healing-hearts

by Yvette Hines

  As Yasmine rolled toward him humor lighting her eyes, her lips turning up on the corners and suggested, “I could always get up and lock the door.”

  “Hmm, that’s a thought.”

  Jason kissed her on the smiling lips.

  “Any regrets?” Jason asked, holding his breath awaiting her answer.

  He didn’t have to hold it for long, because she quickly placed his mind at ease, “Not a one.”

  “Good.” Jason leaned down and kissed her.

  Bursting into the room unaware of the intimate moment they were interrupting, the twins ran over to the bed and Joshua asked, “Can we eat now?”

  “I’m hungry,” Jessica echoed after her brother.

  Jason, who hadn’t moved, told them, “Sure, how about some turkey bacon, wheat pancakes with, fat free, sugarless syrup?”

  “Yeah.” Joshua launched himself into the air beside the bed.

  “Pancakes, pancakes,” Jessica chanted.

  Playfully, Yasmine swatted Jason on the arm. “Ei Senhor, I don’t buy fat free syrup, it’s light and there’s plenty of sugar in it.”

  Giving her a quick kiss again, he got out of the bed. “Sorry, honey, it just tastes that way.”

  “Meu amor, I’m always amazed how you managed to put on your T-shirt, boxers and socks during the middle of night.” Yasmine commented, referring to his traditional sleeping apparel.

  Jason smiled at Yasmine, clutching the sheet to her still nude form, protecting both her and the children’s modesty. He refused to let his heart flutter at the term my love she had used in her mother’s native tongue. He figured it was more a term of endearment, than a sign of her feelings for him.

  “Women have secrets and men have secrets.” He went to his dresser and grabbed a pair of sweatpants and pulled them on. “Come on kids lets go get breakfast.”

  The trio exited the room, giving Yasmine her Saturday morning peace.

  ~ML~

  “Signature.” Jason observed the faces in the room. “What does that word mean to you, team?” he questioned.

  Clarence, Anthony, Carlos, Louis, Cassandra, and Jeannie, who was taking notes, all gathered around the boardroom table with Jason. He had just called a meeting with them, about a new project they would be working on.

  “Something you put on a check,” Anthony chimed in first. He was the funny one of his team, always in the mood for a good joke.

  The rest of the team smiled but shook their heads.

  “Cute, Anthony. You all know Terrance Jordan, the owner of Scorpio, is a multi-talented businessman who has his hand in every jar. Well, he just bought into a new chain of luxury hotels—it’s actually a branch of another company, but they don’t want to market it that way. So, it’s a whole new project. They want this new hotel to be a resort, just like overseas. Too include total body spas; from the hair to the toes, saunas, hot tubs, swimming pools and mineral pools. A top of the line workout center; with yoga, tai chi, a quiet room for personal prayers, personal toning trainers only, masseuses, kelp wraps, mud baths and other things, and health food bars and low calorie cuisine restaurants.

  “Wow, it just makes me want to call and make my reservation, now.” Cassandra pretended a shiver ran down her spine.

  “Well, if it already appeals to you then Mr. Jordan and his silent partner are on the right track.” Jason passed out packets of information to the group. “Inside the file you will see information about the locations of the hotels. A total of five in all will open on the same day and at precisely the same time. No rippled effect, like New Year’s Eve celebrations. They want it all to happen simultaneously. This means on that day we’ll be stretched very thin. You know how I feel about someone from the team being there during the actual function. Also, a description of all the facilities and treatment centers are in here. Any initial thoughts?”

  “How do you feel about us consulting your wife?” Carlos asked.

  “I’m assuming you mean for the food at the restaurants and what you should be looking for or who?”

  “Yes, sir,” Carlos confirmed.

  “I think she’d be honored to help you out. But, I must warn you, you’ll probably be converted after she finishes with you.” Jason chuckled as he thought about his own eating habits.

  “Me...never. You won’t see me nibbling on soy nuts and drinking barley grass in my water.”

