“Good evening, Mr. Steele,” the server offered Jasmine a glance, “Miss Rose.”
“Good evening, Milo,” Luke and Jasmine responded together. “There isn’t a need to be so formal you know,” Luke added.
Milo had been Luke’s personal chef since Luke left his parents’ home in search of his future almost ten years ago. The two had a friendship that was as close as the ones he cherished with the Roses, and Luke wouldn’t change that for anything.
Milo nodded. “I know, but I prefer it.”
“You would prefer to be formal with me, but when I do the same, you give me that scowl you’re giving me right now.”
Jasmine’s laugh was as soft as a breeze, but the chime stoked Luke’s flame all the same. He glanced at her mouth before returning his attention to Milo.
“And you, sir, sound as if we’re in a relationship where everything has to be fifty-fifty.”
Luke’s gorgeous mouth spread, and a deep rumble left his gut, barreling a laugh into the night’s sky. Jasmine’s laugh also picked up, and Milo glanced at her then winked.
“For your dinner, Miss Rose,” Milo lifted the tray and sat the plate in front of Jasmine then removed the top. “Greek shrimp scampi fettuccine with garlic and feta.” The tangy buttery scent hit Jasmine’s nose, making the hairs on her neck stand.
“Mmmm,” she moaned, “this smells delicious.” Her mouth watered. “I can hardly wait for Luke to get his meal before I dig in.”
Luke and Milo chuckled.
“I do hope you enjoy it, madam,” Milo responded. He turned his attention back to Luke. “And for you, Mr. Steele,” Luke smirked at Milo’s insistence to be formal with him. Milo added Luke’s tray in front of him and removed the top. Steam rose as Milo introduced the dish. “Steak Moutarde with mushroom gravy and roasted sweet potato wedges.”
“Thank you, sir,” Luke said.
“Would either of you like a glass of Dom Perignon?”
Luke and Jasmine glanced between each other.
“We would,” Luke decided, “but I’ll take care of it from here.”
Milo nodded and took a step back, removing the cart from the table’s side. He reached below and lifted a bucket of ice with a cold bottle of Dom Perignon sitting inside.
“I will return shortly with dessert,” Milo said.
“Thank you,” they said in unison.
Milo disappeared quickly, and Luke reached across the table, taking Jasmine’s hands in his.
“Shall we pray?”
“Of course.”
They bowed their heads, and the drum of Luke’s voice petitioning to God for blessing, nourishment, guidance, and spiritual protection cloaked Jasmine’s skin with a populating buzz. How could she be having second thoughts about building with him when her heart told her Luke was everything she needed? Not only that, but he seemed manufactured for her specifically. The feeling was so strong, yet there was that one thing in the back of her mind that said otherwise. It unnerved her and almost made her lose focus on the prayer.
“In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen,” Luke’s voice thundered.
“Amen,” Jasmine repeated. “Whew,” she said, “you almost took me to church with that one.”
Luke’s grumbling laugh made her flesh respond with a slight tremble.
“You say that as if you’ve never heard me pray before.”
“This time it was different.”
“Yeah, how so?”
“Because we’re different,” she said. “Because this is different.”
Luke understood, and Jasmine lifted her fork and dug into her Greek shrimp scampi fettuccine. With a twirl of her fork, she rolled the pasta around her utensil then blew and took her first bite.
“Mmmm.” She closed her eyes and chewed, sending Luke’s nervous system spiraling like the pasta on the fork. “This is delightful. Shit,” she said.
Luke chuckled. “I’m glad you like it.”
“What is that extra flavor in there?”
“Lemon,” he said.
“My goodness, the things a little lemon can do.”
They chuckled, and Jasmine took another bite of her food, then moaned again with closed eyes. When she reopened them and found Luke staring at her, she licked her full lips.
“Are you going to eat or just watch me?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
Jasmine eyed his mouth.
“That’s not fair.”
“Why is that?”
“Then I don’t get to watch you eat, and you’ll starve.”
Luke chuckled. “Trust me, I’ve been starving for a long time.”
The air around them fused as they had another intense stare down. Deciding to oblige her, Luke removed his fork and knife from the cloth napkin then cut into his steak. He wrapped the meat in the mushroom gravy sauce then closed his hard mouth around the tool. The stretch of his masculine jaw as he chewed had the same direct effect on Jasmine that her consumption had on him. Damn, she thought. Had he always seemed so appealing when eating before?
“Good?” she asked.
“Excellent,” he responded.
A small hint of a smile curved the corner of Jasmine’s lips. They ate in silence for a spell, both tossing around their own conversational forward progress inwardly.
“Champagne?”
“Yes,” Jasmine said. She needed something to remove the nervousness she felt.
While Luke popped the cork and poured their champagne, underneath the table, Jasmine crossed and uncrossed her legs, unable to pull it together. Luke sensed her anxiety. Jasmine was right; this was different from the many dinners they’d had as a family in his or her father’s home. It was different than the group outings or even the few times they were alone while waiting for someone to show up; because during those times, Luke and Jasmine’s level of friendship hadn’t moved past camaraderie. He attempted to calm her by delving into a topic he knew would please her.
