Then Comes Love

by Candice Poarch

  Noelle added a spoonful of sugar before she blew on the tea and sipped. “It’s nice to have a sister. There had to be a reason we got along so well. From the very beginning our relationship wasn’t like a regular friendship.”

  “I noticed.”

  “We are so opposite. We don’t like any of the same things.”

  “I don’t know. We don’t know each other that well yet,” Jasmine muttered.

  “But we will. Granddad wants you to move into the family home.”

  “I have a year’s lease on this place. Plus, I worked too hard for my freedom.”

  “Well, before long he’ll probably bring you a dog like he did me.”

  “He’ll take care of it, because I’m away most of the time. And that’s about to get worse.”

  “Why?”

  Jasmine explained that one of the vets was leaving for another practice.

  “How awful.”

  Jasmine shrugged.

  “Jasmine, I had a purpose for this visit. I’d like you to be the maid of honor in my wedding.”

  “But…but that’s a position for a close friend. Someone you’ve been close to for years.”

  “Cindy will understand. She lives in Memphis. I hope we can vacation there sometime. I lived there after I graduated from college.”

  “I’m truly honored.” Jasmine set her teacup down and hugged Noelle. She’d never been a maid of honor before. She wondered what duties she’d have to fulfill. Whatever they were, she would gladly do them.

  Jasmine didn’t make friends easily. To be accepted so unconditionally brought tears to her eyes.

  Drake stood on Jasmine’s doorstep with Hugs trying to edge her way inside. It occurred to Jasmine that he’d given so much, way above what was expected of him. And what had she offered him?

  Jasmine moved aside and the dog trotted in and immediately took her position in front of the fireplace. “Drake…”

  “What is it?” Drake asked coming inside, closing the door behind him.

  “I just realized this relationship is very one-sided. Soon you’re going to resent me because you’ll feel you aren’t getting very much out of it. It’s unequal.”

  “So you can determine whether I’m getting my fifty-fifty cut out of this? That’s ridiculous.”

  “It’s not ridiculous. You don’t share, Drake. And you expect me to share with you, to trust you.”

  “I try not to betray that trust.”

  “This conversation isn’t about me sharing with you. It’s about you trusting me enough to share with me.”

  “I don’t have any problems right now. If I did, I’d tell you.”

  Jasmine was so frustrated she could hit him. She merely stared at the blank screen of the TV.

  “I missed you.”

  “Don’t say that. You’ll say what you need to say to soften me up.”

  “Are we going on women’s intuition here?”

  “Don’t play games with me.”

  Perturbed, Drake threw up his hands. “There’s nothing to be concerned about. I’m not seeing anyone else. You’re the only woman in my life. When would I have time to look at another woman, much less do anything about it? All my spare time is spent with you.”

  Jasmine stared at the ceiling. “This is not about another freaking woman, and you know it. I didn’t believe it, but men really are from Mars.”

  Drake laughed.

  Jasmine tossed a pillow at his thick head. Hugs jumped up to participate in the game. Drake flung the pillow aside and grabbed Jasmine, bringing her to the couch with him. Setting her on his lap, he held her snugly against him.

  “I can’t tell you how glad I am you put a couch in here.”

  Jasmine wasn’t ready to give in. “It was your suggestion. You even picked it out.”

  “And this is the reason,” he said, tilting her head back and kissing her before she could object.

  As Jasmine gave herself up to the pleasure of his touch, she realized he hadn’t answered her question. Drake had merely diverted her attention—and she’d let him.

  She cautioned herself not to lose her heart to him. This was only temporary. Except when he kissed her, when he touched her, he devoured her as if he could never—even if he lived a thousand lifetimes—get enough.

  Jasmine was in the stable finishing up an ultrasound when Noelle’s father and brother came in. Noelle squealed. Her father opened his arms wide and she sailed into them.

  “How’s my girl?” a handsome older man said.

  “Wonderful. I’m so glad you’re here,” Noelle said.

  “What an understatement.” He hugged her again before he let her go and she was enveloped into her brother’s arms.

