Morning Song

"Caroline Evans, is that you?" she asked the attractive red head who was staring at her too.

"Jasmine? Gosh it's been a long time!" They embraced affectionately.

"What are you doing in Meadow Creek?" Jasmine asked.

"Well I married a local boy about six months ago. We moved back here to open a health themed restaurant. Lord I never thought it would be so expensive. The cost of shipping our organic supplies out here alone may very well kill us."

Jasmine saw an opportunity and jumped on it. "Why ship from out of town when I have the best organic farms in the country right here?" she asked proudly.

Caroline gasped. "You do! But I thought you gave all that up for that cute young lawyer who you thought was the love of your life. By that glow on your face I can assume that he was."

Jasmine's smile faltered a little. "My it has been a long time. Why don't we play catch up over lunch?"

Over burgers and fries, Jasmine updated her friend on her life and showed her pictures of her boys.

"I still say you're keeping a few secrets," Caroline said. "Little boys don't put that kind of glow on a woman's face. Big boys do. I don't think I've ever seen you this happy."

"There is someone," she admitted. "But he seems too good to be true, just like Mark was."

"Honey, life has a way of giving us exactly what we expect from it. You can't live your life anticipating your next heartbreak. After all you've been don't you think you're long overdue for some happiness?"

"Yes, I guess I am." She sang like a bird all the way home. Finally, all the pieces of her life were starting to fall back into place.

Jasmine felt as if she was sixteen again. It certainly felt like twenty years since she'd been on a real date with a man. In only a matter of weeks Billy had easily worked his way into her heart with his soft baby blue eyes and callused hands. The easy manner in which he had accepted her boys meant the world to the single mom whose package deal status had often cooled even the most heated suitors. Still it was nice to have their first evening without the boys. Billy's devilish wit kept her smiling and blushing all through their romantic Italian dinner. She blushed a pretty shade of pink when he caressed her knee under the table while she ordered a sinfully rich desert. She tried to manage a reproving look but couldn't keep the pleasure from blazing in her sparkling blue eyes. When Billy asked her to dance, she was more than ready to be close to him. His arms embraced her beautiful, generous curves lovingly.

"Mmm... you smell like heaven," he whispered around the soft jazz.

Jasmine smiled. It had been heaven to take a relaxing bubble bath without having her kids banging on the door every two minutes. She had been free to think about Billy while she caressed her voluptuous soapy breasts. She'd caught him once admiring them and he had given her an anything but embarrassed smile. There had been no reason for embarrassment. They had both been single and hungry for a very long time.

"Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight my darling?" he asked. His warm breath caressed her skin with a hint of cognac.

She smiled up into his unforgettable face. "Yes, but compliments are never redundant."

"Then let me tell you again how much I want to make love to you."

She threaded her fingers into his boyishly long brown hair and pushed his head down as she gracefully inclined her neck. She held her breath. She was too enraptured by the sensation of soft lips against even softer skin to concern herself with something as mundane as taking air into her lungs. Billy's lips slid further. They grazed the top of the little black dress that was fighting like mad to contain her excited bosom. Jasmine felt her knees go weak and as she began to swoon in Billy's arms, she laughed out loud. God she felt so alive! She was a woman again, not just a mother. She wanted to be daring and decadent. She wanted to get so close to his masculine body that she didn't know where she ended and he began.

"Let's get out of here before Antonio has us arrested for public indecency," she said.

The ride home seemed to take forever. Going to Billy's place while Moses babysat made her feel like she was a million miles away from her normal life. Billy embraced her as soon as the door closed behind them. She wanted to sink into his kisses but she made herself pull away. She had a little surprise for him.

"I'll just slip into something more comfortable," she explained when he protested. "Meet me upstairs in a few minutes."

She sashayed up the steps knowing full well that his eyes were riveted to her behind. In his bedroom she selected soft music and mood lighting before changing into the black sheer, open bust baby doll with matching g-string that had called her name from the Victoria's Secret catalog. She'd felt ridiculous buying it but now she realized that it was perfect for the naughty little vixen that she was under the mommy sweats. She released her hair from the confines of a French twist. Freed, it cascaded down to her waist in waves of silky black curls. She applied a generous amount of perfumed hair oil then placed sprigs of fresh flowers throughout. She'd learned about the sensual beauty of hair from the Karma Sutra, which she'd read like a second bible in a vain attempt to bring Mark back home. Her failed efforts left her feeling undesirable. But the way Billy looked at her gave her hope that just maybe she could keep him coming back for more.

