Honeymoon(Part 7)

As we settled into the cozy confines of our private overwater bungalow, Jasper poured us each a glass of chilled champagne, the bubbles dancing merrily in the crystal-clear glasses. Taking a seat beside me on the plush sofa, he raised his glass in a silent toast to our unexpected adventure.

"To us," he said, his voice soft with emotion as he clinked his glass against mine.

"To us," I echoed, the warmth of his smile melting away any lingering doubts or fears.

"Are you having fun?" I asked, my voice laced with a hint of apprehension.

Jasper met my gaze, his eyes soft with affection as he nodded in response. "Of course, Alex. I always have fun when I'm with you. But sometimes I wish you could focus more on me than business," he confessed, his tone gentle yet tinged with longing.

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts before speaking. "I'm sorry, Jasper. I've been feeling a bit...paranoid and jealous, I suppose."

Jasper's brow furrowed in confusion. "Jealous? You? Why?"

"It's just... yesterday, when Ms. Azure was flirting with you, I couldn't help but feel really jealous," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Jasper's expression softened as he reached out to gently caress my cheek. "Alex, you have nothing to be jealous about. You're the only one I have eyes for."

"I know, Jasper. And I feel the same way about you," I replied, my voice filled with sincerity. "Sometimes I just... worry, I suppose. That someone more cheerful might come along and take you away from me."

"Alex, no one could ever take me away from you. You're my everything. Why are you so paranoid?"

I hesitated, grappling with the weight of my words before finally mustering the courage to speak. "It's because of the deal we secured with Mr. Azure," I confessed, my voice tinged with unease. "I can't shake the feeling that something could go wrong, that I might have made a mistake."

Jasper's gaze softened with understanding as he reached out to gently grasp my hand. "Alex, we've been over this. It was a strategic move for the company, and Mr. Azure seemed genuinely interested in the partnership even before we tricked him."

I nodded, unable to shake the lingering sense of doubt that gnawed at my insides. "I know, but... I can't help but worry. What if it all falls apart? What if we've put too much on the line?"

Jasper's thumb traced soothing circles on the back of my hand as he spoke, his voice filled with reassurance. "We'll deal with whatever comes our way, together. And besides, you will not fail. I believe in you 100%. You need to learn to take a break once in a while. You've been working nonstop since the second day here."

I sighed, knowing he was right but unable to silence the relentless voice of ambition that drove me forward. "I want to be successful, Jasper. But I also want to keep you happy. I just... don't know how to balance it all correctly yet."

Jasper's expression softened with affection as he pulled me into his arms, holding me close. "You don't have to figure it all out on your own. But for now, let's just enjoy this moment, okay?"

As the weight of my concerns pressed upon me, I broached a question that had lingered in the recesses of my mind, hesitant to give it voice. "Jasper, what if... What if I were to break the law? Would you still be on my side?"

Jasper's response was immediate, his unwavering gaze meeting mine with steadfast resolve. "Alex, as your husband, I'll always be on your side, no matter what. I made a vow to stand by you through thick and thin, and I intend to honor that vow."

"Jasper," I began, my voice barely above a whisper as I met his gaze, "there's something I need to tell you. Something... I should have told you sooner."

"I... I've agreed to be involved in insider trading," I admitted, each word feeling like a betrayal of trust as it left my lips. "I know it's wrong, and I know the risks, but... but I felt like I had no other choice right now. No, actually I needed to succeed, to prove myself, to... to make a name for myself. I honestly couldn't resist the allure of power."

As the truth spilled out, I watched as a myriad of emotions flickered across Jasper's face – disbelief, disappointment, and perhaps a hint of anger.

"Alex," Jasper said softly, his voice tinged with a mixture of sadness and resolve, "I won't pretend to understand why you made this choice, but I'm here for you. Whatever happens, whatever consequences we face, we'll face them together. You're not alone in this."

"Promise?"

"I promise, Alex," Jasper continued, his tone unwavering. "We'll find a way to keep things above board as much as we can."

"Good."

Jasper's voice held a note of concern as he leaned in closer, his gaze locking onto mine with unwavering intensity. "Alex, I need you to promise me something too," he began, his tone serious.

I furrowed my brow, curiosity mingling with apprehension as I met his gaze. "What is it?" I asked, feeling a knot of tension tightening in my chest.

"I need you to be wary of Mr. Azure," Jasper said firmly, his words carrying a weight of conviction. "There's something about him, something... off. I don't like the way he looks at you, Alex. It makes me uneasy, like he's not telling you something."

His words sent a chill down my spine, and for a moment, I felt a flicker of fear dance in the depths of my mind. But I quickly brushed it aside, dismissing Jasper's concerns as unfounded. "Jasper, he's just a business associate," I replied, attempting to reassure him. "We have a deal, that's all."

But Jasper wasn't convinced, his expression reflecting a mixture of worry and determination. "I know you, Alex," he said softly. "You have a way of getting in deep with people, especially when it comes to business. But this time, I need you to promise me that you'll keep your distance. For your own sake."

His words struck a chord within me, stirring a sense of unease that I couldn't ignore. Could Jasper be right? Was there more to Mr. Azure than met the eye? As I gazed into Jasper's eyes, searching for answers, I knew that his concern was genuine. And though a part of me resisted his warning, another part recognized the wisdom in his words.

"Ok, Jasper," I murmured, grateful for his understanding. "I promise, I'll be very careful and I won't meet him without you."

Jasper's intuition had always been keen, honed by years of experience as a police officer. He had a knack for reading people, picking up on subtle cues and nuances that i might overlook. It was one of the things I admired most about him, even if it sometimes left me feeling a bit uneasy.

