Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 129571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 518(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 518(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
Dr. Timmons scribbled a note into his pad. “I could write you a prescription for—”
“No.” I held up my hand. “No drugs.”
“Then we’ll need to explore alternative ways for you to relax your mind.” He set the pencil down. “Do you remember our breathing exercises and how to stay in the present moment?”
“Yes.”
“Focus on the good in your life.”
“There’s not a lot now.”
“Think.”
“It’s only Jasmine.”
“You have more than Jasmine. Mr. Stone, you can’t focus it all on your girlfriend or you’ll drown her.”
“She can’t be drowned. She’s a rock.”
Jasmine grew up in the hard streets of South End. Poverty didn’t destroy her. The violence and crime didn’t seep into her heart. Jasmine climbed out of that community and could hold her own next to any upper crust debutante.
“But is she a rock strong enough to stay solid in these stormy waters?” I sank deeper into the tub. Hot liquid enveloped me. “How much more can she take? And what about Benny’s threat?”
“I told you I wouldn’t hurt him tonight,” Benny said. “I’m giving you this great evening to say good-bye. But that’s what it’ll be, good-bye.”
“Benny, I-I love him. I can’t just—”
“Good evening. May we all make it through the week.”
Just like that, Benny destroyed everything that was beautiful about tonight. I’d spend the rest of my life forgetting that ball. Memories of Jasmine’s orgasms and our laughter had disappeared, as soon Lucy’s corpse hit my view.
I whispered to the bathroom’s darkness, “What’s going to happen to us?”
“Shh.” Jasmine walked in, holding a tray of lit candles. A silk black robe covered her whole body. It was so long, the bottom trailed behind her.
“I’ve been calling you.”
“I saw.”
“Why didn’t you answer?”
“Shh.” Step by step, she placed a candle on the ground and every other surface. Her six inch heels clicked against the floor.
“When did you get home?” I asked.
“Less than an hour ago.”
“Can’t be. I haven’t been in here that long. Why didn’t you come inside?”
“I had to do some things here.”
“What?”
“Shh.”
I gritted my teeth. “How was everything? What did the police say? What did you tell the publicist and—”
“Shh.”
There must’ve been at least thirty tiny candles. In silence, she set one down and kept them several feet apart. Second by second the room illuminated. Her shadow danced around the wall. A lovely scent rose from the tiny lights and mingled with the rising steam.
“We should go over everything that you—”
“Shh,” she whispered again. “No questions about tonight.”
“What’s that fragrance?” I asked.
“Shh.”
“That wasn’t about the ball,” I said through clenched teeth.
“I don’t know the answer. I just grabbed a bunch from the maid’s supply closet. Now shh.”
Besides the click of her heels and the gentle trickle of water in the tub, quiet flowed between us.
“Has Benny—”
“Shh.”
I frowned. “Why do you keep saying shh?”
“We’re not going to talk about tonight.”
“We should.”
“Not tonight.”
“Jasmine.”
“Let’s enjoy ...” Her voice faltered in between the sentence. “Let’s just enjoy tonight.”
I can’t lose her.
“You’re acting weird.” I cupped more hot water in my hand and spread it all over my face. The liquid set my skin on fire, and for once I didn’t feel as numb. My tension hadn’t eased, but my body came alive with desire. It was better than anxiety. It was Jasmine. Her presence triggered the old me to resurface.
She put the empty tray down and faced me. In the candlelight, her skin glimmered. “What are you thinking about, my king?”
That things are going to change.
I made myself smile. “I’m wondering what’s under your robe.”
“Good.”
“How’s that good? Why don’t you take it off?” I reached out for her.
She batted me away.
I sneered at her. “Well, at least you didn’t say shh.”
She put her hands on the front ties, unwound them, and opened the robe. The silky material dropped to the floor. “Happy?”
I took her all in.
Christ.
I’d never seen her look more delicious. Black lace covered every inch of her body. It was like a lace body suit and had the same Calla lily flower pattern from the gown earlier, but way more revealing. Her body was exposed. The lace stuck to every inch of her, hugged those hard nipples that poked out of the opening, formed around those curvy hips, and grasped to the cushion of ass that I could see from my position.
No. I won’t let anything happen to us. I can’t.
All thoughts and anxiety left me.
It was only Jasmine and I in paradise.
I gripped the edge of the bathtub. “Come here.”
“It’s midnight.”
“What does time have to do with it?” I got ready to rise. “Come here.”
“No.” She held her hand out. “Sit back down.”
I tightened my grip on the tub, my dick rising in the water. He should’ve been relaxing. Water was never a good friend for my cock, but Jasmine’s body defied all scientific rules.
“You’re no longer king of the day.” She touched her hips and then slipped her hands slowly up her body.