“That’s too late, Jasmine. It’ll almost be dark then. Why can’t I come by this afternoon?”
“Uh . . . I have to go out . . . tonight will really be better for me. And it won’t matter if it’s dark. You’ll be working inside anyway.”
Jefferson acquiesced, and on his way home from the video store that evening, he stopped by Jasmine’s house. He rang the doorbell several times and was about to turn away, when she finally came to the door.
“Oh . . . Jefferson,” Jasmine exclaimed. “I really didn’t expect you so soon.” She leaned against the post like she was posing for a magazine layout.
Jefferson swallowed hard. His eyes quickly roamed her body, taking in the slinky lingerie that hugged her. “Ah . . . Jasmine. I just came by to look at your garage. Look, I’ll come by tomorrow after I pick Kyla up from the airport.”
He turned and started walking to his car. “No, Jefferson, please.” She followed him into the street, seemingly unconcerned that she was dressed like a hooker. “I didn’t expect you so soon or I would’ve been dressed. I was just trying this on when you came. Please stay. I really need to have my garage fixed.”
“I said I’ll do it tomorrow.”
“Listen, I’m really embarrassed to have to tell you this, but the door has to be fixed now. I’m three payments behind on my car note and they’ve already threatened to come and take my car. I just need a little time to get my finances together . . .” Jasmine hoped Jefferson wouldn’t remember that she’d only had the car for two months.
Shaking his head slightly, Jefferson stuffed his hands in his pockets and shifted his feet. “I don’t know . . .”
“Please . . .”
Warning bells blazed in his head, but he talked himself out of it. “Don’t be ridiculous,” his voice inside said. “This is Jasmine, Kyla’s friend. Nothing’s going to happen.”
Finally, he moved toward her and Jasmine smiled. He followed her into the house and stood awkwardly at the door.
Jasmine walked to the couch, swaying her hips, feeling the hem of the short, satin slip tickle her thighs right below her buttocks. She sat down on the couch, crossed her legs and the slip rode up her legs exposing even more.
“Jefferson,” her laugh came from her throat. “Why are you standing over there? Come over here and sit down. We can talk . . .” she said, licking her lips.
He didn’t meet her eyes. “Jasmine, the only reason I came over here was to fix the garage. Do you want me to take a look at it or not?”
Her smile grew wider. She could hear the huskiness in his voice. “Whatever you say.” She stood and went to the garage, leaving him standing right where he was.
Turning back, she wanted to laugh out loud. He was pathetic. Just like all the other men. Just two minutes of looking at her in this little piece of a slip and they were like puppies. “Are you coming?” The question sang from her lips.
Jefferson followed, still ignoring the signals that hadn’t left his brain. “I’m only helping a friend,” he kept saying to himself. “I’m only going to help her and then I’m going home.”
Taking the ladder she had set against the wall, he put it under the remote for the opener and glanced at Jasmine as she leaned against the laundry machine. He wondered what Kyla would think of Jasmine now. He’d been trying to tell her that Jasmine was in trouble. And as Jasmine paraded around the garage in her nightgown, he knew he’d been right.
He tested the ladder’s legs for sturdiness and his gaze met Jasmine’s once again. Looking away, he tried to ignore the stirring inside. “Jasmine, why don’t you go and put something on while I do this, okay?”
She strutted to where he was standing and moved close, her breath falling on his chest. “What’s wrong, Dr. Jefferson?” Her voice was seductive. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”
Jefferson crossed his arms. “Look, Jasmine. I think you’re playing some kind of sick game and I’m not going to play with you. So get dressed while I work on this, okay?” He tried to make his voice stern, hiding the arousal he felt.
She grinned. “Okay, Dr. Jefferson. Like I said before, whatever you say.” She stood still for a moment, her eyes bearing into his before she tossed her hair and strolled away.
