Tempted By You

by Stephanie Nicole Norris

She slipped out of the car and strode into the building with Luke’s gaze planted on her backside. He quivered slightly and wondered how he’d ever been able to be apart from her for so long. Regardless of that, Luke wanted to make sure she never got away from him again, making his next move a no-brainer.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The only thing Jasmine really wanted was to be in his presence. When she voiced her feelings this past weekend, she’d surprised herself. Luke possessed that captivity that made her want to tell him her aspirations and ideas as if he didn’t know them already. Strolling from the set to her office in a daze, she paid no attention to the director as he called out to her in the hallway to rave about her performance. She kept moving, hearing nothing but Luke’s voice and the silken moans that fluttered from their mouths when they made love.

  It was lunchtime, and the break was needed since although she put a considerable amount of passion in her last scene, it stemmed from the desire she held for Luke instead of the cognitive action of her acting skills. She opened the door to her dressing room and sailed inside, closing the door behind her. There, sitting atop the counter was a bouquet of purple and white lilies in a clear vase wrapped with a purple bow. She approached them cautiously because occasionally there was an overly enthusiastic fan that got a gift through to her. But just as the thought crossed her mind, that extra beat in her heart that made her body heat up with yearning knocked against her chest. She removed the card attached, and let her eyes roam over the words:

  To my royal princess…

  Her face lit up with pleasure. With two hands, she lifted the vase and covered her nose with the long stem flowers, inhaling deeply. They were fresh and beautiful. The way Luke continued to bring her flowers Jasmine could appreciate because of the attention to detail it took to choose them. He’d obviously handpicked each one, and it showed in their maturity. Jasmine smiled and bit her bottom lip, absolutely taken away by him. The door to her makeup room reopened on a sail of wind then closed with a soft click. Jasmine whirled around to find Luke standing at the door, his hands behind him. The grin that tapered across his face was naughty, daring, and suggestive.

  Jasmine’s body responded with instant arousal. At this rate, she would be putty when he reached her.

  “Luke,” she said, stumbling over her words, “I wasn’t expecting you.”

  Luke adored the surprise on her face; he strode toward Jasmine and slipped his hands inside his pockets.

  Towering over her, he spoke, “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make dinner tonight. It looks like I’ll be out of town until Friday. The donor I spoke of earlier wants to introduce me to a few of his close acquaintances, which could mean more campaign funds for our operation. However, there was no way I could leave without seeing you.”

  Even though part of her was disappointed, a larger part felt well-loved and appreciated because he came all this way to tell her. Any other guy, she thought, would have sent a text and kept it moving.

  “That’s okay, you’re here now, right?” He winked at her, drawing Jasmine into the heat of his chest. Her arms had a mind of their own as they looped around his neck, and he drew her in for a heated stimulating kiss.

  “What is it about you that makes me want to forget all reason and stay?” he asked.

  “I guess the same thing that makes me want to tell you not to go,” she confessed.

  Their lips joined again, and he dipped to grip the back of her thighs, lifting Jasmine. With ease, her derriere perched on top of the makeup counter. Her skirt rose in a hike up her legs, and he stood between them, his long limbs and hard thighs planted firmly between the apex of her center. Luke kissed down her neck, and his fingers danced down her shirt to unbutton her blouse. There was a knock at the door that made Jasmine jump and pull from his embrace to peek over his shoulder.

  “Did you lock the door?”

  His smile was a tell-tale sign.

  Jasmine returned his grin with a shake of her head. Making an attempt to reel in her scattered nerves, she pulled down her skirt and buttoned up her blouse then teased her hair, bouncing the curls in the palms of her hands.

  She glanced up at him, and he nodded and lifted her again to place her back on her feet. A shiver ran down her core, and for a second, Jasmine paused for composure then walked to the door and opened it.

  “Miss Rose, you’re needed back on set.”

  Jasmine frowned and checked the watch that laced her wrist.

  “Are you sure, it wasn’t too long ago when we broke for lunch.”

