“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Mrs. Potts thinks she heard a cry or yell of some sort. You wouldn't know what she's talking about, would you?”
Jasmine rubbed the side of her neck. “It was a bee in here, but Drew got it out.”
Avery looked at her strangely. “ A bee?”
“Yes a bee.”
“Did it sting you?”
Jasmine tried her best to keep a straight face. “No, it scared me, that's all.”
He looked over towards the closed window. “How did it get in?”
“I don't know!” Jasmine threw up her hands, hoping he would let the conversation go.
“You're really going to stick with the bee story.”
“It's not a story.” She sat at her desk and prepared for her patient.
“Alright, if you say so.” He took a few steps towards the door. “But why was the door locked?”
“Don't you have patients to see?”
“Yes I do, but humor me.”
Glancing at the ceiling, she let out a sigh. “We locked the door because we didn't want the bee to get out.”
“Couldn't you have just closed it?”
“Goodbye Avery, this conversation is over.”
Unconvinced, he walked out into the hall. “It's OK Mrs. Potts, there was a bee inside the office.
Jasmine shook her head, she doubted Mrs. Potts would believe her story no more than Avery did. While organizing her papers, her phone buzzed.
Drew: Thanks for Breakfast.
Received: 10:00 AM.
Jasmine blushed and bit the inside of her cheek. She tried to think of a witty comeback, unable to come up with anything, she kept it simple.
Jasmine: Anytime.
Delivered: 10:02 AM.
Chapter Sixteen
Rendezvous.
A t six o'clock, Jasmine waved goodbye to Avery on her way out. Shortly after arriving home, she received a call from Tessa, wanting to borrow another outfit.
“Where's the other dress?” Jasmine asked Tessa, when she showed up at her door.
“It's in the cleaner's.”
“Seriously?”
“I promise!”
She moved to the side and let Tessa through. “Where are you going tonight?”
“Carlos is taking me out.”
“I thought you were done with him?”
“I was. But after the other night, I felt bad.
“So, this is for charity?”
Tessa leaned back and looked a Jasmine. “Cute, you got jokes. You must be in a good mood.”
“I'm always in a good mood.”
“You weren't the other night at the club.”
With a scowl on her face, Jasmine sat on her bed and watch as Tessa explored her closet.
“I take it you and Drew made up today.”
“I swear, sometimes Avery runs his mouth more than a woman,” Jasmine said.
“Yep. You should have known he would tell Lisa. Who then told me.” Tessa stopped her search and looked at Jasmine. “By the way, how did this so called bee, fly inside your office?”
Jasmine gave her a half smirk and the middle finger. “You know, I could change my mind, about letting you borrow my clothes.”
“No need to become hostile, it was just a question.” Turning back around, Tessa continued the hunt.
∞
Present in body only, Drew sat at the head of the conference table. He and key members of his company, were discussing his recent land purchase. He planned on using it to build apartment housing, there in Richmond. Drew listened as the others talked. His mind drifted to Jasmine and what happened in her office that morning. He shifted in his seat. Thinking about them together, wasn't a good idea at the moment. He wondered what she was doing. They hadn't spoken since morning. Drew looked down at his phone, it was nine-thirty. He needed to hear her voice.
“Excuse me gentlemen.”
They all watched as he stood and walked out of the room. In the hall he dialed Jasmine's number.
“Hello.”
“What are you doing.”
Jasmine laid across the bed. “Getting ready to go to sleep.”
“What are you wearing?”
She pulled at the over-sized shirt and pajama pants. She decided to improvise. “Nothing.”
“Mmm.”
Her lips curled into a smile, when she heard him moan. “Does that mean you're coming over?”
Drew let out a sigh. “Not tonight, I'm still at the office.”
“In that case, I better put some clothes on.”
“Any plans tomorrow?”
“Yes, I have a date.”
“A date! With who?”
Jasmine didn't expect him to take her serious. “Relax, it's with Tessa and Lisa. We're going to an art show. Why do you ask?”
“I wanted to take you out.”
“What about Wednesday, when I get off?”
“I won't be here.”
“Where are you going?” She sat up in bed and leaned against the headboard.
“Back to New York.”
“Again?”
“Yes, I live there. My central office is located there as well.”
She remained quiet. The idea of Drew returning to New York permanently, alarmed her.
“Jaz?”
“I'm here... I just figured you had a place, here in Richmond?”
“I do, I stay there when I'm in town.”
Jasmine's mood dampened, but she didn't want it to show.
“So when will you be back?”
“Friday.”
“How about then?”
“That can be arranged. I better get back, if I want to get out of here tonight.”
“Okay, well goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
At work the next day, Jasmine was deep in thought, when she received a Text from Drew.
Drew: How did you sleep?
Received: 8:30 AM.
Jasmine: Horrible, I needed you by my side.
