I'd barely opened the back door open when Jordan called out from the kitchen. "Marli? Some guy just pulled up in a black Lotus—one with Alaska license plates."
Peering over Jordan's shoulder, I watched Doug meander up the front walk. Alaska had dropped to the "lower 48" and the thought of facing Doug with Jordan in the same airspace triggered a major panic attack. Breakfast crawled into the back of my throat. I retreated to the laundry room with Jordan on my heels.
"Tell me that's not Douglas Peterson."
"I can't do that," I replied.
"You never described Douglas Peterson. I don't mind admitting locking you downstairs and not answering the door are the only rational thoughts in my jealous mind right now."
An idiotic smile suddenly twisted my mouth. "He's not that good looking."
"Dammit Marli, this isn't a game to me."
The teasing stopped when I realized how serious Jordan had become. "I never said it was. Calm down." He pressed my body to the wall and leaned in to kiss me, or I should say, mark his territory, when the doorbell chimed. "Jordan, knock it off." I headed for the door with him following close enough to qualify as my shadow.
I opened the front door and my lungs seized. Doug stood there, runway-model handsome and I understood why Jordan's jealous heart came close to having a fatal attack.
"Doug!"
Without hesitation, he gathered me in his arms, his luscious lips taking mine. The front door slammed behind us.
Jordan hooked a proprietary arm around my neck and extended his hand. "Jordan Mason, Marli's assigned match."
I swear a shift in atmospheric pressure occurred when Doug shook Jordan's hand and they exchanged a heated glare. The "testosterone box" surrounding me stole my air supply. I broke from Jordan's chokehold and Doug immediately claimed my hand.
His tone edged in an icy bitterness rivaling the glaciers he'd left behind. "I believe Marli's status remains 'unclaimed' as of this morning's posting."
Doug's hand slid up my cheek. "You worried me disappearing so suddenly, although I understand why. I tried to reach you, but you never returned my calls. Since I was already headed to Princeton to see my sister, I decided to stop by."
His thumb stroked the outside of my ear and I rolled my shoulder to knock his hand away. My stony gaze in disgust met with a tight-lipped smirk in return.
Jordan threw his arm roughly around my shoulder. "A trip to New Jersey within days of Marli leaving you? How convenient…and unbelievable. You drove thousands of miles to see if Marli survived her grandmother's funeral?"
Gently, I pushed Jordan's arm down, but he snagged my waist. Doug casually moved to my other side, his thumb drawing a line down my other arm, a hot trail following beneath my skin.
"She didn't leave me, and I don't expect anything from you."
Meanwhile, Jordan's fingers edged under the hem of my shirt and slid a torturous tickle along the small of my back, my body leaning into his deft touch.
"Well, as you can see, Marli's fine and I'm sure your sister is waiting. So. Leave."
Frustrated with Jordan's rudeness and irritated they both made my hormones scream, I stepped away. "No more touching, got it? None. Zip. From either of you."
Anger clouded Jordan's expression. "Hands off, friend. Marli doesn't belong to you."
Actually, I did—a thought becoming more annoying each time it flashed into my head. Ninety days. I belonged to both of them for what would prove to be three very long months.
A cocky smirk pulled Doug's mouth. "Nor is she yours…friend."
"No more!" I shouted.
"Marli Davis?" Some stranger crept unaware into our presence, halting our argument.
"What!" I snapped, exasperated, immediately remorseful when the innocent bystander jumped back. "Sorry. I'm Marli Davis."
He reached his leather-gloved hand into the attaché slung across his chest, retrieving, almost in slow motion, the catalyst to either end the power war circling me, or start another catastrophic event. He handed me a red envelope.
"Have a nice day," he offered, a most oxymoronic statement given the situation.
Impermeable silence surrounded our threesome, all eyes obsessed with the shiny plastic dangling from my fingertips.
"I need to get Muffy." My legs were rubber by the time I climbed into Rick's truck. Once around the corner, I dialed Brittany. "Help. I'm in deep trouble."
When I arrived back at the house, I pulled close to the back door to prevent Muffy from escaping. She bounded through the back door, her tail whipping excitedly at the discovery of company.
