Page 57 of Jackpot Joker

My eyes scan the kitchen counter, where a heap of coffee grounds sits on top of the machine. “What were you trying to do?”

Dario growls, and I ignore the way that noise makes me feel. “I couldn’t find where to put the coffee. I figured if you run the water through that spot, maybe you run the coffee grounds through it, too.”

I can’t hold back my laughter. “Bless your heart.”

He crosses the kitchen, pulling me into him, and I happily allow it. Being in his arms feels better than I ever imagined it would. It feels safe. It feels… like home. When he places a kiss on my forehead, I realize I could quickly fall for this man, and I firmly put my walls back up.

Pushing away, I go to examine the coffee he ordered from the cute shop around the corner. As I read the labels of each cup, I gasp at the very first one. “How did you know to get a lavender latte?”

Dario smiles sheepishly, shrugging. “Your breath smelled like lavender one day. I had a hunch.”

“That’s very…” Sweet. Thoughtful. “Observant of you.”

“If you aren’t in the mood for that, I ordered a plain black one too, so you can add your creamer to it that you have here. I also got a flavor called Bourbon Ball in case you wanted something that reminded you of home.”

Just when I put up my boundaries, this man goes and orders my favorite thing in the world, crumpling the walls and making me melt. I give him a chaste kiss on the cheek, careful not to linger so I won’t be tempted to do more. So much more.

“What are your plans for the day?” I ask him, secretly hoping it’s something that involves me, but knowing it’s better if it doesn’t.

“I need to head to Angelo and take care of a few things. I thought I could send a car for you around lunchtime, and we could finally have that meal together.”

A heavy sigh escapes my lips. “Dario, I really want your family to see me as a professional.”

His nose scrunches up. “Professionals don’t eat lunch?”

“Professionals don’t make out with their clients before telling them to crawl across the floor and make them come. Then go out to lunch with them.”

“But what if your clients really enjoy the way you do business?” he asks with a smirk. I’m tempted to toss my coffee in his face, but the lavender syrup is too delicious to waste. “Jasmine, I am asking you to lunch as your client. I will need to go over some things with you regarding my family and some dealings you may find of interest.”

“Oh, well, in that case, I suppose I can join you.”

Dario’s smile widens, and he comes over to place a kiss on my cheek. “I’ll have a car here at noon.”

“Sounds good,” I say to his back as he walks toward my door.

“It’s a date.”

The door closes behind him, and I speak to the air around me. “It’s not a date.”

Chapter 28

Jasmine

Being an attorney for the mafia isn’t what I imagined it to be. I assumed when I was working at a big firm, I only handled the real estate aspect of things. Turns out, that’s the bulk of it. The Caruso family is surprisingly very clean in their… transactions, so it’s been a lot of negotiating contracts and purchasing warehouses and casinos that have kept me occupied the past month.

The most dangerous part of this job is the proximity it puts me in with Dario. I look across the aisle of the plane at the man in question. After my moment of weakness weeks ago, I’ve tried to keep things professional between the two of us. Now that we’re headed to my home state, it’s crucial I prove that.

I wasn’t aware until very recently that my employer uses the cybersecurity company Anna’s husband owns. Apparently, it was imperative we fly out to discuss business with them. Skyla has also recently moved there, and I have no doubt my two friends will want to meddle and make sure something happens between me and the man whose family I work for.

“I know I’m pretty, but do you plan to keep staring, or is there something you wanted to say?”

I scoff at Dario’s words, shaking my head to rid myself of thoughts from that incredible night. I really miss the way that man feels between my legs.

Not bothering to grant him a response, I unbuckle my seat belt and go to the snack bar near the back of this fancy-as-fuck plane.

My hands graze over the options, finally deciding on a piece of fruit, when a looming presence comes up behind me.

“You know,” he practically purrs in my ear, and I hate how responsive my body is to him. “There’s a bedroom on the plane.”