Hope

by Tia Wylder

  She supposed she had little choice but to wait.

  Chapter Five

  The next morning, Jasmine woke to a knock at her door. She sat upright in bed, rubbing her eyes wearily. She had no idea what time it was, but as far as she was concerned, it was too early for anyone in their right mind to be awake. She stared at the door, hesitating for a moment before speaking loudly.

  “Come in,” she called out, musing that Jenny might have still been feeling rather troubled. The doorknob turned, and the door was pushed open to reveal Jenny and Mark with a tray of food held in the man’s grip. She quirked a brow curiously, unable to stop the smile that her lips formed. “Well, what’s all this?” She inquired with a cheerful smile. Jenny smiled brightly in turn, dragging her father towards the bed. She snatched the tray out of his hands, placing it in Jasmine’s lap.

  “We made breakfast for you,” the young girl supplied, and Mark smiled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.

  “It was Jenny’s idea, and you know how hard it is to tell her no,” he explained. Jasmine met his gaze with a quirk of her lips. Jenny looked between the two of them, before quite obviously clearing her throat.

  “I’m going to go play with my dolls while you enjoy your breakfast, Miss Jasmine,” she announced, none too subtly. Mark and Jasmine watched her go, a vaguely amused expression adorning Jasmine’s face. For his part, Mark looked altogether embarrassed by the situation but reluctant to let the opportunity slip through his hands. She grabbed the fork she’d been supplied, idly keeping an eye on the man as she brought a bite of pancakes to her mouth. He shifted from foot to foot, looking rather uncomfortable as she continued to dig into her food.

  “I get the feeling there’s something you want, Mark,” she hummed, grinning at him as she took a bite of strawberry between her lips. He reddened, clearing his throat uncertainly as he obviously tried to figure out to poise his train of thought.

  “Well, you’re correct as usual, Jasmine,” he finally settled upon, averting his eyes as he crossed his arms over his chest. She hummed her acknowledgment, setting her fork down and watching him with a mischievous expression. It was almost adorable, how uncomfortable he was at that moment. If she hadn’t been so annoyed with him the night before, she might have told him as much. As it stood, she took a rather twisted pleasure in the way he shuffled his feet. He brought his eyes up to meet her gaze, smiling an uncertain smile. “I thought you may feel up to talking today. Regarding last night’s… misstep on my part,” he muttered. Jasmine hummed under her breath in acknowledgment,

  “I’m listening, at least,” she murmured, watching him with a sly quirk of her lips. He hesitated, considering her expression for a long moment before managing to get the words out.

  “I just… wanted to clarify a couple of things,” he said carefully, slipping closer to the bed and sitting on the edge. She watched him quietly, allowing him to plead his case, so to speak. “I’m sure it probably seems that I’m… well, a right bastard,” he said softly. Jasmine had to swallow a laugh, clearing her throat and tilting her head in faux innocence.

  “I’m afraid I have no idea what you mean,” she said dismissively, keeping her gaze intensely focused upon him. He fidgeted beneath her stare, refusing to look her in the eye as he fumbled with his words.

  “I’m trying to apologize, here, Jasmine,” he sighed balefully. She smiled cheekily, reaching out to rest her hand atop his. He offered her a pout, and she giggled before squeezing his hand in her own.

  “I know, Mark. I’m just having a bit of fun with you,” she murmured. She hesitated, slipping her hand up higher on his arm. “I forgive you, of course,” she chuckled. He considered her with wide eyes, seeming unable to believe her. “I slept on it, and I can understand how you might have lost your temper. I shouldn’t have pressed you so hard. I hope you can forgive me as well,” she murmured more quietly. Mark laughed incredulously, pulling her into a tight embrace.

  “Don’t be ridiculous, you have nothing to be sorry for,” he said warmly, resting his chin atop her head. She felt comfortable in his arms, resting her cheek against his broad chest. They simply sat for a moment, enjoying each other’s company.

