Seduce Me (The Heart Series)

by Angela Estienne

  “Well he seemed like he was into you as well. He has turned on his maximum charm for your benefit.

  “Really?” She started giggling.

  “So what did Zale say to you when you went outside with him?”

  “He just apologised for last week. He didn’t know how to talk to me about it, but I told him it was fine, and I wished him good luck with Lee. I am really happy for them, even though I had no idea that Lee was gay. I would never have tried to set you two up together if I had of known. Come to think of it sexuality isn’t something we all go bragging about really, but never the less, I really do think it’s great.”

  “I think we had better head back out, they may think we have got lost and send search and rescue after us.”

  As we were walking back to the table Luke turned around, there was that look again, it was making my body tremble, the anticipation was getting to me again. Luke stood up as we approached and pulled my chair out for me. I took my seat and then he sat down. Now I could see that it wasn’t just Dylan that had turned up the charm. Our coffee’s arrived, I thought I had better try and make some sort of conversation with Lee, I hadn’t really spoken to him all evening, I hope he didn’t think I was being rude not making conversation with him.

  “So Lee, what do you do for a living?”

  “I am a builder.”

  “Builder hey, that’s cool. Do you work for someone or do you own your own firm?”

  “I wish I owned my own firm, at the moment I am working for someone, but I am saving my money up so then hopefully within the next five years I could venture out on my own.”

  “It sounds like you have it planned out well.”

  “Yeah, I have thought about nothing else for the past three years. I love what I do. When you build something you get to see a final product of what you have been working on, you have nurtured it, given it love, you have put blood sweat and tears in, then at the end it is there for the world to see. It is very satisfying. Setting up on my own seems to be the next logical step for me.”

  “Well I wish you well with your savings and your future ambitions.” I glanced back at Zale, all the time Lee and me had been talking, Zale was smiling in admiration, he hung on every word that Lee was saying. Zale stood up.

  “It’s getting late and I have got an early start tomorrow, thank you all for a lovely evening, it has been great.”

  “Thanks for coming out, it has been great seeing you both.” Zale walked around and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

  “Thanks Jazz, see you in the morning.”

  “Night.” I said as they walked off hand in hand.

  “Well he isn’t the only one that has work in the morning.” We all stood up to go outside. Luke placed his hand in mine, I wanted to pull away, but I just didn’t have the strength left in me. We paid the bill and left. Rachel and Dylan were trailing behind. When they had caught up Dylan turned to me.

  “Jazz can I have a quiet word?” I looked at him puzzled. What on earth could be going on? I tried to let go of Luke’s hand but he wouldn’t let me go, I turned to look at him.

  “I will be back in a minute.” He let my hand go.

  I walked off with Dylan.

  “What’s the matter bro?”

  “Nothing’s the matter, but I am taking Rachel back home, I don’t like the thought of her going home alone, but what about you?”

  “That’s cool. Go I will be fine, I will see you when you get back.”

  “You may see me in the morning when I get back home.” He had that cheeky look back on his face. Rachel was my friend and I didn’t want her becoming a victim of Dylan’s wayward ways.

  “Dylan?”

  “What’s wrong Jasmine?”

  “Rachel, don’t . . . look she is a really good friend, don’t . . .”

  “I won’t Jasmine, I promise, I really like her, I will be on my best behaviour.”

  “Enough said.” I gave him a cuddle.

  We walked back over to Rachel and Luke. He immediately put his hand back in mine, which made me smile. I was enjoying a little bit of attention, it made me feel warm and content.

  “We’ll have fun you too.” I said to Rachel and Dylan as they were walking off into the night. Luke turned to face me.

  “I suppose it is up to me to make sure you get home safely?” He had that cocky grin on his face again.

  “You don’t have to. I am a big girl now. I really don’t need a baby sitter.”

  “I insist.”

  “Have you ever rode pillion before?”

