Page 17 of Craving Paradise
He nods in understanding, then falls silent.
Does he want me to leave? Sometimes the‘thanks, I’m done for the night’can get awkward after an intense session. I’d love to stay in this Jacuzzi for another hour to soak my exhausted muscles, but I’ll use the staff one instead.
“You probably want to relax in peace now. If you don’t need me for anything else, I can leave you to it,” I say, breaking the silence.
“Oh, right? Umm … sure, if you are fine to walk.” He stammers over his words rather awkwardly, which is cute.
“I can stay if you wish, or I can go. It is up to you.”
“Right, do you want to go?” he asks, throwing the question back at me.
Fuck it. I want to stay here in this Jacuzzi because I’m exhausted. I also don’t want to go back to the staff room and listen to Casey babble on about her rich sugar daddy buying her another Birkin bag, diamonds, and whatever else she isn’t supposed to have. We all know she’s fucking a guest outside of the club, even though she assures everyone she isn’t.
“Honestly, I’d love to stay in this Jacuzzi for a little longer. I could kill a burger, fries, and maybe even a beer,” I confess to him.
Mr. Fox bursts out laughing. He’s clutching his stomach as water sloshes over the edge.
Did I say something funny?
5
JASPER
She looks completely exhausted, and I didn’t have the heart to ask her to stay because I’ve enjoyed her company. She probably wants to get home to bed, but it caught me off guard when she took a chance and told me what she really wanted to do. Maybe I’m delirious from the orgasms, but I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“Do you have any idea how refreshing it is to hear complete honesty from a woman?” I ask her.
“I tend not to beat around the bush. It’s both a blessing and a curse.” She shrugs her shoulders. “By your surprise, I’m assuming you haven’t met many women who have been honest?”
Perceptive, but I guess it’s her job. I can’t imagine it’s sex twenty-four seven. There would be an element of therapy that goes on behind these walls. We’re all damaged.
“How about we order some food before we jump into my trust issues?” I tell her.
Ren nods and touches the screen on the Jacuzzi. It has an inbuilt tablet connected to the club. I guess you don’t want to jump out of the tub to order things.
“What would you like me to order?”
“I’m easy. I’ll have whatever you’re having.”
She types into the tablet for our order then sits back. “It will be here in fifteen.”
I nod and sink deeper into the water before submerging myself completely, then coming back up again.
“Nice diversion.” She chuckles.
“Am I that transparent?”
She shakes her head. “No, but it’s something I’d do to get out of a hard conversation.”
“You really want to know what happened?” I ask her.
“This isn’t a date. I won’t think any less of you. I’ll still fuck you again.”
I complimented her on her honesty, and she gave it to me again. I can’t be offended by that.
“Or would it be easier to tell me about what was stressing you out at the beginning of the night?” she asks, trying to put me at ease.
I don’t know what’s worse—my addictive father or my one true love running away with my best friend? Both make me look like an epic loser. But like she pointed out, I’m not here to impress her. There’s no second date. We can fuck again if we like, making it easier to be vulnerable.