***I'd like to thank everybody for their comments and critique. It is REALLY helping me along. Though, I'd also like to acknowledge that I am being aided by another author whilst I write this. A special and very talented person who I shall thank in full in the final chapter of "Jon Starting Over". In the mean time, very warm regards to LC. Much love, Billy***
CHAPTER THREE
Over the next two weeks, Jonathan started to find his feet in his new job. As good as his word, Jasper was professional yet polite when he showed him the research laboratory and introduced him to various members of staff. Jon felt comfortable going to Jasper with any questions or concerns he had; in trying to get a feel for the way things had transpired before his arrival.
When he'd arrived home at Sarah's house that first night, he hadn't said a word to Sarah about meeting Jasper. Sarah had hedged a little, asking how the day had gone-had he met any new and exciting people? Jonny had played it cool, deciding to keep Sarah in the dark for a little bit longer. Instead he'd eaten his dinner, played some kind of tennis game on the Wii with Sarah's boys for half an hour and then headed to his room to settle down to the contents of his briefcase.
The evenings were usually hectic, with Jonathan not leaving the hospital until very late, only to be back bright and early the following morning.
"You're working too hard." Jasper told him one Thursday evening.
"I'm the boss, I need to work hard. How can I ask more of my staff if I don't give one hundred and ten percent?"
Jasper eased himself into the chair opposite Jon's desk and shook his head tut-tutting, "You're still working too hard and you're not going to inspire anyone if you end up sick. Or haven't you noticed the bug which seems to be sweeping the hospital?"
"Of course I've noticed. Why do you think I'm working so hard?" His words had come out defensively and harsh, and the instant they were out Jon closed his eyes and sighed. "I'm sorry, Jasper." He hung his head for a moment, rubbing his fingers in tiny circles around his temples before looking up once more. Jasper was such a nice guy and had been nothing but supportive during his time there so far; he didn't deserve to incur Jon's frustrations and insecurities. "I'm just eager to get all of this work done and up to date so I can settle down into a more normal rhythm,"
"Filling in for other staff and working yourself to death isn't going to accomplish anything."
"Then what do you suggest?" Jonathan indicated his desk, piled high with paperwork, as he spoke. Jasper heard a hint of mild desperation in the smaller man's tone. "I was chosen for this job. It's what I've been working toward for a very long time and I don't want the powers that be to think I'm incompetent and-"
"They won't think that," Jasper interrupted as he stood walked behind the desk. He stood behind Jon's chair and placed his hands on the smaller man's shoulders. Jonathan jumped when Jasper's hands first touched him, but relaxed as the warmth from those hands started to flow into his exhausted trapezius. "You are doing an incredible job and NO ONE is going to blame you for taking a night off and relaxing a little-- rather than beating yourself with a stick and wearing sackcloth and ashes."
Jon's lips twitched at his words. "Sackcloth and ashes? I'll have you know this is a Herringbone Sydney suit, thank you very much." He was working very hard at ignoring the way his body responded to Jasper's nearness. There was something about the man that appealed to Jon...in fact, if he was honest, there was a lot about Jasper that appealed to Jon and keeping his distance, making sure their working relationship was nothing more, was the only thing that helped keep his unwanted yet burning attraction for Jasper in check.
"You know what I mean." Jasper leant down and spoke softly in his ear, "Listen. Why don't we get out of here and go grab a bit to eat?"
Jon tried to reply but nothing came out, he cleared his throat. "But what about your girls? Don't you need to get home to them?" Jonathan was concerned about LIlly and Lola, not wanting to take their father's time away from them, but really, he was more concerned with being alone with Jasper for any great length of time. In fact, they were alone now...here, in his office...the rest of the staff either on duty or off home. They were more alone here than they would be at a crowded restaurant, a fact certain parts of his body were beginning to get excited about.
Jasper's hand were moving slowly, working their magic and beginning to unknot his shoulders. He would relax too much with Jasper like this...secluded in his office. He needed to move. He needed to put distance between them. He needed to...
