by D. Camille
“Do you plan to go back there to live at some point?” he asked.
“I don't know. I want to take the time to make my gallery successful and then I'll just take it from there.”
She turned to look back at him and he patted the area beside him. Sage smiled and lay next to him. She lifted her head and rested on her elbow to look at him.
“You're very handsome Jordan. Which of your parents do you take after most?” she inquired.
“I'm the spitting image of my father; both in looks and personality I'm told.”
“You mentioned that you grew up in a very large home. Was your father very wealthy?”
“Yes. He and Sean's father were business partners with one other person. Eventually, my father bought out the third partner.”
She nodded. “So Sean's family was wealthy too?”
“Yeah, we grew up next door from one another.”
Sage smiled. “So what type of little boy were you?”
Jordan looked back at the sky. “I was a mini me of my father. I wanted to be just like him. I mimicked everything he did. I wore suits and ties all through high school and college. I'm meticulous about my clothing, and I control everything that moves around me. I learned all of his habits, good and bad.”
“What happened to your fathers' business?” she asked.
“I bought it after my father died. It was the first holding for my company.”
“But why did you have to buy it? Didn't your father leave it to you as his only son?” she asked confused.
Jordan sat up. “My father didn't believe in charity of any kind. When he died, he didn't leave me anything. He expected me to work and earn my fortune the same way he had.”
“So you build Black Diamond from the ground?” she said amazed that in six years he had created a billion dollar corporation.
Jordan shrugged. “Yeah, I worked all through high school and college. My father did pay my tuition so that meant all the money I made working I saved to start my business. I interned, I volunteered, I did dirty work, didn't matter. Whatever I had to do to get where I wanted to be, I did it.”
Sage stared at him. Previously he'd said he'd worked and worked hard and evidently he’d meant it literally. She never would have thought that Jordan had done so much. Initially she'd thought he was a spoiled rich boy but that didn't seem to be the case.
“You're incredible,” she said in awe.
Hearing Sage say he was incredible in that way made Jordan feel that he could slay dragons; and he would for her. Brother dragons, ex-boyfriend dragons, and any other dragons that dared to enter into the picture. They lay together on the beach listening to the ocean until it was time to take her home.
The next morning Sage came downstairs floating on a cloud. Being with Jordan would do that to a girl. Ray was sitting in the kitchen drinking orange juice.
“Good morning Sun God,” she said cheerily kissing him on the cheek.
“Sit down Sage.”
She turned at his voice and took a seat at the bar with him.
“One question.” he said. “Why Jordan?”
She looked at him. “Don't you mean why anybody?” she challenged.
“What?”
“Ray you don't want me to be with anybody. You want me to be your lonely, virgin, spinster little sister.” she accused.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
She placed her hands on the table. “I'm talking about the fact that your problem isn't with Jordan. It's any man who wants your sister,” she started. “I'm your sister Ray, not your property.”
“I never said that!” Ray interjected.
“Ray you don't think I know where you are when I don't see you for a day or two? But that's your life. You're free to be with whomever you want. Can I have a life?”
“I don't want you to get hurt Sage.”
“I've already been hurt Ray and guess what? I survived.”
He stood. “Who hurt you?” he demanded.
“Why? So you can hurt him? It's not that serious Ray. If I were really in danger I would call you in a heartbeat but this is my life Ray. I'm going to stumble, sometimes fall, and make mistakes but it's my business. Not yours!”
Ray sat back down and looked at his sister. She sat back down too.
“I love you Ray. When Momma and Daddy died you were my everything. When you left to go to college I cried for nearly a month. You are my Sun God.” She placed her hand over his.
“Jordan makes me happy. He makes me feel alive. I've been alone for so long Ray. Aunt Ruby and Uncle John took excellent care of me but they couldn't replace you, momma and daddy. I want to be with Jordan and if you really love me you would be able to look past the fact that he's your friend.”
Ray covered his sister's hand with his own.
“I love the hell out of you girl. I worried about you when you were traveling all over the world.” He didn't tell her that he had someone following her every move. “I won't be happy about you and Jordan but I won't give you a hard time.”
She looked down and then back up at him. “Jordan values his relationship with you. It's not fair for us to make him choose one of us over the other. It's not his fault that he cares about both of us,” she said pointedly.
Ray laughed. “My little Sage; my wisdom and my healing.” He squeezed her hand. “Just promise me if you need me you will call.”
Sage smiled. “Of course, who else is going to do my ass kicking?”
Ray looked pointedly at her. “You're dating the ultimate ass kicker,” he said cryptically.
Chapter 9
For the next month Sage and Jordan were inseparable except when they were working. They attended sporting events, the theater, and trips to the ocean. Currently, Jordan was out of town on business and Sage was working diligently to get the gallery opened. The build out was going well except for one problem.