She heard him and her heart and breathing accelerated with each step. She said a silent prayer and tried to relax with some quick yoga breathing. When he entered, he had stripped down to his boxers. He took in the sight of her standing by his four-poster bed his mouth hung open and his eyes turned cobalt with desire. She ran a pair of black silk scarves between her fingers.

"God you're beautiful," he said as she walked over to him.

She placed a hand over his mouth. "Don't talk. Don't do anything unless I tell you to."

She replaced her finger with her mouth. She opened her mouth over his. She listened to his breath then matched it. Slowly they breathe the same air. Billy was convinced that his soul was floating out of his body and into her mouth. Never before had he felt such an intimate connection from just a little warm air. He ran the tip of his tongue over her lips. Jasmine tilted her head and captured it between them. She pulled on it slightly before letting go.

"I didn't tell you to do that," she reprimanded.

"But you liked it didn't you?"

She took his arm and pulled him towards the bed. She pushed him back onto it. His eyes sparkled in anticipation as she tied his hands to the bed rails he playfully nipped a nipple with his teeth.

"I never would've guessed this side of your personality but I like it," he said.

"Let's see how much you like it when your begging for mercy," she whispered in his ear.

His eyes sparkled. "I do love a good game."

It felt wonderful having him under her control. He didn't seem like such a powerful businessman with his worshipful eyes following her across the room.

Jasmine began the slow, sensual dance that she'd learned from a video she'd also bought online. At first she had debated if she was bold enough to dance for a man who had never even seen her naked before. But at this point, she was too hungry for him to care. Billy couldn't take his eyes of her exposed breasts. The adjustable shoulder straps made them extra perky. Jasmine closed her eyes as the music lulled her. Turning away from Billy, she slowly pulled the g-string down her slim, shapely legs. She bent low, giving him a nice view of her behind and pussy. He liked her dark pubic hair surrounding a shock of smooth, glistening baby pink. She stepped out of her underwear, walked back to the bed and waved the scrap of cloth under his nose.

Billy devoured her unique aroma. He tried to taste her but she quickly waved it away from him. Laughing softly, Jasmine turned her back to him again. She played peek-a-boo with her firm ass. It drove Billy crazy that she was so close to him and yet he couldn't even touch her. He held his breath as she slipped her top off. Her body moved fluidly as Billy watched her attractive posterior. Every so often, she did a half turn, enticing him with a side view of her breasts. She ignored his pleas until he was reduced to moans and grunts. Then she turned around rewarded him with the objects of his desires. She was more beautiful than he could have imagined. Her large breasts were accentuated with saucer- sized dusky areolas and hard nipples. Her waist though still small, held a little pouch of softness and flared out to generous hips, which had brought two healthy babies into the world at the same time. She looked warm and soft and he longed to sink into her.

The admiration in Billy's eyes boosted Jasmine's confidence. She ran her hand over the bulge in his shorts.

"Are you ready for me baby?" she asked.

"Yes. More than I've ever been in my life. Untie me baby."

Jasmine squeezed his cock. "I don't think you're quite ready yet my darling."

She began rubbing his through his shorts. Billy had to admit that the friction felt good against his sensitive skin.

"I like that," he said.

Jasmine smiled. "Then I'm sure you'll like this even more."

She opened her mouth wide and started sucking him, saturating his underwear with her saliva. With the protective cotton barrier jade was able to be more aggressive playfully nipping him with her teeth. Finally, her hunger for his flesh prompted her to slowly pull off his shorts. His cock sprang free. The sight of him released a floodgate of moisture and emotions inside her. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed the hard strength of a man until that moment. His cock pulsed in response to her touch, something her dildo could never do.

