by Nichols, A
“No biting,” She admonished. His feral smile was her only response as his teeth continued their assault. Her hands slipped beneath the waistband of his dress pants and palmed his ass before moving around to caress the fullness of him. Her hands slid up and down, as he continued to disrobe her.
“What if Kai gets up?”
“He’ll see his mother and father making love, then, won’t he? But you can be quiet, can’t you?”
“If the men...”
“I told them I would be in charge of your close protection for the remainder of the afternoon. Stop thinking, Witch. I want you, and I want you now, here under me.”
His words stirred her blood, and she pulled at his tie. “I want you naked, too, and then we’ll see.” She teased him with her smile.
“Oh we will, will we?’ She broke from his mouth and unbuttoned his shirt as he slipped off the offending tie and threw it. Her opened blouse fell from her shoulders and her bra followed to land somewhere behind him. Jordan was very good at removing clothes; why hadn’t she ever noticed that before? His hands meandered down her abdomen, unsnapping her jeans and pushing the zipper down, sliding the garment and her bikini panties to the floor. She kicked them away. She was naked before him, and he just looked at her. “God, what did I do to deserve you?”
Her hands reached up to caress his face, and he watched her closely as she unbuttoned and unzipped his dress pants: then he stepped out of them, divesting himself of his briefs as well.
His hands were on her face. “I never dreamed I would find love again, Madison, or happiness like you and Kai have given me.”
“And I have always dreamed of you, Jordan. Your face was with me as a child.” He backed her into the couch and took her down, catching his body on both hands so as not to crush her under him, his mouth on her everywhere once again.
She had to be fair, and he was in the throes of his passion. “Jordan.” She whispered. “I stopped taking my birth control pills.”
There was a brief hesitation as he processed what she said as he balanced himself above her, but then he murmured. “Of course you did, “ and his body unerringly found hers to her gasps of pleasure. So full of him! And the ride had just begun.
Madison lay on the couch, her body relaxed, her hair mussed, her skin reddened from his five o’clock shadow. She pulled the throw over her well-loved body. Jordan had cleaned up and gotten his dress pants on, but he was bare-chested when Kai bounced into the room. The little boy’s eyes saw his father and ran across the room to him jumping. Jordan reached and caught him up in his arms. “You’re home. What are you and Mommy doing?”
Madison’s face colored bright pink, and she pulled the throw further up.
Glancing at his very disheveled wife, Jordan made an executive decision. “We were just talking about making cupcakes.”
Madison’s eyebrows shot up. Cupcakes? “Can I help?” Kai asked, and Jordan nodded. “We’ll show your mommy what cupcakes should be.”
Kai looked around the room. “You and mommy are very messy, daddy. You have thrown your clothes all over.” Then he giggled delightedly. “See. I’m not the only one who makes messes, am I?”
Jordan kissed his cheek. “No you’re not. Let’s get you dressed,” and he started down the hall to his room. “Mommy needs some things from the store, so we’ll get them.”
“YES! These will be the bestest cupcakes,” and he squirmed out of Jordan’s arms and tore down the hall and into his room.
Jordan glanced back at Madison. “That was close. You better clean up this mess.” He winked at her.
“Yes, Sir. Since you thought up the cupcakes, you can clean the kitchen when we’re done.”
Jordan’s rich laugh filled the room. “You always have an answer, Witch.”
CHAPTER 29
Three weeks later, Malik fidgeted on the front porch of Jordan’s home. He was of two minds about whether to be here or not. He wanted to see the child and the woman; he had not told Jordan about his visit, taking the chance that he could see her alone. He knocked on the door. Two men came into his sight on each side of the place; how very Jordan. Madison was in Kai’s room putting clean clothes in his dresser while he played on the floor with his trucks. He looked up at her, his brow furrowed. “Mommy, there’s a bad man on the porch. You shouldn’t open the door.” He continued to push them on the floor making truck noises.