Sage had chosen the wrong color for the walls. She had thought the painters would paint a sample spot for her to approve but when she'd come back to the gallery all the walls had been painted in that color. Sage was in a funk because she didn't have the funds in her budget to repaint the walls herself, so she'd initially decided just to live with it. She was standing at the counter that had been installed mulling over her options when Sean walked in.
“Hey Sage,” he greeted smiling.
“Hi Sean,” she responded solemnly.
“What's wrong Sage? Are you missing Jordan?”
She smiled a little. “Actually I do miss Jordan. He's been gone over a week now but my dilemma is this...” she said extending her arms to encompass the entire room.
“Is something wrong with the build out?” Sean inquired.
Sage explained the situation to Sean.
“This is the color it is now.” She held up a sample. “This is really the color it should be.” She handed him another sample. He looked at the numbers on the back of both samples.
“We can just repaint it the color you want Sage,” he assured her.
She shook her head. “That's not in my lease contract Sean. It states one paint job in this outer area.”
“It's not a problem Sage.”
“It's a problem to me Sean, but it's my problem. I'll just have to redecorate around this color, even though it's hideous. I can't believe I did this!”
Sean nodded. “Okay, well if you need anything from me you have my number.”
She smiled a little. “Thank you Sean. You're always so helpful.”
He smiled at her and exited the gallery heading up to the top floor. His phone rang as he reached his office. It was Jordan checking in.
“Hey Jordan,” he answered.
“What's up Sean? Update me,” Jordan said briskly.
“I met with Ray regarding security issues. Everything is under control as usual,” Sean relayed. “I really wish you two would kiss and make up or something. I hate meeting with him. He always makes me pay for his lunch.”
Jordan laughed.
“Yeah that's Ray, but right now the only Parker I'm interested in kissing is Sage.”
“Speaking of...” Sean trailed off.
“What's up? Something wrong with Sage?” Jordan asked.
“I just left the gallery and apparently she chose the wrong paint by mistake and the painters used it on the entire outer area. It's not the color that she wanted and she doesn't have the budget to get it repainted,” He paused. “I told her we could have it repainted for her, but she said it's her mistake and she'd deal with it.”
“Did she tell you the color she wants?” Jordan questioned.
“Yes. She showed me a sample and I got the number,” Sean replied.
“Get it painted. Tonight. Have it done before she gets there in the morning.”
“She's not going to like that Jordan.”
“I know. She's going to chew my ass out, but she'll have what she wants.”
“Better you than me, man,” Sean commented.
“She's still mad at you for lying to her about the lease price,” Jordan joked.
Sean laughed. “No she's not; and you made me lie.”
“Whatever. Get it done and I'll see her when I get back.”
“Done. Talk to you later.”
Jordan disconnected the call and Sean looked at his phone. Jordan and Sage; a billionaire with an overly independent woman. Go figure. Sean made the call to the painters to get a crew in after Sage left for the day. He gave them the correct paint color and sat back to wait for the fireworks.
The next day when Sage arrived at her gallery she still hadn't figured out what to do about the paint. It was really hideous. Maybe she could take out a loan to cover repainting? She would call the bank when she got inside. She opened the door, stepped inside and gasped. The entire lobby and outer area were beautifully painted the perfect color.
Her eyes narrowed. Sean and Jordan! Damn them. She turned back around, walked out the door and headed to the security desk. The security guard took her up to Sean's office. He came to his door with his hands up in surrender at the look on her face.
“Jordan told me to do it,” he confessed.
“Why did you tell him?” Sage demanded.
Sean shrugged. “Uhh... I tell him everything because he'll find out anyway.”
“When does he get back?” she asked angrily.
“Ummm...tonight?”
“Are you sending a car for him?”
“Yes.”
“Then I'll be in it!” She turned and strode back to the elevators. She turned back. “And you'd better not tell him I'm coming Sean!” she yelled.
The doors opened and she went inside. Sean saw her angry face before the doors closed.
He shook his head. “He'll find out anyway Sage,” he said quietly and returned to his office.
As Jordan's plane landed he prepared for what he knew was going to be a showdown with Sage. From all accounts she was pissed right now. She'd even had Sean too afraid to let Jordan know she was coming but Sean knew Jordan had sources everywhere and he would find out anyway.
First, security had let him know that Sage was going up to the top floor then his secretary had called to let him know that Sage had been at the executive offices. His driver had called to let him know that Sage was in the car and now the pilot just alerted him that the car was on the tarmac. Jordan hated surprises so he had unlimited ways to eliminate them. He exited the plane and walked toward the car. The door was held open for him and he slid inside. Sage was waiting on the seat.
She looked at him. “You knew I was here,” she guessed.
“Yeah,” he said settling himself into the seat.
“So much for my element of surprise,” she said wryly.
“Why do you need to surprise me baby?” he asked.
She folded her arms. “Well evidently you like to surprise me Jordan!”
“Why are you upset? Is it not the color that you wanted?” he shrugged.
“That's not the point Jordan,” she protested.
“Yes Sage. That is the point,” he countered.
