by Bobbi Smith
"Well, I appreciate your taking the job on such short notice," he said. He was thankful that Rodney Louis, a business acquaintance of his here in town, had known of Audrey and had been able to make the necessary introductions for them. It had all worked out well.
"Well, I've known our mutual friend, Mr. Louis, for many years, and I trust his judgment implicitly."
"I do, too," Slater acknowledged, and they both settled back to enjoy the rest of the ride to the hotel.
After meeting with Slater in the lobby, Nick had escorted Jordan upstairs to their rooms and waited for Harrison to arrive. When the money-hungry agent appeared precisely at the noon hour to collect his funds, Nick was happy to conclude his business with him. That done, he and Jordan were free to do as they pleased the rest of the day, so he commissioned Martin to pack them a picnic lunch and then hired a carriage to make the trip to the Gulf coast.
In a way, Nick had been looking forward to the outing, for it had been a long time since he'd been able to just sit back and relax. Thinking about it, he figured that between rescuing Slater and his desperate search for a bride, it had been the better part of five months since he'd been able to simply enjoy himself. Now, his quest completed, he was ready to take it easy for a while.
Nick had expected that this trip to the shore would be the perfect opportunity to learn more about Jordan and her likes and dislikes. According to Slater's advice, if he was to appear to be in love with her, he was going to have to put her wants and needs before his own. Nick figured he couldn't do that very well if he didn't know what her wants and needs were, and this would be the right time to find out.
After the first half hour in the close confines of the carriage, though, Nick began to wonder if he hadn't made a big mistake in agreeing to the trip. Jordan was sitting next to him, and because of the small size of the vehicle, her leg was pressed almost full length against his. Not only that, but the heady scent of the per fumed soap she'd used kept taunting him. It was impossible for Nick not to be aware of her as a woman. He kept the conversation going, discussing her tastes in books and food, but despite his best efforts, the image of her at the dressmaker's clad only in her shift kept drifting through his mind.
"Oh, Nick, look!" Jordan exclaimed as the carriage made a turn and the beauty of the Gulf coast became suddenly visible through the window on Nick's side. She was so excited over the first glimpse of glorious white sand and turquoise blue water that she impetuously leaned across his lap to get a better view.
Jordan's delight at nature's spectacular panorama was real, and her move was made in all innocence, but there was absolutely nothing innocent about the feelings that jolted Nick. His breath caught, trapped in his throat, and he felt himself go pale at the soft crush of her sweet young body against his.
"Isn't it beautiful?" she asked, completely oblivious to his state of torment.
"Yes ...yes, very," Nick answered tightly, his jaw clenched against the heat that was pounding away at him and threatening to erode his rigid control.
"I'm so glad we came," she said more softly, truly appreciating his thoughtfulness in bringing her here. "Thank you."
Jordan was slanted across him, and she turned her head to look at him, making no move to shift her position. One hand was resting on Nick's arm with easy familiarity, while her right breast was pressed against his chest. She didn't notice, however. She was too caught up in seeing the seashore to be concerned about sensuality. She didn't notice that he was having trouble breathing or that he'd gone terribly still. When her eyes met his, she saw something reflected in their warm brown depths that puzzled her, but before she could remark on it, it was gone. It almost seemed to her that he was in some kind of pain, but it had passed so quickly that Jordan guessed she'd probably just imagined it.
"You're welcome," Nick managed to sound normal, but for the life of him, he didn't know how. He felt as if his vitals were on fire. He felt as if he might explode if he didn't take her in his arms right then and there, kiss her passionately, and strip away the offending dress that hid those wondrous, silken orbs from his view. He wanted to...he wanted to... "Driver!" Nick found he was practically shouting. "Driver! Stop here!"
It was the desperate measure of a desperate man. He had to get away from her before he disgraced himself. He had to get out of the carriage right now!
"Oh, Nick! Are you going to take me for a walk on the beach?" Naive as'she was, Jordan had no idea of his discomfort. She thought he was just being considerate.
