Page 33 of Burn for Me

“The wine you requested for your travels.” The stewardess draws, pulling my attention from where my hand subconsciously moved to help Jasmine.

“We asked for it an hour ago, Lacy–” Jasmine bites out, still struggling to push her hair behind her ear, and my jaw clenches.Here we go again.Her temper is flaring. It's clear as day, with the red hue crawling up her neck and her shoulders bunching tight like she's trying to physically restrain from lashing out.

“You were busy doing everythingbutyour jobagain.” The woman, apparently named Lacy, snaps back.

“It was a long flight, let's just–” I start, but Jasmine's sass is already returning ten times harder.

“At least I didn't give up my training to keep my nails pretty.”

“At least I didn't have to sleep my way up.” Lacy purrs.

“That’s enough.” I bite out just as Jasmine turns, but before I can reach her elbow to pull her back–from what I'm sure is about to be yet another unnecessary fight I'll have to break up–the red wine topples off the tray and spills down the front of her white dress.

“Oh my! I'm so sorry! " Lacy gasps. My little devil stands frozen, a thousand emotions flashing over her features as shestudies the deep maroon stain trailing down the fabric. She settles on a calm expression and gives a sympathetic grin.

“It’s okay. I have five more in the car. I guess my lack of training paid off." She says innocently, with a smile that could kill.That's my fucking girl.I’ve never seen her so restrained–so in control of her temper. I can't help the wave of pride that crashes into my chest.

I place my hand on Jasmine's back, pulling her into my side to guide her down the rest of the steps. Lacy curses something under her breath.

“Do you have a bad rep with everyone?” I try to joke, but Jasmine's features falter.

“She’s the one you made me spar with on the first day,” She mutters, and my brows furrow. Typically, I can recall every moment with my devil, but that one is a blur. I was so wrapped up finally seeing her in the field that day that I can only recall how natural she seemed. Her steps were off when she swung, but she fought like she was raised watching grown men in a boxing ring.

I open the trunk in sync with my mouth, and she catches me off guard with a quiet statement that I can barely hear over the wind.

“She busted my lip open, so I broke her nose. That was the first time you yelled at me; then you carried her like she was some princess to the med bay.”

I wince as she leans into the trunk, shuffling through the clothes. With the small reminder, every little detail comes back in. It’s not like I wanted to carry her off, but I was worried that Jasmine punched her so hard that Lacy’s nasal bone went into her skull. It was bloody perfect; the force she used, the leverage of her gorgeous thick thighs with the throw of her fist. I’m pretty sure that's the same day I broke my schedule for the first time of only fucking my hand on Wednesdays.

I shake my head, trying to clear that thought and change the subject, “Do you really have five more?”

“No, but it's okay.” She laughs while pulling out a white top with a black skirt, but when she turns, she goes still, looking up at me with those gorgeous molten eyes through her thick lashes.

I flick my gaze to her mouth, tempted to get another taste of something so intense I couldn't process it the first time–desperate to take the time to learn how her breath catches when I turn a certain way and memorize the tension that bunches her shoulders as she tries not to move.

Subconsciously, my head leans towards her, but she turns and slides into the car's back seat. I let out a low growl raising my hand to push it through my hair, but I remind myself that I can't when it has this stupid shit Caspian put in it.

So that's how it feels.I guess it's karma for the many times I've pulled away from her.

Taking a deep breath, I climb into the driver's seat and look around to distract myself. Although it may be secluded here, the skyscrapers can still be seen kissing the bright sky in the distance.

“Good back there?” I grumble as I situate myself and adjust the seat for my frame. Jasmine growls, and I fight back a laugh at the sound.

“I broke the zipper. Not much room back here to get out of this sticky thing.”

Don't look back. Don't… As I reverse, my phone vibrates against the center console, so I answer by holding it to my ear.

“Yes, sir?” I already know who it is. Since only one person calls me, I don't have to check the caller ID.

“Great, you landed. Moe uploaded the address to your hotel into the GPS. Get settled, update me on any complications, and don't forget your reservations. It's said most of the higher-ups go there to dine.”

Jasmine's leg darts beside my head before it's quickly pulled back again.Why am I trying not to look again?I flick my gaze up to the rearview mirror to catch Jasmine pulling her top over her head, slowly lowering it over her perky breast, barely contained by a white bra.

The rumble strips vibrate the car, forcing my attention back on the road I was slowly veering off of. I clear my throat, and my grip tightens around the steering wheel. Hard enough, my knuckles start to turn white, and the leather groans in protest.

“By the way, it'll be a double date. They're just reinforcements to help your cover in case anything arises.”

“Understood,” I say through clenched teeth.

---