by D. Camille
Jordan thought about that for a minute then leaned forward. “I can't let you pay for dinner Sage, but I was planning to stop by the nightclub next door tonight. Will you join me and then I'll think about letting you cover the drinks?”
Sage crossed her arms and watched him. It was really a struggle for him to allow someone to pay for him. Did he pay all the time? For everyone? That was disturbing to her. “Okay Jordan. I'll let you pay for dinner and I will be covering the drinks later and you will order more than one. Agreed?” she asked pointedly.
“We'll see,” he said smiling at her.
“You have control issues,” she said shaking her head as she replaced her credit card in her wallet.
“I know,” he said seriously. “Are you ready to go?”
Sage slid across the booth and stood. “Aren't you supposed to get some woman's number?” she asked.
He frowned. “Ray can bring his cheap ass back here and get it himself.”
Sage laughed as Jordan escorted her out of the restaurant.
Chapter 5
They walked next door side by side. Jordan held the door open for her and as she entered she took in the ambiance. It was a very nice, very upscale club. There was a dance floor near some tables in the front then there were more tables in the back and a darker more secluded area. She turned to look at Jordan and to ask where he wanted to sit, but before she got the words out a pretty young woman came up to them.
“Jordan!” she exclaimed. “I'm so glad you came.”
Sage watched as the woman stood on tiptoe and kissed Jordan on the cheek.
“I told you I would,” Jordan said giving the woman a hug.
Can you say third wheel, Sage thought to herself. If he was meeting a woman why did he invite her? What the hell? This was not her style at all.
Jordan turned to Sage. “Let me introduce you. Sage this is Gayle. Gayle this is Sage.” The two women said a greeting to one another.
“I love your dress!” Gayle exclaimed to Sage.
“Thanks,” Sage said still distracted by her thoughts.
“Where's George?” Jordan asked Gayle.
“He's in the back. I have to tell him you're here.”
Sage was completely confused. Now who in the hell was George? Was this some freaky LA stuff?
Jordan must have read her expression. He laughed easily before explaining. “Sage, Gayle and George own this club. George used to work for me at Black Diamond before becoming a club owner.”
Gayle interjected, “Jordan is being much too modest. Without his help we could have never even gotten this place open,” she said beaming.
Sage smiled. “Well it's a beautiful place. You should be very proud.”
“Let me get you guys a table.” Gayle said leading the way. She led them to the darker part of the club with nice plush sofas. “The VIP section, for special people only.” She smiled. “I'll send a waitress to get your drink orders.”
Sage dug into her purse and taking out her credit card said, “Gayle, please start a tab for both of us,” she said sweetly sliding a look at Jordan.
Gayle took the card in her hand and looked at them both. She waited.
Jordan finally spoke. “That's fine Gayle. Thank you.”
Gayle disappeared with the card and Jordan waited until Sage was seated until he sat himself. He looked over at her. “You are very determined.”
She looked back. “I'm a woman of many talents,” she said softly, “Many talents.”
Jordan gave a soft laugh as the waitress appeared with Sage's card. “May I take your orders?”
Sage responded, “I'll have a cranberry cocktail and the gentleman will have...” she trailed off.
“Just have George send my regular,” he told the waitress.
“Yes, Mr. Black. I'll be back with your drinks.”
He turned back to Sage and stared at her.
“I take it you come here often?” she asked.
He shrugged. “As often as I can when I just want to chill and relax.”
“Am I killing your buzz by tagging along?
Jordan settled his arm along the back of the sofa. “First of all you aren't tagging along, I invited you. Secondly you are all the buzz a man can handle.”
They settled into a comfortable silence as the music played. It was a slow jam night where all the songs were slow and sexy. There were a few people swaying together on the dance floor. Sage watched the couples while thinking about the man beside her.
Seeing her watching the dance floor, Jordan asked, “Would you like to dance?”
She turned to him and softly said yes.
He stood, took her hand and led her out to the dance floor. The beginning notes of Maxwell's For Lover's Only began to play. He placed his hand on her waist taking her hand with his other hand. She placed her hand on his chest over his heart and he felt it...again; that thing. He looked down at her as they began to slowly move to the music. Jordan watched her as she watched him.
As more people entered the dance floor they found themselves having to move closer together. Sage looped both arms around his neck as he placed both hands on her waist. She lowered her head to rest against his shoulder then her hands, of their own volition, began to gently stroke the back of his neck where his hairline ended. Someone bumped into her and she found her body pressed solidly against his. Her gaze flew to his as she stepped back a bit. She had clearly felt his body's response against her. Sage gave a small gasp.
Jordan stopped and stared down at her. “Uh...sorry,” he said.
Sage shook her head slowly. “No need to be sorry. I'm.....flattered,” she said softly. “And very impressed.”
“We should probably get our drinks,” he suggested.
“Uh, sure.”
He took her hand and led her back to the table. All the way Sage's mind was racing. Whoa baby! Brother was packing like that? Alright now Jordan Black. Jordan waited for her to be seated before he took a seat on the other end of the sofa from her. Their drinks were now on the table waiting for them. He looked down at them and then back at Sage.
