Jordan's Justice: A New Adult Sport Romance (Tessa and Jordan Book 2)

by T Christensen

  The tone was set. Every game after that was the same. In what she deemed as reasonable game attire, Tessa would arrive, pretend she wasn’t being ignored, and watch the game with Jordis.

  Christina was always there and had at least one cutting remark to make before ignoring her for the rest of the game. Today was no exception.

  “Oh, Tessa. Why do you always insist on embarrassing Jordan?”

  Beside her, Jordis tore her hand out of hers and ran behind her. “Grandpa!”

  At the beginning of the season Tessa hadn’t known Eric Davis that well, but he’d always been gracious. When she was sure that Jordis was occupied with him, she responded in the cold tone she saved for her mother-in-law, “Sorry for wearing a fan T-shirt with my husband’s jersey number on it to a basketball game, Christina. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  She was done playing nice with her, although that didn’t mean her words didn’t cut. It just meant that she was doing her best not to let it show.

  After Tessa had learned that the wives with kids stayed at home, she’d tried to convince Jordis to do that, but she’d insisted that they needed to watch the game from the suite. Even when Tessa had tried to bribe her by suggesting they watch it in their home theater with treats, Jordis hadn’t wavered.

  Tessa had to admit that there was nothing like watching her husband move on the court and own it. It was a rare chance to admire him without being caught. She also formed an unexpected bond with her father-in-law.

  Eric educated her about the finer points of the game and helped entertain Jordis. Luckily Christina was always busy talking with the other women and didn’t really watch the games. When the crowd noise escalated, she would look down at the court and then go back to gossiping. She would watch just enough of the game to compliment Jordan and prove what a doting mother she was.

  It was the start of the third quarter on Thanksgiving Day, and Tessa had been struggling with homesickness. She and Jordis usually went to her mom’s apartment a couple of times a week, and the one thing she always looked forward to was gone. Sophia and her mom had flown out to see Lindy for the week. To keep herself busy, Tessa had thrown herself into preparing their feast.

  During one of the few times they’d talked, Jordan had asked if she would make Thanksgiving dinner. That way he could go home to eat right after the game instead of traveling to his parents’ house. Tessa had agreed with mixed feelings.

  She was always happy when she didn’t have to visit her mother-in-law’s immaculate house. The entire visit was spent hovering around Jordis to ensure that she didn’t break anything. But she didn’t like Christina at her home either. The woman always found something wrong with her outfit, her house, or her food, and she never kept her opinion to herself. Of course, those comments were always made when Jordan wasn’t around.

  “Are you all right, Tessa?”

  She realized she’d been in her head for most of the third quarter. Her father-in-law’s voice drew her back to the game. Tessa put on her perfected I’m fine smile.

  “Yes, why wouldn’t I be?”

  “I don’t know. That’s why I was asking.”

  “I’m fine,” she assured him. At his doubtful look, she tacked on, “Just a little nervous about my first Thanksgiving meal.”

  Eric nodded but didn’t take his discerning gaze off her. That must be where Jordan got it, Tessa thought. Not that he looked at her anymore.

  “Has Jordan introduced you to the wives who have children yet?”

  Still smiling, she said brightly, “Not yet.”

  Eric’s brows drew together. “I’ll talk with him.” His tone suggested it would be more of a reprimand than a talk.

  Tessa’s stomach tightened. “No!”

  She didn’t want to give Jordan another reason to not like her. It was hard enough always having Christina between them.

  She took a discreet breath and with less force said, “Really, Eric, it’s fine.”

  When he just raised an eyebrow, she knew he doubted her sincerity and tried again.

  “He hardly has any downtime. When he’s at home, it’s his only time to rest, and I know he looks forward to time with Jordis. I’m sure after the season there will be more chances to get together.”

  That was all true. She could see Jordan’s fatigue and didn’t want to do anything to cause him more stress. Their non-marriage was enough, but she couldn’t let Eric unwillingly add more tension.