  It was immediately obvious it didn’t matter at all that she wasn’t his biological daughter. In every way that counted he was her father. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

  “I hope you’re ready to be whipped on the golf course,” Mr. Avery said.

  Noelle’s father focused on Mr. Avery. “I can’t wait to show you who’s in charge out there.”

  Mr. Avery laughed and the men shook hands.

  “Jasmine, come over here. Franklin, I want you to meet my granddaughter, Jasmine Brown. Franklin Greenwood is Noelle’s father, as I’m sure you’ve already determined. And this young man,” he said, pointing to the younger image of the older man, “is her brother, Gregory.”

  Jasmine extended a hand. “Pleased to meet you.”

  “Likewise. Did you grow up in L.A.?”

  “Yes. My family still lives there.”

  He regarded her closely, probably trying to pick out similar features to Noelle.

  Jasmine was uncomfortable with the perusal, but he soon looked away and started a conversation with Mr. Avery. He still had an arm slung over Noelle’s shoulder. Noelle engaged Jasmine and her brother in a conversation but didn’t let go of her dad. Jasmine was jealous, but at the same time happy for Noelle.

  “Casey is eager to see you, knucklehead,” Noelle said to Gregory.

  Gregory smiled. “I can’t wait to see her.”

  “Are you all settled in?”

  “We dropped our stuff off at your place before we came over.”

  “Leila’s cooking your favorite tonight.”

  “I’m glad I don’t have to depend on you for food.”

  Noelle elbowed him in the ribs.

  “Owww. Give me a break. You can’t cook.”

  “I can, and you know it.”

  “Not like Mrs. Leila,” he grumbled.

  “So you’re the doc,” he said to Jasmine. “Do you have some horse pills for my sister here to calm her?”

  Jasmine laughed. “I might. Nice meeting you. I have a few more appointments before I can call it a day.”

  “You’re coming to dinner tonight, aren’t you?” Mr. Avery asked.

  “I’ll try.”

  “Make sure you still bring Drake with you.”

  “Okay.” She glanced at Mr. Greenwood. “Pleasure meeting you.”

  When Jasmine left, she couldn’t help thinking that these people were family. She’d finally learned to stop comparing families to her own. No, hers wasn’t perfect, but she wasn’t there any longer.

  She had moved on.

  Jasmine climbed into the truck and pulled away. It took a lot of years for her to come to that point. She owed Drake a lot, even if he was still keeping secrets.

  Jasmine was in a strange mood when she got home that afternoon. Ponce was working late, but Drake got off a little early. After her shower, she dressed more feminine than usual. She carefully applied makeup. Spritzed on delicate perfume and the aroma hovered in the air. She finally settled on a pair of earrings after trying several pairs. Then she combed her hair into a beguiling style.

  She was done just before Drake arrived. Taking a deep breath, she opened the door to him.

  “Wow. Am I at the right house?” The light in his eyes made her insides quiver.

  Jasmine laughed a high-pitc
hed sound. It seemed as if she was someone else, not plain, dowdy Jasmine.

  Drake gathered her into his arms. “I hate to mess up your lipstick, but…” He kissed her. It was sensuous, delicious. He swiped his tongue along the curve of her lips. She opened her mouth to him like a rose opening its petals.

  They stood there, hovered in the doorway. Time had no meaning as they enjoyed the texture of the kiss and the sensations that sprouted from need and desire.

  “Thank you,” she said when they finally parted.

  Frowning, he asked. “For what?”

  “I’ve come a long way since I moved here. And you’re responsible.”

  “I can’t take credit for what I didn’t do,” Drake said. “You told Mr. Avery who you were.”

  “Don’t ruin my gratitude, okay?” With her arms linked around his neck, she brought his lips to hers, putting an end to the debate.

  “Do we really have to go?” he whispered against her lips. “Can’t we stay here?” He gave her a wicked grin full of mischief. “I promise you, you won’t be bored.”

  Jasmine moaned. “We have to go, but who says we have to leave this second?”

