Chapter 8
Ten Years Ago
I waited anxiously in the apartment for Jordan to text or call and let me know he had arrived to pick me up for our first date. Mia was going out with some friends and Veronica’s mom was in town visiting her. I paced back and forth in the living room, rearranging things here and there, anything to take my mind off the guy who had taken up permanent residence in the forefront of my mind.
“Girlfriend, you will totally wear some serious holes in the carpet,” Mia said, coming into the living room and standing in front of me.
“Just nervous.”
Mia pulled my finger from my hair that I had a death grip twirl going on. “You look totally mag and he will have the hot’s for you all night.” She looked over my choice of nice jeans minus the holes, three-inch slinky summer sandals, white silk top and light pink, short-sleeve summer jacket. Some dangling silver earrings and a couple bracelets completed my outfit. “I approve,” she commented.
“You should, since the jewelry is yours and you chose the entire outfit.” I took a sip of water and emptied the rest down the drain in the kitchen. Just then there was a knock at the door. Mia graciously opened it.
“Hi, handsome, who might you be?” she asked as if she had no clue who he was. I peeked over her shoulder to see Jordan looking at me. A smile broke over his handsome face as our eyes met. He winked at me and mouthed hi. I grinned like a schoolgirl and blushed.
“Hi. I’m Jordan. You must be one of Zoe’s roommates,” he said in that sexy low voice that had me all but drooling. I walked toward the door.
“Yes. Mia. Well, come on in, Jordan. I was just on my way out. Have fun kids.” Mia turned around and gave me a squeeze on my arm. We’d already had the talk that if the date does not go well, I would call her.
“These are for you.” Jordan was holding a dozen yellow roses in his hand. I took them into the kitchen and placed them in a glass container that was under the sink. I inhaled the sweet smell of the roses and thanked him.
Jordan drove us in to town. All the while, we engaged in light conversation about my school. He also filled me in on some of his business acquisitions. He was venturing in to Asia and Europe with investors that were eager to work with him since he was doing so well in Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles.
He took me to a steak house where I tasted the most delectable and succulent steak that Texas is famous for. I relaxed in his company. I enjoyed our time together and could not believe when he said it was 11:30, and we headed back. I told him I had a study group at ten in the morning so he’d promised to get me back by midnight.
I was a little disappointed that our time flew by so quickly. Jordan was very attentive and charming, holding my hand and squeezing it gently every now and then. He made me feel beautiful and had eyes only for me the entire evening.
“Do you mind if we go back to your little lake for a few minutes, Zoe?” he asked just before we turned off the freeway and onto campus. My subconscious started that little happy dance again, and I told him that would be OK with me if we hung out for a few minutes, but my heart was racing in a gallop. Secretly, I wanted him to kiss me again and I was so ready for another of his breathtaking kisses, but I wouldn’t tell him that.
Tonight he was driving a new red convertible BMW. If he was trying to impress me with cars, that was accomplished. I complimented him on his choice of car. He was too cute, gushing over all the details and the car specs. I had no clue what most of it meant, but he was having fun explaining it and I gave him my undivided attention. We pulled up in front of the lake and he killed the lights but kept the engine and air on.
“I am madly attracted to you, Zoe. I respect that you’re honest about why you’re hesitant about dating, but I’m glad you allowed me to take you out tonight and I hope it won’t be the last time I get to enjoy your company.”
Wow! OK, enough said, but he continued and I was enthralled and gazed unabashedly into his gorgeous blue eyes, while his long fingers gently caress my hand. Nothing forward, just comforting.
“I can’t stop thinking about you and I can’t help but kiss you again.”
I leaned toward him and allowed the kiss to wash over me.
His hands moved up my arm and he gently cupped my neck while he slowly deepened the kiss. Both my arms reached around his neck and I pulled him closer to me. He groaned into my mouth and firmly took control. His lips were soft and moist as he pulled my tongue into his mouth. Retracting from my mouth, he placed sweet kisses along the side of my lips and sucked gently on my bottom lip. He went in for another deep and intimate kiss, slowly driving me insane with the need for more.