  “No, but I suppose there is a first time for everything.”

  “Cool, let’s see how you do in my world.” I took off my shoes, adjusted my handbag, and put my trousers back on.

  “Here, you are going to need this.” I passed him the spare helmet, I bent down to unlock the bike. I could feel his hand moving over the curve of my behind. I closed my eyes. I could just imagine him taking me from this angle. It felt really nice so I took a bit longer at unlocking the bike than was really necessary. Once I had finished, I handed Luke my shoes, and straddled the bike.

  “Come on, jump on, I don’t bite.”

  “Pity.” I smiled to myself. He lifted his leg over the seat and got comfortable behind me.

  “Hold on tight now.” He placed one hand around my waist and gripped on tight. I started the bike up and off we went back to my house. I could see his reflection in the mirror, he looked terrified, his body felt rigid behind me, this was so much fun for me. I had to be a bit more cautious on the corners as he wouldn’t lean with the bike, instead opting to leaned the opposite way.

  When we got back, he jumped off the back and took his helmet off. I turned the bike off and locked her up. I removed my trousers and fished my key out of my bag.

  “Would you like a coffee before you head back?”

  “Yes that would be nice.” I unlocked the door and went into the kitchen.

  “What do you want me to do with these?” He was holding my shoes in his hands.

  “Just pop them on the floor. Do you want milk and sugar in your coffee?”

  “You should already know the answer to that.”

  “Oh yes, sorry, it’s been a long day. Come on in and take a seat.” I put his coffee on the kitchen table and sat down with him.

  “So what did you think to my bike then?”

  “The jury is still out on that one.” I started laughing.

  “Didn’t you enjoy the ride?”

  “Yes, but I am used to being in control, it was a very strange feeling, allowing someone else to be in charge.” He is a control freak I knew he would be, funny.

  “If you relaxed about it, you may find you enjoyed someone else being in charge for once.” I stood up to put our cups in the sink. He walked up behind me and wrapped his arms around my body. He started kissing my neck and whispered in my ear.

  “I think you will find if you let someone else be in charge you would enjoy it a lot more.” He went back to kissing my neck.

  “Well maybe we both have issues with letting go of our dominant side.” He took a step back. Now what was going on? I turned around and looked at him.

  “What’s wrong Luke?”

  “I was just wondering, are you dominant in every aspect of your life or can you be submissive at times?”

  “I can be submissive when I have too or when the mood takes me.” He walked back up to me and placed his hot lips back on my neck and chest, he then whispered.

  “Good.” He moved his lips to my mouth now I was getting hot again. I was surprised at how fast it happened, but then thinking on it, I suppose I was still wound up tight from our second kiss in the coffee shop earlier today. And the third kiss in the ladies of the restaurant tonight, but I couldn’t let anything happen now. I think I needed to get to know him a bit better first, so I broke away from his grip.

  “Well thank you for making sure I got home safe and sound, would you like me to ring a taxi for you?”

  “No than
ks, the walk will do me the world of good.” I escorted him to the door, I put my hand out to grab the handle, and then he started whispering in my ear. No, this can’t happen. I have never known someone so persistent. His whispers were so soft. I closed my eyes trying to stay in control of the situation. My whole body reacting to his fresh, sweet-talking. He carefully turned me around and put his hand under my chin lifting my head up. He leaned in for a kiss. Jazz stay strong, don’t let him win. It was no use. As we were kissing he reached behind me and locked the door, this is it Jazz, at least you can stop wondering what sort of lover he would be, enjoy it, then at least he will leave you alone. This was his game from the start. No push him away. You are not going to do this Jasmine Williams.

  He tasted wonderful, he placed one hand on my bum and the other around my waist. God this man was good, his odour, it was thrilling, his touch sent ripples through my body. He moved his hand under my dress, riding it up a bit at a time, touching my bare skin again. I quivered. Jasmine don’t do this, come on be strong. I knew my brain was right. Stopping the kiss, I pushed him away.

