“We might as well make the best of our time together, even though you don’t even want to be here.”
“That’s not true,” she cried. “I do want to be here and I want to be with you.”
He sat down on the couch and patted the seat next to him. “I think I’ve made it pretty clear how much I want to be with you.”
She sat down and her voice turned shy. “Thank you for the wonderful meal. I’m sorry we didn’t get to finish it all.”
He caressed her cheek with his hand. “Are you really sorry? Because I’m not.”
Her skin was so soft that he didn’t ever want to stop touching her. Luckily, he was able to keep his desire for her under control. For now.
Jasmine tilted her face, her mouth turned down at the corners. “Only that I was such a poor cooking student. I let you do all the work.”
He paused his movements. “That just means you’ll need another lesson.”
She didn’t smile, and he could tell her mind was elsewhere. He dropped his hand from her face into his lap.
“What’s wrong, Jasmine?” he asked, suddenly tired, but wanting nothing more than to make her happy.
“I’m afraid the restaurant won’t survive without Lucy’s guidance, if I take it over. She works so hard. If something happens to her...”
Her voice trailed off and there were tears in her eyes.
Micah took her in his arms, and she leaned against him. “Shhh... Nothing is going to happen to Lucy. You said yourself that she is in good health.”
She seemed to accept his answer, even though he had no way of predicting whether Lucy would get sick.
“Don’t worry, whenever I’m in town,” he continued. “I can give you a cooking lesson, no problem.”
Despite his cheerful tone, her face crumpled a little, like she was hurt. But why should she be, he reasoned, hugging her tightly. She knew he didn’t have a permanent residence in Bay Point. He wasn’t going to tell her that his feelings for her had deepened. Not until he’d had a chance to explore them further.
Micah snapped his fingers. “Oh, I almost forgot something. Wait here.”
He got up, grabbed his phone and texted Zack to ask where he’d hid the surprise he’d mailed to him. After he’d retrieved it, he went back into the living room and gave her a white box, wrapped with a red ribbon.
Jasmine’s face lit up. “Presents, already? You really know how to get to a girl’s heart.”
She opened up the box, and pulled out a luxurious white cashmere robe.
“Oh my goodness, it’s beautiful.”
He stood and grabbed her hand, pulling her up with him. “It will look even better on you.”
She let her towel drop and he whistled at the sight of her beautiful body. Micah knew at that moment that he would never get tired of looking at her. His control waned, and his cock stood at attention.
Jasmine dipped her eyes low and pursed her lips in a way that made his chest tighten.
“On second thought, this can wait.”
She put the gift box and the robe on the couch, and then pushed him down next to them. He yelped in surprise and then groaned as she straddled him.
“But I can’t.” Her voice was a mere whisper, but her intent was clear. “Can you?”
Jasmine tapped her forehead to his as she positioned herself above him. He lifted his hips to meet her, but she kept herself just out of reach.
Micah threaded his fingers through her wet, curly hair. He could feel her heat and saw the passion in her eyes.
“Not a chance, baby.” He gulped hoarsely as her body slowly swallowed him whole.
Chapter 8
Jasmine glanced over at Micah, at his hands gripping the steering wheel, his determined face. Was it possible to fall in love with a guy just by the way he looked when he was driving? Or the way he made love to you?
No, falling in love took a whole lot more, she decided as she turned away and stared out the window. It had to, because she couldn’t pinpoint the second or the hour, or even the reason she’d fallen in love with Micah.
But she had.
It had started raining again, and she appreciated that he drove the convertible with care. Eyes straight ahead, serious. Not playing now, not like last night, she thought, a slight smile on her face. But he was serious then, too. About pleasing her. Over and over again.
* * *
The car wound along cliffs with multimillion-dollar homes perched on top. The expanse of the Pacific Ocean led westward to countries she’d never been before, and might never get a chance to visit.
She didn’t need world travel. She needed Micah by her side, always.
Yesterday had been incredible, and not just the sex, although that had far surpassed even her wildest expectations.
The lunch he’d prepared, the wine they’d drunk and shared, the smell of the wet grass and sodden earth, the way he made her body feel.
Protected, cherished, revered.
Caring for her pleasure first, then his. There was still so much they had to discover about each other.
For dinner, he taught her how to make a homemade pizza, topped with prosciutto and mushrooms. It turned out so good she hoped she could convince Lucy to add it to the menu, in addition to her desserts.
After they ate, they spent the rest of the evening curled up on the couch watching movies. She in her luxuriously soft robe, he in his white cotton briefs.
They’d also talked a lot about Lucy and the restaurant. Micah seemed genuinely concerned and willing to help. That surprised her, given that his brother the mayor hadn’t lifted a finger, although she wasn’t sure Lucy had even asked. She didn’t know what the mayor could possibly do to save the troubled restaurant. He could at least try.
She’d stopped short of mentioning the money they owed to Mr. Stodwell, the landlord, as well as the back taxes they were struggling to pay. According to Lucy, the Langston’s owned some of the buildings downtown, but not theirs.
