“He doesn’t just get business for small animals,” Drake countered. “He’s brought in hefty equestrian accounts. You can’t deny that.”
“Maybe the focus should be on how all of us can make this work,” Jasmine added. Sometimes Ponce’s attitude was a stretch. “I thought the purpose of bringing on Drake was to take care of all animal needs. To have a more rounded practice. At least I thought that was what Mackenzie wanted. Drake’s carrying his weight here.”
“Excuse me, but just because you two are dating doesn’t mean…”
“Keep the arguments centered on business,” Jeff warned. “You’re not the only vet here, Ponce.”
Ponce waved his arms. “I’ve got to get to work. This conversation is pointless anyway. George owes Floyd’s father. He won’t offer us anything. Heck, we can’t afford to buy him out. It’ll take a miracle for me to stay on. You got any miracles in your accounts?”
“You’re just too hotheaded,” Jeff said.
“I don’t know about the rest of you, but if I were you, I’d start sending out résumés.”
This wasn’t what Jasmine wanted to hear. But Ponce was on a rant. The three of them would have to work together to come up with some solution.
She had huge loans from veterinary school, so did Drake, but their salaries were more than enough to handle that—if the practice continued as it was.
“We can discuss a game plan Sunday night.”
“We’re already overworked because Floyd doesn’t do his share of the work. What do you think is going to happen when he takes over? He’ll be playing golf and still not doing his share of the work. See you later.” Ponce stomped down the hall and slammed out of the door.
“Well,” Jeff said, wiping his brow, “that went well.” He sighed heavily. “Look, I’ve been here twelve years. Mackenzie gave me this job when I was desperate. I learned as I went along, and apprenticed at other operations to learn how to run this office. Quite frankly, I like it here. I don’t want to have to send out résumés, so if any of you have ideas, please be forthcoming.”
“Ponce is right, we do need more vets. Would you like me to go with you to meet with Mr. Avery?” Drake asked.
“Yes. I know your schedule’s pretty tight today, but maybe during lunch we can go over some things.”
“Unfortunately, I’m working late. But I agree, we do need another vet,” Jasmine said.
“Part of that is because Floyd is bringing so much business our way. But Ponce doesn’t understand that.”
Jasmine stood and glanced at her watch. “Or refuses to recognize Floyd’s value.”
Jeff shuffled his papers. “There’s a lot Ponce doesn’t understand.”
Jasmine’s brows were creased as she left the office. Drake wanted to do something to ease her worry. When the receptionists and techs arrived, there was nothing he could do. Besides, she didn’t want to let everyone in the office know their personal business. Ponce had already lent credence to her worry.
Drake, who had the usual routine office visits of injections, physicals and injuries, was assuring an older woman that her beloved poodle was in good health. It was almost two in the afternoon and he was laughing about something the tech had said while he took a ten-minute breather outside to eat his sandwich. The tech took a cigarette break several yards away. He leaned against a maple tree while Drake sat at a picnic table. The sandwich was almost to his mouth when it struck him how much he enjoyed his work and the scenery.
The mountains to the west were a burst of beauty. Jeff had planted some flowers, and when he was stressed he’d piddle around in the flower-beds. He had been doing that often lately. Azaleas and begonias were bursting with color. Even the rental house lent a gorgeous mountain view. Yet the mountains held back the worst of the winter weather.
Drake had been so set on his goal of moving close to D.C., he’d failed to realize how much this practice meant to him. Anyway, he was close enough to drive in for entertainment. What was an hour’s drive in this area? If the growth rate continued to climb, the D.C. metro area would soon spread to West Virginia, anyway.
Drake quickly finished his sandwich and guzzled down a bottle of water. In a few minutes, he’d have to meet with Jeff to discuss their strategy with Mr. Avery.
It would certainly make things easier if the older man knew Jasmine was his granddaughter.
That evening, after Drake got home, Steven called him. He had just gotten out of the shower and was dressing to go to Jasmine’s place.
