“So you say. I think you’re only trying to convince yourself.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“If you loved Tom the way you think you do, my kisses wouldn’t affect you. I have felt your heart pounding. And I’ve seen you in the throes of passion. You’re not in love with him. Your pride got hurt. When you realize that you won’t care so much.”
“You’re wrong. You know nothing of my feelings.”
“Guess I’ll just have to prove it.” He reached out a hand and pulled her out of the water then gathered her into his arms.
Her heart skidded a beat as she looked into his deep blue eyes. She could lose herself in them, and almost did. She felt light-headed and dizzy and had to hang on to him for support.
He lifted her chin, never taking his eyes from her face. Then his mouth came down on hers. Firm, demanding, in control. Before she could react his tongue dove in, and mingled with her own. Her pulse raced and she felt a tingling in places that had no right to tingle. And he was correct. Her heart was doing an aerobics dance.
“So there you are,” a voice boomed behind them. She knew the voice and she didn’t want to hear it now.
Tom, the man she’d once loved and hoped to marry stood in front of her, as tall and as ruggedly handsome as always. His dark hair was longer than she’d remembered, curling around his ears, and his Mediterranean skin was bronzed from the summer sun.
Damn him for looking so good!
She pushed out of Bradley’s arms, feeling instant heat flood her face. Her heart which had been racing only a moment before, stuttered and stopped. The air was sucked out of her lungs. Anger, pain, and remorse warred inside of her.
“What do you want?”
Chapter Four
“I came to speak with you, but I can see you’re busy.” Tom’s eyes raked over her before turning them on Bradley. “So you’re the man my sisters are raving about.”
Bradley grinned, then stepped forward and reached out a hand. “Bradley Langford. Pleasure to meet you.” He looked Tom right in the face. “Congratulations on your recent wedding. Jordon and I couldn’t be happier for you.” He turned his head. “Right, darling?”
She took that as her cue to step forward and stop cringing like the wounded creature she was. “Of course. It came as a big surprise, but I wish you all the best.”
Tom reached out a hand and touched her elbow. “I had hoped to have a word with you alone. Figured I might find you down here.”
“Whatever you have to say to me, you can say in front of Bradley. He knows pretty much everything.”
How could he walk up to her and act like he hoped they could be friends? Her hand twitched, aching to slap his handsome, beloved face. But then she saw something in his eye, not compassion, but a deep shame, a look that spoke volumes about how guilty he felt.
As he should! Some of the steam eased out of her, and her shoulders dropped. He hadn’t done it on purpose. When he left for Italy, he hadn’t gone searching for some woman to love. He had fully intended to return and marry her, but love had found him, and he could no more escape it, than she could deny the physical attraction she had for Bradley.
“It’s okay, Tom. I hope you’re happy.”
He nodded, and looked sad. “I wanted you to know how sorry I am that it happened this way. I should have told you first.”
“Why? You had already left. You didn’t expect me to hang around waiting, did you?” He flinched at her remark. Score one for her! But it didn’t make her feel any better.
“I know how shocked you must have been, and I hadn’t intended on meeting anyone, or hurting you. Again, I’m sorry. That’s all.”
She lifted her chin. “You didn’t hurt me, Tom. We had a good time, but we both knew it wasn’t going anywhere. Right?”
Bradley stepped up behind her and put his arms around her waist, resting his chin on the top of her head. “Can’t say that I’m sorry. Your leaving made it possible for us to meet. Your loss, my gain,” he said, and Jordon wanted to throw her arms around his neck and give him a whopping kiss.
Tom took a step back, and jammed his hands in his jean pockets. “Good. I’m glad you found somebody this fast,” he said, ignoring Bradley’s words. “I thought I should let you know before you hear it elsewhere. Larissa is pregnant.”
