Standing at the threshold of the hotel room, Lana felt like a shrimp left too long on the grill–her face was burning, and she was certain she was blushing furiously.
This was the first time in her life she’d ever gone to a hotel with a man.
She wasn’t a kid anymore, but when it came to relationships, she was completely inexperienced.
She had no idea what she was supposed to do right now–honestly, she’d never even dreamed she’d be in this situation. She’d been the one to ask Jarrett out, but somehow, he’d ended up buying the tickets–and not just any tickets, but a two–day, one–night package.
“Maybe… we should just forget it…” she stammered.
“Forget what?” Jarrett asked, resting a hand lightly on her shoulder.
With his other hand, he swiped the keycard and opened the heavy hotel door.
“I got us a two–day pass. Are you really going to bail on me now?” There was a hint of wounded pride in his voice.
“No, I want to be with you,” Lana blurted out, glancing up at him. The moment she met his amused, gentle gaze, her heart raced uncontrollably.
She’d met handsome men before–Elmer, who was all polished charm, and Jonathan, whose good looks were matched only by his intimidating authority.
But only Jarrett made her feel this dizzy and breathless.
Her cheeks burned even hotter, her whole body going stiff with nerves. She wasn’t sure whether she’d walked in on her own or Jarrett had all but guided her to the bed, but suddenly they were there, side by side.
“Um… isn’t this… maybe we’re moving a little fast?” Lana’s tongue tripped over the
words.
Jarrett smiled, a slow, knowing grin.
“Do you not like me?”
“I–I… I do…” Her voice faded to a whisper, barely audible even to herself.
“Then trust me,” Jarrett said softly, his words almost hypnotic. “Relax. I promise I’ll be gentle with you…”
10:20
Chapter 449
She couldn’t resist that calm, magnetic voice. She had no idea how her clothes ended up in a pile on the floor, no recollection of how she’d ended up beneath Jarrett on the bed–only that everything seemed to blur together in a rush of heat and sensation.
It was Lana’s first time.
She’d believed him when he promised to be gentle.
But…
After Jarrett had finished, he slid off the bed with a satisfied sigh, showered, then returned and lit a cigarette, reclining against the headboard. Droplets of water ran from his hair down his sharp nose as he scrolled through his phone, exhaling a thin stream of smoke.
His WhatsApp was buzzing with messages from Marina.
Marina: Joker, what are you doing? Why aren’t you answering me?
Jarrett–Joker to his friends–glanced at Lana, who was fast asleep on the bed, a small patch of blood staining the sheets beneath her. He typed back a curt reply:
Busy popping a sweet little virgin’s cherry.
Marina stared at the message in disbelief before scoffing.
You? With a sweet little virgin?
Joker: Change of pace. At least she’s better than a washed–up floozy like you.
Marina’s hand shook; she nearly dropped her phone. She bit her lip in frustration, but there was nothing she could do about Joker.
Marina: The Fraser family’s bankrupt. I’ve lost another ally. If you still want shares in The Thomas Group, you’d better help me figure something out.
Joker: I’m not the one chasing after men. If you can’t win Jonathan over, that’s your problem, not mine. Here’s the deal: you’ve got one month to get those shares from The Thomas Group. If you don’t deliver, I’ll ship you back to Blackspire and you can go back to your old life.
Marina stared at her phone, every word from Joker enough to make her skin crawl with dread.
You wouldn’t dare!
She gritted her teeth and fired back those two words.
10:208
Chapter 449
Joker didn’t respond. She sent another long, furious threat-
Listen, I’m back in Aldenville now. Whether Jonathan marries me or not, I’ll always be his first love, his precious memory. He’d never let you take me away. Even if he
doesn’t love me, he’ll protect me–always.
10:20