  “The breakfast in bed helped, by the way,” she murmured, giggling softly. He chuckled contently, brushing a hand through her hair.

  “I’ll have to give Jenny my thanks,” he hummed. She smirked, drawing away from him.

  “Well, while you’re doing that, I’ll finish my breakfast. It looks too tasty to go to waste,” she mused. She picked her fork back up, gesturing towards the door with the prongs. Mark quirked a brow, considering her with mild disbelief. “I’m serious, I’m finishing this meal before I come out of this room,” she huffed, gesturing more insistently for him to step away.

  “Well, I’ll see that you remain undisturbed for the duration of your meal,” he said formally, bowing before slipping towards the door. Jasmine watched him go with a small smile, her heart swelling now that they had put the trouble behind them. It didn’t make her any more real of a girlfriend to the man, but she could at the very least entertain her fantasies in good conscience. It was true enough that she could see how the man had gotten frustrated with his ex-wife, especially considering how she had tried (and succeeded) in ruining their date. Truthfully, she was rather irate with the woman as well. It did no good to worry herself with it that day, however, and she was determined to make the most of the time she had with Mark and Jenny.

  The breakfast was perhaps the most appetizing thing she had ever eaten in her life, and she could only wonder if the billionaire had hired someone for the sole purpose of coming in and cooking a makeup breakfast for her. That was a ridiculous though, of course, but she thought it a rather amusing one all the same. She finished the meal in short order, leaving the tray on her bed as she stepped in the walk-in closet to get dressed and prepare to face the day. She dressed in a simple blue dress, pinning her hair back before slipping back into her main bedroom area to grab the tray she had left. She supported it with one arm, stepping out of the guest room and checking the immediate area for either of her housemates. She had expected Jenny to be lingering outside of her room, eager to start the day on a solidly good note. Jasmine could only figure she had gone to her room to play with her dolls, in which case she would have a bit of time to herself. She took the tray to the kitchen, where she found Mark sipping a large cup of coffee. She smiled to herself, creeping up behind him, only to get startled herself as he turned to face her.

  “Are you up to a bit of mischief?” He inquired mildly, taking another long swallow from his mug.

  “Oh, of course not,” Jasmine lied innocently. She placed her tray on the counter, fixing herself a cup of coffee as well.

  “Oh, damn, I knew we had forgotten something,” Mark mused, offering her the creamer. She accepted it, filling her cup with the pale liquid until her coffee was a pale tan shade. She mixed in a gratuitous amount of sugar as well, to the point that Mark was considering her with a scrutinous expression. “Can you even taste the coffee with all that mess?” He asked with a quirk of his lips.

  “I can taste it just fine, we can’t all have such extremely refined tastes as you,” she said dismissively. He chuckled, seeming to pay her antics very little mind.

  “Join me on the front deck? The view is nice this early in the day, and it’s not awfully hot,” he suggested, slipping towards the front of the house without bothering to wait for her response. She trailed behind him, sipping from her cup as she stepped into the cool morning air. It was still a bit dark out, just before sunrise.

  “A bit early to have your daughter up, isn’t it?” Jasmine said carefully, sitting on the front porch swing. Mark laughed, shrugging his shoulders.

  “Well, more like it’s a bit early for her to have the two of us up,” he corrected, moving to sit beside her on the swing. The movement was gentle, the swaying in the early morning breeze rather refreshing and altogether rejuvenating. “Jenny wanted to make absolu
tely sure that I made things right between the two of us, and wouldn’t stop bothering me until I woke to make your breakfast,” he explained. Jasmine chuckled, brushing her hair behind her ear and continuing to sip her coffee.

  “So, it was all her idea, then?” She teased, feigning an affronted manner. He stammered, trying to find an appropriate means of backpedaling.

  “Easy, Mark, I’m just teasing you,” she murmured, resting her head on his shoulder. “I know where I stand when it comes to this… relationship. We’re playing pretend until my dues are paid, and I was silly to think you could consider me anything more than… a friend,” she breathed, feeling herself growing increasingly serious as she spoke.

