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

by T Christensen

  Just as her anger stirred at his demand, the phone rang again. This time she didn’t hesitate.

  “You don’t get to tell me what to do,” she gritted out as a greeting.

  “Take the house, Tessa.”

  It sounded like a plea. That was new.

  “Pleeash Tesha.” Jordan’s slur came through clearly.

  “Are you drunk, Jordan?” she blurted out, astonished. It was only two in the afternoon. Shouldn’t he be at practice or getting ready for a game?

  Jordan ignored her question and growled at her with no audible slur, “Tessa, when are you moving back to the house?”

  Here was the Jordan she remembered, bossy and sure he was going to get what he wanted. Tessa’s initial instinct was to snap back at him, but she swallowed her retort. At some point she would have to learn to get along with him.

  “Jordan, I don’t know if I’m moving back into the house.”

  “I thought you loved it?” He fired back accusingly, like she insulted him by not immediately agreeing.

  Her grip on the phone tightened, but she continued calmly, “I do love the house. It was generous of you to put it in my name, but I still don’t know if I could afford it.”

  “All you have to do is live in it!” he roared.

  “Call me when you’re sober.”

  “Don’t hang up, don’t hang up. I’m sorry. I’m shorry.”

  Tessa paused when she heard Jordan draw in several deep breaths. As he continued, his earnest words wormed their way toward breaking her down.

  “I promise to pay all the bills. I just want you and Jordis there. I need to know that I’m taking care of you. I didn’t do that for so long, and I can’t stand the thought of you suffering. If you ever need anything, all you have to do is tell me. I’ll get it.”

  Tessa broke her promise to herself. She was crying again. She wanted to be taken care of, and she didn’t like hearing Jordan broken and tortured. But she’d been controlled by him and his family for so long that she couldn’t break now. If Tessa gave into this, who knew what he would demand next.

  Most of all, she craved a place that was all hers. Somewhere her family could visit and where Jordis could play, but something she didn’t have to share.

  Through the tears clogging her throat, Tessa said, “I know you called Laura and got my job back. Thank you. You paid off all of my mom’s medical debt, and I never thanked you. Now I need to be on my own. I need to be twenty-seven and know I can do it on my own.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me, Tessa! Let me help you! It was my mom and me who made sure you couldn’t come to us for help. You’ve been doing it on your own for years! You had Jordis all by yourself and gave her everything she needed. You have already done it on your own!”

  While she didn’t enjoy being yelled at, a part of her warmed at the thought of what she had accomplished, although she hadn’t done it alone. “It was hard, but I was still living at home with the moms, and we made it work together. Lindy sent money, Sophia worked, and my mom took care of Jordis when she could. I didn’t do it by myself.”

  “I’ll be paying child support, Tessa. Use that money to help live in the house.”

  “I’m not moving into the house, Jordan,” she told him with finality before softly hanging up.

  ___________________

  Chapter 41

  ___________________

  Tessa was back at work, and it was so good to be productive again. She’d taken the full-time coaching position. It would allow her to get Jordis into preschool and be home in the evenings with her. Giving up working with students was difficult as it was where she found her greatest joy, but she could still occasionally fill in for other teachers.

  The job had the additional benefit of distracting her from Jordan. He texted and called multiple times a day. Each time she looked at her phone and saw his name her heart pulled with conflicting emotions.

  She wasn’t ready to forgive him yet, but it wasn’t in her nature to treat people badly. Avoiding calls and texts wasn’t very adult, but Tessa wasn’t ready to have another conversation with him. The last one involving the house had been an emotional roller coaster.

  She’d thought about blocking him from her phone, but she didn’t have that luxury with Jordis in the picture. That meant she was forced to listen to every voicemail and read every text. Jordan still talked with Jordis and picked her up to take her out. Luckily the moms always took her down to the apartment complex’s main doors and waited with her to be picked up or for her to be dropped off.

