SCANDAL BETWEEN THE SHEETS

by Brenda Jackson

  "Jasmine's right," Marcus decided to add. "Legally, our hands are tied unless we have concrete proof that Hernandez is responsible."

  When the meeting ended, Wesley and Jasmine were walking back toward his car. He gently snagged her arm, pulled her in a darkened area of the parking lot and covered her mouth in a deep, drugging kiss.

  "Thank you," he said, ending the kiss moments later. His warm breath whispered across her face like a sensual caress.

  She smiled. "You are very welcome." She then leaned up on tiptoes and covered his mouth with hers, needing to taste him again.

  * * *

  Nine

  « ^ »

  Jasmine released a nervous sigh when she walked into the grand ballroom of the Savannah Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hotel alone. Drawing in a calming breath, she smiled when she remembered the valet attendant's compliment on how she looked. The young man had blushed profusely and told her she looked like a princess before he'd taken her car keys.

  She had gotten a call from Wesley yesterday. He had left Savannah for a business trip to Dallas three days ago and was supposed to have returned yesterday, but a snag in a business deal had kept him in Dallas another day. He wouldn't arrive back in Savannah until tomorrow morning. She had decided to come to the ball without a date which she would have done anyway had Wesley not insisted on coming with her.

  Jasmine glanced around the room, taking in the well-dressed, affluent people in their expensive suits and gowns. She didn't see Evelyn and her stepsisters anywhere, but she did see her father standing with a group of men. He saw her the same moment she saw him and his face split into a huge smile. She walked over to him and gave him a huge hug.

  "Jasmine, I'm so glad you came, sweetheart," her father said, smiling brightly.

  "I would not have missed it, Dad," she said truthfully.

  She then turned as he introduced her to the other men standing with him. "This beautiful, young lady here is my daughter Jasmine."

  One of the men, who looked to be about thirty-five and whom her father had introduced as Dr. Simon Duncan, smiled appreciatively at her. "I watched her enter, Dr. Carmody, and wondered who she was. I wasn't aware you had a third daughter."

  Dr. James Carmody beamed. "Yes, Jasmine is my daughter from my first marriage. Alyssa and Mallory are my stepdaughters."

  The man nodded and met Jasmine's gaze. "I hope you'll save a dance for me later, Ms. Carmody."

  Jasmine smiled. "I'll most definitely do that, Dr. Duncan."

  Moments later Jasmine left her father's side to go to the buffet table to get something to eat. "I see that you're here without a date, which doesn't surprise me. Maybe you should talk to Mallory and Alyssa about the proper techniques in getting a man," a voice sneered in her ear.

  Without turning around she knew whom the voice belonged to. "Thanks for the advice but I like doing things my way, Evelyn."

  The smile that touched her stepmother's lips didn't reflect in her eyes. "Yes, but your way isn't producing results." After taking a sip of wine, Evelyn continued by saying, "I happened to notice you were talking to Dr. Duncan a few moments ago. Don't get any ideas about him because Mallory already has him pegged."

  Evelyn then glanced around. "Alyssa as you know is here with Paul, although her true interest lies elsewhere. She's smitten with someone who hasn't made an appearance yet." A smile then touched her lips. "I spoke too soon. It seems he has arrived."

  Jasmine glanced over her shoulder and a lump formed in her throat when she saw Wesley enter the room. She shook her head in shock. First at seeing him and then at what Evelyn had said. Had she heard her stepmother correctly? Did Alyssa have designs on Wes? This was news to her and evidently it wasn't something Wesley was aware of, either.

  Jasmine, like most of every other female in the room, watched as he snagged a glass of wine from the tray of a passing waiter and took a sip. He looked like he was born to wear a tuxedo. He had the ability to take your breath away just looking at him. He'd obviously been able to shorten his meeting and return home for tonight's function after all.

  "You probably don't know him but that's Wesley Brooks and he's the biggest catch in the city. Every time he appears at one of these functions, I make sure either Mallory or Alyssa gets in his face," Evelyn whispered to her. "The Danforths consider him a part of their family. He's definitely caught Alyssa's interest and she won't be satisfied until she has him."

