So – explanations are in order.

Once upon a time (last Friday), I had this drabble with 50 chapters sitting on my laptop, ready to post. I wasn't thrilled with it, but it was ready to post. Then I started posting it, and the more I looked at the last 12 chapters, the more I grew to hate them and what the progression had done to Jasper's characterization. SO much so that late Saturday afternoon, I scrapped all 12 of them and began re-writing.

Trust me, even though I'm not finished, you are getting the better version.


Chapter Forty-Six

x.X.x

JPOV

With some of the tension diffused, the afternoon progressed smoother than the morning had.

I still fought against the lust that flared every time he bent over the table and I noticed the way the denim hugged his ass. . .

or when my mouth watered at the sight of his Adam's apple bobbing while he took a drink of water. . .

or when he leaned across me to grab a file, his shirt riding up and the bare skin of his abdomen brushing my arm.

Though honestly, the last almost proved my undoing.

The gradual darkening outside went unnoticed while we worked.