Maybe that was a good thing, she thought bitterly.
Gregory would probably kick them out, and then raze it and build something new. Growing up in post-Katrina New Orleans, Jasmine had an innate distrust of politicians that wasn’t likely going to change.
Later that night, they’d crawled into bed and Micah had made slow, sweet love to her, until she writhed and wept in his arms. Then they both fell into a blissful sleep. Waking up next to him was a continuation of a dream she hoped wouldn’t have to end.
He touched her knee, and she jumped a little. “You okay, Jasmine? Want me to turn on some music?”
She looked over and smiled. “No, I like the quiet. It feels cozy with the rain pelting against the roof.”
Micah glanced over quickly and nodded. “Like us under the blankets. I’m sorry I had to get us up and out.”
“Back to the real world,” she said, with a trace of sadness that their time together was over. “There’s no escape, I guess.”
“Depends on whom you’re with,” he replied, with a sly smile.
Jasmine was silent for a moment, and then said, “There is something you can do for me.”
“Name it, and it’s yours,” he said with a snap of his fingers.
She turned in her seat to face him. “I want you to ask your brother what kind of business is going in across the street from Lucy’s.”
His brow furrowed. “I thought you said you were hoping for a grocery store. What do you think might be going in?”
“That’s the problem. Lucy and I don’t know, and it’ll be better if we do, so we can stop worrying and plan ahead.”
“That place could stay empty for months.”
“True, but I’d rather know sooner than later.”
“I understand,” he said, looking over. “I’ll do what I can, but Gregory can be pretty tight-lipped when he wants to be.”
>
“To the detriment of the people,” she suggested.
Micah pulled off the exit for town. “That’s a matter of opinion. I’m not around enough to stay tapped into Bay Point politics.”
Jasmine touched his arm. “Maybe you’ll think about sticking around?”
“I don’t know.”
Her heart sank when he didn’t elaborate, but she figured he was merely concentrating on getting her home safely.
He pulled into a parking spot a few doors down from the restaurant and she was silently relieved. She’d called Lucy the night before to let her know that she wasn’t at the beach, but rather with Micah.
Still she didn’t want to call attention to the fact that she’d lied, nor did she want an audience at what she hoped would only be a temporary goodbye.
“When will I see you again?” she asked, taking care to keep her tone casual.
“Like I said a few minutes ago, I don’t know.”
His voice wasn’t sharp, but there was an edge of resignation to it that made her press her back against the door.
Micah reached for her hand, held it, and she relaxed a little.
“We had a wonderful time. Let’s leave it at that for now. Okay?”
“Fine,” she said, snatching her hand away. “Then I guess I won’t wait for you to call.”
Willing away tears, she picked up her tote bag and purse from the floor and got out of the car, knowing he wouldn’t follow her.
After entering the restaurant, she stopped in her tracks and hitched in a breath. Though it was the lunch hour, the place was only half full, the first time that had ever happened since she’d arrived.
This isn’t good.
Jasmine hurried over to Donnie, who was clearing one of the booths on the far side of the wall, near the bar.
“Where is everybody?”
Donnie nestled the dishes in his plastic tray. “That new burger place is running a two-for-one lunch special. Lucy’s jerk chicken is getting a beat down.”
Though he probably meant his statement to be funny, neither of them was laughing.
“Where’s my grandmother?”
He pointed a thumb upward. “Since we’re so slow, she decided to take a break.”
“I’m going upstairs to drop off my stuff and talk to her. I’ll be back down soon.”
Jasmine passed through the kitchen, said a quick hello to Gloria and walked up the back stairs to the apartment.
Her grandmother sat in an overstuffed armchair in the living room, a colorful afghan draped over her knees, reading a magazine.
She dropped her things next to the sofa, and curled up at Lucy’s feet. “I’m sorry for lying to you.”
“I appreciate the apology, but it’s not necessary. You’re a grown woman with your own life.”
“I know, but I didn’t want to worry you.”
Lucy waved her concern away. “I’ve been more worried about you being stuck here with me. I’m glad you were able to get out and have some fun.”
Fun? I wish it were that simple.
Tears sprang to Jasmine’s eyes and this time she let them fall. “Micah is a really special man.”
Lucy set the magazine aside and handed her a tissue. “If that’s the case, then why are you crying?”
She closed her eyes and lifted her chin. “Because I don’t know what to do. I don’t think he feels the same way.”
“Do you know that for sure?” Lucy asked.
“No, but he didn’t ask to see me again,” she sniffled, waving the tissue in the air. “Didn’t ask me for another date. He just dropped me off.”
Lucy stroked her hair, and Jasmine wondered if she was curious why it was now curly instead of straight.
“I never married, but I’ve listened to plenty of men in my restaurant over the years. If they get too close to a woman, too fast, they run, even if they don’t want to.”
“It’s so damn wrong,” Jasmine huffed, and then blew her nose. “Even if he doesn’t want to talk to me, he’ll have to anyway.”
Lucy waggled a finger at her. “Don’t ever chase a man, Jasmine. You’ll regret it.”