Madison looked at him, hearing the knock again; the boy’s blue eyes looked at her to see what she would do. “Thank you, Kai. I will be very careful, I promise. Your daddy’s men are outside to watch us.”
“Let Daddy know. Can I press the button?”
Madison pulled out her cell phone and handed it to him. He stood and eagerly hit the key that would ring straight through to his dad; Jordan’s voice was on the line. “Hey sweetheart. What’s up?” His rich voice reassured her.
“Come home, daddy.”
“Kai. Well, hello to you, too.”
Madison took the phone from his little hand. “My turn.” The little boy nodded. “Jordan, there’s someone here to visit. Kai has warned me not to go to the door. Tim is talking with him. I don’t think I know him.”
“I’m on my way. Five minutes, tops, and don’t see him until I get there.” Jordan called Tim next. “Under no circumstances does he enter the house until I’m there.”
“Yes, sir.”
Jordan pulled into the house and jumped from the car, seeing Malik with Tim. He was immediately suspicious. “Malik. Why didn’t you tell me you would be stopping by? I didn’t even know you were in the United States.”
“Just a quick visit.” His cousin was never unplanned. “Come in.” He nodded to Tim to stand down but stay close. “You’ll want to meet Madison and my son.”
Malik smiled. “I would.”
“Have you married yet?”
“Not yet.”
The two men entered, and Jordan called for Madison. She came down the hallway in jeans and a T-shirt that outlined every curve of her body, her red hair pulled back at her nape into a ponytail. Kai held her hand protectively. Then he saw his father. “Daddy,” he screamed, and he ran the rest of the way and jumped. Jordan was ready for him, catching him and kissing his cheek.
“Kai, Madison. This is a second cousin of mine from Jordan. His name is Malik. Kai turned his face into his father’s chest and clutched his neck. Madison’s eyes met Jordan’s, her eyes questioning.
“Kai is a little bashful sometimes,” she said. Jordan continued to hold him, rubbing his back.
“I understand completely. He doesn’t know me.” Malik said. Inside he thought, but hopefully, that will change.
“Let me get you something to drink.” Jordan crossed to the liquor cabinet, his eyes following his cousin’s as he got the glasses out. They were resting on Madison, and his desire was evident. Jordan knew why he was here.
Malik was struck with the witch’s beauty and her grace. There was fire in her, and he wanted her like he had never wanted anything else in his life. She met his gaze boldly. The child was a replica of his father; no one could doubt his paternity. He would have to be eliminated, but the woman would be his. He could handle the child with her help.
“Sit down, won’t you?”
Madison walked to Jordan. “I’ll take him. I’m sure the two of you would like to catch up.” Jordan released the little boy into her arms. His eyes warned her; there was more here than met the eye. Madison turned with Kai and walked from the room. “I’ll bring you some refreshments in a few minutes.”
Jordan turned to his cousin with a glass of whiskey. “What brings you to the United States?’
“Business, mainly. I have some meetings with your Senators about some land in Jordan that they are interested in leasing.”
“You aware of the refugee problem, then. It comes from displacing these people and giving the land that provides their livelihoods to business conglomerates that care little for it. I thought, somehow, you would be a better stew
ard. Your grandmother gave you the power to rule. I suggest you think carefully about what you are doing.”
“You never were happy that Grandmother selected our side of the family to pass the property to, were you Jordan?” But inside he thought that Grandmother had divided the goods—giving him the wealth and the land and Jordan the woman. Why had he never seen that before?
Jordan replied, “It was not my land to give—it was hers, and she gave it to you.”
“Grandmother also said that I could have the witch. You didn’t know that, did you Jordan?”
“The witch was not hers to give.”
“But you have her. Madison is a beautiful woman.”
“I think so.” He paused, but it was time. “She is my wife, Malik, and Kai is our son.”
He was stunned. “You married her? I didn’t read...”
“It was a very private thing, but she is my wife. Remember that.” That complicated things for Malik. A marriage was sacrosanct in his tribe; in order to have her, Jordan would have to give her up or be dead.
