Faery Godlover: BBW Paranormal Romance (4 page)

Hayden drove them smoothly through town to the elegant eatery where their dinner reservation waited. The bistro served traditional Spanish cuisine and the delicious scents of garlic and saffron wafted from the kitchen. Hayden asked her if she’d let him order since he frequented this place quite often. She nodded primly, unsure of what to make of the menu.

He ordered their dinner with pairing wine, impressing Jasmine again with his knowledge of wine. When she said so, Hayden confided that he had always wanted to grow the best vines in Napa and make his own signature vintage when he retired. Hayden asked the waiter for the check. He refused when Jasmine offered to pay her half.

“It’s my treat. I’m the one who choose this place.” Hayden winked. “You can take care of dinner for our next date.”

Next date? So there would be the second date? With this guy?

Whoa. Usually her blind dates always ended up in disappointment. She must give Duada kudos for setting this one up.

Out of nowhere, Jasmine felt the urge to yawn, but she stifled it, hoping Hayden hadn’t noticed.

“I hope you’re not tired yet. The night still young.”

Damn. “No. Not yet. It's just that I’ve had a little too much wine. I’m fine.”

“Good. I was hoping you’d accompany me to a friend’s party. We won’t stay too long, I promise. We’ll just say hello, have a bit of refreshment, perhaps do some dancing, and then I’ll drive you home. Do you like to dance, Jasmine?”

Dancing? She laughed softly. “I don’t know. It’s been a long time since my freshman year in college. I don’t really do that kind of stuff anymore.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten how?” Hayden folded his napkin and pushed his plate towards the waiter who had begun to clear the table. “It’s like riding a bike or swimming. Once you’ve learned it, you’ll never forget it.  You know, Jasmine, I feel like I haven’t gotten the chance to know you much this evening. Where did you work, again?”

“Oh.” There was a sinking feeling in her gut, how would he respond to the wide social gap between them? He was the CEO of a multi-million dollar company and she was just making coffee at a small café for a living. She took a deep breath and muttered, “I’m a barista at the Java Joy.”

“You know what, I’m a coffee aficionado myself. If I hadn’t had a cup of espresso in the morning, I’m not awake.”

Hayden’s reaction surprised her. She expected he’d snub her for her job. “Me too. What are your favorite beans?”

“El Injerto or St. Helene. I like coffee that has full body but has delicate acidity.”

“I thought you’re going to say Kopi Luwak or Black Ivory, being the most expensive out there, that is.”

“The poop coffee?” He made a face. “No, thank you.  The civet and the elephant can have them.”

They laughed together.

One brownie point. Once she dug through his list of accomplishments, Hayden was actually nice to talk to. He was knowledgeable, not just blowing hot air like some people she knew. This date had been fun so far, how did Duada find this guy? Jasmine wondered for the second time.

They drove to Hayden’s friend’s party in New Vernon and stopped in front of a house that was more like a mansion than anything. He introduced her to his friends and they were politely curious about her, and as more than one of them mentioned, Hayden didn’t usually bring his dates to parties. One of Hayden’s female friends was curious if she and Hayden were serious. The woman, Pamela, didn’t believe her when Jasmine told her she and Hayden were on their first date. Pamela said that Hayden must have thought that Jasmine was special. They chatted and had more drinks on the patio. Once Hayden’s friend started pushing people into the pool, Hayden pulled her into the house and watched his friends’ shenanigans from the French doors.

Hayden chuckled. “Rowdy, aren’t they? You’d think they’re a bunch of frat boys.”

“You went to college with all of them?”

“Mostly. We’ve been friends since high school. Pete went to Princeton with Milla and Pamela.”

“Milla, the one who set this date up?”

He nodded. “Too bad she hasn’t shown up tonight. She’s a fun girl.”

Jasmine felt relieved. If Milla were here, she’d be hard pressed to explain how this had all come about, and Milla might not remember if she ever played as matchmaker at all.