  Mark remained silent, looking a bit bothered by her assessment. “I don’t hold it against you. I know you could never see dating someone like me. Especially considering the means through which we met,” she chuckled. He sat upright, shifting to face her more fully.

  “Is that really what you think of all this, Jasmine? You think I could never see myself with you? Why on Earth would I suggest the facade to begin with, if I didn’t think you were an attractive young woman?” He inquired bluntly. She reddened, fidgeting with her coffee cup and refusing to meet his gaze. “Jas, when I brought you to my home, I intended to take your virginity as we’d arranged. However, the more time we’ve spent together, the more I’ve come to realize you’re more than a means to get my rocks off. I enjoy your company, I enjoy your wit, and I adore every moment we’ve spent together. Which is why…,” he trailed off, looking as if he was uncertain as to whether he wanted to continue.

  “What?” Jasmine urged, reaching out to touch Mark’s cheek. He smiled warmly, resting his hand atop her own.

  “Which is why I wanted to ask you to be my girlfriend for real. No games, no more lies. I understand if you’re not interested, but I would love to try this whole dating thing again,” he admitted. Her eyes widened in bewilderment and delight, and she drew her hand away to cover her mouth, which formed a perfect ring of surprise.

  “You’re… being serious?” She implored gently, and he hesitated before leaning in to close the distance between them. Though her initial reaction was to be alarmed or startled, she felt no desire to draw away from his embrace. She pressed her lips to his, tangling a hand in his short hair. “I take that as a yes,” she said breathily as he drew away.

  “Serious as a heart attack. So… what do you say?” He smiled. She hesitated, pressing the tips of her fingers to her lips. There was a tingling sensation in her skin, a feeling she couldn’t deny that she enjoyed. She met his gaze, wonderment sweeping over her at how sincere his expression was.

  “I say… yes. Yes, Mark, I’ll be your girlfriend,” she smiled. His lips parted, and he whooped loudly before drawing her in for another kiss. Their lips lingered for a long moment, and they only broke apart when the sound of the front door slamming closed caught their attention.

  “You made up!” Jenny cheered. Jasmine reddened, averting her gaze.

  “Yes, yes. You little matchmaker, you. Come on, let’s play dolls,” Jasmine suggested, rising to her feet. Jenny nodded enthusiastically, rushing forward to grab Jasmine by the hand and pull her inside. The nanny glanced back at the man who she could now call her own, a warmth settling in her chest.

  She couldn’t believe how fortunate she had become.

  She trailed behind Jenny, relieved that the issue had resolved itself in a way; specifically, in a way she never could have anticipated. It was almost overwhelming, to the point that she couldn’t be alone with Mark for fear that she’d do something embarrassing. As much as she wanted nothing more than to spend the day in his arms, her duties as Jenny’s nanny had to take priority.

  “I’m so glad you and daddy made up,” Jenny chirped, pushing into her room. Jasmine chuckled as she messed up the girl’s hair, receiving a rather indignant squawk in turn.

  “You really look out for your dad, don’t you?” Jasmine murmured, slipping into the room behind the young girl and closing the door behind them. Jenny smiled a cheeky smile, shrugging her shoulders as she walked towards her collection of dolls. She grabbed two, seemingly at random, before handing one over to Jasmine.

  “He takes care of me, so I take care of him,” Jenny explained as if it were the simplest thing in the world. Perhaps it was, in the girl’s mind.

  “Well, you don’t have to take care of your daddy on your own anymore, okay honey?” Jasmine murmured, sitting on the floor with crossed legs. Jenny nodded quietly, and the two fell into the mindset that their little games so oft swept them up in. Jasmine had trouble, at times, keeping up with each doll and their unique stories. She could only wonder if Jenny had perhaps watched too much tv, or had some rather unsavory friends considering the stories she could come up with. It made for very interesting games, nonetheless.