  Rationally she knew that she would have to have a discussion with him eventually, but she was still too emotional to do it now. Every time she thought she’d put up a wall around her heart, it crashed down with one of his messages. A couple of times her finger had hovered over his name to call or text him back when it didn’t involve Jordis. So far, she’d found the will to only text him about her.

  Lindy had flown back to New York, but she’d given Tessa the name of a lawyer to contact before leaving. Jules Clarkson seemed like a straight shooter, and she’d been a divorce attorney for ten years.

  Tessa had breathed a sigh of relief when Jules informed her, “I’m not cheap, but I will get the job done. With your prenup, this should be quick and easy. I’m okay with you paying in installments, and Jordan will be paying some of the fees.”

  Tessa didn’t remember anything in her prenup talking about Jordan paying for her fees, but she hadn’t read it from cover to cover. And it really didn’t matter. She just wanted the divorce done.

  True to her word, Jules had filed the papers the first week after they’d met. When the documents had been served, Jules had texted her.

  Jules: Papers served. He was not happy. Call/text if you need me. I’ll be in touch.

  Tessa’s body tightened, and her breathing sped up. Why wouldn’t he be happy? He’d only married her because of Jordis. She wasn’t asking for anything. Dammit, nothing in her life could ever go smoothly.

  Tessa tried to shrug off the worry as she headed into work. At least at work she was in control and in her element. Exploring new educational tools, attending various webinars, and keeping track of all of their students were more than enough to keep her busy.

  Her position was new. Laura had done it before and managed to keep the fundraising going to ensure the Center could remain open. She still came into the office, so if Tessa had any questions she was right there.

  Since they’d been working so closely, Tessa and Laura had started to develop a closer friendship. Tessa was excited to have someone to do girl stuff with who wasn’t a family member.

  It was good to keep busy so she didn’t dwell on what might have been with Jordan or mourn his absence. As crazy as it sounded, and Tessa knew it was crazy, she was disappointed that he’d stayed away. She knew it was for the best because she caved quickly when he was around. When it came right down to it, she was still hurt that he’d let her go so easily.

  Tessa came through the SEC doors and said hi to everyone as she walked back to her office. As she opened the door, a deep, thunderous voice boomed out, “We are not getting a divorce. I will fight with every last dollar I have to block it.”

  Tessa swallowed her squeak of surprise and eagerly ate Jordan up with her eyes. She hadn’t seen him since he’d left her bedroom in the apartment. His cheeks seemed hollower, but his jaw was set in stone. His eyes were steel, daring her to disagree with him. She tore her eyes away from his face and noted his arms folded across his chest and his wide stance.

  Tessa ignored the waves of determination and stubbornness floating around him. She focused her gaze on the gray suit fitted to perfection and how his navy shirt opened at the top, hinting at the hard body that lurked under his businessman facade.

  She licked her suddenly dry lips. How could she forget how he commanded a room with only his presence? Her body told her to move forward and bask in his strength.

  Jordan let loose a growl, and Tessa snapped her wide
eyes back to him, realizing she’d been ogling him. She could only watch as Jordan strode toward her, desire swimming in his eyes.

  “You can’t look at me like that and not expect me to do this, Tessa.”

  In one move he slid her away from the door to the wall beside it, and his mouth slammed down on hers.

  At first Tessa stood there, assimilating herself to his presence, and then the familiar spark spread from her lips and fired up her core. She’d missed this. Missed Jordan. When he was touching, kissing, and devouring her, everything was okay in the world. She stretched onto her tiptoes and wrapped her hands around his neck.

  As soon as she started returning his kiss, Jordan tore his mouth away from hers and stepped back. Why was he moving away? Her hands reached out to bring him back. She crashed back down to earth when he took another step back and ran his hand through his hair.

  “Dammit Tessa, don’t tempt me. I came to talk with you.”

  Shit, shit, shit, what the hell was wrong with her? How did she end up kissing him? Wryly, she admitted it was because she hadn’t had time to prepare for his presence. This was why she had been avoiding him and talking only through text.

