Obsession - Erotic love story

Chapter 15

Jasmine

Jasmine stood in front of the mirror, admiring the way the new dress fit her—a soft floral print that felt familiar, like something she’d have chosen herself. The new clothes made her feel put together, though there was still a part of her that felt uneasy about how they’d come into her possession. Reece had been so generous, almost overwhelming in his desire to take care of her, but she couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling of dependency growing stronger with each day.

She took a deep breath, determined to clear her mind. She needed to get out for a while, to breathe and regain a sense of control over her life. Gathering her things, Jasmine made her way through the penthouse toward the door, but she paused when she realized she hadn’t seen Reece all morning. Part of her wanted to tell him where she was going, as if she owed him that much after all he’d done for her.

As she walked down the hall, she passed an open room and stopped in her tracks. There, in the middle of a private gym, was Reece—shirtless, his body glistening with sweat as he worked out. His muscles rippled with every movement, each flex of his arms and back defined in the low light of the room. His focus was sharp, his expression determined as he lifted weights, the exertion making his breaths quick and controlled.

Jasmine felt her cheeks flush instantly. She hadn’t meant to interrupt him, and now she found herself unable to look away. There was something captivating about seeing him like this—so raw and powerful, in complete control of his body and movements. Her heart raced, and she felt a wave of warmth rush through her.

Before she could turn away, Reece glanced up, catching her gaze. His expression softened into a smile as he set the weights down and grabbed a towel to wipe his face.

“Jasmine,” he said, his voice low and still slightly breathless. “Heading out?”

She nodded, her cheeks still flushed as she tried to compose herself. “Yeah, I was just going to buy a few things I need.”

Reece threw the towel over his shoulder, stepping closer to her. He looked effortlessly confident, even in his casual, sweaty state. “You don’t need to get a cab,” he said smoothly, pulling his phone from his pocket. “My driver will take you wherever you need to go. We’re deeper in the city here, and it’s a bit busier than where your apartment was.”

Jasmine hesitated for a moment. She wasn’t used to this kind of luxury, to having a driver at her disposal. But Reece’s eyes were so sincere, so certain, that she found herself nodding.

“Thank you,” she said softly.

Reece made a quick call, and within minutes, everything was arranged. He stepped closer to her, his presence commanding as usual, and smiled. “Vincent will meet you in the lobby and take you wherever you need. Just let him know if you want to make any stops.”

Jasmine smiled gratefully, though the feeling of unease lingered at the edge of her thoughts. She thanked Reece again and made her way to the penthouse lobby, where Vincent, Reece’s assistant, was waiting for her. He was polite, efficient, and professional—offering her a small nod as they approached the sleek, black car parked at the entrance.

As they settled into the car, Vincent asked, “Where would you like to go, Miss Vaughn?”

Jasmine hesitated for a moment, thinking about where she needed to go. “A clothing store would be great.”

Vincent gave a slight nod and pulled away from the building, the car gliding smoothly through the busy city streets. Jasmine looked out the window, watching the vibrant energy of the city as they drove deeper into its heart. This part of the city was different—busier, livelier, filled with luxury shops and high-end businesses that seemed a world away from the quieter neighborhood where her apartment had been.

Eventually, they pulled up to a boutique, and Vincent opened the door for her with a polite nod. Jasmine stepped out and felt her breath catch as she looked at the storefront—elegant and inviting, with designer clothes on display. She couldn’t believe she was here, in a place like this, about to shop with a credit card that wasn’t even hers.

Inside, she was immediately overwhelmed by how beautiful everything was. Rows of delicate dresses, tailored jackets, and perfectly crafted accessories filled the space, each item more expensive than anything she’d ever owned. But as much as she felt out of place, she couldn’t help but admire the clothes.

After browsing for a while, she picked a few floral-printed dresses that caught her eye. They were lovely, simple yet elegant, exactly the kind of things she would have chosen for herself—if she could have afforded them.

As she approached the counter to pay, her hands trembled slightly as she pulled out the black credit card Reece had given her. The card felt heavy in her hand, a reminder of the world she was now a part of—a world she didn’t entirely understand. When the clerk smiled and took the card from her, Jasmine felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her chest.

Would the card go through? Would they ask questions?

Her heart raced as the transaction processed, but when the clerk handed the card back with a polite “thank you,” Jasmine let out a quiet sigh of relief. She smiled back, feeling a little silly for being so nervous.

“Thank you for coming,” the woman behind the counter said cheerfully.

Jasmine nodded, feeling a mix of guilt and gratitude. She knew she should be thankful for Reece’s generosity, but part of her still felt uneasy about relying on him so completely. She wasn’t used to accepting help, especially on this scale.

After leaving the boutique, her arms filled with shopping bags, Jasmine walked down the street, feeling a little lighter. But as she passed a large storefront, her attention was immediately drawn to the towering windows of a bookstore. Her eyes widened in awe—it was massive, far larger than the small, cozy bookstore she worked at.

The sight of the shelves filled with books, the smell of paper and ink wafting through the air, was irresistible. Without thinking, she crossed the street and entered the store, a sense of excitement bubbling up inside her.

Books had always been her escape, her safe place, and being in this store—surrounded by so many stories, so many worlds—felt like coming home. She wandered the aisles for what felt like hours, browsing the shelves and adding several books to her growing collection of shopping bags.

There was a slight pang of guilt in her chest as she walked to the register, feeling as though she was indulging in something she shouldn’t be. But at the same time, she reasoned with herself—Reece had given her the card. He had wanted her to have whatever she needed, and right now, she needed books as much as she needed clothes.

After making her purchase, Jasmine left the bookstore with a smile on her face, her arms filled with new dresses and novels. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to enjoy the luxury, to embrace the strange, beautiful world Reece had brought her into.

But as she made her way back to the car, a small voice in the back of her mind reminded her that nothing came without a price.

And she couldn’t shake the feeling that, sooner or later, she would have to pay it.