"Yes. ..of course," he replied, grasping for anything that would ease his pounding need.
"Oh, good!" She sat back, smiling so brightly that he almost felt guilty.
When the driver reined in at the side of the road, Nick climbed out immediately. He stood there in the warm sunshine and drew a deep strangled breath before turning back to help Jordan down. It was a mistake to touch her. He'd known it would be. When his hands circled her small waist as he set her to her feet before him he felt as if he'd been burned. Nick couldn't let go of her quickly enough.
On the pretense of giving the driver his instructions, Nick moved away from her. In reality, though, he just needed some time to pull himself together. He told the driver to wait for them at the grove of trees they could see about half a mile away. Still he stalled, taking the time to shed his coat and tie and toss them inside the carriage. Nick waited until the man had driven off before turning back to Jordan.
Nick had thought he was fine. He'd thought he was under control, but the sight of Jordan, standing there gazing out at the sea once again filled him with the realization of just how naturally beautiful she was. Beneath the sun's caress, her hair looked to be of the finest spun gold; and unbound as it was, the gilded curls tumbled casually down her back. He longed to caress it, to run his fingers through it to see if it was as soft as it looked, but he told himself no.
Just then, Jordan glanced his way, her eyes alight with the happiness she was feeling and her smile artless and real. There was a genuineness to her that put to shame all the calculating women he'd ever known, women who'd only used their wiles and their smiles to manipulate him. Nick could only stare at her, wanting to take her in his arms and kiss her senseless, wanting to have his way with her, wanting to...
Somehow, through some miracle of forbearance no doubt inherited from some long dead ancestor, Nick managed not to do anything he wanted to do. He kept his hands, and his thoughts, to himself. It wasn't easy, and his thoughts were not pretty.
The memories of the many times she'd spent frolicking on the beach as a child were among Jordan's fondest, and she longed to be carefree like that again today. She turned to see what was taking Nick so long and found him standing there watching her. Without the jacket and tie he looked very casual and very handsome, and Jordan couldn't help but smile.
"Ready?" she asked, barely able to contain her exhilaration any longer.
"If you are," he replied. "I told the driver we'd meet him at that copse of trees down there."
"Wonderful!" With all the enthusiasm of a little girl, she slipped her small hand in his big one and tugged him along with her. "Come on!"
She ran ahead, dragging Nick with her down the slight, grassy incline to the edge of the sand.
"Hurry!"
"I don't think the water's going anywhere," he told her bemusedly.
"I know that," she said with teasing indignation. "It's just that we have so little time. I want to enjoy every minute of it."
With nary a thought to propriety, Jordan dropped to the ground and quickly stripped off her shoes and stockings. Leaving them in a haphazard pile, she got to her feet. The sand was warm beneath her toes, and she loved it.
"What are you waiting for, Nick? You can't very well walk in the sand with your shoes on!" She was laughing at him with such good humor that he was unable to resist her.
Sitting down, Nick quickly pulled off his boots and socks and left them with hers. "All right, I'm ready, let's go..."
Again Jo
rdan took his hand, and they walked slowly down to the water's edge, feeling no need to rush or hurry any longer. They didn't say much as they wandered along, they just took the time to enjoy the sun and the breeze and the roar of the waves as they swept in to shore. Occasionally, Jordan paused to pick up seahells, exclaiming over their polished beauty. She saved the prettiest ones for souvenirs, tucking them safely away in her pockets and drawing a charmed chuckle from Nick.
Nick was amazed at how right everything felt being here with Jordan. He felt younger and freer, somehow, as he watched her move along the beach. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement, and she seemed to be the very essence of innocence. His gaze remained fixed upon her as she playfully skirted the edge of the water, dancing out of the way of each wave's advance with the joy of a small child. Suddenly, the age-old need to protect filled Nick, and he knew a deep-seated desire to keep her safe from harm.
Jordan was unaware of his thoughts. She was just having fun. Unable to hold back any longer, she gathered up her skirts in a devilishly daring display and raced toward the next oncoming wave.