Wantonly, I pressed my body against his chest. He reached between us and stroked the side of my breast. As if not satisfied, he reached under the flimsy silk top and cupped his hand around my breast. I arched my neck backward and his mouth left mine to kiss along the column of my neck.
“Come here, baby. I need to feel more of you. God, you’re so soft and sweet. I love the way you taste.” His beautiful words washed over me like rain in a desert that had not had water over its coarse, dry sand for years. I was not aware of him pushing back his seat but he must have since he reached over and pulled me onto his lap.
“I need you, love your kisses. Your soft body is magnificent and I’ve thought of nothing but you for the past few months.” His hands cupped my face and he looked at me like a man starved for his next meal while placing kisses along my jaw and lips, on my eyes and my chin.
“I’m sorry if I seemed forceful in getting to you. I just couldn’t help myself. You are so gorgeous, baby. Your grey eyes, soft lips, gorgeous breasts…thoughts of you have consumed me,” he whispered. Somehow whispering in my ear sent moistness to the center of my womanhood.
“Oh, Jordan, I feel the same way, but I’m afraid.”
“Afraid of what, baby? I would never hurt you or do something you didn’t want to do. You should know that. I will respect any boundaries you set. Just say that I can see you again.” His kisses continued to break down my defenses.
“No, I mean…I feel way out of your league. I’m just a normal girl going to college. Nursing is not a glamorous job and…um, well you hang out with women that I have…what I’m saying is that they are gorgeous and rich and not normal.” I felt foolish for blabbing on about his preference of women that he was often seen with, and being a realist, I didn’t want to pretend that I looked anything like them.
“Baby, they are who they are and the reason I want to be with you is that you are nothing like those women. You are beautiful and wholesome, smart and funny. You have a body that is real and most women would die to have. It is perfection.”
I looked at him with a smirk on my face, but quickly dropped the smartass comment I was about to make. He is dead serious. Wow. Is that truly the way he saw me?
“Yes. You are all that and more. Don’t ever doubt the beautiful and passionate woman that you are. As long as the passion is directed toward me,” he whispered and took my mouth in another deep kiss. Any minute now I would start squirming and make a fool of myself. I wanted to go further, yet I knew we need more time to get to know each other better and this was also not the place for that.
As if sensing my dilemma, Jordan hugged me to his chest and lay his chin on my head. He took a deep breath and asked, “When can I see you again?”
“I’ll look over my schedule for the week and let you know.”
He drove me to my apartment. A few more kisses at my door, then he was gone.
The next few weeks passed in a blur of activities. I was totally devoted to my studies and there was enough to keep me busy every moment that I was awake. True to his word, Jordan didn’t take up my time unless I called or texted to let him know when I could see him. I wished I had more free time because I missed him so much, but I simply didn’t, so I settled on seeing him once a week.
This went on for another month and we were well into the end o
f October. I told Jenna about Jordan and me. She said she and David had no idea but that they knew he was awfully happy when he was around them. He must have wanted me to tell my family about us. I felt there is some sort of balance between us.
I’d gotten a call on my cell phone during one of my classes and couldn’t wait to listen to the message since I knew it was from Jordan. He usually didn’t call me when I was in class so I was a little anxious and hoped all was well. I quietly stepped out of the classroom and returned his call.
“Hi, Zoe.” His sexy voice greeted me but for some reason it sounded like all business. “Sorry for interrupting you during class.”
“I have a first time slide policy,” I responded as I walked down the hallway and leaned against the wall. His soft chuckle on the other end of the line brought a smile to my face.
“I won’t keep you long. Just wanted you to know that I’m leaving for Singapore. An emergency meeting with some new investors that need some face to face time and reassurance that their millions will be secured and well invested. I won’t bore you with the details but I’m leaving now.”