Delivered: 8:31 AM.
She was only teasing, but she figured he would enjoy it.
Drew: Is that so? What else do you need?
Received: 8:32 AM.
Jasmine: Your hands all over me.
Delivered: 8:33 AM.
Drew: Is that all?
Received: 8:34 AM.
Jasmine: No, I'll tell you the rest Friday.
Delivered: 8:35 AM.
Drew: No fair!
Received: 8:36 AM.
Jasmine: Gotta go, my patient is here.
Delivered: 8:37 AM.
Drew: OK. Tease.
Received: 8:38 AM.
She had another thirty- minutes before her patient arrived, nonetheless, she was enjoying herself.
“Where's the real food?” Tessa asked as she, Jasmine and Lisa walked around the art gallery.
Jasmine took a bite out of the stuffed mini pepper. “This is, the real food. Haven't you ever been to an art show before?”
“No, and I can see why. I'm going to a buffet when I leave here.”
“Hello Ladies!” Tanisha, one of their classmates came over to greet them. “So, what do you think?”
The pieces on display, belonged to her cousin.
“It's nice and different,” Lisa said, looking at the abstract artwork.
“How much is this piece?” Tessa walked over to a painting, with various bold colors. They appeared to be splashed on to the canvas, by hand.
“Twenty-five hundred.”
Tessa made a face of disgust. “What!”
“Two offers have already been made. You might be out of luck,” Tanisha said.
“Tanisha.” A deep male voice spoke.
A tall, light skinned man with dreads joined them. His hazel eyes appeared green. To say he was attractive, would not have done him justice.
“Who are these, three lovely creatures?” He spoke with a heavy Jamaican accent.
“These are friends of mine.
Ladies, this is my cousin Trent. The artist behind tonight's show.”
“Hi, I'm Tessa. I was just admiring your painting.” She was the first to extend her hand.
“Here we go,” Jasmine mumbled.
It was almost midnight, when Lisa and Jasmine began searching for Tessa.
“Where in the world is she? I'm ready to go,” Lisa said.
“I might have an idea. Stay here I'll be right back.”
Jasmine walked around the gallery, until she saw what appeared to be an office. She knocked on the door that was slightly opened.
“Tessa are you in here?” Upon opening the door, she got her answer. Bent over the desk with her dress raised, Tessa was being hammered by Trent. “Well alrighty then.” Jasmine closed the door and went back into the showroom.
“So, did you find her?”
“Yep.” Jasmine grabbed a glass of wine from one of the trays, and threw it back.
“Where is she?... Is she coming?”
“Oh I'm pretty sure she is.”
“What is she doing?”
Jasmine looked at Lisa.
“No!”
“I'm afraid so.”
“This is why I don't like riding together.”
Five minutes passed, before Tessa came from the back.
“Really?” Lisa stared at Tessa with a shocked expression on her face.
Jasmine wasn't surprised. She'd been exposed to Tessa's behavior more than Lisa.
“I had to pay for my painting.”
Jasmine chuckled. “With what? Ass?”
After getting dropped off by Lisa, Jasmine text Drew goodnight.
Drew: You're still up?
Received: 1:00 AM.
Jasmine: Yeah, I just got home.
Delivered: 1:02 AM.
Drew: Did you see anything you liked?
Received: 1:03 AM.
Jasmine: No, not really.
Delivered: 1:04 AM.
Drew: That's too bad. Have you decided
what you want to do Friday.
Received: 1:05 AM.
She thought about earlier at the gallery, and what she walked in on between Tessa and Trent.
Jasmine: You, with no filter!
Delivered: 1:06 AM.
Drew: As you wish. Now go to bed.
Received: 1:06 AM.
Jasmine: Goodnight.
Delivered: 1:07 AM.
Drew: Goodnight.
Received: 1:08 AM.
The next day, while in between patients, Jasmine received a package. Out the corner of her eye, she saw Mrs. Potts watching as she signed for it.
“Thank you.”
Jasmine examined the medium size black box, and shook it gently. Unable to make out the contents, she walked back into her office. Opening the package, she unfolded the red tissue paper and pulled out a black corset, with matching panties. Her eyes gleamed with fascination. Without looking at the card, she knew it was from Drew.
#1.
This is the first piece of your attire for our 'date' this Friday.
I want you to wear it.
Drew.
Jasmine picked up the phone to call him, but there was a knock at her door.
She stared at the lingerie on her desk.
“Just a second!” She slipped the contents back into the box, and placed them under her desk.
“Come in.”
Jasmine's eleven-thirty appointment peeked his head in. The last thing he needed to see, was her underwear. The man was a sex addict and currently on wife number four, due to infidelity.
“Hi Tim. Please have a seat.”
As the man sat in the chair, he glared at Jasmine. “You're different.”
“How so?”
“I'm not sure. But you've changed, I'm sure of it.”
