Page 50 of What Happens in Paradise

Which is why I quickly pulled my hand away and sat back on the stool.

‘I just wanted to check that the cake didn’t burn,’ I said, convincing no one.

‘Jasmine, I need to ask you a question.’

God, if only he knew what him saying my name did to me.

‘Go on…’ My stomach tensed as I sensed that I wasn’t going to like what he had to say.

‘Earlier, at the end of the dance class, I told you that I enjoyed your body being pressed against mine. In case it was not clear, I am very attracted to you. Sometimes, you act as if you are not interested. But then other times, like just now, when you asked about myskills, you seem like you are. It is a little confusing, so I would like to know: do you feel the same? Are you attracted to me?’

‘Alejandro.’ I paused. ‘Look, I apologise. My comments or questions a moment ago were… inappropriate. I think it’s best if we change the subject and focus on your work-related talents, rather than whether or not we are attracted to each other.’

It was wrong of me to flirt with him, but it wasn’t too late to shut this conversation down.

‘Por qué?We are adults. It is better to talk about these things openly, so there is no awkwardness and we both know where we stand.’

No awkwardness? That was a joke. Forget what I said earlier. Right now, I was feeling more awkward than someone who’d just wandered onto a nudist beach by mistake.

‘I appreciate you expressing your feelings and I’m flattered. I really am, but I think it’s better if we forget about what happened at the dance class, what you said and my comments just now. I shouldn’t have drunk that punch. It clouded my judgement. I wasn’t thinking clearly, but now that I am, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to answer your question.’

‘I did not ask whether it would beappropriate. I asked if you are attracted to me or not. It is a simplesíorno.’

I sat there in silence, not knowing what to say. Of course I was bloody attracted to him. Given the chance, I’d jump him right now, but what I said was true. It wasn’t appropriate. I wasn’t supposed to be attracted to him. I was in a more senior position and we worked together. End of.

‘I’m sorry, but I’m not going to answer that.’

Alejandro blew out a frustrated breath, then shook his head.

‘Do you know what I think?’

‘What?’ I replied.

‘I think that youareattracted to me, but you are scared. Scared because you have been hurt before. Scared because you are worried what people will think. But Iknowthat you can feel the electricity between us. When our hands touch. When we look at each other. This kind of mutual attraction does not happen every day. So you can continue to deny it, but it will not work. This,’ he gestured between us, ‘is powerful, so it is inevitable that something will happen between us.’

‘Wow.Inevitable. Really?’ I rolled my eyes. ‘What are you now, a clairvoyant? If you can see the future so clearly, maybe you should tell me this week’s lottery numbers. Then when we win the jackpot, we won’t have to work any more!’ I laughed, hoping to deflect the truth.

‘Working is in our blood. Even if we had money, we would still do our jobs because we are both passionate about our careers. Passion in all of its forms cannot be denied.’ His eyes darkened. ‘So it would much easier if you just told me how you felt. If you are not attracted to me, tell me now, then we can move on. No problem. But if you are, if youdohave feelings for me like I believe you do, let us explore them. Life is short and it is important to enjoy it. I understand that you take your job seriously and I respect that. But we are away from management, so as long as we are careful, we can take the risk. We can be more relaxed. Here, we are more free.’

‘We’re notfree!’ I scoffed. ‘We may be in Jamaica, but people are still watching us. We work together, Alejandro, and I’m in a more senior position. Getting involved with you would be an abuse of power.’

‘Thatis why you are concerned?’ He laughed. ‘I am not a boy. I am a man. I am capable of making my own decisions.Iam the one expressing my feelings to you. You are notmakingme do anything.’

‘I don’t think Hazel would quite see it that way. Anyway, I’m not that kind of woman. I don’t have one-night stands. And if I did, I wouldn’t do that with someone at work. It’d make things very awkward.’

Things were already super awkward between us, but could you imagine how much worse they’d be if we had sex? The thought of us making small talk, or seeing him hooking up with other women afterwards made my stomach clench.

‘A one-night stand?’ He laughed. ‘You think that I just want to fuck you once and thenleave?’

‘What else could you possibly want?’ My face creased. ‘You’re young. I’m sure you’re only interested in having fun.’

‘You do not know me at all.’ He shook his head. ‘I have never been that guy. Jasmine, you are a queen. If you gave yourself to me, I would worship you. I would treat you the way that you deserve. I would give you the world. One night would never be enough.’

I swallowed hard.

‘I’ve— I have to go. It’s late.’ I jumped up from my seat and headed towards the door.

‘But you have not finished your dinner. And the cake is not ready yet!’

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