Chest heaving, he answered her smile. “You’re the one who packs a punch, Jordan. You took the breath right out of me. And…” A regretful look crossed his face. “I’m sorry about that other kiss. It shouldn’t have happened.”
Eager to dispel his guilt, she touched his face and held his gaze. “Don’t be sorry. I certainly didn’t complain. Now,” —Grinning, she pulled his head down to hers— “Let’s see what I can do to give you back your breath.”
Kissing him with a fervor she hadn’t known she possessed, Jordan embraced the passion he induced. Finally, her opportunity to taste the man who’d haunted her life for so long. Strong fingers raked through her hair and sent the clip clanging to the balcony. He drew back panting and she used the break to suck in air.
Enthralled, he stared wide-eyed at the wavy tresses sliding through his fingers. Her chest swelled with a heady dose of triumph, and she glorified at being the woman responsible for his mesmerized expression. About damn time. She smiled, until he lifted his gaze. All the oxygen she just managed to put into her lungs dissipated by the raw need in his eyes.
“You’re so beautiful, Jordan.”
Emotions burned her throat.
“Hey, don’t cry.” He brushed an escaped tear. “You haven’t even seen the feast I asked Emma to create.”
His mischievous gleam had her beyond curious. Hand-in-hand he led her to the table. When he lifted the silver lid off the dish, she laughed at the plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies awaiting their demise.
“Oh Cole. You don’t play fair, do you?”
He smiled, bringing one of the warm morsels to her lips. “Nope.”
Neither do I.
Nibbling the cookie, her mouth deliberately brushed his hand. Desire burst into his gaze. She placed the remainder of the confection on the table to turn her attention to the chocolate on his finger and gently licked it off.
He drew in a sharp breath. “Jordan. God, do you have any idea what you do to me?”
He didn’t give her a chance to answer as he devoured her strength with a greedy kiss. Fully aroused, her body was ready to take things further, to go where they should’ve gone years ago, but her mind threw up a roadblock to the fast lane they traveled.
“Cole, w-we need to slow down,” she told him breathlessly, putting some space between them. “I-I haven’t been...with another man since Eric died. In fact, h-he’s the only man I’ve ever been with.” She held up her hand to stop whatever words he was about to say. “Please, let me finish. Sharing my body is not something I take lightly, and although I’ve always wanted to share it with you—and still do—I just don’t want to screw things up. I mean, once we give in to this, there’s no turning back.”
Her heated body promptly protested. She glanced at his full lips and questioned her decision. The talent she’d tasted was not easy to walk away from. But her mind niggled and Jordan had learned never to question that niggling. They just needed to make sure they were on the same page. It didn’t mean they wouldn’t make love, it just meant they’d realize what a big step they were taking, and take it together. She searched his face for understanding, hoping he wasn’t angry or felt she’d lead him on.
He stepped closer and tipped her chin. “It’s okay, sweetheart. I’d never rush or pressure you. I want to do this right.”
Her pulse jumped at the endearment, and the gentleness in his eyes and voice warmed her heart.
“I’m glad you told me, Jordan, because it does change things. I’m sorry if I came on too strong.” His index finger glided over her cheekbone. “But I honestly can’t seem to control myself around you.”
Relief washed away her stiffness and she lifted her palms to splay his chest. “It’s alright, Cole. You toss me into a frenzy too. But at the same time, my head’s telling me this is big, this is different than just physical and we need to acknowledge it.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do.”
He led her over to the table for a much needed glass of champagne. No protesting. No pressuring. It would only take one more of his delicious kisses to change her mind and send her back on that fast track. But this was the old Cole who’d always put other’s needs before his own. The one thing she always coveted was his kindness. She loved him all the more for his sweet actions.
Jordan stilled. Love?
Her gaze met his over her poised glass. Yes, she loved Cole McCall. After all these years, her suppressed feelings for him had finally blossomed into love. This was no crush. And it certainly wasn’t just physical attraction, although that was major. No. Her heart ached when his ached; soared when his soared; raced with passion when his raced. Hell, they were so intuned right now he could probably breath for her.
