by Marie Harte
“Oh man. Big Brother has it bad for Little Army.” Reid snickered.
“Funny. At least my chick could beat yours up without breaking a sweat.”
“Oh, so that’s what we’re judging? Your girlfriend’s ability to beat mine up?”
Cash laughed. “Yeah. I’d love to see that. Maybe with some Jell-O or mud in a large ring. And you know, they could be in bikinis. Or topless. I’m open to either option.”
Reid stopped packing a moment. “You know, I wouldn’t mind that either. But if you think I’d ever suggest it to Naomi, you’re crazy. But, hey, why don’t you see what Jordan thinks of the idea?”
“I like my nuts attached, thanks.” Just another thing he loved about Jordan: her refusal to take any disrespect or to tolerate his nonsense. She wasn’t afraid of him. He knew if he upset her, she’d tell him to his face. No passive-aggressive bullshit to sift through.
“Say, I was thinking…”
“Here we go.”
“With you and Jordan together, we should make it a point that you’re no longer in charge of any hiring/firing decisions. Let’s make personnel my bag. But you’ll be our image liaison.”
“Wait. What?”
“I was talking to Naomi about you.”
“Damn it.” So much for brotherly good will.
“Now hold on. I know you have a thing for Jordan, and I’m fine with it. But I don’t want anyone having a problem with us, the company. Right now we’re all good. But if someone gets crazy, we don’t need a lawsuit.”
“Lawsuit? From what?”
“Sexual harassment, dumbass.”
Cash frowned. “Jordan isn’t going to press charges because I’m sleeping with her.” If the woman wanted him gone, she’d tell him.
“I know that. But perception is everything. We’ll make a broad announcement that your responsibilities include liaising with interested third parties and scouting the clients’ homes, as in you’re our lead mover on the ground. Evan is going to handle HR, since he’s got a minor in psychology.”
“He can do that?”
“It’s our company. I can have Finley as our HR guru if I want.” They both frowned at that. “So, yes, Evan will be our HR manager. It’s good to have a human resources rep anyway because it shows we value our employees.”
“So if I make one Air Force joke too many, Funny Rob can complain about it?”
“Exactly.”
Cash snorted. “Whatever. Do what you have to do to CYA.”
“I just didn’t want you to think you were getting a demotion or anything.”
“Dude, I’m good just having a steady job I like. I realize I can’t do this forever, but it’s good now.” Jordan mentioning being a mover at sixty had made him think. “And I like it. I like doing physical stuff.”
“I know. Plus everyone wants that hunky mover who beats up criminals.” Reid laughed at his red face. “Yeah, that’s what my last call yesterday was for. The lady also wanted to know if you were single and liked older women.”
“How old?” Cash asked just to keep the humor going. No one but Jordan existed for him now.
“Sixty-four. I told her you’d think about it.”
“Ass.”
“Don’t worry. I told her you had a girlfriend.” Reid paused. “So you and Jordan are serious, huh?”
“I am. I have no idea what she is, and I’m not pressuring her by asking. So shut the hell up around her.”
“Easy.” Reid held up his hands. “I’m just making conversation.”
“Well, talk less. Pack more. I need to see this place uncluttered.”
“You and me both.”
Hours later, they’d cleared almost everything but larger pieces of furniture from the home. “What’s this?” Reid asked of the boxes by the kitchen wall.
“Those are yours. I think Jordan packed a few because I didn’t want to deal. They’re for you to go through in addition to the ones you already packed from your room.”
Reid nodded. “Sounds good. Now how about you grab Jordan and bring her over to Naomi’s tonight for drinks? We can sit around and relax. And, hey, you can bring up the idea of mud wrestling.”
“Funny.” A double date with Reid and Naomi? That would be his and Jordan’s first outing as a couple. “Let me ask her.” He texted her, unsure what her response would be.
But she didn’t have a problem with it, as long as he picked up dinner. He grinned. “Food included?”
Reid nodded. “I’ll make it happen. Chinese okay?”
