Page 62 of What Happens in Paradise

JASMINE

I stared at the computer screen. I was in the Jamaican Love Hotel office and there was something I was supposed to be researching, but I’d completely forgotten what.

This wasn’t the first time that had happened this morning. I’d been at my desk for almost an hour and got zero work done. Why? Because I couldn’t stop thinking aboutthat kissyesterday on the way to my grandad’s house.

It’d played on repeat all night in my mind.

My brain alternated from feeling the humiliation and shame of what I’d done and the possible ramifications to pure, unadulterated lust and desire as I relived just how hot it was.

The sensation of Alejandro’s lips on mine was electric. It was like I’d been in a coma for years and he’d given me the kiss of life. Every atom in my body reacted like a jack springing out of its box.

I’d been desperately trying to get those memories out of my head, but it was proving impossible.

After hours of being unable to sleep, I was tempted to use my vibrator, but then worried that Alejandro would hear the buzzing through the wall. I needed to invest in one of those modern, silent ones.

So anyway, here I was spending time that I should be working, daydreaming about Alejandro’s lips being pressed on mine.

When we’d arrived at my grandad’s house, I was relieved. Firstly, because we’d made it there safely, but secondly, because I knew seeing him would make everything else fade into insignificance. There was no way I’d be able to focus on a kiss when I was reunited with my beloved grandfather. But despite ringing several times, there was no answer.

I waited for a while. But with nothing to do but think, my mind had returned to that irresponsible kiss. I started freaking out, so called Stella in a panic. I only managed to get a few words out, telling her that something had happened between me and Alejandro before the phone cut out. Seeing as we were in the middle of nowhere, it wasn’t a surprise that reception was so bad.

Then I remembered she said she was going to Madrid for a long weekend, so I decided I shouldn’t burden her with my indiscretions, and didn’t call back.

Just as I was contemplating whether I should wander down the street to try and find Grandad, one of the neighbours arrived home and said Grandad was attending a wedding out of town and would be gone all day, so I’d left. Now that I thought about it, I should’ve left a message or a note with the neighbour, but after what happened in the car, I wasn’t thinking straight.

This time though, when I got into the car I had the sense to tell Bob and Alejandro I was going to sleep. If we were going to have any more hairy, cliff-edge incidents, I’d rather not be awake to witness them. And I wasn’t going to lie: I couldn’t bear the thought of a car journey where I might have to look at Alejandro.

I knew that if I did, I’d start imagining the softness of his lips, the way my body reacted when he touched my nipples and when he…

The sound of a video call ring on my computer jolted me out of my thoughts. That must be Hazel. She said she’d be calling for an update. But of course, I’d been too busy fantasising about Alejandro slipping his fingers inside my knickers to remember.

‘Hazel, hi!’ I said brightly as I accepted the call and her face flashed up on the screen. ‘How are you?’

‘Ugh,’ Hazel sighed, squeezing her eyes shut in despair. ‘I’m in the middle of dealing withanotheremployee crisis.’

‘Oh, no!’ I said, genuinely concerned. ‘What’s happened?’

‘I’ve had to fire two more staff for inappropriate behaviour. Caught them shagging in one of the bedrooms.Honestly!It’s like an epidemic! I’ve managed hotels all around the world and never seen anything like it! Does no one know how to just do their job any more without engaging in extra-curricular activities? Gosh, I wish there were more employees like you, Jasmine. At least I know I can trust you to never let me down.’

I swallowed hard as I tried to mask the guilt and shame crawling across my skin. Thank God mindreading wasn’t a thing, otherwise she’d know that just minutes ago, I’d been fantasising about fucking my colleague.

My stomach twisted.

Hazel thought I was a model employee that didn’t engage in extra-curricular activities with my co-workers. Little did she know that less than twenty-four hours ago, I had my tongue stuck down Alejandro’s throat whilst he flicked his thumb over my rock-hard nipples and was about to let him stroke my clit on the backseat of a car with the driver present.

Shit.

For a second, I wondered if somehow, Hazel knew. Bob wouldn’t say anything, would he?

No. He was too laid-back to tell tales. And Ithinkhe was too busy concentrating on the road and how to keep us alive to realise that Alejandro and I were playing tonsil hockey.

At least I hoped so…

‘Goodness!’ I said, trying to play it cool and avoid commenting on the fact that she thought she could trust me. ‘Who was it?’

‘One of the female Cuisine Champions and the Water Warrior.’ She rolled her eyes.

At first, I thought the names were silly. I mean, why not just say waitress and the pool guy? But I quickly realised that the titles mattered. They added a sense of pride and importance to everyone’s roles.

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