“Well, you saw where I live! It’s not like this, but we had our adventures, too. The boys used to swim in the old canal that runs by the factory. Nobody ever drowned, but I don’t know how!”
“I think our upbringings weren’t as different as you might think.”
“What? Your parents were rich; mine certainly weren’t. We’ve always been a classic blue-collar family. Even now. My father is still a contractor. Neither of my parents went to college. They moved into that house when I was only a year old, and they’ve been there ever since.”
“What I’m saying is the similarities outweigh the differences,” said Aiden soberly, watching the glint of the sun on the waves. “Would you say your parents had a good relationship?”
“The best,” said Jordan firmly. “They’re best friends. They smile at each other every time one of them comes into the room. When I was growing up, I didn’t think about it.” She paused. “Now I do.”
“That’s what I’m saying,” Aiden said emphatically. “I’m not sure I can remember my parents ever fighting. Of course I was born just as things started to get easier. My sisters can remember when it was harder.” He turned to look at her and smiled. “And you’re not a blue-collar family anymore. You’re now officially management, my love!”
Jordan dipped her head with a little grin. “Maybe, but I remember where I came from.”
“That’s why you’re so effective.” Aiden took her hand again. “Come with me. We’ll walk on the beach. I’ll show you the boat.”
Together they descended the stairs. The sun’s rays stretched from the west out across the small beach, turning it golden. When they reached the sand, Jordan slipped off her shoes. Aiden stole glances at her as she allowed the cool sand to massage her feet as she walked close to the water. The gentle waves licked at her toes. “Wow!” she giggled, stepping back. “That water is cold!”
“It’s Maine,” said Aiden, smiling at her from where he perched on a seaweed-covered rock above the tidal pools.
“I remember,” Jordan replied, standing her ground and letting the water numb her toes.
“Come on,” beckoned Aiden, jumping down from the rock. “I’ll show you the boat.” He held his hand out to her, and she skipped across the beach to take it. She followed him up a wooden stairway to the dock that led out to the Nellie Bly.
“This is my father’s one real indulgence,” explained Aiden. “When he finally had enough money to consider purchases for pleasure, he bought horses for my sisters, and he and my mother bought this boat. They both love the water. They’re both experienced sailors. They used to go pretty far up the coast, but they mainly stick close in now. They’re getting older, I guess.” Aiden stepped from the dock into the stern of the yacht. He held out his hand again, and Jordan hopped daintily in beside him.
She looked around her. “This is the first time I’ve ever been in any boat bigger than my cousin’s outboard motorboat on Lake Champlain.” She ran her hand over the rich, dark wood and lightly touched the brass that was shining in the sunlight. The boat’s wheel and compass stood at the ready, flanked by padded seating and storage units. Steps led below deck. “It’s a beautiful boat.”
“Want to see below?” He had descended the three steps and raised up his arms to help her down.
“Do you have ulterior motives, sir?” Jordan teased as she stepped down into the hatchway with her bare feet.
Aiden laughed and wrapped his arms around her. She lifted her face to meet his lips with hers. They stood pressed together for a long moment, feeling their hearts beating together. Once again, Aiden was struck by the way this woman felt in his arms, compared to all the other women he had ever held, had ever kissed, had ever taken to bed.
“Come with me,” he whispered urgently, and taking her by the hand, he led her through a small door in the bow end into the master berth. It was dim and cool. What light there was shone through two brass-rimmed portholes. The bed was large and covered with a thick duvet in a blue and white nautical print. Aiden lifted her and laid her back onto the soft mattress, then lowered himself over her.