  “Yeah, unfortunately, it’s just you and Glen.” The woman leaned in and whispered, “I think the producer wants to talk to you guys about the next scene. She’s changed a few lines in the script.”

  Jasmine blew out a long sigh. “Okay. I’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”

  The woman nodded and fled down the hallway.

  Jasmine twirled on her heels to find Luke’s thoroughly enhanced gaze zoned in on her.

  “That couldn’t have been worse timing,” she said, sauntering slowly back to him. When she came within seconds from his tall, elongated frame, Luke gathered her back into his arms and nudged his nose and mouth in the curve of her neck.

  “Tell me about it.”

  “Promise to call me every day,” Jasmine said.

  “Promise to answer my call,” he responded.

  Her smile stretched wide.

  “I promise,” they said together.

  Luke let out a guttural growl and tightened his arms around her before kissing her soft lips and releasing her.

  “I’ll walk out with you.”

  The pair exited in the same manner they’d become familiar with, hand in hand. When they journeyed to the end of the hallway, Luke pulled her hand to his lips, leaving a parting kiss on the back of it. They went in opposite directions, and for the remainder of the day, thoughts of forever between the two stalked them heavily.

  Sunrise turned into sunset, and before long, Valentine’s Day was upon them. Lovers all over were celebrating in romantic fashion, with roses, dinner, and the promise of sex to caress them throughout the night. Jasmine, however, missed Luke something terrible, and even their Facetime video call hadn’t been enough to eliminate the unmistakable void of his absence. After blowing kisses at the camera and disconnecting the live feed, Jasmine blew out the candles that surrounded her in a lit montage.

  The lingerie that clung to her skin was removed just as quickly, replaced with cotton pajama top and bottoms. The shoulder-length wig she had on her head was discarded so quickly it was as if it burned her scalp. Standing in the mirror, Jasmine wondered if she’d made a mistake in cutting her hair. The days leading up to her salon visit didn’t discourage her, but now looking at a shaved scalp on one side gave her second thoughts. On the other hand, the style fit her no-nonsense attitude, and right then and there, she boldly decided she wouldn’t hide the hairdo again. Her first reveal would be at Samiyah’s baby shower. Jasmine’s rueful smile tightened when she thought of what the women would say. She shrugged opting not to care.

  That night ended like the last few days, with thoughts of Luke Steele and the open case of Darren King swirling around.

  By the next week’s end, Jasmine, Selena, and Eden had pulled off the perfect baby shower for Samiyah, and to her surprise, Luke had made an unexpected visit during the celebration.

  He’d been caught outside by Samiyah’s mother Martha Jean, contemplating if he should go in or let Jasmine have fun with the women.

  “Look who I found outside trying to figure out if he wanted to ring the doorbell,” Martha Jean had said. When Jasmine glanced up, it was with a flip of her hair as she stood and met Luke’s puncturing gaze.

  “Luke!” she said, surprised, as the corners of her mouth curved upward. “What are you doing here?”

  Luke stepped further into the room with the build of a cock-strong thoroughbred. His shoulders were a muscular tattoo that inked across his toned flesh, tapering off into his c
orded biceps that almost ripped the sweater he wore to shreds. Jasmine wondered if any of the other ladies were soaking their panties as she was currently. This must have been the equivalent of getting hard as hell for men.

  “I stopped by to bring Samiyah and the twins this.” Luke held out a box wrapped in a blue and pink baby bottle design.

  Samiyah accepted his gift with gratitude, thanking him with an elated smile.

  Luke turned his attention back to Jasmine, and his eyes combed over her, taking in the new hairstyle, chocolate brown skin, soft eyes, and full lips. He moved closer to her, and the women in his way made room, parting like the Red Sea. Standing just over Jasmine, Luke committed each element of her design to memory, making sure to house the details in the same safe place that he hid his heart.

  “Hey, gorgeous,” he said.

  Jasmine instantly blushed, and an exuberant smile was forced upon her face.

  “Hey,” she said.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t get back in time for Valentine’s Day, but I still got you a little something.”