"Nick! Don't just stand there! Come on!" she called over her shoulder, and then squealed in delight as the rushing cold water splashed her bare legs with its icy chill.
Nick was enthralled by the glimpse of her shapely calves. He found himself studying her trim legs and ankles with open admiration. He could almost envision her thighs, so creamy and firm, and he thought about running his hand over that satiny flesh and...
"Nick? Aren't you going to come wading too?"
Much to his chagrin, Jordan's invitation forced his thoughts away from his deliciously erotic musings. Though she looked like she was having a good time, Nick had never been much on wading.
"You go ahead, I'll just stay here and enjoy the view," he replied, still not looking away from her.
"Coward!" she teased, but she still felt disappointed that he wouldn't join her.
Jordan didn't let his reluctance bother her for long. The day was too glorious, the sun too bright, the gulf too beautiful. Accustomed to the water's temperature now, she enjoyed the feel of it swirling around her ankles and calves and moving the sand beneath her feet. She loved every minute of it.
Jordan cast a glance back at Nick to find him staring out to sea. Her heart beat a little faster as she studied him. He was a magnificent specimen of a man, and it troubled her that she felt drawn to him this way. She didn't want to be attracted to him. It was pointless to even think about it. What they had between them now was too good to ruin by becoming emotionally involved with him. He'd made it clear this was no lasting match, and she too wanted it that way.
Jordan didn't wish to get caught up in thoughts of the past. She wanted to stay lighthearted and carefree. Eager to break her mood, she knew immediately what she had to do. Her eyes were filled with merriment as she bent down and began to splash water wildly at Nick.
Nick had forced himself to look away from Jordan, and when she attacked she caught him completely unawares. She managed to do a good job of soaking him before he could even think of retaliating. Knowing time was of the essence, Jordan called a hasty but intelligent retreat. Hiking her skirts up as high as she could without being totally brazen, she took flight down the beach.
Nick's ego was bruised at having been caught so unprepared, and he charged after Jordan, intent on making her pay. Like a predator running down its slower prey, he caught up with her in the blink of an eye and snared her by the waist. Jordan cried out in mock terror as he lifted her high in his arms and swung her around to face him.
"Thought you could soak me and get away with it, did you?" He growled. His tone was threatening, but he was smiling.
"Let me go!" Jordan laughed as she tried to wiggle free.
She almost broke away, and Nick had to tighten his grip so as not to lose her. He made the mistake of pinning her against his chest. The resulting shock was like a bolt of lightning striking them both. They stood stock still, breathlessly staring at each other in awestruck wonder.
What Nick had felt in the carriage had been child's play compared to this. Every fiber of his being vibrated with an intensity he'd never experienced before. It was a sensual recognition, an instinctive, glorious knowledge of what would be theirs if they only gave in to it. He wanted her. God, how he desired her!
The roar of the surf and the heat of the sun faded from Nick's consciousness. He wasn't aware of anything except the softness of Jordan in his arms. He bent to her, his lips seeking hers in a tentative exploration. At first it was sweet, gentle, perfect... and it wasn't enough! That first taste of paradise only whetted his appetite for more. Unable to help himself, his mouth slanted across hers in passionate possession, his lips urging hers apart so he could draw her very breath from her.
Jordan gasped at the strange sensations sweeping through her. Heat was radiating from somewhere deep in the womanly recesses of her body. She felt lightheaded and clutched at his shoulders for support. When his hand sought the fullness of her breast, a small moan escaped her.
Neither of them spoke. They kissed, then kissed again. It was the beginning of something rapturous ... a moment of ecstasy that defied all reason.
Jordan knew she shouldn't be doing this, yet where Luther's touch had repulsed her, Nick's filled her with a fiery yearning she didn't understand. His kiss was so intoxicating that her head was spinning. She found herself clinging to him, loving his strength and trying to get closer and closer...