Jordan and Doug sat at opposite ends of the table, with Brittany in between. Muffy headed straight for Jordan with all the force of a racehorse. She knocked one of the kitchen chairs off kilter, which Doug caught. He cowered in the corner trying, unsuccessfully, to look inconspicuous by holding the chair in front of him.
"Sorry guys. I have absolutely no control over her." I unhooked the leash and hung it back on the peg in the pantry. I handed a dog biscuit to Doug. "Place this on your palm and let her take it from your open hand. You'll be her friend for life."
Jordan glowered, but there wasn't time to react. Muffy saw the dog treat in Doug's hand. I remained close and Doug's arm slipped around my waist, holding me while Muffy eagerly devoured the biscuit.
"She's huge! You didn't give an accurate description of Muffy in Alaska."
"Marli's not very good with descriptions," Jordan snarled.
Moving to neutral territory across the room, I filled a bowl of water for Muffy and assessed the mood. Jordan's body remained folded in hard angles and he refused to look at me, his gaze fixed beyond the window. What seemed strange was how Doug assessed Jordan.
Brit cleared her throat, her eyes darting toward the stairs. I concocted a lame excuse about needing to return a sweater I borrowed and dragged her to my room. I'd barely shut the bedroom door when she clenched my shoulders in a death grip.
"I nearly died when I got here and found them arguing on your front porch. I'm glad I saw the pod, or I'd never known the other guy was Doug." Her eyes brightened, "Marli, he's so cute!"
"Trust me, the 'packaging' is misleading." She gave me a funny look, but I didn't have time for details and pulled her to the window seat, away from the door so no one could hear us talking."Later. Right now I need to know what you heard."
"Something about Jordan messing with your phone? Oh! And some 'freeze'?"
"A ninety-day hold," I said, stiffly. Brittany looked puzzled. "Jordan and Doug both put a three month hold on me through The Program. Jordan has priority because he filed his claim first. Neither of them has told me. I found out from Chuck."
"What are you going to do?"
"I haven't decided—if I even have a choice. They both promised not to pressure me, but apparently, they lied. Well, actually Doug warned me he wanted to claim me in Alaska."
"You're joking."
"Wish I was. Brit, I'm so frustrated and I hate that Jordan keeps doing stuff behind my back."
"But if he hadn't done this, sounds like you might have ended up Doug's assigned mate. It's obvious Jordan doesn't want to lose you."
The muffled sound of raised voices sent both of us to the top of stairs, where we ducked in the shadows to eavesdrop. Doug's voice boomed and what he said caught me off guard.
"You think who you are entitles you to special privileges!"
Jordan yelled back in defense."I do not! I did what I had to because I care about Marli and won't risk losing her to anyone, especially you, Peterson."
"Care? Is that what you call this? I think control better describes your actions. I wonder how Marli would feel about your idea of devotion if she knew how much you interfered in her life. The minute she said she tried to contact me, I knew you were the reason she couldn't."
"Peterson, Marli is my assignee. You and 'daddy' need to back off."
"Do you really want to drag fathers into this, Mason? I'd bet my life your match to Marli wasn't b
y random selection."
Fear wrapped my body in an icy tendril with Doug's statement. Another unknown. A big one.
Brit leaned close to whisper. "What are they talking about?" There wasn't time to answer when Jordan's voice threatened to bring down the roof.
"At least my motives are legit. I doubt you can make the same claim. Do you honestly think I'd let Marli go without a fight? Never! My own brother's tried and failed!"
Doug got in Jordan's face. "Don't get too comfortable on that high horse. This is far from over and her lips tell me I'm still being considered."
"You're so damn arrogant, Peterson, and delusional if you think you have any chance. I outrank you genetically, remember?"
Doug shoved Jordan. "They're only numbers. Nothing's proven, yet. You're no expert, especially about Marli. It's not like it really matters."
Jordan pushed back. "Check again, loser. It matters. Besides, she's already said—"
Damn! Jordan had no right discussing my personal feelings with Doug. I stormed down the stairs, having no idea what to say, but needing to stop Jordan's rant.