  She swallowed the wave of humiliation rising up in her throat and crossed her arms around her waist, looking blearily at his chest.

  “You need to go. This is my place of work.”

  Before her next breath, she could feel Jordan’s heat. He was back in her bubble, and her stupid body was still reacting.

  “You’ve been avoiding me, Tessa. We need to talk. I don’t want a divorce. I’m not going to give you one.”

  Using all of her strength, she tried to push him away. Adding to her rising frustration, Jordan stayed put for a couple of heartbeats and then backed away. He was letting her know he only moved because he wanted to, not because she wanted him to.

  “You don’t always get what you want, Jordan. Maybe it’s time you learned that,” she challenged him bravely as she walked behind her desk.

  Tessa pointed at her door. “Leave.”

  Jordan quirked a brow and sprawled out in one of her guest chairs. “Make me.”

  “What!” Tessa felt her eyes widen. That was something a ten-year-old would say. What was worse is she had to stop the impulse to stomp her foot.

  Instead, she ground her teeth together so she didn’t screech. “I’m at work, Jordan. You need to go.”

  He rested his ankle on his knee and splayed his hands across his stomach. Her blood pumped furiously through her veins. Two could play this game. Narrowing her eyes and pursing her lips, Tessa turned her chair to her computer.

  Her desk was an L shape, so her profile now faced Jordan. She opened the drawer by the monitor and grabbed a pen. If he was going to sit there and wait for her to give in, he was in for a long wait.

  The only problem with her genius plan is that she couldn’t ignore him. Tessa never looked at him, but she could feel him. Her body stilled with every move he made, and she looked at him out of the corner of her eye.

  The first time he moved, Jordan got his phone out of his pocket. When he started scrolling through it, she breathed a little easier. Tessa got about one minute of work done before the side of her face tingled. She looked down at the file folder, waiting and praying that he would go back to his phone.

  Instead, she sensed his eyes on her lips, and they gradually parted to take in some additional air. When her breasts were heavy, and she could feel her nipples standing at attention, she broke. She had lasted an entire five minutes.

  Spinning in her chair, Tessa folded her arms on her desk and leaned toward him.

  “What do you want?”

  Jordan dropped his crossed leg to the floor and put his elbows on his knees. “I want you.”

  ___________________

  Chapter 42

  ___________________

  Jordan didn’t take the time to acknowledge his victory at breaking through Tessa’s anger. He reached across the desk, cupping the back of her neck and tilting her stunned face as he dropped his mouth to hers and stormed her senses.

  The only way he’d found to penetrate Tessa’s stubbornness was to make her feel something more potent than her anger, a task he was always up for. He took her lips firmly, but not aggressively. As Tessa’s stiffness faded away, he teased her with his tongue. When her petite hands came up and settled around his neck and her fingers ran through his hair, he wanted to beat his chest in triumph.

  The desk between them prevented Jordan from dragging her down to the chair and fucking her with his fingers. He had a feeling if he did do that, it would only add to the resentment she harbored. Instead, he plundered her mouth until he heard the moan in the back of her throat.

  They both stood and leaned over her desk with their mouths straining together. Reluctantly, Jordan decided it was time to see if he could get Tessa to listen. Keeping his hands on her neck and rubbing her cheeks with his thumbs, he eased away from her tempting mouth, and with mere millimeters separating them ordered, “Don’t move.”

  Desire swam in Tessa’s eyes and then confusion. Making sure they stayed connected, Jordan locked her hand in his and never breaking eye contact, he walked around the desk. In that short amount of time, he saw the desire clearing and those fucking stubborn walls coming up. As soon as he was in front of her, he bent down and retook her mouth, picking up where they’d left off. Now Jordan had the pleasure of putting one hand on the small of her back and guiding her soft curves to mold into his hardness.

