Chapter 48

I hated it when my mother outsmarted me. She had implied all kinds of knowledge that I didn’t expect she had. Now I had to figure out what she knew and didn’t know before I could talk to her again about the girls in my life. “Mom, isn’t it amazing how much Cindy has grown up? She’s really hot, you know, in a cousin sort of way.”

That would give my mom something to think about, and it would hopefully keep her from doing any kind of figuring about my love life for a while. I headed for the phone before my mother had a chance to process my statement.

“Hi, you rang?” I was smiling uncontrollably at the sound of Jasmine’s voice.

“It took you long enough.”

“I know, but I was doing my domestic duties, so I couldn’t call back right away.”

“Can you come over?” Jasmine asked. “Soon?”

“Sure, I’ll be over in a minute.”

“Great, but make sure you come to the front door,” Jasmine said. “Don’t forget, front door.”

“Okay. Give me a minute.” I wanted to tell Jasmine I loved her before hanging up, but I saved it. The front door urgency made me uneasy.

Before I could ring the bell, the door opened and Jasmine stepped out and closed it behind her. She was completely cleaned up. Her hair and makeup were perfect. Her breasts were free in a flimsy button-up shirt. The cool evening air sent her tremendous nipples up like the hair on a scared cat. The buttons on her blouse were being tested.

The powerful atmosphere of our love immediately seized me. I wanted to hesitate in case it was only me feeling it, but simultaneously, we hugged without any restraint. In the middle of our embrace, I felt a shiver run through Jasmine’s body. I pulled back and looked to see if I could read her.

“Joe, Susan told me that she told you about our parents. I knew you were special, but I had no idea how special until now. I can’t believe you didn’t even mention it or ask me any questions today. You just loved me. I wish I had figured my feelings out before you and Susan.” Jasmine looked pained like we were breaking up. We’re not going out, so she can’t dump me yet.

Jasmine drew in a deep breath. “My family is crazy. Even more than you know, but I don’t want to be, I don’t want that to stop our love. I mean, well I can’t explain it now. Just trust me, and let me lead the way. I can’t come between you and Susan, but I can’t let you go either.”

I tried to piece together Jasmine’s fragmented thoughts so I would know what to say or do next. Even though my heart was in charge things still weren’t easy. I was still in the middle of lunatic central.

“Jasmine, I have loved you and Susan both for longer than I knew, but you never knew, so what we had was separate and secret. Now, I don’t know what to do. It hurts here,” I pointed to my heart, “when I think about it.”

“I’ve known longer than you, but I couldn’t trust myself with your love before.” Jasmine hugged me and kissed me passionately. A fire raged between us within seconds of her tongue slipping between my lips. My hands easily slipped inside the back of her loose pants and found her glorious round butt wrapped in nothing but skin. It was just like the days when I would kiss Susan behind my mother’s back, and we would instantly be ablaze. I lifted Jasmine, and her legs circling my waist reminded me of Jesselyn and Mr. Davis. My old friend, lust, acted like Novocaine for my aching heart.

“Trust me, everything is going to work out. I love you and I love Susan, too” Jasmine said. “I promise it will all turn out fine. Come on, let’s go inside.” Jasmine let her legs unwrap from my body and her amazing blue eyes took control of my will. I’d do anything for her right now.

She turned around without releasing my hand, opened the door, and led me like a puppy on a leash into the foyer. I glanced at all the pictures on the wall like I had that day Jasmine’s mother had unraveled my teenage life. That day, I had only focused on the pictures of Jasmine and Susan, but suddenly the family picture with Mr. and Mrs. Davis, Aunt Jane, and four kids made sense. Susan was the baby in Jane’s arms. Jasmine is right, I thought, I just need to trust her that things will work out.

The range of emotions that hit me when I saw Jesselyn, Jeremy, and Susan was bewildering. A rush of excitement zipped through my groin while a green streak of envy collided with jealousy. I knew in my head that I had no right to be upset after everything I had done. Even that very day I had made love to Susan’s sister, what right would I have to expect her to be true to me?

I looked over Jasmine’s shoulder as she stood behind the high-backed couch in front of us. Her sister and cousins were across the room on the other matching parallel couch. Jesselyn was under Susan’s slumping body, holding her head as she fed her one of her perky breasts and kissed her forehead. Jeremy was on the floor with his face between Susan’s legs, eating what I wanted to consider mine.

My hands gripped each side of Jasmine’s waist as I tried to reconcile with myself. A magic feeling tingled in my fingers and up my arms at the feel of the smooth skin above her hips. I stepped forward until our bodies pressed together, which provided more comfort for my soul. My hands eased around and caressed Jasmine’s stomach, which provided a warm peace. Jasmine glanced over her shoulder with an affectionate look that told me she felt it too.