“I’m not chasing,” she protested. “I just asked him to find out from Gregory who purchased the building across the street.”
“You shouldn’t have done that,” Lucy palmed her forehead. “I don’t think I want to know.”
Jasmine got up and stretched a cramp out of her left leg. “We have to find out. The dinner crowd is way down, and now lunch today. We have to be prepared.”
“I know, dear,” Lucy replied, her voice sounding worn out. “I shouldn’t bury my head in the sand, but sometimes I wonder if it’s time to let go.”
“No, Lucy,” she urged, sitting down on the chair next to her. “This restaurant is your namesake. You’ve devoted your whole life to it.”
“Yes, but although I want to turn it over to you, I’m not sure if I want you to have the same fate.”
This was her chance to tell her grandmother that she wasn’t sure about her future in the restaurant business, or in Bay Point, for that matter. She was still mulling things over, and there were a lot of unknowns, like her status with Micah. She couldn’t disappoint Lucy just because she didn’t know what to do with the rest of her life.
Jasmine swallowed hard. “My fate is in my hands, while yours seems to be at the mercy of Mayor Langston. I’m all for attracting new businesses into town, but he should think about the ones that have been here all along.”
“Don’t fault Gregory for what’s happening. He takes after his mother, Helen, who has always felt a great deal of civic responsibility. But sometimes, he doesn’t always show it to the people who need it most.”
Jasmine leaned her elbows on her knees. “Regardless, we can’t give up. We have to change with the times, and I’m going to help us do just that!”
Her grandmother smiled. “I admire your spunk. That’s exactly the kind of energy I need for my business, and why I need you.”
She smiled back and squeezed her hand. “We’ll get through this, Lucy. With, or without, the Langston men.”
* * *
All the way back to the estate, Micah wrangled with his thoughts. The way he had left things with Jasmine was not ideal. He should have gotten out of the car, walked her to the door and kissed her goodbye.
But instead, he’d let her go.
Everything was out of whack, out of sync, and he was quickly running out of time.
Micah pulled into the garage and walked into the kitchen. They’d woken up late and only had coffee before leaving the winery. Ginny had the day off, so he’d have to cook lunch himself, which, with his travel schedule, was something he rarely had the opportunity to do.
Immediately, his mind went to Jasmine and all the promises he’d made last night. More cooking lessons, helping her to develop new menu ideas and, he gasped aloud, a chick-flick movie night.
What a man will sacrifice when he’s in love.
He stopped, the freezer door wide open.
Was he in love with Jasmine?
The possibility made him stare at a family-size bag of frozen asparagus like it was the Land of Oz.
Something inside him clicked, and his mind was clear.
A new roof and repairs to the exterior of the building were nearly completed. The electrical had been brought up to code; and a new water tank and heating and cooling system would be installed the following week. Liza Marbet was submitting her designs to him and his partners tomorrow. After one was selected and permits secured, Society Red could be open in as little as forty-five days.
After a deep breath, he pulled out his phone and sent his partners a quick email.
From now on, he would be the source of many problems and sleepless nights for Jasmine and Lucy, but there was nothing he could do about it. T
he decision was made, and there was no better way to deal with the guilt, than to meet it head on.
Though he was afraid of his feelings for Jasmine, he didn’t want to completely turn away from them. If he did, he would likely regret it for the rest of his life.
Opening up his restaurant would allow him to be close to Jasmine and continue to get to know her. How they would co-exist as competitors and lovers in the same town he didn’t know, but he aimed to find out.
Now all he had to do was tell her the truth.
* * *
A flock of seagulls crossed overhead, as Jasmine and Marlon jogged along the Pacific shoreline.
“I’m not supposed to even be here with you.”
“What are you talking about?” she said, wiping the sweat from her brow.
Running on the beach was tough on the legs, but it was the best way to quickly build endurance and strength. Exactly what she would need if she hoped to complete the half marathon she was training for in a couple of weeks.
“My brother banned me from running with you. Can you believe that? He told me he was your new running partner.”
Jasmine blew out a disgusted breath. “How can he be if he’s never here?”
“True,” Marlon said with a little pant. “I don’t think Micah could keep up with you, anyway.”
A knowing smile crossed Jasmine’s face. She recalled how they’d moved together on the grass, the couch and in bed, challenging each other to deepen and lengthen their mutual ecstasy. Thinking of those times with Micah buoyed her heart and put her in a very good mood, despite not having heard from him.
“Where is he anyway?” Jasmine asked, hoping her voice sounded as casual as her stride.
She didn’t know how much Marlon knew about her involvement with his brother, and so she decided to act as if they weren’t in a relationship at all.
“Mom said he’s been in New York. I’m not sure when he’s expected back. He rarely informs the family about his plans.”
“Secretive man, huh?”
Marlon nodded. “He can be, but what guy isn’t?”
Jasmine laughed, despite her inner worry. If Micah was keeping secrets from his family, what kind of secrets might he be keeping from her?
Winning Her Heart Page 11