Close To Her Asian Billionaire

*****

Jason pulled the car into the parking lot and parked. He turned off the engine and turned to Carla.

“You okay now?”

Carla sat up in her seat and adjusted the fleece Jason had given her. She could still feel her cheeks flaming even though the scene had long passed.

“I’m fine.”

“Seriously?”

Carla glanced at him, seeing that Jason was giving her a look of concern. She couldn’t blame him since she had freaked out when they were out on the highest wire, demanding to get down and screaming her head off.

She should never have agreed to go to the high wire center. While Carla was determined to have fun in a high-adrenaline activity, her brain was telling her she shouldn’t go up high because it was a very long way down to the ground. She had managed to hold out for most of it until they got to the top.

The staff must have found her reaction comical even if they saw it every day.

“I’m sorry I was stupid with the high wires.” She muttered.

Jason laid a hand over hers and squeezed.

“Everyone is allowed to be scared of something. It’s not a big deal.”

Jason had been brilliant. Instead of losing his temper and shouting at her for being so stupid, he had gone to her side and helped her down, barely leaving her as they climbed down. When they got to the bottom Carla had collapsed in hysterics and Jason had simply picked her up and carried her to sit under a nearby tree, where he cradled her in his lap until she stopped crying, rubbing her back and rocking her gently.

They must have looked a sight. But Jason hadn’t said a word about it. Once Carla had calmed down they went inside, got their gear off, and Jason had given the staff a hefty tip by way of apology. Then he had taken her away and driven her to a nearby diner, making her eat whatever was put in front of her. Still in a slight state of shock, Carla had allowed Jason to order for her. His choice had been a good one and Carla had wolfed down the burger and fries, followed by a slice of fudge cake.

Once the food had gone down Carla felt better but still embarrassed at what had happened. But Jason had been really sweet throughout it all, holding her and telling her things were fine.

This wasn’t the man Carla had heard about. The Jason Liu she had been told about was not the same as the man who had looked after her. It was like she knew a completely different man, something he kept hidden from everyone else.

That side she saw would be easy to fall in love with. And Carla was in danger of falling into that trap.

She needed to put some space between them.

Jason climbed out and walked around to Carla’s side, helping her out. Carla didn’t need the help – she had the strength back in her legs now – but she allowed the help. It was nice to have someone do something for her for once. She leaned against him as they walked over to the elevator, Jason’s arm comfortable around her waist. He still held onto her as Carla swiped her key card to open the doors, reluctantly loosening his grip when Carla turned to him.

“Thanks for everything. And I’m sorry it was ruined.”

“It wasn’t ruined.” Jason backtracked when he saw Carla’s expression. “Much. But I did enjoy myself with you.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.” Jason cupped her cheek in his hand, brushing his thumb across her jaw. “Just tell me when you don’t want to do something, okay? I don’t want you uncomfortable again.”

Carla leaned into his touch, feeling the warmth from his palm.

“I will do.” She whispered.

Jason was quiet for a moment. Then he bent his head. Carla felt the gentle brush of lips against hers and leaned into the kiss, placing her hands on his chest. Jason applied a little more pressure before he slowly pulled away. He was breathing heavily and pressed his forehead against hers.

“Goodnight, Carla.” He rasped. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Carla didn’t say anything. She simply nodded.

Jason kissed her again, this one quicker, and pulled away.

“Sleep well.”

Carla watched him walk away. She felt lightheaded. It had been a while since she had dated anyone, let alone kissed anyone, but that was the sweetest kiss she had ever experienced.

Her body heated as she thought about what other things Jason could do to her.

Shaking herself out of her reverie, Carla stepped into the elevator and pressed the button to her floor. She was still thinking about Jason and the kiss when she stepped out and wandered down the hall to her apartment.

Then she stopped. Her door was open, barely on the latch. It was also splintered around the lock.

Carla knew better than to go in. Anyone could be hiding inside. But she wasn’t going to impose on Jason. There wasn’t anything he could do, anyway.

So she pulled out her cell phone and called the only person she knew who could help.

*****

Luke stood in the middle of the lounge and looked around him in amazement. He whistled.

“This is something. Is anything damaged or destroyed?”

“Lots of things.” Carla kicked at a cushion that had been ripped open and the stuffing taken out. “Most of it can be replaced. But some of my things…”

She broke off, trying not to cry at the destruction in her home. Luke had arrived within twenty minutes of Carla calling him and had entered the apartment first, gun drawn. He had come out a few minutes later saying there was no one in the apartment but the place was a mess. Carla had no idea how much of a mess until she came in.

Furniture was turned over, cushions were ripped apart and her coffee table was smashed. The dishes in the kitchen littered the floor and bleach had been poured all over her food in the fridge. Some pictures hanging on the wall had been taken down and stomped on. Her TV was completely destroyed.

Her bedroom was just as bad. The mattress had been slashed and the bedding was leaking stuffing. Her clothes had been dumped on the floor and bleach poured over everything. And a few of her underwear were covered in a fluid Carla didn’t even want to contemplate what it was.

“Hey.” Luke nudged her arm. “Just be thankful you weren’t here when they came in.”

Carla was thankful for that. Judging from the way her intruders had jacked off into her panties she could have been attacked and ra*ed and left to die. From what she could see everything would have to be replaced.

She hoped her insurance covered her.