To Love & To Protect

by Deborah R. Brandon

  When she had cried all she could cry, she stepped out of the shower towel dried herself, put on lotion, and dressed in her pajamas. She pulled her damp curls up into a ponytail before going to the kitchen to check on her stuffed shells.

  She was surprised to find Ethan sitting on a bar stool drinking a cup of coffee.

  He turned as he heard her approach. He reached out his arms to her and she walked willingly into them. He still had on all of his equipment. He looked up into her rich coffee brown eyes, and he could tell by the swelling that she had been crying.

  “Are you okay sweetheart?” he asked.

  “I am holding on,” Jasmine responded. “How about you?” she asked in turn.

  He nodded his head, “I am holding on too.”

  Ethan didn’t tell her that it had been hard to place the girls into someone else’s care. He knew that technically they weren’t his kids, but in the short time that he come to know them, he had grown to care about them as much as he cared about their mother. If something were to happen to them, he would never forgive himself.

  He decided to change the subject, “I see you been cooking,” he said gesturing towards the stuff shells someone had removed for her.

  She smiled and said, “Yes it is one of the girl’s favorites,” Jasmine said. It will taste better tomorrow when all the flavors have marinated together, but I am sure you are hungry. So you want to try a sample?”

  “Sure, it smells delicious,” Ethan said. “You are a woman of many talents. Oh Kennedy wants the recipe,” he said.

  He began to take off his gear. “Let me take a shower before I eat through, he said.”

  Jasmine finished cleaning up the kitchen and wrapping up the food and putting it up.

  When Ethan walked out of the room with just his pajama bottoms on, damp dirty blonde hair, his clear water blue eyes shining with gratitude for a home cooked meal, and twin dimples setting off that megawatt smile, Jasmine’s heart stopped for a second before starting to pick up pace. Her eyes traveled over his muscles, noticing the light spread of dirty blonde curls across his chest. He had shaped up his goatee. He looked so sexy.

  “Thank you, baby,” he said as he sat on the barstool, in front of a plate of stuffed shells, garlic bread, and a fresh garden green salad, with a glass of sweet ice tea. You didn’t have to do all of this,” he said.

  “It was my pleasure,” Jasmine said, realizing that she enjoyed being the little lady for this man. He was always so grateful for the smallest things, which pleased her to no end. Loving him was easy. That surprised Jasmine. She turned the word over and over inside her head. She didn’t know when it had happened, but somehow she had managed to fall in love. Her eyes started to roam all over him, like she was trying to memorize his features. They had not consummated the relationship, in the name of taking things slowly. She had enjoyed lying beside him, feeling his warm hard body against her soft curves. Now she wanted to feel his big hands against her skin, his kisses all of over body.

  She moved away from the table afraid that he would notice her desire. She stood facing the window, watching the waves tossing back and forth.

  Ethan finished eating and washed his plate and glass. Then came and stood beside Jasmine. She had washed her hair so it smelled like coconut butter, olive oil, and Shea butter. Her pajamas hugged her round bottom then fall to the floor. Her perky breast was standing at attention.

  Ethan smiled as he wrapped his arms around her lovingly. She rested her head against his chest, but continued to watch the waves.

  “Jasmine, are you sure that you are okay?” Ethan asked.

  “I am dealing with everything,” Jasmine responded. “Processing, trying not to grow bitter and not allow hatred to consume me,” she said honestly.

  “I am sorry. I am working to tie up all the loose ends. I am sorry for not being further coming with the information earlier, I was trying to protect you,” Ethan said. “If I can do anything for you just let me know.”

  Jasmine turned and faced him, and was surprised at how shy she was. “There is something you can do for me,” Jasmine said.

  “Anything,” Ethan said.

  “Make love to me right now,” Jasmine said softly.

  “Are you sure, Jasmine?” Ethan asked. “It has been a hard long day, and you are hurting. I don’t want to take advantage of you. I don’t want you to regret this,” Ethan said.

