Chapter 29
I handed the tray to Jasper and reached for the doorknob, With a loud “bang,” I slammed the door shut.
Adrian’s face disappeared behind the door. []
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Jasper let out another “Ah,” looked down at the cookies in his arms, and then at the closed door, his expression confused and blank. [
In less than two seconds, the door opened again. []
Adrian looked at me holding Jasper and said, “Come in.” []
Back when I was with Adrian, I was so obedient that I practically acted like a little lamb. []
Now, my body moved faster than my brain, and I instinctively followed Adrian inside. []
By the time I realized what had happened, I was already sitting on the couch with Jasper in my arms. 0
Me: “”
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I wanted to hit someone–preferably myself. []
I was fuming. Now I understood why the person who signed the lease with me acted so strangely. That contract? It was all Adrian’s setup.
From beginning to end, Adrian had been lurking in the shadows, waiting for me to deliver myself and my son right to him.
Adrian’s gaze shifted from me to Jasper, who was staring up curiously at the large chandelier. Jasper was still clutching the tray of chocolate chip cookies.
Adrian’s expression softened noticeably. [
I sat on the edge of the couch, holding Jasper protectively, my lips pressed into a tight line. []
Jasper glanced up at me, then at Adrian. Seeing that the very handsome man was also looking at him, Jasper suddenly smiled.
A faint dimpie appeared on his left cheek. []
Adrian met Jasper’s bright, clear eyes, and the fingers tucked into his pockets twitched slightly. A tingling warmth spread through his fingertips.
“Baby?” Adrian asked tentatively. []
Jasper let out a soft “Ah” and smiled again. []
This time, his dimple showed completely. []
Adrian’s throat felt dry, and a wave of warmth surged in his chest. [
I quickly corrected him. “It’s Jasper. J–A–S–P–E–R!” []
There are many “babies” in the world, but only one Jasper. [
I was fiercely protective of Jasper and didn’t like anyone calling him “baby.”
“Jasper,” Adrian repeated, a barely perceptible smile tugging at his lips.
I took the tray from Jasper’s arms and placed it on the coffee table. Jasper wrapped one small arm around my neck while using the other to grab the “cow horn” on his pajamas, nodding vigorously. I
“Yes, Jasper!” [
For how cooperative Jasper was being with Adrian, I pinched his chin and stuffed a cookie into his mouth.
Jasper’s attention quickly shifted to eating, his cheeks puffed out as he chewed seriously. []
On the dark wooden coffee table sat a plate of cookies shaped like bears, sprinkled with chocolate chips and exuding a rich, sweet aroma. [
Adrian’s gaze lingered on the plate of cookies. []
“Thank you gift?” he asked. []
I let out a cold laugh and grabbed a bear–shaped cookie, biting into it with a crunch. “What does it have to do with you?” []
Chapter 29
Adrian’s expression didn’t change. He flipped over a small teacup on the table, picked up a fine porcelain teapot, and slowly poured tea into the cup.
His eyes shifted back to Jasper, who was munching on cookies one bite at a time.
“Thirsty, Jasper?” Adrian asked, though his gaze was directed at me. [
Jasper wiggled his fingers and nodded. His tiny, crumb covered hand reached out to Adrian’s clean, slender fingers, eagerly grabbing the cup and gulping the water down. []
It was Adrian’s first time helping a little one drink water, and he wasn’t quite skilled at it.]
Combined with Jasper’s eagerness, water dripped down the sides of Jasper’s mouth and landed on my hand and dress.
Sitting on the edge of the couch with Jasper in my arms, I noticed how close Adrian was leaning–so close that our heads were practically touching.
The temperature around us seemed to rise. []
My pinky curled slightly as I caught a glimpse of Adrian’s Adam’s apple moving up and down in my narrow field of vision. His thin lips were just inches from my ear.
Jasper finished drinking and turned his head, licking his water–slick lips. [
Adrian
set down the cup and grabbed two pieces of candy from the coffee table. He unwrapped one and popped it into Jasper’s mouth.
Then he unwrapped the second piece and placed it in mine. [
Without thinking. I bit into it.]
I was so lost in my own thoughts that the touch on my lips was rough and I subconsciously stuck my tongue out to lick it. Realizing it was sweet, the tip of my tongue curled around the candy bar grazing Adrian’s fingertips and licking it into my mouth.[]
My teeth clicking against the hard candy as I realized the situation I was in.
Adrian’s eyes dropped to look at our licked, moist, crystallized fingers, and his throat went a little dry.[]
I watched in disbelief. Having lived with Adrian for so long, I knew he had a serious cleanliness fetish, not to mention drooling and dipping his fingers in purified water.]
Adrian and I locked eyes in silence, with Jasper happily chewing candy between us.
Adrian casually tossed the candy wrapper into the trash and, in the calmest tone, asked, “I heard I was dead?“[]
–The Author Speaks—[]
Adeline: sly and cunning Adrian! He’s just like a crafty fox, full of tricks!]
