m in charge right now.”
“What happened next?”
“And then, I’d torment them. Maybe lettin’ a strap go.”
She let one fall, baring her right shoulder, and then she faced him once more. Vixen wore a lacy black camisole and a pair of jeans. He’d picked the clothing out for her, and he knew exactly what lay beneath it. Jasper had chosen a leopard print bra and matching panties.
Then she peeled the edge of her top up to expose her belly, giving him an enticing view. Then Vick let the other strap go, so her neckline plunged perilously low. It snagged on the mounds of her breasts, and he got a peek at those leopard spots.
Jasper was lost. The soft sighs she made, the way her mouth opened, the sparkle in her eyes. It was all he could do not to grab her and pull Vick down on his lap. He wanted to be inside her. Thought about it all the time, while he lay in bed fisting his own cock.
This is insane.
“Vixen, you’re killin’ me.” Ah, but what a way to go.
“Good.”
“We shouldn’t.”
“Why not?”
He wanted her so badly right now, Jasper might burst. He’d wanted to have a talk with her, settle everything, before they began a romantic relationship.
Fuck it. I can’t take this torture anymore.
“Take off your pants and c’mere.” He crooked a finger.
Vick stripped her jeans down, revealing smooth pale legs. He wanted to part them, kiss her dimpled thighs, press his mouth against the crotch of her panties, and revel in the slick center of her.
“Panties, too.”
With a wicked grin, she hooked two thumbs into the waistband and slid them down, completely at ease with her nudity. It was such a fucking turn on. He’d dated women who were shy about their bodies.
Vixen knew she was a goddess.
“How do you feel about men who take charge in the bedroom?” She called to his dominant side.
Vick smiled. “They’re my favorite.”
“Just remember. You asked for it.” Jasper swooped her up into his arms and then laid her back on the sheets. Oh, she was a sight. The real thing was even better than his frenzied imaginings.
Vixen was caught up in the same passion—panting, writhing beneath him, wanting him, and needing his cock inside her. Jasper pinned her arms over her head, held them down by the wrists. She arched up, baring her throat.
Jasper kissed the line of her neck, her collarbone, and the hollow at the base. With a groan, he pushed her camisole up, and she helped him lift it off her body. Next, he stripped the bra away.
He lifted her big breasts, palming them. She had pert pink nipples, and he tasted each of them, gently nipping and sucking until they stood at attention for him. He loved the heavy weight in his hands, the jiggle when they moved.
While he suckled one nipple, he teased the other between his thumb and forefinger—rolling, pinching, and then releasing each nub. All the while, he paid attention to her restless movements beneath him. Jasper intended to drive her insane.
“Are they sensitive, Vixen?”
“Yes.” The word came out in a sibilant hiss.
Oh, I’m gonna exploit that weakness.
Sometime soon, he’d suck her nipples until she came for him again and again, while she begged him, no pleaded with him to stop, and he’d refuse. Jasper wanted to make her come so hard, she passed out in his arms.
“Open your legs for me.” She obeyed. “That’s it.”
For a moment, he stopped to admire the view. She was every bit as luscious as he’d imagined.
Vick only had a small patch of downy hair. Her pussy was a pale pinkish beige. So perfect. The sweet folds were puffed out, pouting as though wanting his kiss and Jasper was happy to oblige.
Hooking her knees over either shoulder, he bent and kissed her inner thighs before slowly, lapping the center of her, tasting, tempting. Slick and salty sweet.
Her legs trembled. When he glanced up the length of her body, her nipples stood stiffly in the air, stomach clenching, head thrown back. She was the very picture of erotic abandon.
God, what a sight.
Vixen was sexy on a whole other level, and he couldn’t get enough of her. He sampled her again. This time, she rocked against his mouth, fingers sliding into his hair, tugging at his scalp, as he devoured her.
An image of a tattoo on her pale skin popped into his head. Yes, a crazy, selfish part of him wanted to mark her, make her his. It was a foolish, caveman sort of longing, which came flying out of nowhere. Something about this was a primal display, a claiming of territory. Those whistling dickheads who’d watched her online, and even Simon, who’d paid for her companionship, would never know Vick like this.
And he’d never let Simon get his hands on her again.
Jasper pulled away to shuck his jeans and underwear. He worried the added pressure would make him come, and he had to get his cock inside her first.
“Vixen, look at me.” Jasper crawled up her body.
She did, unblinking.
“I’ve wanted this, wanted you for a long time.”
“The feeling’s mutual.”
Jasper grinned. “We didn’t have our talk yet.”
“Um, do we have to do it now?” Her brows drew together in a pained expression.
He chuckled. “How about we pencil it in for later?”
“Deal.”
“Are you ready?”
“God, yes.” She groaned.
“I need to fuck you, Vixen. Gotta be inside you.”
Jasper spread open her folds, gazing at her swollen little cunt—slippery, hot, and wanting him. Wet for him. She had the slickest pussy, just aching for him.
My pussy. My woman.
He pressed a thumb to her swollen bud, and she arched for him.
God, he wanted to fuck her, be inside her, and be a part of her. Until she couldn’t think of another man.
