Page 33 of Craving Paradise

“She’s killing it up there,” she screams at me as we jump up and down.

“I know. Look, Freya has had an accident, and your brother and I are taking her home to rest,” I say in her ear.

“Oh my god, is Freya okay? What happened?” Autumn asks in a panic.

“She’s fine. Just a bump on the head.”

“I need to see her.” Autumn cries as she tries to move away from me.

“Your brother has taken her to the car.”

“I should go then, be with her.”

I grab her hands in mine and squeeze them, getting her to concentrate on me. “Stay. Ines needs you here to celebrate her moment with her.”

“But she’s your sister,” Autumn argues back.

“I’ll have time to see her again. Please, enjoy this with her. You don’t always get to.”

Autumn’s brows pull together, and I can see she’s warring with herself about looking after her cousin and staying to support her best friend.

“I’ve got Freya. She’s in good hands, I promise,” I reassure her.

“Thank you,” she replies, wrapping her arms around me and pulling me into a tight hug. “Oh, and one other thing, don’t fall for my brother’s charms. He’d only break your heart,” she warns me.

If only she knew what has already happened.

“I can assure you I’m not looking for love or a prince charming to sweep me off my feet. I have no interest in falling for your brother’s charms.”

I sure as hell hope for both our sakes that will be the case.

I bid Autumn goodbye and head out of the VIP section and down the stairs to street level, where a sleek black vehicle is waiting for me. A man holds open the door for me, and I jump inside, sitting next to a snoring Freya whose head is slumped against Jasper. He gives me a small smile over her head as I get in the car. My insides do a somersault at the look he’s giving me. A casual smile, yet it’s done something to my insides.Down, girl, now is not the time.

My eyes fall where he has his arm wrapped around her, protecting her, making my frosted heart melt.Stop it, Lauren.You promised Autumn you wouldn’t fall for his charms, and after two seconds in a tight space with him, you’re salivating.Get it together, girl.

We travel along the streets of San Antonio, the island’s main tourist area, where all the clubs are. The narrow roads are lined with people going out to party. I stare out the window and look at the streets filled with drunk people singing, dancing, and having fun. It’s better to concentrate on what’s happening outside instead of the tension happening inside this car. I know as soon as we arrive at my sister’s home and we have Freya settled into her room, he’s going to want to talk. All the questions he’s been wanting to ask are swirling behind those forest-green eyes, the same ones that have haunted me all week.

It’s not long until we’re pulling up in front of Ines’ home. Jasper picks Freya’s limp body out of the car and carries her in his arms. I rush ahead, type in the passcode, and open the door for him.

“She’s staying down here,” I tell him. Ushering him along the long corridor, I push open the door to Freya’s room and kick the mountain of clothes scattered all over the floor to the side so Jasper has a clear path to the bed. I pull back the blankets and fluff the pillow for her. Jasper lays her down on the bed and steps back.

“Wait, where am I?” Freya suddenly asks as she sits up, looking dazed and confused.

“You’re in bed,” I tell her softly.

“Is there a hot man in here too?” she asks hopefully.

Typical Freya, her question makes me chuckle. “Only male here is your cousin. Sorry.”

“Oh, well, don’t let him persuade you to bed like he has all our other friends,” she warns, waggling her finger at me.

I look up and bite my lip, trying to hold back my laugh, remembering all the things Jasper and I did in bed together and the fact his family thinks I need to be saved from him.

“I’m not that bad.” Jasper sighs, trying to salvage his reputation.

“Yes, you are,” Freya bites back. “Don’t you remember that time with—”

Freya doesn’t get to finish what she’s saying before Jasper cuts her off.

---