Chapter 16

"It's up to you." Jasper straightened up, his arm looping under her knees, lifting her securely onto his back. The moment he stood up and started walking, Natalie felt as if her heart had been lifted, floating in the clouds. Watching Jasper, she noticed how rigid he was, from his muscles to the hair strands on his head. Being carried by such a man felt akin to lying on a steel plate, yet she couldn't deny that it was hard not to feel a flutter of emotions. From her vantage point, she could even see the fine hairs on the skin behind his ear and smell the faint scent of soap emanating from his uniform's collar. However, she remembered his character from the original storyline—a man to be wary of. She quickly suppressed her wandering thoughts and straightened up, not daring to lean against his shoulder. Jasper carried Natalie with steady, swift steps. Her weight felt no different from the sandbags he usually trained with, not affecting his speed. Yet, unlike a sandbag, she was soft.