  “You’d have to drink water first, Carlos.” Louis called out from the other side of the table.

  They all laughed, knowing how much Carlos loved his Pepsi.

  “Ha, ha, ha,” was Carlos’s response, because Louis called it right.

  Clarence scanned through the file. “By the launch date—which is only three months away—that doesn’t give us much time.”

  “You’re correct. That means a lot of long hours for all of us to get this done and get it done right.”

  Jason watched the nods of understanding that went around the table.

  “Well, I’d say we were overdue, sir. Since you got married some months back we’ve been feeling a bit neglected without all the grueling after hours work.” Cassandra gave him a big smile.

  “Hey, she speaks for herself,” Anthony was saying, “I like work, but there’s nothing wrong with a little extra playtime.” The broad smile that appeared was all-male.

  “If you get Cassandra all riled up about men being pigs, you’re on your own,” Clarence warned Anthony.

  “Yeah, my ears are still burning from the last tongue lashing she gave us about the comment’s you made in reference to Scorpio’s lingerie line,” Louis chimed in.

  Jason couldn’t help but laugh, when Anthony threw up his hands in surrender.

  Anthony maintained, “No offense need be taken, I was just giving a little input.”

  “Isn’t that your middle name?” Cassandra threw back at him.

  “Ouch!” all the men around the table echoed.

  Jason caught the smirk Jeannie tried to hide behind her note pad.

  “Okay. If there’s nothing further from you all...” Jason paused, “...then you’re free to go.”

  ~ML~

  “Healthy Fit, Yasmine speaking.” Yasmine had just escorted Mrs. Crandall, her constant client, out the door and waved good-bye when the phone rang.

  “Yasmine, this is Julinda how are you?” The kind voice asked from the other end of the line.

  Yasmine instantly became nervous at the sound of her voice. Julinda never called her at work. All of her appointments she scheduled at the end of a visit. Even when she had just dropped by, she had called the house and let them know she was about five minutes or so away.

  “I’m fine.” Yasmine applied cheer to her voice to mask her real feelings of anxiety.

  “Well, let me get to why I’m calling. I need to set up an appointment with you and Jason. I have finished my report and I’d like to talk to you two about it in person.”

  Yasmine’s heart began to beat even faster.

  They talked for a few more moments and made arrangements for two weeks out and ended the call.

  Yasmine wanted to make them for that night, but without talking to Jason first and seeing what was on his schedule she couldn’t and she would just have to be patient.

  She had been impressed that over the past few month or so, Jason had made it home before the kids were asleep and on Wednesdays, he came home two hours early and spent the evening playing outside or reading to the kids.

  Yasmine picked up the phone and began to dial Jason’s number, then dialed her co-worker’s number instead.

  “Healthy Fit, Leigh speaking,” announced the ardent voice on the line. Her friend answered every call that way. Leigh was always preparing for a fine guy with the wrong number.

  “It’s just me, Leigh. I’m going out for about an hour or so.” She looked at her watch and saw that it was two o’clock. “I have an appointment that is coming in at four, but I’ll be back before then.”

  “I got it covered.” Leigh assured her.<
br />
  Eighteen

  “I heard you’re looking for my services.” Raquel came strutting into Jason’s office.

  “I sure am.” He briefly looked up while he finished jotting down notes for his team.

  Raquel took her usual spot and perched herself on the corner of his desk. “So, what can I do for you?”

  Something about her question made him stop for a moment to observe Raquel—as usual she wore one of her body hugging skirt suits, today it was lavender and high heels and sheer stockings that made her legs appear nude; from his previous experience he knew they were thigh highs accompanied by a garter belt.

  As she sat with her legs crossed and swinging leisurely in his direction, he remembered how a lot of their past encounters had started in this exact setting. He had always stopped it before it went too far in his office and they would always end up at Raquel’s house. A few times in each other’s hotel room while at a benefit or conference.