“I was going to get a loan from the bank to repaint the walls. I didn't need you to interfere.” she explained.
“Why would you go to a bank Sage, when I'm right here?” he asked confused. “Did you ever even consider asking me?”
“No.”
“Why not?” he asked looking at her.
She looked away. “Because...”
“Because what baby?”
She looked back at him. “I don't want to be like everybody else in your life; always expecting you to get things done.”
“I don't want to be another thing that you have to handle.”
“That's what I do Sage. I handle things. I get things done. You're mad at me because your gallery looks exactly the way you wanted. Where is the logic in that?”
“You can't control every situation Jordan.”
“I do.”
“I don't want you rushing in to be my savior!” she said exasperated.
Jordan leaned back. “So you'd rather take out a loan from the bank than to let me do it for you?” he asked.
“If that's what I choose to do, then yes.”
He gestured with his hand. “Why do you think I work so damn hard Sage?”
She shrugged. “To make money.”
He ran a hand down his face. “Right, to make money.” He leaned towards her. “Now once I make it what am I going to do with it?”
“I don't know. Spend it.”
“I use it to help myself and other people Sage. I use it to make sure the people around me are comfortable and happy and have everything they need,” he explained. “Otherwise working hard doesn't mean a damn thing. What good is having millions of dollars if everyone around me is miserable?”
He continued. “I told you how my father never did anything for anyone. When Sean's father became ill before he died, my father wouldn't even help pay his hospital bills when the family needed help. And afterward, he refused to turn over any of the profits of the company to Sean's family. They were left with practically nothing. I bought that company and gave it to Sean. Sean agreed to keep it in Black Diamond's portfolio and also came to work with me.”
He turned and looked out the window. “I loved my father, but I'm not him and eventually I realized that I never wanted to be him.”
They rode in silence for a while then Sage moved over to the seat where Jordan was still staring out the window. When he didn't speak, she climbed into his lap and placed her arms around his neck. Jordan rested his head on her breasts as she gently stroked the back of his neck.
“I would do anything to make you happy and protect you Sage, even if it means risking your anger because you mean that much to me,” he said lifting his face to hers. Sage touched her lips to his and kissed him softly.
She lifted her head. “I'm sorry. This is a terrible homecoming,” she apologized.
He kissed her again. “It's getting better.” He hugged her closer.
“I missed you,” he told her.
She smiled. “I missed you too.”
“No you didn't. You were ready to kick my ass when I got in the car.”
She shook her head. “I was.” She paused for a moment. “I guess I just want to prove I can do it.”
“You are doing it Sage, but everybody can use a little help along the way,” he said. “And you don't have to prove anything to me.”
He lifted her face. “I'm proud of the way that you handle your business. Just know that I've always got your back if you need me. There's no shame in that.”
“So you'll let me pay for your dinner?” she asked.
“Hell nah...that just doesn't make any sense.”
She laughed. “You know you are so wrong.”
“You should punish me,” he said turning her to straddle him on the seat. “You should punish me real bad.” He grabbed her butt and squeezed. “You should do unthinkable, unspeakable things to me.”
“You think so?�
� she whispered as he started kissing her neck.
“Um...hmmmm,” he said massaging her bottom. She grinded on him and he groaned.
“Should I do that?” she asked grinding again.
“That...yes...definitely.”
She reached for her twists and uncoiled them letting her hair fall down her back.
“This?” she said shaking her hair out.
“Oh yeah,” he growled.
She reached for the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head leaving her in a red push up bra.
“That?” she asked.
“Oh...hell yeah.” He pushed her down on the seat and climbed on top of her kissing her. “I should be bad all the time,” he whispered.
She wrapped her arms around him lifting her mouth to his. “You are Jordan.”
By the time the car arrived at Jordan's house Sage had retrieved her shirt but her hair was still down after their mini make out session. Sage felt good knowing that she could be free with Jordan and he wouldn't take advantage and try to take more than she was willing to give. He let her into the house and went upstairs to shower and change.
It amused Sage how particular Jordan was about his clothes. He did not sit around in his work clothes. He had been taught that work clothes are for work and play clothes are for play. So he had lots of both. She camped out in the media room watching a documentary on the Nile River. Sage loved documentaries of any kind and watching them on Jordan's eighty inch screen was incredible. Awhile later he returned downstairs and joined her on the oversized sofa sectional.
“So what's been going on while I was gone?” he asked.
“I figured you would already know everything,” she teased.
“Almost,” he replied raising his brows.
Sage wrinkled her nose at him. “Well one thing you can't possibly know yet is that I'm going to start looking for an apartment.”
“Really? Why? Is everything cool with Ray?” he asked concerned.
“Yes everything is cool with Ray. I just need my own space.”
He shrugged. “I have plenty of space here.”
“I'm not moving into your house!” she said incredulously.
“Why not?”
Sage folded her arms. “Because I'm not some hoochie jumpoff who lives off her man.”