  Jasmine's cheek twitched in anger and her hold on the plate tightened. She hated to disappoint Alyssa if that's what she thought, and then wondered what Evelyn would say if she knew that Wesley was to have been her date tonight.

  She watched as he glanced around. Suddenly, he caught her gaze. He smiled and was about to head over in her direction when Harold and Miranda Danforth stopped him for a conversation.

  "I think he was about to come this way," Evelyn whispered. "I wonder if he remembers me from another function and wants to inquire about Alyssa."

  Jasmine shook her head. It was sad that her stepmother thought the world revolved around her and her daughters. She would soon find out that wasn't the case.

  She inhaled deeply and decided to make herself scarce until she could talk to Wesley alone, to let him know about Alyssa. Her stepsister was like a spoiled brat and could be a real bitch if things didn't go the way she wanted them to.

  "Excuse me, Evelyn," she said and made a quick decision to go to the ladies' room.

  * * *

  When Jasmine walked out of the ladies' room a few minutes later she felt she was caught in a trap. There was no way she would be able to talk to Wesley alone beforehand. He was standing a few feet away in a group with her father, stepmother and stepsisters, Dr. Duncan, Paul Sanders, Harold, Miranda and Abraham Danforth.

  She felt an overwhelming desire to bolt and go back to the ladies' room but at that moment, Wesley lifted his gaze to hers. Slowly, everyone else's attention became focused on her.

  Wesley had always thought Jasmine was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and tonight he knew without a doubt that she was. The royal blue gown she was wearing looked as if it had been specifically designed just for her body; a body he was getting to know rather well.

  "Good evening, everyone," Jasmine said.

  As soon as she had spoken, Wesley left the Danforths' side as a smile tilted the corner of his lips. He walked straight over to Jasmine and brushed a kiss on her lips. "Good evening to you, sweetheart. I saw you when I first arrived and wondered where you had gone. I tried calling you earlier today to let you know I was on my way back to Savannah but couldn't reach you."

  The entire group got quiet and it was Dr. Carmody who cleared his throat as a lazy smile swept across his face. "I take it that the two of you know each other?" he asked chuckling.

  With his hands placed at Jasmine's waist, Wesley turned to her father. "Yes, we do, Dr. Carmody. Jasmine and I have been seeing each other now for a few weeks." He then proceeded to introduce her to the Danforths.

  Miranda Danforth smiled. "So this is the woman you told us about?" she asked Wesley beaming brightly.

  Wesley smiled. "Yes, she's the one."

  "But—but that's impossible," Evelyn Carmody stuttered. She was both surprised and angry and both emotions clearly showed in her features. "Everyone knows that Jasmine is too wrapped up in her job to take time to see anyone."

  Wesley chuckled as he brought Jasmine closer to his side. "Then that's all the more reason I should feel special since she's made it a point to take time out of her busy schedule to see me."

  "But she's a newspaper reporter," Mallory said with a deliberate sneer, like Jasmine's occupation was the lowest of lows.

  Wesley felt Jasmine stiffen beside him and knew she was about to put Mallory in her place but decided he wanted to do the honor. "Yes, she's a reporter and from the articles I've read that she's written, I think that she's a very good one." After taking a sip of his wine he asked, "And what do you do for a living, Ms. Carmody?"

&nbs
p; It was evident that Mallory had been put on the spot with his question. "I—I don't work," she said quietly.

  Wesley lifted a brow and said coolly. "Oh." He then turned his attention back to Jasmine. "Would you care to dance?" he asked. He wanted to take her away and hold her in his arms. He had missed her like hell over the past few days.

  "Have you forgotten, Mr. Brooks, that you promised to dance with me?" Alyssa said silkily, releasing her hand from Paul Sanders's arm and stepping forward. The look she gave Jasmine was cold and calculating and didn't go unnoticed by Wesley.

  He smiled. "Did I? I don't remember making such a promise. I do recall you asking me if I would dance with you but I didn't say one way or the other that I would."

