“Do what you think you must.” Jordan’s response was light, almost aloof. “Thank you for calling.” She clicked off.
“Fenton!” breathed Aiden, pushing down his anger.
“Yes.” Jordan sat back down, her phone still in her hands. “You heard how he basically insulted me?” She reached for another piece of pizza and nibbled at it.
“What an asshole,” said Aiden bluntly.
“I hope he doesn’t cause any more trouble.” Despite Jordan’s effort to appear unaffected, Aiden could tell the man’s manner upset her, and the whole conversation brought back memories of the night before. “He said he would go directly to Mr. Palmer.”
“Let him.”
“Then I’ll have to tell Mr. Palmer the truth about why I refused what appears to be a more lucrative agreement.”
“Maybe that’s not the worst thing.” Aiden leaned back in the chair, studying the woman across from him. “How old are you, Jordan?”
“I’m twenty-five, last month.”
Aiden smiled. “You are young, but you’re also smart. And you’re the prettiest CEO I’ve ever had to negotiate with.”
He hadn’t meant to say it, but it was said and it was heard. It seemed she realized his sincerity, and he hid his enjoyment at seeing her cheeks flush. Her hand shook slightly, and she dropped her pizza face down on the carpet.
“Damn!” she said, swooping down to pick up the greasy mess just as Aiden bent to accomplish the same task. Their foreheads cracked together.
“Ow!” she cried out before she could help it. She stood up, her hand to her head.
“That hurt!” Aiden stood as well, rubbing his brow, and they both began to laugh. “You’re pretty, you’re smart, and you’ve got a head like a football helmet!”
They looked at each other, and Jordan smiled. “Thank you for that.”
“Hey, you’ve got a mark.” Aiden instinctively reached out and brushed her forehead gently with his fingertips. “Does it hurt?”
“Not now,” she answered. They were standing so close to each other, he could feel the warmth of her body and see the rise and fall of her chest through her shirt. Then, before either of them was quite sure of what was happening, Aiden’s lips were on hers. Jordan’s body drew up to meet him, her lips parting instinctively, inviting him in. A veil seemed to fall over everything as he increased the pressure of his kiss The relief it brought was overwhelming and her warm, earthy taste fanned his smoldering desires to flames. It was as though he had been awakened from a spell he had not realized he was under. He felt her skin grow warm beneath his fingertips. She lifted her face to his, and he let his lips travel lightly down the curve of her neck until they lingered in the hollow of her throat. His hair brushed her chin, and she uttered a small passionate murmur.
Her delicate gasp resonated through Aiden, overwhelming him with an excitement he had not experienced before. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her as close to him as he could. He felt her capitulate; he felt her firm shape melding into him, surrendering to him, urging him on. Her hands gripped him at the waist and moved upward, until she held his face in her fingertips. This time it was Jordan who initiated the most tender of kisses. Aiden savored her sugary taste. He felt himself transported by her touch, and passion rose in him. He slipped his hand down her back, over the soft swell of her buttock, and down her thigh.
Everything after that happened instinctively. Jordan lifted her leg to his hip, and he curled his hand up under her, supporting her against him. He backed up two steps and sank into the wing chair, hoisting her onto his lap. She straddled him, and his hands went up under her T-shirt. The softness of her skin intoxicated him. Their lips explored each other, seeking fulfillment, seeking completion.
Heat was growing in Aiden’s groin. He shifted under her and felt her thighs tighten around him. She lifted herself ever so slightly and brushed back down on him. A groan of ecstasy escaped him. His hands went to her breasts, pushing up under her bra. He felt her taut nipples and took them in his fingertips, squeezing gently, then harder. Jordan lifted her lips from his, flinging her head back with an audible cry as her hips moved instinctively.
Then, just as quickly as their passion had escalated, Jordan wrenched herself out of Aiden’s arms. She stood up, struggling to quiet her rapid breathing, her hand to her heart.
“I—I—I can’t,” she gasped. “I can’t! Right now I can’t.” She looked at Aiden’s face in the dim light of the lamp. “Don’t look like that, Aiden. It’s just that…it’s just been so long. And—and—oh, I’m so sorry. I’m sorry.” She brought her hands to her face.
