Page 34 of Craving Paradise

“I’m going to go get you a bottle of water. You’re talking way too much shit, and it’s annoying,” he tells his cousin.

She pokes her tongue at him, then giggles as he disappears out the door.

“Come on, let’s get you changed and ready for bed.” I try to persuade her as I search the room for her pajamas.

“I think my cousin likes you,” Freya states.

I ignore her comment as I try and find her clothes.

“He couldn’t stop staring at you all night.”

“Here, put these on,” I say, handing her the clothes, ignoring her thoughts.

She gets undressed and throws her clothes all over her room. “You’re probably used to guys looking at you all the time that you don’t notice anymore. What’s it like to look like that?” she asks, waving her hand around at me.

“Like what?” I ask, genuinely confused by her question.

“Hot.”

“Hey, you’re beautiful, Freya.” I sit down beside her on the bed.

“Not model beautiful. You walk into a room, and you could have any man you want, even the ones you don’t.”

“I think you are beautiful, Freya. You have gorgeous chestnut-colored hair and gorgeous green eyes that look like emeralds. You have great boobs, more than a handful. The most stunning hourglass figure. You look like you’ve stepped out of old Hollywood.”

“You’re saying that to be nice.” Freya sighs.

“I’m saying that because it’s the truth. You are gorgeous, Freya, and I will not let you talk badly about yourself.”

“It’s hard when everyone compares you to Autumn, who could be a damn supermodel if she wanted to be.” Freya moans.

“Her life probably isn’t sunshine and rainbows all the time. I bet even Autumn has insecurities. We all do,” I tell her.

“You do?” she asks, sounding genuinely surprised.

“Of course, I do. I still don’t know what the hell I’m doing with my life. Everyone else around me has these grand ideas about how their life will look. Then there’s me sitting here watching everyone else pass me by, and I have no fricken clue what I’m doing. Everyone in my family is a success except me,” I tell her honestly.

“Wow, I wasn’t expecting all that,” she says, giving me a small smile.

“We all have our own struggles underneath the shiny image we show on the outside. Know you’re not alone. Okay? I’m here for you anytime you need to catch up. Call me.”

“Will do.” She smiles, looking a little happier as she snuggles into bed. “And for the record, Jasper isn’t that bad. I like messing with him. I’ll kill you if you tell him I said that.”

“Secret’s safe. See you in the morning,” I say as I get up and leave the room, closing the door behind me.

“How is she?” Jasper asks.

Jumping back, I clutch my chest as Jasper appears out of nowhere, scaring me half to death.

“Shit, sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” Jasper says, trying not to laugh. “Let me give Freya some water while you calm down.” He turns the handle to Freya’s room and disappears inside.

I need a stiff drink after that scare, and probably another one for being around him all night.

Jasper reappears a couple of moments later.

“How was she?”

“She was snoring away, totally passed out.” Jasper walks back into the living area, where I’m pouring myself a drink at the marble-top bar.