  Three faces gaped at Wesley in disbelief that he would outright say such a thing. He was making it clear in plain English, that he could be callous and ruthless when he wanted to be and that he would not tolerate Evelyn and her daughters' manipulations. If they kept it up it would only embarrass them because he was not a tolerant man and had no intentions of putting up with their foolishness.

  "Oh, sorry my mistake," Alyssa said, returning to her place beside Paul.

  Jasmine started to make a smart retort but quickly decided Alyssa and Mallory had definitely been embarrassed enough. She glanced over at her father and saw the tightening of his chin. Evidently tonight had been an eye-opener for him.

  Wesley moved closer to Jasmine. "I was supposed to be Jasmine's date tonight, so naturally I plan to spend most of my time dancing with her. Trust me when I say the majority of my attention will be focused mainly on her," he said, meeting Jasmine's gaze and letting everyone know that he meant everything he'd said.

  Evelyn couldn't leave well enough alone and said, "Do you think it's wise for a man of your caliber to put all his eggs in one basket, Mr. Brooks?"

  Jasmine responded before Wesley had a chance to do so. She was fed up with her stepmother and stepsisters' insults. "Yes, because a smart man knows a good thing when he sees it. Now please excuse us." She then let Wesley lead her to the dance floor but not before hearing an angry Dr. Carmody tell his wife and stepdaughters he needed to speak with them privately.

  Soft strains of music drifted around them as Wesley took Jasmine into his arms as his gaze scanned her features. Everything about her was exquisite. Neither of her stepsisters held a light to her. "You look beautiful tonight, Jasmine."

  She felt the gentle touch of his fingers on her bare back and shivered at his touch. She tipped her head to meet his gaze. "Thank you. I'm sorry that you got caught up in my stepmother and stepsisters' mischief. I wanted to warn you about Alyssa after Evelyn told me of her interest in you. When it comes to getting what she wants, Alyssa can be totally ruthless."

  He shrugged. "I meant everything I said a few moments ago. All my attention is focused on you. And I hate to say it but Evelyn and her daughters may have gone a little too far and I think you father intends to let them know it."

  Jasmine thought that very same thing. She stared up at Wesley, drawing in a tremulous breath, wanting to put the episode with Evelyn, Mallory and Alyssa behind her. "I'm glad I came tonight, Wes. I missed you."

  Wesley smiled, glad to hear her say that because he had missed her, as well. During the day when his mind should have been focused on business, she would creep into his thoughts. And then, at night, he dreamed of her. "I missed you, too. I can't wait to take you home later."

  Jasmine lifted a brow. "I drove my own car here tonight."

  Wesley's smile widened. "That's fine. We can come back for it tomorrow."

  Jasmine nodded and went willingly when he pulled her closer. When the music stopped, it was apparent that Wesley was going to keep her on the dance floor for the next number when she saw Simon Duncan walk up behind him and tap him on the shoulder.

  "I believe this is my dance, Mr. Brooks. Ms. Carmody promised it to me earlier, before you arrived."

  Wesley lifted a brow and looked at Dr. Duncan before glancing at her. "All right. But I intend to reclaim her as soon as the dance is over," he said, not smiling.

  As Dr. Duncan took Jasmine's hand for the next dance, she watched as Wesley walked away.

  * * *

  A few hours later, the door to Wesley's home closed with a soft click and he turned the lock. For long moments he stood there braced against the door as he watched Jasmine move about in his home.

  "I thought tonight's affair was wonderful," Jasmine said, turning to him.

  "Mmm," he agreed.

  "And I thought Dad was most deserving of the award he received tonight. He is such a dedicated physician."

  "Mmm," he agreed again.

  "And I thought it was perfectly acceptable to dance with Dr. Duncan since I had promised him a dance."

  Wesley lifted a brow. On that he would not agree. He had been possessive all night, territorial, and hadn't liked it one damn bit when Simon Duncan had come to claim Jasmine for a dance. She knew he hadn't liked it, which was probably the reason she was bringing it up now. Normally, he was not the jealous type but when it came to Jasmine, he could easily turn green.

  When he didn't answer, she asked, "Why did you bring me here instead of taking me home?"

  He met her gaze. "I think my reasons would be obvious."