She nibbled another cookie and decided to keep the news to herself for the time being. No sense in scaring the poor bugger away.
Not after she’d finally caught him.
Besides, this revelation was momentous and required time to sink in. The L word changed everything and Cole was right, this time, they needed to do things the right way.
“What do you say we simply spend the night together under the stars again?” He pointed to the hammock they’d shared in the spring. “I promise I’ll behave.”
Pleased, she smiled broadly. “I’d like that, Cole.” Although, she wasn’t sure she could behave.
A little while later, after a long, lazy, body warming kiss that had her trembling from head to toe and back again, he tucked her into the crook of his arm and covered them with a light blanket. Despite the warmth of the late summer night, she snuggled closer and sighed. Ear to his chest, she listened while his heartbeats slowed to a steady beat. Feeling his kiss on the top of her head, she gave his body a squeeze in response.
“Night, Cole.”
“Good night, Jordan.”
Before drifting off, she promised her deprived body she’d let Cole satisfy it very…very soon.
Waking up alone the next morning, Jordan groaned in disappointment. She’d hoped to see Cole before he left for work. Opening her eyes fully, she spied a rose in her hand with an attached note.
Lips instantly spreading into a grin that could grow no wider, she sprang into a sitting position and devoured his words.
Morning, sweetheart.
Thanks for last night. Know that I wouldn’t have gone into work today if it hadn’t been absolutely necessary. Please come to Houston and meet me for lunch. There’s no way I can wait until tonight to see you again. I’ll call you in a few hours to persuade you further.
Yours,
Cole
Jordan read and reread his note several times. Please come to Houston…He couldn’t wait to see her. Joy chased thrill down her spine. He certainly didn’t need to persuade her. She was eager to see him, too.
With a happiness too wondrous for words, she skipped inside to get ready. After a quick shower, she slipped into a pale aqua, strapless sundress, the prettiest dress she’d brought, and was just brushing her hair when her cell phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Morning, beautiful.”
The intimate timbre of Cole’s voice raced her heart and she closed her eyes and shivered. “Mmm…morning, handsome.”
“Did you sleep well?”
“Yes. And you?”
“Oh yes,” he stated firmly. “Are you going to meet me for lunch or do I need to persuade you?”
“Well, since my mother didn’t raise a dummy, I’ll go for the persuasion.” Grinning, she twisted a strand of hair around her finger then frowned and pulled free. Dang sexy Texan had her acting like a schoolgirl.
“I figured you’d choose that.” Cole chuckled. “Are you in your room?”
“Yes…why?” She stiffened and glanced around, searching for anything he might have done.
“Don’t bother looking around, Jordan. You won’t find it.” His deep, smug tone tickled her ear and she giggled.
“Brat!”
“Try under your pillow.”
; She raced to her bed, lifted the pillow, and found a napkin wrapped around a chocolate chip cookie and another note.
Sweetheart,
Since the promise of my company wasn’t enough, I hope this will be. If you’d like more, I’m holding eleven of its relatives hostage at McCall Enterprises. Come alone. Don’t call the police for backup or I’ll be forced to make the cookies disappear without a trace. Follow my instructions and I’ll release the hostages into your custody.
Yours,
Cole
Laughing, Jordan shook her head. “You’re crazy, do you know that?”
“Crazy about you,” he boldly proclaimed. “So what’s it going to be? You hold the fate of these defenseless morsels in your hands.”
“Well, far be it for me to turn my back on them. When and where?”
“My office, one o’clock.”
“I’ll be there. And Cole?” She eyed the cookie in her hand. “There better not be any chips missing on them or you’ll have me to deal with.”
“Yes, ma’am. You fulfill your end of the bargain and I’ll fulfill mine.”
“Deal.”
“I’ll see you at one. Bye, Jordan.”
“Bye, Cole.”
