by Tia Wylder
“I’ve never really had a girl to play with before. Daddy tries to play with me, but you know how boys are,” the girl murmured. Jasmine hummed her acknowledgment, brushing a hand through the girl’s curls.
“Girls! It’s time for dinner,” Mark called, looking a bit misty eyed where he stood at the door. Jasmine pretended to be startled to see him, smiling gently at the obviously doting father.
“Can we go to the pizza buffet, daddy? Please?” Jenny inquired, tossing Rico over her shoulder. Jasmine hesitated before giving Miss Puff a bit of a careless toss as well. Mark hesitated, looking at the two females.
“Pizza sounds good to me,” Jasmine smiled, meeting Mark’s gaze. His eyes glinted with some unrecognizable emotion as he considered her, but he quickly shook it off. He reached out to take her by the arm, and she fell obediently into place beside him.
“Pizza it is, then,” he said agreeably, receiving a cheer from his young daughter. She bounded past the adults, racing down the stairs.
“I’ll be waiting in the car,” she called back over her shoulder, and Jasmine chuckled. The nanny took a moment to see how the father was feeling, and it was obvious that he was still troubled by the exchange he had seen. He reached up to brush a tear from his eye, clearing his throat loudly.
“I thought… I thought she bought the excuse that her mother was just busy. I never thought her mother would allow her to catch on to the fact that… she just didn’t want to see Jenny anymore,” he murmured. Jasmine frowned, drawing her lip pensively between her teeth.
“I can’t fathom why anyone would want to give up their right to see such a bright and darling little girl,” she muttered. Mark laughed hollowly, glancing down the stairs in the direction his daughter had gone.
“Apparently, being reminded of our marriage was just too much to handle. I expected her to be cold to me, but to her own daughter?” He bit out scornfully. The two lingered at the top of the stairs for a moment, and Jasmine reached out to offer the older man a hug. He considered her with a quirked brow, looking unsure.
“You’ll have to pull yourself together. Her mother may be a lost cause, but you have a little girl to take care of,” she asserted. He looked vaguely taken aback, but after a pause drew her into his arms.
“We have a little girl to take care of,” he corrected gently. Jasmine smiled, nodding her head as she pressed her cheek against his chest. The two remained locked in the embrace for a long moment, and Mark’s agitation eased off as his breathing evened out.
“Guys! Come on! Quit making goo goo eyes at each other so we can get some pizza!” Jenny called from downstairs, and Jasmine lurched away from the man, looking down the stairs to see the young girl staring plaintively up at them. Mark rolled his eyes in exasperation, a laugh escaping him despite himself. Jasmine tucked her hair behind her ear, shyly glancing towards the older man from the corner of her eye.
“Well, you heard the girl. We have a mission,” Jasmine announced grandly. Jenny squealed excitedly, clapping her hands together.
“Yes, daddy! A mission! A dangerous and delicious mission,” the young girl called out. Mark quirked a brow at Jasmine, but the young woman simply quirked her lips in a sly smile before looping her arm in his.
“You do favor one of those handsome secret agents,” she hummed, tugging him along. He laughed as he was pulled along, and Jasmine found that she rather liked the sound of his genuine laughter. It seemed that the household had quite a bit of bitterness, but she aimed to do her fair share to see the bad blood washed away.
“A secret agent, huh? Does that make you my sexy sidekick? Or some temptress trying to drag me to the dark side?” He grinned, opening the passenger side door for her. Jasmine coughed, trying to obscure her embarrassment at the comment. Jenny scrambled into the backseat, leaning up to make sure her voice was heard.
“Nuh uh! Jasmine’s not evil! She’s the good guy! Mom’s the evil lady. Like… like one of those mean witches from the movie we saw last week, daddy,” she said decisively.
“Secrets agents and witches. Sounds like my kind of story,” Jasmine chuckled, slipping into the front seat and fastening her seat belt. Mark circled around the car, slipping into the driver’s seat and glancing into the rearview mirror.
