A Mother for His Twins by Lucy Clark Read Free Book Online

melt her heart touching his lips.
    ‘Uh…I don’t…Uh…’ She cleared her throat ‘…know if that would be the…er…best idea.’
    ‘Why not? You were certainly enjoying it back in your office.’ His voice was so rich, so deep, and it wasn’t just washing over her any more—it was washing through her.
    ‘Jasper.’ She knew now he’d been well aware of the effects he’d been having on her, was still having on her. She decided not to play games any longer. ‘We can’t. We’re colleagues.’
    ‘True, and no doubt we’re better off maintaining a friendship, but that doesn’t change the fact that you’re the first woman I have been seriously attracted to in a very long time.’
    ‘ Jasper .’ His name was a tortured whisper as she shook her head. ‘Don’t say things like that.’
    ‘Why not? It’s the truth and I’ve found it a good policy always to stick to it wherever possible.’
    ‘So you’re…you’re…attra—’ She stopped as the waiter delivered their food. They both smiled their thanks and when they were left alone Jennifer found it difficult to look at him again. He was attracted to her and he’d admitted it. Just like that. She had a feeling that she’d been out of the dating loop for far too long if this was the way things were now done.
    ‘You have your family. I have…’ She paused.
    ‘You have what?’ His words soft and slightly probing.
    Jennifer sat up a little straighter and squared her shoulders. When she spoke, she met his eyes. ‘I have my job and while that might not sound like much to some, I’ve worked extremely hard to get to where I am and I want to enjoy it.’
    Jasper opened his mouth as though he was about to say something else but then changed his mind at the last second. ‘Fair enough. Let’s eat while it’s still hot.’
    She blinked once, a little surprised at his acquiescence, but decided it wasn’t good to look a gift horse in the mouth. ‘It looks delicious,’ she remarked.
    ‘Me? Or the food?’ Jasper asked, that teasing glint back in his eyes.
    ‘The food.’ She pointed her fork at him. ‘Now, cut it out. We’re just going to be friends.’
    ‘Why?’
    Jennifer’s expression and her tone were quite serious. ‘Because I don’t have many.’
    Jasper nodded as though accepting her answer. ‘Fair enough.’ He raised his glass and held it out to hers. ‘Friends,’ he toasted as they chinked glasses before raising them to their lips—both of them hoping they’d be able to stick to this resolve.
     
    ‘I feel like I hardly see you,’ Sara complained when Jennifer called her late on Friday afternoon to let her know she wouldn’t be there for dinner again.
    It’s only because I’m trying to get everything settled as quickly as possible. The workload will even out soon enough and I won’t be burning the candle at both ends.’ Or having impromptu dinners with Jasper, she added silently. She’d had such a great time with him, simply being out on her own with a man whose company she enjoyed. He was smart, funny and not at all difficult to look at.
    ‘But what about trying to find an apartment?’ Sara’s words brought her thoughts back to the present. ‘I mean, don’t get me wrong, Jen, you’re more than welcome to stay here for as long as you need to, but I know you want to get a place of your own, have your own space. How are you going to have time to do that when you’re stuck in that hospital during daylight hours?’
    ‘Actually, Ja—er, a colleague has told me of a place for sale which is close to the hospital.’
    ‘Great.’
    ‘I’m meeting the owner in half an hour,’ she said, checking her watch.
    ‘The owner? Not the real-estate agent?’
    ‘It’s a private sale.’
    Sara’s tone was instantly wary. ‘I don’t know, Jen. I don’t like the sound of this. It all sounds a bit…I don’t know…dodgy.’
    There was a knock at Jennifer’s door and she looked up, placing her hand over the receiver, and