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“Fine. Promise you’ll tell me all about it when you return.”
“I promise. I love you.”
“Love you too. Have fun.”
When Ana gets off the phone, I quickly shower and put my dress on. Fortunately, it looks exactly as I envisioned. I do slight makeup and fix my hair before leaving my room, ordering an Uber as I go down the stairs.
Riley is still watching his basketball game and doesn’t spare me a glance. “I’m not changing the channel. Watch your show in your room.”
“Who cares?” My ride will be here in five minutes, so I text Alec that I’ll be there in twenty and sit on the couch to wait. Riley finally looks at me, and he does a double take. “Whoa, where are you going?”
My heart skips with fear and guilt. “Out.”
“With whom?”
“None of your business.”
He rolls his eyes. “You had better be home by curfew.”
Laughter bubbles out of me, and I eye my brother with playful annoyance. “I don’t have a curfew.”
“In my house, you do.”
“Shut up.” I hit his leg with my bag. “I can’t wait to find my own apartment. You’re so annoying.”
He laughs. “Be home by ten, I’m serious. New York isn’t safe for young women.”
“I’ll be home by ten because I want to, not because you said so. I can take care of myself.”
My phone beeps, signaling the arrival of my Uber ride. I kiss Riley on the cheek as I leave. “Don’t miss me too much.”
He wipes off my kiss with the ghost of a smile. “Get away from me. Text me if you need anything or feel unsafe.”
“I will. See you later.” I leave the house, still feeling guilty but overly excited at the prospect of an amazing date with Alec.
Chapter four
Alec
My mood lifts when a black car stops a few feet away. There’s no one else here, so it must be Jasmine’s Uber.
“She’s here.” I unhook the seat belt and glance at Damien. “I told you not to come with me; you’ll have to stay in the car while we go to the lake.”
His expression is disapproving and has been this way since he heard about my date with Jasmine. I do not answer to him, but I understand his reservations. Yet, I cannot stay away from Jasmine. It feels like there’s a magnetic pull tugging me towards her, and I’m powerless to stop it.
Jasmine steps out from the black vehicle, and I whistle. She’s wearing a jacket over a body-tight dress that displays her figure. I immediately take my mind off her body before it gives me an erection. That will be hard to hide since I’m wearing fitted pants.
I descend from my car and walk towards Jasmine. When she sees me coming, a beautiful smile lights up her face, and I almost fall to her feet. “Alec, hello.” She hugs me briefly before pulling away and sliding a glance towards the busy path beside us. I lead her towards it.
“Where is this place, Alec?” She has. “It looks deserted.”
“Are you afraid?” I tease, parting the shrubs with my body so she can walk through.
“No,” she says quickly. “But I’m very curious. I’ve never been on a date like this.”
My mood dips, and I grunt, thinking of all the other dates she’s been with random men, and my blood boils. Thinking about Jasmine in another man’s arms doesn’t sit right with me, and I force myself to concentrate on her voice behind me. I’m taking her to Azure Oasis, one of my most spontaneous and remarkable purchases.
I was in college when it happened. I’d just had one of the numerous arguments with my mother and was a little tipsy after drinking when I went online and saw a private lake being advertised. It was located in the heart of SoHo, surrounded by a beautiful garden and a unique view of a mountain. I immediately bought it without confirming whether it was real or a fake ad. To my shock, however, I went there the next day, and it was a real lake. Pretty as a picture. I always come here whenever I need a break from reality.
