Page 110 of Beautiful Chaos
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The sound of the doorbell rang loudly through the mansion.
“Come on, it’s our guards. Let’s get them settled, then I’ll take you to the kitchen to feed you.”
I tapped the end of her nose and ignored the pointed look she gave me.
I knew she would question the sudden change in plans since I told her it wasn’t necessary for guards our first night here but having Chester so close to her without any indication that he was in the house made me nervous. Not that Chester would ever have the balls to do something stupid like try to hurt her. This was part of my new norm, always having extra protection, for Harper’s sake.
It was never needed when it was just me, I’ve handled things on my own in the past but now I have Harper to look after, and I will do anything to keep her safe. This world isn’t pleasant, and some men are ruthless and dangerous. They would do anything for power, some even worse than the two she had already encountered. I will never allow anything like that to happen again.
Not while I’m still fucking breathing.
Chapter 77
HARPER
Igot up early leaving an exhausted Jasper to rest a bit longer in bed. He was sleeping so peacefully I didn’t want to disturb him. We stayed up until the early hours of dawn talking. He told me stories of his mother and the many things they did together. He told me about the apple tree she took him to for picnics. I made him promise he would show it to me before we left the property this weekend. I hoped seeing it one more time would bring him some closure. We talked about all the good memories he had here in this house, the ones he kept sacred that weren’t tainted by his father’s horrible upbringing after her death.
He wouldn’t talk about his father, and I didn’t push him. When he’s ready, he’ll tell me, until then I’m happy to blindly sit by and offer any support I can, just like he has done for me.
I opened the refrigerator to see it was fully stocked with all my favorite things. My eyes were drawn to the entire shelf of pastries and fruits. I grabbed the carton of eggs and a package of bacon. I rummaged through the cupboards to find the pans I needed to whip up a meal that Jasper would like.
While rummaging, I found a bag of gourmet coffee beans. I squealed excitedly and quickly turned around to look for the coffee maker. I nearly jumped out of my skin when I ran into a solid chest. I didn’t have to look to know who it was, his scent was one I could pick out every time.
Jasper with his stealthy abilities had woken up and came searching for me. He startled me so badly that I dropped everything I was holding. The bag of coffee fell, emptying every bean onto the tiled floor. I let out a disappointed huff and stuck out my bottom lip.
“I’m so sorry, Doll, I didn’t mean to startle you,” he tilted his head as he kissed my forehead and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into him.
“I wanted that coffee,” I playfully whined. My breath hitched when I stood back to get a better look at this specimen of a man in front of me. It should be a crime to look that good just waking up and wearing nothing but a pair of grey sweatpants that hung low. He smirked when he caught me admiring the view.
“You like what you see, Doll?” he teased.
I shrugged my shoulders pretending to dismiss him and started to walk away with a giggle. He caught my wrist as I passed him,
“Don’t be sassy or I’ll have to teach you a lesson.” He raised one eyebrow. My cheeks flushed thinking of what that lesson might intel.
One corner of his mouth gradually lifted as he tried to hold back laughter at the obvious expression on my face.
Get a hold of yourself, Harper.
Jasper and I prepared breakfast together and sent out for coffee, despite my argument against it. I didn’t want to come across as a spoiled brat who throws a tantrum when she can’t get what she wants, but Jasper is completely responsible for the monster he’s creating; he always leaps at any chance to help me, so I try not to ask for much unless it’s something I truly need.
“Oh my god, this coffee is so smooth. It’s the best coffee I have ever tasted.” I said in between moans.
The rich flavors and the perfected sweetness took over my tastebuds. I looked over to see Jasper watching me intently with an unreadable expression.
“What?” I said, suddenly feeling my cheeks grow warm with embarrassment from my excessive reaction over coffee.
“Nothing, I just love watching you enjoy the little things. I like it, and I love you.” He said, before getting up from the table and taking our emptied plates with him as he did.
I walked over to the sink, rolling the sleeves of my sweatshirt up to my elbows, preparing to clean the kitchen from our little cooking excursion.
“Don’t worry about that. I hired someone to take care of that while we’re here.”
I gave him a look of disapproval.
“That is such a waste when I have capable hands.” I rolled my eyes at the thought of wasting money like that. I know it isn’t mine, I hated the idea of paying for such frivolous things when we are two healthy and capable human beings.