Chapter 36
36
ALEJANDRO
‘So are we going to talk about what will happen when we return to work tomorrow?’
I rolled over in bed to face Jasmine, then propped my head up on my elbow, waiting for her response.
We had avoided talking about our future for too long. We did not discuss it after we made love in her hotel room in Miami.
We did not raise it during the flight back to Spain, which was understandable because it was something to discuss in private.
And when we landed and got a taxi back to her apartment, we did not talk about it either, because we could not stop kissing. Instead, we made love, showered together, made love again, then fell asleep.
But tomorrow, we would return to work and I needed to know for sure if this really was just sex for her. Because it definitely was not for me.
‘You’re right.’ She let out a heavy sigh. ‘We should talk. I just wanted to stay in this bubble for as long as possible. These past two weeks with you have been… magical. But I just can’t see how we can continue.’
‘We can talk to human resources,’ I suggested. ‘Tell them we’ve fallen in love.’
Her eyes widened. I did not care if my statement shocked her. She needed to know the truth.
‘I love you, Jasmine. And after you left the waterfall, I was not sure that you felt the same. But now, I feel it. Here .’ I tapped my heart. ‘I know you love me too.’
Jasmine opened her mouth then closed it again. Eventually, she spoke.
‘I like you a lot . But it’s too soon to put such a big label on those feelings. We agreed from the start that it was just sex.’
‘No!’ I raised my voice and sat up. ‘You cannot tell me you do not feel that now, it is more. What we did last night, in Miami, and under the waterfall was not just fucking.’ My nostrils flared. ‘You are lying to me and to yourself.’
She swallowed hard and her gaze dropped. She knew I was right.
‘It won’t work.’ Jasmine blew out a breath. ‘Even if Hazel had a personality transplant and gave us her blessing, which she wouldn’t, there’s still the age thing.’
‘ Fuck the age difference!’ I ground my jaw. ‘I have told you a hundred times it does not matter to me!’
‘Right now , it doesn’t. But what about in a few years when you’ve achieved more of your professional goals and want to focus on having a family? What then ?’
‘It is you that I want! I have always been indifferent about having children. Having you will be enough.’
‘Things change. I can’t afford to throw away my career and risk you breaking my heart when you wake up one day and decide you want to be a father and I can’t give you a child. It’s best to avoid all that pain and make a clean break now. I’m sorry, Alejandro.’
Frustration raged through me. She really did not understand how I felt about her. She did not believe that she was enough for me all on her own. I had tried to reassure her, so many times, but it seemed like there was nothing I could say to convince her.
As much as I wanted Jasmine, I should not have to beg for her to declare her true feelings.
I jumped off the bed, dragged on my clothes, grabbed my suitcase then stormed out of Jasmine’s apartment.
And out of her life.