  “Luke I can’t do this.” He moved in again. “I mean it, please leave, I have work early in the morning.”

  “Come on Jasmine, you know you want it as much as I do.” He was right, but it still wasn’t going to happen. Unlocking the door, I opened it for him.

  “Good night Luke.” He walked out. I shut the door before he had a chance to say anything else or before I changed my mind. Locking the door behind me I ran upstairs to get my trusty friend, I needed to sort my immediate needs out.

  I jumped into the shower and broke down in tears. This was too confusing. My mind and body couldn’t take it. I decided I would ring Lana in the morning, I needed to quit my afternoon job, at least he wouldn’t be able to flirt with me anymore, then I could sort out my feelings in my own time. I got out of the shower and headed for bed, putting my MP3 player on I laid there staring at the ceiling. First song on was Gene Pitney–Something’s Gotten Hold of my Heart, this wasn’t fair, I was sure my MP3 player was against me, I waited for the next track, Kiss–I was made for loving you came blaring through the headphones, I should have just switched it of instead of getting tortured by my music. I drifted off feeling confused.

  Friday morning rolled around before I knew it. My latest nightmare made worse because of what had happened, I felt ashamed of myself. How on earth could I want him? I was still grieving for Greg. I went downstairs, Dylan wasn’t home yet thank goodness, I grabbed a coffee and a bit of toast and decided to ring Lana.

  “Hi Lana, its Jasmine from the coffee shop.”

  “Yes Jasmine, what can I do for you?”

  “I am sorry to let you down but I need to quit at the coffee shop.”

  “I am sorry Jasmine, Why?”

  “Its personal, but I am really sorry.” She went quiet for a little while then she said.

  “Would you be able to work next week, so I can try and get a replacement in?” I wanted so desperately to say no.

  “Yes, that will be fine, thank you Lana and I am sorry to let you down.”

  “Thanks for letting me know Jasmine.” She hung up the phone. I felt really bad about letting her down, but I was left with no choice. Three more coffee shop shifts and then I would be through. I got my motorbike gear on and looked at the front door. I traced my fingers around my lips where Luke had placed his hot and tender lips on mine. Stop it Jasmine. Shit I had to stop thinking like this. I locked up the house and jumped on my motorbike heading off for a long Friday morning delivering parcels.

  When I arrived at work, I was still close to tears, I was too confused, but Rachel was stood on the steps, looking all happy with herself. I couldn’t let her see me so down, I would have to wear a false smile for her.

  “Good morning Rachel.”

  “Morning Jazz.”

  “Did you have a good night then?”

  “Yes, Dylan is amazing, we stayed up all night talking and watching DVD’s. I fell asleep on him in the middle of a film. He stayed all night watching me sleep, your brother is adorable.”

  “That good, I am glad you two are getting on.”

  “So how did it go with you and Luke then?” I felt the tears pricking at my eyes. The newly formed lump in my throat prevented me from answering her. My silence told her a better story than my spoken words ever could. She came up to me and gave me a cuddle. “Right then, today we are going to do something really different, the sun is beaming, I have organised a picnic in the park for our lunch. Meet me here at 12:30 and we will go and have a bit of fun.” I nodded and walked off.

  I went around to the depot and started loading up my van. I went straight out on my deliveries. it turned into a really busy Friday morning. I had loads of parcels for The Heart Tower again. I detested this building and all of it security measures. I finally got out and got back to my van. That delivery was the last one on my list for the day, now I had to just get through lunch and I could go home to sleep and forget about my life until tomorrow arrived. After I finished my paper work I went to meet Rachel for our lunch.

  We had a slow walk to the park, and picked a perfect spot overlooking the spring flower beds. She set out the picnic, it was beautiful. She had put so much thought into it.

  “Do you want to talk about what happened?” Rachel said. I really didn’t, but I couldn’t keep her in the dark, so I took in a deep breath and started my sad story.