“I know you had a meeting at City Hall today. Were you able to speak with a council member?”
Jasmine was happy for the reprieve. “I can hardly call it a meeting. It was more of me sitting there for hours on end listening to them talk about budgets. They knew I was there, but it felt like they were trying to keep the meeting going so I wouldn’t get the chance to pull one of them to the side and ask questions.”
Luke nodded then reclaimed his seat. Jasmine lifted the flute to her mouth and took a hefty gulp.
“That’s probably because the last time you cornered them, it turned into an interview. You’re like a political shark. No one wants to be caught on camera answering questions that were never meant to be asked.”
Jasmine’s brow lifted then she smirked. “That’s exactly why I inquire.”
Luke chuckled.
“It makes no difference,” she continued. “My small group will find out about anything that involves the council members or the candidates running for office.”
“How’s that going?”
Jasmine re-crossed her legs and sat back against her chair. Luke forced himself to keep his gaze on her soft brown eyes and not the exposed flesh between her breasts.
“As you know, Incumbent Samuel Jenkins is scrambling to make his office appear as clean as possible.”
“Is it?”
“For the most part, it is.”
“I feel a but… coming.”
“But nothing is ever squeaky clean. Either way, he’s the least I’m worried about.”
“Nothing is ever squeaky clean?” Luke asked. “Do you think I can run a clean office?”
Jasmine lowered the flute from her lips. “Of course. That’s not what I meant.”
“Are you saying that because you believe it to be true or because you love me?”
Jasmine’s thoughts shook on an intake of breath. Her mouth opened but nothing came out as a sheer coat of chills covered her flesh.
“I’m just kidding,” he said, deciding to rescue her.
Jasmine blink
ed repetitiously, but still, no words escaped her.
Luke grinned then spoke. “Who are you worried about?”
Jasmine was totally disoriented, but her common sense responded while her mind and heart continued to quake.
“Bruce McCarthy and Milton Brunner.” She spoke like an artificial intelligence recording. “They may be working together to take you and Jefferson White out of the race. But they’ve also received a few gifts within the last few months and tried to cover them with mediocre transactions.”
Luke frowned. “You’re saying they’re taking gifts from lobbyists for favors?” When Jasmine didn’t respond, Luke whistled. “That’s a pretty big accusation.”
Jasmine finally snapped out of her stupor. “But they are.”
Luke stared at her. “So, let me guess. By covering their tracks with mediocre transactions, you mean—”
“Paying twenty dollars for a one-million-dollar painting that is now hanging in Bruce McCarthy’s office.”
“How do you know it’s in his office?”
“Because I’ve seen it with my own eyes. We had an impromptu meeting.”
“You mean you caught him coming into the building, and he couldn’t ignore you.”
Jasmine smirked. “Exactly. He had one option, take my questions behind the closed doors of his office or take them on the front porch of his building.”
Luke chuckled and nodded. “Well played.”
Jasmine emptied the remaining champagne in her glass.
“Do you mind?” she said, asking for more.
Luke removed himself from the chair and poured Jasmine more bubbly. He watched her drink it halfway before he could sit the bottle back down.
“Is everything okay?” he asked.
Jasmine nodded but drank the rest of her beverage. She held her glass out, and Luke watched her sternly as he poured more. This time it was a meager sip that Jasmine took as Luke sat back down.
“Talk to me,” Luke said.
“I am talking to you.”
“No, you’re not. Whatever it is that’s bothering you, you’re holding on to it. But I’m right here. Our dinner situation is distinctive, but I’m still the same person you’ve always confided in when you were feeling indifferent.”
Jasmine avoided his eye contact and instead glanced over at the roof’s edge. Her arms crossed her chest, and her hands slid up her shoulders as if she meant to shake the cold off, except the breeze was warm.
“Talk to me, Princess.”
The silence around them went on for what seemed like forever.
“Something is evidently bothering you. What is it?”
Jasmine shifted in her seat. “It’s not me,” she lifted her eyes to him. “It’s you, Luke.”
Luke’s brows furrowed. “It’s me?” Confusion was etched in his features.
“We’re being honest here, right?”
“Certainly.”
“It’s really hard to explain.”
“I disagree. You just say the words that convey your thoughts.” He stared at her, and she stared back.
“Luke, I’m the type of woman who thrives on truths, trustworthiness, and clarity. Sometimes, I can be a bit bossy and—”
“Unrelenting, vulnerable, and concise,” Luke added. “You’re open, don’t beat around the bush, authentic, and treat your word as your bond. You uphold anyone you date to those same standards because you love yourself too much to accept anything less than. On Sundays, you attend church, talk to God every night, and have weekly meetings with your mother in the garden at your father’s home. You love your family, friends, and go out of your way to make the world a better place even if that’s standing on the front lines of a disastrous protest that can only turn violent in the end.
“Strawberry ice cream is your go-to snack when you’re feeling down, and the occasional party at a nightclub helps you wash the week off when it’s been heavier than you expected. You don’t indulge in meaningless flings or lead men on because it would disrupt the natural order of your straightforwardness. What I’m most interested in now is how does that affect what we have. Or better yet, how am I the problem because of these things?”
