Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 90448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
He followed.
“I’ll count down and then you just sling it in your mouth.” I thought I heard him whimper, but wasn’t sure. “Okay. One. Two. Three.”
He popped it into his mouth.
Cheating, I kept mine on my plate and waited for his response, hoping he would love the foie gras as much as I did. He chewed with his eyes closed and his face crumpled into wrinkles like a little kid eating cold Brussels sprouts, but after a few seconds he began to nod.
His eyes opened. His lips formed into a pleased grin. “You did it again, Jasmine. You’ve introduced another tasty new food to me this week. This is possibly the twelfth new thing I’ve enjoyed since you’ve been working for me.”
“Great.” I popped mine into my mouth and savored the rich, buttery texture. A tremor of pleasure rippled through my body.
A tiny moan escaped my lips.
Chase clutched the edge of the table. His amused look shifted to a hungry one. “Do that again.”
I finished chewing. “Do what?”
“I love that noise you made and that expression. I want to see it again.”
I cleared my throat. “So, are you ready to discuss the proposals?”
“No.” Chase leaned toward me and whispered, “I’m interested in pursuing something more with you.”
“I’m interested in what your fiancée would say about that.” I slumped back in my chair. “If you keep this up I’ll sue you for harassment.”
He laughed and took a sip of his wine. “I own most of the judges in this county.”
“That doesn’t scare me.”
“I’m not trying to scare you. I’m trying to explain how suing me would be a waste of your time and money. Besides, maybe you should give me a chance and let me tell you my proposal.”
“I’m not interested.” I formed my lips into a straight line.
“Yes you are.”
“Goodnight.” I pushed my chair back and stood up. “You’re an asshole and I quit.”
His smile remained as he rose with me and seized my arm.
Other customers in the restaurant looked our way.
I spoke through clenched teeth, “Let go of me,”
“Can you just answer a question for me, please?”
I gritted my teeth. “What?”
“If I was single and wasn’t your boss, would you date me?”
I yanked my arm away.
He grabbed it again and then glided his hands slowly down to my wrist. The area tingled with awareness.
“Come on, Jasmine. Answer me. Would you date me?”
I looked him up and down. “Of course. But, you are my boss and you’re not single.”
“So you are interested.” He smirked. “Good. Because I can compromise with you on the boss and single part.”
“How?”
“Please sit down.” He gestured toward my chair. “We have a nice meal on the way. I’m sure your friend Gabe would be disappointed.”
Our waiter approached us. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes.” I reluctantly returned to my chair.
Chase followed.
The waiter grabbed our empty plates, cleaned the table of any crumbs, and filled our glasses with water.
The whole time Chase and I stared at each other.
Once the waiter left, I leaned forward. “I don’t appreciate you maneuvering your way into my Friday night and making up an assignment that I work on all week just so—”
“The job and assignment are real.”
“I don’t care if you own all the judges in the state. When you flirt with me, you’re playing with fire.”
“No, Jasmine.” He smirked. “You’re playing with fire when you yell out empty threats. They don’t scare me. I just become more interested. No one else has the audacity to talk to me this way. I love it.”
I hesitated. “This is inappropriate and aggravating. Did you hire me for my ability to be your assistant or for the possibility of having sex with me?”
“Both,” he said with clear certainty.
Underneath the table, I twirled my copper ring until the skin itched.
Here I assumed I’d impressed him with my intelligence and superb performance in school, when in the end my body got me the job.
In Pyramid, I’d figured he just thought he could take advantage of me because I was poor and had no powerful support. When all along he’d planned this.
“Before you become upset, let me explain.” Chase touched the crystal salt shaker next to him. He traced the edge with his thumb. “When I’m done, you don’t have to quit. We can return to working together and pretend like I never propositioned you. Additionally, you can decide to work in another company of mine, of your choosing, and receive the same salary.”
I struggled to maintain a neutral mask on my face. “Go ahead.”
“Do you remember me from Equinox’s Garden Party?”
“No.”
The party was at least three months ago.
Vivian and I had gone with her dad. It was Benny’s attempt to have us network with rich people who had connections. Additionally, I believe he was hoping Vivian would meet a nice guy there. Benny hated Vivian’s choices in men as much as I did.