by K. C. Wells
Brady was the first to break the kiss and the quiet. He stroked Jordan’s cheek and sighed happily. “I don’t want to move.”
Jordan chuckled, then grimaced at the slickness that glued them together. “Not an option. So let’s grab a quick shower, and then we can get right back to—”
“Cuddling,” Brady interjected. “In bed. Both of us. All night.”
Jordan couldn’t help smiling. “Okay, cuddling.” The thought of falling asleep with Brady in his arms was a pleasant one.
“Followed by more lovemaking,” Brady added. “Whenever the mood takes us.”
“And you can see the mood taking us?”
Brady beamed. “Definitely. My dick has a date with your ass.”
“Then I’d better leave the lube and condoms within reach.”
“Smart man.”
Another thought occurred to Jordan. “If you wake up before me again in the morning, don’t get up, please?”
Brady shook his head. “I had no intentions of doing any such thing. I want to make this weekend last as long as it can. That includes making the most of time spent in bed.” His eyes sparkled in the lamplight.
Jordan knelt up and smacked his ass, making him yelp. “Bathroom. Before it gets much later.”
Brady clambered off the bed, picking up the soiled condom from where Jordan had placed it on the nightstand. He rubbed his ass as he entered the bathroom, muttering about bossy boyfriends.
Jordan sat for a moment, Brady’s words still in his mind. He had a feeling Sunday would slip through their fingers, as much as they tried to hold on to it. Then it would be back to New York, work—and very different circumstances.
Chapter Twenty
BRADY did not want to get up.
Not that he had to move just yet. It was way too early and the rest of the house was silent. Add to that, he was warm, he was comfortable, and Jordan was curled around him, his arm around Brady’s waist.
Heaven.
Brady could have stayed like that forever, except he knew Monday morning was coming up fast, hurtling toward them like a freight train. He wasn’t usually one to dread work, but the thought of going back made him slightly uneasy.
The feeling of warm lips on his back was a welcome intrusion.
“Good morning.” Jordan tightened his arm around him, stroking his chest. “I could get used to this.”
Brady sighed. “Me too.”
Jordan stilled his hand. “And that was far too heavy a sound for this morning. What’s wrong?”
It was on the tip of his tongue to deny anything was wrong, but Brady had learned a lot about Jordan during the past month. Such as, keeping his feelings to himself didn’t work—Jordan seemed to possess an uncanny knack of sensing when Brady had concerns. Besides, surely it was better to voice his fears before they arrived at the office on Monday morning?
No time like the present.
Brady rolled over to face him. “What happens tomorrow morning?” he asked quietly.
Jordan blinked and rubbed his eyes. “Same thing that always happens on Monday—work.”
Brady rolled his eyes. “I didn’t mean that. I meant our working relationship. Things have changed, haven’t they?”
Jordan regarded him steadily for a moment, then propped himself up on his elbow. “Keep talking.”
“How are we going to do this? What will people say?”
Jordan frowned. “Okay, where is this coming from?”
Brady sat up in bed and leaned back against the pillows, hands clasped in his lap. “Mara said something that got me thinking, that’s all.”
“Mara?” Jordan widened his eyes. “What on earth did that bi—woman—say to you? And why the hell would you pay attention to a word she said anyway?” He scowled. “Belinda was still pissed last night, hours after she’d left.”
Brady laid his hand on Jordan’s arm. “She just… suggested word would get around the company that we’re—”
Jordan sat up with a jolt. “What if it does? What’s wrong with that?” His voice softened as he leaned across to cup Brady’s chin. “Brady?”
His touch was reassuring. “You don’t see it as an issue?”
Jordan smiled. “Why should it be an issue that we’re in a relationship?”
His relaxed manner finally seeped into Brady, easing his tension. “You really don’t think staff will mind?”