She ran her tongue up his long length. She took the bulbous mushroom head into her mouth. She ran her tongue in tiny circles then grazed him with her teeth. His entire body twitched and he released a string of expletives as his cock squirted a little milk into her mouth. Jasmine rolled it around on her tongue, savoring the salty taste. Not ready to end her fun with him just yet, she released his penis. With a devilish gleam in her eyes, Jasmine stood up in the bed, placing her black heels on either side of Billy's head. He stared up at her pussy, his mouth opened in hunger and shock. Never had a woman been so blatant, so sure of her power over him. She squatted, bending low enough to give him a heady whiff of her earthy aroma. With her fingers, she opened her lips to him. Billy stared at the little nubbin of distended flesh. He tried to taste it but she stood, denying him the pleasure. Again, she teased him, over and over again before finally sitting on his face.

He wasted no time being gentle. Like a starving man, he ate her ravenously. Her juices covered his face as she writhed above him. He drew circles with his tongue on her clit; he nipped her as she had him. Just as she had, he began to tease her, moving his face into her thigh when she needed to feel him most. He played with her until she was whimpering with frustration.

"Untie me!" he shouted.

She obeyed immediately. As soon as he was free Billy had her on her back as his hands and mouth roamed her body, touching and tasting everything he'd been denied before. Patiently he licked the inside of her thighs before moving to her clit. He licked the sides and top, gently teasing her until she forced his mouth onto her most sensitive spot. Sitting between her spread thighs, he inserted two fingers into her pussy and placed his thumb against her anus. He pressed the area gently while he moved his fingers inside her. When he was finally satisfied that he'd explored enough of her heated flesh, he threw her legs over his shoulders. In one smooth plunge, he was buried deep inside her. Her body embraced him tightly.

The feel of him moving inside her was so wonderful it brought tears to her eyes. They strained to contain their passions, wanting the moment to last forever. This moment was a culmination of years of heartache, of asking God why and now they were crying out to him in joyous choruses of "Oh God yes" as everything exploded in and around them. They made love well into the early hours of the morning. Then she curled herself into Billy's body as they drifted off to sleep.

She kissed him softly before tiptoeing out of the house. She would've to laze the morning away in his arms but she had work to do and children to tend to. The boys were outside as soon as her old truck pulled into the driveway. She embraced them in a big hug.

"How're my little men uh? Did you have a good time with Moses?" she asked. They nodded.

"Did you have a good time on your date with Billy?" Nicholas asked.

"Are you two gonna get married?" Justin asked.

Jasmine laughed, the pure joy of her voice filling the early morning air. "Enough with the questions. Let's get breakfast."

She found Moses presiding over an assembly line of scrambling eggs, crisping bacon and browning toast.

He gave her a mischievous smile. "Looks like somebody had a very good time."

Jasmine tried to be coy but she couldn't keep a mile wide grin from spreading across her face.

"I think I love him Moses," she said softly.

His eyes turned serious. "You deserve him baby. He is a good man and I know he'll do right by you and those boys."

"But what if he doesn't? What if he turns into another Mark? I don't know if I can risk being hurt like that again."

Moses walked over to her and took her in his arms. Jasmine rested her head on his comfortable shoulder.

"I don't ever want to hear you talk like that again." He kissed the top of her head then pushed her away.

"Sit down. Breakfast is ready."

Later that day as Jasmine drove to a neighbor's house to deliver her homemade bread, she found herself singing along with the sappy love songs on the radio. Every second thought in her mind related to Billy. She couldn't wait to see him again. Mosses and the boys were enjoying the sun on the back of the truck. She laughed out loud at the perfection of her life at that moment. A little bit of her joy dissipated when she noticed a moving van as soon as she pulled into the Viho's driveway. Not another one, she prayed silently. With a heavy heart, she got out of the truck and walked up to the porch. The elderly woman she'd knew only as grandma Love was sitting in her rocking chair. She didn't give Jasmine her usual warm smile. Jade smiled, said hello and handed her the breadbasket.

"I also bought some of that strawberry jam you like so much," Jasmine said.

The old woman gave her a sad smile. "Thank you dear. I will miss your cooking and you and the boys."

Jasmine glanced uneasily at the van. "What's going on?"