  “Really it’s nothing more than a little research project,” Jason replied nonchalant.

  “You mean, like I scratch your back, you scratch mine?”

  “Something like that, I wasn’t aware of you needing my services.” His interest was piqued.

  “Not at the moment, but I’m just keeping in mind the possible options.”

  Jason laughed. Raquel was the consummate professional; she never missed an opportunity to put her foot in the door. It was one of the reason’s she was his prime competition in the company. If for some strange reason, he didn’t get the job, he would not feel totally dejected to having lost it to her, because of her ability to do the job and her work ethics.

  “Here’s the situation and you can tell me if you want to do it or not.”

  “Deal,” Raquel confirmed.

  “How would you feel if I told you I have a list of spas and you can pick any one you want, at the company’s expense?”

  “How many are we talking about?” Raquel asked.

  Jason handed her a piece of paper. “Here is the list, you make your choice.”

  “What’s the catch?” Raquel asked after reviewing the list.

  “No catch. All I want is your honest opinion of what you liked and didn’t like about it.”

  “I’ll do it. So are you going to tell me who the promotion is for or do I have to wait, like everyone else?” Raquel questioned in a sultry voice as she leaned forward toward Jason from her perched position.

  “You’ll have to wait.”

  “Jason...” Her eyes and lips took on a pouty look, as she batted her eyes slowly in his direction.

  “Won’t work. Beside I know you really don’t want to know. You’re too much like me. You don’t want any of my ideas to infiltrate that pretty little head of yours, and for one moment allow someone else to take credit for you and your team’s creations.”

  “You know that’s right. You know me so well.” Looking down at the list again, she picked up the pencil from the desk and circled one of them. “I’ll take this one. I heard it’s supposed to be great. Very high dollar, though, which is why I haven’t been there yet.”

  Jason took the list from her. “I’ll tell Jeannie to set it up for you. How is this weekend?”

  “If my schedule wasn’t already open for what you have in mind, I’d make myself available for the opportunity to have hands rubbing all over my body. Hmm.” Raquel began to purr.

  ~ML~

  “Am I interrupting?” Yasmine asked the pair in the office.

  Instant jealousy hit her square in the stomach when she walked into her husband’s office to see Raquel lounging on the corner of his desk. The other woman had been leaning in toward him as if she was ready to eat him up and talking about making herself available to have his hands on her body.

  What really burned her was that neither of them seemed a bit phased that she caught them discussing intimate plans.

  “Hi, sweetheart,” Jason presented her with a broad smile as he got up and came around his desk to her.

  He wasted no time wrapping his arms around her, and gave her a kiss soundly on the lips, then stepped back.

  When they pulled apart Yasmine could see the look Raquel had given her; she was definitely upset that their lover’s tryst conversation was temporarily placed on hold.

  “Well, Jason, I’m going to leave you and Yasmine alone and get back to work, I’m already going to be here way after hours.” Stopping next to them, Raquel placed a subtle caressing hand on his arm. “Call me once everything has been arranged. I can’t wait.”

  “You got it. Try not to work too hard,” he called after her.

  At the door, Raquel pivoted back around. “You know how we are Jason, hard is how we love to do it,” with her classic wink she was out the door.

  Laughing at the other woman’s comment, Jason turned to her and asked, “So, what brings you here?”

  Yasmine took a slow and deep breath as she pasted a fake smile on her face. She and Jason would be over once the adoption was final and he got the position in the company he wanted. They would both be heading back to their own lives.

  Just enjoy it while it lasts, Yasmine, she told herself.

  To Jason she explained, “I got a call from Julinda and she would like to meet.”

  “About?”

  “She finished her write-up and she wants to talk to us.” Yasmine bit down on the side of her bottom lip. “Do you think it’s bad news, Jason?”

  His hands began rubbing briskly down her arms as if trying to warm her up. “No, babe. It’s probably just a formality. We know those kids love us and we love them and provide the best for them and I’m sure Julinda saw that while she was with us.”