"Stop this!" I screeched. "Sit." I commanded. Muffy immediately dropped her butt and I fought back the smile, not wanting to lose my edge. "I have some questions that need answering, although I'm not sure either of you is capable of being honest."
"Ouch," Brittany muttered, walking between them to a chair across the room.
Doug settled into the easy chair and Jordan perched on the arm of the sofa. I drew a couple of deep breaths, summoning bravery. My legs felt like strings blowing in the wind and I grabbed the edge of the credenza for support, then turned Jordan's direction.
"Jordan, is Doug right? Are you interfering?"
"Marli, whatever he's accused me of I did to protect you."
"Protect me? From Doug? Give me some credit. I think I can take care of myself where Doug or any boy is concerned." Right. If only I believed it myself.
Doug folded his arms, a smug grimace on his face. I immediately nodded his direction. "I'm also suspicious why you came all this way." When Doug started to object, Jordan let out a satirical huff. I threw both hands up. "That's it! Listen, I've discovered something neither of you apparently have the guts to tell me. I'm hurt and disgusted with both of you."
My eyes pricked with tears I didn't want anyone to see. I refused to break down before getting my answers. "Would one of you please explain the stupid hold you both put on me?" Silent tension choked the air surrounding us. Doug looked shocked. Jordan did not.
"Remember Jordan, it was your choice to date and not pressure me. But that's exactly what you're doing. The day you stomped out of here claiming 'betrayal' you put me in lockdown—before I even opened Doug's red envelope."
My body sold me out whenever I became nervous and my right foot tapped flat thuds against the tile floor. My bottom lip would have permanent bite marks, but it was the only way to fight back tears. "You're a hypocrite, Jordan. You sat in judgment of me, making me feel horrible—even dared me to open Doug's envelope. You left me wondering if you'd disappeared from my life forever. Then you turn around and cage me until you decide to unlock the door? My freedom is not yours to decide."
Doug smirked and I shoved a finger his direction. "Nor is it yours!"
My throat closed and I swallowed the lump choking my airway, delivering my final wrath. "I'm only seventeen. My adult life hasn't even begun and I deserve to be treated better than a 'possession.'"
I turned to Doug, the chagrin of his choices reflected on his face. "Figuring out my favorite color or flower isn't enough to say you know me. How can you possibly make such a selfish decision about my life?"
Jordan's posture tightened. "You gave her pink tulips?"
"I gave her a lot of things."
"You—"
"Doug! Answer me! And they were yellow tulips, so calm down, Jordan." The adrenalin rush made me nauseated. I inhaled a cleansing breath. "Doug?"
"I wanted a fair chance at getting to know you before anyone claimed you."
Jordan approached me and I lowered my voice. "Why?"
"I was afraid."
"You were afraid. Did you stop to consider how I'd feel?" My gaze darted to Doug. "Did you?" Neither answered and a warm tear tumbled from the corner of my eye. "Apparently not."
I felt the color drain from my face and a sticky cold sweat prickle my hairline when my emotions and upset stomach collided. Jordan reached for me, but I dodged his hands and raced for the sanctuary of my bedroom. I locked the door and collapsed on the bed. Overhead, the make-believe clouds faded out of focus and I concentrated on deep breathing to calm down.
Seconds later, a rap sounded on my door, "Marli, let me in."
I wrapped a pillow around my face and screamed. "Go away Jordan!"
"I'm not leaving you like this." He paused, his feet shuffling on the other side of door. "Babe, please?"
When I unlocked the door, Jordan waited until I gestured for him to enter the room. His arms hung limp at his sides, his hands curling in an out. He sized me up with a measured glance before taking my hands. A deep, pained breath puffed his chest and he peered sheepishly at me through his lashes. The same boyish look that stole my heart nearly three months ago.
"Marli, I didn't mean to hurt you, believe me."
He cradled my face with quivering fingers and I stared into his eyes, searching for the truth behind the starburst of golden brown and green rays surrounding his widening irises. They turned shiny and bright as his steady gaze matched mine. His explanation came without hesitation, the tone soft but determined.
"I'm not apologizing for putting the hold on you. I knew when I walked out I couldn't live without you, but I was too damn stubborn to come back."