Once inside, she ran up the stairs and had to constrain the squeal that rose inside of her. This was going great! She changed into a bra and panties and went to the mirror, turning from side to side. She still looked mighty good for a woman of almost forty. With strong, sturdy legs and toned arms, the only thing she would’ve changed about her pear-shaped figure were her breasts. She had considered implants—but she couldn’t think about any of that now. Her body was fine; it always got her what she wanted and tonight would not be any different. Putting the sheer, floor-length sheath over her, she allowed herself a final glance in the mirror.
Tying the robe around her waist, she slipped into the feathered slippers. He had asked her to change and that was just what she’d done. She ran back down to the garage and took a deep breath as she stepped inside. “I’m back.”
He was holding the ladder, his back to her, and when he turned around, the ladder fell from his hands. Jasmine couldn’t help her giggle. He’s so pitiful, she thought. It’s amazing what a woman can do with her body to make a man forget how to carry a ladder.
“There’s . . . there’s . . . nothing . . .” he stuttered as he struggled to get the ladder upright. “There’s nothing I can do. You need a new opener altogether. Just go to any hardware store and they’ll install it for you.”
She strutted to him. “But I want you to put it in for me,” she pouted.
Jefferson shook his head. “I’m sorry. I’m not good with this kind of stuff.” He stepped from her quickly, feeling like he was a pawn in a chess game. He made one move; she made two.
“Well,” Jasmine started as she sashayed across the garage, blocking his exit, “I really appreciate all that you’ve done for me, so far . . .” She put her arms around his neck and kissed him, nudging her tongue inside his mouth. It was seconds before he yanked her arms away.
“Jasmine. I’m sorry I couldn’t help you.” Moving around her, he went into the house and left through the front door.
She panicked. What had gone wrong? He was responding to her; she could feel him when they kissed. She followed him outside, prepared to give her best performance. “I’m so sorry, Jefferson. I don’t know what got into me.” Forcing the tears to her eyes, she held her hand across her chest. “It’s just that I feel so alone . . . please, please forgive me.”
“I’m sorry you’re having problems, but I’m not the one to help you fix them.” He got into his car and backed from the driveway, never looking at her again.
It wasn’t until a car drove by and honked that Jasmine realized she was still standing outside half-naked. Running back into the house, she charged up the stairs into her bedroom. “Maybe I was a little too pushy,” she said as real tears punched against her eyelids. “He’s too conservative for this. I’ve got to find another way.”
She put on a pair of jeans and a cutoff T-shirt, then brushed her hair, letting the soft curls frame her face. She put on a pair of pumps, grabbed her purse and keys and, just as she was about to leave, glanced at the lingerie that she’d thrown across the bed. Without hesitation, she picked up the slip and stuffed it into her purse. As she ran down the stairs and got into her car, the idea formed and swam in her head.
She drove the five blocks up the hill to the Blakes’ house and parked in the driveway. Taking a deep breath, she rang the bell and within seconds, he answered.
“Jasmine . . .”
“Wait, before you say anything, Jefferson, I just came over here to apologize.”
“You don’t have to apologize. I understand. Now, good night.” He started closing the door.
“Wait, please don’t do this, Jefferson. I feel so bad.”
“I said it was okay.”
“Well, may I come in?”
“Not a g
ood idea.”
She forced a smile. “That’s okay. But I will stand out here as long as it takes to explain this to you and beg for your forgiveness. So, if you don’t mind what the neighbors will say . . .”
Jefferson tapped his fingers against the door. Why was he even thinking about putting himself in this position? Yet Jasmine was Kyla’s friend and he was an adult. This was his home and he would never do anything he didn’t want to do.
He opened the door, just barely, letting Jasmine in. She stood in the hallway entrance and waited as Jefferson remained by the opened door.
“Do you mind if we go in and talk a little?” she asked as she motioned with her head toward the family room. “I could really use a friend.”
Through narrowed eyes, he looked her up and down. She looked so innocent, standing there in jeans and a T-shirt. And, he could tell that she really meant what she said; she just wanted to talk. She was still going through a tough time because of Kenny. He knew that had been hard on her. She needed to talk. Maybe he could convince her to see a therapist.
