Page 11 of Jackpot Joker

“Mr. Caruso,” she says, smoothing out the solid black jumpsuit she’s wearing. This one has sleek, wide-leg pants, but the top is lace with fluttery sleeves and a V that displays her breasts beautifully. Like her attire yesterday, a simple black belt is tied at the waist, and I’ve never been jealous of a belt before, but here I am wishing I were one. Glancing down, I note the pizza-shaped heels she wears, knowing they can’t be comfortable. This woman really is something. “You’re a bit early for our meeting today.”

I plaster on my most charming smile, but it seems to have no effect on her. Damn.

“Am I?” I am, and the look on her face tells me she knows I know.

Jasmine brings a mug to her lips and takes a drink of dark liquid. “Well, since you’re here, we may as well get this over with. Can I offer you some coffee before we head to my office?”

Gross. “I don’t drink coffee.”

Her face falls in disbelief. “Like, without creamer?”

“Like, at all,” I answer with a smile, but she just blinks at me.

“How do you make it through the day?”

“Oh, my stamina is nothing you have to worry about, Miss Baker,” I assure her, causing a wrinkle to form between her brows.

Jasmine mumbles something under her breath and passes me, shaking her head as she walks in the direction of her office.

Jasmine hangs up the phone and gives me a huge, fake grin. “Well, Mr. Caruso, it sounds like things will start rolling soon, and you will be the proud new owner of a slightly rundown warehouse by the end of the week.”

She extends her hand, and I shake it, bypassing the kiss and threats of a sexual harassment claim this time. Instead, I make a proposition. “Now that we have this matter of business squared away, I would love for you to accompany me to all of our different properties.”

Jasmine looks at me skeptically. “Why would I do that?”

“Seeing as how you are our primary attorney for all things real estate, I assumed you would want to see the types of properties we prefer to invest in. I think you’ll find the Caruso family prefers structures of a special caliber.”

“A special caliber? Such as the warehouse that will need a new roof by the end of the year, you just acquired?”

“Rundown warehouses aren’t the only properties we own. Some are definitely more extravagant than others. For example, my place. I’d love to take you there.”

Her tongue darts out between her lips, and while it appears to be a sign of exasperation, I can’t help but think about what those lips and that tongue must taste like. Everything about this woman screams that she, too, enjoys extravagance. I bet she brushes her teeth with champagne. “Mr. Caruso, do you not see how it is highly inappropriate to ask me to join you at your place?”

I smirk. “I think you misunderstood…”

“No, Mr. Caruso, I understand your advances perfectly. While I’m flattered that a man of your—what was the word you used? Caliber? Yes, a man of your caliber would be interested in a woman like me; I have to make you aware of the firm boundary between us. I am your attorney. You are my client. There will be no going back to your place. Ever.”

I’m confused by what she means about a man like me being interested in a woman like her. Does she truly not see how magnificent she is? I clear my throat. “Miss Baker, I’m asking if you would accompany me to Angelo, my hotel-casino. I would love for you to see it.”

I watch her face take a moment to distort from disbelief to professionalism. “Mr. Caruso, I have all the files for each and every one of your properties, including Angelo. I am sure there is sufficient information that your proposal won’t be necessary.”

I gasp dramatically, “A proposal this soon? I haven’t even taken you to dinner yet. What kind of man do you take me for?”

I search for her lips to tilt upward at my cheesy joke and deflate when she simply huffs out a breath and stands. “I don’t see how joining you would be a benefit to our working relationship. The files I have let me know everything I need.”

She’s dismissing me, and that won’t do. “Please, Miss Baker. Don’t deny me the pleasure of accompanying you to my favorite place in the world.”

“You know we won’t deny the Caruso family anything here at Jorgensen & Munson,” a deep voice booms as I look up to see Jim Jorgensen standing in the doorframe behind me. Jasmine’s boss gives her a glare, and while I don’t like the threat lingering in his eyes, I’ll let it slide if it means getting her to go to my casino with me.

“Of course, Mr. Jorgensen. I was about to accept Mr. Caruso’s offer to stop by the casino he owns. I only meant to explain that I can visit after hours in my free time, so it doesn’t pull me away from any of my work here.”

Jim Jorgensen puffs out his chest and nods before turning to me. “Does that work for you, Mr. Caruso?”

I grimace. “Unfortunately, I have a meeting this evening and was actually hoping I could steal Miss Baker away now. Besides, it’s so much easier to give a tour during the day before it fills up with the nightly crowd.”

“Then it’s settled,” he says, looking back at her. “Miss Baker, you will join Mr. Caruso.” He checks the gold Rolex on his wrist. “Go ahead and take your things with you, and you can head home from there.”

“Oh, that’s not necessary. I have some things I still need to… ” Her voice trails off as her boss pins another stare at her. What the fuck is this guy’s problem? “I mean, yes, sir. Thank you.”