5. Jasmine
Chapter five
Jasmine
“He took me to a private lake he owned. It’s called Azure Oasis” I say.
“There was no one there except us.”
“Oh my God,” Ana gasps, her eyes wide with interest. “Well, he's a millionaire, he can afford it.”
“He’s a billionaire,” I correct.
“What?” Ana shrieks. “I knew it!” She cackles. “He drives all these exotic cars. Every time I see him, he’s driving a new car, and they’re all worth millions of dollars. Only a billionaire could afford that many expensive vehicles.” she rushes. “Plus, who has a butler unless they come from money?”
I burst into laughter, remembering the bulky, unsmiling man who is always following Alec around. On our date yesterday, Alec and I talked for hours, but I’m aware there is still much I don’t know about him .
“You have to start from the beginning,” Ana says, hugging a colorful throw pillow dreamily. “You and Alec had sex! I still cannot believe it! Where was Riley?”
I recount the incident to Ana, and when I finish, her mouth is gaping wide open. “Who are you?” She shakes my shoulders. “And what have you done with my best friend? You’re never that bold.”
She’s right. I am not a vixen, but I’ve wanted Alec for a long time, so when the opportunity came, I didn’t let it slip.
“So, what now?” She asks. “Are you guys fuck buddies or what?”
“I don’t know what we are,” I reply honestly. “Alec says he has always wanted me, and when I asked what exactly he wanted, he said everything.”
Ana’s expression falls, and she reaches for me. “Jasmine, I know this is like a dream come true,” she says. “But I need you to be careful; I don’t want to see you get hurt. Alec is devilishly handsome, and he’s wealthy; you already know he has no trouble pulling women. Now, I’m not saying you’re out of his league, but girl—”
We share a look and burst into laughter again. I understand what Ana is trying to say, and honestly, it bothers me, too. Since our date last night, I’ve been thinking too hard about it. What could Alec possibly want with me? I’m a confident woman, but I’d be an idiot to deny I’m out of Alec’s league. Does he really like me? I wish I could read his mind and glean the truth from him. I’d hate to have my heart broken.
“Are you going to tell Riley about this?” Ana asks.
“Are you insane?” I screech. “Why will I do that? ”
“If you and Alec get serious with each other, you’ll have to tell him,” she says. “You are both too old to sneak around.”
“Alec doesn’t care about Riley finding out, but I do. I can’t imagine him finding out that me and Alec had sex.”
Ana rolls her eyes and flings one of the pillows at me. “Everyone has sex, including Riley.”
“Eww.” I scrunch my nose in disgust. “Please don’t put disgusting thoughts in my head. I never want to imagine Riley having sex.”
“But he’ll be so good in bed,” Ana says and bursts into another fit of laughter when I gag. She’s unaware that I know about her little crush on my brother. Since she’s never spoken to me about it, I’ll never bring it up.
“I think I’m about to vomit.”
“Not on my couch, you pig,” she laughs. “All I’m saying is, you’re twenty-five, you can get under anyone you want. Riley isn’t the boss of you.”
“I know,” I groan. “But I have a feeling he’s going to freak out if he finds out, and I’m not ready for his reaction, especially since I don’t know if Alec and I will last. What’s the point of facing his wrath and not ending up with Alec?”
“Well, you’re right,” Ana says. “But I’m looking forward to your relationship with Alec; it’ll be like a fairytale.”
I’ve imagined every possible scenario between me and Alec, all of which end up in marriage. It’s safe to say my crush has developed into deeper feelings, and the symptoms are apparent. “Don’t put more ideas into my head, Ana. You’re supposed to be helping, not making things worse.”
“Oh, darling.” Ana scoots closer to me and pulls me into a hug. “I can’t help it. I just think you’ll make a cute couple. I just want to know one thing—” she pulls back. “Was the sex good?”
“Oh my goodness.” I push her away. “What the hell, Ana? What is wrong with you?”
“What?” She giggles. “I’m just curious.”
“You’re perverse,” I snap. “That’s what you are. Perverse!”
She gasps while clutching her chest dramatically. “I cannot believe you.”
My phone rings, and I snatch it up, still blushing hard from Ana’s brazen question. I expect to see Riley’s name because he wants me to pick something up on my way home, but my heart skips, and I briefly forget how to breathe when I see Alec’s name on my screen.
“Shh.” Anxiety blooms in my belly. “Everyone quiet, it’s Alec.”
Ana rolls her eyes as I take the call. “Alec, hi.” Fortunately, my voice comes out confident and composed.
“I’ve missed you.”
His voice washes over me, and my heart swells with affection. “I’ve missed you, too. ”
“If I don’t see you right now, I’m going to explode,” he says, and I giggle.
“You saw me yesterday.”
“That was a long time ago. I want to see you now.” The authority in his voice brooks no argument, and I find myself nodding.
“Okay.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m at my friend’s—”
“What friend?”
His jealousy is tangible, and I swallow a burst of laughter. “Jasmine…” he calls. “I won’t ask the third time. What friend are you talking about?”
“You don’t know him—”
“Him?”
“Yes. He—”
“Share your location,” he cuts me off. “Right now.” He hangs up, and I dissolve into belly-aching laughter.
“What’s so funny?” Ana asks, and I share my location with Alec before narrating everything to her.
In less than ten minutes, I get a text from Alec. It says, “I’m here.” My heart skips, and I race to the window, coyly parting the curtains to see a black Jeep parked outside with Alec leaning against it. He looks so good; I watch him silently for a few seconds before pulling back, my heart thumping excitedly.
“I’ve got to go.” I hug Ana. “See you soon.”
“Text me, okay? Love you.” She kisses my cheek.
“I love you, too.”
When I walk outside the door, Alec pulls up his sunglasses, revealing his cornflower-blue eyes. He watches silently as I approach, his arms folded across his chest. When I stop before him, his gaze sweeps down my body before resting on my face. “You were saying?”
“What?” I act dumb.
“Whose house is this?”
“A friend.”
His frown deepens. “You had better tell me who he is, or your friend won’t have a home by tomorrow morning.”
I gasp. “What?”
“You heard me.”
“Are you jealous?”
“Yes.”
“It’s Ana,” I giggle. Ana and Alec met at the Christmas party last year. For a moment, Alec says nothing.
“What?” I continue to laugh, enjoying his jealousy .
“You want to play games, don’t you?” He grabs my waist and yanks me close.
“Alec—”
“Listen…” He tips my jaw upward, so I meet his gaze. “You’re mine,” he says without an iota of mirth. “And I’m very possessive —territorial, even— of what’s mine. You’ll be doing your male friends a great disservice if you visit them at home or let them touch you. I’m not joking. Am I clear?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” He drops a kiss on my forehead and releases me. “Now get in the car; I’m taking you shopping.”