“Buckle up, young lady. A dangerous mission like this requires extreme caution,” he said warmly, winking as Jenny giggled in delight. He turned the ignition, and Jasmine was certain her heart would pound out of her chest as the sports car absolutely purred. It was enough that all of the man’s possessions looked amazing, but it was clear he maintained everything in his care with the utmost care. She was shaken from her thoughts as Jenny tugged at her shirt sleeve. She glanced into the backseat, raising a brow curiously.
“What’s up, sweetheart?” She murmured. Jenny hesitated for a moment, looking between the two adults before speaking up.
“I know daddy’s really shy about talking to girls sometimes, but I think he likes you,” she said bluntly. Jasmine reddened, but it was nothing compared to the full blush that covered Mark’s face. He managed a strangled laugh, reaching into the back seat to pop his daughter playfully on the leg.
“Nosy little one, aren’t you?” He grumbled. Jenny stuck her tongue out, sitting back in her seat.
“I just want to be sure everything is out in the open. You said it would be a dangerous mission, Daddy. Don’t want to take any risks,” the girl giggled. Jasmine was more than vaguely taken aback at how bright and astute the girl was, but she could do little but smirk at how awkward Mark looked.
Whether Jenny was right or not, Jasmine found that she wasn’t particularly bothered by Mark being attracted to her. She found that she didn’t mind it at all.
Chapter Three
“I’ve arranged for a babysitter,” Mark said abruptly, causing both Jenny and Jasmine to look up from their current activities of coloring and solving a word search puzzle, respectively. Jasmine quirked a brow, feeling more than vaguely confused by the man’s words. Jenny, however, clapped in delight, turning a toothy grin towards Jasmine.
“Daddy is taking you out on a date,” she crowed, and Jasmine met Mark’s gaze nervously. He smiled, arms crossed over his broad chest.
“Trust my little runt to be unable to keep a secret. But she’s right, Jasmine, I’d be much obliged if you would join me for dinner this evening,” he said brightly. Jasmine hesitated, looking between the two hesitantly.
“Wouldn’t hiring a babysitter defeat having me be your nanny?” She inquired, rubbing the back of her neck. Mark rumbled a laugh, shaking his head.
“I don’t expect you to watch her morning, noon, and night. At least, not every day. Everyone needs a break every so often, wouldn’t you agree?” He hummed, leaving Jasmine without further argument. She nodded hesitantly, fidgeting with the shirt she was wearing. While Mark had insisted upon buying her an entirely new wardrobe for the duration of her stay, she wasn’t sure if she had anything formal enough to wear to a dinner date. He sensed her trepidation, taking a step forward and moving to help her to her feet. She rose obligingly, leaving the word search to be solved another day.
“You’re probably wondering what on Earth you’ll wear, I know how you women can be,” he said idly, guiding her out of Jenny’s room and towards her assigned room for the duration. He pushed open the door, guiding her inside and opening the closet. Though she had not noticed it previously, the door in the corner of the room adjoined with a walk-in closet, and Mark wanted her to step inside with him. She felt a slight sense of trepidation as she stepped forward, peering into the massive closet. Her eyes widened at the selection of clothes inside, all new with tags still attached. What caught her eye most of all, however, was a selection of cocktail dresses hanging on their own rack at the very back of the closet. She rushed inside, approaching the dresses with awe in her gaze. It was no surprise that Mark knew her size, she had told him as much when they were discussing her new wardrobe. She hadn’t expected to have an entire closet with
more clothing options than she’d ever had in her entire lifetime. She certainly hadn’t expected him to know her tastes so well, either. She grabbed one of the cocktail dresses from the rack, examining it closely. She looked towards Mark with tears inexplicably pricking the corners of her eyes.
“You didn’t have to… you didn’t have to do this. This is… beyond excessive,” she began nervously, trailing off in an awkward laugh.
“Do you not like the selection?” Mark inquired, a vaguely wounded expression crossing his features. Jasmine sputtered, shaking her head vehemently as she gestured all around them.