He felt her arms go up around him, caressing his ear and the back of his neck. Her touch always started a fire in the very core of him, searing him with her sensual smell and taste until he could scarcely control the flames of desire that flared within him. He slipped his hand up under her skirt, feeling her silky skin under his fingertips. His hand followed the curve of her buttocks as she lifted her hips in response to his caress. He felt his passion rise as he pressed his body into hers. Her thighs opened gently. Now his passion became a burning need to possess her. He stood up, unbuckled his belt, and stepped out of his jeans. She lay still on the bed, gazing at him with a small smile on her lips. He got onto the bed beside her and lifted her skirt, exposing red lace panties. His breath quickened. He lowered his lips and kissed her through the panties. A small moan escaped her, fanning the embers of his desire to flames. Suddenly, he could wait no longer. The desire in his groin swelled up, filling him with an urgency he could barely control. He peeled the delicate panties down over her thighs and she lifted her legs free of them. Now he could see the place where he ached to be, the russet curls trimmed in submission to a narrow strip leading to the entrance of her secret heat.
He touched the place with his fingers, pushing between the folds. She moaned again, opening her thighs wider. And then her fingers were beside his, opening and spreading herself for him, inviting him in to fulfill her overwhelming need. He could wait no longer. He kneeled between her soft, open thighs and thrust into her.
Jordan cried out at the intensity of the relief it brought both of them, to satisfy their mutual desire to be this close, this intimate. She gripped the duvet with both fists and lifted her hips up to meet him until their bodies ground together with the heat of their passion. Aiden gripped her hips, pulling her into him, raising his ardor to a fever pitch. He began his thrusts, slow and silken at first and then harder and faster. Aiden knew Jordan could sense his ecstasy growing, straining inside her, filling her with indescribable excitement until at last, her rapture exploded over her. Aiden mirrored her emotion, following her climax with his own. He groaned and shuddered, collapsing at last on top of her, his damp heat mingling with hers.
They lay together until their heartbeats slowed and they began to breath evenly again.
“I love you, Jordan,” Aiden whispered in her ear. Jordan answered with her body, pressing against him, holding him tighter. Aiden lifted his head out of the hollow of her neck. He looked at her and smiled mischievously. “I waited to say that until after we made love,” he said, “so you wouldn’t think I said it just to get in your pants.”
Jordan laughed out loud. “Well, how considerate of you, Mr. Stewart—” she giggled “—but I think we should go back to the house now. I’m afraid Grace will wake up and be upset if I’m not there.”
Aiden stood up and buckled his jeans. Jordan smoothed her skirt and straightened her T-shirt. She peeked into the small mirror that hung on the wall.
“Oh dear!” she exclaimed, smoothing her hair. “I look like…I look like—”
“Like you’ve just had mad, passionate sex?”
“Well, if you put it that way, yes!”
Aiden laughed. “It was kind of a quickie, but I’ll make it up to you later.”
Together, they climbed out of the Nellie Bly and started up the stairway to the wide, green lawn.
As they walked toward the house, Jordan noticed another car parked beside her Jeep in the driveway. It was a sleek, red Mercedes roadster. Jordan had only ever seen one other; Gene Palmer’s son who lived in North Carolina drove it. There was a lot of money around her, but Jordan felt herself only a witness to it. She wasn’t part of it. No matter how much money she made as CEO of Chat, she would never be able to spend like some of these people. For her, things had an intrinsic value, and past that value, she couldn’t bring herself to spend. Even if she were able to afford it, she would never sp
end fifty thousand dollars on a sports car.
“Look,” she said to Aiden, “somebody else is here. Is it someone from the company?”
“I don’t know who that is,” said Aiden, looking hard at the car. There were temporary plates on it. It was brand new. “Let’s go find out.” He made a move to take her hand, but she slipped it behind her back and arched her eyebrow at him. He had forgotten: their personal relationship had not yet been made public. He smiled and stepped playfully away from her.
They crossed the lawn and followed the flagstone walk up to the screened porch. Aiden held the door as Jordan walked up the steps into the shaded room. Nell was coming through the kitchen door, and Gordon was sitting on the wicker sofa. Beside him sat a tall, cool blond woman. She was young and wore a sleeveless summer dress that accented muscular, rather sinewy arms. Her skin was tan, and she wore her thick, straight hair down. She looked up and smiled as they walked in. Her eyes were very blue, and her smile was wide, with teeth a trifle too white and a trifle too large.
