Three faces gaped at Wesley in disbelief that he would outright say such a thing. He was making it clear in plain English, that he could be callous and ruthless when he wanted to be and that he would not tolerate Evelyn and her daughters' manipulations. If they kept it up it would only embarrass them because he was not a tolerant man and had no intentions of putting up with their foolishness.
"Oh, sorry my mistake," Alyssa said, returning to her place beside Paul.
Jasmine started to make a smart retort but quickly decided Alyssa and Mallory had definitely been embarrassed enough. She glanced over at her father and saw the tightening of his chin. Evidently tonight had been an eye-opener for him.
Wesley moved closer to Jasmine. "I was supposed to be Jasmine's date tonight, so naturally I plan to spend most of my time dancing with her. Trust me when I say the majority of my attention will be focused mainly on her," he said, meeting Jasmine's gaze and letting everyone know that he meant everything he'd said.
Evelyn couldn't leave well enough alone and said, "Do you think it's wise for a man of your caliber to put all his eggs in one basket, Mr. Brooks?"
Jasmine responded before Wesley had a chance to do so. She was fed up with her stepmother and stepsisters' insults. "Yes, because a smart man knows a good thing when he sees it. Now please excuse us." She then let Wesley lead her to the dance floor but not before hearing an angry Dr. Carmody tell his wife and stepdaughters he needed to speak with them privately.
Soft strains of music drifted around them as Wesley took Jasmine into his arms as his gaze scanned her features. Everything about her was exquisite. Neither of her stepsisters held a light to her. "You look beautiful tonight, Jasmine."
She felt the gentle touch of his fingers on her bare back and shivered at his touch. She tipped her head to meet his gaze. "Thank you. I'm sorry that you got caught up in my stepmother and stepsisters' mischief. I wanted to warn you about Alyssa after Evelyn told me of her interest in you. When it comes to getting what she wants, Alyssa can be totally ruthless."
He shrugged. "I meant everything I said a few moments ago. All my attention is focused on you. And I hate to say it but Evelyn and her daughters may have gone a little too far and I think you father intends to let them know it."
Jasmine thought that very same thing. She stared up at Wesley, drawing in a tremulous breath, wanting to put the episode with Evelyn, Mallory and Alyssa behind her. "I'm glad I came tonight, Wes. I missed you."
Wesley smiled, glad to hear her say that because he had missed her, as well. During the day when his mind should have been focused on business, she would creep into his thoughts. And then, at night, he dreamed of her. "I missed you, too. I can't wait to take you home later."
Jasmine lifted a brow. "I drove my own car here tonight."
Wesley's smile widened. "That's fine. We can come back for it tomorrow."
Jasmine nodded and went willingly when he pulled her closer. When the music stopped, it was apparent that Wesley was going to keep her on the dance floor for the next number when she saw Simon Duncan walk up behind him and tap him on the shoulder.
"I believe this is my dance, Mr. Brooks. Ms. Carmody promised it to me earlier, before you arrived."
Wesley lifted a brow and looked at Dr. Duncan before glancing at her. "All right. But I intend to reclaim her as soon as the dance is over," he said, not smiling.
As Dr. Duncan took Jasmine's hand for the next dance, she watched as Wesley walked away.
* * *
A few hours later, the door to Wesley's home closed with a soft click and he turned the lock. For long moments he stood there braced against the door as he watched Jasmine move about in his home.
"I thought tonight's affair was wonderful," Jasmine said, turning to him.
"Mmm," he agreed.
"And I thought Dad was most deserving of the award he received tonight. He is such a dedicated physician."
"Mmm," he agreed again.
"And I thought it was perfectly acceptable to dance with Dr. Duncan since I had promised him a dance."
Wesley lifted a brow. On that he would not agree. He had been possessive all night, territorial, and hadn't liked it one damn bit when Simon Duncan had come to claim Jasmine for a dance. She knew he hadn't liked it, which was probably the reason she was bringing it up now. Normally, he was not the jealous type but when it came to Jasmine, he could easily turn green.
When he didn't answer, she asked, "Why did you bring me here instead of taking me home?"
He met her gaze. "I think my reasons would be obvious."
