Page 65 of Jackpot Joker

Worried someone is hurt, I wrench the door open, and my jaw drops.

Chapter 32

Dario

“Is he…?”

Jasmine’s voice trails off as she stares at the lifeless body of the prick who dared put his hands on her. I complete her question, providing the word she can’t bring herself to say. “Dead?”

She nods, and I answer her with the same gesture. Jasmine’s hazel eyes flit up to mine. “And you? You did this?”

My tongue darts out, moistening my bottom lip. Confirming that I’m the one responsible for this man’s death to an attorney seems like a reckless thing to do, even for a Caruso, but seeing as how she just witnessed my hands around the man’s neck, choking out his final breath, there’s not much else I can do.

“Yeah, mio toro, I killed the man who thought it was okay to disrespect you. The man who thought he had a right to put his worthless hands on your flawless body.”

Her eyebrows furrow, causing tiny wrinkles to form above the bridge of her nose, and fuck if this new detail of hers doesn’t make her even sexier. I give her time to process my confession. The custodial closet we’re standing in is silent, with only the breaths of two of the three bodies inside giving any indication someone is behind the closed door.

My stoic beauty steps from behind the man who, minutes ago, was hurling insults in her direction and spilling beer, covering up her enchanting scent. The clicking of Jasmine’s heels against the epoxied concrete floors is deafening, my eyes tracking them as they head in my direction.

When her pointed pumps are toe to toe with my expensive oxfords, my heart rate picks up in anticipation of her reaction. Gio is going to be so fucking furious that I was thoughtless enough to murder some pissant nobody in front of our attorney. He’ll demand Jasmine’s death for being a witness, and the realization that I’d rather see my eldest brother’s blood shed than hers is one I will have to evaluate at a later time.

The twitch of Jasmine’s hand has me closing my eyes in preparation for the sting of a slap I more than deserve. Instead, an unexpected shudder runs through my body as her smooth, manicured hand cups my cheek, her thumb brushing the hairs that skim across my jawline. My eyes open to stare directly into hers, and her other hand cups the free part of my face, a mimic of its counterpart.

She takes a deep breath, exhaling slowly, and I can smell the beer she drank earlier. My mouth waters, needing to know if she tastes like it. “You killed that man for me?”

I nod, forcing her fingers to slide through the tiny hairs at the base of my scalp, and I hold back the moan that wants to escape at how good it feels to finally have Jasmine’s hands on me again.

Her words come out calm as she continues to assess what she witnessed. “You took his life because he disrespected me?”

My teeth grind as I recall their heated conversation from earlier. “He called you a bitch.”

Jasmine scoffs, rolling her eyes. “Many people have called me a bitch.”

“Give me a list of names, and I’ll kill every single one of them, too,” I promise.

Her dynamic eyes scan mine, no doubt finally seeing the monster lurking behind them. Jasmine knows what my family is and who she works for. But when it comes to me, she has only seen the playful Joker, but now she sees the mafia prince.

“Why would you do that?”

It’s my turn to scoff. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“I’m nobody, Dario. I’m a low-level attorney who is only on your payload because you felt guilty for getting me fired.”

Jasmine goes to pull her hands away, but I can’t hold myself back from touching her any longer. I bring my hands up, cupping hers so they’re still on my cheeks, then press my forehead against her own. “No,” I bark out gruffly. “You are strong. You are loyal. You are mio toro. You, Jasmine Baker, you are everything.”

Her breath hitches, and suddenly, the most perfect set of lips crash upon mine. They’re full and velvety, delivering kisses filled with desire and passion. Our tongues tangle, the two of us in a silent war of who can consume the other the fastest.

It’s fucking torture, but I somehow manage to tear my mouth from hers. I pepper her face with kisses, then move down to the column of her neck. Slowing down, I savor the taste of the floral perfume she applied, picking up the delicious notes that are uniquely Jasmine, thankful the spilled beer couldn’t wash her essence away.

With my sins and the sins of my family, this is the closest I will ever get to heaven, so I take my time, pressing my lips to her throat before cupping it. “Fuck, angioletta, your taste is intoxicating.” I bring my lips to hers again, gently squeezing against the column of her throat, and she moves her hands over mine. Her eyes grow large, the golden flecks on full display, and I can feel her pulse quicken beneath my fingers. “My hand around your throat will only ever be for pleasure,” I reassure her before my mouth descends upon her. I keep my grip where it is as I explore her mouth, bringing my other hand to travel up her body and brush against her breast. The way she shudders nearly has me coming in my pants, and I pull back. “Fuck, beautiful, the things I want to do to you should be illegal.”

A light sound spills from Jasmine’s lips, a giggle I’ve never heard before but know I will now crave forever. “You don’t seem to mind committing certain crimes.”

I smile at the way she teases me and loosen my hold on her throat, but Jasmine reaches up to keep my fingers where they are. “Kiss me,” she requests, and there is nothing strong enough to keep me from fulfilling the duty. My cock thickens as she whimpers against my lips, pressing against her body and making itself known. Jasmine reaches down, cupping my erection and squeezing, nearly causing me to come by her grip. The things she fucking does to me. “Le cose che mi fai, cazzo.”

Her hands move to my belt, and the clinking of metal being undone causes me to pull my lips from hers. Her eyes are wide, and her lips are swollen. She’s never looked more fucking beautiful.

“I don’t know what you said, but I know I need your cock right now,” Jasmine husks, her voice dripping in desire.