He closed the door, motioned for her to go into the family room, and followed. They sat on the couch, Jasmine purposely sitting as far to one end as she could, as far away from him as possible. He knew then that he had been right to let her in. She just needed a friend and Kyla wasn’t there for her now.
She lowered her head. “Jefferson, I am so sorry. I really can’t explain what got into me.” She paused. “It’s just that you and Kyla have been such good friends to me . . . so, naturally, I would just turn to you.”
She looked up, through her eyelashes. “I haven’t been with anyone since Kenny . . . I just looked at you and . . . I lost it. You’re such a strong, wonderful man. And, no matter what, you’ve always been there for me. All I can say is that Kyla is very lucky to have you. And if I ever have the opportunity to be involved with someone again, I just pray that he will be just like you. I just hope that you will be able to find it in your Christian heart to forgive me . . . please.”
His shoulders relaxed and she smiled slightly.
“So, will you?” She opened her eyes wide.
He smiled. Maybe Kyla was right. Jasmine was just lonely and distraught since Kenny deserted her.
“Will you?” she repeated.
“Will I what?”
“Forgive me? I couldn’t handle it if you were still mad at me.”
“Apology accepted.”
“So . . . still friends?” Jasmine extended her hand, though she still maintained her distance.
Jefferson took her hand. “Friends.”
A few moments passed before Jasmine spoke again. “Were you going to watch these?” she asked, pointing to the videos lined on the table.
“Yeah.”
She turned the titles over in her hand. “I’ve been dying to see . . . Woodbridge House.”
“Yeah, I can’t wait to see that one either. Kyla hates action movies, so I plan on having a night of all action!”
She lowered her head again. “Jefferson, I know I messed up before . . . but, would you mind if I stayed and watched one of these with you? I just don’t think I could go home alone right now . . .”
Jefferson was silent as a war raged inside of him.
“I promise, all I want to do is watch videos. Just like a couple of old friends,” Jasmine said.
“Sure, you can stay. Wanna watch Woodbridge House?”
“Sure!”
“Okay, you pop the video in and fast-forward past all those movie trailers. I’ll get the popcorn. Do you want something to drink?” he asked as he went into the kitchen.
“You’re going to pop some popcorn?”
He laughed. “No, I brought this from Trader Joe’s. What do you want to drink?”
“Anything will be fine,” Jasmine yelled.
“Well, here it is.” He put the bowl and glasses on the table. “Are you ready?”
She nodded and smiled. “You have no idea just how ready I am.”
He smiled back. “Okay, let’s get this show on the road!” he exclaimed, leaning back with the remote in his hands.
Jefferson stood up from the chair and went to the nightstand, picking up his Bible before returning to the window. He wondered how many more hours of sleep would escape him. From the window, he could see the street below, calm with the peace only the middle of the night could bring. It was so different from the turmoil that filled his life.
For the last few days, he had wanted to place the blame somewhere, but now as he looked back, he saw what he’d always known; the fault fell at his feet.
Scooting the chair closer to the window, Jefferson peered out into the blackened L.A. sky. He felt such peace in his heart; but in his head, confusion reigned. Sitting back, he closed his eyes and remembered the rest of the evening . . .
They had watched the movie together, but Jefferson couldn’t concentrate. Out of the corner of his eye, he had watched Jasmine as she snacked on popcorn, her eyes never leaving the television screen. And as she brought the popcorn to her lips, each time, Jefferson was reminded of the kiss. He watched as her tongue licked away the salt that lingered and he shifted, trying to find distraction in the movie.
The two-hour movie stretched much longer and when it finally ended, he yawned. “I can’t believe this, but I’m really tired. I’m going to have to take a rain check on the rest of these.”
“You’re not going to watch them? I was looking forward to The Sky Below.”
“Well, I don’t have to return them until tomorrow if you want to take it with you.”