She lifted a chin, not liking the mood he was in. Ever since her dance with Dr. Duncan he had seemed upset. He had no reason to be upset and if he could get angry over something so ridiculous, then so could she. "Your reasons aren't obvious."
She watched as he uncrossed his arms and sighed. "Then I'll make things clearer." He took a step toward her.
She took a step back. "I don't like the way you're acting, Wes."
He noted the contrast between her words and her tone of voice. She was saying one thing but was feeling another. "Then in addition to making things clearer, it seems I also need to change your mind," he said.
Jasmine's breath caught as he began walking toward her. She took another step back. "I don't think that's a good idea," she said softly, tipping her head back when he came to a stop in front of her.
He smiled wondering if she realized she was setting her head and mouth in perfect position for his kiss. "I happen to think it's the best idea I've had all night. And as far as the way you think I'm acting, the only excuse I can come up with is that I didn't like Duncan dancing with you. It bothered the hell out of me and I'm usually not the jealous type. But I was extremely jealous tonight, Jasmine."
Wesley studied her face, feature by feature, and he recognized the violent desire slamming though his body, as well as the sharp claws of jealousy. What he'd just said was true. He couldn't remember ever being so territorial when it came to a woman; not even for Caroline Perry, the woman he had once loved.
Reaching out, he placed his hands at her waist and claimed her mouth in a smoldering, deep kiss. He felt her resistance ease and she began kissing him back with everything she had inside of her. The pressure of his arms around her increased as he took her mouth hungrily, with earth-shattering greed. He swept her into his arms and headed up the stairs to his bedroom.
After placing her in the middle of his bed, he stood back and began removing his clothes. "You are beautiful," he said, tossing his shirt aside. "There were a lot of men looking at you tonight. Do you know how territorial I felt? But then at the same time, I was proud that you share my bed and not theirs. And tonight, my bed is where I wanted you to be. That's the reason I brought you here instead of taking you home."
He watched as she drew in a shaky breath and lay back in his bed. With an effort that was almost painful, he unzipped his pants and began dragging them down his aroused body. "All I could think about tonight was bringing you here, putting you in my bed, making love to you and driving us both insane."
After putting on a condom he slowly moved over to the bed. "I love this gown on you, but I'm going to love it off you even more," he said, leaning over and slowly peeling it from her body. With the dress gone, his gaze took in her thigh-high hose, strapless black-laced bra and thong.
Hell, he thought, and all the desire that had accumulated during the evening ripped through him. Although she was perfect, he felt that one thing was missing.
He took a couple of steps over to the nightstand and pulled out another condom package, as well as her locket. Returning to the bed, he gently pulled her up to him and unsnapped her bra before placing the locket around her neck. "I think it's time I returned this to you," he said huskily, and watched how the locket lay between her bare breasts.
"Thank you," Jasmine said softly. She met his gaze and when he held out his hand to her, she lifted her hand and placed it in his. He pulled her up into his arms and carried her from the bed toward a wingback chair in the room.
He sat down and placed her to stand between his spread knees. His hands slowly, yet thoroughly skimmed her hips, legs and thighs while easing the thigh-high hosiery down her legs.
"I need to taste you, sweetheart," he murmured silkily. Leaning forward his lips touched the bare skin above the waistband of her thong. He felt her shudder and knees weaken and grabbed hold of her hips to hold her steady as he continued to stroke his tongue across her stomach.
He heard her inhale sharply when he slowly eased the thong down her legs as an aching need to taste her consumed him and he lowered his mouth to her middle.
"Oh, Wes," she said digging into his shoulders, her lips emitting incoherent words of pleasure.
He tightened his hand on her thighs as his tongue delved into her flesh, stroking and tasting her over and over again. And when he felt her body beginning to explode, he quickly sat her in his lap, slipping into her, penetrating deep, consuming her and making her completely his.
Consumed with the same urgency that drove Wesley, Jasmine lifted her hips above his and moved over him again and again, mimicking the thrusting motion he was using with his tongue to kiss her. And when she felt him cup the fullness of her breasts in his hands, her body erupted in an explosion that rippled from the top of her head to the soles of her feet.