Revved Up Soul

Chapter 33

Jasmine

She had promised Augustus that she would stay the night, the two had talked and cuddled for some time and the night had long since covered the city. Jasmine had made sure that he was as comfortable as could be, before leaving. She wanted to shower, brush her teeth and get a few changes of clothes. When she pulled into her driveway and she saw the ember of the man's cigarette alit, her heart lurched into her throat. Oh no, I'm not ready for this right now; he was just sitting there on the stoop of Jasmine's apartment.

Shit.

Jasmine's Rav4 rolled to a stop and she threw it into park, hesitating a moment in the seat of her car. If he knew what she was doing . . . she bit down on her lip, a sickly warm tightness forming in her core.

Luke turned his head to face her, taking a drag of his cigarette.

You're done with him, she reminded, sucking in a long and deep breath. Just talk to him, get it over with and send him on his way. When she reached for the handle on her door, another wave of heat rolled through her and a niggling sense of doubt skirted across the edge of her mind – it was an eclectic mix of dread and hurt; love and lust. Jasmine shut her car door, pressed the lock on her keypad, and sauntered over to the biker, a fire roaring in her chest.

Luke got up to his feet.

Jasmine's nails dug deep into the palm of her hand. Her voice was shaky, "You sure know how to make a girl feel special," she shouted while closing the distance between them. "I can't even believe you," she shook her head. "Move."

The air was thick with electricity, "Jasmine," he said, a sadness written on the lines of his face and a sorrow behind his eyes. He flicked the cigarette to the ground and stomped it out, "Just give me two minutes," he begged, moving to block her from entering.

"Move," she repeated, she wanted to slap him right then and there. "Don't make this any more than it is." She tried to push through him, but he wouldn't budge.

"Please," he pleaded, shifting for every attempt that Jasmine made. Luke's jaw dropped and he cursed beneath his breath, "what did she do to you?" He asked, reaching out a hand to touch her face.

It felt good to hit him, even if it was just the man's hand. "Don't," she warned, stepping back.

But he did not relent. Luke moved forward and placed his fingers beneath Jasmine's delicate chin.

She wanted to swat him away again, a heavy weight cloaking itself around her. But at the same time, she wanted him to see just what the crazy B had done; she hoped that it hurt him. "Yeah," Jasmine said haughty, "that's what the woman you cheated on did to me. That's on you, Luke." Why did it feel so good to guilt him? Jasmine's heart tapped quicker and quicker still against her breastbone.

"I knew she was lying," the biker said between grit teeth. Genuine regret seemingly filled his voice, "I'm so, so . . . sorry, Jasmine." Two gloved fingers worked along Jasmine's cheek affectionately, "how bad is it?"

Feeling his fingers on her face was incredible. Damnit, get ahold of yourself. She wanted to step back from his touch, but instead she leaned into it. "It hurts," she confessed, "and I was scared as hell . . . but it's not nearly as bad as you'd think. Just a nasty surface cut, thank god."

"Christ," he shook his head again, cupping Jasmine's cheek. "I'd say you couldn't have been that scared, you really messed up Kayla's face."

Jasmine pulled away finally from the man's touch; why did he have to be so wickedly handsome and warm? She needed to get away from him. Now. "I fight back," she replied, "what can I say."

"I know," Luke stood his ground, "listen, I know I shouldn't have omitted some . . . very important things. It wasn't right for me to end things the way that I did," he sucked in a breath; Jasmine wasn't sure if she wanted to hit him or kiss him. Both sounded nice. "Living in my world? It's something that most wouldn't choose. But it's what I know."

"I wanted to choose," Jasmine crossed her arms, fire running freely through her. The stars were bright out tonight; they twinkled as like little diamonds, spying on our earthly faults.

"And I want you to now," Luke moved in closer, looking down at her. He was so close she could feel the heat coming off of him; the darkest, deepest parts of her wanted him.

She swallowed hard, "It's too late," Jasmine could feel the stinging in the back of her eyes. "I'm with someone else," that wasn't entirely true, but she wanted to gauge his reaction.

Luke's face darkened, his lips clamping together, "Who?" He growled.

"That's none of your concern."

"Everything about you is my concern!" He lashed out, a wave of fear and excitement rolled through Jasmine; Luke raked a hand through his hair. "Kayla was never right for me," he admitted, "she's not my old lady and she never will be. Me and her? We're done. For good."

The world felt heavier and with each word, it felt like another punch to Jasmine's gut. "Y-you can't just say these things," Jasmine found herself being pulled by that seductive gravity she once felt. This is wrong, why can't I just ignore these feelings?

Time came to a standstill and Luke's arms were around her waist, pinioning Jasmine against his person. It felt incredible to be so close to him again; felt right. He leaned his face in closer, motioning to kiss – the crackling energy sending shivers of anticipation up Jasmine's spine. Luke whispered sweet and firm, "I don't care about anything else. Let me earn you."

Invisible fingers pressed against Jasmine's heart and all of her thoughts and doubts slipped away, her body melting into his, their lips embracing one another in a long, deep kiss full of promise. She moaned against him, her body lighting up in bliss. Jasmine wanted to crystalize the moment, to stay in it forever.

No longer did her heart wonder when, together their souls danced again.