Page 20 of Tempted

“We saw the monkeys at the zoo, and one of them flung poo. It was gross,” Tyler added to the conversation.

Jasmine gave the children a weak smile as she listened to them tell her how their day went, all the while, Victor grew more certain something was bothering her.

“Kids, how about you two go upstairs and take your baths and then get in your pajamas,” he suggested.

“But, dad, it’s still early and you said we could stay up and watch a movie on Netflix,” Tyler protested.

Victor had forgotten that. It would be a long night, but he didn’t want to end such a nice day by disappointing them. “And you will. But if you prepare yourself for bed now, you’ll get to stay up later. I’ll have the popcorn ready by the time you two get downstairs.”

Once the children left the room, Victor focused his attention on Jasmine. On closer inspection, it looked as if she’d been crying. For whatever reason, he didn’t like to see her so upset.

“Jasmine, what’s the matter?” He took a seat on the couch next to her.

She pasted a smile on her face, but it looked false to him. “Nothing at all, why do you ask?”

Victor shot her a shrewd look. “You’re not a very good liar. Did something happen today?”

She shook her head. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

He shrugged. It wasn’t like he could force her. “Okay, but if you need anything, let me know.”

A faint smile touched her curvaceous lips. “You’re being very kind.”

Victor grinned. “I’m not a total jerk.”

“I know. Thank you for taking Chelsea and Tyler out. They were so excited to spend the day with you.”

“You shame me, Jasmine. You shouldn’t be thanking me. This was long overdue and I actually should be the one thanking you. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed myself this much. I realized how much of the kids’ lives I’m missing and I don’t want to be an absentee father anymore. Like you said, being there is important.”

Without warning, Jasmine burst into tears.

Without thought, Victor took Jasmine into his arms. He held her as she released body shaking sobs. Whatever happen must have been bad because she didn’t strike him as the type to have a lot of emotional outbursts.

Finally, when her tears subsides, Jasmine lifted her head. “I’m sorry. It’s just…I visited my daughter today.”

“She’s not well?”

Jasmine looked away from him, but not before he caught an expression that strangely looked like guilt. He didn’t know much about her situation, but he could only imagine her pain in being separated from her child.

“No. She’s…getting worse. I just wish…Well, it doesn’t matter.”

Victor realized he was still holding her, but not only that, he didn’t want to let go. Jasmine’s lips were mere inches from his.

She must have realized the sudden change in the atmosphere as well because her eyes widened. “Mr. Meade?”

With a groan, he lowered his mouth to hers.

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