Perhaps Jasper had sensed something in Mr. Azure's demeanor, something that set off alarm bells in his mind. Or maybe it was the nature of the favor I had asked for and the prospect of getting involved in insider trading that didn't sit well with him.

Whatever the reason, I trusted Jasper's judgment implicitly. If he believed that Mr. Azure posed a threat, then I had to take his concerns seriously. After all, he was not only my husband but also my closest confidant, someone whose opinion I valued above all others.

Jasper's eyes softened with gratitude, his hand finding mine as he squeezed it gently. "Thank you, Alex," he said, his voice tinged with relief. "Now I just want us to enjoy this time together, without any more distractions."

I smiled warmly, feeling a sense of peace settle over me. "Me too," I replied, leaning into him as we watched the water.

As Jasper and I enjoyed the scenery on our overwater bungalow , soaking in the stunning view of the lagoon, Jasper's eyes sparkled with excitement. "You know what would be amazing, Alex? If we hiked up Mount Otemanu today."

I raised an eyebrow, momentarily taken aback by his suggestion. "Really? You want to hike up a mountain on our honeymoon?"

Jasper nodded enthusiastically. "Why not? It'll be an adventure! Plus, the views from the top are supposed to be absolutely breathtaking."

I didn't want to consider this at all. "Well, I suppose it could be fun. But I should warn you, I'm not exactly an experienced hiker."

Jasper flashed me a reassuring smile. "That's okay, neither am I. We'll take it slow and enjoy the journey together."

With Jasper's infectious enthusiasm and sense of adventure, I found myself agreeing. "Alright then, let's do it. But I might need you to carry me on your back if I get too tired."

He laughed, pulling me into a playful embrace. "Deal. Now finish your drink, and let's get ready for our mountain adventure!"

As Jasper and I embarked on our hike up Mount Otemanu, I quickly realized that the rugged terrain posed a challenge for me. My lack of experience in hiking slowed our progress, and Jasper, ever the patient and supportive partner, adjusted his pace to match mine.

With every step, Jasper would glance back at me with a reassuring smile. "You're doing great, Alex. Just take it slow, and we'll get there together."

I nodded, trying to catch my breath. "Easier said than done. You said we were almost at the top a half hour ago."

He took the time to point out interesting flora and fauna along the trail, sharing his knowledge of the island's biodiversity and history, which helped distract me from the physical exertion.

As we ascended higher, the trail became steeper, and I found myself needing more frequent breaks. Each time I stopped, Jasper would patiently wait by my side. "Are you okay, love? Need some water?"

I gratefully accepted the water bottle he offered, taking a few sips before nodding. "Yeah, just need a moment to catch my breath."

As we finally reached the summit of Mount Otemanu, the breathtaking panoramic views that greeted us made every moment of our hike… seem more useless. Not one part of that walk was worth it.

Jasper squeezed my hand gently, his eyes filled with warmth and affection. "See, Alex? We made it. Together."

"Cool. Now what?" I asked out of breath, slightly dying.

"We go back down." Jasper smiled.

"Fuck!" I cursed.

As we began our descent down Mount Otemanu, the exhaustion from our hike started to really settle in. My legs felt like jelly, and each step seemed to take more effort than the last. Sensing my fatigue, Jasper flashed me a mischievous grin before swooping me up into his arms.

"Time for a change of pace," he declared with a playful twinkle in his eyes.

I couldn't help but laugh as Jasper effortlessly lifted me into his arms, cradling me against his chest before shifting me to his back. "Jasper, what are you doing?" I exclaimed, half amused and half surprised by his sudden display of strength.

"Carrying my blushing bride down the mountain, of course," he replied with a grin, his voice filled with playful determination.

As Jasper started to make his way down the trail with me securely piggybacking, I couldn't help but feel a rush of affection and admiration for this man who never ceased to surprise me with his spontaneity.

We passed by a guard stationed along the trail, who looked at us with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. "Having a little trouble with the hike, huh? Need any medicine?" he chuckled, shaking his head in good-natured disbelief.

Jasper flashed the guard a sheepish grin. "No, he's just tired. We're taking a shortcut down," he quipped, earning a chuckle from the guard in response.

As we descended, he pointed out various sights and features along the trail that we had missed on our way up, his voice filled with excitement and enthusiasm.

As we reached the start of the trail, Jasper gently set me down on the ground, his hands lingering on my shoulders as he looked into my eyes with a mixture of sincerity and vulnerability.

"Alex," he began, his voice soft yet filled with conviction.

I felt a flutter of anticipation in my chest, unsure of what he was about to say. "What is it, Jasper?"

"I'm sure I already told you this, but I'm really in love you," he confessed, his words hanging in the air between us like a delicate melody. "I don't want you to say it back until you're absolutely sure."

"Why not, Jasper? Don't you want to hear it from me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, betraying the turmoil swirling inside me.

Jasper reached out, gently brushing a stray strand of hair away from my face. "Of course I do, Alex," he murmured, his eyes filled with tenderness. "But I want you to be sure about your feelings first. I knew from the moment I saw you at the bar that I had to have you in my life, but I don't want to pressure you into saying something you're not ready to say out loud."

His words pierced through the fog of uncertainty that clouded my mind, and I felt a surge of gratitude for his understanding and patience. "Jasper-"

He pulled me into his arms, holding me close as if to shield me from my own doubts and fears. "I'll wait for however long it takes, Alex," he vowed, his voice filled with unwavering determination. "Because you're worth every moment of waiting, and more. For me, our marriage wasn't just some drunken mistake is Vegas."

"I know I just want to be with you no matter what, Jasper," I mumbled into his chest. After everything, how could this not be love? It was something!

"That's enough for me."