"I'll tell you what's going on," grandma Love stated angrily. "That Williams man stole my land right out from under me. He made some kind of shady deal with my good for nothing son-in-law and now I'm homeless." Jasmine watched as big, fat tears rolled down her wrinkled, hollow cheeks. She and her family had been on their land for generations. It was the only home she'd ever known. The pain reflected in every line of her body was almost unbearable to watch.

"William Davis did this to you?" Jasmine asked her own anger rising.

"No, it was that no good son of his. I hear you're sweet on him but trust me he'll leave a bad taste in your mouth. He's just after your land. He doesn't deserve a good woman like you."

Jasmine's anger deflated like a pricked balloon. It was replaced with so much pain it took her breath away. How could Billy hurt people like this? she wondered. How could he do something like this when he had promised her that he wouldn't? How could he make love to her, get her and her boys to fall in love with him just to get his hands on a few acres of earth that her ancestors had to fight to keep his ancestors from stealing. Never trust a white man, her grandmother had often warned her. Not only had she trusted them, she'd twice fallen in love with them. Well she was tired of being their fool.

She jumped into her truck, ignoring Moses and his questions. In minutes, she pulled up in front of Billy's temporary office at the construction sight.

"Jasmine what is wrong?" Moses asked as she jumped out.

"Just stay with the boys," she hollered over her shoulders. She didn't even glance at his secretary. She barged into his office and interrupted a meeting between Billy and four other men.

"How could you, you lying bastard," she screamed at him. She stood there trembling in her rage while he asked the other men to please wait in the next room. As soon as the door closed behind them, he attacked her.

"What the hell is going on here?" he asked in a tight, angry voice.

"What is going on here is you stealing land from the Viho's? I can't believe that I was stupid enough to believe that you were any better than your father was.

Billy sank into a chair, his anger suddenly gone. "Who have you been talking to Jasmine? Don't you think that after everything we've shared I at least deserve the benefit of the doubt?"

"You don't deserve anything but me walking through that door and out of your life forever," she said.

"You know what Jasmine, maybe it'll be for the best if you did walk out. You seem to care more about land than you do people anyway."

Jasmine was unable to speak. Mark had once said those exact words to her. Now they brought back all of the guilt she'd felt over his death. He would still be alive today if she hadn't insisted he come home for Christmas. No matter what Mark had done wrong, he didn't deserve to die. As much as she'd tried, she couldn't get past that pain.

In her desperate attempt at some relief, she flung herself at Billy, her arms flailing wildly as she lashed out at him. She wasn't aware of Moses trying to pull her off. She was blinded to everything but her pain. It was only an agonized cry from Moses that finally pierced through her consciousness. She turned around and saw him clutching his chest. Everything after that happened in slow motion. She heard Billy's voice on the phone placing a 911 call. She heard him screaming to his secretary to take the boys away. She heard his measured counting as he performed CPR. Her own screams sounded loud in her ears. She must've passed out because when she opened her eyes she found herself cradled in Billy's arms in a hospital waiting room.

She jumped up. "Where's Moses, is he all right?"

Billy stood up and placed his hands on her shoulders. "He's fine Jasmine. He had a heart attack but he's okay thank God."

"You probably saved his life." She placed her hands over her mouth to try to stop the sobs from escaping. But they were stronger than she was. As the sobs racked her body Billy took her into his arms. She clung to him, feeding on his solid strength.

"Mrs. Sander?" She turned to face an elderly man with a kind face and sparkling blue eyes. "I'm Dr. Harris. Mr. Payne is resting comfortably now. You can see him for a few minutes and then I'll like to go over his prognosis with you."

"Thank you doctor," Jasmine murmured. She followed him into Moses' room. She was overwhelmed with love and gratitude as she gazed into his bright eyes. Her own filled with tears. She couldn't believe how close she'd come to letting her own foolishness cut short the life of someone she loved more than life itself.

"I'm so sorry for everything Moses," she told him. She took his hand in hers.

He gave it a good tight squeeze. "Billy is the one you should be apologizing to," he said.

"Yes, I know he saved your life."

"Mine is not the only one he saved. I figured out in the truck that you must've heard some nonsense from that old woman. But if you'd bothered to tell me what was going on before you stormed into Billy's office I would told you the truth."