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)
“Well, I didn’t enjoy being ignored by you. You seemed like a lot of fun. Your friend laughed every time you whispered to her. When Benny sat down by you, it was the first time I’d ever seen that man smile like that in my life, and I’ve known him since I was a kid.”
“That’s how he is around Vivian.”
“No. I’m talking about the happy stares he kept giving you. And again, you had him laughing and smiling just like your friend. I even smiled. You were intoxicating.”
“So you’re attracted to me due to my ability to make people laugh?” I tossed him a skeptical look.
“Fine. You caught me in a small lie. I’ll admit it.” He shrugged. “The first thing that attracted me was your breasts. Before you sat down, you leaned over to smell the rose centerpiece, and I got a generous view of your cleavage. Then you looked my way and trapped me with those hazel eyes. Next was the intoxicating personality.”
I stirred uncomfortably in my seat and averted my eyes. I wasn’t used to the brutally honest compliments. If, in fact, he was actually being honest.
I widened my eyes. “So what happened next?”
A wicked smirk spread over his face. “I turned to Dawn, pointed to you, and said, ‘I want her.’”
Chapter 8
The Arrangement
Gabe chose that exact moment to arrive at our table.
“How am I doing so far?” Gabe asked.
I swallowed down Chase’s shocking news and glanced at Gabe. “Umm . . . you’ve surpassed my expectations.”
Worry hit Gabe’s face. He stepped closer to me. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” I squeaked, grabbed my glass, and then took a gulp of water. “Trust me. You’re doing awesome. Each course has blown my mind.”
Gabe tilted my way and whispered, “Any food orgasms?”
I blushed and could swear I heard a grumbling sound emit from Chase’s chest. “Yes. Two of them, to be exact.”
“Super.” Gabe displayed that award-winning smile again. “That’s all I thought about when I was preparing the dishes.”
Chase tapped his fingers hard against the table. My wine vibrated in the glass. The candle flickered with each beat.
“Well, Gabe. I’m excited to see the rest of your courses.” Chase continued to beat out a weird rhythm on the table. “I’ll definitely be recommending you to my friends. However, I do need to finish this discussion with Jasmine.”
I glared at Chase.
“I understand, Mr. Stone. And I appreciate your recommendations.” Gabe bowed and excused himself.
“He’s in love with you.” Chase spit the words out as if they were disgusting.
“No he’s not. And if he was, then it would be none of your business.”
“How do you feel about him?” He started tapping again, to the point that it aggravated me. I almost asked him to stop.
“I consider Gabe a good friend.”
“He’s trying to woo you through food. I bet he thinks he’s a foie gras platter away from getting into your panties.”
“That’s much more effective than creating a fake job and—”
“The job is real.” He leaned his head to the side. “Do you find Gabe attractive?”
“What I feel for Gabe is none of your business. Why didn’t your fiancée slap you when you told her you wanted me?” I crossed my arms over my chest. “I don’t remember anyone being slapped at the garden party. I think I would have remembered that.”
Our waiter came over and poured me more wine.
Goodness. If there was ever a time I needed a glass of wine, it’s now.
“Dawn understands me.” Chase watched the waiter leave with our bowls and spoons. “We have a special arrangement.”
“Arrangement?” I picked up the glass and drank the wine like it was water.
Is this really happening to me? I knew Dawn seemed weird at the time. Do they think I’m going to sleep with them both? I’m so not going to have sex with them.
“I love Dawn, but I’m not the type of man who wants to be in a monogamous relationship.”
I rolled my eyes. “You and most guys.”
“I love women—your bodies, your scents, the feel of your skin, the sound of your moans, and the luscious taste of all of you, each with your own distinct flavors.”
I gulped down more wine, unable to taste it anymore. Part of me filled with disgust at what Chase said. The other part steamed with lust, as I imagined his lips on my flesh tasting me.
Goodness. I need to have sex. Clearly, I’m too horny for my own good.
I eyed him. “Do you really love her?”
“Dawn and I grew up together. Both of our mothers died around the same time, so we comforted each other. We’ve dated since middle school.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“What is love?”
“Oh god.” I hit my forehead. “I’m absolutely not going to have a philosophical debate with you.”
“We started the arrangement five years ago.”
The waiter arrived, which annoyed me to no end. He provided new cloth napkins and filled the water glasses again.