The words cut her like a knife and she would have fallen had Bradley not tightened his grip. She couldn’t breathe with the pain. She wanted to lash out at him, slap him silly, and rip his heart out with her hands. He deserved to feel the same pain as she did. She wanted him to bleed, to hurt, to take back those heart-wrenching words.
Bradley answered for her. “Great. You’ve told her. Congratulations again. Now, if you don’t mind you’re interrupting a special moment. I had planned to ask Jordon something today. Right now. So, if you’ve said all you have to say, then I’ll get on with it.”
Bradley took her by the shoulders and spun her around. He touched the side of her face and looked deeply into her eyes. “I came here this weekend to ask you to marry me. Will you, honey? Will you make me the happiest man on earth?”
Tears filled her eyes, and she was saved from a reply, when a gorgeous young woman appeared, waving her hands. “Tom, Tom!” She rushed forward. “Your dad sent me to get you. The guests are arriving and everyone is anxious to see you.”
She smiled at Jordon and Brad. “Hi. I’m Larissa Martello.” She blushed and laughed, then offered her hand to Jordon. “Sorry, but I get such a rush just saying that.” She giggled. “It’s only been two weeks.”
Jordon stiffened, and with a gentle nudge from Bradley, she managed to shake this woman’s hand. She felt like a chip of ice that might crack at any minute. She didn’t dare trust her voice and once again, Bradley covered for her.
“Congratulations on your marriage,” he said. “Your husband just told us about the baby. That’s wonderful news.”
Larissa’s big brown eyes flew to Tom’s. “I thought we were going to keep it a secret.”
He shrugged and had the good grace to look embarrassed. “Why bother? I’m delighted, and this is a celebration after all.” He grabbed his wife’s hand and kissed it. “Let’s announce it to the world. Why not?”
Larissa glanced back at Tom and Jordon. “Come. Join us. The party is getting started.”
Bradley put a protective arm around Jordon’s shoulder. “In a minute. We’re just having a little celebration of our own.”
Larissa laughed. “Excellent. I have a feeling we will be very good friends.”
Jordon stood frozen, afraid that if she did move she’d do something destructive, or say words she couldn’t take back.
In silence, they watched the happy couple depart.
“You all right?” Bradley asked.
“As right as I’ll ever be. I hate her. I wanted to rip her hair out strand by strand. Then I wanted to take that pregnant body of hers and hurl it into the lake.” She shivered and rubbed her bare arms. “I’ve never felt such intense hatred toward another human being. Does that make me a bad person?”
“No. It makes you human. And honest. And you’ll get over it soon, I promise. Perhaps by tomorrow you’ll feel differently. You don’t love Tom. I know you don’t.”
“Stop saying that! And stop looking at me that way.” Her body began to shake. Tears spilled out of her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. “Take me back. I need to be alone.”
“I’ll take you back, but I’m not leaving you. We are in this together for the weekend. For better or for worse.” He took her by the arm, as if she were old and frail and couldn’t fend for herself.
It annoyed her, because she knew she couldn’t even stand up straight alone. She was like a wounded bird, an angry wounded bird.
When they reached the main house, they could see the line of cars parked down the street. At a quick glance, Jordon calculated around twenty people had arrived, and soon there would be at least fifty or sixty more.
“Let’s skedaddle befo
re anyone spots us.” She marched inside and Bradley followed.
Marie popped her head out of the kitchen. “Oh, there you are. Is everything fine?” She glanced nervously at Jordon’s face, but once again Jordon couldn’t find her voice to answer. Instead she rushed up the stairs.
Bradley shook his head. “She ran into Tom. The meeting didn’t go so hot.”
“Oh, poor thing. I’m so sorry.” She rubbed her hands together. “Why don’t you grab a nice bottle of wine, take it upstairs and make her feel better?”
Bradley glanced at the wise older woman. “I think I’ll do just that.”
A few minutes later he knocked softly on the door, then pushed it open. He put the bottle of wine and the two balloon glasses on the small table next to the bed.