Jasmine felt awkward, she didn't like talking about herself or her life with her patients.
“Nope, nothing new. Why don't you tell me about your week so far.”
As Tim began to talk, she wondered what he'd seen. Had it been that obvious? Or was it simply one addict recognizing another.
“Ding!” Jasmine reached for her phone.
Drew: What? You don't like it?
Received: 12:05 PM.
Jasmine: Yes, I like it.
Delivered: 12:06 PM.
Drew: Why didn't you call or text me.
Received: 12:07 PM.
Jasmine: I was with a patient.
Delivered: 12:08 PM.
Drew: In that case, you're off the hook.
Received: 12:09 PM.
Jasmine: Where exactly is our date going to be?
Delivered: 12:10 PM.
Drew: My place.
Received: 12:11 PM.
Jasmine: I don't know where you live.
Delivered: 12:12 PM
Drew: You will.
Received: 12:13 PM.
Jasmine: The note said number 1.
Is there another one coming?
Delivered: 12:14 PM.
When Drew didn't text back Jasmine became impatient. Soon after her next patient arrived. She found it hard to pay attention. There was a pressing urge to check her phone. Finally, after her patient left she was able to take a peek.
Drew: Patience.
Received: 1:05 PM.
Jasmine snorted at his arrogance. She imagined what one would feel, after subduing a man like him.
Chapter Seventeen
Please me, please.
O n Thursday, Jasmine received her second package. With wonder in her eyes, she unwrapped the small box. Inside was a black satin ribbon with a matching blind fold. She eyed the two objects, then looked inside for a note.
#2.
Don't worry, I'll show you what to do with them tomorrow.
Directions to my place, are on the back.
Drew.
“I must be crazy. Or maybe I'm just horny.”
Jasmine placed the contents under her desk and continued to work. She didn't have time to fantasize about what Drew had planned.
While in bed that night, she became nervous about the next day. She and Drew only talked about their so called 'date', through text messages. Her anxiety was unclear. It wasn't like they hadn't slept together. Yet still, the suspense of what lied ahead, intimidated her. She decided to call him.
“I was wondering when I would here from you,” he said, answering on the first ring.
“Why didn't you call me?”
“I didn't want to disturb you, while you were with a patient.”
“Oh, well I've been off since six.”
“In that case, I should have called.”
Jasmine smiled. She knew Drew wouldn't go back and forth with her. That wasn't his style.
“How was your day?” he asked.
“Great, I got my second package.”
“Do you have any questions?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I'm sure.” She lied. She had many questions. Such as... Is this what he did with other women? How far would he take things? What exactly is he into? Had she bitten off more than she could chew?
“You're quiet. Are you nervous about tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
“Don't be. I won't do anything, you don't want me to.”
“That's good to know. Are you still in New York?”
“No, actually I just got in.”
Jasmine yawned.
“Sounds like you need some rest.”
“Yeah, it got busy today.”
“Then you should go to sleep, we'll talk tomorrow.”
“OK, goodnight.”
“Night.”
∞
As the streams of water sprayed his body, Drew reminisced on how Jasmine felt. Her skin was like silk, smooth and soft. He remembered her taste, sweet and tangy like a citrus fruit. Her scent was hypnotizing, it lingered on him for hours. He wondered if he was making a mistake, bringing Jasmine into his world.
Drew worried that he
would hurt her. Not physically but mentally. He was fucked up in the head. Behind the wealth and the power, was a man afraid to love and care about anyone but himself. He didn't want to be like that. He had no choice, it was safer that way.
The pain of losing someone he loved, was too hard to bare. Having to live each day, with memories of them being snatched away was tormenting. It reminded him, that in the end, he wasn't in control. There were forces way more powerful than him.
Knowing all that, and the truth of Jasmine's identity should have repelled him. Instead, it did the opposite. He couldn't go on with life, is if she didn't exist. He couldn't walk away and just let her be. She belonged to him, and despite the situation, he refused to let her go.
∞
On Friday, Jasmine found herself day dreaming about her evening to come with Drew. She had a hard time concentrating and focusing on her patients.
“Knock, knock!”
She looked up as Avery partially stepped inside her office.
“Hey I'm going to lunch. Do you want anything?”
“No thanks, I'm good.”
“Is everything OK?
“Yeah, couldn't be better.”
After Avery disappeared down the hall, she got a call from Tessa.
“Lisa and I, are heading over to the spot. You coming?”
“No, I have a date with Drew.”
“Where are you guys going?”
“Out.”
“Out where?”
“I don't know, it's a surprise.”
“What about Saturday? Are you still coming to the party?”
“Yeah and Drew is coming with me.”
“So we'll finally get to meet him?”
“Yep, it appears that way.”
Jasmine didn't want to be so secretive, but she couldn't tell her everything at least not now.
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