Filed To Story: Finding the Secret Daddy for My Baby Novel
Hey, you’re using me as a pillow, and you’re complaining?
“But you feel warmer,” she praised.
“Then sleep and say nothing,” said Jasper.
“Sure, you close your eyes and sleep too.” Willow closed her eyes.
The girl was a late bloomer, so romance in the physical sense was a vague concept for her still. She liked Jasper a lot, but she hadn’t developed any urge to devour him just yet.
That was bad news for Jasper. Willow was millimeters away from him, and the air smelled like her. Even when his eyes were closed, Jasper could still smell her. His breathing quickened, and he almost hyperventilated.
Willow was a carefree girl, so she fell asleep quickly even when she was holding Jasper. She had been worried about him the whole day, and now that they were safe, the tension melted away to exhaustion and she soon dozed off.
He was hyper aware of her chest resting on his arm. Jasper carefully turned to his side to sleep. Willow had her head resting against his arm, and she was sleeping like a child. Jasper could still see her clearly, and a smile curled his lips. It was his first time seeing a girl sleeping so soundly. He was almost envious of her sleep quality.
Silence slowly took over as the team members fell asleep as well. Jasper quietly tucked Willow in and made sure the blanket clung to her and kept her warm. After that, he came out of the tent. The bodyguards were also patrolling as well, and they gave him a look of approval.
They too used to be in the military, so they knew Jasper was a reliable man, and a powerful one at that too.
“I’ll check the perimeter,” Jasper muttered.
A bodyguard handed him a coat. “Take this.”
Jasper took it, draped the coat over himself, and went patrolling. Now, the bodyguards could finally rest.
Willow slept soundly, the blanket keeping Jasper’s warmth alive for her. When she woke up, the sun was already shining brightly, so brightly that she opened her eyes. She then looked around and noticed the lack of a certain man called Jasper. Willow touched her lips. Wonder if I drooled.
She came out and saw Jasper by the beach. Johanna came up to Willow with some water to wash her face and a bit of warm water for her to drink. “Had a good night’s sleep?” Johanna asked.
“That I did.” Willow smiled. Her skin glistened under the sun, her eyes brimming with life. Obviously, she had a good night’s sleep.
Everyone had their breakfast, and it was only seven in the morning. Winston made some arrangements, and the team started exploring the island to see if they could find anything pertaining to the ancient ship. Archeology was a delicate art. They could rely on modern equipment for their expeditions, but they still needed human touch for their work.
Jasper and Willow were a team, and everyone else had bodyguards with them while they searched the mountains.
Johanna was taking care of Willow as best as she could. At this point, she was more like a nanny. The bodyguard made sure Willow was fed and not thirsty. Whenever she sweated, Johanna would wipe it away. She also made sure the sun wasn’t burning Willow.
Jasper saw everything. Boy, her family really takes care of her. They might support her endeavor, but they’re taking all the steps necessary to keep her safe.
Everyone climbed up a hill. Should Willow falter, Jasper would hold her hand or just pick her up and go through the hurdle. Thanks to him, Willow reached the top of the hill easily.
“Oh, there’s a cave. Let’s check it out,” said Winston as he happily went ahead.
Willow followed as well. Archeology done in this manner would mean a considerable time and energy investment, but if they could find an artifact, it would well be worth it.
Winston stopped in front of the cave. He noticed a big freshwater pond lying underneath the cave, and there were a lot of little caverns around it. “The pond is about sixteen feet deep, but the boulders around the pond seem ancient. This is a rare find. If someone had found it before us, they would have left some evidence.”
“Let’s check it out.”
“Gather the team members. We need to investigate the place first.”
The team members came over with their gear and rappelled down the cave. When it was Willow’s turn, Jasper held the rope with one hand and extended his other hand to her. “I’ll take you.”
Willow nodded. While Jasper was wrapping his arm around her waist, she clasped her legs around his waist and clung onto him like an octopus. The ladies were envious.
Jasper took her down into the cave. Some members were already investigating the place, so she joined them.
“I found something. Look at this. It doesn’t seem like anything modern.” A member noticed some copper items around the pond.
Winston went over and picked it up. “Looks like something between the tenth and thirteenth century. Our guess is right on the money. The trade ships did pass this area and left a mark.”
That raised everyone’s morale. This finding alone was monumental for them, and they had more vigor to search the place now. The discovery came quickly, but it was welcome. A while later, another member fished out some shards from the pond as well. This proved one thing: the fleet must’ve stopped at these islands, and the sailors must’ve stayed near the pond.
The team worked until dusk before they went back to their camp. Jasper took Willow back up, of course. All the other ladies had to climb the ropes and get their hands burned a little, but Willow didn’t have to.
Everyone came back to the camp and talked about their discovery with vigor. A big tent with glow-in- the-dark stars stuck to the roof was set up so everyone could take a break and get into a discussion there. They even brought out some alcohol to celebrate, though everyone only had a little to help them sleep. Willow saw that her favorite red wine was available, so she asked for a glass.
“To a smooth expedition. Cheers.” Winston stood up and raised his glass, then everyone did the same and drank their concoction. Willow took a sip and looked at Jasper, who had taken a seat on the chair outside.
She asked him to join them, but he didn’t. Everyone was relaxed, but it was all the more reason for Jasper to be on guard. He was in charge of everyone’s safety, and he was a more cautious person, to begin with.
From time to time, Jasper would look at Willow, who was having fun with the team, and tenderness would appear in his eyes. Every smile, every gesture, and every glance she threw his way was enough to comfort his lonely heart.
Willow didn’t watch how much she was drinking, and she downed two glasses of wine. After that, she approached Jasper and handed him a bottle of water. “Why didn’t you join us for a drink?”
“I don’t like to drink.” Jasper took the bottle, opened it up, and finished half of the water. Willow sat beside him and requested the bottle. He handed it over, and she drank from the same place Jasper did, not caring that his lips had touched the bottle.
Jasper looked at her, his eyes glinting, and a hint of delight flared in his heart.
“What a happy day. We discovered clues faster than we thought we would. It means we must be really close to the thing we’re trying to find,” said Willow happily.
“Congrats.” Jasper was happy for her.
Willow’s eyes were filled with excitement and a misty look, no doubt elicited by the alcohol. She rested her chin on her hand and looked at Jasper. “I’m so happy I get to see the moon, the stars, and the sea with you. What an honor.”
She didn’t say she liked him outright, but her sentiments were proof enough that she really liked his company.
Jasper looked at her in silence.
“This is going to be a great memory for us,” said Willow.
The guys at the grill came to her with a plate of grilled meat and greens. She never had this kind of food at home, for her father would not allow it. Her eyes twinkled. “Smells nice.”
She picked up a kebab and handed it to Jasper. “Dig in.”
Jasper took it and munched on it as they gazed at the moon. Willow picked up a pork belly skewer and gulped down two slices. She thought they were a bit too greasy. She never liked the fattier slices of meat, but she didn’t want to waste food, so she asked, “I don’t like fatty slices of meat. Do you want them?”
She could have tossed the skewer away, but she didn’t. Jasper looked at her and took the unfinished food, then he dug into it. Willow thought it was sweet and she smiled at him. “You don’t seem to mind that it’s half-eaten by me.”
New Book: Returned To Make Them Pay
On her wedding anniversary, Alicia is drugged and stumbles into the wrong room—straight into the arms of the powerful Caden Ward, a man rumored never to touch women. Their night of passion shocks even him, especially when he discovers she’s still a virgin after two years of marriage to Joshua Yates.