  “Not me. Definitely not me.” Drake urged her back and used his foot to shut the door. He pressed her against the wall, the length of his body pressing against her own.

  Jasmine rubbed her hands up and down his chest.

  Forty-five minutes later, they finally piled into the car and drove to the Averys’.

  “We are definitely late,” Jasmine said, flipping the mirror down and reapplying makeup.

  “Don’t blame me. I worked as quickly as I could.”

  Jasmine scoffed, finished up her makeup and turned down the visor.

  Drake kept watching Jasmine. She looked content seated in the passenger seat.

  It had hit him when his body hovered above hers in the throes of passion. He was in love with Jasmine. And it had nothing to do with sex.

  He’d kept secrets that would blow their world apart once he revealed them to her. He had to tell her. But not tonight. And not tomorrow. He’d wait until after Jasmine’s family left after their upcoming visit. They needed a buffer and he was it. He wanted to support Jasmine while they were there, and once he revealed he was incapable of giving her children, he knew their relationship would end.

  He sighed deeply. This would not be easy for him.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Drake wished he’d stifled his sigh. He reached over to gather Jasmine’s hand in his, but she moved her hands out of reach.

  “You’re really pissing me off.”

  “I know. But don’t be angry, Jasmine. I want you to enjoy the evening.”

  This time she was the one who sighed and gazed out the passenger window.

  Chapter 10

  “We’re packed and ready to leave early tomorrow morning,” Jasmine’s mother said on the phone. “We should arrive around eleven in the morning your time, and we’re renting a car from the airport. Should be twelve or one when we arrive at your house.”

  Wonderful, Jasmine thought. “Mom, I’ve reserved a room for you in D.C. that’s right in the middle of all the tourist traps. The museums, theater, everything you love.”

  “You just cancel that room, because we’re staying with you.”

  “Everyone?” Jasmine’s voice squeaked.

  “Sure. All your brothers and sister.”

  “I have a tiny two-bedroom house, for heaven’s sake. It won’t hold that many people.”

  “We’re family. We’ll make do. Did I tell you when your father and I first married we lived in this tiny one-bedroom apartment?”

  “A million times.” Jasmine rubbed her forehead. “Mom, this house can’t possibly hold that many people.”

  “Yes, it can. Your brothers can sleep anywhere. And you and your sister can share a bed.”

  “I don’t share my bed. And don’t they have friends in D.C. they can stay with? They must have met someone in college.”

  “Jasmine, Jasmine,” her mother tsked. “You haven’t changed a bit. You’re still being difficult. I thought you’d grown up some by now. Now, everyone has put their lives aside to visit you and I expect you to be on your best behavior. Do not ruin this vacation.”

  “There’s nothing to do here. I work from sunup until late into the night. This is a busy time of year for me.”

  “We’ll manage, dear. We don’t expect you to entertain us. At least we’ll get to see you on the weekend and in the evenings.”

  Frustrated, Jasmine finally said goodbye and hung up. She could never outdebate her mother. Amanda Brown Pearson always…always had the last word. Jasmine should have learned that long ago.

  Good thing she’d let Drake talk her into a hideaway sofa for the living room. And he’d taken the tiny refrigerator up to the spare room the day they went to dinner at the Averys’. It was already stocked and waiting for her mother and stepfather.

  She could pull the bed out and her evil stepbrothers could sleep there. She hoped they’d stay with Drake. Then she wouldn’t have to see them.

  She just couldn’t get the dilemma with Drake out of her mind. What on earth was he hiding? He could scoff at her intuition all he wanted, but she knew something wasn’t right.

  The day her family came to town, Jasmine arranged her appointments so that she could be home around the time they arrived.

  When she drove home, the rental car was already parked in the driveway. In a shot, her mother was out of the car and hauled her into her arms, her Coach purse hitting Jasmine in the back. Jasmine was taller than her mother’s five and a half feet, but her mother still held on to her trim shape. She wore blue slacks with a matching jacket and a white silk blouse.