“Jasmine.” Hayden suddenly became serious. He took her hands and squeezed them. “I’ve really enjoyed our evening together. To be honest, it’s been a while since I felt this way. You’re beautiful and kind and I’m really taken with you. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to see you again.”

His confession took her by surprise. “O-okay.”

A smile crept across his handsome face. “I wish…I don’t want the night to end. Jasmine, come home with me tonight.”

“I…”

“And take a day off work tomorrow. I want to take you to New York tomorrow and spend the whole day together. We can go shopping, sightseeing, anywhere you want to go. Please say yes.”

She wanted to think about it some more, but Duada’s annoying smirk suddenly flashed before her eyes. She didn’t want to come home and see that fae prince with his smug expression and his amethyst eyes and his gorgeous...

She shook off her thought. “That sounds fun, Hayden.”

“You won’t get in trouble for skipping a workday, right? I’ll talk to your boss if I have to.”

“My friend can cover for me if I ask him nicely.”

“That’s great.” Hayden lifted her hand and kissed it like a true gentleman. “I’ll find Pete and tell him we’re leaving.”

“Okay.” Jasmine was slightly dazed with the sudden development. She watched him beaming as he slipped past the French doors and went to the back patio to find his host. Jasmine padded to the kitchen to put away her glass. Pamela and Pete’s wife were there and they chatted for a few minutes. She excused herself to grab her purse and her new coat from the guest bedroom.

As she bent down to grab her purse, her shoe snagged on the carpet, sending her sprawling onto the carpet, giving her a clear view to the bathroom. The door was partially ajar and someone was using the toilet.

Hayden.

With the music blasting throughout the house, Hayden hadn’t heard her come in, or fall. Jasmine got to her knees, ready to withdraw silently but what she saw made her freeze.

Hayden’s cock was…

Abnormal was the first thing come to mind. She thought what was Hayden doing holding a big meaty summer sausage between his legs. Feminine terror seized her when she realized what it really was.

She clasped her hand over her mouth. Holy Jesus Maria. Is that what I think it was? Panic engulfed her in a heartbeat.

She had agreed to come home with him, which meant she’d be seeing that massive cock up close and personal...

But…

No. She couldn’t do this.

Hayden was just ridiculously…

No. It was abnormal.

There was no way she was getting close to any of that. Oh, hell no!

She couldn’t get out of that house any faster. She walked one block, called a taxi and went home. Jasmine was gnawed by guilt, but that soon gave way to anger. She should have known that if something was too good to be true, it probably was.

That stupid jerk faery was messing with her.

As soon as she reached her apartment, she burst through the door and shouted, “Duada, what the hell?”

She heard snickering from the living room, where her faery godscumbag was posted up on her slouchy sofa, watching game show reruns. He sat up and took one look at her horrified expression before snorting in amusement.

“You’re home rather early. What’s wrong?” he asked innocently.

The nerve of this bastard!

“Do you have to ask?”

Duada didn’t play coy for long. A hint of laughter curled at the corner of his lips. “I thought you would like him. Doesn’t he have a lot to offer?” the fae said pointedly.

Jasmine kicked off her shoes in annoyance, shooting him a fiery glare. “You think this is some kind of joke? It’s not funny!” She sank her butt onto the musty old armchair. “I can’t believe you did this to me.”

Duada sobered up, seeming to forcing himself to stop grinning at her. “I never meant it to be funny. James Hayden is striking-looking—for a human, of course. He’s wealthy with an excellent pedigree. A bright career. Ambitious. He’s rather impatient at times, but my understanding is that successful men of his age share that same trait.” Duada’s eyes glittered with mischief. “And I was told he’s particularly excellent in bedsport.”

Jasmine snorted. “Yeah, I’d be surprised that he hasn’t managed to kill any of his bed partners yet.”

“Why is that?” Duada pretended to look guiltless but failed epically.

