Page 71 of Craving Paradise
“Chemistry. Biology. Fate. Who fucking knows, but I’m addicted. Sorry.”
“Why would I be sorry?” I ask him, curious about what he means.
“Because I’m never letting you go,” he declares, and that takes my breath away.
That stupid singular butterfly flutters deep in my stomach.No, girl, this isn’t the man for you. Don’t do it. He’s not the one. He will lead to heartbreak. He’s friend-zoned. Okay, friends-with-benefits-zoned.
Jasper picks me up off him and places me on my feet in front of him while he ties off his condom. I awkwardly clip my bodysuit back together while he does up his tuxedo again. He shoves the condom into his pocket, reaches out for me, wraps his hand around my neck, and pulls me flush against his chest.
“When we get inside, save me a dance,” he whispers to me.
“People will get the wrong idea.”
“No, they won’t. They are going to think that this handsome man is getting to know his beautiful charity date.” He winks.
“You’ll have to behave, no funny business.”
“I’ll try.” He smirks before untangling me from his arms. He slaps my ass and sends me back inside.
I walk through the garden toward the glass doors and back inside. I’m stunned by what happened in the garden. I can’t believe I did that. What the hell was I thinking?You weren’t thinking.I push through the doors in a daze and head straight to the bathrooms to freshen up.
“Hey, where have you been?” Elle asks, catching me as I step out of the bathrooms.
I freeze at her question, trying to come up with an answer for her.
“Evening, ladies,” Jasper says happily, walking past us whistling. His eyes look me over before he disappears around the corner.
“Lauren?” Elle questions me.
“What?”
“You look incredibly guilty. Please tell me you did not hook up with Jasper?”
“The man bought me for twenty thousand pounds.”
“As a donation to charity,” Elle exclaims.
“Nothing bad happened. We had a moment in the garden. I swear we didn’t cross over any lines,” I lie to her, which makes me feel incredibly horrible, but it’s for the best.
“You aren’t considering going on the date with him? What happens if work finds out?”
I understand her concerns. “It’s for charity. He’s promised no sex, no touching, no kissing. We must go to the club to do any of that.”
“Doesn’t seem like you two have kept to those rules tonight, the way Jasper walked past whistling.”
“I promise, babe, everything is going to be okay. I’ll do everything in my power not to get fired. I can’t leave you there by yourself.”
“I don’t care if you work at the club or not. I care about you. I want you to be careful. I can already see you are smitten with him. I’ve never seen you take risks before for any other guy.”
She’s right. Jasper Fox isn’t the first guest to want something outside of the club, but all those other times I’ve said no. There was never a chance I would say yes. Until him.
“Be careful, okay. I love you, and I want what’s best for you,” Elle says as she pulls me into a hug.
I know my bestie is looking out for me, and I love her for it. But I have this entire Jasper Fox situation under control.I think.
Elle and I walk back to the table and take a seat. I throw back my champagne, trying to steady my nerves.
Leaning into me, Jasper asks, “Want to cut up the dance floor with me?”