Jordan laughed. “How much time do we spend working together? I don’t think it would come as any great surprise to anyone. And it’s not as if us being in a relationship will adversely affect what happens in the office. We make a great team. That won’t change.” He smiled. “You never know—we might work even better together.” Jordan suddenly grabbed hold of Brady’s legs and tugged hard, pulling him farther down the bed, Brady squealing, protesting, and laughing all at the same time. Then Jordan leaned over him, caressing his cheek. “It’ll be fine. I promise.” He placed a tender kiss on Brady’s forehead, then his nose, finally reaching his lips before lying on his side, head supported by his hand, gazing at Brady, his eyes warm. “Feeling better?”
Brady sighed and nodded. “I’m sorry. I just didn’t see how we could continue as before.”
Jordan regarded him thoughtfully for a moment. Then to Brady’s surprise, his expression grew serious. “You know what? Maybe you’re right. Maybe it’s foolish to assume we could just carry on as normal.”
The change in mood chilled him a little. “What… what do you mean?”
Jordan rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling. “I’ve been ignoring the signs for long enough. Maybe it’s time I followed advice.”
Panic surged through him. “Okay, now you’re scaring me.”
Jordan groaned. “God, I’m such an idiot.” He pulled Brady into his arms, tilting his chin so he looked Brady in the eye. “I’m sorry for worrying you. Don’t be scared. It’s nothing that you’re not already aware of.” He stroked Brady’s cheek. “You take such good care of me. You watch my diet. You deal with a lot of stuff so that I don’t have to. But the bottom line is, my doctor is concerned about my blood pressure. It’s too high.”
Brady stilled. “You’ve never mentioned it.”
“Because I thought I was coping. Well, apparently I’m not, according to Dr. Peters at least.”
“Exactly how high are we talking?”
“Not high enough to warrant me taking meds for it. Well, not yet at any rate. He’d prefer prevention rather than cure. He’s suggested I cut back on my office hours, my business trips. Spend a little time at the gym.” Jordan regarded him thoughtfully. “Maybe I should do just that.”
Brady knew that expression. “So what’s your plan? I’m right, aren’t I? You do have a plan.”
Jordan nodded slowly. “I propose taking on a chief operating officer. Not to replace me, you understand, but to share the workload. In essence, we’d share the running of the company. That would mean less stress for me, which in turn would make my doctor a very happy man. But the COO would have control of the company when I’m not there.” He smiled. “Let’s face it. A lot of what I do could equally be done from home via a computer.”
“Great,” Brady said gloomily.
Jordan’s brow furrowed. “You don’t like the idea of me being under less stress?”
“That part I love. What I don’t like is the you-spending-less-time-in-the-office part. I like working with you.”
Jordan’s eyes gleamed. “And just who do you think I had in mind for the role of COO?”
It took a moment for his words to sink in. “Me?”
Jordan laughed. “Brady, you’re perfect for the job. You’re already acquainted with every aspect of the company. You already liaise with all the department heads. You know how the company functions on a day-to-day basis.” He snickered. “You’re already doing the job of a COO. Maybe it’s time your paycheck reflected that.” He peered intently at Brady. “I’m beginning to think having sex scrambled your brains. Surely you realized you
were the only candidate for the position.” Jordan smirked.
Brady narrowed his gaze. “I can envisage a lot of rumors flying around if the boss suddenly starts dating his PA who subsequently becomes the COO. You can’t do that, not in today’s climate. You’ll still have to conduct interviews, you know.”
Jordan nodded. “And what if I told you I don’t envisage those rumors? I know my staff, their capabilities. That includes yours. And I’m not worried, especially as I already know how your appointment would be received. I’m not the only one who sees what an asset you are. Granted, the relationship might surprise them—but then again, maybe not.”
Brady’s head was spinning. He’s serious.
“We’d also need to interview to find a new personal assistant,” Jordan added. “That will be a tough one.”
“Why?”
“Because whoever replaces you will have to be at least as capable as you. Someone who can be relied upon to keep things running while we’re away from the office.”
