Page 19 of Humility

Angelo shrugged as he walked across the room. “I climbed. We weren’t done with our conversation down in the garden.”

“Oh, I’m pretty sure we were done.” Jasmine crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at Angelo and then me. I hated that guarded look.

Standing, I marched to the door and locked it before turning around. Jasmine’s eyes were angry, but under it was fear. “We’re not going to hurt you,” I said.

“Then why did you just lock my door?” She swallowed hard and started to back up but bumped into Angelo. Running across the room, she grabbed a letter opener and held it up. “Both of you stay away from me.”

I grabbed Angelo’s shoulder and nodded that I would talk to her. We’d spent so many years together that he knew what I was saying and nodded back. I stepped toward Jasmine cautiously and held my hands up.

“I said stay away from me.” Her voice had a tiny growl, and I had to roll out my shoulders as the sound traveled down my body like her hand was stroking my cock.

I held my hand out for the sharp weapon. “I may not have always stood up for you, but I’ve never hurt you.” Her hand wavered. “Do you remember the night at the villa when you sat on the bench between us with your head on my shoulder?”

“Yes.”

“I carried you inside, and we sat with you all night to keep you safe. I held you close to my chest. Do you remember?”

“Yes,” she said, her voice softer this time.

“You trusted us then, so trust me now. Give me the letter opener, and we can talk.”

She licked her lips, and it took everything in me not to take my chances right now and kiss her again. My fingers ached to touch her. I was not as bold as Angelo and had known my place in the pecking order. It had taken me a long time before I stood up to Angelo, and it was only after I became his guard that I told him I’d never take part in bullying Jasmine again. We lived on top of one another, and I had to find my voice.

“You promise me?”

“I swear to you on my sister Lolita’s grave that we will not hurt you.”

Jasmine’s hand lowered, and she set the letter opener down. I kept my hand out but didn’t make another move. She eyed me cautiously, and I could see her questioning what was happening, but she eventually laid her hand in mine. Her hand looked so small, and I couldn’t imagine her marrying someone like Lucas. She had no idea how close she’d come to being forced into marriage with him, but Angelo and I had taken care of that.

A breeze came through the open balcony, and the loose strands from her updo blew around her face, and my breath caught in my throat.

“I don’t understand what is happening here.” Jasmine looked up at me and then peered around my shoulder to Angelo, who I could feel pacing behind me.

Stepping in close to her, I loved how she lifted her chin and stood her ground. I was willing her with my eyes to be okay with this…to be okay with me. Releasing her hand, I pushed the wild strands away from her face.

“I’m going to kiss you again,” I said, shocked when she didn’t snatch the letter opener and hold it to my throat. Desire flared and seared my blood as my lips brushed hers. She was sweeter than I could ever imagine. “I’ve wanted to kiss you for so long. Being in this room with you feels like a dream,” I whispered.

My kiss was soft and coaxing, whereas Angelo would throw her up against a wall. I didn’t think we were going to get anywhere with that tactic. There were too many old wounds that needed to heal first.

Her eyes fluttered closed as I laid soft kisses along her cheek and down her neck. Jasmine shivered as she let out a little gasp. She gripped my dress shirt, but I wanted to feel her hands on my skin. Grabbing the front of the shirt, I gave it a hard tug, and all the buttons scattered across the room.

Jasmine’s eyes widened, but she didn’t try to run off as I took her hands and placed them on my chest. They were cool against my heated skin, and I shuddered as she moved one to sit over my thumping heart. It had been going crazy since I walked up to her door.

“You two are confusing me. You hate me. Why are you doing this? Is it so you can say you checked another princess off your list? I know the two of you have shared many.”

“No,” Angelo barked out and stomped over. Jasmine immediately bristled as he got closer. “It’s not like that. I was serious down in the garden. I want to marry you. I’ve wanted to marry you since we were kids.”

She scoffed. “You have a remarkably stupid way of showing it,” she said, and Angelo smirked.

“Well, picking on you was fun. I loved how you gave as good as you got,” he said, walking around behind her. I didn’t move as she turned to face Angelo and backed into me.

It took every fucking ounce of control not to wrap my arms around her. Even if Angelo didn’t care or couldn’t see it, I knew we were on a high ledge. Jasmine could push us off and make a run for it at any time, and I didn’t want that. Tonight was supposed to be special. It was supposed to be the start of something new for all of us.

“I am sorry for almost all of the things I’ve done,” Angelo said, shrugging out of his suit jacket and tossing it on a nearby chair.

“I’m sure.” She crossed her arms.

“It’s the truth.”