After he rolled a condom over his dick, Jasper plunged inside her, filling her cunt to the brim. Her muscles clenched around him, bearing down. She howled, sinking fingernails into his forearms as he claimed her.
He didn’t hold back, couldn’t. Everything in him urged Jasper to ride her harder, fuck her until she couldn’t take anymore.
Jasper went to his knees, thrusting like mad and she rubbed her clit. Their movements were hurried, frantic.
He forced himself to stop for a moment. Jasper ran a greedy hand down her body, cupping her breasts, pinching each nipple, trailing over her stomach. Jasper was spellbound by the sight of their joined bodies—his engorged purplish red prick hammering her flushed pussy.
Damn, I’m ready to explode.
“Vixen, I ain’t gonna last long.”
“Yeah? Me neither.”
Jasper slammed home one more time.
With a whimper, she arched, muscles quivering around his cock. He thrust a few more times before he came and then collapsed on top of her.
***
Later, they laid in his bed.
Moonlight filtered through the window. The only sound was the buzzing of a nearby fan. Neither one of them could sleep.
Vixen lay on her back, a faraway look in her eyes. She must be thinking about the fight to come.
Jasper had a lot on his mind, too. Meeting with Rodriguez, Vixen’s colorful past, and the change in their status quo. And the possibility of Mark coming back tonight. Jasper had his guard up, just in case.
Vick being an escort didn’t bother him nearly as much as her lying about it all this time. They had to rebuild their trust now. Their relationship would take a while to heal, but it was only a matter of time before their bond mended itself. Having Vixen at his side felt right. They belonged together, and he should’ve done this a long time ago.
And he wondered what the future held for them. They’d slept together, and couldn’t go back to a friendship. Either this would drive them apart or bind them even closer together. Somehow Jasper thought it’d be that last one.
“You’re awfully quiet.” Vixen rolled over to face him.
“Well, there’s a lot goin’ on.”
“Then share it with me.”
“I’ve been thinkin’ about my family.”
“You never told me what happened at the weddin’.”
“We’ve had a busy couple of days. I had a talk with my grandmother.”
“How’d it go?”
He smiled. “Let me give you the highlights. Bein’ around me puts them in danger.”
“That’s harsh, but they’re not wrong.”
Grace deserved to be protected from all this ugliness. The thought of his little sister paying for his mistakes cut him up inside. He’d never want the men in his world to find out about her.
“I know. I’ve been holdin’ onto my past, tryin’ to think of myself as a good guy, but I ain’t. I’ve killed people, Vixen.” Jasper couldn’t sugarcoat it anymore.
“I know, so have I.”
He tugged her closer, tucking her head beneath his chin. “You haven’t harmed anyone.” Compared to everyone else in the outfit, Vick was innocent.
“Not directly, Jasper, but the information I’ve given y’all has been used to track people down. Don’t kid yourself. My hands are every bit as bloody as yours.”
He didn’t think so but wouldn’t argue the point.
“What are you gonna do?”
“Do the right thing and step back.”
“Can I talk you out of it?”
“Nope.”
“I understand.” And she did. Vick understood him better than anyone. “And what about Grace? She won’t give you up without a fight.”
Oh, Grace. What will I do without you? The thought of not seeing her again squeezed his heart. He hated like hell to walk out on her, even if it was for her own good.
“I gotta say goodbye.” He dreaded having the talk with her, but he’d leave her with one last parting gift.
“Guess this means we’re both alone in the world now.”
“I don’t think so. Vixen?” He pulled back to see her face.
“Yeah?”
“I think it’s time for that talk we’ve been puttin’ off. We keep on sayin’ there might not be a tomorrow. What if I told you, I want more than your friendship?” Jasper held his breath, waiting for her to speak.
“Hmm, you don’t say.” Vixen giggled. “Since we just slept together, I’d say it’s a safe bet.”
“You little…” Jasper tickled her, and she squealed, slapping at his shoulders. Then she grabbed a pillow and smacked him with it. They rolled around and around on the bed, having a pillow fight.
“Okay, enough!” Jasper said, holding his hands up. “You got me. I’m pleadin’ for mercy over here.”
“You deserve it for that stupid mistake comment.”
“I’m not livin’ that one down, huh?” Jasper groaned.
“Nope.”
“Sorry. Sometimes I’m an idiot.”
“Yeah, you are.”
“You didn’t have to agree with me.” Jasper playfully swatted her on the ass.
“Sure, I did.”
“So, we’re together, right? This isn't just friends with benefits.”
“No, it’s a lot more than that.”
“Okay, good talk.”
Vixen giggled.
“Now, we just gotta get out of this alive.”
She winced. “Aside from the Simon and Rodriguez issue, we’ve got one more problem to solve—Dix and Byron.”
Jasper smirked. “If it helps, I think everybody knows about us. They’ve been talkin’ behind our backs.”
She rolled her eyes. “That’s not what I meant, Jasper.”
“They’ll never find out. We’ll take this to the grave.”
“Bad choice of words.”
“We’ll worry about it later. One problem at a time.” His mouth settled over hers. She leaned into him, welcoming his kiss.
Afterward, he tucked her against his body. “Now get some shut eye. We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”