Page 86 of Tempted

Chapter Twenty-Eight

“This is getting ridiculous Victor! Why won’t you let me see her? You can’t keep me away from my grandchild.” His mother poked him in the chest with each word.

Ever since his mother found out he and Jasmine were meeting once a week to go over her case, his mother had been on his back about seeing her. “Mom, I’ve told you, it’s not my decision. It’s Jasmine. When she’s ready to see you, she will.”

“And the children? They still believe Jasmine is coming home and you haven’t even told them about the baby yet. Don’t you think they have the right to know they’re about to have a new sibling?”

“They do, and I intend to tell them.”

Madeline threw her hands up in the air. “When? Jasmine is nearly seven months along. Are you going to wait until the baby is here? You’re not being fair to them or me.”

Victor rubbed his temples to ward off the headache he felt coming on. “You’re putting me between a rock and a hard place right now. I fully intend to tell the children about the baby, but it’s hard to bring the subject up when I don’t even know where Jasmine and I stand.”

His mother frowned. “What do you mean you don’t know where you stand? You’re the child’s father. You have rights.”

“I’m aware of that. We haven’t discussed it formally, but I have made my feelings known to her.”

“And what did she have to say about it?”

Victor sighed, threading his fingers through his hair in frustration. He’d been careful not to mention the subject too much because it obviously made her uncomfortable, but whenever he did he was met with vague answers. “Not a lot, but she told me we’ll work something out when the time drew closer.”

Maddie threw her hands up in the air. “The time is almost here. It wouldn’t hurt to be a little more aggressive. Look, I know you blame yourself for driving her off, but it’s time you forgave yourself and fight for her.”

“Mom, it’s not that simple.”

She crossed her arms and raised one perfectly plucked brow. “Why isn’t it? You love her don’t you?”

With every fiber in his being. There were no words adequate enough to describe his feelings for her. In his all of his years, he’d only believed himself to be in love, but it didn’t come close anything he felt for Jasmine. The agony of seeing her but not being able to take her in his arms was literally torture. “Yes,” he finally answered.

His mother took him in her arms and hugged him tight. “Victor, you’ve always been my pride and joy. I love you very much, so don’t take this the wrong way.”

“Take what the wrong w—”

Her palm connected with the back of his head.

“Oww! Mom! What the hell?”

She smacked him again.

Victor caught her wrist before she could hit him a third time. “Stop! Are you insane?”

“No, I’m not. I’m trying to knock some sense into you.” She pulled her hand out of his grip and managed to connect another slap to his head.

“Cut it out, Mom. That’s enough.” His mother had finally lost it. He backed away from her to avoid another swat.

She placed her hands on her hips and pursed her lips, Victor Alexander Meade, while I’m glad you’re trying to help Jasmine get things back on track, I’m highly annoyed with how things are going.”

“I’m doing the best I can. I’m not even sure if she still has feelings for me.”

Maddie rolled her eyes. “Has it occurred to you she hasn’t told you how she feels because of all the mess she’s been through? That’s why it’s up to you to reassure her of your love.”

“You have part of it right. I’m crazy about her, but she’d have nothing do with me if I weren’t helping her with this case. And after today’s breakthrough we won’t be working together that much longer.” Victor was thrilled he’d gotten a hearing with a judge so soon. He’s pulled some strings and had called in a considerable amount of favors but things were falling into place. And it pained him to know his time with her would soon be coming to an end.

“Call it women’s intuition, but I do believe she still loves you.”

This conversation was going absolutely nowhere and he was meeting with Jasmine in a half hour. “Mom, this back and forth is pointless. I have to go.”

“You’re going to see Jasmine aren’t you?”

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