Aiden was shaking. He stood and ran both hands through his hair. He struggled for a moment to grasp the situation, to stifle his physical innervation. He felt his ecstasy turn to pain, and he exhaled loudly. Jordan lifted her eyes to his, but Aiden didn’t move a muscle.
“Please,” she whispered. “Please understand. Aiden, it’s not you. I’m so, so attracted to you. I just can’t right now. It’s me.”
In a second, he was in front of her, his arms around her. “Shh,” he murmured into her fragrant hair. “Jordan, it’s all right. We can take this slow. We can.”
Her face was buried in his chest, and he felt the warmth of her breath. “The business,” she continued. “Mr. Palmer is depending on me. My child, my family, they depend on me.” She shook her head back and forth. “How are we going to do business now?”
Aiden took her by the arms and held her out from him. For her sake, he forced a smile. “We’re bigger people than that,” he said. “We’ll get this done. Look—” he paused to take a deep sigh “—I’m going back to the Inn now. I can’t do any more business tonight. We’ll sign this in the morning.” He let her go and stood, his arms at his side. He was completely deflated; all his energy was drained. He had never felt so lost.
She looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. He saw her hands tremble. “Okay,” she said softly. “Okay. I—”
Aiden held up his hand. His smile was kind but determined. “We’ll continue this another time.” Then he turned to leave.
Jordan’s reply was barely audible. “I can’t promise anything,” she said.
Aiden looked back at her, every nerve in his body on edge. “I’m not giving up on us, Jordan,” he said simply. “I’m not. I don’t care what happens to Chat or Trade Winds. I don’t care what happens with my father or Gene Palmer. I don’t care what people think of us. I won’t give up.”
Jordan turned away as Aiden walked out the door and shut it behind him.
Silent tears overflowed Jordan’s eyes and trickled down her cheeks. She clenched her fists as a sob escaped from her lips. She stayed there, leaning on her desk, until she was sure Aiden had left. Then she gave a shuddering sigh, pulled on her jacket, grabbed her bag, and left her office.
She was shivering as she pulled out of the parking lot, but it was not from the evening chill. Tears still occluded her vision. She just wanted to get home, to get into her own bed and hold her baby close. She pulled out into the street.
The angry blast of a vehicle horn shocked her, and she slammed on the brakes. Panicked, Jordan blinked her eyes against the glare of headlights. She had pulled right out in front of an oncoming truck. The pickup had stopped about a foot from her car door.
“What the hell!” Jordan heard the angry voice of the driver as he jumped out of the truck. “What are you doing? You got your head up your ass?”
Then, the passenger door opened, and Jordan heard Ashley’s familiar voice. “Jordan!”
The young driver glanced at his wife and then back at Jordan, who was getting out of her vehicle.
“Jordan! Is that you? What’s the matter?” said Kyle. “Are you all right?”
Ashley rushed up to her, pulling her into a quick embrace. “Jordan, what’s the matter?”
“I’m okay. I’m okay,” insisted Jordan. “We didn’t collide.” She saw Ashley and Kyle exchange looks.
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sp; “You’re shaking,” Ashley said. “Get over to the passenger side. I’m getting in.” Then she turned to her husband. “Kyle, you go home. I’ll call you to come pick me up later. I’m going to make sure she’s okay.”
Jordan overheard Kyle say softly, “Has she been drinking?”
Ashley shook her head as she climbed in behind the wheel. “I doubt it, but something’s going on. I’ll see you later, hon.”
“Call me,” he said as he gave his wife a quick kiss. He got back in his truck and drove away slowly.
Ashley put the Jeep in reverse, guiding it back into the parking lot. Then she threw the shift into park and turned to her friend.
“You don’t look so good, Jordan. Have you been drinking?”
“I had a beer.”
“Well, that doesn’t seem like a lot, but you were sure in a fog. Good thing we weren’t going fast.”
“What are you doing out at ten o’clock at night?”
“Picking up Kyle from a volunteer firefighter’s meeting.”
“Oh.” Jordan paused and took a deep breath. “I’m glad it was you.”