“Fine. But no chow mein and no telling everyone how I used to think lo mein noodles were really worms. I was a kid, Reid. Let it go.”
“A kid? Cash, you were twenty years old and in the Marine Corps.”
“Shut up.”
Reid just laughed. “Help me carry these boxes to my trunk.”
“Watch yourself or you might join them back there.”
* * *
Jordan hadn’t had a case of nerves this bad since, well, ever. It was important to her that Reid and Naomi like her with Cash. Knowing how close the brothers were, she needed Reid to approve. She had a feeling he already did. He’d always been nice to her at work and had been the first to want to hire her, no matter what Cash said. Reid respected her, but did he respect her going out with his brother?
She could deal with Reid. But Naomi intimidated her. The woman had never been anything but pleasant and professional around Jordan. Naomi was the kind of woman Jordan had never understood, cut from the same mold as her sister Leanne—beautiful, kind, and always perfect.
Already Jordan found herself biased against the woman, which made no sense. She’d met Naomi plenty of times before and respected her. Heck, she loved that Naomi was a take-charge woman running her own company. How’s that for empowering, Miriam? And knowing Naomi dated Reid put her off-limits with Cash. Even better.
But now that Jordan and Cash were dating, Naomi had the power of veto by proxy—since she dated Reid. It made sense when Jordan thought about it, but when she said it out loud, she sounded like a lovesick moron.
No, not lovesick. Like-sick. She couldn’t possibly love Cash, not so soon into just knowing him. Of course, it didn’t help that she liked everything about him. Even the way he tried bossing her around or acting like he was so superior. She took that as his big-man status. When folks were afraid of you, you didn’t have to hurt them to prove a point. And she had a feeling Cash had been proving himself for a very long time.
She stood with him at Naomi’s front door, loving the cute cottage in Greenwood. She envied this place, the same way she wished she lived somewhere nicer than that rundown apartment complex in Northwest Seattle. Not that she didn’t appreciate the affordable rent, but she’d like to eventually live in a house that looked like the place Cash shared with his brother, with nice furniture and in a decent neighborhood. Maybe in a few years she’d have enough saved up to rent a small cottage like this one, but most likely in a less desirable neighborhood.
“What are you thinking?” Cash tapped her between the eyes. “You have a frown just there.”
She smacked his hand away. “Cut it out. I’m trying to focus on being nice.”
“Being nice takes focus?” He chuckled. “Oh, sorry. You’re serious?”
“Yes. I can be myself around you and the guys. But fancy people think I’m too aggressive. Puts them off.”
“Fancy people?” He frowned then nodded. “You mean Naomi. Because even though my brother acts fancy with his tuck-in shirts and khakis, he’s like me, only much, much weaker.”
She grinned.
“Hey, just stating the facts.”
So she was laughing when Naomi opened the door, looking beautiful in jeans and a scoop-neck silk tank. Jeez. Even dressed down the woman looked model-gorgeous. Cash gave Jordan a gentle push inside, an
d she turned to frown at him.
“Well, move. You’re taking up space doing nothing but stalling.”
“Jackass,” she muttered and gave herself a subtle once-over. Unlike Naomi, Jordan didn’t look spiffy in casual attire. She looked…casual. She’d worn her hair down tonight, and the shaggy strands were at best clean. Jordan couldn’t afford a hundred-dollar haircut, and if they didn’t like it, too damn bad.
Her T-shirt was clean, her shorts not new but decent enough. And her sandals showed large feet without painted nails.
“I’m so glad you came,” Naomi told her and smiled at them both. “Reid’s helping with the salad.”
“Oh man. Vegetables?” Cash groaned. “What happened to Chinese?”
“My favorite place closed down.” Naomi sighed. “Now I have to hunt for a new takeout place. But don’t worry. I have something you’ll like. I think.”
Cash let out a dramatic sigh. “Are we at least having anything that used to walk on its own?”
Jordan swallowed a laugh.