  Luke removed a thin silver rectangular box and held it up for Jasmine to take. Jasmine glanced down then back up into his deep hazel eyes, and her mouth popped open. She giggled as a slow simmering warmth poured down her flesh.

  “Oh my goodness, what is it?”

  “Open it and find out.”

  Jasmine covered her mouth with her manicured hand, giddy as a schoolgirl. She reached down, took the box out of Luke’s hand, and opened it quickly. Her eyes shot back up, and a warm glow penetrated Luke’s expression.

  “Oh my God, Luke,” she whispered. “This is, this …”

  She became an emotional wreck taking in the beauty of the trinity necklace. It held a mixture of white, yellow, and pink gold, an 18-carat jewel that twinkled through and through, sending a wave of excitement, lust, and all that in-between over Jasmine.

  “Let me put it on you,” his thick voice drummed.

  She’d turned her back to him, and Luke connected the piece, and in as much time as it took Jasmine to twirl to thank him, Luke was gone out of town again.

  Jasmine sat at the desk in her home office, sighing at her thoughts as she sifted through a file folder that she’d procrastinated on putting together. Next to her was a glass of Belvedere vodka. She didn’t usually drink the hard stuff, but tonight’s task warranted the strong liquor. An hour and a half into her investigation, a rhythmic knock tapped against her condo’s door. Taking her eyes to the clock on the desk that read 11:30 p.m., then over to her smartphone, Jasmine frowned and rose to her feet. She didn’t have a missed call, and her sisters had their own key. Jasmine knew the only person who would be brave enough to knock this late was Carla, but when she opened the door with a reprimand on her tongue, her rebuke was swallowed when her gaze landed on the only one that governed her thoughts.

  “Luke!” she said, surprised. “This makes the second time you’ve surprised me this week.”

  His handsome grin stretched the length of his mouth, and his eyes noted the trinity necklace around her throat.

  “I’m sorry it’s so late. If I’d been done with this last meeting sooner, I would’ve called first, but I was hoping maybe you could use some company now.”

  She opened the door wider. “I thought you’d never ask, and I understand. This is the last weekend before election day. Are you excited?”

  Luke stepped inside, pulling a bouquet of roses from behind him. Taken aback, Jasmine’s lips lifted on an excited smile.

  “Thank you so much.” She leaned into him, laying her head on his chest and stuffing her nose in the sweet-scented flowers.

  “I don’t know if I would call what I feel excitement. More like angst, hope, optimism.”

  “You’ve done everything you could to win this race. And I’m proud to say you’ve been the best version of yourself, which is who you are all the time. It’s a rarity. This city is lucky to have someone like you on the verge of victory.”

  Luke’s arms wrapped around her, and his heart soared with a passionate vigor.

  “I’ve missed you,” he said, his arms bringing a coat of warmth as they swamped her.

  “Oh yeah? What would you say if I said the same?”

  “Then I’d think it was past time for us to reunite.”

  Jasmine’s smile deepened, and her heart thumped with renewed life. She pulled back from his chest and hung onto the sharp stare of his gaze.

  “I’m glad you’re here. I hope you plan to stay the night.”

  Luke wiggled his brows. “Is that an invitation?” He rubbed his bearded jaw.

  “It sure is,” she sang sultrily.

  Luke’s body lit up like a furnace, and he tightened his hold on her, drawing Jasmine back close.

  “You know I love it when you talk to me like that.”

  A naughty laugh escaped her lips. “I was betting on it.”

  “Oh, you were?”

  “Yeah.”

  He pulled her in for a wicked kiss. The kind that stole her breath and simmered her blood.

  She exhaled contentedly.

  “Give me just a minute. I’m going to put these roses in a vase and use the ladies’ room real quick.”

  He nodded. “Don’t take too long, or I’ll come looking for you, and if I do, I can’t be held accountable for what may happen next.”

  Jasmine giggled then turned to run when she yelped from the passionate slap on her ass Luke handed her. She disappeared into the kitchen with giggles still bubbling from her throat, and Luke grinned with a bite of his bottom lip. He strolled slowly through the living area. The condo held a mixture of contemporary and modern furnishings, and without trying, Luke wandered into Jasmine’s upscale modern office.