  “Yeah, you’re probably right. See, that’s why I keep you around, you give me just the boost of confidence that I need.”

  “I’m glad I could help.” He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead.

  “So, how is your day going?” Yasmine asked.

  “Great, except for the fact I’m probably going to be pulling some long hours over the next few weeks, maybe even a month. Don’t worry, though, because I’ll still make time for you and the kids.”

  Didn’t take long for that to happen, Yasmine thought to herself.

  “What brought this about, a new project or an old one you’re revamping?” Yasmine couldn’t have stopped the curious question from coming out if she’d stapled her lips together. She did her best to make sure the look of innocence stayed plastered on her face.

  “A new project, but an old association.”

  “Oh, I see.” Even though she didn’t want it to hurt to know that Raquel and Jason were sleeping with each other again, it did. “Well, let me get out of your way so you can take care of your business.”

  “Oh, two things before you go.”

  “Yes,” She hated the sound of the desperation in her own voice.

  “Cassandra and Carlos, my marketing team, will be calling you. They want to consult you on some things dealing with healthy food and other stuff if it is okay.”

  “That’s fine. I’d love to help,” she replied, giving him a warm smile. “What was the other thing you wanted?”

  “This.”

  Yasmine found herself pulled forward to Jason’s chest as he engulfed her in his masculine essence and kissed her thoroughly. It was a hot, open-mouth kiss that left no room for conscious thought.

  “I’ve thought about doing that to you all day.” Giving her lips one final kiss, he swatted her on the bottom. “See you tonight.”

  Yasmine knew that she walked out of his office with a silly smile posted on her face, but she didn’t care.

  “Good-bye, Mrs. Richardson,” She heard Jeannie call out to her as she passed by her desk.

  Yasmine waved a response Jason’s secretary as she headed toward the elevator to take her to the bottom floor.

  The elevator doors slid open, and Yasmine stepped out to come face to face with Raquel.

  “Well, hello again, Yasmine. Is Jason s
till in his office?”

  Yasmine used everything within her power to hold the smile of pleasure on her face. “Yes, he is. He said something about having a lot of work to do.”

  Raquel stepped inside of the elevator and used her slender body to keep the door from closing.

  For a split second, Yasmine wished the doors would pull close and slam her perfectly lithe frame in its metal grasp.

  “I can understand that. He asked me to give him some input on this project. I’m excited because it’s been so long since we’ve collaborated on something. He’s such a brilliant man and so talented at what he does, we’ve worked so well together in the past.”

  Yasmine crossed her arms over her chest. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you weren’t talking about business.”

  “Now, what else would I be talking about, Yasmine?” Raquel laughed.

  “I was wondering the same thing, Raquel,” Yasmine added a little sarcastic laugh of her own to make her point. “Good thing you’re too smart a girl to be beating the bushes after someone else’s husband. Otherwise...I’d be worried—which I’m not.” Oh, yes you are, her heart told her, but this was not the time for her to listen, she called on all of her bravado.

  Yasmine could see a flicker of something flash in the other woman’s eyes, but it was masked quickly.

  They stood in a silent challenge for a moment, until the quiet was broken, by Raquel saying, “Of course you shouldn’t be, you’re Jason’s little Yasmine and everyone knows it. Well, I must be getting back to work, I’ll see you around.” Raquel glided backwards into the elevator and pushed the button.

  “Você certamente vai ir,” meaning you certainly will and finished with, “Bye-bye, Raquel.” as she gave her a smile and a dancing fingers wave as the door closed.

  ~ML~

  “Yasmine, you need to put her in her place one good time and you won’t have any other problems from her,” Leigh was saying after Yasmine finished telling her how Raquel acted when she’d stopped by Jason’s job.

  “I could if she’d ever come right out and say something. But, she’s too smart for that. She just keeps dropping little innuendoes.” Yasmine leaned against Leigh’s doorjamb.