The meeting with Mr. Avery had been hopeful. He didn’t make promises, but at least he’d listened patiently to their offer.
“What’s happening, man?” Steven said. “I’ve been calling and leaving messages that you don’t return, by the way. Are you ignoring me?”
“Just busy. Plus, I’ve already told you that I’m not going to reveal anything about Jasmine.”
“I just want to know how things are going.”
“Okay, except she’s working too hard. But I hope we can remedy that.”
“Has she introduced herself to the old man yet?”
“No. He had a nephew that tried to pass a wannabe actress off as Mackenzie’s long-lost daughter. Jasmine says she thinks he’ll think she’s trying to pull a fast one if she reveals her true identity. Like a DNA test wouldn’t prove it. But I think the real reason she’s holding back is because of her mother. I think her mother feels threatened. She keeps warning Jasmine not to impose herself on him.”
Steven sighed. “I think she should tell him.”
“It’s Jasmine’s decision. I’m sure she’ll tell him in time—if she’s here long enough.”
“What are you talking about? I’m hoping she’ll settle down there, at least for a few years.”
“We might all be looking for jobs.”
“Why?” Steven asked.
Drake told him about the offer to sell the practice.
“Is that a bad thing?”
“I don’t know. Floyd has good people skills, but you need more than that to run a successful vet office.”
“Mr. Avery won’t sell it if he knows Jasmine is his granddaughter. He’d want to keep her there. It’s only fair.”
“She wouldn’t do that and I wouldn’t ask her to.”
“I know you wanted to move closer to the city.”
“I like it here, but that’s neither here nor there.”
Steven clicked his tongue. “You and Jasmine are stubborn.”
“It’s our lives,” Drake said, wishing he hadn’t mentioned the potential sale.
“That’s true. I can only do so much. The past is the past.”
“It doesn’t help that her father bowed out of her life.”
“I called him. Told him how well Jasmine’s doing. Asked when he called her last.”
“I think you’re going overboard on this guilt thing. Now you’re getting too intrusive. You don’t know what effect talking to her father after all these years will have on her. A lot is going on right now.”
“I don’t know. He said he’d call. I gave him her number. I don’t know if it will help.”
“What good is connecting with her going to do now? She’s grown. It’s going to take a lot to build that bridge after he’s neglected her for so long. Besides, she’s in Virginia and he’s in California. She doesn’t need him as much as she needed him while she was growing up.”
“You’re right. Anyway, take care. I’m going to try to get down to Virginia before too long.”
That was what Drake was afraid of.
Slowly he hung up. He was concerned about the effect the impending trip would have on Jasmine, but he was also concerned about other things that directly impacted them both. He and Jasmine had made love. The best loving he’d ever had, and lovemaking that he’d initiated. So where the heck did they go from there? Especially with his secret. He wasn’t comfortable enough to talk to her about it.
Suddenly Drake felt years older. Especially since Jasmine wouldn’t en
tertain the idea of adopting or using a sperm donor.
But he wasn’t ready to let her go and give up. Besides, if he were to believe his grandmother, life wasn’t in his hands anyway. She believed there was a plan for everyone. Life sure as heck didn’t go the way of your plans—but was guided by God. So right now his gut was telling him to stick with Jasmine. He was in the company of a woman where the relationship felt right. And he wasn’t going to let a little thing—actually, with her it was a freaking mountain—stand in the way.
Jasmine quickly showered and lit the candles downstairs. She was rushing trying to get everything done before Drake arrived.
She’d just finished setting everything to rights when he knocked on the door. She smoothed a hand down her side, pressed one to her galloping stomach and inhaled a deep breath before she marched across the room to open the door. Man and dog stood as a pair on her doorstep.
“Okay if Hugs comes in?”
“Sure.” She bent to pet the dog and it sidled up against her. “Hi, Hugs. You’re a sweetie.” She glanced at Drake as he perused the room. “Don’t keep me in suspense. How did the meeting go?”
