Page 13 of Tempted

“I accept your apology however, I may just be the help, but your father put me in charge of you and Chelsea’s well-being and it’s a job I take very seriously. You may not like it, but while I’m the only adult around, I need you to listen when I tell you to do something. It doesn’t have to be a constant battle. I’d like us to be friends, so how about we wipe the slate clean and start fresh?” Jasmine backed away slightly and held her hand out. “Hello, my name is Jasmine Brooks, but you can call me, Jasmine. I like strawberry ice cream, old king fu movies and cooking shows. How about you?”

Tyler stifled a giggle behind his hand. “You’re being silly. I already know who you are.”

She grinned. “If we’re starting fresh, you don’t. So, what’s your name stranger?”

Tyler rolled his eyes, but he took her and shook it vigorously. “Tyler Meade. I like playing Fortnite, Minecraft and pepperoni pizza.”

“I’m pleased to meet you. Now to cement this new friendship of ours, how about we go downstairs and make ice cream sundaes?”

“But you said I couldn’t have any.”

Jasmine blinked her eyelashes in mock innocence. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. We just met, remember? Besides, I have a feeling there’s a certain young lady who would probably like to join us.”

Tyler paused as though thinking this over for a minute, then gave her a big toothy grin. “I would like that a lot, thank you.”

Later that night when the children were tucked into bed, Jasmine breathed a sigh of relief. She and Tyler may have gotten off to a rocky start but she was hopeful that they’d finally turned a corner. He’d still challenge her at times, but she’d let him know who was in charge.

Jasminewas annoyed when her shower didn’t come on again. She thought the plumber had been contacted. Remembering Mr. Meade’s offer to use his, she grabbed her toiletries andheaded to his bedroom. She gasped upon stepping inside. Her room was nice but Mr. Meade’s bedroom was huge.

Tastefully decorated in beige and off white, there didn’t seem to be an item out of place. A four poster king sized bed dominated the center of the room. It was covered by a gold and black comforter that somehow suited the color scheme better than one would expect.

Absently she placed her towel on the bed, and inspected the room further. In the far corner see-through drapes decorated to large glass French doors that led to a balcony. On the outside there was a table with two chairs, which probably overlooked the back of his property. Careful not to touch anything, she toured the room, noting every painting and knick knack in fascination. Once her curiosity had been satisfied, she walked into the bathroom.

Even his shower was more luxurious than anything she’d ever seen. It had one of those adjustable showerheads that beat down on her tense muscles like a deep tissue massage. Jasmine didn’t want to get out of it, but her skin was beginning to pucker and she realized she must have been in the shower longer than she intended.

When she turned off the water and reached for her towel, she cursed. “Damn.” She’d left her towel on Mr. Meade’s bed. She didn’t think it was a big deal because no one would see her since the kids and Ms. Davis were in bed and Mr. Meade didn’t usually get home until later.

Gathering her soap and washcloth, she walked out of the bathroom and came face to face with her stunned employer.

When she’d envisioned her confrontation with him, she never thought it would be with her standing before him buck naked.

---