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"And you're not going to call him?"Jazmine asked gently.

"Nope. Jason hasn't called either. Ijust hope they are having a better relationship."

"You miss him. Jason," sheclarified when her friend looked at her askance. "Because yougenuinely care for him."

"I do," she agreed. "God, Ifound myself wishing he was my son. How pathetic is that?"

"I don't believe pathetic is the wordI'd use."

"How about incredibly stupid?"

Jazmine shook her head. "You've neverbeen that before and I have a feeling that you will be hearing fromfather and son pretty soon."

Ignoring the flare of hope inside herchest, she shrugged and picked up her glass. "I strongly doubtit."

*****

He spent two days trying to get her out ofhis head. And during those two days, he had been unable to sleep. Shewas inside his head and nothing he did could get rid of her. He stillhad her torn panties like a kid with his first high school crush. AndJason would not shut up about her.

Deciding to take off early, he headed home.He would go to the club this weekend, probably spending time with theother members would take his mind off things.

Turning into the private road that led tohis property, he drove through the electronic gate and was almostupon the familiar car, before he realized who it belonged to. Slidingto a stop, he stared at it and felt his mind racing and his bodyheating up.

She was here. His hands gripped thesteering wheel until his knuckles showed white. Why the hell was shehere? To see Jason of course. The boy had not been to school in twodays because of an acute case of allergies. No doubt, he had calledto let her know he was not feeling well, and she had rushed here tosee him.

He was not certain how he felt about that.Or how he was going to face seeing her again, after what had happenedbetween them.

Leaving the vehicle parked behind hers, healighted slowly, slamming the door shut. Grabbing his case from thepassenger seat, he made his way up the steps. The heavy doors swungopen as if on cue as soon as he hit the porch.

Nodding briefly to the butler, hesurrendered his jacket.

"Is my mother here?"

"Yes sir." Sulley draped thejacket over his arm in a precise manner, brushing invisible lint fromthe fine cashmere material. "She's upstairs with the visitor.They're both in Mr. Jason's room. Would you like a drink?"

"No." He stood there as ifundecided what to do next.

"Shall I tell the housekeeper to setan extra place for Ms. Bennett?"

"I'm sure she will be leaving soon.How long has she been here?"

"Around a half an hour. Will that beall, sir?"

"Yes. Thank you."

He went to the staircase and stood theregazing upwards before going up. He would look in on Jason and sayhello. That's it. He had nothing to say to her-Christ! That was adamn lie. He wanted to see her, touch her-take her saucy mouth andcrush it beneath his.

Taking a deep breath, he headed for hisson's suite and pushed at the doors. His mother was seated on a sofa,with her phone and a notebook in her hand. And she was sitting on theedge of the bed, holding Jason's hand.

He felt the unfamiliar emotion sliding intohis system. It took him a few seconds to realize that it wasjealousy. He was jealous of his own son! Christ! Jamming his handsinto his pockets, he was about to step into the room when his motherlooked up. Her expression changed to one of wary caution and her eyesdarted to the woman seated on the edge of the bed.

Before she could say anything, Jason's eyesdarted to the doorway and saw him. Jack felt a slight twinge when theboy's expression changed from one of animation to that of fear anddispleasure.

"Dad."

"Darling, I thought you were havingdinner elsewhere."

He noticed when Zuri's shoulders stiffenedand met her long cool gaze with his unfathomable one. Her hair wasbrushed back and braided, the thick plait over her left shoulder. Andshe was wearing some sort of ruby red sweater dress. His stomachchurned and for a few seconds, all he could do was stare at her andyearn. It frightened him how much.