“Oh…wow. OK, well safe travels, Jordan. I hope your trip is productive.” I was saddened by the news that he was leaving and that I may not see him this weekend.
“Think about me while I’m gone, baby.”
My heart missed a beat with that statement. “I will, Jordy. I’ll miss you.” I wasn’t sure if I should ask when he would be back and hoped he would provide that bit of information but he didn’t. He ended the call on an upbeat note that he will miss me as well. I headed back to my lecture, but I was unable to concentrate on what the professor was saying. I did write down the assignment for the following week and headed back to the apartment where I moped around and thought of Jordan.
I received several texts from Jordan over the following four days. It was good to know that he missed me as much as I did him and that he missed not going out on our Saturday date. I looked forward to Wednesday, as Jordan would be returning to Austin. He said he couldn’t wait for the following Saturday to see me. Mia and Veronica teased me about my moping and said that he was getting to me with his charming ways and handsome good looks. I readily admitted that he was easy on the eyes and yes, what girl would not want to be seen with such a gorgeous human specimen? I was getting used to his time and attentiveness toward me. It was a good feeling. I could no longer deny that I felt somewhat carried away by his attention.
Jordan was making strides in the business world. He often appeared in global business newspapers as one to watch. His savvy business dealings were prosperous and growing along with his expanding wealth. Over the past few months, I’d followed his name in the business arena and he never disappointed his investors. We didn’t speak of his business dealings when we were together and I didn’t want to bring up the subject, as I didn’t want him to think I was stalking him. If I were a business major it would be easier to approach him since I was intrigued that he’s so focused on growing his company. It was easy to see he was a workaholic. Many times when I was studying after midnight, I would text him and sure enough, he was working in his home office with Asia and Europe. I swear the man must never sleep or require very little to function.
I rolled out of bed Sunday morning and made my way to the kitchen for coffee. Mia was staring at the TV and Veronica was pretending to read the newspaper. I knew she is pretending as she cared nothing about what was in the newspaper and definitely stayed clear of the sale ads since her funds were always low.
“Ah, hello, to you two as well,” I said, as I plopped down beside Mia on the sofa. Mia glanced at me with her baby blues, then turned her stare back to the TV.
“What? Your date didn’t go well?” I asked. Now I was getting curious about the silence so I turned to Veronica and raised a quizzical eyebrow toward her while I sipped on my coffee.
“Nah,” Mia finally decided to speak. “All is well. Just a typical Sunday morning. Trying to figure out our day.” She looked at me, blinking innocently.
“OK, so we can hang out in the library to study or go to the pool for an hour or so. We’re also invited to Jenny’s impromptu birthday party,” Veronica chimed in as she picked at the newspaper. What’s with the newspaper already?
“Ah, she speaks!” I grinned at her and got a smile that was too big. OK, something was up with these two but I wasn’t in the mood to play fifty questions, so I said I would leave the day’s activities up to them.
“Um, if you are quite through with the newspaper, I would like to take a peek at the business section.”
Veronica’s eyes went wide as she shot a look at Mia.
“Oh hell. Fine. Might as well tell her or show her.” Veronica stretched her arms out to hand Mia the newspaper. Mia flipped through the sections and came out with the business pages. She folded it in half and showed me the photo they were trying to hide from me.
I gasped and my eyes went wide as I gazed at the picture of Jordan and a lovely young lady. Her blonde hair hung over her shoulder in beautiful curls that laid perfectly on her well-endowed chest. She was looking up at him. His arms were around her waist and the look of adoration for her was hard to miss, except if you were blind, that is. Another photo below was of them locked in an intimate kiss. What the fuck! I felt the tears gathering in my eyes. I didn’t bother to read the headlines. The paper fell out of my limp hand as my breath caught in my throat.
