Free All of Me (The Billionaire Next Door Book 7) by Violette Paradis Page A

I’d be able to make it to the cashier without tripping.
    “You sure know a lot about this,” I said.
    “Skiing and hanging out in the snow was my
life back when I was growing up in Montana.
I can’t wait to get out in the snow again.” Jason looked at the rack of gloves
and picked out a black pair for himself.
    “Sounds to me like you were a bit of a
daredevil.” I looked at him and saw the reckless teenager behind his eyes.
    “Who says I’m not still?” He smirked as he
grabbed the pile of stuff out of my hands. His eyes drifted down over my body,
then back up. “You’re going to be the hottest snow bunny on the slopes.”
    I raised my eyebrow. “Snow bunny?”
    “That’s what they call someone hot like you.”
    I smirked. “Are you one too?”
    Jason thought about it for a second before his
devious smile reappeared. “If it means we can do it like bunnies, then sure.”
    I rolled my eyes and pushed him away for the
second time that evening before walking towards the cash register. As I walked
away I couldn’t help but smile.
    After we paid for all our ski stuff, we walked
through the mall. It was my first time really enjoying Jason’s new Jacksonville mall and it
was comforting to see shops that belonged to old friends. As I walked by
Ellie’s dress shop, I peeked in. She wasn’t there but I could tell the shop was
doing well. The store was full of shoppers trying on dresses and getting
fitted.
    Jason held my hand firmly as we walked through
the mall and at one point he pulled me into a store.
    “What are you doing?” I asked.
    “Trying to figure out what you want for
Christmas.”
    I eyed him skeptically.
    He picked up a large purse. “Here, what do you
think of this?”
    “Oh, it’s beautiful!” I grabbed it and touched
the material. It had that delicious new smell that expensive things had.
Instinctively, I looked at the price. I immediately put the purse down. I was
sure my face was whiter than Colorado
snow because Jason looked concerned.
    “Are you okay? You look sick.” He touched my
shoulder, keeping me steady.
    “This is crazy,” I said, looking up into his
eyes. “Have you seen this?” I showed him the price of the purse. He looked at
it as if he didn’t understand.
    “What’s wrong? I was going to get this for you
as a gift.”
    I shook my head. “No, you can’t do that.”
    Jason furrowed his brow. “Why not?”
    “This is almost three month’s rent!”
    “Sophia, you don’t have to worry about money.”
He took my hand, but I quickly retracted it, still in shock that a purse could
be that expensive.
    “It’s not that.” I looked into Jason’s eyes.
His lips were parted.
    Oh no.
    I realized that I might have hurt his
feelings. He was trying to buy me a gift, after all.
    “I just don’t think I’d be very comfortable
carrying around such a valuable purse. It doesn’t make sense to me. If you
want, we can go to that store and you can buy me a purse from there.” I pointed
to a much more affordable store across the hall.
    “But I want to spend my money on you.” Jason
held my hand in his.
    I tightened my lips and exhaled sharply.
    “Well, if you want to spend your money on me,
spend it on something that will make me happy.”
    “Like?”
    “Like the vet from Miami - she needs a new x-ray machine and
this would cover it.” I held up the price tag, careful not to touch the purse
in case I stained it accidentally.
    “You sure?”
    I nodded. “A hundred percent.” I kept my eyes
steady on him.
    Jason looked deep into my eyes before cracking
a smile. “You really are incredible, you know that?”
    I smiled, knowing that Jason understood.
    Jason pushed a strand of hair back behind my
ear. “If that’s what will make you happy - then consider it done.”
    “Really?” My eyes grew wide. “Oh, thank you,
Jason! Thank you, thank you!” I wrapped my arms around him and held him close
to me. He rubbed my back and I inhaled the scent of fabric softener