68

“Oh, I’m sorry,” I said. “Did I take up too much of your time?”

“Not at all.” He gave me a shy grin. “I’m glad I spent the day with you.”

I smiled back. His words were so sweet, but I wished I were hearing them from a different man.

“I have plenty of time to walk you back to Violet’s,” he said. “I’ll even carry your books for you.” He easily lifted them with one arm.

“What a gentleman.” I giggled. “Thanks, Jasper.”

The sky went from azure to a deep cobalt as we reached Violet’s cabin. As the three of us walked up the steps, the door opened. To our surprise, Night stood in the doorway looking down at us.

His gaze landed on me first, almost in greeting, before shifting to Jasper. Jasper was holding my books in one arm, and the other was draped over my shoulders. Night’s nostrils flared, a low rumble leaving his chest. Jasper stiffened and quickly removed his arm from me. I tried to suppress another shiver. That deep growl should not have been such a turn-on.

“Night, it’s good to see you