  “And don’t forget to bring my money next time,” Jenny said in a gruff voice, pointing her doll’s arm at Jasmine’s. Jasmine parted her lips to reply, cutting herself short as there was a knock on the door. “Come in,” Jenny called out, setting her doll to the side and smiling brightly as her father stepped through the door. He looked between the two girls, smiling nervously.

  “I was hoping to have a word with Miss Jasmine, honey,” he murmured.

  “I’ll be back soon, alright sweetheart?” The older woman informed the younger girl, rising to her feet and offering Mark a warm grin. Jenny shrugged her shoulders, waving at the two as they stepped out of the room. Jasmine hesitated at the doorway for a moment, watching as Jenny lost herself in her own mind. “Your daughter is very creative,” Jasmine mused as she and Mark walked away from the girl’s bedroom. He rumbled a laugh, looping his arm within hers.

  “She tends to let her mind wander a bit too much, but I would never stifle her imagination,” he said agreeably. Jasmine squeezed his arm, not really paying much mind to where they were going until they approached Mark’s room.

  “So… what did you need, exactly?” She inquired softly, feeling nerves creep up her spine as they stepped into his bedroom. He met her gaze, smiling gently before drawing away from her. He approached the bedside table, rummaging through it for a moment. Jasmine found herself caught up in his pervasive scent throughout the room, inhaling a deep breath and feeling as if she could taste the man’s essence on her tongue. Her cheeks flushed at the thought, and she tried to think of anything except the act of thoroughly tasting him. He paid her little mind, continuing to rummage through the table with a thoughtful hum.

  “I had something to give you, actually,” he said upon retrieving something from the nightstand. She quirked a brow upon seeing a small jewelry box gripped in his hands, and though she knew it was impossible, she couldn’t help thinking, just maybe….

  However, he turned around and popped the lid off of the box. Her eyes widened in delight upon seeing a large emerald necklace with diamond accents and a golden chain.

  “What on Earth are you giving me this, for?” She gasped, trying not to sound as shocked as she truly felt. He quirked his lips in a smile, removing the necklace from the box and stepping forward as if to fix it around her neck.

  “I know the more traditional means is a promise ring of sorts, but I thought of you the moment I lay eyes upon this. While it’s no ring, it certainly holds its share of promise, I’d say,” he hummed. Jasmine felt as if her heart might pound out of her chest, smiling bashfully as he encircled the golden chain around her neck. He closed the clasp, stepping back to admire his handiwork as she turned to face him. Her face was alight with a blush, the deepest shade of red that had likely ever adorned her cheeks.

  “How… how does it look?” She stammered out. He smiled tenderly, leaning in to ghost his lips to hers. She breathed a shaky sigh as he pulled away, reaching out to cup her cheeks in his hands.

  “It’s beautiful. You’re beautiful in it. You’re beautiful without it, but with it… stunning, radiant,” he said warmly. She found herself smiling sheepishly, a
nd he brushed a lock of hair away from her eyes.

  “Thank you. I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve this, or especially what I’ve done to deserve you, but I couldn’t imagine a better way for my auction to have worked out,” she grinned. He returned the expression, looping their arms together once more.

  “I couldn’t imagine a better woman to spend my time with, truthfully. I’ve never really felt this way about someone before. Of course, I loved my wife when we were together, but this is somehow… different,” he managed, just scarcely able to get the words out. She felt her heart swell with adoration, resting her head on his shoulder as they walked side by side back to Jenny’s room. “I’ll be ordering delivery tonight, I thought the three of us could spend some time bonding,” he added as an afterthought, pausing outside his daughter’s door and meeting her gaze.

  “That sounds wonderful. You know, Mark, before I met you, I’d never believed I was worthy of the attention of someone like you. I still don’t feel quite worthy, but the fact that you picked me above all the others… it makes me feel wanted, for the first time in my life,” she whispered. His eyes widened in surprise, and she averted her gaze, not wanting to appear as vulnerable as she felt.