mango_latte

When Jasmine’s car collides with Antonio’s, she expects nothing more than an accident report and a headache. But from the moment he lays eyes on her, Antonio is captivated—her beauty, her presence, the quiet fire in her eyes. She’s been hurt before, and love is not something she’s searching for. All she wants is peace, warmth, and a place where she feels safe.

But Antonio is not a man who walks away from what he wants. And from the moment he sees her, he knows—he wants her.

HIS ENDEAVORS

Jasmine sat across from Konrad, keeping her posture composed despite the unease crawling up her spine. His presence was commanding, though different from Antonio's—where Antonio carried a silent, lethal authority, Konrad was sharper, unpredictable, like a blade waiting to strike.

She had dealt with difficult clients before, but this wasn't a typical session. This was something else.

Jasmine flipped open her notebook. "So, why don't we start with why you're here?"

Konrad leaned back in his chair, smirking. "Straight to business. I like that."

Konrad sighed dramatically. "Fine. Let's say I've been feeling… tense lately."

Jasmine arched an eyebrow. "Tense?"

"I have a demanding job. Stress is inevitable."

Jasmine tapped her pen against the notepad. "You're Antonio's second-in-command. I assume that stress isn't just from office meetings and paperwork."

Konrad chuckled. "You assume correctly."

She leaned forward slightly. "Then let's be honest, Konrad. You don't strike me as the type of man who willingly seeks out therapy. So why are you really here?"

Konrad's smirk faltered just a fraction before he settled into something unreadable. "Antonio wanted me to keep an eye on you."

Jasmine's grip on her pen tightened. "Excuse me?"

Konrad shrugged. "He's protective. You might have noticed."

"I don't need protecting," she said firmly.

Jasmine exhaled sharply, closing her notebook. "I don't play games, Konrad. If this is just an excuse for Antonio to keep tabs on me, then we're done here."

Konrad tilted his head, studying her. Then, after a long pause, he smiled.

"Fair enough, sweetheart." He stood, adjusting his sleeves. "Consider our session over."

Jasmine watched as he made his way to the door, her frustration simmering. Before he left, he turned back to her.

"But a word of advice?" His tone was lighter now, almost amused. "You're in Antonio's world now. That means things are going to change for you, whether you like it or not."

Jasmine's jaw clenched. "I decide what changes in my life, Konrad. Not Antonio. Not you."

Konrad chuckled, shaking his head as he opened the door. "We'll see about that."

Jasmine exhaled, pressing her fingertips to her temples.

chapter twenty-one