Page 29 of Mistletoe and Mischief

“I still love you after all this time. When you resurfaced in my life, I realized I’ve been waiting for you. I’ll never date or have a relationship with another woman. It’s always been you. And now that I’m saying it out loud, it sounds a little more psycho than it did in my head, but Jasmine, I’ll never control you. I will do whatever it takes for you to be happy. I’ll give you whatever space you need.Youare in total control of me.”

Kindness fills her eyes. She allows me to step forward and take her hands. Her mouth drops open.

Landon laughs, killing the moment. He steps beside me. “Wait… You were a virgin at the auction, right?”

She nods, and I swallow the lump in my throat, readying myself for the difficult part of my reveal that Landon is about to steal.

He turns to me. “You say you’ll never date or have a relationship. That it’s always been Jasmine?”

I nod. “Could you back up for a second while I finish?”

“Sure! This is a better than a villain monologue.” His smirk confirms that he’s put my secret together.

Blake grabs Landon’s arm and jerks him away.

“Glad to be your cheap entertainment.” I take a deep breath, pulling myself back to the tender moment.

Jasmine squeezes my hands. “You don’t have to say it.”

“I do. No more hiding behind fear. Jasmine, I’ve never had sex, and never will unless it’s with you. I don’t say it to control your emotions, but totryto demonstrate how right I know this thing is between us. I’m willing to shed all of my fears, let youreject me, and be teased by these three guys for the rest of my life, but you are my soulmate.”

“Where exactly does that leave us?” Landon asks, interrupting me again.

Talking this through with them would have given me a lot more confidence right now, but in my heart, I know the answer already. I say to Landon, “Do you feel the same way? Will you patiently wait for her until the end of time?”

Without missing a beat, Blake and Cole nod, despite my question being direct to Landon. He keeps us entertained. “I’d probably do that Patrick SwayzeGhostshit… come back and keep trying.”

Jasmine chuckles before taking a serious tone. “Let’s start with a simpler scenario than going supernatural.”

We agree. The tension is relieved.

Jasmine asks, “If we were to try dating, could you respect my business plans?”

Trent’s stutters his questions. “Dating? What about the SSSS?”

“That won’t be a problem.”

“I’m so sorry. I thought for sure you were going to win. Do you need to vent?” Blake reaches for her, which ends up making us crowd her in the garage.

“Not now.” She seems to mentally regroup. “Anyone who’s prepared to respect my business plans, come inside and we’ll talk.”

Nineteen

Jasmine

I hang up my coat as I step inside. All four guys follow. Okay, this is real. Why is it that with a baby in my belly and not one or two or three, but four men interested in a future with me, I feel more free to be myself than ever?

Slowly crossing the living room, I kick off my heels, unzip my skirt and step out of it, and toss my scarf. I can feel their gazes like a physical touch.

Blake asks, “Can we talk about the baby yet?”

“Not yet.”

“Should we follow you?” Landon asks.

“Nope, you boys stay put,” I call over my shoulder as I disappear into the kitchen, tossing my blouse around the corner.

In nothing but a bra and panties that I assume won’t last long, I fill the water tank on the coffee maker. This is the best test I can think of for them to show their acceptance. I wasn’t expecting to talk to them so soon after turning down the SSSS honor. It was an insane last-minute epiphany when they announced that I won.

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