I was vaguely aware of Mia and Veronica surrounding me. They were pissed! I wanted to go to my bedroom, to get away from the morning that could not possible get worse. I was hurt and angry. How dare he! I was still trying to digest the shock of Jordan, a world away with another woman. Someone he was obviously comfortable with and knew well.
God. I was so stupid. I let him sweet-talk me into falling for him, and all the while he was just playing me. Wait. Back up…and I mean back all the hell up! Did I just say that I fell for Jordan Dawson? That he meant more to me than just a gorgeous guy that I was dating? How did I really feel about Jordan? I looked at my friends in dismay. They were consoling me because he was cheating on me, but I was dealing with that, plus the fact that I had totally fallen in love with Jordan.
How could I not? He was handsome, charming, attentive, and kissed like…well, he made me feel emotions that I’d never felt before. I loved the fun side of Jordan. He was witty and made me laugh with his lighthearted banter. He left his business side in Austin, so I hardly ever saw him in action with business unless he had to take a call from someone in his company or needed to deal with an emergency overseas. I loved to hear him talk shop in the business world. He spoke in millions of dollars, which was mind boggling for me. I couldn’t imagine dealing with that much money on a daily basis. He was constantly buying, building or merging companies. It was fascinating.
I squeezed the girls’ hands as I tried to pull myself together and made my way back to my bedroom. Dazed, I stripped out of my oversized sleep shirt and stepped in the shower. I scrubbed my skin and hair until I was squeaky clean. All the while I was crying. Devastated.
I chided myself for being stupid, for allowing a smooth talker like Jordan into my life. He was at the pinnacle of making his name and power know in all the world financial markets. A workaholic by his own admission. In the two months I’d known him, I paid more attention to possible opportunities in the medical field, such as maybe someday owning my own business. I wasn’t sure yet what it would be, but seeing Jordan committed and driven to succeed made me want to think about nursing in a different capacity. But right now I was crushed. I needed to get back to where I’d been, the pre-Jordan days, when my life was boring and normal. Just another nursing student.
I pulled on some running clothes and my wet hair into a ponytail. The fact that I just showered to go jogging did not make any sense at all, but I didn’t care. Nothing was logical right now. I just wanted to put this all behind me and clear my mind, so I headed out of the apartment after reassuring Mia a
nd Veronica that I was fine…just fine.
Chapter 9
Present Day
Was it me? Or did Monday mornings automatically put everyone in a sucky mood? My early morning treadmill run was cut to twenty minutes due to my lack of respect for the alarm clock which I promptly turned off and slept another half an hour. Genius. Now I was rushing to work and hit every red light. Swerving through traffic had several horns blaring at me. Maybe I was the cranky one in a sucky mood. I so needed to work and get the memories of this weekend with Jordan off my mind.
I even packed an extra running outfit, as Veronica said she would join me in Memorial Park for a run after work. Nothing better than working to exhaustion then go jogging to drain the last bit of energy out of one’s system.
I placed a call from the Bluetooth in my car to Jenna as I was in a hurry this morning and had promised I would call her back. We chatted for a few minutes, and bless her, she let me off easy with not too many questions of Jordan. Her main concern was that she was hoping I wasn’t mad at her that Jordan was at the party. She hadn’t known, and I was not upset at David either. I was a big girl and sometimes faced with difficult situations…well, I’d just have to deal and get on with my life.
Stepping into the office, Grace greeted me and shoved a Starbucks Grande coffee in my hand as she continued answering the phone calls that were coming in like the rapid fire of a gun. I gulped the coffee and made my way to my office. I instant messaged Veronica and Andre on their computer that I would be ready for our morning meeting in my office in ten minutes. I sat at my desk and booted up the Mac computer.
“Good morning,” Veronica greeted me and sat across from my desk. She had her Apple laptop open and placed it on the desk.
“Good morning, Veronica. No coffee?” I asked, as she was fueled by the jolt of caffeine, much like myself.
Forever Rain (Rain Will Fall Trilogy #1) Page 7