Chapter 33 Sleepless
jasper asked, “What else? I’ve already said it. Unless you wa
want me to embarrass myself in front of everyone?
Ingrid knew he was half–joking, but she still nodded seriously. “Got it.”
Jasper squinted. “Got what?
Ingrid met his gaze. “Just making sure we’re on the same page.”
It was better to clarity. She might think she’s his girlfriend, while he sees her as just a hookup.
Jasper, sharp as ever, suddenly said, “I’m not Brandon”
Ingrid’s chest hightened, but she kept her expression neutral. “Let’s not talk about him. Ruins my appetite.”
They finished eating, and Jasper insisted on doing the dishes. “No need to be polite with me. We’ve got plenty of time ahead
“I don’t cook, so sooner or later, you’ll be begging me to at least do the dishes.”
Ingrid had already washed the pots, leaving only two bowls in the sink. A couple of minutes later, Jasper walked out of the kitchen.
She thought he’d head to the living room, but instead, he grabbed the trash bag and said, “You won’t be able to sleep with me here, s
Trid was taken aback.
Jasper raised an eyebrow. “What’s with that look? Don’t want me to leave?
Ingrid snapped back. “Hey, I’m not the one kicking you out.”
Jasper set down the trash bag and wrapped her in a hug
so I’ll head out.”
Ingrid stiffened—not because she didn’t like him. They’deven slept together. But this whole hook–up first and date later dynamic was throwing her off Jasper was tall, his voice low as he said, “I really want to stay. But I’m afraid I won’t be able to control myself.”
A shiver ran down Ingrid’s spine. She stayed silent.
He held her for a long moment and then pressed a kiss to her cheek. “Get some sleep. Call me when you wake up.”
A few seconds later, he was gone.
standing by the door, Ingrid glanced toward the kitchen, where a man had stood just minutes ago. He was someone capable of making her forget all about her ex
Yeah. The problem wasn’t that her ex was unforgettable. It was that the next guy hadn’t been good enough.
Brandon had been the most dazzling person Ingrid had ever known for ten years. That was why she fell for him
She thought it would take time to get over him. Turns out, she’d warried for nothing
Lying in bed, she wasn’t restless but inexplicably wired
Four hours passed in a blink, and she still hadn’t slept. Then, her phone lit up.
Her heart leaped. Was it Jasper? She grabbed it and sawa familiar number. “I can’t sleep.Come find me,”
Ingrid didn’t want to seem too eager. She stalled for half a minute before calling him back.
Jasper sounded surprised. “You never slept, or did I wake you?”
Ingrid replied, “I was awake. “
“You’ve barely slept. Get some rest.”
“Why can’t you sleep?*
His voice dropped. “You know why.”
Ingrid didn’t answer..
He waited a brat, then asked, “Want me to conte over?”
She exhaled. “I don’t have sleeping pills. You won’t sleep even if you do.”
Jasper laughed. “Tbe there in 20 minutes”
The call ended, and Ingrid got up to swap her pajamas for a sleep dress. She then reconsidered and changed into casual shorts and a T–shirt instead.
She brushed her teeth, washed her face, and sat in her dimly lit room, waiting
When the docbell rang, her heart pounded against her tits. She walked to the door at a measured pace.
The moment the saw that familiar, handsome face, Jasper barely gave her a chance to speak before stepping inside.
The door clicked shat
Before she could teach, he pulled her into aims, his lips capturing hers in a slow, deliberate kiss.
Ingrid gripped his shirt, a little tenue but not resisting. They kissed in the entryway, not in haute but with a hunger long denied.
Then, in one fluid motion, Jasper lifted her into his arms and carried her toward the bedroom, all while never breaking the kiss.
The moment her barklür the mattress, a wave of memories from that night at the hotel crashed over het.
She’d be lying if she said she hadn’t been thinking about this for a long, long time.