It was the raucous cry of a gull as it soared overhead, along with the distant sound of the carriage horses whinnying, that finally intruded on their sunlit bliss. Nick looked around, disoriented. For the first time since he'd taken Jordan in his arms, he became aware of the fact that they were standing out in the open in knee-deep water. His pants legs were soaked to the knees and her dress was sodden as well. The realization that he could have been rendered so completely unaware of his surroundings stunned and troubled him.
Needing time to think, Nick ended the embrace abruptly and moved slightly away from Jordan. He told himself that what had happened between them was perfectly normal. She was a pretty woman and he was a full-blooded man. It hadn't been important. It meant nothing.
"Not bad for practice. No doubt we convinced the carriage driver we're madly in love with each other," he remarked with an arrogance that grated on her.
Jordan opened her eyes and blinked in disbelief, unable to believe the expression on Nick's face. He was grinning down at her mockingly.
"And," he went on, "if you perform this well for my father, we should have no problems at all."
Perform!! Jordan was mortified. This was all a game to Nick, a charade he was playing! No matter how affected she might have been by his kiss, it was just play acting to him. He had bought and paid for her, and he expected her to live out her end of the deal. Emotions had no part in this at all. He had a plan for his life, and she was not a lasting part of that plan.
"I told you I'd act the role the way you wanted it done. I didn't disappoint you, did I?" she responded with a calm she did not feel. Jordan gave the impression of being unconcerned as she trudged up the beach and busied herself wringing out her skirts.
"Not a bit," Nick answered as he too waded out of the water. He thought about trying to wring out his pants legs, but knew it was too late. The damage had been done. He could only hope to dry out before they got back to town. When Jordan finally gave up her efforts to fix her skirts, he asked, "Shall we go eat?"
"Sounds wonderful." She went along easily, giving him no clue to her inner turmoil.
It was dark before they returned to the hotel. Their clothing had dried, but that was about all that could be said for it. Wrinkled and sandy, they entered the lobby to come face to face with Slater and Miss Layton.
"Here they are now," Slater announced with quick relief, for the elderly woman had been growing more and more concerned about the time and the damage that might result to Jordan's reputation if she didn't show up
soon.
Audrey turned to meet her new ward, and at the sight of Jordan and Nick her expression turned from pleasant to a scowl of definite disapproval.
"My dear, where have you been?" she asked in an urgent but hushed voice as she went straight to her newly appointed ward's side and took her hand.
"Excuse me?" Jordan had no idea who she was, and she automatically drew back.
"Jordan, Nick, this is Miss Audrey Layton. She's to serve as your chaperone for the journey to New Orleans. Miss Layton, this is Jordan Douglas."
"Miss Layton..." Jordan managed, surprised. It hadn't occurred to her that Nick would think of the propriety of their situation, but now after what had happened at the beach, she was glad.
"I'm fine, Jordan, dear, but it's you we have to be concerned about. Let's get you right on upstairs before anyone takes note of the scandalous condition of your clothing. Heaven knows what tongues would be wagging in the morning if someone got a good look at you." She turned a frosty glare on Nick. "I'll speak with you later." With that, Audrey took Jordan under her protective wing and hustled her up the staircase and out of sight.
Nick had been ready to speak up when the elderly lady had nailed him with her deadly look. Seeing the serious glint in her pale blue eyes, he'd had sense enough to back down. He had always prided himself on being a quick study of people, and he already could tell that Miss Audrey Layton would prove to be a formidable opponent. He certainly wasn't going to be foolish enough to cross her. Judging from the look she'd just given him, he wasn't about to challenge her authority over Jordan, either.
Nick was having mixed emotions as he watched them walk away, Jordan, so young and graceful, and Miss Layton at her side, so old and protective. Ever since he'd had the sense to end their amorous embrace at the shore he'd been certain that his idea to hire a chaperone for Jordan would be the answer to all his problems. Not only would a guardian assure that Montgomery stayed away from Jordan, but she would also keep him away from her, too. He'd thought it was a great idea all the way back to the hotel. But now, watching the straight-backed, silver-haired woman with a will of iron escort Jordan upstairs and out of sight, he was beginning to think he might have made the biggest mistake of his life.