Chapter 68 - Some Space

Benjamin

Today was Jasmine's birthday, but I really did not know how to behave towards her.

She utterly confused me at times.

One thing was for sure, I would never touch her without knowing she wanted me to do so. So I decided not to touch her at all. If she wanted me to, she was the one that had to take initiative.

I mean come on… I could still hear her say the words; 'I know it is my duty…'

'Her duty?' really?! Was that where it came down to. So our wedding night… I didn't want to think of this.

I felt sick to my stomach. Had I then forced her to be intimate with me? I thought not. I would never ever touch her again. Ever.

My heart ached. It took everything within me to let her go at night, and turn my back towards her. I wanted her in my arms.

I always had the urge to be close to her and it frustrated me that I could not hold her hand as we were walking through the airport.

Today was her birthday. I wanted to shower her with kisses and I wanted to let her know what she meant to me. I couldn't do that. I did not want to force myself on her.

"What's up Ben?" Sierra said as she tugged on my arm while we neared my Boston driver. I held out my arm and she tugged her arm under mine. "Nothing really, it's good to be here." I tried to smile.

I could fool most people, but not Sierra. "Later then." She said as she rested her head against my arm. "You look beautiful." I told her.

Raina, Lynn and Jasmine had a hard time keeping up with our pace. We stopped at the limo. "Later." I promised her.

We all got in the limo and I saw that my driver made sure there was liquor in de car.

I needed that.

Jasmine sat next to me, I half not expected that. I poured some champagne for all of us.. "Let's make a toast to a wonderful weekend." I proposed. "Hear hear." Sierra said.

"And let's toast to… Jasmines 18th birthday." I said trying to use my princely voice. Jasmine looked at me as everyone started to drink. I sighed. Now what.

"Is there alcohol in this?" She shrieked. I finished my drink in one go. "Yes." I answered her. "I am not sure if I am allowed to drink this." She said in a small voice.

"Well." I started as I poured myself a cognac, which was my favorite drink. "You are a free woman, you can do whatever you want." Sierra started to laugh a bit. The others were quiet.

Jasmine brought the crystal glass to her mouth and took a sip. She frowned and wrinkled her nose. Sierra started to laugh a little louder and Jasmine drank her champagne in one go!

"Jazz!" Raina said in a worried voice. I taught Raina how to drink in secrecy, so she knew what happened if you drank too fast.

"Let her enjoy herself." Sierra said. "Did you like the drink Jasmine?" She asked her.

"Yes I did." Jasmine said as she wrinkled her nose. She was definitely telling a lie.

"Do you want another?" I asked, kind of daring her. "Sure." She said as she held my gaze. Lynn looked at me.

We arrived at my penthouse. The driver held our door open. I helped the woman get out, but I was not sure I should offer Jasmine my hand or not. I reached for her, but then retrieved my hand.

She climbed out without my help.

The concierge opened my private elevator and we all got in. "It has been a while that I had been here." Lynn said. "When we took the boat trip right?" She verified. "Yeah, I think so." I thought out loud. The elevator opened and Jouline waited to greet us.

"Your majesty." She curtsied. "Jouline, what a pleasure to see you again." I acknowledged her. "How are you?" I asked her. "I am very well, you highness, thank you for asking." She looked at Jasmine, probably waiting for me to introduce her.

I was reluctant.

"Can you please make three guest bedrooms ready?"

"Three?!" Jouline repeated as she looked at Jasmine. I knew that she knew who Jasmine was. She couldn't have not heard the news. She just wanted me to say it.

I was not going to, and she knew me well enough to know that  if I did not do that by now, I would not.

"I already prepared you some food." She said. "The dining table is set." Jouline shook her head.

"Wow, I love your little spot here." Raina mused. "Where is Daniel?" She asked while we all sat at the table. "Do Daniël and you live together?" Jasmine asked. She probably missed her sister, she hadn't seen her since the wedding.

I licked my lips. "Daniel is on his honeymoon with your sister." I answered Jasmine. She licked her lips as well. "Oh." She said.

"Why are you not on a honeymoon?" Lynn asked, suddenly realizing we were not. "I have to finish this semester." I said playing with the spoon in front of me.

Jouline had prepared lentils soup. It was my favorite. "Where are you going this summer then?" Lynn smiled.

I looked at Jasmine. Did she even want to go on a honeymoon with me? I wasn't really sure anymore. "That is for Jasmine to decide." I said.

The woman on the table started to team up, to make sure Jasmine would make the trip the most extravagant as she could.

I had finished my food and listened to them chat away. ''I will show you all to your room." Jouline said as she entered the dining area.

"Will you show princess Jasmine to yours?" Jouline looked at me disapprovingly. I nodded. They all, but Jasmine, followed Jouline.

When we were alone, I stood up. "Come." I gestured her. "I am here most of the time." I told Jasmine who was looking around the different rooms I showed her. "Since the university I study at is close by." I added.

"It's very beautiful." She said. "It is, isn't it." I said as I looked over the Boston Skyline.

"How do you like your birthday so far?" I asked her, still looking out the window. "Thank you so much for taking me here". She said in a quiet voice.

"I have a small present for you, it's nothing much, but I thought of you when I saw it." I told her. "Look on your new beauty table in the walk-in closet." I said.

"I noticed you never wear a watch." Jasmine stroke her fingers across the two purple velvet boxes and hesitated to open them.

It was a 18K bangle watch, with a panther head that had 493 brilliant-cut diamonds and emerald eyes.

"Cartier." She read the letters on the boxes.

I watched her look at the jewelry. Jasmine took out the watch. "May I?" She asked. "It is yours." I replied simply. She put it on. Then she took out the matching necklace.

"Will you put this on?" She asked. I scratched behind my head. "Sure." I pressed my lips together. I walked up to her and took a deep breath.

I freed her neck of her golden curls and a shiver went down my spine when I accidently touched her skin. Oh how I yearned for her.

"Can we take a little nap together?" Jasmine asked. I could not lay next to her, pretending she did not have an effect on me. "No." I stated. "But you can go ahead and rest if you want to." I have a lot more surprises in store for you today." I told her.

"What kind of surprises." She asked. "You'll see. It wouldn't be much of a surprise if I told you now, wouldn't it be?"

Jasmine frowned a little. "Do you want me to ask Jouline to draw you a bath?" Her hand maid was heading back home now so…

"No. I really need to sleep." She said.

"Sleep tight." I told her.

As I walked into my living room, I saw that Sierra was sitting on one of the couches. "Ben." She cheered. "Let's go out for a few hours if you want." I told her. "Just you and I." I added. "Sure thing." Sierra said.

I instructed Jouline to tell Raina and Lynn, that Sierra and I headed out for a bit.

We walked at a park for a while and then ended up at a little bar. "Isn't it way too early to end up here?" She said lecturing me.

"Benjamin." Sierra said in a questioning tone. "Yeah." I replied. "Do you think it is possible to love someone, who doesn't entirely return the feeling?" I asked her.

Sierra did not really seem to like this question, but she answered anyway.

"Yes." She said.. "I think that is very well possible."