Page 62 of Craving Paradise

Suck it up, Lauren. You have no choice. It’s the last place left. I take in a deep breath and go to take my seat, except Jasper jumps up and grabs it for me. He slides the chair out, and I step into the space, then he slides it back in for me. His finger slides against my skin ever so softly, sending goosebumps across my body.

“Thank you,” I say, tilting my head and smiling at him.

“You’re welcome,” he responds, flashing those intense green eyes at me.

Look away from them, Lauren. He’s trying to snare you in his trap like he has Ines.I turn back and fidget with my cutlery before picking up the menu and reading it. When I turn to my right, Elle gives me a warm, reassuring smile. Thank goodness she’s sitting beside me.

The waitstaff comes around and fills up our drink’s glasses while everyone continues to chat away. Then I feel a hand on my thigh, making me jump.

“Are you okay?” Elle asks.

“Stubbed my foot,” I tell her, not wanting to alert her to what’s happening under the table.

His hand runs up my thigh as his little finger slides awfully close to my underwear. That’s what I get for wearing this dress.

My hand moves down under the table, and I halt his movement before brushing his hand away. Unfortunately, he doesn’t let go of my hand and links our fingers together. What the hell is he playing at?

Elle is distracted by Freya, sitting to her right, and my sister chatting to Autumn on her left, which allows me to tell Jasper to stop playing around.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I ask him through gritted teeth.

“I was trying to get your attention,” he whispers as he leans into me, and he reaches for his red wine. He takes a sip, and I’m mesmerized by his lips caressing the lip of the glass.

Stop it, focus.

He grins at me, knowing he’s giving me dirty thoughts.

Fuck him.

“You have my attention now.”

“When can I see you again?”

The flutter inside my stomach is back at the thought of the two of us hooking up again.

“Make an appointment.”

“Do you want me too?” he asks, those green eyes narrowing as if he’s worried I might say no.

“I’m at your service … it’s up to you,” I bite back as I become flustered by feeling his breath against my skin again.

His hand slips from mine and moves back onto the table.

I instantly miss the connection we had. What did I say?

Jasper takes a sip of his wine.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“I … I … doesn’t matter.”

“It does matter to me.”

“I understand working at The Paradise Club is your job, but I don’t know … I thought …” he says, shaking his head.

“You thought what?”

“Nothing. It doesn’t matter.”

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