She rose and crossed the room, taking Aiden by the hands and kissing him on the cheek. “Aiden! I came to congratulate you as soon as I heard. You scored ChatDotCom! What a coup! And look, did you see my new car?”
Aiden appeared dumb struck, and Jordan wondered nervously who this woman was.
“Aiden! Did you hear me? I said congratulations!”
Aiden seemed to struggle inwardly to find his words. “Oh, thank you! It was really sort of a mutual merger.” He tried to back away from her, but she wouldn’t release his hands.
“My ass!” exclaimed the young woman. “You did it single-handedly!”
“Word travels fast,” Aiden muttered, pulling his hands back until she was forced to let go.
“I heard from my father who heard from your father! Isn’t that right, Gordon?” She turned and flashed a brilliant smile at Gordon. Jordan noticed Aiden cringe and wondered if this woman was assuming a familiarity that wasn’t warranted. As close as Jordan was to Gene Palmer, she’d never called him by his first name, instead maintaining a respectful tone due him for his age, experience, and position in the company. She suspected Mr. Stewart would prefer the same.
“Jennifer,” said Aiden. He spoke a little harshly to get her attention. “Jennifer, I’d like you to meet Jordan Fitzgerald, CEO of ChatDotCom.”
Jordan conquered her surprise—and the unexpected hint of jealousy. She stepped forward and, with her smoothest professional manner, extended her hand.
“Jordan, this is Jennifer Webb,” said Aiden, letting it go without an explanation.
“Oh, nice to meet you. I’m a friend of Aiden’s,” said Jennifer, peering closely at Jordan.
“We’re happy to join Trade Winds,” said Jordan. Her mind was spinning. Although she was anxious and curious to find out who this woman was and what she was to Aiden, foremost in her thoughts was Grace. She took a step toward the kitchen door, but Nell held a finger up to her lips to signify the baby was still asleep. Jordan smiled and relaxed. Nell came forward, and taking Jordan’s arm, said pleasantly, “Let’s all sit for a minute. Did Aiden show you the dock and the Nellie Bly?” She addressed the remark to Jordan, but Jennifer spoke up as she settled back into her spot on the sofa beside Gordon.
“Oh, did Aiden take you to see the boat? Beautiful, isn’t she? Remember when we took her out to Long Island in the far end of the bay and we got stuck in that storm coming back in?” She tossed her hair and laughed heartily. “Do you sail?”
Jordan sensed open warfare, but she remained unruffled. “No,” she said.
“Well, I guess that’s not surprising. Vermont is landlocked, isn’t it? What do you do there for fun?”
Aiden opened his mouth, but Jordan spoke first, sitting in the chair nearest the kitchen door so she could hear Grace. “We do have Lake Champlain. A lot of sailing goes on there. Interestingly enough, it’s where the United States Navy began. And of course I ski. We’re all born skiing in Vermont.”
“Well, welcome to Maine,” said Jennifer, leaning forward, “or, at least to one of Maine’s premier companies. Do you intend to stay with Chat?”
“I do,” said Jordan, choosing not to elaborate.
“Good for you! I’m sure you’ll find these two gentlemen a pleasure to work for.”
Now Aiden spoke up, “Jordan is working with us, Jennifer. She’ll maintain her position as CEO of that branch. Chat will technically remain the same operation. We’ll just expand on it.”
Aiden’s tone was not lost on anybody in the room. Everyone was a just a bit uncomfortable except for Gordon, who seemed to be enjoying himself, entertained by the emerging drama. It was then that they heard a small squeak from Grace.
“Excuse me,” said Jordan, rising from her chair. “My daughter’s waking up from her nap.”
“There’s a daughter?” Jennifer smiled, blinking her eyes in an exaggerated manner. “You’re full of surprises!”
Jordan ignored her and went in to tend to Grace.
Jennifer stood up suddenly. “Well, I’ve got to get going. After-hours business at the bank.” She raised her voice and called into the kitchen, “Nice to meet you, Jordan.”
Jordan came to the door; a sleepy Grace, her head cuddled into her mother’s shoulder, sat on her hip. “Pleased to meet you too. Hope to see you again,” she lied politely.