“We gave him our pitch. He said he’d get back to us. He hasn’t decided whether he’ll actually sell yet. So it’s anybody’s guess which way he goes.”
“Oh, well, I’d hoped for more than that.”
“I think the big problem is we’re going to lose Ponce either way.”
“Well, I know a large-animal vet who spent a couple of years in Africa who wants to return to the States. He’s sending out applications. I met him my first year in vet school. It’s an option if Ponce decides to leave.”
“We’ll need at least two vets if Ponce leaves,” Drake said.
Jasmine nodded.
“I ordered us something for supper. Are you hungry?” Jasmine asked.
He closed the distance between them. “Hungry for you.”
Jasmine’s laugh was half desire and half playfulness. Her stomach somersaulted. Maybe they should at least eat first. “You’re insatiable.”
“And don’t you forget it,” he said as he nibbled on her neck.
Heat stole over Jasmine’s body. Her legs felt rubbery and leaden. This new relationship was different and as intoxicating as the most potent drug. His lips moved to her cheek eliciting a groan. “I…umm, what about dinner?”
“It’ll keep. I won’t.” He slid a tongue along her collarbone. His hands stroked her breasts.
Jasmine melted like warm butter in his arms. She slid a hand along his skin enjoying the strength of his shoulders as muscles flexed with his movements.
His fingers tangled in her hair as he kissed her passionately. His hands sought her breasts and nipples causing a deep moan to escape Jasmine’s throat.
“It feels so good to be with you,” he whispered between kisses he planted gently on her breasts.
Just the sound of his voice was enough to make her go up in smoke. She felt as if she’d turned into a stranger.
He gently eased her down on the thick rug Noelle had placed in front of the fireplace. A brace of candles glowed within. The light flickered across his skin as his fingers danced across her body.
He pulled her blouse over her head and unhooked her bra, stringing kisses along the way.
Barely able to catch her breath in the storm of desire rocking her, Jasmine’s hands roamed his body, catching his sweater and tugging it over his head.
Drake tried, he tried to contain his emotions to pleasure her completely. But it was damn near impossible as her mouth danced across his chest.
Catching both her jeans and panties in his hand, he dragged them both down her lovely hips and legs. Then he pulled back and gazed at her. The heat from the candlelight was nothing like the heat flowing in his blood.
He leaned over her, kissed her thighs, felt the muscles tense and relax under his mouth. He kissed and tasted her until she was in a sexual frenzy.
Jasmine dragged his pants off him. Her eyes devoured the muscles of his torso, the thick patch of hair on his chest and lower.
They touched, caressed, kissed and stoked each other’s bodies to a glowing flame so intense it nearly undid them both.
He grabbed his pants and searched for a condom, dropping it on Jasmine’s stomach. She opened the package, taking it out, sliding it gently on him while stroking him at the same time. His moan of intense desire nearly undid her.
Drake positioned himself on top of Jasmine and gave them both what they wanted. Every inch of his long, hard penis penetrated her completely. Jasmine’s hips thrust forward to receive every inch of him. For a moment he was still, every muscle in his body straining until Jasmine’s gaze met his.
Then he began to move. They moved in cadence like a choreographed dance. Each giving and taking as the tension built…and built…until they exploded, like a volcano blowing its top.
Afterward, they collapsed in each other’s arms.
Drake kissed Jasmine’s brow and held her tightly. “You are so beautiful.”
Jasmine smoothed his brow. “You must need glasses.”
“It’s true.”
The flickering candlelight still burned around the room. As he eased himself beside her, he wondered how he’d ever give her up.
Hugs sidled over and licked Jasmine’s nose. She laughed, breaking into Drake’s thoughts.
“She must be hungry. As hungry as I am,” she said.
