Love Through Pain Page 7

  “For making my day better with your smile.” The song ended, and she pulled away.

  “Are you hungry?” Jazmine wasn’t able to look at him.

  “I’m starving. What did you cook?” He came up behind her as she uncovered the pots.

  ~~~

  Jazmine was losing it, damn hormones. He was too close to her; Javier’s cologne was driving her insane. He was a fine specimen, why couldn’t she have met him under different circumstances. She knew it was him when he wrapped his large hands around her waist—she knew his touch from anyone else’s. When she turned and stared into his astonishing clear, hazel-blue eyes, she was lost for a moment. Her hands burned, feeling his muscular chest as she creped them up to his neck. And now, he was standing behind her, in that damn uniform, looking sexy as hell.

  “I made chicken, macaroni and cheese, and corn,” she said without facing him.

  “Is the mac from scratch?”

  “Of course.” She started serving him.

  He leaned his chin on her shoulder. “It smells delicious.”

  She didn’t dare move, the goose bumps crept up on her. Where is this coming from?

  ‘Tonight,’ by John Legend, came on.

  “Come on, one more dance.” He sensually moved from side to side.

  Damn he can dance, too.

  His hands circled her waist again caressing her stomach. She couldn’t resist, she started moving side to side.

  Javier stepped a little closer and whispered in her ear, “Is this okay?”

  She placed her head on his chest, and moaned, “Yes…” Her nipples were getting hard. Jazmine closed her eyes and got lost in the sensations he was causing. Her moves became more sensual, and he followed her lead.

  He kept his hands on her stomach, never disrespecting her, but she could feel his erection on her ass, making her clit tingle. That was the first time since the rape her body felt anything in the form of pleasure. After the rape, her whole body shut down. She didn’t even want to think about sex—it disgusted her. Anytime someone touched her she cringed, but not with Javier; his touch made her happy, the way his fingers felt on her face, neck; it was different. He was the only one that made her forget her attackers. Jazmine needed to stop these feelings before she made a fool of herself.

  “I’m hungry.” She stepped away from his embrace. She turned around, and Javier was gazing at her; his eyes were a shade darker, and she swore she saw a wanting in them.

  Jazmine moved away, grabbing two plates. She was nervous as she finished serving them with shaky hands. He exited the kitchen without saying a word, and she heard the bedroom door close. She took a deep breath.

  ***

  Javier hastily went into the bathroom. What was wrong with him? She’d been through too much for him to be lusting after her. He took off his uniform and stepped into the shower.

  He turned on the spray of water, stepping underneath, trying to calm down. Javier placed his right hand on his cock, and then began gently stroking it. Monica, where are you when I need you? he thought. But the person he imagined touching him had small, soft, mocha hands. He closed his eyes. Jazmine was down on her knees, smiling up at him with those luscious lips. She kissed the base of his cock and started running her tongue down his balls. In one swift move, his cock was in her delicious mouth, taking him in and out, using her hands. She took him as deep in her throat as she could. He opened his eyes, and his hand was urgently stroking his dick, his balls tightened. Javier grunted as spurts of sperm hit the shower wall. He was weak for a few minutes; he had to get it together. Javier placed both hands on the wall, the water hitting his back.

  This is only about the baby, nothing more. I need to get laid—I think it’s time to call Monica, he thought.

  ~~~

  Jazmine looked up from the dining room table when he strolled in.

  “You didn’t have to wait.” Javier pulled out the chair and sat down.

  “I wanted to.” She picked up her fork and started eating.

  Javier grabbed his fork, and then tasted her macaroni and cheese. “Damn girl, this is delicious.” He began devouring his meal.

  “Thanks, I’m a freaking good cook.” She giggled.

  “Whose truck?” He watched her as he took another bite.

  “Mine,” she wiped her mouth with the napkin. “I had a co-worker drive it down for me and leave it at the airport.”