“I’ll walk you out to your car,” said Aiden.
“Thank you, Aiden,” said Jennifer. “Good-bye, Gordon, good-bye, Nell.”
“Bye,” echoed the two together.
Aiden hurried her along the walk to the driveway. As much as Jordan knew she shouldn’t, she positioned herself near a window overlooking parking area. She watched as the two of them stood close to each other, deep in conversation. Aiden seemed agitated, but Jordan couldn’t be sure. Then, the woman leaned forward and drew Aiden into a passionate kiss. Jordan gasped; this was not a casual kiss good-bye.
It appeared that Aiden pulled back in anger, but the woman laughed as she got into her car, spun the wheels, and raced out to the main road. Aiden stood for a moment and then glanced toward the house, a look of guilt on his face. Jordan quickly stepped away from the window, her heart aching at what she’d seen. She busied herself as Aiden rejoined his father on the porch, not sure what she should say or do. As she put shoes on Grace, she couldn’t help but overhear the conversation between the men just outside.
“That was an unexpected visit, I take it,” he said dryly to Aiden.
“I don’t know what she was up to,” Aiden replied.
“She likes to cause trouble. She’s always been like that. Are you still seeing her?”
There was a pause before Aiden said, “No,” he said simply. “No, I’m not seeing her anymore.”
Nell came out onto the porch followed by Jordan who led Grace by the hand. “Aiden,” she said, “why don’t you and Jordan take Grace outside for a bit to play? Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes.”
“That’s okay, Aiden,” Jordan said. “You don’t have to come. I’m only going right out here so she can walk around for a few minutes.”
Jordan didn’t look at him as she spoke. She had seen the kiss Jennifer given him, had seen Aiden pull back. It was obvious they had, or at least used to have, a relationship of some kind. She struggled with her feelings as she led Grace down the steps onto the lush grass. Grace let go of her hand, plopped on her fat little bottom, and began to pick at the grass. Jordan’s mind raced on. Of course, he must have had numerous relationships before theirs. Was he the kind of man who could juggle more than one at time? Did he pull back because he didn’t want to kiss Jennifer, or because he didn’t want Jordan to see him kiss her? Suddenly, she felt confused and lonely. She wanted to be home. She was a total stranger to these people, no matter how nice they appeared. They had a working relationship, and they were doing the polite business thing to do. And now she couldn’t be sure of Aiden. Suddenly, she couldn’t see their future path. How would it work out? H
ow could it possibly work? She lived in Vermont; he lived here. They had businesses to run, responsibilities that had been in place long before they met. Panic began to seize her.
“What are you thinking about?” Aiden had approached silently and was now standing close behind her.
“I saw that kiss,” she said, trying to sound light.
“You read my mind,” he answered. “I hope it didn’t upset you. She was just trying to make trouble.”
“Are you dating that girl?”
Aiden stared at her. “No, Jordan. I love you.”
“You did date her, though.”
“Yes, I’ve dated her off and on for years. Since high school.”
“That’s a long time.”
“Well, there were other women in between, and after all those years, our relationship hasn’t progressed past a certain point. When I met you, I knew why.”
“Why?” She knew she’d added a sarcastic edge to her voice.
“Because I didn’t love her.” He stepped toward her. “Jordan, I—I didn’t invite her here. I haven’t even thought about her.” He paused. “What’s bothering you? Is there something more going on than just a visit from an old girlfriend?”
“When did you sleep with her last?” Jordan hadn’t meant to say it. It was a silly, immature thing to say, but it slipped out.
“I can’t remember.”
Jordan shot him a withering look, and he took a deep breath. If Jennifer had been in his life on and off for years, he’d certainly remember their last time together.
“Dinner is ready,” called Nell from the porch door.
Aiden and Jordan looked at each other. Neither one spoke. Aiden scooped Grace up and started in to the house, and Jordan was glad her daughter felt so comfortable with him. She tried to relax her face, tried to banish the tension in her shoulders as she followed them.
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