Madison had caught the last of their conversation as she entered, her senses screaming at her that there was danger here. She sat down the tray and walked to Jordan, looking straight at him. “I’m sorry, but I have something to tell my husband that can’t wait.” She whispered in his ear. “I’m pregnant,” and she gave him her megawatt smile. Jordan’s reaction was stunned and noted by Malik. What had she whispered to him? She turned to her guest. “Please forgive me for my rudeness, but it is between Jordan and me. Can I get you two anything else? If not, Kai and I are going with Tim for a walk. You two visit.”
“Take extra protection.”
“Yes, sir, I will. It was very nice to meet you. If you expect a warmer welcome, I’m afraid you’ll have to let us know you are coming. We’re a very busy family.” Her laughter rang out freely in the room, a gorgeous sound, as Kai ran into her legs, wrapping his little arms around her tightly from behind.
“I’m ready, Mommy.” Madison pulled Jordan’s chin to her, kissing him sweetly. Tim came down the hall, nodding at the visitor and opening the front door. Malik’s mouth tightened. This should all have been his.
“Say goodbye, Kai.” Madison prompted.
The little boy turned, pinned Malik with his eyes and said, “Remember, when you take from another what is not yours, there is always a price to pay.” Jordan was stunned at his child’s words. “My daddy told me that. Goodbye.”
The child was gifted; Malik had to say it. Now, could he make it work for him? The woman would be his; he wanted her body, and he wanted her power. His grandmother couldn’t have been wrong, could she? There was something about Madison that caused him some trepidation, though. She would not be easily subdued, and he felt the first elements of fear arise in him.
“Oh, Malik.” Jordan pulled Malik’s attention back to him. “You can congratulate me. My wife is expecting again.” There was a huge smile on Jordan’s face. “I hope it’s a girl this time.”
Another man’s child in his woman’s body—he was cursed, and he hated his cousin at that moment. He could wait a little longer for her, and the child would be easily gotten rid of.
CHAPTER 30
Madison walked into Kai’s room three weeks later to find the floor wet. “Hey little man. What happened in here?”
“It rained. I helped.”
Madison looked at the mess and sighed. Where did she begin to help him harness his power? “Kai, you can’t make it rain anytime you want to. There has to be a serious reason why you do it. People will...” Kai interrupted her, pulling at her skirt.
“Will Daddy be mad at me?” he asked, his lower lip trembling. Now Madison could see why Jordan was in her life. He was the balance necessary to both of them.
“I think you’ll have to tell him you did it.”
“Tell me what?” Jordan walked into the room in his sweats, his eyes sweeping the very wet floor and wondering what in the hell had happened. It looked like a fountain had exploded.
“I made it rain inside, Daddy. I spilt paint on the floor, and I needed to wash it.”
“So you made the entire floor wet to do that?” Jordan was reasoning through what Kai said in his mind as the little boy nodded. “Well, you’re responsible for the mess, so you’ll have to clean it up. You are responsible for your actions, Kai. Get some towels.” The little boy walked out of the room, his head down. Within minutes, he was back, and the three of them had the floor and the rest of the room set to rights. “No more raining inside, Kai.” Jordan opened the windows to let the room air.
“It was just on the floor.” Jordan narrowed his eyes, his look intimidating. “Yes Sir.”
“Five minutes in your room to think about why this wasn’t a very good idea.” Kai’s stricken eyes looked at his dad’s face as he whispered, “Do you still love me, Daddy?”
Jordan’s face was very sincere as he answered. “I will always love you, Kai—no matter what you do.” Then he smiled. “I’m just not fond of wet floors—it’s a safety hazard for your mother. Remember, we have a baby in Mommy’s belly now. You need to look after her.” Madison’s mouth opened wide; he had used her to reinforce his message. He held out his arms, and Kai was in them, his face snuggled into his father’s shoulder. “Maybe a story and a nap are in order while you spend your five minutes here,” he said, and the two of them ushered Madison out of the room.