  He put his fork down. “If you needed a car, we could’ve rented one.”

  “For three and a half months? I’m good.”

  “Why do you need a car anyways, when you don’t even leave the house?” He continued to eat his chicken.

  “I have to do a couple of focus group sessions, and I do go out.”

  “Going to doctor’s appointments isn’t going out.”

  “I like staying in.” She took a sip of water. “You were late tonight.”

  “Long day. The local network was down a few hours, and I needed to have it up before I left.” He grabbed his cup.

  “You’re an Information Technician.” He nodded. “So, when I have computer issues you can help me.”

  “Of course.” He took a sip of his ice tea and stared at her over the rim.

  “Any more bad dreams?”

  “No,” he answered sternly. “I rarely have them.”

  She gazed at him. “Javier, you’ve sacrificed so much being in the Navy. Have you ever thought about getting out?” she asked with concern in her tone.

  “Serving my country made me a better man; do you know how it makes me feel knowing I help change the future for some of those people over there? I will never regret serving in the military.”

  She smiled. “My father said the same thing. He was so proud when he wore his uniform.”

  “He’s in the military?”

  “He’s a retired Master Chief.”

  “My kind of guy.” Javier smiled, exposing his perfect smile. “So you know how this life goes.”

  “Yep, I know. This baby is going to be a military brat like me.”

  Javier chuckled, and then stopped, gawking at her. She felt uncomfortable under his scrutiny; his eyes turned dark, burning into her soul. Javier was making Jazmine nervous, and she didn’t like the feelings he was invoking in her. She cleared her throat and broke their connection.

  “Are you going to read to him tonight?” She stared back at him.

  “Yes, why would you ask?”

  “It’s almost ten.” She pushed herself up from the table, grabbing her plate and cup.

  “If you’re tired, I can skip tonight.” He stared at her, getting up too and picking up his plate.

  She couldn’t get the words out fast enough. “No. I want you to read to him.”

  He grabbed her plate and cup. “Go get ready. I’ll wash the dishes.”

  He kissed her cheek, and then walked toward the kitchen.

  ***

  Jazmine was on the bed rubbing cocoa butter on her stomach; she’d gotten big in the last two months. She looked up when he entered, and she was about to cover her belly with her T-shirt.

  He wandered into her room. “Don’t.” He ogled her round belly, sitting on the edge of the bed next to her.

  Jazmine moved over to the middle of the mattress, and he slid next to her. “May I?” He grabbed the lotion.

  He squeezed a little on her belly and rubbed it on, making the baby flutter. Jazmine started laughing.

  “Stop, you’re tickling me.” She pulled down her shirt.

  He grabbed the book off of the nightstand, opening it.

  “That book again?” Jazmine chuckled softly.

  He placed his hand back on her belly, feeling a kick. “See, he likes it.”

  “If you say so…” She giggled. “Maybe he’s telling you, please dad, stop. I hate little pigs.” Her laughter made him giddy.

  “Dad…” His fingers, continued to rub her stomach.

  She stopped laughing. “Isn’t that what you’re going to be to him?”


  “Yes, it’s the first time you’ve called me his dad—it just sounds…”

  She arched her eyebrow. “Huh?”

  “Nothing.” he laid on his side, putting his finger to his lips. “Be quiet so I can read to my son.”

