Page 35 of Judge Me Not

8

Jasmine

The woman staring backat me is unrecognizable. I go into the closet and put the gown on, then go back to the mirror. I'm wearing thousands of dollars of material. The lingerie under my dress is for a man I barely know. A man I wish I could succumb to, even if for only one night.

His kisses were full of fire. They sent so much warmth through my body, I was humming. For a split second, I forgot about hospitals, debt collectors, and our arrangement.

Then reality slapped me in the face.

No matter what I do or don't do with him, I'm his escort. There isn't any way to get around it. We'll go to the event tonight then I'll be his to command. He's paying me to do so. Will it be at his house or the club or somewhere else? I don't know what he has planned, but all his kisses did was show me how much power he has to hurt me.

I don't want to be a blip on his radar or his fuck toy to pass the time. But I'm some sort of challenge to him, and I need to keep feelings out of this.

No more kissing. No more falling apart or under his spell. From here on out, I do my job and go home to Abby as soon as I can.

I straighten my shoulders, clutching my phone. I curse myself for not letting Bree show me accessories. But I won't go without my phone, so I guess I'm holding it all night since my ten-dollar purse isn't going to match.

When I step out of the bathroom, all the pep talks in the world can't stop me from holding my breath. My heart pitter-patters.

Colton's in a black tux. His bowtie and handkerchief match the red color of my dress. Like his suits, this tuxedo appears to be made especially for him.

"You look beautiful," he says. His eyes are full of fire. It's the same lust I saw last night at the club. But something else is there, too. I'm not sure what, but I see it.

I wish I didn't feel excitement when he shows his attraction toward me. Nothing good can come of it. But every look, compliment, and touch lights me up. I smile. "You look nice, too."

He suddenly shifts on his feet, as if nervous.

I raise my eyebrows in question.

He turns and picks something up off the bed. "Bree said you didn't pick a bag. Do you want this for tonight?" He holds out a matching red clutch with a tiny bit of bling on it.

"Yes. Please! Thank you!"

His lips turn up. "Glad I got it right." He winks.

I freeze. "Colton."

"Yeah?"

"I got things wrong. Your gift was nice. If things were different...well..."

"It's okay. You know, if you ever want to tell me what's going on, I've been told by a select few people I'm a good listener."

I softly laugh. "Only a select few?"

Something passes in his eyes. Is it grief? As soon as it comes, it goes. "Yeah. I'm normally giving orders."

I bite my lip. "I can see that about you."

He runs his hand through his hair. "I have something else for you. But if you don't want them, it's okay."

"What is it?"

He steps aside. Three boxes are on the bed, filled with diamond jewelry. Each piece is expensive and real but not over the top, which is what I would have expected him to choose. Everything from the private club and spa, to the stores he sent me to shop at today, represent a world I don't live in. A world that screams "flash your money," and I expected him to only select jewelry in the same way.

Maybe I'm wrong about him?

"Wow. Those are gorgeous."

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