Page 72 of Craving Paradise
I turn and look into those forest-green eyes. I shouldn’t. After what happened in the rose garden, I should put more distance between us. Elle is right. I haven’t ever let a guest turn my head like Jasper has. I should watch myself around him.
“Okay.” My answer tumbles out of my mouth before my brain catches up. Elle gives me a small smile, but I can see the judgment in her eyes.
“Excuse me, ladies. I’m taking my charity date for a dance to discuss the plans,” Jasper announces to the table.
“You better be respectful to my friend, Jasper. Otherwise, I’ll find you in your sleep and shave your eyebrows off,” Autumn warns him.
“Noted, sister.” He turns away, taking me to the dance floor with all the other couples. Jasper pulls me into his chest, my breasts press against his hardness, and my entire body sighs at the meeting. He twirls me around a couple of times, making me giggle. His hand rests dangerously close to my ass.
“Behave, I can feel our entire table’s eyes on us.”
“They are worried I’m going to take advantage of you on the dance floor, but little do they know I did in the rose garden,” he jokes as his lips touch my ear.
“Autumn doesn’t have a high opinion of your dating life. Don’t you get sick of her constantly warning women away from you?”
“It’s not like I haven’t given myself that reputation. It’s all she’s seen,” he explains as we glide across the dance floor.
“So, you really have slept with all her friends?”
He nods while giving me a boyish grin. “Does that bother you?”
“We’re not dating, so no. Also, it would be highly hypocritical of me to denounce your love of sex when it’s literally my job.”
“I know you date, but do you have relationships?”
“Nothing long-term. I don’t think it’s fair. Not while I’m working at the club.”
“That’s why you keep things casual?”
“If I am dating someone, and I have feelings for them, I feel like I’m cheating on them while at work. I can compartmentalize the difference between club sex and relationship sex. I shouldn’t be telling you this …” I say, realizing I’m chatting too much to a guest about the club’s inner workings. That’s not what he is paying for—he is paying for fantasyland.
“I enjoy talking to you.” He pulls me closer, his hold becoming tighter as if he can sense the need for me to bolt.
I look up into those forest-green eyes, and I can see his sincerity.
“I shouldn’t be talking about the club.”
“Lauren, I know what the club is. I’m not naïve. I know the experience the girls give me is because it’s their job.”
“For me, in those moments with our guests, I treat everyone like I’m dating them. I enjoy having a connection, no matter who they are or what they want.” I bite my lip, hoping I haven’t ruined the illusion for him.
“What was your connection to me?”
I look away from those intense green eyes. “I was attracted to you instantly. That was the connection.”
“Look at me, Lauren.”
Slowly, I turn my head back to face him.
“I thought you were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen the moment you stepped into that room. My dick was hard instantly. You literally took my breath away. I still think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met, and anytime I’m with you, you make me feel nervous. It’s like I was a teen when I had a crush on the hottest girl at school.”
Dammit, that flutter is back in my stomach again. That bitch needs to stay hidden. I cannot let this crush I’ve developed on Jasper get bigger than it already is, but it’s hard when he says things like this.
“When you walked down those stairs looking like a fucking goddess tonight, I was ready to fall to my knees and do whatever you wanted me to do. You were and still are breathtaking.”
Fuck.
Silence.