Drake loosened his grip and Jasmine eased out of his arms. He felt alone without her. “I’ll be right back,” she said. With her backside presenting him a fantastic view, she picked up her clothing and headed to the stairs. There was untold pleasure in watching a naked woman march across the floor. When she was completely out of sight, Drake hauled himself up and dragged on his clothes.
Hugs quickly settled into their space in front of the fireplace.
“You’re cramping my style, buddy. You’re on your own next time.”
Hugs merely yawned and rested her head on her paws.
Drake had spent the night at Jasmine’s place. But now, the next evening, his words haunted her. He’d said he could not promise more than what they shared now. There was no future for them. After spending the night in his embrace Jasmine couldn’t help but wonder why. He didn’t fit the image of a man who only wanted to toy with women. He was so much more—deep and caring. So what was preventing him from a serious relationship? What secrets was he harboring?
It was around seven and Jasmine was less than five minutes from the office. She felt content in a way that was so foreign she was unsure of how to handle the emotion or to trust it.
Jasmine rotated her shoulders. Though the hours she’d worked that day weren’t as long as on some days, the strain on her body was worse. She’d had to deal with another thrashing colicky horse. She certainly could have used the tech that day, but he’d worked with Floyd.
Jasmine chuckled. Noelle had asked her to join a local gym with her. With the workout she got, she hardly needed a gym. Still, she considered it. But when would she have time to use it?
She pulled into the office parking lot and parked in a space beside Drake’s truck. These late-night sexual marathons were taking a toll on her. She massaged the back of her neck, grabbed up her purse and left the truck. For a moment, she stood there taking in the warm breeze.
“How is Noelle’s shopping going?” Drake came over scaring the dickens out of her. Jasmine pressed a hand to her heart.
“Make some noise when you’re there,” she said. “You scared the daylights out of me.”
“Hard day?”
“And then some. The furniture arrived. Noelle called an hour ago and said she had everything in place. She complained that I wasn’t much help. No telling what the place looks like. I hope it’s not all frilly.” Jasmine shrugged. “When I emphasized that, she told me to let her make the decisions since I complained so much about the shopping. I guess she didn’t like my input.”
Drake chuckled and leane
d beside her against the truck so close his arm touched hers. Her skin tingled. Then Hugs snuggled up to her and absently Jasmine reached out and rubbed her. Hugs rested her head against Jasmine’s leg.
“Your dog is a heartbreaker.”
“She has moves,” Drake said with a smile. “So should I pick up dinner on my way home?”
“Why don’t I cook? I took chicken breasts out to thaw.”
“You can cook?” They’d had delivery the night before.
“Of course. Mama made sure of that. Just because I don’t like to cook doesn’t mean that I can’t.”
“You’re on. Do I have time to stop by home and shower?”
“Sure, and bring Hugs with you. I’m sure I can scrounge up something for her.”
Chapter 8
It was around fifty degrees when they started out on their ride at eight on Saturday. Leila had packed a picnic-basket breakfast and the scent was wafting out. They rode along the pasture of hills and valleys toward the lake.
Jasmine felt as if the huge horse was going to throw her any second. There was a world of difference between working with one with a stable full of people on hand and while standing on your own two feet than in trusting one to carry you along without dumping you on your behind.
Drake and Colin talked for a moment until Drake rode up to Jasmine. The darn horse was side stepping.
“Relax and hold on to the reins. Let her know who’s boss.”
“She is. I must be insane. To think I could have spent a perfectly good day sleeping in.”
“Then you wouldn’t be with me.” The low timbre of his voice sent ribbons of desire through Jasmine.
Mr. Avery approached them, grabbing Jasmine’s attention. “Maybe you should come by here and let me give you riding lessons, Jasmine. A large-animal vet should know how.”
“Thank you, but I’m not going to be riding that often.”
“We’ll see,” he said, looking concerned. “You all take care of her. Colin, maybe you and Drake should ride on either side. Better still, why don’t we saddle up an old nag? Be easier for her to handle.”
Then Comes Love Page 10