Chapter 10 Ten

Jasmine pulled away from his arms, averting her eyes to the busy road that paid no attention to her nor her feelings. She avoided looking into Liam's eyes out of fear of what she may find in them. Her insides were restless but she kept a stoic face.

"What's the matter?" Liam had finally gotten over his disappointment of not kissing her and tried as hard as he could to hide it. He knew that he was unsuccessful in his mission but if she could behave as if nothing happened, he could do the same.

"Nothing. I just don't think we should be doing this." Her insides burned with a hunger for him but her head kept her sane. What guarantee did she have that he was any different from Alexander Keller? Jasmine conditioned her mind to feel hatred for Alex, and she hated that a tiny part of her wouldn't allow her to feel that way. She still yearned for his touch, still ached to be in his arms, still longed for the sound of his voice, still prayed to hear him laugh. She still wanted him and she wasn't sure that she ever could get him out of her mind. He had broken her heart but whenever she thought of him, she felt the little pieces that were left from the broken heart, break into more tiny pieces. And even when it made her want to crawl up in a hole and die, thoughts of him also brought life to her.

"Is that all?" Liam asked as he stared into the side image of the woman who could make him hard without touching him.

"I just think that this is too soon. We don't know anything about each other and I just can't start this by kissing you. I want us to be friends and then if anything is meant to happen between us, I won't put a stop to it," Jasmine promised and Liam crossed over fully to his seat and turned the engine back on. He didn't speak as he drove out of their temporary parking space and back into the road.

The silence was no longer comfortable for Jasmine and it became worse when she didn't know what to say. She was having a difficult time wrapping her head around how quickly his countenance had changed but Jasmine didn't blame it on her recent action. If he was having a difficult time respecting her decision, then maybe he was not as amazing as she had thought him to be.

"I'm sorry," Liam said without taking his eyes off the road. "I'm sorry for the way I acted. I was disappointed, no doubt, but if this is what you want then I totally understand. And I promise to wait, for as long as it takes."

Jasmine had admired him as he spoke. Thoughts of him being a mind reader flew into her head but she waved them aside and enjoyed the ride. She didn't speak, but from the smile on her face, it was evident that she had forgiven him.

Liam turned into a classy neighborhood and in a few minutes, he was parked outside of Per Se. Jasmine couldn't believe her eyes as she stared at the magnificent building before her. She had always dreamed of going on a date at the most exquisite French restaurant in town, and Alex had promised to take her there when he returned from his uncle's place.

Alex...

The thought of him turned her bright aura into a dark and negative one. She had missed so much with him, she felt a pang in her heart when she didn't even know why he had let go of her so easily. Their love was supposed to last forever, so why did his forever only last for a year?

Liam turned his eyes and finally caught a glimpse of the sad appearance of his date. "What's wrong?" He asked.

"Nothing. It's just that I haven't been here before and I'm so excited to be here. I have been reading about this place and all but have never been inside the building. I guess I'm just super excited to be here."

"And you show your excitement by being sad?"

"Yeah, it's the best way to show excitement these days. All the kids are talking about it," Jasmine said sarcastically, causing Liam to laugh.

"Oh okay. If her royal majesty says so." Liam finished with a playful bow and all feelings of sadness left Jasmine. "How about we go inside? He said when he saw the bright aura that surrounded her once more.

"I would love that." They both stepped out of the car and walked into the restaurant. They were intercepted by the host before they could enter into the restaurant.

"Good evening sir. Good evening ma," he said with a low bow and a soft smile. "Do you have reservations?"

"Yes. It's a table for two and it should be under Jacobs." The host looked at his list and when his head was lifted back up, he had a smile on his face.

"Mr. Jacobs, it's so nice to see you again. Your table is right this way." His hand motioned into the room that was dimly lit and decorated with a French taste. Jasmine could hear some light tunes which she knew to be classical music playing in the background, it helped to soothe the air around the building and it could calm the nerves of anyone that was going through one problem or the other. The tables had linen tablecloths and napkins. The inside area was warm and carefully decorated with fresh flowers, tasteful artwork, and candle lights to set the ambiance of the environment.

Jasmine smiled as the host sat them on a table that was close to the window and Jasmine could easily look outside and feast her eyes on the beautiful nature that she also knew they maintained so perfectly. She felt light and easy, something about being treated right and like a princess always had a way of sitting right with her.

The service at the restaurant was magnificent because their waiter came up to them immediately they had settled down.

"Good evening sir. Good evening ma." He had on black pants and a white short-sleeved shirt that was covered by what appeared to be an apron. Jasmine and Liam looked at the young man who was probably in his 30s, holding a book and a pen, eager to take their orders.

"Good evening kind sir. But we just got settled in, we haven't even gone through the menu yet," Liam said with a low chuckle at the end of his sentence. The man took the hint and walked away without a word.

"Thank you so much for this," Jasmine said as she stretched her hand and placed it on Liam's. "I can't remember the last time I was out in a fancy restaurant. I really needed this, especially since I just got fired."

"You got fired? Why?" He asked as he placed his hand on hers as well.

"I don't even know. But I really needed this. So, thank you."

"Hey, I will do anything just to make you happy." The two locked eyes and Jasmine could feel her eyes dilating. She blinked as she forced back the tears that were about to fall and ruin her makeup and she picked up her menu. After she had stared at it for a few minutes, the waiter came back.

"Dare I ask?" He said with his pen ready to write down their orders on his little book.

"Yes. I will have the Thomas farm chicken," Jasmine said and handed the menu back to him.

"And I will have the lobster roll. And for drinks, we will have one of your best wines," Liam said and the waiter collected his menu.

"Your meal will be ready in a few minutes then." That was the last thing the waiter said before he walked away to get their meals.

"So, tell me about yourself." Jasmine couldn't help it anymore. She had painted a picture in her head of what Liam was actually like and she needed to know if she was a good artist or not.

"Well, there isn't much to say. I work with a cosmetology company. It's called Cosmoline, you have probably heard of it."

"Wait! Are you talking about the company that produced the most authentic and original hair and skin care products that gives a radiant and lushly glow?"

"Yep, that's the one."

"Oh my God, I love that company. Yeah, Bethany and I use almost all of your products and it's really good."

"Well, yes. I don't want to start this by lying, so, truth is, I kind of own the company."

"You own Cosmoline?" Jasmine spoke with a shaky voice.

"Yeah and I..."

"Liam?" A woman from behind interrupted his words and caused Jasmine's gaze to fly from Liam's to hers. She was a tall and curvy woman with sunshine blonde hair and blue eyes. She was dressed in a beautiful A-line gown that showed off her features.

Before Jasmine could have enough time to analyze her looks, she bent down and placed a kiss on Liam's lips. Jasmine stared at the both of them in utter horror.