“While we’re away?” Brady grinned. “You have been thinking about this, haven’t you?” His initial shock was ebbing away with every word from Jordan’s mouth.
Jordan laughed and tugged Brady to lie on top of him. “Well, if I can work from home, then I see no reason why you couldn’t do the same thing. Providing, of course, that ‘home’ happens to be the same place for both of us.” He locked gazes with Brady, his hands resting lightly on his back.
Brady arched his eyebrows. “That sounds very much like you asking me to live with you,” he said slowly.
Jordan nodded. “There’s room for both of us in my apartment. Or if you like, we could find a new place. But I want us to be together. And much as I like your apartment, it’s not big enough for two, is it?”
Brady couldn’t deny that.
“I know it feels fast, but….” Jordan stroked up and down his back. “I don’t want to waste any more time.”
“Neither do I.” Brady closed the gap between them and kissed him. “And speaking of wasting time… we don’t have to get up right now, do we?”
Jordan’s smile lit up his face. “Actually, I was thinking about an early morning ride.”
Brady snickered. “Well, your doctor did say to take more exercise. And you’ll be the one doing the riding.”
Breakfast could wait for another hour. Or two.
“WHERE’S Jordan disappeared to?” Belinda asked as she poured Brady another cup of coffee. Breakfast was over, Drake was in the yard practicing his golf putts, and the kids were playing with Marty’s pet rat. Brady thought it amusing that as soon as Monty put in an appearance, Jordan suddenly announced he had an urgent call to make and retreated to their room.
Brady laughed. “I think Monty scared him off.”
Belinda chuckled. “Not really a surprise. He’s had an aversion to rats since we were in college. We watched this seventies horror movie about a boy who had an affinity for rats. I think Jordan watched the entire movie through his fingers.” She glanced across the room at the kids. “Marty? Put Monty back in his cage before Jordan comes back.”
Marty’s face fell. “Aw, Mom. I wanted to show Uncle Jordan how Monty runs up my arms and across my shoulders.”
Belinda narrowed her gaze. “While I can appreciate what a little star Monty is, Jordan will not feel the same, believe me. Cage. Now.”
Marty pouted, lifted Monty from Dawn’s knee, got up off the couch, and trudged toward his room. Dawn grinned gleefully.
“And before you start gloating, young lady, I just peeped into your room. Go clean up your mess.”
“Mom,” she whined, but fell silent when Belinda stared at her with arched eyebrows. “Going now.” She followed her brother.
Brady laughed. “Wow. You’re good.”
She chuckled. “They know better than to argue. They’re well-trained.” She poured another cup of coffee and sat with him at the table. “I hope you had a good time this weekend.”
“I had a wonderful time,” he assured her. “It was great getting to know you and your family.”
“Maybe Jordan will bring you back soon, rather than waiting the customary couple of years between meetings,” she said, her eyes twinkling. “You could work on him.”
He laughed again. “Well, based on our conversation this morning, you might find him visiting more frequently.”
Belinda snorted. “I’ll believe that when I see it. Sometimes I think that man lives in his office.”
Brady grinned. “Miracles do happen, you know.”
Belinda peered at him closely. “Now I’m intrigued.” Before she could continue, Jordan entered the room, glancing around him.
Brady snickered. “You’re safe. No more Monty. Have you finished your ‘call’?”
Jordan gave a broad smile. “Actually, yes.” He turned to Belinda. “I’m sorry, but we’ll be leaving a little earlier than I’d planned.”
Her face fell. “Aw. I was hoping you’d stay for lunch.”
Brady’s stomach clenched. He didn’t want to go home. The weekend had been a precious bubble of time that he wanted to hold on to for as long as possible.
“As much as I love the idea, I had something else in mind.” Jordan’s gaze alighted on Brady. “Something just for the two of us.”
And just like that, sunlight poured into him, flooding Brady with warmth. “Really?”
