Page 89 of Discretion

I smiled, taking a few pictures as I watched the two ofthem together, Kai asking questions, and Jasper patiently answering each and every one. Jasper seemed to delight in my son, and Kai’s confidence grew with every interaction.

“Come on, Mum!” Kai called. I joined them, setting down my backpack and climbing into the helicopter after Kai.

“Whoa. Cool.” Kai scanned all the controls.

“I’ve got a special spot just for you.” Jasper pointed to the back seat. It was then I noticed the child-sized restraint. Jasper had to have bought it just for Kai because I didn’t remember seeing it the last time I’d flown with him. My heart melted. “And I’ve got some ear protection for you because it’s going to be pretty loud once I fire up the engine. Okay?”

Kai nodded, and then Jasper buckled Kai in and double-checked that everything was secure. Jasper slid the ear protectors over Kai’s head. Jasper flashed him a thumbs-up, and Kai smiled a toothy grin and gave him two thumbs up in return.

“One more thing.” Jasper pulled out a stuffed dog from a backpack and handed it to Kai. It looked just like Rosie. “Will you hold on to her for me?” Kai nodded, clutching the stuffed animal to his chest.

I turned to look out the window, trying to hide my reaction to Jasper’s thoughtfulness. I didn’t know why, but it still surprised me. How much he cared—for a kid who wasn’t even his own.

“You good?” Jasper asked, joining me in the front. He had on a pair of light tan shorts and a short-sleeve chambray button-down shirt. He looked ready for vacation.

I nodded, buckling myself in before slipping the headset over my ears. “I’m great. Thank you again for doing this.”

“Of course.” He lowered his aviator sunglasses then spoke to air traffic control through the headset.

When he fired up the engine, I scanned Kai, checking in.His feet were swinging, and he clutched the stuffed dog to his chest. He was in heaven. I snapped a few more pictures.

The flight was smooth, and Jasper was a great tour guide, pointing out interesting landmarks during the hour trip down to San Diego. When we landed, Kai was talking nonstop. About the flight. About riding in a helicopter. About how cool it was that Jasper was a pilot.

“You ready for the next surprise?” Jasper asked as a luxury SUV pulled up to the helipad. He had a backpack slung over his shoulder, and he made it all look so effortless.

All I knew was that we were going to Legoland; he hadn’t told me anything else. Jasper had planned the entire day for us, and it was so nice to let someone else handle the details for once.

The driver parked and opened the door to the back seat, where a booster seat was already installed in the third row and waiting for Kai. Jasper had done this, all of it. He’d not only planned the day for us, he’d put everything in place to make sure it would be safe and enjoyable for my son and me.

I could never imagine Craig doing something like that. I was so used to handling everything, even before my divorce, that I was touched. And if I hadn’t been convinced before that Jasper was the right man for me, I definitely was now. When he’d said he was all in, he’d meant it. Not just with me, but with my son.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

“Where are we going?” Kai asked from the third row of the SUV.

“We’ll be there soon.” I glanced over at Halle. I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen her look more relaxed or at ease.

She was wearing these tantalizing denim shorts, and I itched to place my hand on her thigh. I was excited about spending the day with her and Kai, even if it meant I couldn’t touch her. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.

The reality was that if I didn’t touch Halle soon, I really might explode.

Those damn denim shorts were like waving a red flag in front of a bull.

Long bare legs.

Smooth skin.

It was torture.

But it was all worth it to see her smile. To hear Kai’s delighted squeals as the helicopter took off. She rested her hand on the seat between us, and I placed my hand beside hers. Tension filled the air, but I waited for her to make the next move. For now, it was enough that we were together.

I turned my attention to the passing scenery. I was so keyed up that when she linked her pinkie finger with mine, it sent a bolt of lightning straight down my spine.

If such a simple touch could set me off, I was scared to think what having her touch other parts of me would do. I’d gotten a preview of it, the other day in my office. But we’d been short on time, and it had ended all too quickly.

I wanted to have sex with her. God, did I. But I also wanted our first time together, now that this was more than just a fling, to be special. I wanted Halle to know that our relationship was about so much more than the physical aspects. I wanted to prove to her that I was in this for the right reasons.

When the driver pulled up to the entrance to Legoland, Kai freaked out. “Are we—” He was kicking his feet. “We’re going to Legoland?”