Jordan looked back over his shoulder at Madison as he pulled the door almost closed. She mouthed to him: Pushover.
As he read, Jordan’s mind was turning over how to create a new living area for his son. The new baby would need a nursery, but Kai’s room needed to be close to theirs. His hands would draft the bedroom area that he wanted for the architect.
Jordan and Madison sat at the kitchen bar eating a late lunch. “He can do so much more than I could when I was his age.” What are we to do?”
“Love him. It will all work out.” She didn’t like the smile that was on his face as he added, “I never did tell you what I think about the new child, did I?”
“Hey, I did tell you I wasn’t on my pills anymore.”
“Meaning it was all up to me, right?” You gave me a choice, and I made it, and I’d make the same one all over again,” he added. It’s going to be a girl, isn’t it?” Madison nodded as he pulled her to him and hugged her closely. And will she look like and be as talented as her mother?”
“I’m afraid so in regards to the talent.” What are we going to do about the Senator and your cousin?” He rubbed her back.
“We’re going to take them both down, Madison. You need to be very careful, and you are to go nowhere without taking either Tim or me with you. That’s an order. I’m having your detail expanded until this whole thing ends, and the ending is close.
Jordan spent the next two weeks finding the last pieces to the story he wanted to tell about the Senator. It would be ready for Madison’s appearance before the Senate foreign relations’ committee. He had made arrangements for Kai to be with them at the hearing. He was taking no chances with the little boy. They had huddled every evening after Kai had gone to bed, reviewing the facts that he had uncovered. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“I’m sure. The Senator tried to have you banned from the hearing, you know. How did you fix that?”
“I have friends in high places. I’ll be sitting right behind you. You are welcome to confer with me anytime you would like. This is your chance to fix the refugee crisis. Kai will be there, too. Tim and six other guards will be right outside the chamber if I need to remove him.”
“I hate to have him in the spotlight. We’ve been able to keep him out of sight for so long.”
“He’ll be fine. I want him see his mother in action.”
“Keep him close, Jordan.” He nodded.
As she walked up the steps to the Senate offices, Madison smiled at the cameras. Her blue eyes actually twinkled. “Gentlemen.” Jordan and Kai were just behind her,
her little boy dressed in a suit like his father’s and held in his arms. The likeness between the two was astounding.
“Hey Kai,” one of the cameramen said.
The little boy looked over and grinned: “Hello. Who are you? Do you know my mommy and daddy?”
Everyone laughed. “We sure do. May I take your picture?”
Kai looked at his father. “No pictures, please. I’ll just make them not work,” he said seriously. Everyone really laughed then, only when two or three photographers tried to take a picture of the child, their cameras mysteriously didn’t work. Jordan shook his head and hoped he wasn’t asked for an explanation. Madison caught his eyes in a ‘What do you expect me to do?’ look.
The three walked into the meeting together. Senator Hauser stood to the side, looking at them as they entered. He had been told that Jordan and the child would be with her. In the side aisle sat Malik. This hearing would determine whether he got the land grants necessary to make him a millionaire several times over again. Jordan sat directly behind Madison and whispered in her ear. She smiled over her shoulder at him. The little boy sat solemnly in his father’s lap, paying attention to everything. He met Malik’s eyes and stared. He pulled his father’s face around to him and whispered, “That mean man is here. Why is he here, Daddy?”
“It’s fine, Kai. He’s just a visitor. Remember, you have to stay quiet if you want to stay.”
“No talking. Watch Mommy. She needs me,” he reiterated.
“She does, Buddy. Don’t let her down.”
Kai whispered loudly, “I won’t.” The gavel came down on the meeting, and Madison squared her shoulders. As she faced the committee, folders full of documents were passed to all the committee members. Senator Hauser took his, opened it, and almost exploded. A report listing all of his meetings with the Jordanian government officials lay inside along with the documentation of the land acquisitions and the discrepancies in the accounting. Jordan had done his job well. Neville slammed to his feet and started towards Madison.