He looked over his shoulder, cursing beneath his breath and picking it up. He opened it casually, taking inventory of it for several seconds and then sighing. “Stealing from me again,” he muttered so low that Jasmine had to struggle to hear. Was she not supposed to hear that?
“I’m sorry?”
Luke waved a hand, putting his wallet away, “Nothing,” he assured, “it’s nothing. Anyway, pushing buttons is one of my favorite hobbies,” he drew a breath. “I’m here for pleasure,” he japed, “but I’m at Augustine for business,” he admitted.
Warmth curtained Jasmine. “What kind of business would someone like you have here?” That came off wrong. Pinpricks crashed against Jasmine’s feet.
“Someone like me?” His voice was sharp and defensive. “I get it,” he said, “You’re a smart girl, I can tell. But I actually didn’t peg you for a snob.”
Wrinkling her nose, Jasmine straightened herself in her chair. “I’m not a snob,” She replied.
“Yeah?” He drummed his fingers against the table. “So, enlighten me then, oh great all-knowing doctor.”
“Oh stop it,” she was fuming now, things were getting twisted – she hadn’t even meant for it to go this way. “I—I just, just don’t get what kind of business you could possibly be doing here I mean hey no offense, but shouldn’t you be getting drunk with the good ole boys fixing bikes or something?” Damnit. Why can’t I shut my mouth?
Luke gave a single sarcastic laugh. “Is that seriously what you think we do? I really had the wrong idea about you.” He pushed his chair back so hard, that when he got up it tipped over – the table forcefully shifting an inch closer to Jasmine. He turned on his heel and raked a hand through his hair, muttering something while taking strides away.
A couple of people nearby nosily studied Jasmine’s face.
She bowed her head, hoping that her thick, curly ringlets of raven hair might hide her embarrassment. Jasmine whipped her head to her side, snapping, “What!” The winds of anger filled her sails, “mind your own damn business.”
CHAPTER TWO
Jasmine
Day Three
Gloom and doom, that was the sky today – rain pouring down hard against the rooftop of St.Augustine. Jasmine half sat, half laid, against the concrete slab that enclosed the door leading back into the hospital – the musty air making her nose wrinkle. Some rogue drops of water managed to hit her face every once in a while, thanks to the gusts of wind. They felt cool against her skin.
She looked down at her phone and swiped through some messages, most just automatically generated crap from her provider. Her eyes hung on the two texts that were not junk, one from her boss Augustus Lark, and the other from Alejandra. She happened to have just a little crush on Augustus, even if he always did give her a hard time. Jasmine wondered if maybe some part of him shared a mutual feeling – he was always going on about how she was his ‘hazelnut’ – not that she ever understood what in the hell that meant.
Trying to mentally block the discomfort, she had a hard time pretending that her feet were not killing her – too many patients today.
Blinking, Jasmine turned her head back towards the dreary scene and tried to ignore the pangs of hunger in her stomach. You don’t eat enough, a voice resounded in the back of her mind – but she wanted nothing to do with it. She’d suffered enough when she was a kid, the thought of going back to that phase of her life scared her like hell.
How can you be so cruel? You should have said you were sorry. Jasmine sighed, running a hand through her hair, twirling a couple of thick curls, pulling on them until they snapped back into place. She had seen Luke today, but said nothing – almost certain that he saw her. He didn’t say anything either.
Mind wandering now, she thought back to those days so long ago. She could still remember her brother’s face like it was just yesterday. Jasmine smiled, that Sunday afternoon the two of them had booked it during second period, going to Gino’s splitting an extra-large pizza with all the meat toppings. Marcus dubbed it ‘The Meatzilla’. Her mouth began to water, she could practically smell the golden crust with the flakes of garlic – the taste of black peppercorn and salt, of hearty Canadian bacon and fennel laced salzitsa They had made it a tradition since then, much to the chagrin of mother and father; but to them it was sacred, one of their many rituals.
Marcus had a way with words, she mused, something that I’ll never have.
