“As long as I’m with you…I’ll love it.” As they approached his truck, he put his arm around her waist and pulled her to his side. He leaned back against the side of the truck and moved her in front of him. “And you’re positive I cannot convince you to call in sick tonight?” His eyes bore into hers, an attempt to persuade her no doubt. It almost worked.
“Nope. I’m too responsible, and I really can’t afford for my manager to take away my good shifts and stations. Besides, I’m off tomorrow. I wouldn’t want you to get tired of me.”
Jordan opened the passenger door and helped her into the cab. His hands lingered a little too leisurely on her waist to just be helpful. He was enjoying his work.
“That’s not gonna happen, darling,” he said in the most seductive drawl she had heard yet and then closed the door.
Jaynee sighed deeply and smiled as she watched him walking around the front of the truck. Jordan was real, and her grandmother approved. Maybe this really could work. Maybe if she told him everything, he’d understand.
63
Carmen DeSousa
Chapter Seven
The evening was going to drag along for Jordan. He had five hours to fill, and all he could think about was when he would see Jaynee again.
He dropped her off at her house at four thirty to change and go to work. He’d wanted to take her to the restaurant and wait, but she insisted she didn’t want him hanging around. Instead, she’d call him before she left and tell him what time she’d meet him.
Their day together was pleasant; the Sponge Docks were quaint. He enjoyed strolling down the street, their fingers intertwined. Although he had to admit, he wasn’t paying much attention to his surroundings. His mind was on Jaynee and the conversation he’d overheard this morning. She had said, “The man I am going to marry.” When he asked if she meant it, she’d said, “I think so.”
He’d already decided he wasn’t leaving Florida without her, and unfortunately, he did have to return home. He could stay another week; he had plenty of vacation time. But his business would start falling behind. His brothers-in-law and partner were doing a satisfactory job, but they didn’t have his business sense. He had given them all jobs and made them and his sisters in turn well-off, but he continued to run his construction company.
It drove him crazy Jaynee worried about a night of waiting tables. He had led her to believe he was doing okay—actually, he’d downplayed his business. Not that she seemed to mind. She seemed fine with the fact he was just a cop. Another thing he appreciated about her.
Plenty of girls back home were attracted to him physically, his money and his possessions but not interested in the depth of him as a person. And he hadn’t found one he was even remotely interested in making his wife. When he did date, it was usually out of boredom or because one of his sisters had set him up with their friend.
He hadn’t noticed anyone in the last couple of years anyway. He’d been too busy with his business. He didn’t even have to continue working on the force; his company brought in plenty of money. But he loved being a cop, and he had hoped that soon they’d transfer him to the detectives’ division. Working on the street every day was starting to wear on him. However, those dreams now took a backburner; there was only one thing he wanted now. He’d found the one person he needed more than anything. He just had to figure out how to secure her affections without scaring her off in the process. Her confession this morning had given him cause to hope.
Jordan decided to take a chance. In the likelihood she felt the same way about him and wasn’t terrified of making a commitment, he’d be ready.
He’d been heading to the movies to squander some time when he made the decision. So, he made a U-turn and headed back to a jewelry shop he saw earlier that looked promising.
He would find something extraordinary and unique, not just a bauble from a national jewelry store other women might possess. She was more important to him. He wanted to wow her, convince her that she could trust him, make her feel as crazy about him as he was her.
It wasn’t about which stone was the most expensive or the biggest. He wanted the prettiest diamond, and he found it in the small store. It was a beautiful custom ring. Exquisite, just like Jaynee.
He locked the engagement ring in the glove compartment of his truck and went about killing time before Jaynee got off work. His mind wandered. Now he just had to find the precise moment to ask her to marry him. He was thankful he’d overheard her declaration; otherwise, he may not have had the courage to buy the ring.
Jordan headed back toward the movie theatre to waste a few more hours. Absolutely nothing good was playing, so he opted for a non-thinking, sci-fi alien movie. It would definitely take his mind off the hours until he could be with her again. Then, they’d have the entire weekend, and afterward, hopefully forever.
The movie didn’t keep his interest. No matter how hard he concentrated, he couldn’t follow it. His mind was elsewhere. He checked his watch every five minutes. She hadn’t expected to be out before ten, and it wasn’t even nine. He needed to relax.
Finally, the movie was nearing the end. They were sharing a moment, the human girl and the predator—was she supposed to like him? It was a face only a mother could love. Jordan must have missed some important issue, because the scene wasn’t making any sense.
His cell phone vibrated. He glanced at the number and sighed in relief. It wasn’t even nine yet. He bolted out of his seat and flipped the phone open. “Hang on a sec, Jaynee.” He literally ran to the corridor. “Hey…you’re early,” he finally said when he exited the theatre.
“Are you still at the movies? You can finish and meet me at Starbucks when it’s over.” Jaynee spoke the words nonchalantly as if she couldn’t fathom the notion he had been waiting all evening to see her.
“Are you kidding?” he burst out. “I hardly even know what I was watching. I’ll meet you at the restaurant. You haven’t left yet, right?”
