Page 28 of Discretion

“Okay, so I’m going to show you a magic trick,” Jasper said.

“Ooh, really?” Kai leaned in as if Jasper were imparting some great secret.

“Yes, but only if you’ll be my assistant.”

I was definitely intrigued, even if I was trying not to showit. It made me wonder why Jasper had never had children. He was clearly good with them. Enjoyed spending time with them.

“Yes. Yes!” Kai bounced on his toes.

“Okay. So, you stand over there at that corner.” Kai darted over to where Jasper had indicated. “And I’ll stand here. And once I say the magic words, you’ll pull it snug. Ready?”

Kai gripped the edge of the comforter, and I bit back a laugh. He was so enthralled, he didn’t even realize he was doing chores.Clever, Jasper. Very clever.

“With a tug and a pull.” He and Kai tugged the comforter, smoothing out some of the wrinkles. “And a little hocus-pocus too.” Jasper hovered his hands over the mattress as if he were casting a spell. “We’ll make this bed good as new.”

And with a final flourish, they stepped back.

“That was fun!” Kai said. “Can we do it again?” I watched the two of them, marveling at Jasper’s sense of play and order, Kai’s eagerness to assist.

“Sure!” Jasper grinned.

“I won’t be long,” I said, schooling my face into a more neutral expression. Kai had no concept of time, and Jasper was a busy man. I didn’t want to encroach on his space—or his schedule—any more than we already had.

And honestly, I needed to get out of his apartment. It felt too personal, too intimate, being in his space. I was about to exit the bedroom when I heard Kai shout, “Sick! That bathtub is as big as a swimming pool!” Unable to resist looking, I cringed as Kai hopped into the tub. “You could have a party in here!”

“You could,” Jasper answered Kai, but he was looking at me. His eyes were hooded, and I knew he was imagining the last time we’d taken a bath together.

Great.And now, so was I.

My cheeks heated, and I spun away. I’d said we needed tokeep things professional, and yet here I was. A few days in and more than a few lines crossed.

“Thanks again for coming to help me,” Jasper said to my back. “I know you have a lot on your plate, and this is outside the normal scope of your duties. I’ll make sure you’re compensated for your time.”

“That’s not necessary.” When he opened his mouth as if to protest, I said, “I’m serious. I don’t want or expect anything in return.”

“Maybe that’s the problem.” He held my gaze, and I sensed there was so much more loaded into those four words than what he was saying.

Slowly,I opened my eyes, feeling as if it was…late. I sensed it was still the weekend, but I was adjusting to a new time zone, and the first week of work at the LA office had been intense. Plus, I’d stayed up way too late last night, scrolling through Dimitri’s art catalogue as I put together a plan for Jasper’s home. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d felt so invigorated.

Now, I just felt tired. But something about the way the light filtered through the curtains of my bedroom made me wonder just how late it was.

I blinked my eyes open, and Kai was standing beside me, peering down at me.Blink. Blink.

“Jesus.” I startled, placing a hand to my chest. “What are you doing, Kai? You scared me.”

I was definitely awake now. My heart was racing. So much for a relaxing Sunday morning.

“I’m hungry.”

“Okay.” I stretched, trying to calm myself. “Give me just a minute, and then I’ll come make breakfast. Do you want to cuddle first?”

He shook his head. “I’m sooo hungry.”

I yawned and rolled to my side, clutching my pillow to my chest, still not eager to get out of bed. “How long have you been up?”

“I think the clock said six-one-two. I was working on my new Hulkbuster. Come see!” He bounced on his toes, full of energy.

6:12? Jeez.He was going to be a mess later.