Jasper Vale (The Edens #4)(40)

Which meant we were the last to arrive.

Jasper eased into the space beside Foster’s truck. It had been quiet on the drive, but the moment he shut off the engine, I could hear my heart pounding against my sternum.

My hand trembled as I reached for the door, but before I could touch the handle, Jasper’s hand settled on my thigh.

“Here.” He popped open the console, taking out a square, velvet box.

A ring box.

“What’s that?” Dumb question, Eloise.

“We’re married,” he said.

“So you got me a ring?”

Was that where he’d gone this morning? I’d assumed he’d left after breakfast for a workout. But he must have stopped downtown and bought me this ring.

The jewelry store owners and their clerks were horrible gossips. But if they thought it was strange for Jasper to buy me a ring now, after we’d been married for a month, I didn’t care.

I flipped open the box’s lid and my jaw dropped.

A round diamond, at least two carats and utterly flawless, sat atop a platinum, jewel-studded band. Beneath it was a wedding ring made entirely of diamonds. It was dainty. Elegant. Exactly what I would have picked out for myself.

“Jas. This is . . .” Too beautiful. Too expensive.

Too real for a fake wife.

I couldn’t find the right words, so I just stared at the diamonds through blurry eyes, wishing I could parse the emotions swelling inside my chest.

Jasper plucked the box from my hand, taking out the set. Then he took my hand, pulling it across the console to slide the jewelry onto my finger. A perfect fit.

“I didn’t buy you a ring.” My gaze whipped to his as panic rushed through my veins. “I should have bought you a ring.”

“I don’t wear rings.”

“Oh.” Why not? Was it because he trained with Foster? I guess if it came down to wearing a ring or losing a finger, I’d rather he not wear a ring either.

“Okay. Well, thank you.” My gaze dropped to the ring again, mesmerized by the gleaming jewel. I soaked in the glitter and sparkle, then leaned across the console.

The moment I pressed my mouth to Jasper’s, his hand cupped the back of my head, pulling me closer. His tongue licked at the seam of my lips, sliding inside when I opened.

I sank into the kiss, the languid strokes of his tongue and the soft press of his lips. It was slow and unhurried. Different than the way he kissed me in bed.

What was this? Affection? Intimacy? An apology? Or just another form of foreplay?

Before I could figure it out, the sound of a door slamming filled the air.

Jasper and I broke apart as Griffin came striding across Mom and Dad’s wraparound porch with Emma on his hip.

“Thank you for the ring,” I told Jasper.

He nodded, then opened his door.

I did the same, climbing out and walking to Griffin.

“Hey.” Griffin gave me a hug, then held out Emma so I could kiss her cheek. But she didn’t want me to carry her. She was content with her daddy. When he let me go, he extended a hand to Jasper. “How’s it going?”

“Good.” Jasper nodded, shaking Griff’s hand.

That was a good thing, right? No angry glares or scowls.

“Everyone is in the stables,” Griff said, jerking his chin that direction. “One of the horses had her foal this morning.”

“Aww. Cute.” I fell in step beside my brother, reaching back for Jasper’s hand.

He took it but he didn’t hold it. Not the way Dad would hold Mom’s hand. Not even the way Jasper would hold my hand at night while we were having sex, with our palms pressed together like he wanted to fuse them together.

Jasper’s grip was too loose as we walked. His fingers barely clasped mine. All it would take was a quick flick, and he’d be free.

Fine. If he wouldn’t hold tight, then I’d do it. I laced my fingers through his. If he wanted to escape, he’d have to work for it.

The earthy scent of hay and horses greeted us as we walked into the stables. When my eyes adjusted to the dimmer light, I saw my entire family clustered around a stall, heads peering past the door. At the sound of our footsteps, everyone turned.

“Hi.” No one paid me any attention. All eyes were on Jasper. So I held up our clasped hands. “Everyone, meet Jasper. Jasper, this is my family.”

I hadn’t expected him to smile but he didn’t even wave. Didn’t nod. Didn’t say hello. Seriously? Why was he acting like this? Even Foster gave him a sideways glance.

Jasper said that he struggled with family. Um . . . understatement.

Dad walked over, standing in front of us.

When he extended his hand, I had no choice but to let Jasper’s go.

“Harrison Eden.”

“Jasper Vale.” He shook Dad’s hand.

Thank God. Otherwise he would have been known for eternity as the only man I’d brought home to snub my father.

Mom joined us, standing at Dad’s side. “And I’m Anne.”

“Nice to meet you both.” Jasper dipped his chin. “Thanks for having me for dinner.”

He sounded like this visit was a one-time trip. Maybe it was.

“Hey.” Lyla came over with that too bright, too friendly smile on her face. “How are you guys?”