Page 60 of Seal of Approval

Jasmine rested her hand on my leg. “Do you think maybe your silence has eaten away at you? Like first, you weren’t allowed to share your opinion and then you were too scared to share your opinion?”

Was she talking about her experience with Max?

I nodded. “In my work life, I’m fine. No one can get hurt. What I say is based on science, not emotions.” I ran my hand through my hair. “My personal life is different. I’m always worried that when I say something, it’s for my own agenda.”

Like now. I was telling her these things I kept hidden. Was I doing that so she would trust me? And what exactly was I going to do with that trust?

She turned to face me, tucking a leg under herself. “Do you tell me I’m a good mum for your own agenda?”

I shook my head. “It’s because you are.”

“Do you tell the children that I’m brave and strong for your own agenda?”

“No.”

“Do you compliment and encourage the children for your own agenda?”

“No.”

“Would your father have done any of those things?”

“The opposite. He always told my mom how bad a mother she was.”

“See. You’re not repeating your father’s failures.”

True. What she said was true. She made it sound logical, but could it be that easy? Being with her was easier than I had ever imagined. So much easier.

I smiled. “I did kiss you for my own agenda though.”

“And what agenda was that?”

“This.” I cupped the back of her head and pulled her toward me. Her lips were soft and supple, so willing they opened at the slightest touch. Her tongue swept across mine, sending a heated jolt through me. And damn if I wasn’t going to take everything she was going to give.

My hands ached to touch her curves, to feel them and memorise them. But not here, not where everyone could see. No, this kiss was a premise of what was to come.

I wanted to kiss Jasmine one hundred different ways in one hundred different places.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Jasmine

With the morning tour out of the way, we were heading to one of the campsites within the national park. The walking track needed to be checked to ensure it was in good condition and the bathrooms needed their routine clean. Bailey and Rose had been unusually quiet.

“Mum,” Rose said from the backseat, “Why were the police here?”

Ethan glanced at me. We hadn’t realised they’d seen or heard anything. “Your dad came on a tour today to ask if he can see you.”

“I don’t want to see him,” Rose declared.

“I know, Rose. I have told him you and Bailey aren’t ready.”

“Then why does he keep coming?”

I glanced in the rearview mirror. Bailey was staring out the window, listening but not engaging. Ethan looked over his shoulder.

“The police have told him he needs to speak to a solicitor. Do you know what a solicitor is?” I asked.

Rose nodded. “They help with the law.”

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