Desire September 2017 Books 1 -4. Yvonne Lindsay

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father standing across the room made her even more uncomfortable. She twisted the emerald ring round and round her finger until Marilyn laid a hand over hers. Jasmine met the older woman’s understanding gaze.

      “How did you know?” she asked.

      Marilyn’s expression showed delight that she’d guessed correctly. “I have a feeling about people. He isn’t the first male client you’ve brought to our little get-togethers, but he’s the first one you’ve looked at like that. Or who has looked at you the same way.”

      Suddenly Jasmine’s mouth felt like a desert. She took a quick sip of the fizzy drink. “Like what?” she asked, almost afraid of the answer. So far, there’d been no one to see her with Royce except her sisters. And they were biased.

      “Like he discovered a diamond in the midst of his sandbox. I remember.” She leaned her head a little closer to confide, “Don looked at me that way, too.”

      “Really?”

      Marilyn raised her glass. “I was his secretary,” she said, then took a drink.

      “No,” Jasmine breathed. Somehow, she’d never thought to ask how Marilyn and Don had met. She’d just assumed Marilyn came from an upper-class family that wasn’t from around here.

      “Oh, yes, sweetheart. I married way above my class, which ended up being the scandal of the year. No one would mention it now, but they weren’t afraid to criticize then. To Don’s face, no less.”

      “I can’t imagine.” Jasmine felt privileged Marilyn was actually bringing up something this personal. “That must have been incredibly difficult.”

      “Don wasn’t as powerful then—but he also wasn’t as diplomatic. Or patient.” Her smile was gracious, knowing. “People aren’t quick to learn, you know. And Don doesn’t enjoy repeating himself.”

      Jasmine doubted Royce would jeopardize his client relations to defend her like that, though she knew he wouldn’t allow others to be disrespectful. She had no idea where his happy medium would be between the two stances—and had no desire to find out.

      As if on cue, Royce’s father appeared beside Marilyn. He wasn’t as tall as his son, but their bearing was the same. Straight spine. Squared shoulders. Royce always looked as if he were bracing himself against whatever the world dared throw at him. His biological father looked like he knew what was coming and was prepared to take the hit. The gray creeping into his sandy hair reinforced the impression.

      John Nave greeted them both but his eyes were trained on Jasmine. She shivered. Therein lay a key difference between the two men. Royce might be focused on his business, but his expression was still open. His father’s was cold and closed down tight, not letting even a glimpse of emotion through. It was as if he evaluated her solely on what she was capable of providing him—and didn’t care one bit about her as a person.

      She’d never done business with Royce’s father. And she hoped she never did.

      One look at Marilyn and she knew her friend was aware of who he was—and possibly the story behind his connection to Royce. But Marilyn’s smile as she turned to him was perfectly polite and diplomatic. “Mr. Nave, I’m surprised to see you here.”

      “These little get-togethers are good for business,” he said, not bothering to look in Marilyn’s direction. “Right, sweetheart?”

      Shock shot through Jasmine. “Excuse me?”

      “I said—”

      “I heard what you said.” Jasmine tightened the hand at her side into a fist, hoping it would help steady her...and her voice. “My name is Jasmine.”

      As if he didn’t already know that. He nodded slowly, continuing to study her.

      Jasmine glanced at her friend, who had let a frown break through her polite mask. Before she could say anything, John spoke again.

      “There are also a lot of different kinds of distractions at these parties. Which are you?”

      Okay, this was a bit much. She’d dealt with the public since she was a teenager and wasn’t about to be walked all over—no matter who he was. She gifted them both with the sweetest smile she could muster. “I think distraction is good for you every now and again.”

      His eyebrow shot up, vaguely reminiscent of Royce when he was being obnoxious. “Not if you want to achieve success.”

      “Depends on the type of success you’re aiming for,” she countered.

      “Very well put,” Don said, as he and Royce joined them. Jasmine had been so focused on John that she hadn’t noticed their approach. “I couldn’t agree with you more, sweet Jasmine.”

      The endearment sounded so much nicer like that.

      Don gave her a direct smile and an encouraging look. “I’ve always maintained that your intelligence is way above average—just like my dear Marilyn’s.”

      Don stepped through the middle of their little gathering to gift his wife with a kiss. Jasmine was relieved to have a break from John’s stare, though her tension was still through the roof.

      “Darling, the caterer was looking for you,” Don said. “Shall we?”

      Marilyn nodded, smiling her goodbyes as Don settled her hand in the crook of his arm and led her away. Jasmine couldn’t help but notice Marilyn didn’t glance toward John. She was probably afraid she’d stick her tongue out at him.

      Jasmine wanted to flip him the bird.

      After the Jeffersons left them, Jasmine noticed that John had turned his stare toward his son. “I’m disappointed in you, Royce.”

      Heaven forbid we should make polite, pleasant conversation...

      Royce wasn’t daunted, though. He cocked his head to the side, looking down at the older man. “I’m not sure why you’re bothering to think of me at all.”

      “As my only progeny, you’d be surprised how often you come to mind. Though I’m disappointed after our last meeting.”

      “Why?”

      John shifted his gaze to Jasmine for only a moment. She could feel her thunderous emotions start to play out in her expression.

      “I see you didn’t take my advice.”

      “This is beginning to feel a little surreal,” Royce said with a quick look around. “This conversation makes no sense whatsoever. Since when have I ever listened to anything you’ve said to me, on the rare occasions when you’ve said anything? Why would I start now?”

      John shrugged, not seeming the least offended. “I’ve always hoped my genes would prevail.”

      “I believe the better genes did. My mother’s.”

      Hear, hear.

      “You can go so much farther, even farther than me, if you remain unattached. I mean, she’s pretty,” John said with a lazy gesture in Jasmine’s direction. “And I’m not saying they aren’t fun

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