“You want me to call you Jas in the office? That feels wrong.”
He reached for his door handle. “Professor at work, but not outside work.”
I let my lips curl into a smile. “We’ll see. I like calling you ‘professor’.”
“Shall we eat?” Jasper was out of the car and opening my door for me before I’d even unfastened my seatbelt.
He closed the door behind me and pressed his hand to the base of my back, guiding me across the quiet road. I sucked in a breath, trying not to combust.
Was I that touch starved that my boss’ protective gesture was about to make me melt into a puddle?
“This place does the most amazing prawns, and their fish and chips are to die for,” he told me as we walked to the restaurant. “Do you want to get both, and we can share, or do you not share food?” He opened the door and let me in first before following me.
“I guess I can share as you’re paying,” I replied with a hint of humour in my tone as we stepped inside.
“Jasper? Jasper Fischer? Is that you?” a booming voice called from the back of the kitchen before an old man appeared next to the counter.
“Michael?” Jasper replied with a smile, dropping his hand from my back and holding it out to the man.
“Jesus, you’re a blast from the past. How are you?” He glanced between Jasper and me before he spoke again. “Thank God, you finally came out and found yourself a hot young man. I’m so happy for you both.” He held out his hand to me and I shook it too, while Jasper’s mouth hung open. I went to correct the man, but he spoke again before I could.
“Why don’t you take one of the firepits outside? I think there are a couple free. There are blankets out there, and you can look out over the waves. They’re the best seats in the house.” Before we could say anymore, he was around the front of the counter hustling us through the doors. “Honestly, I’m so happy to see you. Do you know what you want to order? The menu hasn’t changed much,” he said, and Jasper nodded.
“Can we get the prawn platter and the fish and chips to share?”
He grinned. “How romantic. It won’t be long.”
And just like that, Jasper and I were standing outside, staring at each other awkwardly.
ELEVEN
JASPER
I looked at Finn.Even out here in the dark, he seemed to have a majestic air about him. He made me feel—an image of Travis flashed through my head, making my stomach flip like I was doing something wrong by being here with Finn. I sucked in a breath, trying to push the absurd thought away.
“We can go inside if you feel weird about being out here with me,” I said, my hands pushed in my pockets as I stared at the sandy beach and not at Finn.
“It’s a firepit and two chairs. I don’t think it will send me spiralling into a lovesick obsession with you. You’re safe.”
I huffed, not sure why I felt annoyed by his words. I mean, it wasn’t like I wanted him to fall for me. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it. Now sit your tired arse down.”
He fake-shuddered and pulled his hands to his chest. “Your Dom side was why I fell for you. I love it when you get all bossy with me. If I’m a bad boy, will you spank me later?” he replied in a loud stage whisper before he laughed loudly as he sat.
I took the thick throw from the back of his lounger and shook it out, trying to remove the majority of the sand that clung to it. Then I placed it over Finn’s knees, ignoring his sassy comments that had a heavy weight settling in my chest and made my cock ache in a way I didn’t understand.
“It’s freezing,” I told him as a way of explanation, and he pulled it up to his chest, giving me a look I couldn’t read, but if I had to guess, he appeared to be content, despite the breeze from the sea salting the air around us.
“Excuse my comments. I was playing the part of your boyfriend. I’ll rein it in now.”
I nodded as I took my own seat and pulled another sand-covered blanket over my legs.
“This place is beautiful,” Finn said, looking around at our setting: the fairy light-covered pergola nestled over the seats and firepits that faced the North Sea.
“I used to come here all the time as a kid.”
Finn turned on his side a little, so he could see me as we chatted. “The whole family likes the beach then?”
I shook my head. “My mum does and my youngest brother, but my dad and Conner... he’s the middle of the three of us... they hate sand, sea, seafood. I’m not sure how we’re related.” His eyes met mine, and I couldn’t help but smile, even though I didn’t know why.
