Chapter 18
18
JASMINE
A loud knock at the door made me jump off the bed. I’d been trying to distract myself by reading a book so I wouldn’t keep having flashbacks about my conversation with Alejandro in the kitchen earlier. But seeing as my favourite genre was romance, it wasn’t exactly helping to extinguish the flames of desire. Instead it was fanning them.
I could still picture the way he looked at me: the need burning in his eyes.
My first thought was that it was Alejandro at the door.
He was very determined, so although I’d told him I wasn’t interested, a man like him didn’t seem like the type to give up easily.
Maybe he’d come to convince me to throw caution to the wind and give in to our urges.
But then I heard his front door slam and the sound of the shower in his bathroom next door switch on at the same time that there was another knock at the door. So unless he’d developed the ability to clone himself, I knew it couldn’t be him.
‘Room service,’ a woman with a thick Jamaican accent called out.
That was strange. I hadn’t ordered room service. Room service didn’t even exist, because apart from the builders, Nadine and a couple of housekeeping and admin staff, Alejandro and I were the only people who worked at the hotel whilst it was being renovated.
After tightening my dressing-gown belt around my waist, I went and opened the door. Sure enough, it was a member of staff, clutching a tray.
‘Good evening,’ the lady who I didn’t recognise said. ‘This is for you, ma’am. Have a good night.’
‘Thank you, you too.’ I took the tray then kicked the door shut.
There were two plates on the tray. One large, one small, both covered with silver cloches. I lifted off the first one and saw slices of jerk chicken and sweet potato mash neatly arranged on a plate, steam rising to show that it had been freshly heated. Then I lifted off the second cloche and saw a slice of pineapple and coconut sponge cake.
My heart squeezed and it was then that I spotted a piece of paper on the tray beside it. I opened it up.
Jasmine,
You did not finish your dinner and tomorrow is an important day. You will need your strength.
The cake is delicious – just as I knew it would be. You are an excellent baker.
Sleep well.
A
Butterflies filled my stomach and my knees turned to jelly. I quickly placed the tray on my bed, then flopped down on the mattress.
I couldn’t believe he’d sent me my leftovers and the cake. I was gutted when I’d left because I’d really wanted to see how it’d turned out. So to hear Alejandro, one of the finest chefs I knew, say that it was delicious, especially given my poor culinary track record, made me feel happier than a child on Christmas morning.
He was right. I was starving. Walking away from his food wasn’t easy.
After shamelessly shovelling down the rest of my dinner, I took a sip of water, then picked up the dessert fork, ready to dive into the cake.
A flash of doubt flew into my mind. Maybe it wasn’t delicious and he was just being kind to make me feel better. But then I remembered, Alejandro was a man who spoke his mind. If it wasn’t good, he probably wouldn’t have sent it to me at all.
I sectioned off a small piece, then slid the fork into my mouth.
Oh. My. God.
It was divine .
I couldn’t believe that I, Little Miss Can’t Cook, Won’t Cook had actually baked a cake that was edible. Actually, edible didn’t even begin to describe how tasty it was. The sponge was light and fluffy and the blend of coconut and pineapple was to die for.
Of course, I couldn’t take all of the credit. This was a team effort. It was Alejandro who’d come up with the recipe, measured out the ingredients, and shown me what to do, so my contribution was minimal, but it still made me feel amazing. Like I’d really achieved something. It was a small win, but I’d take it all the same.
And it was with that feeling of pride that I drifted off to sleep.
* * *
I woke up naturally without my alarm. This would be my fourth full day here, so I was finally getting into a routine. The jet lag had gone and I was feeling much fresher.
Today was my day off, so I’d arranged to see my grandad. Bob was meeting me at reception, so after eating a banana from the fruit bowl I had in my room, I headed down to meet him.
‘Miss Jasmine!’ He smiled. ‘Yuh never tell me say yuh bake cake? It nice yuh know!’
‘You tasted the cake?’ I frowned. Then I realised that Alejandro must’ve have given him some.
‘Ya mon!’
‘I did too.’ Nadine appeared beside me. ‘Alejandro brought me a slice earlier and girl , you got skills! It was delicious!’
It was sweet of them to say such lovely things. I’d thank Alejandro later. Via text would be best.
After our conversation in the kitchen last night, clearly he’d got the message and realised it was better for us to keep our distance. That was obviously why he’d sent someone to deliver the food to my room instead of just bringing it himself.
I was relieved that he’d decided against coming with me to see my grandad today. If I was being completely honest, I was a little disappointed too, but it was for the best. It’d be fine with just Bob and me.
‘I didn’t really do much,’ I said, thinking how kind it was for Alejandro to share the cake with them. ‘I just followed Alejandro’s instructions.’
‘She is being modest,’ a deep, sexy voice sounded behind me. I turned to see Alejandro striding towards us, looking hotter than a truckload of jalapenos in a pair of jean shorts and crisp white T-shirt. ‘Jasmine is an excellent baker. I am worried for my job now!’ He smiled at me.
‘Th-thanks,’ I stuttered. Anyone else would’ve downplayed my contribution and taken the credit for themselves. But not Alejandro. He knew I was insecure about my baking skills and used the opportunity to boost my confidence.
‘Big up yuhself.’ Bob held out his hand in a fist bump. I did the same, and grinned as our fists connected.
‘We should get going. I hope you two have a good day.’ I waved to Nadine and Alejandro. Bob climbed into the driver’s seat.
‘Enjoy!’ Nadine said before leaving. But Alejandro didn’t move.
‘I am coming with you,’ he said.
‘But I thought we’d agreed to?—’
‘I am coming with you. As your colleague . Nothing more. I agreed to come because I think it is better that you have someone with you. I will not break that promise. But I want you to know that I listened to what you said last night and you are right. It was wrong of me to express my feelings. You do not have to worry about me doing that any more. I am sorry for making you uncomfortable. It will not happen again.’
Normally, Alejandro would open the car door for me. But this time, he didn’t. He went straight to the passenger side opposite to where I was standing and slid onto the backseat.
Looked like he was doing exactly what I’d asked.
He was keeping his distance.
He was keeping things between us strictly professional.
I knew it was for the best. It was 100 per cent the right thing to do.
So why the hell did I feel so disappointed?