“Of course, I like the selection! I outright love it, but… I feel so guilty accepting these. Unless of course, this is added to my… bill of sorts?” She inquired weakly, unable to fathom how much he had spent on the closet full of clothes.
“Oh, no. All of this is free of charge, and you’re free to take it all home when your contract runs its course,” he said formally, before offering her a sly wink. “Allow me to treat you, Jas. After all, you are my girlfriend,” he smiled. She hesitated, cheeks flaring with heat as she considered the situation. She had almost forgotten about this specific part of her bizarre employment. It wasn’t as if Mark was unattractive by any means, and if it were a real scenario, she would be honored to date him. However, the farcical nature of it sort of dimmed her excitement.
“Of course. I’d… forgotten,” she managed, brushing her hair behind her ear. Jasmine held the dress she’d chosen up, pressing it against her. “What do you think?” She inquired softly, grinning cheekily.
“A stunning preview, but I simply can’t wait to see you actually wearing the dress,” Mark chuckled. He ran a hand through his hair, seeming somewhat uncharacteristically nervous. “In any case, I’ll leave you to get ready for our first date of sorts. The babysitter should be here any minute,” he stammered, turning his back on her and shuffling out of the closet. She watched him go, drawing her lip between her teeth before calling out to him.
“Mark,” she intoned loudly, and he paused, glancing over his shoulder at her. “Thank you so much,” she smiled, winking slyly at the man. He smiled to himself, the tips of his ears reddening visibly as he shuffled out of the closet without another word. He closed the door behind him, leaving Jasmine alone with her thoughts. Well, alone with her thoughts and her clothes. She giggled ecstatically, examining the selection up close now that she had a chance. Some of the clothes looked as if they had been plucked straight off a runway in Europe. All of them were infinitely classier than anything she’d worn before. Somehow, despite only seeing her in a simple t-shirt and jeans, Mark could read her like a book. Then again, she supposed any woman in her right mind would have been beyond honored to receive such a gift.
Jasmine hummed to herself as she sorted through the clothes, stopping short as she came to a simple chest in the back corner. She quirked a brow, opening the lid and reddening upon seeing the lacy underwear inside. Of course, it was just her size as well. She tried not to think about the fact that Mark likely bought them with the intent of seeing her wearing them. It wasn’t an unappetizing thought in and of itself, but she didn’t just know how far this girlfriend act was intended to go. She grabbed a matching set of underwear, a simple black lace set, and shimmied out of her current clothes. She stepped into the undergarments, taking a slight thrill in how they hugged her curves. Eventually, she selected a bright red dress with a slit running up the leg for the evening. She looked at the mirror, reveling in how the dress contrasted with the dark tones of her hair. She pulled it on, and it fit her just like a second skin. She was surprised at just how well the garment fit her, as even searching within her size, she’d always had trouble finding a good fit.
“Miss Jasmine! Daddy said the babysitter is here, whenever you’re ready,” Jenny piped out from outside the door, startling Jasmine out of her reverie. She took a moment to fix her hair before stepping out, smiling down at Jenny. The young girl’s eyes widened upon seeing her nanny so dolled up, and she clapped her hands together in excitement. “You look so pretty,” she said with a big grin. Jasmine smiled shyly, reaching out to ruffle the girl’s hair.
“Thank you. I can only hope your daddy feels the same,” she chuckled. Jenny rolled her eyes, taking Jasmine by the hand and tugging her towards the hall.
“He’ll be knocked clean out of his socks!” Jenny announced, all but dragging Jasmine downstairs. The older woman struggled to keep pace with the young girl, nearly having to jog to remain in step at her side. “Daddy! Daddy!” Jenny called out, and Mark stepped out of the dining area with a smile.
