That Same Evening

"What are you doing in my house?" I demanded, seeing Sam standing at my fridge in a robe. Was he naked? Why was he here, rummaging through my fridge like he owned the place? "Did you stay here last night? Who did you stay with and why in my house?"

Sam froze, looking nervous as I confronted him about his presence. Surely this couldn't be what I thought it was. Did he sleep with Travis or Elizabeth? And why were they so comfortable fornicating in my house?

"Yo," I was again surprised to see Mike walking into the kitchen himself. Did that mean Jasper was on the phone with him from the other side of the house to talk? The call was coming from inside the house? "Sam, did you find the... oh, evening, Alex."

Now I was confused! Who slept with whom? "You two slept here?" I asked.

"Wasn't much sleeping," Mike muttered.

"Dude!" Sam snapped.

"Who were you with?" I asked Mike since Sam didn't look like he was going to answer any questions.

"I was... well, Sam was with Elizabeth," Mike turned tomato red and attempted to shift the attention back Sam's way.

"Mike had his grand bisexual debut last night and was all over your friend Travis!" Sam snapped back.

"Don't you two have any manners?" I snapped.

Fuck! Of all people, she just had to pick this asshole? Well, Mr. Azure would approve of Sam more than he would her last boyfriend, and she wouldn't be my responsibility anymore. His kids would probably keep her busy and please her mom. Hell, as long as she wasn't hitting on Jasper, I guess there wasn't much of a problem.

Fuck that though!

As for Travis, he seemed to like a rough and tough guy, so Mike might be the best bet for him. This way, I could probably get a few favors from the police just by dropping his name.

"Why are we getting scolded? Jasper's had you locked in your room since this morning," Mike snapped at me. "We were going to check that you weren't being held hostage before we left."

"I'm fine," I waved off any concern they had.

"Are you? You look like a dog got a hold of you," Sam said, lifting my collar.

I slapped his hand away. "Why're you two still here? The party is long over and everyone else left."

"Well, Elizabeth wanted to cuddle with me," Sam muttered.

"Travis said we're going to hang out later, so I'm waiting for a ride," Mike confessed. If Travis wanted to hang out with Mike after sleeping with him, that meant Travis was hooked on whatever Mike put down on him.

"Put some damn clothes on before you walk around my house like you own the place. Who said you could get this comfortable here?" I scolded.

"Hey, you didn't even know we were here until a moment ago!" Mike argued. "All we were looking for was some orange juice."

I rolled my eyes. "There's a difference between looking for orange juice and making yourself at home. Look at those expensive robes you're in. You're telling me it's not overly comfortable?"

Mike shrugged. "Well, your house is huge. It feels like a big hotel anyway."

"Just get dressed and get out," I said, exasperated. "I have enough to deal with without you two turning this place into a love shack."

"Relax, Alex," Sam said, raising his hands defensively. "We'll be out of your hair soon enough."

"Sugar, where...oh, why are you guys still here?" Jasper joined us in the kitchen, his eyes narrowing at the sight of Mike and Sam.

"Your friends thought they'd have an extended sleepover. Apparently Sam spent some time with Elizabeth and Mike was with Travis," I said before they could speak, folding my arms.

"You and Travis?" Jasper asked, his brow furrowing in disgust.

"Why does that matter?" Mike retorted, rolling his eyes. "More importantly, Alex isn't a chew toy. Look at him, I'd say he was assaulted by fifteen dogs if I was just meeting him. I can literally see your teeth marks on his neck."

"It's okay, he has a few days off so they'll fade before work," Jasper brushed him off nonchalantly. "So you were with Travis? How'd he turn you?"

"I don't know, he's kind of hot in bed though," Mike said, his tone contemplative. "I never thought doing it with a dude would be... enjoyable. I still like women more, but I can see what I was missing now."

"Ugh, I don't want to hear about that from you," Jasper groaned, pulling me closer. "Sugar, you shouldn't be on your feet yet. Let me carry you back upstairs."

"I'm fine though," I protested, trying to push away. "I can walk now."