  “I want you. I care about you. Tonight, I just want to be yours in every sense of the word. I want to be your woman in every way,” Jasmine said turning in his arms to face him.

  Ethan looked into her rich coffee colored eyes and saw desire there. He reached down and lightly ran his fingers over her face then he leaned down and took her full lips into a passionate kiss.

  Ethan broke the kiss, took Jasmine by the hand and escorted her to the bedroom. The candles were still lit in the room from earlier. He turned on the radio, to his delight love making music was on. Ethan smiled down at her. She had him completely caught up under her spell. He loosened her hair from her ponytail. He ran his fingers over her hair, down over her slender neck, and over her exposed shoulders. She was trembling. He mistook it for fear and paused for a moment. He looked her in the eyes and asked her if she was sure.

  Jasmine was lost in a sea of emotions and sensations, nodded her head. His hands had stopped moving over her body and she wanted him to continue. She reached down and removed her pajama top and walked over to the bed.

  Ethan sucked in a quick breath. Damn she was even more beautiful than he had imagined. Her rich caramel colored skin, her ample full bosom with Hershey kisses colored nipples. Ethan thought he was the luckiest man on earth. He walked over to the bed.

  Jasmine ran her hands over his face, as he had done her. She knew that she would have beard burn in the morning but she was looking forward to it. His pink lips were slightly swollen from their kisses. She ran her hands across his shoulders, and down his torso. He soaked down onto the bed and devoured her mouth with intense passion. Jasmine wrapped herself around his hard body.

  He gave her pleasure in ways that she had never experienced before. She matched him in every way. Sometime during their sexual dance, all clothing had been shed. Ethan used his fingers to see if she was ready for him.

  Ethan smiled, because she was soaking wet with desire for him. He used one finger, then two to help her body get ready to receive him. Then he slid slowly, inch by glorious inch, into her velvet folds. She moaned his name, as her body stretched to accommodate him. She was so tight.

  Moments later they both reached new heights together. As they were coming down Jasmine began to cry. Ethan shifted his weight, and asked her if he had hurt her.

  Jasmine shook her head no.

  “Then what is wrong?” Ethan asked. “Are you beginning to think that it was too soon and probably a mistake?

  “Nothing is wrong honey,” Jasmine said, seeing the concern in his face. She ran her hands through his hair. “I have waited my whole life for you,” she said not quite meeting his eyes. “I think,” Jasmine paused, “I am in love with you. What we just experienced was beautiful and my heart is so happy,” so I cried. “I have had sex before, obviously,” Jasmine said. “Yet I have never been made love too. Thank you.”

  “Oh sweetheart, I am not that good, it’s probably the wine,” Ethan said laughing at himself.

  Jasmine hit him playfully and laughed as well.

  “How did you hear about the wine?” Jasmine asked.

  “I know everything about you baby,” Ethan said teasing again.

  He stood up and scooped her up off the bed and carried her into the bathroom. Were they lathered each other up and ended up making love under the spray of the warm water.

  That night, amiss everything that was going on, Jasmine slept soundly in the arms of a man that she had come to love.

  The next morning, Jasmine woke up to sound of her alarm. She silenced it, but lay there for a few minutes as she began to become fully awake. Ethan
was already gone, but he left her a note.

  It read: Good morning beautiful, thank you so much for last night. You told me you loved me, and I didn’t say it back, but I hope that I showed you. Have a great day, my pocket full of sunshine.

  Jasmine stretched in the bed, allowing the sunlight to dance across her face. She lay there for a few minutes before checking her phone for any messages from Renee or Antonio. Jasmine sighed when she looked at here phone and there was only a message from Nicole. She took comfort in the fact that it was nearly a ten hour flight.

  Jasmine got up and got ready for her spa day. After which, she had her talk at the school and after that she was going by her home. She showered and got dressed. She went into the living room Michelle, Stacy, Kimberly, and Kennedy were waiting for her. She said, “Good morning.”

