Page 19 of Jackpot Joker

“Jasmine, what’s wrong?”

I yank my arm away. “Our meeting is over, Mr. Caruso. You’ve shown me all I need to see, and it’s past time for me to go home.” I point overhead at the darkening sky.

“Then I’ll drive you there, Miss Baker.” He says my name like it burns his tongue.

“There’s no need. I’ll arrange a rideshare. You seem to have plans anyway.”

Dario stares at me for several moments, the heat of his gaze burning into my profile. The moment is heavy as we stare at each other, both our mouths in tight lines of frustration.

Then, he throws his head back and laughs, a deep, throaty sound that would have me weak in the knees if he wasn’t such a vile man. When Dario calms himself, he looks at me, his smile as wide as a Cheshire cat. “I like you like this, mio toro.”

“Like what?”

Dario takes another step toward me, and while my body tries to stay where it is, my mind wins the war, and I take a step back.

“You’re jealous.”

A harsh laugh sounds. “I certainly am not jealous.”

“Tell me, Miss Baker, were you bothered by that woman?”

I scoff. “I was bothered by her rudeness. We were clearly in the middle of a conversation, and she just forced her way in like I wasn’t standing there.”

“And when her hand roamed over my body, touching places you haven’t, did that upset you?”

“Yes,” I admit, and Dario steps closer to me.

“You know, you can touch my body if you’d like.”

My jaw drops, and I clench my hands so they don’t go rogue and try to give in to his offer. I promptly close my mouth and shake my head. “Eww. I mean that I was upset because she was putting her hands on you without your permission. Nobody should touch anyone without their consent.”

Dario’s smile widens. “That reminds me of our meet-cute.”

“Our what?” I ask.

“Our meet-cute. When we met at the firm, I kissed your hand, and you growled at me. You also accused me of having a slew of hidden sexual harassment charges.”

“What’s cute about that?”

Dario licks his lips. “Your demand for consent is not only noble, but it’s sexy.”

I roll my eyes. “Sexy isn’t cute.”

“No? Well, have you seen yourself when you’re angry, Miss Baker?”

I raise my eyebrows at him.

“Very cute.”

I’m stunned, unsure of what to say, but like magic, Dario’s shiny car pulls up to the door.

“Get in the car, Miss Baker.”

Chapter 10

Dario

My phone buzzes in my pocket as I drive through the city, past the tourist areas and toward a row of residential condos. Jasmine may not be living in a billion-dollar home, but she isn’t exactly slumming it either.