  He looked at her skeptically, and she held her breath, praying he would let it go. “If you need me, you know I’m only a phone call away, right?”

  Unexpected tears sprang to her eyes, and she looked away while lying through her teeth, “Yes, but I don’t need anything.”

  Looking back at him, she watched as he shook his head and brought his attention back to the game.

  It was the end of the third quarter, and the Wolves were up twenty points. She needed to go and get the rest of the Thanksgiving dinner together.

  “Jordis, we need to go get dinner ready.”

  “No, Mommy!”

  Tessa smiled patiently, expecting this reaction. “Daddy’s team is ahead by a lot of points, Jordis. We have to go.”

  Jordis stood from her seat and stomped her foot. “I see Daddy.”

  She couldn’t allow this behavior. Before she could say anything, Eric put his hand on her shoulder.

  “Tessa, we’re going to your house after the game. We can bring her.”

  Jordis’s face cleared, and her happiness was back. “I go with Grandpa.”

  Tessa glanced at Christina, who sipped a glass of wine while standing with her usual group of friends, and then back at Eric.

  “Let us help,” he encouraged.

  Knowing that he would be with Jordis the entire time, she reluctantly gave in. “Okay. Thank you.”

  ___________________

  Chapter 32

  ___________________

  Jordan parked in the garage as fatigue pulled at him. He was more than ready for a week off from games and travel. They were still expected to practice and do their workouts, but he was looking forward to some time with Jordis. He swore every time he came back from traveling she had grown.

  As soon as he walked in the door, he smelled the distinctive scent of turkey. He looked over at Tessa, who was pulling everything out of the oven, and studied her. Her hair was pulled up in a hasty bun that exposed her neck, her cheeks flushed from the oven’s heat. The snug jeans she wore sculpted her ass to perfection. The sight of his number and name on her back made him itch to go tear off her jeans, plop her on the counter, and drive his hard, aching cock into her.

  Tessa placed the turkey on the counter and turned to face him. The way she froze in place and then licked her lips made him move toward her. When she widened her eyes and looked around for a way to escape, the hunter in him became more focused. He quickly closed the distance between them to cut off any avenues of escape.

  It’d been weeks since they’d last fucked, and his body was more than ready to reacquaint itself with her smooth skin and have that luscious ass in his hands. He trapped her against the counter by placing his hands on either side of her.

  Just as he went in to kiss her, Tessa moved her head to the side. Not discouraged, he skimmed his lips from her collarbone up to her ear, feeling the shiver that ran through her. Satisfaction oozed from his gut in to his cock, making it swell. Jordan pushed it into her stomach and heard her sharp inhale.

  “You can deny it, but you want this. You miss it as much as I do.”

  When he whispered the mocking words into her ear, she tensed and tried to withdraw. No talking was fine with him. It was better if they didn’t. Every time he’d tried to talk with her, all he got were monosyllabic answers and then she ran away. He wasn’t going to let her run this time.

  He anchored his hands on her hipbones under her jersey. Still skimming his lips along her neck and adding a few nibbles, he let his hands expand so his thumbs could explore the warm,
bare skin above her jeans.

  Little by little Tessa relaxed and her body became pliant, molding into his. Eventually her face turned up, and he snagged her lips in a scorching, possessive kiss. Just as her hands reached up to his neck, they were interrupted.

  “Tessa, when you’re done, could we eat? Jordis is getting whiny because she’s hungry.”

  As soon as his mom spoke, Tessa tensed, tearing her lips from his and pushing on his chest. Jordan stiffened and almost snapped at his mom, but she deserved more respect than to be the outlet of his frustration.

  Instead he pushed away, grabbed the stuff that he had deposited on the table, and went upstairs to change out of his suit. He needed a few minutes to get his temper and body under control.