  Jasmine immediately knew by their response that something was wrong.

  She looked at Kennedy who began to explain, “Samuel was found hung in his jail cell this morning. It was supposed appear like a suicide, but there is evidence that points to homicide.”

  “Oh,” Jasmine said.

  “His mother is angry, and is placing the blame on you,” Michelle continued.

  “Wow,” Jasmine said.

  “She has started up an account on HelpFundMe to help pay for the funeral,” Kimberly supplied.

  Jasmine texted to Sasha Jeffcoat, to make an anonymous donation of $3,500 to Samuel’s account, she also wanted the Boys and Girls Club that he had belonged to send flowers.

  Keeping herself in check, she asked if they were ready to move out. She put on a pair of sunglasses, and stepped out into the beautiful sunshine.

  They took three cars total and arrived at the Emerald Grove Day Spa in no time, and without incident. She walked into the Spa; Nicole rolled her eyes about her hair, but hugged her anyways.

  “What are you getting today?” Nicole asked.

  “I want a full body massage, with a cold stone facial, my hair relaxed and styled, a manicure and pedicure. I also want to go over my wardrobe for the interview and for the Fundraiser event. We have two and a half hours is that enough time?” Jasmine finished.

  “Honey we got you,” Nicole said laughing.

  “Michelle are you still getting your massage, it will help with your edema?” Nicole asked.

  “Yes indeed,” Michelle responded.

  “The option is opened to the rest of you as well,” Jasmine said, then turned and informed Nicole that Donna would be coming by at some point.

  Nicole selected Jasmine’s outfit for the interview, while Mark, one of her massage therapist gave her a deep tissue massage, geared towards relaxation and stress reduction. There were lavender scented candles lit. The table had been preheated and a fan was circulating cool air throughout the room. When she was settled on the table, the lights were dimmed and a mediation cd started. Mark poured coconut scented massage oils into the palms of his hands, and started to massage her from her neck all the way down to her feet. Then had her turn over and did the same for the front. Lastly he took peppermint scented oil and applied it to her face, then started her cold stone facial. Mark completed her session and told her to wrap in the towel that had been provided for her. She went and took a hot shower in one of the shower stalls, to remove the excess oils. Then she towel dried and dressed in a white high neckline sleeveless shirt that had a gold and white pearl beaded choker neck and back tie. And a pair of casual black dress slacks, finished off with a pair of white wedge high heel sandals.

  Nicole washed and roller set her hair. Then she applied her make-up. As Jasmine sat under the dryer, Sandy did her manicure and pedicure. After her timer went off, Jasmine slid back into her sandals and Nicole took her rollers out of her hair and teased her curls into a flirty bouncy style. She took her flat irons and gave her a layered fanned out bang. Nicole completed the look with long gold and pearl earrings and a matching bracelet.

  “Go kill that interview girl,” Nicole said.

  “Thank you for everything, Nicole,” Jasmine said as she handed Nicole her credit card. She hugged her once again and walked out the door, to the cars that had been pulled around.

  The ride to the studio had been uneventful. Sonya Mayfield and Claire met her in studio A. She was greeted warmly by both ladies. Many of the students from Emerald Grove University were in the audience area. She walked through and spoke with as many as she could before the taping was to start. She even took a few pictures with some. FBI was backing up her security detail, so she felt safe for the most part.

  Jasmine was placed on stage between, Claire and Sonya, and her microphone pinned on. Music was cued, the audience applauded.

  Claire began the introduction, “We are here today, with my friend, one of our State Representatives, Jasmine Anderson.

  Jasmine waved at the audience and smiled as they applauded.

  Sonya Mayfield said, after the audience had stopped clapping, “You have a message for these young people and amazingly enough, getting shot was not enough to quiet your voice.”

  Jasmine responded, “The message that I have for them is not the same one that I was going to give on that tragic day, where I was shot in front of them as well as my family. I am not the same, so I couldn’t possibly give that message to them today,” Jasmine finished sincerely.

