Page 61 of Tempted

Jasmine raised her chin. Yes there were cracks in the wall, her furniture was old and it was overrun by roaches but it was hers. Still, she hoped to move out in the next couple months to a bigger place because of the extra shifts she’d been working. She still had some money in her savings which would be a big help.

“This won’t do. You’re coming home with me.”

Jasmine shook her head. Deep down she knew this would happen. “Absolutely not. It was nice seeing you again, Jason but I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“This is ridiculous! You can’t live like this.”

“Not all of us were blessed with trust funds, Jason.”

He winced. “That’s hitting below the belt, Jasmine.”

“I’m sorry, but this is where I chose to be right now and there’s nothing you can say to change my mind. Good night.”

He firmed his lips to a tight line. “You’re being stubborn.”

“And you’re overstepping your bounds. Goodnight.”

He clinched his fists at his sides. “Fine. Have it your way…for now. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Jason¯”

He placed his finger over her lips, halting her protest. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” Then to her utter surprise he gently cupped her face in his palms and brushed her lips against hers. “You’re not going to get rid of me so easily again, Jasmine.”

Before she could utter a response he was out the door. She had a feeling her life was about to get a little more complicated.

Chapter Twenty

Victor sighed as he pulled up in his driveway and saw his mother’s car. She was usually gone by the time he arrived home, and the couple times he did manage to run into her, she left within minutes with no good byes, no how are you doing son, and no warm greeting. Every time he attempted conversation with her she ignored him.

Today, he’d come home early so he could talk to her. Besides, enough was enough. He was tired of being treated like a pariah by his children and his mother. He could barely stand to look at himself in the mirror let alone deal with the animosity from his family.

He raked his fingers through his hair in frustration. He’d never known his mother to hold a grudge, but she was doing a pretty damn good job of it. Victor shuddered as he recalled the angry words they’d exchanged when she learned he’d kicked Jasmine out.

Victor had stayed home from work that day because Chelsea had stayed up most of the night crying and didn’t fall asleep until nearly dawn. It was only when Tyler had climbed into bed with his sister and held her hand did she calm down. Tyler wouldn’t even talk to him and Adam had returned to being a moody, snarky teenager who didn’t seem to want him around. At first he felt justified in his anger, after all, he was protecting his children. But one he’d cooled down, he had time to think

Victor had spent the rest of the night replying the scene in his head. That stricken look in Jasmine’s eyes would probably haunt him forever. She’d wanted him to listen to her, but what was there to listen to? She didn’t deny Madison’s accusations and hadn’t he given her plenty of chances to tell him about her past?

He’d tried to get some sleep but it eluded him. How could he have been so wrong about someone? There one thing he couldn’t figure out was why Jasminewould say his mother knew. Just to confirm she’d been lying, he’d called his mother early the next morning.

“Victor, why are you calling this early in the morning? Do you know what time it is? I haven’t even had my first cup of coffee yet.” The heavy sound of sleep still anchored her voice.

“Jasmine is gone. I fired her.”

“What?” His mother sounded alert then.

“I found out about her prison record and now she’s gone. Probably to con someone else.”

“I’ll be right over.”

“That’s not necessary, but there is something I needed to ask.”

“I’ll be over in an hour.” Without waiting for a response, she hung up.

True to her word, his mother arrived in exactly an hour. For the first time Victor could remember, Madeline Meade appeared unkempt. She looked as if she’d dressed in a hurry and her hair which was usually perfectly coifed flew around her face. “Victor Alexander Meade, you’d better tell me you were joking when you told me what you did over the phone or so help me God¯”

“I wasn’t joking. I fired her ass. She’s a criminal Mother and what’s worse she lied and said you knew about it.”

His mother had turned a deep shade a red, her lids lowered before he could read her expression.

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