  Jordan slammed around the room, beyond frustrated. Why did he have to want the woman who had betrayed him? Tessa had accepted money from his mom, and yet, here she was living in the lap of luxury. She did whatever she wanted, including working part-time at a job she loved, and she still made it appear as if he were the bad guy. Ever since he had drawn a line about his mother spending time alone with Jordis, Tessa had been pouting and sulking.

  He wasn’t going to allow her new tactics to make him feel like shit. She walked around this house pretending to be depressed, and he refused to acknowledge it. She’d gotten enough from him and he wasn’t done having her body. It was the only satisfaction he got from this marriage.

  Okay, he did enjoy having a daughter. Jordis was amazing, and he reluctantly admitted that Tessa had done a great job of raising her. He snorted as he walked out of his room because he hadn’t had a choice in helping raise her for the first three years of her life.

  Jordan sat on the couch next to his dad, who was watching the football game.

  “Where are the ladies?”

  His dad glanced over at him. “They’re in the kitchen getting everything ready. Not bad today. A triple-double.”

  Jordan grinned. He loved the court. Everything else fell away once he was on the hardwood. “Thanks, Dad. How’s business?”

  He inclined his head. “Business is good. How’s married life?”

  Jordan scowled, but his dad didn’t need to know the details. “Fine.”

  “Tessa sat with me at the game.”

  His attention was snagged, but he shrugged nonchalantly. “Doesn’t she do that every game instead of talking with the other wives?”

  His dad’s eyebrows pulled together, and now his attention was entirely on Jordan.

  “She attempted to talk with the other women at the first couple of games, but Jordis kept her on her toes. Have you noticed that the players’ wives who have young kids don’t come?”

  Jordan hadn’t noticed, but he didn’t spend his time in the players’ suite.

  “I’m sure Mom would help, but Tessa won’t accept her help.”

  “You’re right, but to be fair, your mother hasn’t offered. You know she thrives on socialization. Tessa is more of an introvert.”

  Jordan snorted. “I still think she could make more of an effort.”

  “You don’t think her being at every game even though she is uncomfortable is making an effort?”

  Jordan noticed the way his dad seemed to choose his words carefully. Ah, Tessa had snared him with her poor me act.

  “Dad, I can assure you, Tessa doesn’t do anything she doesn’t want to.”

  There was a long pause as his dad studied him. Jordan began to feel like he was a teenager again, squirming under his gaze.

  “I’m going to say this, and then we are going to watch the game. I’ve noticed Tessa seems to be losing weight, and at every game she is more and more withdrawn. I’m assuming you have noticed this as well, but do you know why?”

  True to his word, he turned back to the game. Jordan briefly pondered his dad’s concern, but then he shrugged it off. Tessa was a grown-up. If she was having an issue, she could figure it out.

  _________________________

  “Tessa, this dinner is pretty good for a first attempt,” his mom complimented.

  Jordan looked up from the sweet potato casserole that he had just been thinking was amazing. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Tessa hunch her shoulders. He looked across the table at his mom, who was carefully picking up a piece of turkey with her fork.

  “I think everything is amazing, Tessa. I can’t remember the last time I had stuffing and gravy,” Eric said right as Jordan opened his mouth to say something.

  Tessa had gone all out. Turkey, green bean casserole, homemade sourdough bread, cranberries, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, and the sweet potato casserole he’d already had seconds of. The table was set beautifully, and all the food tasted incredible. He shouldn’t be stuffing himself like he was, but it was Thanksgiving. Tomorrow he would put in some extra time at the gym.

  “Thank you, Eric. Growing up, we didn’t always get a feast.” Tessa shrugged and added almost shyly, “And I’m enjoying cooking.”

  “All the more reason to hire professionals to make sure you’re doing it right,” his mom inserted, and this time Jordan frowned at her.

  “Is there any dessert for later?” he said, attempting to divert attention away from his mom’s comment.

  “Yes, Daddy! I helped Mommy make pumpkin pie.”

  “I know it will be good if you helped make it.”

