Page 43 of Tempted

“Adam?” he asked incredulously.

“Yes. Why do you seem so surprised?”

“I didn’t realize you two had gotten close.”

“Let’s just say, we’ve come to an understanding.”

He snorted his disbelief. “Amazing.” Victor had been trying to break through that barrier his son had erected between them for the past several years and along came Jasmine who apparently had the ability to charm even his disgruntled teenage son.

“Excuse me?”

“Nothing. What was it you wanted to say?”

“I had an interesting talk with Adam. He seems to think he’s a prisoner in this house because you don’t let him go anywhere.”

Victor pounded his fist on the desk. “How am I supposed to know how he feels if he won’t talk to me?”

She flinched, but remained in her spot. “I understand your frustration but I also see a confused teenage boy who needs his father whether he knows it or not. I’m not telling you how to raise your son, but he needs your guidance.”

Victor folded his arms across his chest. “As you seem to have all the answers, why don’t you tell me how I can get through to Adam who walks out of a room when I walk in? He won’t even make eye contact with me.”

“I’m sorry.”

Resting his head in his palms, he released a long sigh. “Jasmine, what do you suggest I do?”

She took the seat he’d offered her earlier. “Have you ever told him you loved him?”

He raised his head then. “He already knows I do. Everything I do is for my children.”

“You may think he does, but I respectfully disagree. He’s scared to ask you for permission to spend time with his friends even though he wants to very badly. That doesn’t sound like someone who knows you love him.”

“How can he not know?”

“Have you told him?”

Victor frowned trying to remember prior conversations he’d had with the teen. “I’m sure I have. I must have. I mean, I do love him and it kills me when he looks at me like he wants me dead.”

“Then I think it’s time the two of you had another talk.”

“How? Every time I try, he shuts me out.”

“Maybe you should be honest with him about the past. At least then he’d have a better understanding about what happened between you and his mother.”

Victor shook his head. “I can’t disillusion him about his mother. He loved her. If I blacken her image, he may end up hating me more than he already does.”

“Maybe you’re underestimating him. Sometimes children are far more perceptive than we give them credit for. If your wife had episodes while you were around, who’s to say he hadn’t witnessed them.”

“I’ve thought of that, but I still can’t do it. His memories of his mother are all he has left of her and I’d be a complete ass to take them away from him.”

“You don’t have to tarnish her image to make yourself look better. You’re a lawyer aren’t you? You have a way with words. I’m sure you can figure out a way to let him know about the past without making her look bad.” She walked over to his desk and reached across it to take his hand. “I know it doesn’t seem like it, but he’s hurting too. I’m not saying one talk is going to heal all the hurts of the past, but at least it would serve as a starting point. And don’t tell me he won’t listen. You’re the father, make him listen and eventually he might start hearing you.”

Her words made sense but her touch was affecting him more than he cared to admit and he couldn’t keep his gaze from straying to the way her tight t-shirt clung to the full swell of her breasts. His dick grew hard as he remembered cupping those plump mounds in his hands and sucking her nipples to hardness.

Abruptly, he pulled his hand away from hers. “Thank you. I appreciate the talk, and I’ll take what you’ve said into consideration. Now, if you don’t mind, I need to look over some papers before dinner.” He didn’t really have anything pressing to attend to, but he needed her to leave, otherwise he knew he’d end up pulling her across his desk and fucking her into submission. The woman was absolutely driving him insane and he needed to get his hormones in check and fast.

Jasmine stepped away from the desk with widened eyes. “Thanks for listening.” She sounded breathless.

“Not a problem.”

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