  The décor was splendid with light drapery, clean-lined furniture, and touches of color throughout. He could tell that Eden’s hands had been in the place because Eden was one of the best interior designers Luke knew. His gaze traveled to her desk, past her iMac to the open folder of printed information splayed across her keyboard. He didn’t intend to snoop, but a name in the upper left-hand corner of the letterhead in bold caught his attention. Luke Steele. A frown crimpled his face as he leaned closer. Date of birth, his address in Southside Chicago from his younger years. His school information: elementary, high school, college. His mother’s name, his father’s name. It was his entire background. His brows drew together in a perplexed scowl as his gaze flickered up to her computer screen. More information pertaining his background, his families’ political history, and information on his father. His body stiffened, and an unsettling cobweb of chills coursed through his veins.

  The floorboard creaked behind him, making Luke aware that Jasmine was there. He turned around with his brows still furrowed.

  “What is this?” his asked. His query was laced with profound thickness.

  Jasmine glanced at the information in front of him, and her gut flipped. A stab of guilt buried itself in her chest.

  “I know how this looks,” she began, “but it’s not what you think.”

  Luke waited for her to go on. Jasmine cleared her throat and moved closer to him.

  “Remember I told you my team and I were checking the backgrounds of all of the candidates? This is just routine.”

  Bewildered, Luke’s frown deepened. “You thought I would have something to hide?”

  A gamut of confounding emotions waved over her. “Of course not, like I said it’s just standard procedure.”

  “Anything you want to know that you don’t know already about my family or me, you could’ve asked, and I would’ve told you.”

  “I know that, you’re taking it the wrong way.”

  Luke’s gaze turned back to the desk, and his eyes roamed over her pile of information with an even higher raised brow.

  “I’m taking it the wrong way? You have my family’s political history up on your screen.” He pointed to the Google search bar. “You’re searching corrupt activity in my father’s m
ayoral term.” He pointed to the papers in the file folder. “You have my background in a file spread across your desk.” Before Jasmine could respond, he went on.

  “So, if you had found some scandal on my father, were you going to use it against me? Would I have paid for his sins?”

  Jasmine opened her mouth, but nothing came out. The silence grew tight with tension like a heavy mist that suffocated them. Luke’s heart broke, and at that moment, he’d never felt more betrayed. His dark eyes revealed the strenuous dreariness of disbelief.

  “No! Of course not, how could you think I would?” Jasmine said, finally catching up with her thoughts.

  Luke locked his jaw and held back the overbearingly stricken sound that wanted to flee his throat.

  “Baby—”

  “You hesitated, Jasmine.”

  The pain in his gaze consumed her, and Jasmine’s heart constricted at the thought that she’d caused it.

  She shook her head. “No, listen, you’re looking at this all wrong.”

  Luke shut his mouth and didn’t offer another word.

  “I would never hold you accountable for something your father did. I— I…”

  Luke took a step back, and he masked his inner turmoil with deceptive calmness. Turning on his heels, he left the room, and Jasmine’s heart tanked.

  “Luke!”

  She hurried after him in an effort to stop his departure. She dashed down the hallway, eager to catch up with his elongated strides.

  “Luke!”

  He continued, never sparing her a backwards glance. At the door, he reached for the lock and turned it then grabbed the knob.

  “Don’t!” Jasmine shouted at his back.

  Luke paused, his hand steady on the handle.

  “Don’t leave like this, baby.” She reached out, laying a warm palm on his back. “I love you, I—” she took in a sordid breath. “I’m sorry, I never meant for—”

  Jasmine’s words clogged her throat, barricaded behind a knot that had suddenly formed.

  Luke opened the door but didn’t leave right away as he struggled with whether to stay or go. It was more than a simple background search; it was the fact that this proved she didn’t trust him, and how could they go on if this was still between them? There was so much he wanted to say, but instead of saying anything, he pressed forward, leaving so quickly if was as if he was a ghost that had vanished into thin air.