Only Ever Yours

She spends the next several minutes telling me about her date and how she’s falling hard and fast for this guy. She’s completely smitten with him and is looking forward to seeing him tomorrow night.

“Did you tell him what you do for a living?”

Her face falls. “No, but I did tell Lucinda to take sex off my profile.”

“That’s a good idea, but you’re going to have to tell him soon, you know? Sooner the better…”

“I know.” She sighs. “It’s just something that’s hard to explain, and I can’t quit. I need the money. I think I’m going to start looking for a new job, though, if things between us get serious.”

“Good luck with that,” I grumble.

“Haven’t found anything yet?”

“Sure, lots of places are hiring… until I tell them I’m Camilla Hutchinson. I swear I’ve been blacklisted from everywhere besides Azul’s.” And that’s only because Yasmin got me the job.

“I’m sorry, hon. Have you thought about working at Fairy Tales? It pays way better and you could work less, giving you more time for school once you go back.”

I release a harsh breath, wishing it were that easy. “Yas, you didn’t see me last night on that date. Hot mess would be putting it nicely. I was a complete basket case. I can’t imagine doing that four nights a week with four different men.”

“It couldn’t have been that bad if this Isaac guy wanted to jump back on the Camilla train.”

“Or there’s something wrong with him. Maybe he’s a serial killer or a rapist.” Although I would be seriously shocked if he was, because when I was with Isaac, he made me feel safe. Once he found out Crystal Harbor held bad memories for me, he made sure to keep anyone from asking questions. Even when we were eating dinner and conversing with the other couples, if someone asked a question that was too personal, he would cut in and either answer or change the subject.

Then again, I was with my ex for almost a year and he was a complete tool, so what does that say about my instincts and taste in men?

“All guys are fully vetted,” Yasmin says with a laugh. “Lucinda doesn’t mess around with our safety. There’s nothing wrong with Isaac. You’re just being paranoid.”

“Yeah, okay. They also said there was nothing wrong with Ted Bundy… until they found all the bodies.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

CAMILLA

As I step out of my building and walk toward the man leaning against the side of a limo, a foreboding sense of déjà vu comes over me. He’s dressed similarly to the other night, only now he’s in a suit instead of a tux. His hair is still messy and the stubble on his face is a few days old, giving him that I don’t give a fuck vibe. With his arms crossed over his chest, his suit jacket stretches taut across his body, and a chunky watch dons his wrist.

He drips masculinity. His confidence is sexy, and the way he drags his eyes slowly down my body, starting with my eyes and descending to my heeled feet, isn’t creepy like Gordan. It’s different, as if he’s simply appreciating what’s in front of him, like one might look at a precious piece of art.

As I approach him, I send up a silent prayer that tonight goes a little better than the other night. This time I at least know what to expect, so my nerves are calmer, and since Isaac knows how I feel about Crystal Harbor, I’m hoping he wouldn’t book me for another date if he plans to spend his night there.

With the perfect mixture of swagger and nonchalance, he pushes off the side of the vehicle and steps toward me, meeting me a few feet away from the limo.

“Jasmine,” he says, dipping his head to give me a kiss on my cheek. As the fake name rolls off his tongue, a weird sense of unease washes through me, making me wish I could be honest with him, so I could hear him say my real name when he speaks to me. The masculine scent of his cologne hits my senses, wrapping around me like a cozy blanket on a cold night. And when his warm lips press against my cheek, chills race up my spine, forcing me to outwardly shiver.

He chuckles softly, knowing how much he’s affecting me, and instead of backing away, he brings his mouth up to my ear. “You smell even more delectable tonight. Like vanilla with a hint of strawberry.” He audibly inhales, running his nose along my jawline before he steps back, his eyes roaming my body once more, this time with heat in his gaze. “And you look absolutely breathtaking.”

I’m in a short, lacy, maroon dress that shows off my curves, paired with black heels with the signature red sole—both Yasmin’s since anything I owned of value was consigned months ago.