Jasmine was speechless. She was sure Luke knew her well but hearing him now revealed even more how much he meant to her.
“I’m just not sure if …”
“Please,” he said, “finish.”
“I’m not sure if you’re ready to be with one woman.”
Luke’s eyes widened in astonishment, and he sat back against his chair and exhaled a breath.
“You don’t trust me,” he said with comprehension.
Jasmine didn’t deny it, and Luke cleared his throat and forced the clenching of his gut to relax. After several seconds, Luke gathered himself from his initial shock.
“Why?”
“It’s not that I don’t trust you, it’s just, you’re too important to me. What if things don’t work out?”
“Jas, why are you thinking about what would happen if our relationship didn’t survive?”
“We have to consider what it would do to our friendship.”
“It would never happen.” The seriousness of his tone matched the edginess of his face.
“How can you say that?”
“Like I just did.”
Jasmine turned away from him and searched for the rooftop’s edge again.
“I’ll go out on a limb here and say I understand your concern, but for the sake of total transparency, nothing could come between you and me. Unless of course, it was you,” he said.
Jasmine turned back to him to find his gaze baring a blazing hole in her.
“I would never do anything to hurt you,” he added, “and I’m sorry that you don’t already know that.”
She saw pain in his face. Heard the aching of his words in his voice. “Luke, I didn’t mean to—”
He waved off her apology with a single sweep of his hand.
“If you’re done with your food, allow me to make sure you get home safely.”
Jasmine’s breath hitched, and she nodded. Luke rose from his seat, and Jasmine rose with him. With no more conversation between the two, Luke escorted her home and walked Jasmine to her condo.
At the door, Jasmine entered her key then turned around with an apology on her tongue.
“I’m—”
“Forget about it,” Luke said, his voice dark. His tone softened as he added, “You’re not in the wrong for having reservations about us. However, what I said still stands. I’ll never stop wanting you, Princess.” Luke reached for her face, and his fingers trailed down the side of her chin. “But if it makes you feel better, we can let this go and just remain,” he hesitated as if it pained him to say the words, “friends.”
Jasmine opened her mouth again, but Luke cut through her words one last time.
“Sleep on it.” He kissed her forehead and lingered there for an eternity. The heat from his mouth glazed her and wrapped around Jasmine’s flesh, causing her heart to race. When he pulled back, they stared at each other for another long minute. “Sweet dreams.”
He reached around her and opened the unlocked door, giving her an exit. Jasmine didn’t say another word; instead, she nodded then sauntered into the house with her thoughts moving a million miles a second. For a long minute, she stood with her back to him in the open doorway, but when she turned to finally say something again, Luke was gone.
Chapter Six
Standing on the track at the University of Chicago, Jasmine bent over and laced up the Nikes on her feet. The sun hovered high in the sky, and there was no current in the air. The full body workout suit was fitted to Jasmine’s curves, allowing her to be flexible as she bent and jumped in position doing a pre-run workout. She set the fitness tracker wristwatch and gave herself a silent countdown. With one foot in front of the other, she sprinted with lightning speed. Jasmine ran as if she was being chased down, her heart beating faster and faster. A bead of perspiration materialized on her fore
head. The hair bun sitting on top of her head unraveled, leaving her curly ponytail flying in the wind. When she made it back to her starting point, her legs sped up. Thoughts of Luke were the only thing on her mind, causing her to run even faster. Was she unknowingly trying to run away from him? The track seemed to get shorter and shorter as Jasmine dashed around it four more times. The burn in her thighs screamed for rest, but Jasmine’s momentum ran high. When she finally came to a stop, Jasmine dropped down to her hands and knees. On all fours, she inhaled and exhaled deeply, trying to catch her breath.
“Wow, that was intense. I guess you couldn’t wait for me to get here, huh?”
Jasmine glanced at her sister Phoebe as she approached, also in workout gear. It was Phoebe that had suggested a few months ago that she, Eden, and Jasmine get together to run twice a week. At first, it was strange to them because Phoebe had always evaded the gym, but since becoming engaged to a fitness expert, her sister was all about staying fit. Eden complained tirelessly, then slowly she began to miss their workout sessions, citing a new client she had to deal with. Because Phoebe knew Eden ran a reputable interior design business, she allowed her sister the excuse, but it didn’t stop Phoebe from fussing at Eden during their weekly brunches.
“Sorry,” Jasmine said, still trying to catch her breath, “I’ve been slacking. I needed it.” She sat back on her legs in a crouch and dusted her hands off.
“You’ve got a lot on your plate,” Phoebe said.
Jasmine nodded.
“But,” Phoebe continued, “that’s not the reason your running like your life depends on it. What’s going on with you and Luke?”
“What makes you think there’s a me and Luke?” Jasmine glanced up at Phoebe, her breath still labored.
“Is there?” Phoebe asked.
Jasmine swallowed, unsure of how to proceed.
“Last night, I sort of told him I didn’t trust him.”
Phoebe’s soft gasp made Jasmine cringe slightly.
“After I told him, he seemed to draw away from me.”
“Can you blame him? Why would you tell him that?”
“It’s the truth, Phoebe!”
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