“Okay . . .” She hesitated. “Jefferson, I have a big favor to ask.” She paused again. “Would you mind . . . if I stayed here tonight . . . please?”
Seeing the frown on his face, she added quickly, “Please don’t think I’m going to try anything. Believe me, I’ve learned my lesson. The only reason I’m even asking you this is that my house . . . it’s so scary sometimes. That’s what I think today was all about with you. I hate being there alone.”
“Jasmine, I’m sorry, but you can’t stay. Kyla’s not here . . .”
“Jefferson, I thought you forgave me. And . . . I don’t know if Kyla has told you, but recently . . .” she bit her lip, “I’ve been getting calls . . .”
“What kind of calls?”
She sniffed. “I don’t know . . . threatening calls. From a man saying that he knows that I live alone. And I get scared, especially on the weekends. That’s why Kyla lets me stay over with you guys so much.”
“Have you called the police?”
“Uh-huh, but they said there’s nothing they can do until he tries something . . . like breaking in or attacking me . . .” Jefferson winced. “I’m having an alarm installed when I get the money.”
Jefferson’s eyes blinked rapidly. He was married; how could he let her stay while Kyla was away? What would people think? But, on the other hand, how could he turn her away? She was Kyla’s friend and she always stayed over. And if someone was threatening her . . .
“I wouldn’t ask if I weren’t scared.”
Seconds of silence hung in the air. “It’s no problem.” He said the words matter-of-factly, just the opposite of what he was feeling. “You know where everything is. Just stay in the guestroom. I probably won’t be as good a host as Kyla.”
“That’s okay, I don’t want to be a bother.”
He nodded.
“Jefferson, thank you so much. I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”
“Well, I’m going to go upstairs now. Good night.” Jefferson bounded up the stairs with prayers for morning to come quickly. He undressed and got into bed, hoping he would fall asleep right away. But he tossed for endless minutes, and when sleep eluded him, he decided to read. The current bestseller and his Bible both sat on his nightstand. He reached for the Bible, but then picked up the novel. After an hour, but only ten pages, he still wasn’t ready for sleep. He should have been exhausted since he had risen early and worked i
n the yard most of the day.
He put the book down as he heard Jasmine come up the stairs and finally close the door to the guest bedroom. He sighed and turned his attention back to the courtroom battles of his favorite author, but he couldn’t stop thinking about the kiss.
He got out of bed and went into their bathroom, turning on the cold water at full blast. As he glanced in the mirror, dark eyes bore back at him, freezing the moment, making him ask, who is this man? Finally leaning over, he rinsed his face with the frigid water, hoping that these alien feelings would follow the water down the drain.
He returned to his bedroom and just as he was about to get into bed, he heard a sound. Jefferson stopped. Jasmine had come up a while ago, so he knew it wasn’t her. She was probably asleep by now. Just like he should have been.
He stood still and wondered if Jasmine had locked all the doors. He’d been so eager to get upstairs that he didn’t check the house the way he normally did. He would have to go downstairs. He went to the closet to get his robe, but decided he didn’t need it. The house was warm and Jasmine was already asleep. He was just going downstairs . . . just downstairs. To check on the house. Nothing else.
As he put his hand on the knob of his bedroom door, he heard the floor panels in the hallway squeak. Someone was outside his bedroom door and he opened the door quickly.
She was standing there, dressed in the red slip, waiting for him, like a vision in a dream. Without a word, she took his hand and leaned into him. She kissed him gently, letting him feel her, then followed him as the gentle kiss built with his desire. She moaned. He led her back to his bed, laying her down like a delicate flower and kissed her with surprising zeal. His fingers slid underneath her slip and he caressed her. He didn’t allow himself to think about what was happening. And he never heard Kyla’s voice nor the voice of God inside of him.
Opening his eyes, he massaged his head. He was so ashamed. He had betrayed his wife and gone against everything that he believed as a man of God. As hard as it was for him to explain, he had fallen and it was his fault.
Temptation Page 17