“Yes, hon-,” he began, cutting himself short as his eyes roved Jasmine’s body. A surge of heat cycled through her body, and she nervously averted her eyes. She wasn’t sure she could handle the intensity of his stare any longer, but he soon stepped forward and took her by the hands. “Jasmine, you look beautiful,” he murmured warmly, and Jasmine felt that her heart might beat right out of her chest. She smiled sincerely, fixing her attention on the lapels of Mark’s shirt. She flattened them out, nervously tilting her head up to consider his expression. He looked nothing short of love-struck, his eyes glimmering with desire and adoration. Jasmine swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat, managing to find her voice.
“I suppose you’re ready to leave, Mark?” She asked with a small smile. He simply stared at her for a moment longer, brought to attention by his daughter clearing her throat loudly.
“Of course. I’ve arranged for a limousine to take us to our destination, it should be waiting outside,” he said in a rush, taking Jasmine by the arm and guiding her to the door. He paused before leaving, considering the babysitter who couldn’t have been much older than sixteen. “The emergency numbers are on the refrigerator. Don’t hesitate to call me if you need something,” he said kindly. The teenager smiled awkwardly, her cheeks flushed and eyes dark with envy as she watched the two step out the door. Jasmine couldn’t blame her for being jealous, though the entire thing was a farce. It was a wonderful act, however, one she couldn’t imagine she would ever tire being part of. The limousine was just as luxurious as she might have expected, and the driver stepped out to open the doors for the two of them. Jasmine stepped inside, with Mark close behind her. They sat side by side, their knees touching though there was plenty of space to spread out. Mark wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and it felt strangely comfortable.
“This feels… right,” Jasmine murmured, reddening and wishing she could take the words back as soon as they left her lips. Mark seemed thrilled by the confession, smiling a dopey smile and leaning in to kiss her forehead affectionately.
“Well, I do aim to please,” he murmured. The ride was a short one, and in retrospect, the limousine seemed a little exorbitant and unnecessary, though she supposed Mark was intent upon impressing her. They stepped out, and Mark slipped a wad of bills to the limo driver, instructing him to circle around town until he called for him to return. The older man nodded, driving away as Mark and Jasmine stepped away from the car.
“I get the idea that you’re wealthy, but this seems… extreme,” Jasmine hummed, receiving a soft chuckle in return.
“Well, when you’re the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company, you tend to enjoy the finer things in life,” he said dismissively. Jasmine’s eyes grew as wide as dinner plates, and she felt suddenly small at the side of the impressive man. It was a wonder that he saw anything in her, especially enough for him to be treating her so kindly. She could only muse that he felt sorry for her, there was no way that a man like him could ever want for company. “Please, don’t be intimidated. I’m just your average friendly billionaire,” he muttered, and Jasmine could have guffawed at the lack of irony in his tone.
“It’s just… why me? You could have your choice of any woman in the world, it seems. I know we’re not truly dating, but…,” she trailed off as he paused, guiding her to meet his gaze.
“Don’t question it, love. Just go with the f
low. You’re enjoying yourself, aren’t you?” He inquired softly.
“Of course. This is the most exciting night of my life, and the time I’ve spent with you and your daughter has been a dream,” she asserted. He smiled, brushing his thumb to the corner of her lips. Warmth flooded through her body at the tender touch, and when he drew away, it seemed all too soon.
“Well, I’m enjoying myself as well. Come on, we have a reservation. I couldn’t convince them to clear their bookings for the night, though I suppose an establishment has their reputation to consider. Unfortunately, we won’t have quite the privacy I had hoped for,” Mark muttered, drawing her towards a table towards the back of the restaurant. The lights were dim, the tables adorned with candles and roses. The soft sound of a piano echoed through the entire establishment, a hauntingly beautiful melody that sent shivers down Jasmine’s spine.
“God, Mark, I wouldn’t expect you to book out the entire restaurant just for the two of us,” she said idly, taking in the atmosphere of the establishment. The tantalizing aroma of seared beef floated under her nostrils, and she had to swallow a moan at the scent alone. She couldn’t begin to imagine how amazing the food would taste.