“You and Reid.” Naomi shook her head. “Yes, as a matter of fact. We’re having burgers and fries with a side salad.”
“Sounds good. Thank you for inviting us.” Jordan handed Naomi a plate. “Cash told me we didn’t need to bring anything, but you’re supposed to bring something to dinner,” she said more to Cash than Naomi. “So I hope you enjoy dessert. It’s a homemade apple strudel.”
Reid rushed over. “Oh, wow. Hi guys.” He took a look under the aluminum foil protecting dessert. “This smells amazing.”
“My woman can cook.” Cash wrapped an arm around her waist.
Jordan felt like a prize heifer being appraised. “Thanks for the shout-out, but I can manage.” She wiggled her way out from his arm.
Reid slugged Cash in the arm. “Your woman seems a little nervous. Relax, Cash.”
“She’s fine.”
“She’s right here,” Jordan said, feeling less than enthusiastic about the evening as it progressed.
“Ignore them,” Naomi said. “Cash is obviously beating his chest, in case we didn’t get the fact that you arriving together means you’re a couple. And Reid is doing his best to make sure you stay without bolting before we even get to dessert. Apparently he’s been through this with Cash before.”
Jordan leaned closer to ask, “So Cash makes a habit of bringing women over?”
“No, but he does make a habit of being loud and growly when he comes over to eat. I’m used to that. Wasn’t sure you were.”
Jordan smiled. “He growls a little. Mostly he’s too busy shoving his face full of food to be bothered.”
Naomi huffed. “I hear that. Reid had to smack him in the head last time to make sure he saved some food for the rest of us. I didn’t mind. But apparently Reid had wanted leftovers to take for lunch the next day.”
“He does like to eat.” They both turned to see the guys crouched, petting a cat.
“Oh, that’s Rex. He kind of owns the place. I just live here.”
Jordan went to pet the cat as well, a sucker for furry animals. Reid left them to it, and Jordan took the opportunity to elbow Cash in the gut.
He grunted and gave her a dirty look. “What’s that for?”
“Relax. And don’t rub in the fact we’re dating, okay?”
He stood suddenly, looming over her. “You’re embarrassed to be dating me?”
She stood as well, conscious that he continued to loom. “No, nimrod. I’m fine with us dating and everyone knowing it. You don’t have to beat them over the head with it is all.”
He nodded. “Okay. So, ah, did you tell your brother about us?”
“Not exactly. I’m more concerned with where he’s been going lately than sharing my love life with him.”
“Is he having more problems at school?”
“I don’t know. I left a few messages for the school, but no one’s gotten back to me. And I hate to keep bringing it up with him because he shuts down and accuses me of not trusting him.”
“You don’t trust him. With good reason.”
“I know.” She sighed. “I wish I was better with him. But, hey, at least he’s lost a lot of that attitude he was getting up to with me. Now he’s nice all the time, just quiet. When he’s home, I mean.” Something was off with the kid; she could feel it.
“Okay, enough of that.”
“Of what?”
Cash grabbed her hand and gently tugged her toward the kitchen. “No more obsessing over responsibilities. Tonight, be with me and have fun. And apologize.”
“Apologize?” She frowned at him.
“For not making me one of those apple things before bringing one to Naomi. Come on, Jordan. You’re better than that.”
She tried not to smile. “Am I though?”
“Sure. You’re a genius with a stove, and you know I love your food. But the plain fact of the matter is you’re not cooking for me nearly enough.”
“Is that right?” She let him lead her into the kitchen, where Naomi and Reid stood watching them.
“Yep. Tell her, Reid.”
“That she should cook for you and only you?” Reid leaned against the counter while Naomi finished with the salad. “That your appetite is exceeded only by your ego and fat head?”
“Yeah, that.”
Jordan shook her head, more than amused. “I already knew all that.”
“Yeah? Well, did you know we once had a pie-eating contest in the Corps, and Cash lost to me?” Reid puffed up. “That’s right, Naomi. Your man stuffed more blueberry pie down his—”
“Pie hole,” Cash interrupted.