Jordon was sprawled face-down on the bed, sobbing into a pillow. He sat next to her and ran a hand over her back. “It’s all right. Cry it out.”
“Don’t… be… nice… to…. me!” she wailed, and let out a ripping sob. “Go away!”
“I’m not going anywhere. Matter of fact, I’m going to open this nice bottle of Pinot and sit right here until your tears are done. Then I’m going to take you in my arms and kiss you better.”
She sobbed even harder.
*
Bradley let her cry it out, and sat there rubbing her back as her sobs receded. He grabbed her a glass of water and held it up to her lips when her hiccups began.
Then he took her head and held it next to his chest, breathing in the scent of her hair, the salty taste of her tears. After a few minutes he went to get a cool wash cloth from the restroom and gently washed her face, kissing her everywhere the damp cloth had been. He kissed her swollen eyes, her puffy lips, and heard her murmur his name.
It sounded sweet to his ears.
“You feeling better?” he asked gently. His hands continued to caress her back as she curled her body into his.
She sniffled and said softly, “You make me feel better.” She pushed away a little. “Thank you for that.” She tried to smile and the effort tore at his heart. “Bet you never bargained for this, this weekend. Not exactly a good time, am I?”
He chuckled. “I didn’t come here for a good time. I came to help you out in a sticky situation, and I’m glad I did. I wouldn’t want you to face this alone.”
She blinked rapidly, bravely fighting more tears. “You say the nicest things. I feel badly for your wife. Losing you must be the toughest thing she ever did.”
“Her choice. And I think she’s quite content with my money and her new boyfriend.”
“Does that bother you?”
“Not anymore.” He pressed his lips to her forehead, but then she lifted her face and her eyes met his. He could see a whole mess of things in their emerald depth. Need, desire, and fragility, like one bad word and she might break.
“Kiss me. Please?”
“Jordon…you know I shouldn’t.”
“I want your kisses, and I think you enjoy them too.”
“Got that right.” He kissed her chastely and then took her shoulders in his hands and pushed her gently away. “There you go,” he said as if talking to a child. “Why don’t you take a nice long shower and put your brave face on. Then we can go to the party and show the world that you are just fine.”
“No. Kiss me again.” She put her arms around his neck, effectively trapping him. “Like you mean it.”
“Not a good idea.”
“Bradley, if you don’t shut up and kiss me, I’m going to fall into a million pieces. Do you really want that to happen?”
Damn. He was between a rock and a hard place.
He knew it was a mistake but the alternative was worse. “You drive a hard bargain.” His eyes were on her plump lips and he knew how sweet they tasted, how good her body felt—inside and out. His own stirred in reply.
With one hungry movement he toppled her back onto the bed and covered her body with his own. His mouth claimed hers in a long, frantic, tongue-fest, where neither of them could get enough of the other. Hell. Who needed to breathe when passion felt this damn good?
His hands pushed up her skirt, and she slid her legs apart, pushing herself into his hand. His jeans were bursting, his crotch on fire as she continued to rub against his hand. He pushed the silk lace aside and slipped a finger in, finding her hot, wet, slick with desire.
He scrambled out of his jeans, raced to his wallet and found an old condom that had been there for some time. He got rid of his clothes, slipped on the condom, then stalked back to the bed.
Jordon had pushed herself up. She was looking at him, flushed, wide-eyed with wonder. A slow smile spread across her lush lips. “Oh, my! Is that for me?”
He moved slowly, his eyes never leaving hers. “It is if you want it.”
With one quick movement she tossed her top off, and her bra went flying too. The skirt and panties went next, and she reached out a hand, stroking him, guiding him forward.
“Yes, please. Make love to me, Brad. I want you so bad.”
Now how could a gentleman say no to a request like that?
*
Jordon didn’t care if they were breaking any damn rules. She needed him, she wanted him, and who the hell cared anyway? Did she ask what other people did in their bedrooms?
Besides, this man was simply too delicious to resist.
