Read A Sin and a Shame for Free Online

developed to meet the April 15 opening.
    “Well, Ms. Jasmine.” J.T. took her hand and brushed his lips against her skin.
    Oh, brother. But she smiled because she knew that’s what J.T. expected. Of the three, he’d been the biggest star in the league. And that’s why Jasmine could never understand the way he dressed. She could see the suit he wore was tailored—just about sewn onto his body. But who told the curly-head pretty boy that wide-stripe suits looked good on a seven foot, three hundred pound man?
    Lamont offered Jasmine a soft smile and squeezed her hand. “Nice meeting you, Jasmine.” He glanced at Malik before he continued, “He was right about you. You certainly know your stuff.”
    Before she could respond, J.T. asked Malik, “So, you got the honeys lined up for later?”
    Jasmine smirked. She may have changed, but times had not. J.T. and Lamont both wore wedding bands but obviously subscribed to the theory that “all men cheat.” Two years ago, she would have been begging Malik to arrange a night for her with J.T. He was the kind of man she’d once craved—attractive, powerful, rich. The fact that he’d exchanged marriage vows with another woman wouldn’t have been any kind of deterrent.
    “That’s my clue to go.” Jasmine stuffed the laptop into the case and hoisted the bag onto her shoulder. “I’ll see you in L.A., hopefully by the end of the week.”
    “I’m looking forward to it,” J.T. said, stepping close to her. “I’ll make sure you have a good time. We’ll tour the city.”
    “No need,” Jasmine said, not backing away. “I grew up in L.A.” She paused. “I’ve seen everything there is to see.”
    “I can show you some things you’ve never seen before.”
    “Down, boy.” Malik chuckled. “Remember, Jasmine’s fam.”
    With his hands in the air, J.T. backed away. But his grin remained. “My bad. But you can understand, bro,” he said, not taking his eyes off Jasmine. “She’s—”
    Malik interrupted, “About tonight, I’ll give you guys a call. I have a meeting with my pastor and we can hook up after.”
    J.T. laughed. “Man, I cannot believe you’ve turned into Mr. Sunday school.”
    Malik shook his head, cool under the heat of J.T.’s teasing. “Don’t get brand new. You’ve always known where I stood spiritually.”
    “I’m just sayin’—”
    “Look, I won’t be long. It’s going to be a quick meeting.” Malik moved toward the conference room door. “I’ll holla when I’m through.”
    Jasmine’s smile was wide as she watched the three exchange the brother handshake and then J.T. and Lamont disappeared into the elevator. She was right on Malik’s heels when he walked past his assistant, Gabriella, and into his office.
    “That went well, Jasmine.”
    “You didn’t tell me you were meeting with Reverend Bush,” she said, closing his office door.
    He hesitated for only a moment before he said, “I can tell you worked hard over the weekend. Thanks for having my back with those marketing ideas.”
    “Malik, please,” she said, hugging the computer bag to her chest. “Let me go with you.”
    “Jasmine.” He said her name in a tone that sounded like he was in pain. “I’m not doing this with you.”
    “Why not? What do you think I’m going to do?”
    “Nothing…because you’re not going with me. This is a private meeting.”
    “Just you two?”
    “No, for the building committee.”
    “That’s even better,” she said, sitting across from him.
    “The meeting is just for the committee members.”
    “So I’ll join the committee.”
    “Applications are no longer being accepted.”
    Jasmine frowned. “You have to apply to work on a committee at your church?”
    He chuckled. “No, I was kidding.” His smile went away. “Jasmine, this is a closed meeting for the members to make a quick report. It’s going to be in and out. All business. No social time.”
    “Okay, but Malik, you can’t deny that I’m really good at