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“You do what you want.” She patted his chest. “But I will say thank you for spoiling her and accepting her the way you have. It means a lot to me.”
If he could lasso the moon for his girls, he would. There was nothing he wouldn’t give them, except perhaps Freya’s freedom. He hadn’t been lying the other day. He wanted to keep her. “You know what I want, lass? I want to take a bath with my wife.”
“A bath sounds nice, but I’m exhausted already.” She laid her head against his chest and circled her arms about his waist.
Bloody hell! He couldn’t push past how right it felt holding her in his arms after a long day, like his arms were where she belonged from here until the end of the world. He pressed a kiss against her forehead. “Come on. You don’t have to do anything but relax this evening. Let me take care of you.”
He released her body and clasped her hand, tugging her with him.
“I can’t argue with that,” she murmured as he led her into the master bath.
“Start stripping, lass.” Inside, he released her hand and leaned over the lip of the large tub. Turning the spigot on, he adjusted the temperature and poured some of the bubble bath soap he’d picked up for her the other day.
“We’re taking a bubble bath?”
“Yep. Why don’t you put your hair up in one of the topknot things to keep it dry.”
Freya followed his guidance. He still couldn’t believe anyone would want to harm her. She was sweet and compliant, didn’t like making waves, and was a sexy goddess in the bedroom. He hadn’t lied when he told her he could fuck her sweet pussy until the end of time. Every time it got better and better.
Once they were settled in the tub, he positioned her between his legs and had her lean back against him, letting him support her. It still stunned him because she fit. Like she had been crafted specifically for him.
“This is nice.” She leaned her head against his chest with a hearty sigh.
“I figured you could use it. Can I ask about your family, lass? Why didn’t they help you with your ex?” It was a part of her tale that he couldn’t figure. Because if a member of his family needed help, he would be there, no questions asked. Although, he understood that not every family was like that.
She snorted. “You sure you want to know?”
“Aye, I do.”
“Well, let’s see. My mom ran off with the local pastor when I was eight. My dad is a drunk. Last I heard, he lost his license for his third DUI and was under house arrest. And my younger brother got caught dealing heroin and is serving twenty years with the Georgia Department of Corrections. Neither of my parents maintained good relationships with their family. I didn’t even think to call them when things went sideways with Ian. Why would I? They were never around.”
Oh, his sweet lass.
No wonder she questioned him when he offered her the simplest help. Jasper held her close, aching for her at having no one she could rely upon. “I’m sorry you’ve had to fight so many battles on your own, lass. Have you heard from your mum at all since then?”
“I looked her up when I was sixteen. I was…struggling in school, struggling with my dad’s alcoholism and the fact that he was a cantankerous asshole. She and her new husband were living it up in New Orleans. And she told me she never wanted to be a mom and not to contact her again.”
“Oh, lass.” He pressed a kiss against her forehead. His heart bled for her.
“It’s why I had to leave Ian when he turned his violence toward Maddie. When she was born, I made her a promise that I would always be there and would shield her come what may. And I knew if I stayed, he’d hurt her, and I couldn’t let that happen.”
“I think it was a very brave thing you did, lass. It shows the depth of your love for her. Even with everything you’ve been through, Maddie is a well-adjusted, intelligent, happy toddler. You’re a great mum.” His mind flashed with the sudden image of her belly rounded with his child. It rocked him to his core because he fucking craved it. The thought of seeing her ripen with his seed left him aching to toss her in their bed and not let her leave until she was pregnant, cursing that he would have to wait months until her birth control wore off.
Because if he tied her to him in every way possible, he could make her stay with him.
Before her sudden entrance into his life, Jasper never considered himself a family man. He’d spent the last few years in the States, working his way through the sub pool at Eros. But Freya had him reconsidering his stance on everything.
Freya shifted and stared with a dewy expression. “Thank you. No one has ever told me that before.”
“It’s the truth. You are, lass. I wish I would have met you sooner.”
She snorted. “Please. Let’s be real. You wouldn’t have looked my way.”
She put her hand over his mouth when he opened it to argue. “I’m not saying it’s a bad thing or dissing you over it. But it’s the truth. I would have been another woman passing by.”
He shook her fingers off. “No. You haven’t been from the first. I would have noticed you. Whether or not I would have done something is another story. But I’m not sorry I married you, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
A host of emotions flooded her eyes. She settled on surprise. “I’m not either. You’re a good man, Jasper. The best I’ve ever known. And what you’ve done for Maddie and me is something I can never repay.”
