The greedy bastard glanced between them, thought better of whatever he was going to reply, and like the coward he was, took the money and ran back the way he’d come.
“If that’s everything, let’s get out of here. We’ve got a long way to go yet.” And he wanted to leave before the dudes eyeing his vehicle got any ideas.
“Okay.” She didn’t put up a fight. Just climbed into the passenger seat and buckled her seat belt after checking on Maddie. He wasted no time and sped out of the area like the Grim Reaper was hot on his heels.
In the car, he felt Freya’s eyes on him. “What?”
“Thank you for standing up for me back there. That guy is such a creep. He even indicated I could work off my rent in other ways.”
Jasper ground his teeth, wishing he’d clocked the man because he knew exactly what a guy like that would consider working off her debt. “That’s no way to treat a woman. Any man worth his salt would intervene.”
She snorted. “No, they wouldn’t. But I appreciate what you said, nonetheless.”
They stopped at a grocery store on the outskirts of Denver. Maddie was awake by then. And since he had no clue about diapers, all three of them went inside like they were one big happy family. These two would be his to care for over the next year. Jasper liked it in a weird, twisted way.
Odd, considering he enjoyed playing the field. He was a bit of a heartbreaker at his private lifestyle club. He enjoyed scening with submissives, but not a single one had given him the urge to collar them and settle down. Why would he when he was having the time of his life playing the field?
Until recently, when even that had lost its luster.
Yet a few short hours with Freya and her daughter, and he was acclimating to being a family man with startling ease.
Freya settled Maddie into the child seat in the cart and strapped her in. Her little girl was adorable. She would be a looker when she got older and would need a father figure in her life to protect her from all the boys with bad intentions. He shook himself. That wasn’t for him to deal with. Their agreement was only for a year. They would be out of his life by then. But she seemed like a happy toddler who knew a few words and wanted to explore everything. He’d bet she was going to get a kick out of the cabin.
When Maddie reached for something in an aisle, Freya said, “No, baby, we’re just here for a few things.”
Jasper glanced at what the kid was pointing at with longing on her doll-like face. Jesus Christ, she wanted a box of animal crackers. That’s it. He was stepping in, whether or not Freya liked it. With that in mind, he grabbed a few boxes and tossed them in the cart, winking at the little girl.
She clapped, her little face beaming up at him. “Yay!”
He chuckled low, tweaking her nose, and winked, which sent her into fresh peals of laughter.
Freya huffed. “Look, you don’t have to—”
“I know. But look how excited she is over them. It’s nothing, Freya. I will take care of it. If there’s food that she will eat and likes, let’s get it. You don’t have to scrimp anymore.”
She looked like she was going to argue, but he beat her to the punch. “Look, either you pick it out, or when Maddie points at something she wants, I’ll just toss it in the cart. Either way, she’s going to get it.”
She flushed and nodded. “Fine. Thank you.”
They picked up fruit, eggs, cheese sticks, and many snacks for her kid. They grabbed diapers and wipes, and he forced her into putting baby shampoo, soap, and lotion in the cart. Then he grabbed a few more bottles, much to her consternation.
But it just made him smile.
By the time they reached the cash register, the cart was full. And Maddie was munching on a snack box of animal crackers. Freya was silent, chewing over everything in the cart. But when she glanced at her kid, her face visibly softened.
He wanted more of that. Freya’s defenses lowered—just like when he’d held her in his arms.
And that knowledge rocked him to his core.
5
Oh my god!
Freya stared at the wood and stone two-story cabin. A term she used lightly to describe his mountain residence. The cinnamon-shaded wood blended with the tan stone walls, set amidst the backdrop of the mountains. The evergreens surrounding the property turned it into a secluded oasis at the end of the road. The closest neighbor was a good quarter of a mile away.
She couldn’t believe they got to live here. Free of charge, with a car stuffed to the brim with food and plenty of diapers for Maddie…and oh, holy shit!
Freya emerged from the Porsche, proud of herself for keeping her jaw from dropping open. There was a pool in the backyard. The blue waters glistened in the late afternoon sun. She wanted to strip down and dive into the inviting waters.
Cue internal screaming.
They’re living in a house with a pool.
She’d jump up and down later, preferably where her new fiancé couldn’t see her lose her mind. Today had gone off the rails.
When she woke up this morning, she hadn’t known how she was going to pay rent or provide for her daughter. And now, she had plenty of food to feed her kid, a boatload of diapers, and a beautiful place to stay. She even had real fruit. She couldn’t wait to watch Maddie eat the fresh peaches. And he’d even grabbed a seedless watermelon. She’d give Maddie some in the morning and see if she liked it. Don’t even get her started on all the snacks he’d picked up for her kid.
And they were going to live here in this stunning home.
The drive took about ninety minutes after leaving the grocery store, mainly because of the two-lane mountain roads. His place was secluded and off the beaten path. Never in a million years would Ian think of looking for her some place like this. It was too highbrow.
She hid her excitement the best she could from Jasper.
Being near him had serious implications because she hadn’t been able to forget that kiss. The one that never should have happened. The one that rocked her to her core. Because the moment their lips had touched, she’d been blind to everything but his mouth on hers.
If Maddie hadn’t interrupted them, she didn’t know if she would have put an end to it. She might have had sex with him right there at his desk.
It was something she needed to remember. Freya couldn’t afford to get tangled up in him. All she had to do was make it a year. A year of living in places like this where her every need was cared for. And then she’d walk away with the deed to a house of her choosing and twenty million dollars.
Sleeping with Jasper would be a bad idea, no matter how good it might feel. There was far too much on the line. And it would muddy the waters.
“This is your cabin?” She used the term loosely, because it was more like a starter mansion for the well-to-do.
“Aye. Bought it right after I emigrated to the States. There are only four bedrooms, but it should be enough room for the three of us.”
Only four bedrooms? Was that all? For shame. “It’s nice.”
“Thanks. I like it. Why don’t we get Maddie inside with the playpen? And then we can work on everything else.”
Freya knew her daughter’s moods. She had been cooped up for most of the day. Even now, as she opened the door to get her out of the car seat, she noticed Maddie squirming, ready to get down, run around, and explore. “She’s going to be antsy, especially after being in the car seat for so long.”