“No, I have about fifteen minutes. I have a couple—”
“Good.” He cut off her words. “I’ll come and get you.” He hung up the phone before she could argue. He didn’t like the idea of her walking out to her car alone. She was strong-willed and probably never asked for an escort.
How many calls did he receive where a waitress was attacked leaving work? Real-life predators knew tipped employees walked out with cash money. With Jaynee it was doubly tempting, as she looked appealing too.
Jordan sprinted to his truck. It frustrated him that restaurant owners and managers mandated their staff park in the furthest regions of the parking lots and rarely provided women escorts to their vehicles.
After disarming the alarm, he jumped inside, turned the key and threw the shifter into drive, stomping on the gas. The wheels squealed in protest. The restaurant was only fifteen minutes away, and Jaynee said she had closing work to do. But the thought of something happening to her—he squelched the thought, reminding himself she did this nightly. He really needed to loosen up before he frightened her by being overbearing.
Jaynee stared at the blank display screen on her phone. “What was that all about?” she said aloud, irritably, unconcerned with eyes all around watching her. “I told him I’d meet him at Starbucks. Men! They’re so pushy.”
She finished her closing duties, freshened herself up then headed out the side door toward her car at the rear of the parking lot. She realized now she’d have to wait for Jordan. She should call him back and tell him not to come, that she’d meet him. She fished through her purse for her phone. This was ridiculous.
When she finally found her phone, she realized it wouldn’t work. Jordan was chivalrous. He held doors open, helped her into his truck and even pulled out chairs.
Despite her earlier irritation, Jaynee smiled as she walked through the parking lot. She was thinking about Jordan when she felt hands grab her from behind, pick her up and shove her against her vehicle. The impact with the door knocked the wind out of her, and she gasped for
breath. She couldn’t see her attacker but smelled his rancid breath. He ranked of cheap booze. In her peripherals, she caught a glimpse of two men flanking him, but they held their distance. Her heart pounded. What would they do to her? She couldn’t live through this again.
“Did you get the letter, Caycee?” The man pressing her to the car kept his voice muted and guttural, but it sounded vaguely familiar.
“What letter?” She attempted to twist out of his grip, but he wrenched her arm against her back, shoving her harder into her car. Tears flooded her eyes. Brian had sent someone to follow her again. Why wouldn’t he just let her go?
“Consider this your warning.” He let go of her, and she fell to the ground as he hovered over her. He wore his hat drawn low over his eyes. In the shadows of the parking lot, it was hard to make out his features, but she thought she recognized him. “He made it clear what will happen if you date other men. Maybe we should give you an illustration tonight,” he snickered, lowering his body over top of her.
Tires screeched behind them. Her perpetrator turned to look, but it was too late. Jordan had already jumped out of the truck holding something small and black in his hand. He made a beeline for the man hovering over her. Jordan pulled her attacker off her and smashed the cylinder object into the man’s gut. The fiend doubled over, choking. Faster than she could discern how, the second man was on the ground, his leg in an unnatural position under his own body. The third coward escaped the moment his friends collapsed. The first man, still lurched over, started vomiting when the second man’s screams filled the air.
Jordan scooped her up and carried her back to his truck, lifting her quickly inside. After slamming the door behind her, he watched that the would-be assailants remained on the ground.
Jaynee was in a panic. Should she call 911 to report the attack or request an ambulance? Deciding Jordan would do what he thought was best, she remained motionless inside the cab. Adrenaline rushed through her veins. The only thing she felt was her heart as it nearly pounded through her chest.
Jordan climbed up in the truck and turned to her. His eyes were wide. His look terrified her for a moment. But he was her savior; she had no reason to worry. He’d never hurt her. “Are you okay?” Jordan’s normal serene voice roared louder than she had ever heard. His tone seethed with raw emotion.
“Y…yes…I think so,” she stuttered. She wasn’t. Her body shivered uncontrollably, and she could barely speak.
“Did they hurt you?” The words came out in a growl.
“Not really. I am just a little shaken.” Though her arm did hurt from him yanking it behind her, and her tailbone ached from hitting the concrete, she thought it better not to mention this, or he might go back after the thugs. She definitely couldn’t mention the reason for the attack. No telling what he would do with that information.
Kenny, it dawned on her who the man that attacked her had been. It was Kenny, Brian’s best friend. She knew it would happen eventually; she just hadn’t expected him to find out so quickly. It had been a year, and Brian simply couldn’t accept the fact it was over between them. Panic paralyzed her. What if they had hurt Jordan?
Jordan threw the truck into drive and peeled out of the parking lot in the opposite direction of Starbucks. She didn’t utter a word as he drove down Highway 19 entirely too fast. Instead, she buckled up. He was furious. Why? Was he mad at her?
Jordan glanced in the mirror before he changed lanes then turned his fiery gaze back to her. “You’re not going back there. Do you understand?” It wasn’t a question. It was an order.
She flinched away from his hostile expression. “But, my car…?” she stammered. She didn’t understand. What was he implying?