But that was the difference between the two. Where Jasmine buried her nose in the library, Marcus would bury something else … it was always strange how Miss Garcia gave him such high grades.
Inch by inch, the hole in Jasmine’s soul dilated, letting the wind pass freely through her. She thought of his smile again. Those days I can’t ever have back … the pager in her white coat suddenly buzzed and she sighed harder this time. She tapped the back of her head against the damp concrete slab several times.
Today she wished she had listened to her father all those long days ago.
Day Four
Driving into Hart’s Customs and Repairs shop, Jasmine listened to the soothing strums of her romantic guitar playlist. Her last lover had been into this kind of music, and even though she enjoyed it, it reminded her of what was absent in her life – she had sworn that after what had happened, her focus would be on work.
Instead all she could focus on was that asshole Luke.
Ten days of work in a row and now her sort-of-boss Augustus was wheedling to try and get her to come in for a four hour night shift, it just never seemed to end. As she eased her way into the open garage where a couple of mechanics were working on a Honda Accord, she noticed two motorcycles and their respective riders.
Not him, she concluded. Rolling to a stop, she pulled down her window as one of the workers approached. Jasmine’s eyes looked him over. He had green eyes and an earnest smile; barrel chested and broad shouldered, the man had short, brown parted hair. There was a touch of ink on his skin around his collar, but Jasmine could not make out what it was.
Not bad. Jasmine draped an arm over her window and pulled down her shades. “Hey there boss, how much for a basic?”
The mechanic chuckled. “Well ah, we usually take off ah couple hundred for pretty girl’s such as yahself,” his voice definitely had an accent, but it wasn’t totally unattractive like some she had heard. “Good for the business, yah know?”
“And what about beautiful women?” She felt silly for having called herself as such, even if only in jest.
“They get ah much better rate, your mom know you’re driving er car?”
Jasmine laughed. “How old do you think I am?”
“Not a day ovah nineteen.”
She snorted and read the man’s tag printed on his chest, Dale, “Not quite sweetheart, but I admire you laying it on thick like that for me.”
Four hundred dollars mysteriously parted her wallets embrace that day, and it was notorious for not letting anything go. Much to her annoyance, later that night Augustus made well on his threat to get her to come in – even though he was head of Neurology, the Dean of Medicine liked him a lot, and Augustus had a very particular view on one’s work ethic.
Day Five
Jasmine’s heart soared to the high heavens when she saw Luke, warmth quickly flooding her body. She had a prescription in her pocket that needed filling for a patient, and it seems Luke was in a similar position; he was the last in line with his back to her.
Don’t screw this up. “Luke,” she said softly, placing a hand gingerly on the biker’s shoulder.
He craned his neck to face her, the leather of his jacket creaking slightly. There was a sadness that glinted in his brown and blue eyes. “Long time no see,” he murmured, the both of them moving up in line. He then turned to face her. “Sorry about before,” he said, “I might have been acting a bit stubborn.”
“I’m sorry too,” Jasmine confessed quietly, bringing her gaze down to her feet. “It was seriously my fault,” Jasmine continued,
not wanting to look him in the eye from shame.
Luke grabbed her hand, giving it a small squeeze. “It’s alright.”
Mortal ecstasy shot through her veins and she lifted her head to look him in eye. His hand’s so big, so strong; it feels so right. Jasmine gave a private smile, only for Luke to see.
A warm smile walked along the lines of his face, his white teeth peeking out.
The lined moved up and Jasmine motioned with a nod of her head to let Luke know. “You’re next, Tiger.”
There was a weird look on the man’s face, “Don’t call me that, I seriously hate being called that – not trying to be a dick. It just, eh, reminds me of someone …”
“Oh,” Jasmine said, playing with her fingers in her pocket, “sorry.” A knife of tension stabbed at her gut before she could summon the courage to ask. “Will I see you at the cafeteria tomorrow?” She batted her long lashes, lowering her chin just an inch.
“Yeah,” he said, letting go of her hand.
No! She thought, the electricity between them dimming and a disappointment cloaking itself around her.