He sighed. “I..um...you're a very beautiful and sexy woman Sage and I am a man,” he said quietly. “But, that was inappropriate of me. Again, I'm sorry.”
Sage slid closer to him on the sofa. “Jordan you don't have to apologize. It's nature. Should I apologize for my hard nipples or the dampness between my thighs?”
Jordan closed his eyes and held up a hand. “Please, too much information.”
“Jordan you are an incredibly handsome man and natural reactions can’t be controlled. I mean we aren't going to do anything about them so no harm, no foul.”
“I should take you home now,” he said.
She picked up her drink on the table.
“After I run up my tab,” she said as she slowly sipped her drink. “Drink up Jordan.”
Jordan had two drinks before he practically dragged Sage out of the nightclub. His car was valet parked so as they waited on the sidewalk Sage let her mind race. So much for being weaned off of Jordan Black, she thought. She was more addicted than ever. His jaw was set in a tense pose as he watched for the car. The driver pulled up and Jordan helped her into the passenger seat. After he was in the driver’s seat he immediately shifted the gear and took off. Sage reached for the stereo and John Legend's Tonight came through the speakers.
“Hell no! No slow and sexy baby. Not right now.” He shut the music off and Sage looked over at him confused.
Sage laughed a low sexy laugh. “Jordan, you know that you are really overreacting.”
Jordan was whipping through the streets of LA not trying to hear what she was talking about. How the hell did this happen? It was dinner with Ray and his baby sister. How did it almost turn into a damn porno movie?
“So you're not talking to me either?” she asked softly.
“I can't talk to you right now Sage,” he answered shortly.
Sage turned and looked out the window watching the scene
ry whiz by. They reached Ray's house and as she reached for the door Jordan touched her arm. “Please wait for me to open the door for you,” he said gently. She nodded. Jordan came around and helped her out of the car. Silently they walked to the door and he waited until she handed him the keys. He opened the door and let her inside where she flicked the hall light on and started for the living room, but he stopped her in the hall and placed the keys in her hand holding on to it.
“I apologize for my actions tonight, both at the club and afterward,” he said softly. “You're my best friend's sister and I would never do anything to disrespect you or him.” He released her hand and stepped back.
“I hope you still think I'm a good guy because I am.”
Sage stepped back to him and raised her hand to his face. “You're the best Jordan,” she said and gently rose on her toes to kiss him on his cheek. “Good night.”
He stared down at her. “Good night Sage.” Then he turned and walked out the door.
************
One month later...
Jordan was gathering his bag on his way to the gym when his business phone rang. He saw the name Sage Parker come across the screen and his heart did that thing. Sage was calling him? He hadn't seen or spoken to her since he'd dropped her off after the scene at the nightclub. He had expected the next day to see Ray in his office for a showdown, but so far everything had been cool. He answered. “Hello.”
“Hi Jordan. It's Sage, Sage Parker. Ray's sister,” she said quickly.
He dropped his bag to the floor. “Believe it or not you're the only Sage I know; and the only Sage Parker; and I know that you are Ray's sister,” he teased.
“Sorry,” She said sheepishly. “Did I catch you at a bad time?”
“No, just on my way to the gym. Did you need something?”
“Well, I got your business number from Ray. I'm looking to lease some space for my gallery and Ray suggested that I speak with you to ask if you may have any space available in one of your buildings?”
Actually Ray had wanted to ask Jordan himself but Sage was not having it. This was her gallery and she would handle her business accordingly. She'd threatened Ray by saying she’d find a realtor and look at spaces on her own. He'd finally given her Jordan's number.
“Is this your number?” Jordan asked.
“Um, yes this is my new cell phone,” she answered.
“Okay, I'm going to have my assistant Sean Jackson call you. Give him the information of what you're looking for and he'll put together some listings for you,” he explained.
“Thank you Jordan.”
“No worries Sage.” Pause. “How are you?” he asked.
Sage took a deep breath. “I'm good.” She paused. “How are you?”
Jordan looked around at the scenery. “Good. Working.”
“Well I won't keep you. Thank you again.”
“Take care Sage.”
“You too, Jordan.”
The call disconnected and Jordan immediately hit the speed dial.
“What's up Jordan?” the caller answered.
“Hey I got a project for you. Sage Parker is looking for some space for her gallery. I need you to call her and see what she's looking for and then find it. If I don't own it then buy it,” he explained.
“Parker?”
“Yeah, she's Ray's sister,” Jordan supplied.
“Sure. Text me her number and I'll get right on it.”
“Thanks.”
Jordan disconnected the call, forwarded Sage's number to Sean and replaced his phone. He then picked up his bag and headed to the gym to work out this tingle in his chest.
Five minutes after disconnecting with Jordan, Sage's cell phone rang. She spent ten minutes on the phone with Jordan’s assistant Sean Jackson. Sean assured her he could find what she was looking for and would have some showings lined up within the next twenty four hours. Jordan certainly knew how to make things happen. She had been nervous calling him. She wasn't sure of what his reception would be since it had been thirty days since she'd had contact with him.