“We’ll get your vehicle tomorrow, but you cannot return there. They’ll come back, Jaynee. It’s what dirt bags like them do. They’re like sharks…once they taste blood—” He clinched his jaw as his hands tightened on the steering wheel.
She could see he was having a difficult time staying composed, but still... “I can’t quit my job!” Who the heck did he think he was? She glowered at him in the darkness.
Jordan ignored her response, obviously she didn’t understand. She couldn’t seem to fathom how much he cared about her.
This wasn’t how the night was supposed to happen. He didn’t want to make Jaynee angry and think him controlling. How could he explain she didn’t need to work, that he would take care of her forever? He couldn’t. This wasn’t how he wanted to go about this.
He pulled into the parking area of his hotel. Without saying a word, he jumped out and walked around to Jaynee’s side of the truck. Instead of opening the door, she just sat there, waiting—for what he wasn’t sure.
Irritated, he pulled the remote out of his pocket, clicked unlock, and then opened the door. He offered her his hand. “Please, Jaynee,” he pleaded. “You could at least show some gratitude. I apologize if I frightened you.” He worked to keep his tone light. It wasn’t easy. Fire radiated through his veins. He could have killed those thugs. He wanted to, but he was a cop. And cops were supposed to uphold the law. For the first time in his life, he wished he wasn’t an officer.
She glared down from the truck at his waiting arms but made no effort to move.
A little crinkle appeared between her eyes, something she did when she was confused or frustrated. He wondered which it was. “You didn’t frighten me. Why would you think I was afraid of you? I’m mad at you. There’s a difference.” She crossed her arms insolently over her chest.
“I’m sorry. Let me help you down from the cab, please.”
She turned toward him muttering something about, “ridiculously high truck,” but allowed him to help her.
Jordan reached into the glove box and pulled out the small plastic bag with the discreet little box. Tonight may not be the appropriate time, but he didn’t want to leave it in the truck for some thief to abscond with it. Jaynee didn’t seem to pay him any attention or was not curious in the least at what was in the sack.
He wrapped his arm around her waist, directing her across the parking lot. She shrugged off his touch but continued walking forward. She didn’t appear uneasy about coming to his room, but she was clearly irritated with his remark.
They walked through the lobby in silence. After entering the elevator, he pressed the button for the fourth floor.
“Sorry it’s not fancier.” He broke the silence when the elevator door shut. “I wasn’t anticipating company.” She said nothing, so he continued. “On business trips I just pick a popular hotel chain close to my area of work.” She looked up at him then. He could see she was still angry, but a small smile quirked at the corner of her mouth.
Jaynee tried to remain indignant but found this small revelation pleasant. The majority of men she met came to Florida only to party. Jordan hadn’t even picked a place on the beach. He really was here only to help.
“I’m glad…I mean…I’m happy you weren’t expecting company,” she confessed.
Jordan escorted her out of the elevator and down the hall. He held his hotel door open, and she entered the room tentatively.
Although she wanted Jordan last night and this morning, her home had felt safer. The idea of entering his hotel room on the other hand, had her feeling a little anxious. What would she do if he became aggressive? She closed her eyes wondering how she always got herself in these predicaments. No matter how rational her brain wanted to scream at her to run, her heart wouldn’t listen. Something told her Jordan was different. She couldn’t leave.
As soon as he walked into the room, he went to the tiny refrigerator and pulled out two sodas and a couple packets of crackers. “Did you eat? You should eat something. I can order pizza or something.” He rattled off the words as if he were in a rush, then walked over to the dresser and pulled out a large t-shirt. “Your shirt is ripped. You can wear this. I’d rather you not go back to your place if acceptable with you. Those scumbags may have been stalking you and might know where you live
. Feel free to use whatever you want in the bathroom if you want to fix those scrapes on your arm.” He tossed the shirt on the bed and turned away from her, walking toward the window. She could see he was agitated and evidently needed to relax too.
Jaynee stared after him, not sure what to say. She felt completely comfortable with Jordan but couldn’t help but be cautious about the situation. He hadn’t pressured her with anything; he was simply offering her something she didn’t understand. She was so accustomed to people taking from her. She didn’t know what to do when someone was willing to give without expectation of anything in return.
“I’m not hungry,” she said quietly, then picked up his shirt and headed off toward the bathroom before he could respond.
Once inside the bathroom, she decided to take a shower.
Steaming-hot water poured over her body dissolving the grime and filth she felt from those degenerates’ attack. He had called her Caycee and had asked about the letter she discarded. Brian obviously sent Kenny to intimidate her.
They wouldn’t have hurt her…she knew indisputably. Brian was many things, but he had never laid a hand on her, and she was certain he’d kill whoever did. Those barbarians were only there to frighten her. She now wondered what was in the letter. No, she decided immediately, she didn’t care.
She would let her past go. She would never open another letter or cry another tear over her ex, her mother or even her father for that matter. She would tell Jordan everything. If he still wanted her, great. If not, she’d still let it go. She was tired of shouldering her past. It felt like a horse collar weighing her down.
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