Jordan snickered. “That fits.”
“Whatever. I ate more than Cash did.” Reid smirked as only a younger brother can.
Jordan felt a pang, missing Rafi, but she refused to feel bad for being out with Cash tonight.
“Oh yeah, Reid. You won all right.” Cash smirked right back at him. “He threw up his glorious victory an hour later. Now he can’t even look at a blueberry without getting ill. Wuss.”
“Oh, er…” Jordan paused for effect. “There are blueberries in the strudel along with the apple.”
The horrified look on Reid’s face was worth the lie. She laughed her confession, and the others, even Reid, joined her.
“Now I see why you two fit,” Reid muttered. “So annoying.”
* * *
A half hour after dinner, Jordan felt pleasantly stuffed. Naomi pulled out a board game.
Reid hugged her and set out the board. “Okay, sweetness. It’s us against them.”
“Trivial what? What the hell kind of game is this?” Cash demanded to know. “I have to think while digesting all that burger?”
“Don’t forget the salad.” Jordan patted her belly, sated and happy, enjoying the heck out of a double date that felt more like good friends having a great time.
“I hate thinking.”
Reid grinned. “Oh, it’s on.”
The game ended in a draw because Cash answered all of the sports questions correctly. Jordan nailed anything having to do with literature or grammar, and although Naomi and Reid made a great team, they spent too much time laughing at Cash’s antics to treat the game seriously.
“Chumps,” Cash said under his breath. “So lame.”
“I know. Why play if you don’t want to win?”
“Exactly.”
* * *
Unable to leave it at Cash and Jordan winning, Naomi brought out cards for spades while they dug into the strudel. A big mistake considering she had two Marines and a soldier who had spent plenty of deployments with nothing better to do than play cards.
This time Naomi and Jordan teamed up, leaving the brothers to whisper their plans.
“And no table talk,” Naomi warned them. She turned
to Jordan and in a low voice said, “Use what you got for distractions. I lower my blouse when Reid is up. You wiggle or something when Cash plays.”
“Isn’t that cheating?” Jordan found herself really liking Naomi. The woman’s sharp wit, kindness, and surprising competitive streak were right up Jordan’s alley.
“Cheating? Not at all. That’s called creative winning. I mean, if they can’t focus past breasts or some ass flash, that’s on them.”
Jordan coughed. “Ass flash?”
“I drop a card and bend over. Reid’s ridiculously easy.”
When Jordan tried it on Cash, she found him also ridiculously easy. And had the best time ever playing against her lover and his brother.
By the expression on his face, he enjoyed himself as well.
Although his “put up or shut up” should have warned her he’d expect some form of recompense for trouncing them. Too bad for him she had to get home for Rafi.
Or rather, too bad for her. The best ending for this perfect night would be some mind-bending sex with her boyfriend followed by falling asleep in his arms and staying there for good.
Because, damn it, she’d fallen for the big lug and had no idea what to do about it.
Chapter 16
Cash had been amused, entertained, and even more convinced Jordan was the woman he’d been waiting for.
Watching her laugh, seeing her enjoyment in being with his brother and Naomi, and having fun being around her set his fears to rest. Unlike Mariah, Jordan hadn’t tried to be the best or brightest in the room. She hadn’t vied for his attention, and she’d been pleasant and polite to Naomi, even helping to clean up, though she hadn’t had to.
“Good job in there,” he said as they left and drove home—well, back to her place.
The hour hadn’t yet reached ten since they’d arrived at Naomi’s early, but he understood her wanting to be there for her brother.
“Thanks. Glad to know I passed.” She shot him a dry look, as if she hadn’t cared what the others thought.
The little liar. She’d been so tense, concerned they might not like her. As if. She’d been a delight, and Cash never used that word. Ever. He didn’t like many people, but Jordan he couldn’t do without. She’d charmed Reid without trying, just by being herself. Same with Naomi.