  Jordan turned to his daughter, who sat at the head of the table in a booster seat. “So how do you make pumpkin pie?”

  Jordis dazzled him with her knowledge, and then Jordan asked her about the game. About halfway through Jordis’s request that he teach her how to dunk like Mitch Radison, the opposing team’s center, Tessa collected the plates around the table and excused herself.

  After he promised Jordis he would show her the finer points of dunking a ball, Jordan collected more of the items from the dining room table and carried them through to the kitchen. Tessa was at the sink doing dishes.

  “You can leave those for later, Tessa, and I’ll help you.”

  Begrudgingly, he admitted that she’d probably cooked all morning before coming to the game. She shouldn’t have to clean up by herself. His mom had always hired professionals to prepare the meal, and they did all the cleanup as well, so he knew she wouldn’t be helping with the dishes.

  Without turning to look at him, Tessa said in a flat tone, “It’s okay, Jordan. You go back and spend time with your family.”

  He stared at her rigid shoulders and debated whether to help or leave her alone. It had been her choice not to have help around the house and to come in here to be by herself. Jordan turned and walked back out to join his family.

  ___________________

  Chapter 33

  ___________________

  Tessa breathed out a huge sigh of relief when she heard Jordan retreating. The entire day had been hard except for the morning when she’d cooked with Jordis.

  It was always hard to go to Jordan’s games and feel like an outsider, but she wasn’t willing to change who she was to fit in. It seemed ridiculous to wear cocktail party attire to a basketball game. Plus, it would have been impossible to keep up with Jordis in it. She thanked God every time she arrived and saw Eric there.

  He couldn’t be more different from his wife. It was like she was the CEO of a successful software company rather than him. He was down-to-earth and practical, and he never flaunted his wealth.

  Christina was the one who never let Tessa forget that she was from the inner city and would never fit in. She was sneaky about it too. At one of Jordan’s games Tessa had overheard her telling the other basketball wives that she was trying to be a good mentor, but as she had jokingly put it, it was hard to teach someone class.

  Her insinuation at dinner that she should’ve hired professionals was a punch in the gut. Tessa had been proud of binge-watching the Food Network, looking at YouTube videos, and poring over cookbooks. In the past she’d helped the moms make the turkey and potatoes, but she’d never done it all by herself.r />
  Today Tessa truly understood what family was about, and it wasn’t money. They’d never had much when she was growing up, and she’d often dreamed about how different it would be if they were rich. Well, the adage was true—be careful what you wish for. She would have given anything to have her mom, Sophia, and Lindy with her today.

  Tessa didn’t have it in her to go back and be with Christina. It was exhausting getting hit with continual daggers by her mother-in-law and painful for her husband to let it happen. She had been up since five that morning and deserved the opportunity for some peace and quiet.

  It was Thanksgiving, so Jordis could stay up late and Jordan could get her ready for bed. Tessa dragged her battered body up to the master suite and prayed for sleep to claim her before Jordan came up.

  _________________________

  “Come on, Tessa, open your eyes.”

  The husky words whispered in her ear interrupted her delicious dream. Jordan was peeling off her clothes in the warm, humid air. The sun poked under their beach cabana, and the waves crashed to the shore.

  Slowly the words penetrated her mind, and she squinted her eyes open. Vivid blue eyes stared down at her as Jordan ran his hands from her hip up to cup her breast. When he tweaked her nipple in a quick twist, her hips shot off the bed and encountered a fully aroused Jordan.

  Tessa gasped as her nude body hit his, realizing he was the sun in her dream. He’d heated her up from the inside out while she slept. Without thinking, she looped her arms under Jordan’s, cupping his shoulders and pulling him closer.

  It had been so long since she’d felt this connection, and she didn’t have the will to push him away. When they were in bed making their bodies come alive, it was like everything was right with the world. She could pretend that Jordan needed and wanted her, even it was fleeting.

  “That’s it, Tessa. Take what you need.”