be smart and sensible and that was going to be more than enough for her.
While he made them cocktails, she peeked in the refrigerator and saw that yes, indeed, there were ribs and pasta salad and some kind of chocolate cake thing that looked delicious.
“You know how to show a girl a good time,” she said, closing the refrigerator door. “I’m going to have to up my exercise program to make up for tonight’s dinner.”
He pushed a button on a wall panel and soft music immediately filled the space. “Or we can work it off another way,” he said, pulling her into his arms and moving to the beat of the slow song.
She relaxed in his embrace. “You know how to dance.”
“A little. My dad made me take lessons one summer. I was maybe fourteen and at that gangly stage guys go through. I kept tripping over my own feet or stepping on my partner or giggling uncontrollably or getting an erection. It was horrible.”
She smiled. “You were charming.”
“I was a teenager, so no. Not charming.”
She wondered what he’d been like before he’d gone into the army and served so many tours in a war zone. How had he been different? What traits did young Jasper share with the man in front of her?
She relaxed against him, resting her head on his chest. “This is nice.”
“I’m glad. I might not be able to give you babies, but I can seduce you.”
Renee knew exactly what he meant and appreciated the sentiment behind the words, but had a feeling he would immediately freak out. Or the manly-Jasper version of freaking out.
She didn’t have to wait long. There were maybe two beats of silence, then he slowly, carefully, drew back. His eyes were wide and filled what she would guess was panic. His mouth twitched, no doubt from him trying to figure out which words would get him out of the trouble he found himself in.
He cleared his throat. “What I meant was...”
She watched him, thinking she would let him flounder for a couple of minutes before saving him. “Yes?”
“I’m not saying I can’t have children.”
“Good to know.”
“Just that we’re not going there and this is about...” He half turned away and muttered something she was fairly sure was at least R rated. “The thing is... It’s not like we’re looking to fall madly in love and I know—”
“Wow.” She kept her voice soft. “You really are just using me for sex. I don’t know what to say to that.”
Jasper stayed upright on the outside, but she had a feeling he was crumbling on the inside. “Renee, no! What I meant was—”
“No babies for me.” She sighed dramatically. “No love, no anything. Just whatever the night brings.”
She’d been teasing him right up until she realized she was telling herself the truth and it wasn’t pretty. She knew love wasn’t in the cards—she’d tried and failed too many times. She didn’t have another heartbreak in her. But did being sensible have to hurt so much?
None of this was Jasper’s fault. She’d wanted to keep things light between them. She’d chosen him because she knew that was what he wanted, too, and it avoided anything messy. So why, at this moment, did that feel like a bad idea?
She was sure the answer was all wrapped up in Turner and his on-the-way baby and the reason he’d broken things off and that sometimes she felt life really wasn’t fair, but again, none of that was Jasper’s fault. He was playing by the rules they’d mutually established. The rules she still totally supported. She was just having a bad day.
“Renee.” Jasper sounded worried, probably because he thought he’d hurt her.
He hadn’t, not really. In fact he was a really sweet guy who looked out for her. Her feelings were her responsibility and so was the remedy.
“You are the most ridiculous man,” she said softly, then raised herself up on tiptoe and kissed him. “Take me to bed and have your way with me, then feed me ribs and chocolate cake.”
“Done!”
He shocked her by sweeping her up in his arms and carrying her to the bedroom. She hung on to him, not liking the sense of being so out of control.
“We should have talked about this before,” she gasped. “You need to put me down.”
“Probably, but I won’t.”
He bypassed the bedroom and walked directly into the bathroom. She had no idea what he was thinking. Steamy shower? Tub time? Either way, sign her up. But his final destination