“I didn’t give her the chance, especially after she touched my breast. She had one more time to touch me inappropriately and I would’ve invited her to the restroom and beat the living hell out of her.” Her jaw tightened in frustration. “These are your friends, Cameron, and I don’t want to embarrass you.”
Cameron shook his head. “You won’t because I have your back. I just can’t believe Cindy’s getting that bold.”
“Why me, Cameron?”
“Everyone knows about Cindy. She probably tried to seduce you because you’re the only newbie here.”
Jasmine made a sucking sound with her tongue and teeth. “IfI was going to sleep with anyone tonight, then it would be you, and not some woman or her husband.”
* * *
Cameron stared at Jasmine, complete shock freezing his features. He did not want to read more into Jasmine’s revelation than necessary. He knew she was upset about Cindy coming onto her, and blamed himself for not warning her. However, he loathed gossip and avoided it whenever necessary. His frat brothers weren’t perfect, but they were his only link to the time when he’d gone from boyhood to manhood. He refused to comment when asked if he liked or approved of the women they’d selected as their wives or girlfriends.
Dropping an arm over her shoulders, he pulled her close. “You don’t have to sleep with anyone you don’t want to. And that includes me.”
A mysterious smile softened Jasmine’s mouth. “But, what if I want to?” she whispered. “I don’t know what it is about us, but I feel as if I’ve known you for months instead of days. I’ve revealed things to you that took me years to admit to others, and that includes my family. I’d been sleeping with Gregory for almost two years before I told Danita about our relationship. She was a little upset because she thought he was taking advantage of my inexperience with men, and I had to remind her that I never would have had as much success in my career without his influence and assistance.”
“What about your parents?”
“They didn’t ask and I never told them even though I was certain they knew. I suppose they were in denial because they did not want to believe their young daughter was involved with a man old enough to be her father. Gregory and I never flaunted our relationship. We’d arrive and leave an affair in different cars, he’d always greet me with a kiss on both cheeks, and at no time did we ever hold hands or embrace each other while in public. And after Gregory died and I’d begun a long-distance relationship with my ex, my parents were ecstatic because I’d talked about getting married and having a family. I didn’t realize until years later that Raymond was angry with me because I’d never told him how at the age of twenty-five I was able to buy a condo, have a closet filled with designer clothes, and own several priceless jewels. He also did not like the friends I’d made when Gregory was alive, and he was bitter that he hadn’t gone to university. I suppose that’s why he took up with a woman who hadn’t graduated high school, because it allowed him to feel superior to her.”
Cameron wanted to tell Jasmine she had chosen badly when she married a man who should’ve lauded her successes instead of trying to demean her. He had walked into her life to share in an established company where he did not have to struggle to make a go of it. “How long were you married to that clown?”
“Twelve years.”
“That’s a long time.”
“When I look back it doesn’t seem that long,” Jasmine said reflectively. She smiled up at Cameron. “Let’s make this the last time we talk about the clown, because the circus left town three years ago and it’s never coming back.”
Cameron brushed his mouth over hers in a barely there kiss. He did want to make love with Jasmine, although he hadn’t made any overt overtures that he wanted to share her bed. And knowing she did not trust men because of an unfaithful husband had put Cameron on notice that if they were to make love then it would have to be her choice to initiate the act, and not his.
“I pray never to hurt you physically or emotionally,” he said against her parted lips.
Jasmine’s eyelids fluttered wildly. “You won’t because I’d never allow it.”
Lines fanned out around Cameron’s eyes when he smiled. “I know that now.”
* * *
Jasmine knew she’d drunk too much wine when she slowly navigated the stairs leading to the restrooms below deck. The ship’s chefs had prepared dishes rivaling those served in Michelin five-star restaurants. Guests were given a choice of filet mignon, lemon and garlic roasted Cornish hen, seared beef tenderloin with cilantro and mint, rack of lamb, seared fresh tuna, or a crab, avocado, and grapefruit salad with chive vinaigrette along with an assortment of side dishes. The wait staff kept the wine glasses filled as they moved silently and efficiently around the deck seeing to everyone’s needs.
The bathrooms were labeled for both men and women, and when the door opened she came face-to-face with Danielle. A noticeable flush suffused the other woman’s face when she saw Jasmine. “I’m sorry I said what I said earlier tonight about you and Gregory Carson.”
Jasmine smiled, trying to put the flustered woman at ease. “You didn’t say anything wrong.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m very sure, Danielle.”
The slightly plump woman with short highlighted dark hair exhaled an audible breath. “I thought I’d made a faux pas when I saw Cameron’s face. Was he angry that I’d mentioned Gregory’s name?”
“No. He didn’t know Gregory.”
Danielle leaned closer like a coconspirator. “You didn’t tell him you and Gregory had had an affair?”
Jasmine bit her tongue to keep from telling Danielle to mind her own damn business. “What goes on between Cameron and me stays between us.”
Danielle recoiled as if she had been slapped. “I’m sorry.”