  Fuck! There was nothing on this earth that was created for him more than Tessa. His cock ballooned up as soon as she was in the same vicinity as him. It was like it was always pointing at her saying mine.

  Jordan indulged his need to have her like putty in his arms before he reluctantly pulled away, but he didn’t let her escape. He sat down, pulling her with him into her chair.

  “Now we’re going to talk.”

  She stiffened, and Jordan locked his arms tighter around her. Finally, Tessa was in the same room as him. She wasn’t going anywhere until he got what he wanted.

  “Let me up, Jordan.”

  The ice was back in her voice, but he could also hear shame. That was his first order of business. She would feel none of that shit.

  He unlocked one of his arms from around her waist and tilted her face back to meet his eyes.

  “You will never be ashamed of what happens between us. I’ve never felt this need for another woman, and it’s one reason I know we should be together.”

  “So you’re saying I’m a good fuck?”

  Anger swirled in his chest and erupted throughout his body. He stood, taking Tessa with him. He grabbed her hand and strode across the room. When Tessa’s back was against the wall, Jordan locked her in place with his hips. His hands engulfed each side of her face, forcing her to look at him.

  Tessa stared defiantly back at him, but he saw her swallow hard.

  “Don’t ever,” Jordan growled, “ever talk about yourself or me that way.”

  He gave Tessa a second to process what he was saying. He wasn’t done talking, and he wanted to make sure she was with him before he continued.

  “When we’re in a room together, I always know where you are. I always see the other fucking guys circling you, ready to pounce. I also know you have no clue they’re doing it. Do you know why, Tessa?”

  Her eyes got rounder and rounder with each word he uttered, and he felt her heart racing. When she didn’t answer, he put a little more steel in his voice.

  “Answer me, Tessa. Do you know why you never notice you’re always the main attraction in the room?”

  He could see Tessa forming a denial, and Jordan cut that shit off.

  “Yes. All the men, including the old fuckers, are drawn to you. Do you know why?”

  Jordan tightened his hand on her jaw.

  “No,” she finally whispered.

  “Because you radiate innocence and sweetness. You’re gorgeous, and you don’t know it.”<
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  Tessa’s eyes drew together, but she looked at him intently.

  “Men know special when they see it. They know you’re not a quick fuck. You’re a keeper. And you know why you don’t see them?”

  Tessa’s gaze was trapped by his as she shook her head. Finally, he was reaching her.

  “Because it’s always been us, baby. If we’re in the same room, I know where you’re at without looking. And you know where I’m at, don’t you?”

  Tessa licked her lips and locked onto her bottom one with her teeth. Jordan stared, wishing it were his teeth, but he dragged his thoughts back to what was important. He let her get away with not answering because he could see the acknowledgment in her eyes.

  “We have a connection. When we’re together, there is always a simmering between us. A flame brewing, ready to explode. I feel what you’re feeling.”

  Tessa widened her eyes, and her mouth dropped open. Jordan nodded his head and continued, “I was fucking stupid to walk away from you four years ago, but I’m not allowing either of us to walk away again, Tessa.”

  There it was. The spark of hope he’d been craving, praying, to see in Tessa’s eyes. He pressed on.

  “I know you’ve been avoiding me because you’re scared of our connection. It goes both ways, Tessa. I would fucking do anything for you, but I won’t allow you to avoid me and not talk to me. You are mine, and I want—” He paused, shaking his head and boring his gaze into hers.

  “No, I need you. I need you in my life. I need you at home. You make our house a home. Give us a chance to be husband and wife without all the baggage surrounding us.”

  Jordan could sense Tessa weakening, but she still hesitated. And as much as it punched him in the gut to admit, he could understand. He pressed on.

  “Give me sixty days, Tessa. Sixty days to prove what we have is real and rare. I know you feel it. You have every reason not to trust me, but trust your gut. I will never hurt you again. All of our shit is on the table. Sixty days, and then I won’t contest the divorce.”