Page 84 of Craving Paradise
“You’re young, you still have time. Hold on. How young are you?”
“I’m twenty-five.”
“Oh, you’re only a year younger than my sister. That’s only seven years between us. That’s not so bad.”
“Did you think I was younger?”
“I thought you were twenty-one for some reason, making me much older than you.” He pops a grape in his mouth.
“Guess that’s a compliment to my youthful glow. I’ll keep using the moisturizer then,” I joke.
“Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it.” He grins wolfishly.
“Is that so?”
He nods as he bites his lip, looking me over hungrily before changing tactics. “Don’t worry about not having a plan. Helping your friend achieve her dreams is admirable.”
“You think? Most of my family thinks I’m an idiot. Ines thinks I’m putting my life on hold for my friend.”
“That shows loyalty to your friend. If your friend is like family, like my buddies are, then I get it. Maybe you will find something that you love while helping her. Inspiration comes from anywhere.”
The fact he looked at my friendship with Elle and understood why I’m doing it speaks volumes about who he is as a person.
“I’ve saved the majority of my wages from the club. I paid cash for my home as I knew it was an excellent investment. Isn’t that what people work for … security?”
“Yeah, they do. The fact you own your own home is fucking hot.” He chuckles.
“I remember you saying numbers get you going,” I tease.
“They do. And the way you said your home is an excellent investment made my dick twitch.” He groans.
“You’re such an ass.” I slap him playfully on the chest.
“I’m not lying … feel it.” He grabs my hand and lays it on his hardening dick.
“You’re incorrigible. I didn’t think you were into exhibitionism?”
“With you, it seems like I’m up for anything.”
My hand tightens around him, which pulls a groan from his lips. “I hope whatever you have planned next is a little more covered than here,” I say, letting go of his dick and rolling onto my back with a smile.
“No, but now I’m rethinking what I have planned,” he says with a chuckle.
We laze about a little longer, chatting about life until Jasper declares it’s time to move on to the next portion of our date.
“I don’t want to leave. This sun is magnificent, but we have more things to do.” Jasper untangles himself from me.
He helps me up, presses a kiss to my lips, hands me my bag, and links our hands together as we stroll through Hyde Park. We look like any other couple walking hand in hand in the sunshine around the park. I like it. And I know I shouldn’t because nothing can happen between us. Jasper’s been transparent about his stance on dating, so there’s no point wishing for something that will never happen. Better to keep my walls up now than later, especially if we keep hanging out how we are.
We walk for what feels like forever through the park and then the city until we stop out in front of a bowling alley.
“This is the next part of our date,” Jasper says brightly.
“Oh, hell yes. You have no idea how competitive I am.” I grin with excitement.
“Game on then, sweetheart, because I am too. I hate to lose.”
This should be fun.