“Seriously, dude. Do I need to spell it out?”

“You weren’t pleased with his cocksmanship?”

Jasmine choked. “His
what
?”

Duada roared boisterously.

She gritted her teeth. “This is just great. I’m
glad
you got a good laugh out of my situation.”

The fae composed himself quickly after. “I take it you didn’t even make it to his bed?”

“What? No freaking way!”

“All right, all right. You don’t need to be so
testy
about it.”

Duada gusted a long-suffering sigh as if he was dealing with a daft kid. “Fine, fine. I understand. I have seemed to miscalculated your interest. The next one will be better, I swear. Just—tell me more about what you’d like in a mate,” he said, leaning back and sprawling his muscular arms over the back of the couch.

For a long moment, Jasmine was distracted by the sight in front of her.

Duada looked like some kind of bizarre Playgirl centerfold, all sinew and dark hair and wild, crystalline eyes. This asshole fae prince was mouthwateringly sexy. Part of Jasmine wanted to just point at him and say
, “That. I would like that in a mate.” 
But at the same time she knew he was off-limits, or at least she assumed he was. She didn’t know what the rules were regarding fae-human relations, seeing as she had never encountered a fae before. “I don’t know… sensitive and thoughtful? Someone in touch with his emotions,” she suggested, shrugging. “I don’t care much about his physical attributes. I just need him to be a nice person. A nice, sensitive, caring person.”
Unlike someone I just knew,
she thought grumpily.
Damn you, if you weren’t this gorgeous, it would be easier for me to hate you.

Duada nodded slowly, looking at her with a quizzical expression. “Interesting. I always thought that was the main attraction for human females. Some human said to me recently that bigger was better when it came to that. So, I’ve taken the liberty to reserve the creme de la creme just for you.”

“Where did you hear that?”

“In a bar somewhere.”

“I’m sure that was meant as a joke. For your information, we’re not all that shallow,” she retorted, rolling her eyes. “I’ll have you know that bigger isn’t always better.”

“Oh? Do elaborate. So you prefer slightly bigger than average but slightly smaller than Hayden?”

“Duada, please.” Jasmine covered her face with her hands. She was mortified at the direction this discussion was taking. From the way he appeared to be enjoying himself, Duada was clearly messing with her. Didn’t she hear somewhere that faefolks had a macabre sense of humor? “Can we not talk about male genitals anymore, please? Like, ever?”

She heard him chuckling.

“Well! I can see this topic is too delicate for your sensitive ears. But I must admit, you’re more entertaining than I originally thought,” the fae said, clapping his hands together.

“What about Hayden?” she asked.

“What about him?”

“I kinda ran away from the party once I discovered…” She gulped. “It was cowardly of me after he was so nice. He took me out for a wonderful dinner and introduced me to his friends…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”

“You will?”

“I’ll erase his memory. I can make tonight’s date as if it never happened.”

“Oh. Thank you, I guess.”

“I shall do my best to find you your perfect gentleman. Time for you to get some sleep— you’ve got a big day tomorrow with your next date!”

She let down her hands and eyed him with suspicion. “I changed my mind. I don’t want another date.”

“Oh, but you must!”

“I have a feeling you’re just yanking my chain.”

“Yanking your what? Jasmine, I’m not a human and most importantly, I’m not a female. You must pardon me if I didn’t get this thing right the first time. Nobody’s perfect in the beginning.” He got up and slowly straightened himself in full height. His gaze zeroed in on her, his eyes blazing.

She found herself shrinking in her seat as he leaned down to her. At that very moment, he looked so goddamn dangerous.

“Besides,” he breathed in icy tone, “you and I are bound by the covenant. I can’t leave Earth until I complete my task. The sooner I can get you your man, the sooner I can return to my Queen’s court. Do you think I enjoy playing matchmaker for some unfortunate human? Me, a high fae of royal birth?”