Page 83 of Humility

“I promise I will only stay as long as it takes to finish this dish,” I said, holding the plate of treats. Jasmine’s lip curled ever so slightly before she stepped back and let me walk inside.

I’d never spent any time in this room. The walls were as blue as the ocean on a bright summer’s day, and the accents were varying shades of yellow and white. Sitting on the small couch, I placed the desserts and wine down. Now that I was here, I didn’t know where to start.

Jasmine stood on the opposite side of the table, her arms crossed. Even furious, she was sexy. Blue jeans and a cream sweater shouldn’t be so bloody hot. The jeans hugged her legs and an ass that I was dying to get my hands on. Her sweater was flowy, and yet it could have been knit lingerie. Keeping my eyes on hers took way more effort than it should.

“Was any of it real? Or were you flirting with me and helping out because Angelo told you to?”

I held up my hands. “I swear to you, I had no idea who you were when we met, and I was awestruck from the moment I saw you.”

“Oh, please.”

“No, I’m serious. I will never forget you answering the door with dirt all over your face and holding out that little mouse.” I nodded toward the tank she insisted on bringing with her that had the three little mice inside.

“So when did you find out?”

“You remember the day I was over helping, and I thought it was strange that Maurice, aka Dario, switched vehicles and flew out of the driveway like a madman?” She nodded. “He was bringing everything up to the door and spotted you inside, then took off to tell Angelo. I didn’t know until I got home that night.”

Sighing, she sat down beside me and grabbed a cannoli before turning to look at me.

“Okay, let’s say I believe you. You still lied to me and pretended to be my friend, knowing that Angelo, Dario, and I had a history. You went along with Angelo and his scheme to sneak into my room at night.”

Opening the bottle of wine, I poured a glass, but Jasmine shook her head, took the bottle from my hands, and downed a swig.

“I think I love you,” I said as she chugged a few mouthfuls.

“I’m going to need a lot more wine than that to deal with Angelo daily.”

I smirked and fought the urge to adjust myself, but all I could see were her lips wrapped around the mouth of the bottle and her tongue licking her lips.

“I could make excuses for everything and tell you that Angelo ordered me to do all of it, but that is only a half-truth. I wanted to see you. Angelo didn’t want me involved with you, but I told him I wanted you, and we fought. So yes, I hated the lying and the sneaking into your room, but…I still did it, and I hope you’ll find a way to forgive me.”

Jasmine took another sip from the bottle and popped the last pastry in her mouth as she looked at the cold fireplace. Her eyes weren’t on my face, and I shifted uncomfortably in the silence.

“I’ll think about it. I really liked you, but now I’m not sure what to believe,” she said, and my heart sank.

“I don’t blame you.” I picked up a brownie and took at bite. “But, as you can see my boss is a real jerk,” I teased and nudged her arm making her smile.

“That I do believe. Tell me something, how did you all know I was being attacked?”

I choked on the brownie I was swallowing.

“Oh…um…well. Do you want some more wine? I can go get it. Or I can get you a book? Do you like movies? I can put on a movie,” I rambled, as I scrambled to try and change the topic.

Only the Devil’s stare could’ve rivaled the penetrating look in her eyes as she turned to face me. One elegant eyebrow raised, and sweat broke out all over my body. Fuck, that look did all sorts of things to me.

“I would love all those things, but tell me what I want to know first,” she said softly, as her eyes commanded the answer. Fuck.

“So the thing is…the house has some cameras,” I said.

Jasmine swore, and I couldn’t sit any longer. Snatching my glass of wine, I drank it down.

“How many cameras?”

“Um….”

“Three?” I shook my head. “Five?” I shook my head again. “Ten?”

Oh, I would rather walk the red-hot coals of hell. Anything other than seeing the steadily increasing look of rage in her eyes.