Unfortunately, a shield had raised around my heart. "This is exactly why I'm scared to stay in The Program. I hate to be manipulated. I don't think I can do this anymore, Jordan."
The corners of his eyes tightened, a glossy sheen appearing. "Marli, don't say that."
He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and I knotted the back of his shirt in my fists, pressing him close. "Then help me understand why?"
"Because I couldn't risk losing you before you were sure of your feelings. This way gave me an insurance policy." His lips brushed my damp cheek. "If you chose someone else, I would have withdrawn my option and prayed you'd never find out. Marli, I told you I'd never force you into anything. I stand by my promise. The choice will always be yours. Program or not."
"Is Doug telling the truth about you interfering? Did you do something?"
His head dropped. "Yes. I called Mike and asked him to block the frequency on your receptor so no one bothered us. I wanted you all to myself in California. I know that's selfish and controlling, but I felt desperate."
"Mike. Who is he, anyway? Jesse had him tweak my bracelet frequencies on the yacht."
Jordan pulled back slightly, the vein in his jaw pulsing. "Jesse shouldn't have done a lot of things that day." He gave me an intense stare. "Mike works for my father. He's our techno wizard."
I stepped out of Jordan's arms in a flashback to the beach. "More secrets."
"One less," he corrected. "I told you; when I can, I'll share them all." His fingers tapped the bony knobs of my elbows. Slowly, each finger grabbed a little more of my arms, drawing me into him. "Forgive me? I really do love you."
"Don't do it again. I have to be able to trust you, Jordan, or we don't stand a chance." I couldn't explain to him the pain I suffered from those closest to me, or how that infidelity kept me from trusting people, relationships...life.
"You're right and I'm really, really, really…
"Okay, I get it. You're sorry." I lifted on my toes, accepted his apologetic kiss.
"Promise me you're not leaving The Program, Marli…or me." His hazel eyes held an intensity that wouldn't dissolve until I answered.
"I'm not leaving The Program." His brow tilted. "Or you."
His hands camped on my wais
t. "I have to go. Walk me out?"
"I don't know."
Jordan's lips swept across my mouth., taunting. "Sorry, did you think that was a request?" I knotted my hands in his hair, not allowing his mouth to move away.
"Give a reason why I should."
Sliding his hands over my hips, he locked my body to his, the sensuous kiss against my lips creating a freaky sizzle that raced through my body. When he released me, I feared I'd ebbed to a puddle at his feet. I also wondered how tight his pants were now.
Jordan led me back downstairs, but before stepping out the front door, he shared a warning with Doug. "I'm not your worst competition, Peterson. My brother is."
I stood beside the rental car while Jordan loaded his bags. There would be fallout from the bomb he dropped inside, but right now I only cared about saying goodbye to him. He drew me into his arms, onto his lips, eagerly taking from me without regard for who watched.
"Marli, lie to me right now and tell me I have nothing to worry about next weekend."
"I don't have to lie. I made the decision in California to end things with Jesse."
Jordan nodded toward the house. "Will you be all right alone with Peterson?"
"Yes," I replied, hoping I'd masked my fear of the opposite. "I'll make Brittany stick around. I stole another small kiss. "Go, before you miss your flight."
Shoving my hands into the pockets of my shorts, I marched back to the house. Time to deal with the Alaskan iceberg melting in my living room.
When Rick called to check in, he wasn't thrilled to find out I had unexpected company, especially when I told him Jordan had left. The shrillness of his voice suggested if he could, he'd crawl through cyberspace and strangle me.
"So why's this Doug kid in Ohio, Mars? I thought things ended after the interview in Alaska."
"Doug's on his way to see his sister at Princeton. I'm a side trip."
"Pumpkin, you're anything but. Like it or not, I'm sending Karen over."
He hung up before I could argue. Given Doug's behavior in Alaska, this was one time I'd welcome a chaperone.
Brittany's dad called and she had to leave. I waved her off from the porch, promising a full report later. When I walked inside, I caught the end of an intense phone conversation. I inched closer, staying tucked in the shadows of the entryway.
Designer Genes - The Boyfriend Cut Page 19