LITMIR.BIZ

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she wanted to pursue for herself. But he would not be dismayed yet.

      Unsure of what to say he was silent for a moment before he spoke. “There are more profitable businesses in life than being a nurse, like the restaurant business. But let's not talk about that now. Let's just enjoy our lunch; we are at the restaurant.”

      CHAPTER TWO

      Paul maneuvered the car into a paved parking lot next to a huge building which had several floors above the ground floor. The sign at the entrance to the parking lot said ' Soul Haven Restaurant Customers Only'. The parking lot was crammed with many cars and there was a line outside the entrance to the restaurant. 'The food must be good', she thought.

      He drove through the parking lot to the back of the building and arrived at a gate where he used a key card to open the gate, then taxied to an underground parking deck. He drove his car into a parking space next to the elevator. The sign above the parking space he pulled read 'For Candy Only'.

      He undid his seat belt, exited the car and walked to the passenger side. As she was undoing her seat belt he opened the door for her and took her hand and put her hand securely in his. The moment she placed her hand in his he was tempted to bring it to his lips to kiss it but passed up the idea, determined to take things nice and slow. 'Her small hands are so soft'. His pulse leaped from smelling her intoxicating fragrance and feeling her softness.

      The fingers gripping hers were long, firm, and strong. There was something about his touch that sent heat through her, making her fully aware of him and his masculine sexuality. When she got out of the car and looked around she noticed there were only a few cars in this parking deck.

      He led her to the elevator and put his key card in the slot to open the elevator door. They stepped into the elevator and he pressed the button on the console labeled '1'. The elevator moved up and halted on the first floor. The elevator door opened and they stepped out into a spacious restaurant with a bright and cheery homelike atmosphere. The square and oblong tables were draped with red and white checkered tablecloths, amplifying the somewhat country theme and atmosphere. Inside to the left of the elevator was a reservation booth and a middle-aged brown-skinned woman was seated there. She looked up at Paul over her wire-rimmed glasses. “There you are.” Paul was still holding Jasmine’s hand as he walked over to the reservation booth. “Hi, Beatrice is everything ready?” Beatrice smiled. “Sure is.”

      Paul introduced Beatrice to Jasmine as his Maître d'/aunt. The older woman nodded with a smile in Jasmine's direction. “I'm pleased to meet you, Ms. Beatrice”, Jasmine said politely. Jasmine extended her hand to Beatrice for a hand shake over the desk. The woman came from behind the desk and took her hand and pulled Jasmine to her chest for a hug. She then led them through the restaurant and half way made a left turn into a smaller room.

      Paul ignored the lust-filled looks from the men who stopped eating to stare at Jasmine’s gorgeous body as they passed by several tables and booths. He beamed with pride knowing the woman they were feasting their hungry eyes on was with him.

      Paul breathed a sigh of relief when they reached the private dining room. There were three large round tables dressed with red satin tablecloths, and a private bar toward the back of the room. Tall live tropical plants stood in each corner of the room. Each table had a tiered crystal chandelier hanging over it. The middle table in the room was set for two persons with lighted candles and two dozen red roses in a tall crystal vase. Paul was still holding Jasmine's hand. He led her to the table, pulled out a chair and motioned for her to sit down. He patted her hand, looked at her affectionately, and then reluctantly released her tiny hand. He walked around the table and sat in front of her, with his back facing the door. He wanted to be sure he was in the perfect position to inconspicuously stare at her without drawing attention to himself from other people. He was totally mesmerized by her astounding, flawless beauty and couldn't keep his eyes away from her.

      A young neatly dressed bartender came to the table. “Good afternoon, boss.” He nodded in Paul's direction. “Good afternoon, Miss.” He nodded in Jasmine's direction, flashing a gorgeous boyish smile. Jasmine's brilliant eyes met the young waiter's roving eyes. “Hello, sir.”

      The bartender realized he was looking longer than he should have at this vision of loveliness and turned away from her. He met the gaze of his boss who was staring disapprovingly at him. “Your usual drink, sir?” he asked, nervously and smilingly. Paul nodded his head in agreement.

      The bartender's heart was racing as he turned to Jasmine. “And what can I get for you, Miss?” She asked for a strawberry soda or Pepsi. He smiled at her, bowed his head. “Yes, Miss.” He turned away and went back to the bar to prepare the drinks, but looked back over his shoulder to steal a look at Jasmine, still captivated by this beautiful young woman that looked much younger than him. He was only twenty-one. Paul was amused knowing exactly how the young man felt being near her. He could feel his own body reacting to her loveliness.

      Following the bartender's departure a waitress came to the table. She greeted Paul with a half-smile. “Good afternoon, Candy.” Instantly his face tightened and he never turned in her direction to acknowledge her presence. The waitress turned to Jasmine. She looked sternly at her without smiling or speaking and placed a menu on the table in front of her. Paul glanced at the waitress with his peripheral vision, and then turned his eyes on her threateningly for her rudeness to his guest. The waitress left the table and turned back to throw darts with her eyes at Jasmine, sensing her relationship with Paul was anything but business. She had caught a glimpse of him holding her hand when they entered the restaurant and she was not pleased. Jasmine was looking at the menu and did not know she was being watched.

      Paul stood up and spoke politely to Jasmine. “Excuse me, dear, for a few minutes, while I check on a few things. Order whatever you like. If there is something you want that is not on the menu let me know and I will have it prepared for you.” She looked at him and smiled shyly, nodding her head and remaining silent. She would certainly not consider having someone go out of their way for her, especially having seen all the delicious items listed on the menu, including American, Italian, and last but not least, old-fashioned soul food items. Paul moved swiftly away and disappeared. She watched him as he sauntered away. He was tall and well-built with the grace of a dancer and the sleek movements of a panther. He had a confident, self-assured stride.

      The waitress watched Paul leave and as soon as he was well out of her sight she reappeared back at the table and addressed Jasmine sarcastically. “Oh, I bet you want a cheeseburger, fries, and a milkshake, don't you honey?”

      Jasmine was peeved the waitress had not acknowledged her earlier. She slowly looked up from the menu at the waitress. She raised her eyebrows and fired an indignant look at her. She was massively annoyed at the waitress's tone and insinuation of her being a mere child. She scanned the waitress up and down. The waitress was tall and a little on the chubby side and had no striking features. Jasmine was usually not a judging person but there was a first time for everything.

      Jasmine focused her eyes back to the menu and purposely took longer than necessary to answer the waitress. She viciously stared her down, squinted her eyes tightly together and furrowed her brows to project her total disgust. Without uttering a word she lowered her head pretending to be staring at the menu before she spoke. “No, ma'am, I would like grilled salmon, a loaded sweet potato, and a garden salad with ranch dressing, no cheese, please”, she retorted, hoping she had sent the message to this person how insignificant she was.

      Paul had returned and overheard Jasmine placing her food order. He chimed in. “I will have the same that she is having but include pepper jack cheese with my salad.”

      The waitress looked shocked at him. “You never ask for grilled salmon!”

      Angrily annoyed and trying to control his temper in front of his lovely guest, he looked hard at the waitress and sneered. “And you know this how?”

      The waitress stared at him. “Whatever you say, Mr. Candy.”

      “What I say is send someone else back with our food and do not come back to this table. Understood?”

      “Yes sir.”

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