Page 82 of Craving Paradise

“She is with that guy in the booth. I have also organized for a security guard to keep a watch on them until she makes it home safely, whatever the time.”

“You did?”

Those stupid flutterbys are multiplying in my chest. That’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done.

“Of course. I want nothing on your mind other than my dick,” he says with a grin.

“Okay then, let’s go. I want to show you all the ways I am thankful.”

23

LAUREN

“You ready for our charity date?” Jasper asks as he greets me at my front door. He told me to dress casually, which is hard to pick because you want to look cute but also chilled. Finally, I settled on my dark denim jeans, white linen shirt, and red trainers. I pulled my hair up into a messy bun, put on minimal makeup, but, of course, bright red lips, gold hoops, and a necklace to finish it. I’m not sure what kind of date Jasper has in mind. It could be anything.

“Sure, but what’s the plan?”

“I’m not telling you. It’s a surprise. Believe me, it’s going to be so much fun. Honestly, think this is the best friend date I’ve ever organized.” He smiles with excitement.

My stomach sinks a little at him calling it a friend date, which is weird. Since the charity auction, my stomach has been fluttering with, I don’t know, something. I thought it was leftover unsettledness from my food poisoning, but it seems to only happen when I’m around or talking to Jasper. Hope I’m not allergic to him.

“Do you normally plan dates for your friends?” I joke, stepping into the back of the waiting town car, where I take a seat.

Jasper walks around, jumps in on the other side, and settles in beside me. He instantly links our hands, warming me.

“They wouldn’t appreciate the effort I would have put in to make the date memorable.” He muses jokingly.

“How long have you known your friends?”

“Shit, years. Alistair and Alex, I’ve known since we started school. Alex moved away to the States for a bit but came back. I met Daniel at University when we found out he and Alistair were dating the same girl. They flicked the girl and gained a friendship instead.” He chuckles.

“Wow, few guys would become friends with the guy who is screwing his girl.”

“This is true, but they are good guys,” he says, smiling until he stops and his face drops. “Have you slept with any of them?” he asks, turning to me. His face looks serious. “Alistair isn’t part of the club because he had a fiancée, but Alex and Daniel are.” He pulls his phone out and shows me photos of his friends.

“Does it matter to you if I have?” I ask him as worry settles in my stomach.

Jasper turns, looks over at me, and his face drops. “Shit, no. Sorry, that wasn’t at all what I was getting at. I don’t care if you have. I was just going to ask if you don’t anymore.” He asks the last bit a little sheepishly.

“You want me to agree to not sleep with two of your friends who are club members?”

“I have no right to ask you that. You’re right. What was I thinking? Never mind,” he says bashfully as he tries to put his phone back in his pocket.

I reach out and halt him. “Show me their photos.”

He unlocks his phone and hands it over.

Staring down at the photo of Jasper and his friends, I look at their faces. “Oh, your friend Alex is Nate’s brother. I thought that’s who he was but wasn’t one hundred percent sure. And this one is Mr. DuPont, isn’t it?” She points to the other dark-haired man standing with them.

“Yes.”

“I have done nothing with him. We haven’t touched, but I have seen him naked,” I tell him honestly.

“Where?” he questions.

“That I can’t tell you. I’ve told you too much as it is. The list of violations keeps mounting up with you.” I chuckle.

“Sorry for asking you. That was out of order.”