Page 67 of Never Flirt with a Dragon
I’d always imagined that if I did bring someone home, it would be someone who fit well in my family. Someone determined to make a place for themselves.
Jasper not caring about that was going to be a problem at some point.
But, like most of the others, it was tomorrow’s problem.
Or next month’s problem.
For the moment, there was something bigger to deal with.
Heat.
twelve
RANDA
We cleaned up dinner together, then migrated to the couch. Neither of us had brought up sealing the bond again. Despite Jasper being insanely attractive, he was actually pretty awkward about stuff like that when his instincts weren’t in control.
Which I honestly thought was a little adorable, though I couldn’t admit that to him.
Jasper handed me the remote after sitting down with a few cushions between us. I turned on a new chick-flick, then snuggled up with a new blanket.
My nose wrinkled at the unfamiliar smell on it. It wasn’t bad, really. It just wasn’t good. The only thing that smelled good anymore was Jasper. Even the way my leggings and oversized sweatshirt smelled clean was annoying me.
He didn’t mention sitting together, so I didn’t either. The couch was comfortable enough, and I was getting used to the sweaty, achiness of heat.
Or at least trying to convince myself that I was getting used to it.
The movie began, and motion caught my eye. When I looked over, I found Jasper’s fists clenched as he clearly warred with himself in an attempt to keep his eyes on the screen.
I assumed he wanted to touch me, either because of heat or just because. The clenching was his attempt at keeping his hands to himself.
I bit my lip.
He was stubborn.
Really, really stubborn.
Maybe more stubborn than my sister, even.
Stubborn enough not to simply tell me that he wanted to touch me, or ask my permission.
The kind part of me wanted to offer my hand or scoot closer… but the part of me that had been sisters and best friends with someone so stubborn for my entire life knew better.
If I offered, he’d wait for me to do it again, and he’d have the same war within himself if I didn’t.
If I waited for him to ask me on his own, he would learn that I wasn’t opposed to it, and ask without hesitation the next time. Or he’d just realize he didn’t need to ask.
So, I stayed quiet.
Fifteen minutes went by before he finally broke the comfortable, if slightly tense, silence.
“Can I put my arm around you?”
I looked over at him, as if I was surprised by the question. “Sure.” I scooted across the couch until we were touching.
Jasper draped an arm over my shoulder, and I leaned against his side.
Both of us relaxed with the contact.
