“Oh? You said you weren’t a boring woman, so I expect this to be good.”
Jasmine squared her shoulders. “I did a lot of tiring things this week. I had a lot of work.”
“And what does a non-boring woman such as yourself do?”
“Administration. For a big office. Sometimes I feel like the boss’s personal assistant.”
“Is your boss an asshole?”
Jasmine had to be careful. For all she knew this guy knew her boss. “He can be. He likes to order me around a lot. Beyond what is kosher for someone in his position.”
“Business can stress a guy out. Don’t be too hard on him for being hard on you.”
“Whatever.” Jasmine took a drink. “Besides work, I also did so much cleaning this week. And gardening. It’s a tough life.”
“I see…”
“You ever give a cat a bath before?”
Ethan closed his mouth, his eyes full of bemusement instead of curiosity. “A cat bath…”
“It’s nearly impossible. My little guy likes to roll around in the garden, so he was in desperate need of a bath… I did everything the vet told me to do, and he still did this.” Jasmine turned her arm over to show a scratch she sustained from her cat Blackbeard’s trauma earlier that week. Ethan looked at it, almost impressed. “Heartbreaking.”
“I’m sorry your fuzzy child hurt you so.”
“He’s not the only one. There’s a gaggle of kittens at my place too. Not his!” No, she would not besmirch her cat’s good name. He’s neutered anyway. Maybe that was the real reason for scratching her up. “I found some kittens a few weeks back. Adorable guys, but it’s so much work taking care of them.”
“Maybe you should give them away. Or sell them.”
Money-minded man, huh? Of course he was. “That’s what the people I live with want. None of them were keen on a bunch of kittens taking over the place. Luckily, it’s a big place.”
“Oh? I didn’t know there were big places around here.”
“You’ve got it wrong. You have to live out of the city for a big place.”
“You live outside of the city?”
Calm down, Mr. Stalker. “I share a place up in the Hills with some other folks.” The commute was rough when she wanted to get downtown, but she couldn’t say no to the cheaper living. Plus all that space for cats. I’m a crazy cat lady. There. I said it. Her and Blackbeard would grow old together. The only man who could truly appreciate her skills in the kitchen – namely her fantastic ability to pull the top off a can.
Ethan leaned both elbows against the bar counter and took a long, long drink. When he put his glass back down it was nearly empty. “The Hills are expensive from what I hear. CEOs, celebrities, and politicians.” He glanced at her, taking the time to absorb what she wore that night: a body-hugging red dress. Simple, but glamorous, a style that showed off her assets without being vulgar. My plans must come to fruition, and my wardrobe helps me with that. If Ethan McDreamy wasn’t smitten with her fine hair and outfit, then there wasn’t much more Jasmine could do. She was under no delusion that a man she picked up in a bar would be into her personality and smashing long-term goals. Nope. Dude like him was going to judge her on every superficial thing there was. At least she did her best to look her, well, best.
“That is some seriously nice jewelry you’re wearing there, Miss Jasmine.”
She touched her hand to her pendant, a simple ruby hanging from a gold chain. That same hand bore a ruby ring, and her ears, wrist, and even hair boasted more rubies than she could ever wear most days. Today is special. Today she wanted to feel special, and she hoped Ethan would help make that happen. “You like it? I took you for a guy who likes red.” No she didn’t.
“May I?” He held his hand up toward her chest, but did not proceed until Jasmine nodded in careful permission. Although she was up for this man grabbing her chest eventually, she preferred to take things slowly first. Seduce him, then fuck him senseless.
Ethan took the pendant between his fingertips, his brows furrowing and lips pursing as he concentrated on the cut and quality. Jasmine took the opportunity to stand up straight and jut her chest out. If she were male, she’d feel like a peacock out strutting his stuff, luring in those mates while feeling like the baddest bitch around. “It’s real,” she said.
His face did not let up. “You sure about that?”
Jasmine grimaced. “What are you talking about? The whole set is real!” She shook his hands away so she could show Ethan the other trinkets on her body. “Someone very important gave them to me. So don’t try telling me that they’re fake.”