Jordan nodded. “I don’t know about you, but I’m not ready to go home right this minute. And there’s somewhere I’d like us to visit. That’s what the phone call was about. Everything’s arranged.”
“That’s so sweet.” Belinda sighed. “By all means, go spend time together. That’s way more important than having lunch with us. You two must have a lot of things to talk about.”
Jordan’s dark eyes were still focused on his. “Oh, we do.” Then he walked over to where Brady sat, bent down, and kissed him softly on the mouth.
Brady liked those kinds of conversations. He gazed up at Jordan. “So where are you taking me?”
“It’s a surprise. And the sooner you’re packed, the sooner you’ll find out.”
Brady rolled his eyes. “You’re such a tease.” A second later, he was hurrying to their room, still hearing Belinda and Jordan’s laughter behind him.
Chapter Twenty-One
“WHERE are we headed?” Brady asked, staring out the window. He hadn’t taken his eyes off the ocean ever since they’d joined the Montauk Highway.
“To Montauk.” Jordan took a right. “This is the old highway.” It was even closer to the shoreline. “What you see to your left is the Hither Hills State Park.” The canopy of trees was a gorgeous mixture of fall colors.
Brady sighed. “It’s so beautiful here.” At last he turned away to look in Jordan’s direction, smiling. “I could live here. And before you say a word, yes, I know it’s not practical, but I don’t care. There’s something about the ocean that I find….”
“Fascinating? Compelling?” Jordan could understand that. His best memories as a child were of vacations spent by the sea.
“Any of those will do.” Brady peered through the windshield. “Want to tell me where we’re going yet?”
“Here.” Jordan turned right off the highway. “Welcome to Gurney’s Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa.”
Brady laughed. “Another spa afternoon? You’re spoiling me.”
“Actually, I was planning on spending the night. That is, unless you have any objections to taking another day away from the office?”
“Another—”
“And before you tell me that the company couldn’t possibly manage for another day without either of us, let me inform you that I’ve already emailed a schedule to the heads of department.”
Brady snorted. “What—you mean the schedule I sent you last week, so you’d be ready for Monday?”
“Exactly. There’s nothing urgent planned for tomorrow, and they’ll cope just fine.” Jordan pulled into a parking space and switched off the engin
e. “Any more questions?”
Brady chuckled. “Just one. Where is Jordan Wolf and what have you done to him?”
Jordan burst into laughter. “Out of the car. Before I change my mind.”
They got out, and Jordan led him to the resort’s reception desk. Once he’d registered them, they headed for their room. Jordan held his breath as he opened the door and stood aside to let Brady enter. His soft cry was everything Jordan had anticipated.
“Oh. This is… amazing.” A wide, comfortable-looking bed stood against one wall, but Jordan knew what had captured Brady’s attention were the windows at the far end, along with the door that opened out onto a veranda and the sandy beach beyond. A pale blue couch sat by the windows, perfect for lying on to stare at the clear sky, or better still, for two to lie together, snuggled up, listening to the crash of the waves on the shore through that open door.
“Do you like it?” As if he needed to ask.
Brady’s eyes shone. “It’s perfect.”
“We’ve just got time to have a drink in the lounge before we have lunch.” Jordan smiled. “We have all afternoon to spend in here, if we want to. Or we can go for a walk on the beach, whatever you want.”
“Yes,” Brady replied promptly.
“Yes?”
He grinned. “All of the above, please.” Brady moved closer, cupped Jordan’s face in his hands, and kissed him, taking his time. When they parted, he smiled. “More of that after lunch.”
Jordan chuckled. “In that case, we won’t be needing dessert.”
This had to be one of the best impulses he’d ever had. Then he reconsidered. No, the best had been his idea to invite Brady to the party.
“I HAD another idea about a change we might make,” Jordan said as they walked along the beach. The sun was shining, sparkling on the waves as they raced toward the shore. The private beach wasn’t empty, but most guests were sitting on wooden recliners or making the most of the cabanas, albeit fully clothed.