She pulled him down on top of her and lifted her legs to take him deep. He teased her for a moment or two, sliding in and out, only giving her a taste and not the entire package. She lifted her hips, wrapped her legs around his back, and took his balls into her hand. They were hot, heavy and she loved the feel of him. His cock pulsed, his body tensed.
She had him. The knowledge filled her with pleasure and put a smile on her face. And then he gave it to her good.
After the shock waves of their explosion wore off, they kissed and held each other for a long time. She dozed a little and when she awoke he was already showered and dressed, sitting in a chair, sipping on a glass of wine.
She stretched her arms above her head and smiled when his eyes dropped to her breasts. He made her feel attractive. Cared for. Like a very good friend. Better yet. A lover.
“Can I have a sip?” she asked and licked her lips, feeling ridiculously wanton and smug.
He poured her a glass, and handed it to her. “Everything good? No regrets?”
“Are you kidding? I feel great.” She grinned and giggled. “Just a tiny bit naughty. You don’t regret it, do you?”
“I broke my own rule, but no. I’d gladly do it again.”
“Then let’s!” She took a sip of her wine and patted the bed. “We don’t have to go to this stupid party.”
“Yes, we do. They need to see you. Sparkling and beautiful, without a care in the world.”
She frowned. “I guess you’re right. But I wish I didn’t have to. I’d rather just stay right here making love to you.”
He bent down and kissed her sweetly. “Come on, sunshine. Get showered and dressed, and I’ll make sure you dazzle everyone tonight.”
She jumped up and threw her arms around him, kissing both cheeks. “You are the best date in the world. I would have paid double for a man like you.”
His eyes clouded over, and she knew her impulsive words had hurt him.
“I’m sorry. That came out wrong. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded. You know I’m wildly attracted to you.”
He didn’t reply, but stood like a stone in her arms.
“Come on, Bradley. You must admit it is an interesting side line you’ve got going on.” Jordan didn’t know why she was speaking like this to him, but she couldn’t seem to stop.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.” She made an apologetic face. “It’s just me being a bitch.”
“Have I done something wrong?” His eyes narrowed as he looked at her.
“No.” She shrugged. “Just for a recently divorced guy, this must be a nice diversion. It’s kind
of perfect.”
“You asked me here for the weekend, remember.” His jaw was clenched. “I’ve given you my reasons and I won’t apologize for them.”
She dropped her arms, knowing he was right about so many things. She was acting like a jerk about his escort business. It did bother her, and it shouldn’t. She had no claim on him. None at all. But she had slept with him—twice, and wanted to do it again. She didn’t want him sleeping with other women, or kissing them, or flirting either. And she had no just cause for any of these feelings.
Perhaps her attraction to Bradley was because she was on the rebound from her disappointment over Tom. Perhaps her passion during their love making had been a way of letting loose and proving that she was desirable and sexy, and that Tom had made the biggest mistake of his life. Or just maybe it was real chemistry and attraction, and what they had shared was the genuine thing.
Hell if she knew, but this was not the weekend to explore the possibilities. Right now she had to focus on not making a fool of herself in front of Tom, his bride and her employees. This was business, not romance, and she’d best remember it.
“I know I did, and I have no reason to resent you for it. Perhaps I don’t like the idea of sharing you, and I know that’s not fair either.”
“I’m not sleeping with anyone else. Why don’t you believe that?”
Lifting a hand, she touched his cheek. “I want to, but how can I know for sure?”
“You can’t. You either trust me or you don’t.”
She leaned in and gave him a kiss. “I’m trying, but I’m a little short on trust these days. Forgive me?”
“Let’s just get through tonight’s charade, shall we?”
Chapter Five
Jordon had known that this weekend would be difficult, and the attraction, or whatever it was with Brad, was not helping matters at all. She was vulnerable, her emotions all over the place, and she couldn’t make sense of anything. And now was certainly not the time to try.