Jasper was having none of it and scooped me off my feet effortlessly. "I'm glad they can see who you belong to, but you need more clothes on in front of these bad and disrespectful men with zero class."

"Hey!" Mike snapped, glaring at Jasper. "I don't want your little butt buddy! Besides, I'm sure Travis is way better."

"You take that back, there's no one better than Alex!" Jasper defended, his grip tightening around me protectively.

"Travis said he's inexperienced," Mike shot back, smirking. "We all know virgins are terrible lays!"

"You're just jealous that you never had anyone this cute and pure!" Jasper snapped, his eyes blazing with possessiveness.

"Are you a slave? Because you're totally whipped!" Mike laughed, shaking his head.

"I'd rather be whipped than be someone like you who can't get a respectable date to save his life," Jasper retorted, his voice steady.

"Whatever, man. Just keep your love bites to yourselves," Mike muttered, turning away.

"You really don't have to carry me, you know." I snapped.

Jasper smirked, his eyes softening as he looked down at me. "I know, but I wanted to. Besides, you look too adorable when you're being carried."

"Adorable, huh?" I raised an eyebrow, trying to suppress a smile.

"Absolutely," Jasper said, leaning in to kiss my forehead. "Now let's get you back to bed, my little sociopath."

"Yeah, leave, I can smell the virginity from here!" Mike whined.

"You don't have to take this, sugar! Let's go back upstairs," Jasper said, turning us around and carrying me back upstairs without another word. "You can't just walk around in boxers and a T-shirt when guests are here. They'll see your body."

"I don't think anyone is looking at my body like that," I countered, trying to wriggle free.

"Oh yeah, look at the track record," Jasper said, a hint of irritation in his voice. Mr. Reynolds only tried it because I reminded him of my mother, and the other guys were paid to traumatize me by Emily. It wasn't proof that I was as irresistible as Jasper told me. In fact, my lack of understanding emotions and my volatile nature usually drove people away from me.

"I just don't see it," I rolled my eyes as we entered our bedroom.

"You know, I've been wondering for a while, why do you think you aren't desirable? Do you think you're ugly?" Jasper asked, setting me gently on the bed.

I wasn't sure how to answer that. Not once did I really ever think that I was ugly, but I never thought myself very attractive either. Jasper was a sexy bombshell, and I could never compare to that level of handsomeness. I'd been called ugly all through high school. I wasn't popular, and people only wanted to get me alone to fight me usually. I'm used to people hating me for no reason at all. Until recently, people told me my eyes were terrifying, so I must not be much of a sight to behold, right?

"Aren't I a scary person?" I asked, avoiding his gaze.

"You're an acquired taste. Sure, you have a scar over your eyebrow and you have a serious resting bitch face, but it's in a really, really cute way. Your eyes are intense, but that's just because you're an intense and serious guy. I see nothing wrong with your personality either. You're just young and uninhibited, and you take life by the horns. I've never met anyone so fierce before; it's really exciting," Jasper ranted. "There's also a lot to love about you. The fact that you're so loyal is great. I love how hard you work and how you're really trying your best to maintain us. I love helping your schemes play out because it's so fun to watch your mind work. And in bed...well, I love that side of you too since it's so different from how you normally are. I love the way you look at me, and even when we're old and wrinkled, I'll love you just as much. You know I almost gave up because it seemed impossible to even get a date with you? I'm glad I didn't."

"It's not like I'm unapproachable," I muttered, feeling my face heat up.

"It's not that you're unapproachable. The thought of what you can do is just scary to people. It takes someone really special to be with you," Jasper said, cupping my face in his hands. "I think it's cute."

"There you go—"

"You are cute! I won't hear anything else!" Jasper covered my mouth. "You're so cute you even have a fan club."

I stared at him, my heart racing. His green eyes, filled with genuine affection and determination, made it hard to argue. I finally relented, giving a small nod.

Jasper smiled, removing his hand from my mouth. "See? You're perfect just the way you are, sugar."

I sighed, leaning into his embrace. Despite everything, I couldn't deny that Jasper had a way of making me feel cherished. Even if I didn't fully understand it, maybe I could start to believe it.