  “Luke came back with me on the bike. I made him a coffee. Then I went to show him out, but he locked the front door and kissed me again. We were so close to doing the deed, but I came to my senses and showed him out. I don’t understand how I can feel for him when I am still grieving for my fiancé? It makes no sense to me.”

  “I’m so sorry Jasmine. I don’t know what to say.” I fought back my tears again.

  “Thank you for an amazing dinner Rachel, I don’t know how you found the time to pull it off, but it was brilliant.”

  “My pleasure, I have had a wonderful time with you.” We got up and walked back to the depot.

  “Are you coming out with me and Caitlin tomorrow?”

  “Yeah, that would be nice, I am really looking forward to meeting her. You and Dylan have said so much, I already feel like I know her.”

  “Ok, if you come round to my house at about 10:00 then we can have a good day out and go out for a meal later on.”

  “See you tomorrow Jazz.”

  “Bye.”

  I got back on my bike and headed home. I locked her up outside the garage and went straight inside. As I walked into the kitchen, Dylan was at the kitchen table, he stood up and came over to me and gave me a hug.

  “I am sorry Jazz?”

  “Sorry for what?”

  “Rachel phoned me.”

  “I see.”

  “How are you feeling now?”

  “Still confused.”

  “Here you go.” He put my cup in front of me.

  “Caitlin will be here tomorrow, she will make you feel better.” I noticed a bouquet of flowers on the unit.

  “Your right, we are going out for the day, Rachel is joining us now, so we should be able to get up to a lot of mischief between us. What are those flowers for?”

  “They are for you, they arrived earlier, I forgot about them.” I was hesitant about them, not really sure if I wanted to know who they were from.

  Chapter 15

  He passed me the card, I let it sit on the table for a while, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to know who they were from, I wrapped my fingers around my coffee mug, staring at the envelope sat in front of me. But my curiosity took over.

  “All my love H.H.”

  “So who were they from?”

  “H.H.” I handed the card over to him.

  “H.H. So who is H.H?”

  “Dylan if I knew I would tell you.” I stood up and walked upstairs, heading straight to bed.

  The tears were rolling down my face as I tossed and turned. This was use
less, so I got up and went for a long soak in the bath instead. I just needed some time to work out how stupid I was being. Once I got out, I got dressed and headed downstairs to put my riding gear on. I got on my bike and rode off. I had no idea as to where I was going. It just felt good getting out and riding. Finally, I pulled up in the country side somewhere, all I could see was a huge lake, it looked beautiful. I got off my bike and took my riding gear off. This felt wonderful sitting down next to the lake on a small patch of grass. I just sat there watching the water. How on earth could I have been that stupid? I am not a child. How did I get myself wrapped up into this mess? My mind was still spinning, I had a thousand different thoughts running through my head. Then my phone bleeped.

  “Jasmine, when can I see you again? You are all I can think about, Luke xxx.”

  I put my phone in my jacket and went back to watching the water. I didn’t want to encourage him so I was better off just pretending he didn’t exist. I lay on my back and watched the clouds rolling by. It felt good to be out of the city sitting on my own. I felt invincible.

  I woke up and it was going dark, oh no, I had fallen asleep. I looked at my phone, six missed calls, and three texts. I looked at the missed calls first, four from Luke, and one from Dylan and another one from Caitlin, I then looked at the texts.

  “You can’t hide forever Jasmine, Luke xxx.” I am not hiding, well not exactly.

  “Talk to me Jazz, stop ignoring me Luke xxx.”

  “Hi J, are you all right? I rang you, D.”

  “Hi D, sorry I didn’t hear my phone, I am fine, see u soon, J xxx.”

  I got my riding gear back on and headed back home. As I pulled up Dylan was just walking into the house with Rachel. I got off my bike and locked her up. I took in a deep breath before heading into the house.