“I’d like that,” Luke’s smile widened a half an inch before he turned around and walked over to the counter, lazily placing his arms down on the natural, granite stone. “Seen Janet around?” He asked, cocking his head.
The pharmacist shook her head. “She called out today, you got something you need filled?”
“Nah,” he replied and then tapped the natural stone counter twice with his knuckles. “Tell her … just tell her someone’s looking for her.”
A twinge of jealousy ripped through Jasmine’s body. If she knows what’s good for her, Janet would stay far, far away from him. Damnit, why am I having these stupid feelings? All they did was burn me. She stepped forward and moved over to the counter, watching Luke Reynolds walk away, her heart a fluttering mess.
Stop getting so attached.
Day Six
The morning sun crested the horizon, bursts of orange and pink coloring the sky – Jasmine’s eyes went wide when she saw Luke talking away on one of the benches outside. He’s not wearing his jacket. Jasmine felt foolish for being so giddy, but the butterflies in her stomach were pleased at such a sight. He was wearing a blue Henley that had its first three buttons undone, revealing an oh-so glorious few inches of skin; he was also rocking a pair of dark stonewashed Levi’s.
Sexy.
Jasmine’s mind raced into dark waters, where the light of reason could not penetrate. As she approached him, she could feel her womanhood building and building with delightfully frustrating pleasure; arousing waves crashing against her. Jasmine’s very bones became drenched with need, the whole of her body feeling so heavy that it might collapse with one wrong step – be strong, she thought. He’s just a man, sure he’s like – ridiculously hot … but he’s still just a person.
As he talked into his phone (a burner?) his eyes flicked over to Jasmine, and they glinted with joy, his lips curling into a smirk. Luke crossed a leg over his other and patted the spot on the bench beside him mouthing ‘come here’. “Hey let me get back at ya Able.”
Jasmine, for as much as she was burning on the inside, sat down with a remarkable grace and nonchalance. Go me, pretending to be cool since 99.
Luke flipped his phone shut and stuffed it into his jean pocket, taking in a big breath of air. “Getting ready to save lives?”
“You know it. What’re you doing out here so early?”
“Taking a personal day from the club,” he wet his dry lips.
“And you’re spending it here?” Her brows raised.
“Well I’m only here to see you today,” he confessed. Me? Jasmine felt silly for being jealous yesterday. “I figured I’d catch you and ask if you wanted me to take you out to lunch today. Show you what it’s like to ride.” Oh you wouldn’t need to show me.
Jasmine brushed back her hair, pressing her legs tighter together. “That sounds lovely.”
He flashed that special smile again. “Great, I’ll swing by around noon and we’ll go whenever you’re able.”
The day went by in a blur of medical procedures, excited anticipation for lunch and cardio nightmares. Jasmine was sure by the time that Luke would come by; she’d be too spent to walk over to his steel steed.
When the hour finally drew near, Jasmine walked through the main lobby hoping to find Luke. Instead she could only see blackness, an arm snaking around her waist and a hand covering her eyes. She yelped.
A rumbling laugh escaped the man’s lips. “Where you think you’re going,” Luke joked. “You ready to go?”
Jasmine pawed, trying to get his hand off of her face.
He eventually relented.
Turning around to face him, Jasmine scowled. “Just get me the hell out of here before I admit you myself.” Wouldn’t that be satisfying.
CHAPTER THREE
Jasmine
With her heart still tapping against her breastbone, the monster of steel and engine rolled to a stop at Wayland’s Park. That was insane, does he always drive like that or was he just trying to impress me? The engine gave a last deep rumble before being cut off and Luke produced a basket and a blanket from the compartment on the back of his bike. The two made their way onto a secluded point of the grassy plain; only a couple of people playing Frisbee in the distance.
Luke spread the blanket over the field beneath a sprawling tree, its branches offering some appreciated shade. He then set down the basket and sat crisscross beside it, lifting open the lid and producing a small feast for two; pulling out two plates and two flutes. She had to admit it was kind of funny in a cute way that the rugged biker was practically charming her with something that a nervous high schooler would have done. Those were quirky times.
