Page 9 of Tempted

Later when both children were sleeping Jasmine, went to her own room to take a shower. She’d been surprised at how luxurious her accommodations were. It was equipped with its own private bathroom.

She undressed and went to the bathroom for her shower. To her annoyance, when she twisted the taps, nothing came out. Fiddling with the knobs for several more minutes, she realized that the damn things weren’t working. Had they lost water? She tested the sink and saw that it was fine. For now, a wash up in the basin would have to do, but this was something else, she’d have to mention to Mr. Meade whenever she saw him.

Once she’d finished, washing, she threw on her pajamas and robe before taking one of the mystery novels she’d borrowed from the library.

Jasmine decided to meet him downstairs when he finally decided to come home. She marched to the living room and curled up on the couch and read as she waited.

She’d gone through four chapters of her book before she glanced at the clock and saw that it was almost ten o’clock. She was usually in bed by now. But she’d wait up as she promised Tyler. She yawned as the heavy haze of sleep hovered over her. Jasmine closed her eyes…just to rest them.

* * *

Victor frowned when he entered the living room to see the light was one. Ms. Davis, he knew, usually watched television in her room, and the children were usually in bed by now. When he walked to the source he saw JasmineBrooks curled up on the couch, in a large pink robe, and a book lying on the floor which had obviously fallen out of her now limp hand.

He’d been meaning to ask her how things were going with the children thus far. His mother who’d stopped in a couple times this week said the kids were crazy about Jasmine.

His first instinct was to wake her, but something stopped him. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her. Her chest rose up and down with her gentle breathing. Victor made a living at being able to read people, and he still hadn’t figured Miss Brooks out, but watching her now, so small and vulnerable, she looked like the picture of innocence at its finest form.

Not knowing what compelled him, he walked over to the couch and knelt beside her.He lightly brushedher cheek with the back of his hand. Her skin felt like silk. She shivered with a moan, her full lips parting.

Victor pulled his hand away briefly and waited to see if she’d wake up.When she didn’t, he ran his fingertip along her bottom lip. What would those lips taste like? As he contemplated, this her tongue slid out and brushed the questing digit. His dick jumped to attention and he wondered what would happen if he leaned over and got a proper taste of her invitingly plump lips.

She released another moan, bringing Victor to his senses. He backed away from her, unable to imagine what she’d think to find him practically molesting her.

Victor stood up with the intention of walking away, but Jasmine chose that moment to wake up. “Mr. Meade?” she said, her voice heavy with sleep.

Victor grabbed the briefcase he’d put down and placed it in front of his erection. The terry cloth robe she wore did little to hide her generous curves.

“Uh, yes. Good evening Ms. Brooks.”

She gave him a polite smile. “You don’t have to be so formal with me. Your children call me Jasmine, so it would be silly if you didn’t.”

Victor breathed an inward sigh of relief. She was obviously none the wiser. “Okay, Jasmine it is. You have a good night.”

“Actually, I waited up to speak with you.”

“Is there a problem with the children?”

“Actually, they’re great. I wanted to share with you some of my observations and concerns.”

“Concerns?”

“Yes, and I hope I’m not stepping out of line, but they could both probably benefit from a little more quality time with you. I only bring this up because…well, Chelsea made a comment that worried me.”

His eyes narrowed. Was she criticizing the way he raised his children? “Oh?” he asked stiffly. “And what did my daughter tell you?” He shot her the same look he would at someone he was cross-examining in court.

Jasmine squirmed beneath his gaze. “First of all, she mentioned some unfortunate comments made by your girlfriend. When I asked her if she’d brought this to your attention she said no. In her words, she said you didn’t love her and wouldn’t care.”

Victor stiffened. “And you told her otherwise, of course.”

“Of course, but I’m not the one she needs to hear it from. I’ve only been here for a week, and I couldn’t help noticing that you’re never here. Would it be possible for you to be home a couple nights a week to spend time with your children? They would really love that.”

Victor became more annoyed with each word she spoke. “As you’ve just said yourself, Ms. Brooks, you’ve only been here for a week, and I pay you to take care of my children, not play amateur psychologist.”

Her mouth fell open, but instead of backing down, she glared at him. “Did you at least get the message your son left with your assistant?”

Victor felt his face grow hot with embarrassment. This was news to him. Lisa usually separated his messages by levels of importance, and he normally didn’t get to the ones in the non-urgent pile sometimes days later, depending on his schedule. He’d have to have a talk with her about prioritizing messages from his children, but he certainly didn’t have to explain himself to anyone, especially his goddamn Nanny! “It’s been taken care of.”

She raised a brow in what looked like disbelief. “So you will be at Tyler’s parent’s day for his presentation this Friday at two?”

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