Page 90 of Jasper

“No nudity. I can’t promise about later, but for now, we’ll eat and then head over to Viktor’s. We’re going to Christmas Eve mass with them.”

“Sounds good.” Jarrod picked up his duffel and headed down the hall, kissing his cousin as he passed. “Give him hell, Lo-Lo.”

“Lo-Lo?” Jasper quirked a brow when he heard the bathroom door shut.

“It’s an old nickname he hasn’t used since we were kids. I’m worried about him.”

“Give him some time, sweetheart. It’ll take him a minute to adjust to civilian life.”

“I guess.”

“I know.” He pulled her to him and lightly kissed her. “Did you like your surprise?”

“Oh, my God!” She buried her head in his chest. “I thought I might die of embarrassment.”

“It takes more than my gorgeous self to embarrass Jarrod. I think he secretly wants me.”

“Please. You’re not his type.”

“I’m not?”

“Nope, you’re not buff enough.”

He gasped. “I work out daily, woman.”

“You’re not pretty enough either.”

“I’ll have you know women adore me because I’m so pretty. Just ask Claudia.”

Her lip snarled at the mention of their neighbor. “I am going to hurt her if she made a pass…”

“Down, tiger.” He kissed the top of her head. “The only person I want hitting on me is you. Speaking of…do you want to open your present?”

“My present?”

He pointed to the box on the couch.

“I can wait until tomorrow.”

“You might, but I can’t. Now, open your present, woman.”

She disentangled herself from him and picked up the present and shook it. There was no rattle. She tore the paper off and opened the box that held a single sheet of paper inside.

“The bedroom?” she asked.

He grinned. “It’s in there.”

Curious now, Sloane moved down the hall toward their bedroom. She heard the shower on as she passed the hall bathroom. Her bedroom door was closed, but there was another note on it that read, “Open me.”

Sloane pushed the door open to find their three cats all piled up together on the bed. There was no present in the room, though.

“What?”

“Go have a closer look at the cats.” His eyes twinkled, and she got suspicious. What was he up to?

She sat down on the bed and Patches, her favorite, raised her head and purred. It was then she noticed the cat had on a different collar with a different tag on it. She leaned down and read it.

Will you