“You’ve been under a lot of stress lately, what with this buyout or merger or whatever it is. Have you even seen Grace in the last three days?”
Jordan held her head in her hands. “Hardly,” she muttered.
“Did something happen? You weren’t there with Fenton, were you? I didn’t like that guy and after what Vanessa said Larry Sample said—”
“It wasn’t Fenton,” said Jordan, staring straight ahead. “I’m trying to close the deal with Aiden Stewart. We were hammering out the details.”
“We? Then he was here with you?”
Jordan nodded.
“Jordan, what happened? Did he back out?”
“No.” Jordan’s voice was deadpan. “You might say I did.”
“You?” gasped her friend. “I’m not understanding this. Jordan, tell me what happened. You’re obviously upset about something. Get it out.” Ashley began to tap her foot nervously.
Jordan turned and for the first time since Ashley got into the car, she looked directly at her.
“Ashley, I’m falling in love with Aiden Stewart.” Then she buried her face in her hands. “What am I going to do? What am I doing!”
There was a long enough silence to prompt Jordan to look up. Ashley was staring at her, but suddenly a smile appeared on the girl’s face and she laughed. “Oh, wow!” she exclaimed. “That’s wonderful! That’s just what you need! And he’s adorable!” She clapped her hands.
Jordan was annoyed. “That’s not what I need at all! Ashley, you don’t understand. I have to go home.”
Ashley completely ignored her. She stopped her chuckling and looked directly at her friend. “Tell me everything that happened. Did he kiss you?”
Jordan nodded, and then haltingly, slowly, she found herself telling Ashley the whole story. “And then he said…he said he wouldn’t give up on us. Then he left.”
They sat in silence for a minute or two. Finally, Ashley spoke. “Well, I can’t tell you what to do with the business, but I can tell you what to do with a man.” She settled back in the seat and propped her hands on the steering wheel. “Listen to me, Jordan. Falling in love is good. Believe me; it’s a good thing. You know, I’ve been telling you for nearly two years that that’s what you need. And yet, you ignore me. Now it’s come for you. It’s caught up with you. You’re not superhuman, Jordan. You’re not an exception. You need love like the rest of us. Stop trying to avoid it. Aiden Stewart is single. He’s cute. And I know in my heart that he’s a good man. His eyes are honest. If he’s interested in you, it’s coming from his heart.”
“How do I know that, Ashley? How do I know, and what does that mean for me and the business and Mr. Palmer?”
“I’m only thinking what it means for you,” answered Ashley. “And it means letting go. It means sharing yourself with another person who cares about you. It means somebody to kiss good morning and somebody to kiss good night.”
“I can’t weaken like this. I can’t give in. I’ve got more important things to think about.”
“The most important thing you need to think about is yourself. If you’re all screwed up, you’re compromised. You won’t be able to function, and then you’ll fail. You’ll fail Chat and Mr. Palmer. You’ll fail yourself.”
“Oh, Ashley!”
“Look, I’m sorry. You’ve got to hear me out and listen to me. Falling in love with somebody isn’t being weak. It’s being strong. It makes you stronger. Yes, you can get along just fine on your own, but you can accomplish twice as much with somebody you love. Kyle and I have. Where would I be without him? Where would he be without me? We’re a team. A strong team. Do you think your parents are weak for being married to each other? Do you think they’d be stronger if they separated? Think about it, Jordan. They get through bad times because they have each other. They have good times because they have each other. Support. It’s all about support. You get strength from each other, not weakness. Love makes you strong.”
“I have Grace to love.”
Ashley made a frustrated snort. “You know that’s not what I mean. Grace is your child. You have no right to put her into a position like that. She needs you as her mother. You can’t tie her down by hanging onto her like an anchor. It’s not healthy.” The young woman paused. When she continued, her voice took on a gentler, quieter tone. “Do you reject love because of Grace? Do you feel guilty that it wasn’t all open and above board? Jordan, you didn’t know. Do you feel guilty for that? Is that what’s scaring you? That an unintended affair caused an unintended pregnancy?”