Still smiling, she hung up and bit into her cookie. Having set the time for their date, she went down stairs to work on the arrangements for her parent’s party, praying they would keep her mind occupied until it was time to leave.
Thankfully, they did.
At five to one, Jordan stepped off the elevator and strolled towards Stella.
“Well hello, Jordan.” Cole’s secretary smiled up at her.
“Hello, Stella.”
“It would seem Mr. McCall has caught the same virus as you.” The woman laughed when Jordan frowned. “You’re both afflicted with the same sickening grin and light footedness.”
“Ah, yes, the dreaded light-footed virus.” She grinned down at the secretary. “He probably caught it from me when we kissed.”
Stella shook her head, pointing to Jordan’s face. “There’s that sickening grin again. I’ll tell Mr. McCall you’re here.”
An idea popped into her head. “No, wait. Is he alone?”
“Yes,” Stella said slowly.
“Is he on the phone?”
“No.” She sat back in her chair, her face full of curiosity.
“Good. Then I think it would behoove you to hold all his calls and make sure he isn’t disturbed,” Jordan informed, whipping a pair of handcuffs out of her purse.
Stella’s eyes nearly popped out of her head.
“Jordan! What in the world are you going to do with those?”
She spun at Kevin’s voice and grinned wide.
“Why, teach Cole a lesson, of course. He shouldn’t mess with my cookies.”
“I’m not even going to ask…I want to…but I won’t.” Kevin snickered, then sobered. “I’m really glad things have finally worked out for you two.”
She cocked her head. “Forgive my bluntness, Kevin, but if you feel that way, why did you ask me out to dinner in the Spring?”
He winked. “To get a rise out of Cole. I would’ve explained it to you, had he actually allowed us to go out.”
She laughed. “You’re trouble, Kevin Dalton. Pure trouble.”
“Yeah, well, I try.” He straightened his collar and grinned.
“You don’t need to try,” Stella said under her breath.
Chuckling, Jordan walked to Cole’s door, then turned. “If I’m not out in ten minutes”—she bounced her glance between them—“I’ll be out in eleven.”
Cole had never worked so hard or intensely all his years at McCall Enterprises—all to clear his schedule for lunch. For Jordan. He hit send, closed his computer and leaned back in his chair. The woman was never far from his mind. He wanted to give her his undivided attention. No distractions, no interruptions. Just them.
She was special, and as expected, given half the chance, he was falling for her, hard. A fact that thrilled and terrified at the same time. But he was so tired of terror, fear, pain. He wanted the joy, fun…pleasure her smiling eyes and open, honest heart promised. She deserved happiness, and he was beginning to realize he deserved happiness, too.
A light rap on the door and a second later Jordan breezed into his office and stole his breath. God, she was gorgeous in a strapless green dress, hugging and flowing in all the right places.
Laughter drifted in from behind her, before she shut the door and smiled. Not just any smile. No, heaven help him, it was sweet and mischievous at the same time and had his heart kicking the shit out of his ribs. He thought he heard her locking the door but couldn’t be sure since his pulse thundered in his ears.
“Hi, beautiful.” He pushed his chair back and was about to stand when she stopped him.
“Wait. Don’t get up.” She sent him a wicked grin.
Only too happy to oblige, he sat back in his seat, and watched her sway toward him, throat suddenly parched. The air crackled as she dropped her purse on his desk. This woman was up to something, and by God, he couldn’t wait to find out. Anticipation sparkled in her dark eyes and, still grinning, she carefully lowered her sweet ass to the middle of his lap, dangling her sexy, supple legs over his right thigh, reminding him of that day she’d burst into his conference room.
She ran a hand up his chest and played with his lapel. “Now, tell me what I need to do to save those eleven cookies?”
Cookies were furthest from his mind as he ran a hand down her leg. Damn, she was so soft. “I can think of several things,” he joked, all of them immature. He couldn’t help it. He felt like a horny teenager around her. “A kiss would be nice, though.”