  Amanda leaned back and held Jasmine at arm’s length. “You’ve lost weight.”

  “I don’t think so,” Jasmine said, enveloped in her mother’s familiar perfume. She couldn’t help it. As much as she complained, she was very pleased to see her mother. And although she never thought to say it, darn it, she really missed her.

  “You always ate like a bird,” Amanda said. “Just look at you.” She hauled Jasmine into her arms again before she let her go. There were actually tears in her eyes. Jasmine felt guilty for not going home more often. Maybe now that all her stepsiblings were moving out, she and her mother could spend more time together.

  Norman came up behind her and awkwardly wrapped his thin arms around her, then stepped back and nodded. “You’re looking healthy,” he said. He fit the stereotype of an accountant perfectly. Bottle glasses, lanky and definitely a nerd. But her mother loved him.

  “Thanks.” The evil stepbrothers and sister were lined up behind them, but none of them tried to hug her. They were a somber group, as if Amanda had roped them into coming. Otherwise they probably wouldn’t have made the effort. They disliked her every bit as much as she disliked them.

  Jasmine wondered what her mother had threatened them with. They were adults. They didn’t have to come, but her mother always tried to establish a bond between them. Needless to say, she was always unsuccessful.

  Suddenly Steven broke from the pack and approached Jasmine. “How are you, Jasmine?”

  “I’m fine,” she replied cautiously.

  “It’s good to see you. You’re looking well.”

  “Thank you.” Steven had played too many tricks on her for her to believe he was being genuine.

  Jasmine dug in to her purse and retrieved a key. “I have to get back to work. Sorry I can’t see you settled in. The place is a little small.”

  “I told you we’ll be fine here,” her mother said as if she didn’t feel the tension circling in the air.

  “Yeah, we’ll be fine,” Steven said, shocking Jasmine.

  “We’re invited to dinner tonight at six,” Jasmine said after she’d recovered. “So be ready to leave a few minutes before.”

  “How nice.”

  Before Jasmine could get the house door open, a truck came roaring into
her driveway. Seconds later, Drake bounded out of the truck and everyone went toward him. Steven was the first to reach him, laughing and holding out a hand as if it were a lifeline in a thousand-foot-deep snowdrift.

  “Hey, man. Good to see you.”

  “Yeah, you, too,” Drake said, clapping Steven on the arm. The other siblings spoke. Barbara hugged him and Jack shook his hand. Then Drake hugged Jasmine’s mother and shook Norman’s hand. Everyone was laughing as if given a reprieve from the fricking gallows.

  It was easy to put Drake and Steven’s friendship to the back of her mind when her family was in L.A., but with them here it was front and center.

  How would she and Drake fare as a couple in the midst of this other friendship? Would he feel pulled in half with her on one side and Steven on the other? She hadn’t thought this through.

  Maybe this was the reason he’d been holding back. Steven probably told him he was coming to town.

  Suddenly Drake was beside her. He kissed her lightly on the lips and slung an arm around her shoulder, which blew her reasoning right out of the water.

  “I was hoping I’d see you before you got away,” he said.

  She smiled, but she didn’t feel any humor. “You’re just in the nick of time. I was just leaving.”

  “Can you stay for lunch, Drake?” Amanda asked. “We stopped by the grocery store on our way here. I can whip up something quickly.”

  “Another time, maybe. My lunch break is up soon.”

  “Dinner, then.”

  “You’re on. Need help with the luggage?” Drake asked.

  “We’ve got that,” Amanda said. “The quicker you get back to work the quicker we’ll see you later.”

  Jasmine had the door open and Amanda walked through. “Your bedroom is upstairs to the right. There’s a hideaway in the living room.” She led the way upstairs with her mother on her heels. Noelle had fixed the room up prettily with pillows, candles, framed art and things for the dresser and tables.

  “What a pretty room,” Amanda said. “Just like being in a high-class bed-and-breakfast.”

  “I hope you like it. There’s a small refrigerator in the corner so you won’t have to run downstairs for a drink.”