The tears flowed down Jordan’s cheeks unchecked. “I didn’t know! I never thought, Ashley!” she sobbed. “I never thought I’d get pregnant! I was shocked when I found out. Now I have a double responsibility to Grace.” She bowed her head and let the tears come. Ashley reached out gently and rubbed her back. “From the first day I realized it, I knew my life had changed forever. I knew for the rest of my life I had to make it up to this—this wonderful baby. I wanted her so badly, Ashley. I feel as though I’ve failed her. No father she can call her own. Goddam! It’s not fair! It’s not fair!”
“I’m so sorry for that, Jordan,” Ashley said quietly. “I really am. You can’t bear that guilt, though. You did the right thing. Grace is here. She’s your daughter, come what may. She’s here to be her own person. That’s a legacy. You can’t change what happened, but now you have Grace, your beautiful little daughter. Yes, you need to take responsibility for that choice, but you need to take care of yourself as well—your emotional as well as your physical self. You’re young and alive, Jordan. You’re alive, and you deserve to live. Live, Jordan, please. It’s the best thing you can do for Grace—and for yourself.” Now there were tears in Ashley’s eyes, and she leaned over and held her sobbing friend in a warm hug.
After a while, Jordan raised her head and smiled at Ashley. “Thanks for being here for me.”
“That’s my job, isn’t it? At work, at play, in the parking lot!”
They both managed a little laugh. “Now I’ll tell you what we’re going to do.” Ashley’s demeanor became more serious. “We’re going to go back into your office. You’re going to wash your face and re-do your makeup. Then you’re going to go to the Inn and apologize to Aiden Stewart for giving him what I’m sure was an iron-clad hard-on that you proceeded to back out on. That’s just cruel. You can buy him a drink. It’s still not too late.”
Jordan wiped futilely at her smeared mascara. “I don’t even have any makeup here.”
“Oh, my friend,” chuckled Ashley, “you don’t know me very well.” She reached into her tote-sized purse beside her on the seat and withdrew a smaller, blue clutch. She waggled it in front of Jordan’s nose. “Everything you need, baby. Everything you need.”
Chapter Eight
JORDAN STEADIED HERSELF and took a deep breath before knocking on Aiden’s door. She hoped Ashl
ey was right, that Aiden wouldn’t be angry with her about her sudden reaction earlier or her showing up now. All she needed to do was apologize, explain her confusion at the evening’s events, maybe go downstairs to the bar and have a drink, but then she’d leave. She heard some shuffling inside the room and backed up a step in anticipation of the door opening.
“Who is it?”
“It’s Jordan,” she croaked nervously and cleared her throat. “May I come in? Please?”
Aiden opened the door, his mouth agape. She’d obviously surprised him. “Come in,” he said, backing up so she could enter.
Jordan stepped into the room and noticed Aiden’s phone in his hand. “Am I interrupting? I can go—”
He looked down at the open phone, clapped it shut, and tossed it onto the bedside table. “No, don’t. My father…” He pursed his lips. “He wants an update, but I’ll call him in the morning.”
She looked up at him and hesitated before speaking, twisting her fingers together. “I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry I behaved like that.” She paused, and Aiden waited. “Do you want to go down for a drink?” she asked. “We could talk for a minute.”
“No,” he answered huskily.
“Well, then,” she stumbled with her words and turned to go. “Well—I don’t blame you. I just wanted to say I was sorry and I—Don’t worry. The deal’s still on. We can sign in the morning.”
Aiden reached out and closed the door behind her. He took her by both arms and turned her until they were face to face. “I don’t want a drink,” he said. “I want you.” He pulled her in to him and held her against his chest. She laid her cheek on the soft cotton of his shirt. The song of his beating heart sounded in her ear. “Please stay,” he said, bending his head to hers.
Jordan answered with her lips, lifting her face to his, seeking his mouth with hers. Their lips pressed together, parting slightly to let the tips of their tongues touch. Jordan could feel the urgency in his fingertips as they played lightly over her face, tracing down her throat. His lips followed, leaving a trail of burning kisses from her ear, down her neck to the top of her cleavage where he was stopped by her T-shirt. Deftly, he slipped his hands down her torso, took the hem of the garment, and in one sure movement, slipped it up and over her head. Jordan gave her arms a little shake, and it fell unnoticed to the floor.
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