Page 6 of Tempted

“I get that quite a bit, but I’d be happy to produce my birth certificate for proof if you need it.”

“I believe you, I’m just surprised. Okay, so maybe you are old enough to take care of the children, but it doesn’t explain the missing gap in your resume here. I see where you’ve attended school and worked in an office environment, but what did you do after school. My mother says you took some time off, but she was vague.”

A small pink tongue shot out moistening her curvaceously full lips. His eyes latched on to that small movement and his body tightened. Shaking his head, he cleared his throat again.

“The truth is, I had to take some time off for my daughter.”

His mother hadn’t mentioned Jasmine had a child. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you had a sick child.”

“But she’s not—” She broke off, looking a bit uneasy. “She’s in much better health now.”

“If you don’t mind my asking, what are your plans for her? Obviously if I were to give you a job, how would your child factor in? Who would take care of her?”

Her eyes downcast, she answered softly, “Unfortunately, I’m unable to have her with me at the moment, but if my circumstances were to change, I’d be able to have her back sooner. My…financial situation isn’t in the best shape right now.”

He didn’t want to care dammit, but something about JasmineBrooks touched a part of him that he’d long since thought was gone. His mother was usually a good judge of character, still he couldn’t hand the care of his children over to just anyone.

“Look,” she began, “I know you have reservations but how about a trial period? Mrs. Meade said she’s willing to stop by and check in on us until you’re comfortable having me around the children without supervision. All I’m asking for is a trial. Please, Mr. Meade.”

It was hard to ignore the desperation in her big brown eyes and he found himself wondering what the harm in giving her a trial period would be.

Lunacy. He had to be off his rocker, Victor knew he’d never be father of the year with all the long hours he put in, but the kids seemed to like Miss Brooks and so did his mother. Thinking about Miss Applewhite, with all her supposed experience, angered him. Maybe experience wasn’t worth the sheet it was written on.

He would probably regret it, but he’d give her a chance—at least for a little while. If she messed up, she’d be out the door and fast. “I’m willing to offer you the position on a trial basis.”

She revealed a large white-toothed grin, again revealing her dimples. “Really? I promise I won’t let you down. I’ll take really great care of the children.”

“I’m counting on that, but I will be watching you closely. Let’s go over the details of what I expect….”

* * *

Later that night, Jasmine lay in bed whispering a silent prayer. After weeks of searching, she’d finally found a job. And the amount of money she’d be making was more than she expected. The bonus was being able to move out of her apartment and not having to pay rent. This would allow her to save up money to get Star back sooner. This wasn’t her dream job, but it was something.

Her thoughts turned to her new employer. There was something distant, and a little cold about him, giving him an intimidating demeanor. From what Mrs. Meade had told her, he was a lawyer. He didn’t look like one based on hisathletic build with his height and broad shoulders. Dark hair liberally sprinkled with gray and deep cobalt eyes, he could have been a handsome man were it not for that stern expression on his face.

When they shook hands, it seemed as if he could barely stand touching her. Maybe he wasn’t used to being around black people. Whatever his problem, it didn’t matter because he was now her employer and she’d do whatever it took to hold on to that job.

For Star.

Jasminehoped, however, that he didn’t do any further investigating into her background, after all, she did have a criminal record.

And who would want a felon in charge of their children.

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