  Applause erupted through the studio.

  Claire came back with, “Representative Anderson, you are known throughout our state, and nationally, because you made history by becoming the first African American single mom to be elected to this office. You have been open and honest about your struggle to get to where you are today in your number one bestselling book entitled ‘Getting Back to Me’. Some of us have even visited one of your twelve soul food restaurants, with recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation. You are incredible, accessible to the public, like no other elected official has ever been.”

  “Thank you Claire,” Jasmine responded. “I take pride in the fact that life has thrown me some pretty huge curve balls, and by the grace of God, I have survived. I want women who are victims of domestic abuse, especially women living in a state that is ranked high in domestic violence, to know that they don’t have to stay stuck. I want to make them aware of programs that can help them get up on their feet, and provide a safe environment for them and their children while they do it. I share my life story so that they can know that one, they are not alone, and two, so that they can know that if I can overcome it, then they can too.”

  The audience erupted in applause.

  Sonya continued with, “You have lived out some pretty tragic moments. You have endured domestic violence at the hands of someone who had professed to love. Your parents were killed in a car accident. You recently underwent a custody battle with your children’s biological father. Lastly you were shot at one of our states major Universities while giving a speech. You underwent a major surgery and have started physically therapy. How do you keep pushing forward?”

  “As horrific as my story sounds, there is someone whose story is worse than mine. I want to be a beacon of light for people sitting in the dark. It is not something that I choose to do per say, but rather a calling. It is embarrassing to share those parts of my life with the world. I am not perfect, I am very much human, but I have lived and learned.”

  “In the midst of this you have two beautiful healthy girls,” Claire said. “You have a host of friends that you endorse as often as possible, what’s that about. And you have a new love interest…tell us about him.”

  “My girls are my miracle and my blessing. They were my strength to get through some of the storms in life. I might have given up if it weren’t for them. As far as my friends, it’s like this, they are my family. If they have a marketable tool or asset, that is legitimate, then I will endorse them and help them as much as I possibly can. Like for instance, my friend Nicole Alexander, She and her staff at the Emerald Grove Day Spa, dressed me, and did my hair and make-up for today’s event. Sh
e makes my life easy and takes a lot of the stress out of this for me, with the services and amenities she offers. So I use her. You are my friend, Claire Blake-Moore, you are an incredible journalist and you respect my boundaries, so I am going to use you to help with whatever publicity that I need done. Alena and Alexis run my restaurants for me, quite successful, I might add and as long as those partnerships meet our needs, I am keeping it. When you are blessed, you pass the blessings down to others.”

  The audience erupted in applause.

  It was Sonya, who brought the questioning about her boyfriend into play again.

  Jasmine sat up straight in her chair, and said, “I did know that I was missing him until he showed up. It’s like he has always been a part of me. He is sincerely my better half. I say this because when I am with him, I can be a lady, soft and sweet. He handles things without being asked too. He loves my children enough to watch girly cartoons with them. He is my partner, my friend, and my lover. He is not competing with me, he is allowing me to do me, while he does his thing and it just sweetens our thing. I am blessed.”

  “This guy sounds like he may be the one,” Claire said. “Look at you glowing and stuff,” Claire teased.

  “I certainly hope so,” Jasmine responded.

  “Do you have any last words that you want to leave the audience with,” Sonya asked.

  “Life is seriously hard. It is full of ups and downs, twist and turns. Through it all, find yourself a belief system that you honestly believe in and live by it. Make it your code. Help others up when you can and never ever give up.”

  Claire began, to close out the show, when Jasmine noticed Kennedy standing to the side looking anxious. When they were cued that they were all clear, Jasmine and Claire walked briskly over to Kennedy. “What’s wrong?” Jasmine asked.

  “First and foremost, the plane has landed safely in Italy with all aboard being accounted for,” Kennedy informed them.