  She lifted a chin, not liking the mood he was in. Ever since her dance with Dr. Duncan he had seemed upset. He had no reason to be upset and if he could get angry over something so ridiculous, then so could she. "Your reasons aren't obvious."

  She watched as he uncrossed his arms and sighed. "Then I'll make things clearer." He took a step toward her.

  She took a step back. "I don't like the way you're acting, Wes."

  He noted the contrast between her words and her tone of voice. She was saying one thing but was feeling another. "Then in addition to making things clearer, it seems I also need to change your mind," he said.

  Jasmine's breath caught as he began walking toward her. She took another step back. "I don't think that's a good idea," she said softly, tipping her head back when he came to a stop in front of her.

  He smiled wondering if she realized she was setting her head and mouth in perfect position for his kiss. "I happen to think it's the best idea I've had all night. And as far as the way you think I'm acting, the only excuse I can come up with is that I didn't like Duncan dancing with you. It bothered the hell out of me and I'm usually not the jealous type. But I was extremely jealous tonight, Jasmine."

  Wesley studied her face, feature by feature, and he recognized the violent desire slamming though his body, as well as the sharp claws of jealousy. What he'd just said was true. He couldn't remember ever being so territorial when it came to a woman; not even for Caroline Perry, the woman he had once loved.

  Reaching out, he placed his hands at her waist and claimed her mouth in a smoldering, deep kiss. He felt her resistance ease and she began kissing him back with everything she had inside of her. The pressure of his arms around her increased as he took her mouth hungrily, with earth-shattering greed. He swept her into his arms and headed up the stairs to his bedroom.

  After placing her in the middle of his bed, he stood back and began removing his clothes. "You are beautiful," he said, tossing his shirt aside. "There were a lot of men looking at you tonight. Do you know how territorial I felt? But then at the same time, I was proud that you share my bed and not theirs. And tonight, my bed is where I wanted you to be. That's the reason I brought you here instead of taking you home."

  He watched as she drew in a shaky breath and lay back in his bed. With an effort that was almost painful, he unzipped his pants and began dragging them down his aroused body. "All I could think about tonight was bringing you here, putting you in my bed, making love to you and driving us both insane."

  After putting on a condom he slowly moved over to the bed. "I love this gown on you, but I'm going to love it off you even more," he said, leaning over and slowly peeling it from her body. With the dress gone, his g
aze took in her thigh-high hose, strapless black-laced bra and thong.

  Hell, he thought, and all the desire that had accumulated during the evening ripped through him. Although she was perfect, he felt that one thing was missing.

  He took a couple of steps over to the nightstand and pulled out another condom package, as well as her locket. Returning to the bed, he gently pulled her up to him and unsnapped her bra before placing the locket around her neck. "I think it's time I returned this to you," he said huskily, and watched how the locket lay between her bare breasts.

  "Thank you," Jasmine said softly. She met his gaze and when he held out his hand to her, she lifted her hand and placed it in his. He pulled her up into his arms and carried her from the bed toward a wingback chair in the room.

  He sat down and placed her to stand between his spread knees. His hands slowly, yet thoroughly skimmed her hips, legs and thighs while easing the thigh-high hosiery down her legs.

  "I need to taste you, sweetheart," he murmured silkily. Leaning forward his lips touched the bare skin above the waistband of her thong. He felt her shudder and knees weaken and grabbed hold of her hips to hold her steady as he continued to stroke his tongue across her stomach.

  He heard her inhale sharply when he slowly eased the thong down her legs as an aching need to taste her consumed him and he lowered his mouth to her middle.

  "Oh, Wes," she said digging into his shoulders, her lips emitting incoherent words of pleasure.

  He tightened his hand on her thighs as his tongue delved into her flesh, stroking and tasting her over and over again. And when he felt her body beginning to explode, he quickly sat her in his lap, slipping into her, penetrating deep, consuming her and making her completely his.

  Consumed with the same urgency that drove Wesley, Jasmine lifted her hips above his and moved over him again and again, mimicking the thrusting motion he was using with his tongue to kiss her. And when she felt him cup the fullness of her breasts in his hands, her body erupted in an explosion that rippled from the top of her head to the soles of her feet.