Joining him, Jasmine’s senses were treated to ecstasy. She could smell the bread rolls, practically tasting the way they would melt in her mouth; they were gold and plump little handfuls of heaven. Next were two Anjou pears, they had a decidedly floral scent to them – the slightest hint of sweetness kissing her nose. Finally, the crown jewel, a pair of fried chicken drumsticks, adorned in a golden brown crust; the savory smell wafted over to her, the taste of salt and fat and moist meat dancing across her tongue.
Jasmine crawled over to Luke’s side, putting a hand to her mouth. “Wow,” she said. “You really know how to tempt a girl.”
Luke waved a hand, “Pft. You need temptation, live a little salad girl. Food scare you?”
I don’t eat just salad, she wrinkled her nose. “Ah, no. I’m just very conscious of my figure is all,” she could feel the heat rushing to her cheeks and turned her head away ever so slightly.
Passing the plate to her, Luke gave a soft chuckle before reaching back inside of the basket, pulling out a glass figurine of sorts that glinted in entrancing resplendence. The long stem was faded chartreuse that invited the eyes to linger; she realized then it was a rose.
At its end was a bloom of petals, starting from white, then to pink and finally ending along the trim with a dark purple. “Well the guys would kill me for saying this.“ Jasmine’s eyes flicked between the man and the curious glass work. Silence hung in the air for several seconds then, before Luke turned away, smiling stupidly to himself more so than to Jasmine. “Forget it,” he deflected, munching on a warm, golden roll of bread.
A finger pressed firmly against Jasmine’s heart and for a moment of time she was back at the hospital, touching his hand all over again and dancing happily inside. She hadn’t been so sick with … feelings since she was in high school – a trickle of doubt flowed beneath the shallows. “No,” she almost whined in her pursuit, “tell me.”
“It’s stupid,” the handsome man’s teeth sunk deep into his pear, biting a chunk off – the juice kissing his full lips, rolling down his magnificent chin. If I just had the heart to lick it off of him.
“Well, I promise not to tell a soul,” she continued to wheedle, nibbling on a roll now herself – clutching it bet
ween her dainty hands. She wanted to ask him about the flower.
Craning his neck to face her, Luke’s eyes found Jasmine’s. “You’re just … great.” He twisted his hand, playing absently with the glass figurine.
What? That’s it? Jasmine’s brows raised an inch and she laughed quietly. “That was supposed to be embarrassing?” She preened back a strand of her raven hair. “Is that for me?” Her heart skipped.
“It might be,” Luke chuckled, gods even his laughs were intoxicating, and I could drink them in all day. “What I mean to say is that,” he smiled. “You’re my desert rose. I’m out there, the sun bearing down on me and there you are – beautifully you. Everything in my life is just so hectic and filled with drama; like a black hole that nothing can escape. Except you,” he jabbed a finger playfully, the thought of wine flashing through her mind, reminding her of Augustus. “You? You’re removed from it all. It sounds stupid, I’m sure it does,” he shook his head, “but you remind me there’s a life outside of The Life.”
Something warm pricked at her eyes, so she looked away, batting her shadowy lashes. “That’s not stupid at all,” Jasmine assured. I’ve never heard something so beautiful. Never heard it or could have dreamed it be said about me of all people.
Luke leaned back against the tree, which was more of a giant, silent sentinel. His black bangs swayed and he let out a long, steady breath.
“I don’t really have any friends here still,” Jasmine confessed, her eyes stuck on Luke’s gorgeous face, batting her lashes. “And even though we live totally different lives—“
“Completely different,” he butted in. “You save them.” Not always, a voice taunted in the darkest, most masochistic reaches of her mind.
Jasmine swallowed and she felt a stab at her heart. “And you probably take them,” it was something she hadn’t thought about until that moment; but it was a reality that she had to consider.
Quietness connected the two as they gazed thoughtfully at one another.
Revved Up Soul: A MC Romance Page 2