In those thirty days she'd done a lot of thinking along with planning and preparing for her business. Jordan was simply off limits. No matter how he made her feel or how much she desired him, it was just not in the stars. She would be better served following her dreams than dreaming of Jordan. She had to be honest though, Jordan was a dream. Hearing his voice had done something to her as it had from the beginning. He'd said he was on his way to the gym. She could picture his body glistening and covered with sweat. She gave herself a few minutes to fantasize about Jordan and then she got back to her business.
Two days later, Sage was feeling a combination of anxiety and anticipation as she prepared to meet up with Sean to see the properties he had located. When he had called her to tell her he had found not one but five potential sites she had been ecstatic. She dressed for her appointment is a smart little business pantsuit with open toed wedge heels showing her French pedicure. The pantsuit was beige linen and she added a white camisole underneath the waist length jacket. Her hair was in goddess twists and a low bun on the back. She applied her light makeup and was out the door.
Ray had loaned her his car and she had no problem finding her destination. Apparently Ray and Sean were well acquainted, so Ray didn't see the need to play bodyguard today during her site tour today. Her first appointment was at the Black Diamond Building. This was Jordan's building and his offices were on the top floor. As she entered the building the space she was looking at was on the ground floor. A very handsome man was waiting outside the door of the space and she made her way over to him.
“Mr. Jackson?” she inquired of the stranger.
The man scanned her from head to toe and then quickly gathered himself.
“Yes. Miss Parker?” he asked.
“Yes, I'm Sage Parker,” she said extending her hand.
Sean took Sage's hand in a quick handshake and then turned to open the door to the space. He stood back and allowed Sage to enter. As soon as Sage entered she knew this was her space. The energy of the room told her this was where she belonged. There were huge floor to ceiling windows that let in amazing light. The area was spacious with what appeared to be an office in the back.
Sean began to discuss the specifics of the suite. Once he was done he stood back and let her wander around on her own. Sage was in a vision. She could see the entire space decorated with her photos. This location was prime real estate, even she knew that. She wondered how she would be able to afford it. She'd told Sean her budget so she didn't think he would show her any space too much out of budget.
“Mr. Jackson?” she called out.
“Yes Miss Parker.” He was immediately at her side.
She smiled and he blushed. “Please call me Sage.”
He lowered his head and rubbed his eye. “Sure, Sage and please call me Sean. What can I do for you?”
“I know I told you my budget but I honestly don't see how I can afford this large of a space in this prime location. Are you sure this is in my budget?” she asked confused.
“Well Miss Park...I mean Sage. Jordan indicated that you could have any space that you wanted,” he explained.
“What?” she asked pointedly. “What does that mean exactly?”
Sean seemed uncomfortable. “From my understanding any space that you choose is yours at no charge.”
“How can that possibly be?”
Sean shrugged. “It's what Jordan instructed.”
Sage's eyes narrowed and her breathing increased. Just as she was about to speak the man in question came through the doors. Jordan entered wearing a gray suit with a crisp white shirt, a burgundy and silver striped tie and expensive black loafers.
“Sage, Sean. I just came to check on how it’s going?” he greeted.
“Well Jordan, umm...Sage has a question about the lease,” Sean reported.
Concerned Jordan turned to Sage. “Something wrong?”
She walked over t
o him ready to give him hell but the moment she stepped into his space she was taken back to the nightclub when she'd been in his arms. Those dark eyes mesmerized her again. His cologne filtered through her nostrils causing her to take deep breaths. After a few moments Jordan brought her back to reality.
“Is there a problem Sage?” he asked staring down at her. He glanced back over at Sean with a deep frown on his face.
“What happened?” he demanded of Sean when she still hadn't answered.
Sean looked more uncomfortable. “Well-”
“No,” Sage interrupted. “It's nothing Sean has done. It's you.”
He turned his attention back to her. “What did I do?”
“Sean says that you instructed that I don't have to pay for the space,” she explained.
He shrugged. “You don't,” he said simply placing his hands in his pockets.
“I didn't call you for charity Jordan. I thought you would take me serious and handle this like a business transaction.” She pulled her bag up on her arm and turned towards the door. “I'm sorry for wasting your time Sean.”
“Sage,” Jordan called.
She kept walking.
“Sage!” He called again.
She opened the door and walked out.
Jordan looked over at Sean quickly before going after her. He caught her at the entrance to the building and placed a hand on her arm. “Wait.”
She stopped and stared up at him. “What?” she snapped.
“Please come back and let's discuss this,” he said softly.
“Will we really discuss it Jordan?”
He nodded his head. “Yes, I don't want you to come all the way here and not get what you want.” He gestured back towards the space. Sage lifted her bag onto her shoulder and slowly walked back to the space. Try as he might Jordan could not help watching her butt as she stomped back. It was truly a thing of beauty in beige linen pants. Once inside the two joined the patiently waiting Sean.
“Now,” Jordan began looking over at Sean. “What was Sage's budget again?” he asked pointedly.
“Um...she indicated that she was looking for space in the eight thousand a month range,” he relayed.