"Oh God, right there...yes." Jon heard himself groan as Jasper continued the massage. It was good. So good. So warm and caring... So...fucking sexy.
At that realisation, Jon pushed away from his desk, almost knocking Jasper over in his haste to put as much distance between them as possible. His eyes were wide, his breath doubling in an instant from its previous relaxed rate, he started fidgeting with the papers he'd almost knocked from his desk.
"Jonathan?"
"Er...nothing. I mean, thanks for the massage. Did you say something about dinner?" He opened his desk drawer and pulled out his briefcase. "We can take my car if you like." Focusing on searching for his car keys and quite unable to look at Jasper, he tried to pull himself together. When Jasper didn't say anything Jon knew he had to meet the other man's gaze. "Unless you do need to get home to your girls. Of course you do. It's all right Sarah usually keeps leftovers in the fridge for me so it's no trouble to-"
"Jonathan." Jasper interrupted him again, a smile twitching at his lips. "The girls will already be in bed by now and are well cared for. Of course we can take your car, if you'd prefer, but just relax. Its only dinner."
"Right, I know. I guess your words are finally starting to sink in." He walked over to the coat rack and changed out of his lab coat. "Do you know anywhere close, that's good?"
"I do." Jasper walked to the door. "I'll just get my things from my office, won't be a sec."
"Great, Sounds great." Jon watched him walk away, his stride string and purposeful as he walked down the corridor to where his own office was. When Edwards was out of sight Jon closed his eyes and started to reflect on what had just happened. Jasper's touch, the way the taller man had looked at him, that cute little smile playing about his lips. The heat of his hands. The nearness of his body. The scent of him overpowering Jon's senses. Oh, lord- it was getting to be too much.
It had been so incredibly long since he'd been seriously attracted to another man that he wasn't sure how to behave. Jon hadn't been celibate since Arturo's death, but pretty close to it; only opting for quick anonymous encounters to relieve the pressure every now and again. "You can do this. You can do this." He muttered to himself as he locked up. "It's just dinner with a friend, nothing more."
But as Jasper made his way back up the corridor toward him, Jon knew he was lying to himself. Spending time one on one with Jasper probably wasn't the best idea in the world but, Jon had to admit he was rather curious about the hunky doctor. Sure, Sarah had filled in a few gaps, but Jon had definitely been intrigued by him even before knowing Edwards true identity.
"Ready?" Jasper queried with a warm smile.
"As I'll ever be," he replied and they headed out of the hospital. They walked together to Jon's car, but this time Jasper refused the keys, when Jonathan offered them to him.
"I'll navigate," His deep voice washed over Jon as they exited the car park and for a split second he wondered if Jasper was offering to navigate more than the car. Was Jasper also willing to navigate through the rocky waters of moving on with his life? Of course Jon had moved on in a professional capacity, but emotionally he knew he'd held onto the past for too long. It was one of the reasons he'd returned to Sydney. He needed to lay his memories of Arturo to rest once and for all. He needed move on. To date. To find someone new to share his time with. Otherwise he'd end up all alone... And Jonathan was so, so tired of being alone.
Jasper navigated extremely well and after Jon parked Miss Chief, they walked a short block to the local dining district. "The world is your oyster...Literally." He said pointing to a nearby seafood restaurant. "What are you in the mood for?"
"Huh?" Jonathan was mildly startled by the question. He'd been intent on walking beside Jasper, on trying not to get so close that their hands touched, on calming his nerves because he was going out with a man, after so long... and not just any man at that.
Jasper only chuckled. "Good to see your brain's starting to relax. How about here?" He pointed at an Indian restaurant that was warmly lit and furnished with intimate booth seating. Jon hesitated then nodded.
As Jon sat, he noticed that the seats were rounded and heavily cushioned, bliss. After considering the menu options he ordered, then eased back into the chair and sighed, a smile on his face.
"That's better." Jasper declared.
"What is?"
"You."
"Me?"