  He placed his hand around her waist, pulling her closer to him and began reading.

  ~~~

  Jazmine was reading her reports on her gadget when she noticed Javier had stopped reading or even speaking. She took off her glasses and placed the device down. She glanced down, and he was asleep on her lap with his arms around her waist.

  She couldn’t help the smile that crossed her lips. This man was amazing. She was getting use to his bedtime stories. It was one of the highlights of her day. Jazmine fingered his hair, dozing off too.

  They woke up in each other’s arms; she hadn’t felt when Javier moved up next to her and wrapped his strong large arms around her. She gazed up at him as his eyes fluttered open. As soon as he noticed where he was, his arms released her, and he couldn’t raise up fast enough.

  “Jazz, I’m sorry.” He rushed out of the bed. “I was really tired last night.”

  She always slept better when he was nearby. He’d become her safety net. “It’s okay.” She smiled, trying to play off her disappointment.

  “I have twenty-four hour duty today, if you need me, call my office.” He handed her a piece of paper, walking into the bathroom.

  Chapter Twelve

  Javier’s house phone rang, and Jazmine glanced at the caller ID. She read Javier’s name, but it wasn’t his number. She was a little confused, but she decided to answer it. She picked it up, pushing the ON button. “Hello.”

  “Who’s this?” a female asked.

  “Jazmine,” she answered with a touch of attitude.

  “Oh, hi, Jazmine,” the woman said.

  She knew her name. Who the heck was this? She heard a hint of surprise in her tone.

  “I didn’t know you and my brother…” It was Javier’s sister. She remembered him telling her he had a sister and a brother.

  “It’s nothing like that.” Jazmine hastily corrected her.

  “Is my brother there?”

  “No, but is there anything I can help you with?”

  “I just need to talk to him. He always understands.” Jazmine could hear Lucy sniffling, as though she was crying, and her voice sounded rattled.

  “What’s wrong?” She was concerned.

  “I’ll just wait until he comes home, or call his cell.”

  “He has twenty-four hour duty. You can talk to me.”

  “I’ve been having an little issue at school, and I just needed his advice.”

  “I’m not Javier, but I’ve been told I’m a good listener, and my job consists of giving advice.”

  She heard her take a deep breath. “There is a girl at my school who won’t leave me alone.”

  “What does she do?”

  “Please don’t tell my mom; she’ll just blow it out of proportion and embarrass me.”

  “Lucy, I can’t promise that. If it’s something really serious, she needs to know, or at least your brother.” Jazmine sat on the couch.

  “You can tell my brother. She’s pushing me around, calling me names, and sometimes even takes my money.”

  “Have you told your teacher, or your counselor?”

  “I don’t want her to think I’m a punk, or a snitch,” she said in a high-pitched voice.

  “I would prefer to be a punk any day, if it keeps me safe.”

  “You see, Javier would tell me to man up and take action.”

  “Well, he would be wrong. Sometimes you can solve a problem without violence.” Jazmine started looking for something she could write on; she opened the little drawer on the side table and found a notepad and pen.

  “How?”

  “There’s plenty of ways. How long has this been going on?”

  “About a month. She seeks me out in the mornings.” Lucy sighed. “I’m getting tired of her, and people laugh at me.”

  “What’s the name of your school?”

  “Jefferson High School.”

  Jazmine scribbled it down on the piece of paper. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “You’re coming here?”

  “My job requires that I be in your area tomorrow. I’ll be handling a focus group.” She placed the paper down. “I can promise you, I won’t embarrass you.”

  “Jazmine, you’re awesome. Thanks for listening.”

  Lucy hung up, and Jazmine sat there planning exactly what she would do.

  ***

  Jazmine was a morning person; as soon as her alarm went off, she always hopped out of bed without hitting the snooze button. She never experienced morning sickness—that’s why she didn’t know she’d been pregnant all those months, or she just denied it, but it had been a blessing, because no one around her noticed her pregnancy.

  She hit the road bright and early. She was now parked at the corner by Lucy’s school.

  She observed the kids walking by, and then spotted Lucy. Three girls trailed right behind her.

  They pushed her and started laughing at her.