He leaned closer but she pushed him gently back and slowly brought her face to his. “A kiss would be nice but first, we have business to take care of.”
A sharp, snap echoed the instant cold steel closed around his wrist and a second before she stood.
“What the...?”
He looked down at his arm and frowned at the handcuffs locking him to the chair. A quick tug proved they were real.
“Now, what about those hostages, Mr. McCall? Where are they?” She glanced around.
Son-of-a-bitch! She handcuffed him to his chair. If that didn’t fucking turn him on.
Big.
Time.
Heat rushed through his body, zapping every inch of him to life. Oh, he was more than up for her challenge.
“Maybe you should’ve thought to ask before you restrained me to my chair.” He tipped his chin and held her sparkling gaze, issuing a challenge of his own. “I’m not going to tell you where they are unless you give me that kiss.”
She shook her head and sighed. “Boy…the things a girl has to do for her cookies.”
“I know. It’s a damn shame what this world is coming to.” He ran his free hand up her arm and tugged her back on his lap.
“Yes. Damn shame.” Straddling him, she brushed the corner of his mouth with hers and drew his lower lip between her teeth for a nibble.
He cupped the back of her head and deepened the kiss, groaning when she thrust her hand through his hair and brushed the back of his neck with her thumb. She tasted hot and wild, her tongue teasing his before darting away. That wouldn’t do. He needed more. The sound of protesting metal hit his ears as pain stung his restrained wrist. He grunted. If she hadn’t immobilized that hand, he could crush her closer. That didn’t stop him, though. He thrust his tongue inside her mouth and she moaned deep in her throat.
“The heck with the cookies…I’ll take eleven more of those,” she breathlessly exclaimed a minute later, just as lost and heated as him.
Cole chuckled. “That could be arranged.” He kissed her again, long and wet, releasing her head to run his hand down her back to cup her sweet ass and pull her up against his zipper.
She let out a sexy, little sound before breaking the kiss to graze his jaw with her teeth while she unbuttoned his shirt from the tie down, and hungrily
stroked and caressed in a frenzy of moves that nearly drove him mad. “God, you’re so hot,” she said against his jaw.
He closed his eyes in pure pleasure when she bit his neck and soothed the ache with her tongue. “Jordan—” He hissed out a breath when she sucked his earlobe into her warm, wet mouth.
“Hmm.” She continued to kiss and lick.
“If you don’t stop, I’m not going to be able to keep this thing between us slow.”
She drew back and blinked at him. “Do you recognize this as more than physical?” she asked, waving a hand between them.
It was his turn to blink. “Yes.” Hell yeah. She’d always meant more to him.
“Good, then to hell with slow,” she said against his ear, tugging on the lobe again with her teeth, stroking his ribs with her wicked fingers, and his heart gave one hard lurch.
Fast track it is.
He kissed the side of her neck, loving the way her breath hitched. “Did you lock the door?” Needing to feel her everywhere, he ran his hand down her leg, stroking the soft spot behind her knee.
She stilled, then drew back to look at him through heated eyes again. “What?”
“The door,” he repeated, skimming his hand down her throat over her breasts, lingering on her beaded nipples. God, she was perfect. “Did you lock it?”
“Yes,” she replied, rocking against him, head thrown back, eyes fluttering closed.
And just like that, he was a goner. She had him but good. Truth be told, she’d gotten under his skin a long, long time ago.
In less than a second, he had the top of her dress pulled down and, oh yeah, her warm, full breast in his hand while he sucked the tip of the other into his mouth.
So damn perfect.
She gasped and arched into him, driving him crazy. “Cole.”
“I know,” he said, switching to her other breast, rasping his tongue over her nipple, drawing another hissed breath from her throat.
Licking and nipping, he continued to answer her wordless pleas. Not letting his restrained arm slow him down, he slipped his free hand under the hem of her dress, running his fingers up her hot, trembling thigh until he found, oh hell yeah…her lace panties.
Her Fated Cowboy (Harland County Series) Page 17