17

Violet POV

"I didn't think he'd be your type, cause you know, he's a billionaire and whatnot,'' Aubree said, taking a bite of her steak.

We were sitting down across from each other at a local restaurant, gossiping about the crazy tension between Jason and me.

Was I lying?

Yes, maybe, so.

"I don't think I have a type," I said, trying to end the conversation.

"I guess he's every girl's type," Aubree went on as if I hadn't spoken. "Beautiful, smart, and black.''

''Black?''

''Yeah, it seems like he as a thing for black girls. You, his ex, the other ex, and the other ex.''

"How-"

"It's L.A., everyone talks shit about him."

I chortled. "I don't care about that," I protested. "And it's not like there's really anything going on. We only fucked once.''

''Mmm once,'' she emphasized with air quotes.

''Bre!''

''Hey, don't yell at me okay. Look, it's obvious that you two have a thing for each other. Especially you, quit acting like you didn't enjoy the sex. Speaking of sex, did you enjoy it?'' She wiggled her brows.

''Yes,'' I mumbled.

She gasped. ''Then why are you fighting it?''

''Aubree, it's complicated.''

''You're making it complicated. What are you so afraid of?''

I sighed then shrugged.

I'm afraid of a lot of things.

We are all afraid to open our hearts, to let somebody peek at our most intimate feelings, allowing them to have more opportunity to hurt us. It's the risk we all take in order to find that one special person we are looking for.

And that's what exactly what I'm afraid of, opening my heart to someone and return they hurt me.

My past hurts and absolute selfishness has prevented me from seeing that there is someone out there willing to be with me.

---

It was one in the morning and I was back home from spending time with Aubree over in downtown LA.

My head throbbed each time my feet hit the pavement. By the time I opened my apartment door, all I wanted was to close my eyes.

I dropped my phone and bag in the kitchen and headed straight for bed, peeling off my clothes once I shut my door behind me.

As soon as I was down to my t-shirt, I crawled between the covers and let my eyes shut, willing myself to sleep.

Sleep didn't come.

Instead, now that I was away from curious eyes, the hollow place in my chest expanded to my stomach, leaving me feeling as if all the happiness had been sucked out of me.

I can't stop thinking about Jason. I just couldn't.

My mind was spiraling out of control of the thought of being with him. His touch, the abs, the way he brushed his lips against my lips.

Oooff...

Gosh, I really need to get it together.

----

[ the next day]

Flop!

FUCK!

I had fallen over a block right in front of the building. My hands were ashy and my knees instantly started to bleed all over.

I'm so clumsy, I really hate myself.

I walked in, limping over to the elevator and pressed the upper button rapidly.

''Good morning Ms.Violet, I sent you the copy of Mr.Vella's calling list, just in case he'd ask.''

''Okay, thanks.''

''Are you okay? What happened?''

''Oh uh, it's okay I can get clean up.''

''Okay. Let me know if you need anything."

"Thanks," I replied shortly.

DING

Escalating, I went up to my office and searched for a first-aid kit.

''Shit, where is it?'' I said, scrambling for an aid kit.

KNOCK
KNOCK

I turned around and saw him.

Jason.

''Meeting is in fifteen, did you get the copy?''

''Yes,'' I said, fixing myself.

"What happened?'' He targeted his eyes at my knees and saw them bleeding.

''Nothing.''

He sighed and shook his head. ''Come with me.''

''What?''

''Not repeating myself Violet.'' He walked out of the office and turns to the left. Assuming, I would've guessed he went to his office so I gave up and followed him there.

He was in the cabinets taking out a first aid kit and placing it on his desk.

''Sit down on the desk.''

I did what he said and sat down on the desk.

''What happened?'' he asked, taking my injured knee in his upper thigh and smoothing the ice bag gently across my battered hands.

I sat there in silence.

The heat of his hand cradling mine made me a little dizzy. I'd missed touching him. He leaned into me, rubbing his thumb along the side of my pinky finger.

"How did you hurt yourself?" He asked again.

" I . . . I" trailed off and shrugged.

''What?''

''I fell, the block in the building.''

''Ahh, shit. I told those contractor guys to remove that. I'm sorry that happened.''

''It's fine.''

''Be careful next time," Jason whispered. He lifted the ice bag and studied my red, knees.

At least they'd stopped bleeding.

''After the meeting, you can go home,'' he said getting up from the ground.

''I can?''

''You are hurt, just get the rest.''

''Okay. Thanks.''

''"Hey," he said quickly before departing, "Do you want anything? The cafeteria baked some fresh croissants... You haven't lived till you've eaten a chocolate croissant made by a Parisian."

"I'm fine, but I'd love some water if you have any," I murmured.

He took a few steps closer to me and touched my chin. ''You are a horrible liar. I'll get you the food in the meeting.''

''I thought we weren't allowed to eat during the meeting?''

''Well, I changed my mind.''

He pressed his lips together, slowly.

I opened my mouth to say something I had no idea what, but probably something embarrassing.

But Jason saved me from me.

His mouth came down on mine, his lips pressing in a gentle kiss before his tongue flicked out, tasting me.

My body caught fire again.

I reached out my tongue to touch his. The instant we connected, the kiss exploded. His arms tightened, drawing me hard against him.

''Violet,'' he moaned, placing his hand on my back, drawing me harder.

"Jason," I moaned back.

"Let me taste you, baby," he whispered to my lips.

KNOCK
KNOCK

We both jolt in fear and I pulled myself down from the desk and went over to the chair.

''What?'' Jason barked.

''- Sir, everyone was here, we're waiting for you,'' a familiar voice echoed through the door.

''I'll be there in a minute.''

''Okay.''

He turned to me and sighed. ''Are you ready?''

''Yes, I'm ready,'' I responded.