  Jazmine lifted her phone and began recording what the girls were doing to Lucy. She’d had enough when the bigger Hispanic girl grabbed her book bag and emptied her contents on the sidewalk.

  She stepped out of her truck.

  Lucy was hunched over, picking up her things, and when she stood, the black girl pushed her back to the concrete.

  “I dare you to touch her again.” Jazmine voice was stern, as she marched up to them.

  The girls turned, staring at her, and she noticed Lucy watching her protruding belly.

  “Who the fuck are you?” the bigger girl asked.

  “I’m a bystander who saw you bulling this girl.” She pointed at Lucy.

  “What’s it to you?” the other girl added.

  She lifted her phone in the air, and then pressed play, letting the girls see the video. “If I catch you bullying her, or any other kid, I will send this video to the cops; as you know, they don’t play when it comes to your type of behavior.”

  The leader of the group looked a bit nervous. “We don’t want any problems.”

  “You need to apologize to her, and give her back her stuff. Now!”

  The girl stretched her hand out, handing Lucy her things. “Sorry for pushing you.”

  Jazmine taped the apology. “Just in case, I also have a video of the apology. I bet that would make a good You Tube video. If I hear you did anything to her, I’ll have no problem posting it.”

  The girls rolled their eyes, and strolled away.

  Lucy waited until the girls were out of sight, and then rushed over to Jazmine, giving her a huge bear hug. At first it startled her, and then after a few seconds, she accepted her embrace.

  “Thank you.” She had a big smile on her face. “I guess you were right. Did you see their faces?”

  “I told you. Sometimes you can solve issues without violence.”

  She touched Jazmine’s stomach. “I didn’t know you were pregnant.”

  “Yep.” She tapped her belly. “I’ll pick you up after school.” She wanted the girls to see her giving Lucy a ride, that way they’d know she wasn’t kidding.

  “Okay.” Lucy grabbed her bag. “Can I stay with you guys this weekend?”

  “If your mom says it’s okay.”

  “She will. Bye Jazmine,” she said after hearing the school bell.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The sound of rushing water alerted Jazmine she wasn’t alone as she stepped into her bedroom and closed the door. She took small strides to the bed. The driving had finally gotten to her. She sat down heavily on the edge of the bed, preparing to take off her heels, when the bathroom door swung open, and Javier strolled out.

  Her jaw dropped open; he was completely naked, vigorously rubbing his hair with a towel. He hadn’t noticed she was there.

  Jazmine took the
time to observe his well defined, athletic, ripped body. She found herself in awe, gawking at Javier. He was deeply tanned. Damn, she bit her lower lip, and then continued her visual assault down his neck, biceps, and then triceps. He had a colorful tattoo right above his heart of a Puerto Rican and an American flag, crossed in front of an Anchor. Javier’s washboard abs dipped into a V, but he wasn’t overly muscular; he was built just the way she liked her men. She continued her downward perusal. His cock looked like it could provide a hella-sexy workout.

  Her lips became dry as she stared at his gorgeous dick. It jerked. She felt a tingle in her core, and a tiny moaned escaped her mouth, he wasn’t even hard. She continued gawking at his body; his legs were toned, and he had nice toes for a man. Jazmine’s chuckle was soft as she thought about the way her body was reacting to his. She needed a fan, and she blew out a breath.

  When her gaze traveled back up his torso to his face, Javier was staring back at her with a smirk.

  His lopsided smile made her nipples harder.

  “You like what you see?” he rasped.

  She felt her face burning with embarrassment. “Oh my God, Javier, cover yourself!” Jazmine covered her eyes with her hands, making him chuckle.

  “Don’t you think it’s too late for that?” He placed the towel around his waist as she peaked in-between her fingers.

  She dropped her hands to the side and gazed at him, feeling her heart race. Hoping he couldn’t see what he was doing to her, she tried to get her body in check. If she didn’t calm down, she might have a heart attack. Jazmine tugged on her shirt so he couldn’t see her harden nipples.

  Javier just stood there, watching her with his piercing eyes.

  He took two steps closer to her. Jazmine knew if he took another step, she would jump him. He would think she was crazy, because she would literally devour him. She’d never been this horny before. He was starting to get to her, and she had her hormones to thank for that.