⣠+15 BONUS The Their bodies pressed close to one another, heartbeats loud and clear in the still air.
Alyssaâs face was flushed, knowing sheâd been caught red-handed. She struggled to get out of Jasperâs grip, the man responding by curling his fingers around her waist.
âThe cat got your tongue?â
âI-I was just here to say goodbye to Grandpa, Iâm not interested in whatever family secrets you two were discussing! Now let me go!â Alyssa cried, wriggling out of his grip.
Something delicate fluttered against Jasperâs heart. Alyssa was quite the adorable sight, blushing and trying to hide herself, âNo secrets.â Jasper grinned.
âHuh?â
âI wonât keep any secrets from you,â Jasper murmured, leaning in until their lips were inches apart. He resisted the urge to kiss her. âAsk me whatever you want, and Iâll tell you what you want to know, in full honesty.â
âAlright. What happened between you and your brother, Justin?â Alyssa asked curiously.
Jasperâs lips thinned for a moment as he shied away.
âTsk. Liars, all of you.â Alyssa rolled her eyes. âYou know youâre just wasting my time, right?â
âGive me some time. Weâll find a suitable time to sit down, and Iâll tell you all about it. Youâve done a lot today. Why donât you go back and rest?â Jasper said kindly, then planted a kiss on her forehead.
has!
It made Alyssaâs breathing catch as something warm sank into her heart.
âGoodnight, Lyse.â
Sean was waiting outside the villa with a swan-down coat for Alyssa. The temperature had lowered considerably tonight. He didnât want her to catch a cold.
Sean waited until his feet grew numb before Alyssa finally appeared at the entrance.
âMs. Alyssalâ Sean exclaimed cheerfully.
Alyssa didnât answer him, however. Her cheeks were flushed as she walked toward the gate, dazed. It âMs. Alyssa!â Sean cried again, tugging her sleeve. âAre you alright?â
Alyssa quickly returned to her senses. âOh. Yeah, Iâm fine. Thanks for coming all the way here. Letâs go.â
The two slipped into the car, where the AC blasted warm air. There was even a thermos flask of hot tea feady for Alyssa.
She leaned in her seat and took a sip.
Then, she gently touched her forehead where Jasper had kissed her, as if the warmth of his lips were still there.
âLook into something for me, Sean.â
âYes, Ms. Alyssa.â
âInvestigate Jasperâs relationship with his brother Justin and what happened before Justin left for Mosgravia.â
Alyssa had no faith in Jasperâs honesty whatsoever, so she chose to resort to more familiar ways of getting what she wanted.