Chapter 3
Nate hands me the jar of pomade. I’ve spent the last five hours lounging around in shorts and a t-shirt on the couch. The day was wasted, but I don’t care, I needed some relaxation. My mother called me four times to ask if I was coming to Jersey. I lied and told her that Nathaniel and I had plans while he stood in front of me, telling me what a liar I was.
“How’s that?” I say after I fix Nate’s hair. It looks perfect to me, but he always has to move a wisp of hair here or there.
“Now, it’s exactly the way I want it.”
“You look great. Are you bringing home guests tonight?”
“I doubt it. I slept great, not having to share my bed with a tangle of legs and arms.”
“Try sleeping with one woman at a time.”
“The more, the better. You should try it sometime. Live a little.”
“Nate, I don’t tell you how to live, do I?”
“No, but I’m not saying you have to have a threesome. Have a twosome. Call Jordan.”
“I forgot to get his number. I gave him mine.”
“Just brilliant. You find a nice guy and don’t get his number? ”
“I don’t think he would be hard to find. How many Jordan Graysons own a bunch of businesses? I bet I can find him on the internet.”
“His offices maybe but not his cell.”
“If he wants to go out, he’ll get in touch with me.”
“And therein lies the problem. You wait for everyone to be the doer.”
I glance at my watch, “Don’t you have to leave?”
“Yes, but I swear, if you don’t fuck this guy, then I’m going to do it.”
“Promises, Promises.”
He gives me a curt smile and gives himself another glance in the mirror. Nate is wearing a dark blue dress shirt and tight jeans. He can make anything look great. It’s no wonder why he has a bevy of willing women to share his bed. He kisses my cheek and tells me goodbye. I probably will be long asleep by the time he gets home—just another lonely night for me.
I busy myself by making a sandwich for dinner turkey and swiss on rye. It might make sense for me to learn to cook one of these days. Maybe I can take a few classes. Eligible bachelors take those classes. I could be the only woman in the class and have my pick. Okay, stop deluding yourself.
I’m about to bite into my sandwich when the buzzer for the intercom goes off. I’m not expecting anyone, so maybe the person hit the wrong apartment. I hold the button and ask who it is.
“It’s Jordan. I thought you would like to share some dinner. I hope you like Thai food. I took a chance.”
“Hi, yes, I like Thai food.”
A few seconds go by before he speaks, “Soo, you want to buzz me up?”
“Oh yeah, right.”
I hit the buzzer and open my door to wait for Jordan. Two minutes later, he gets off the elevator. He’s wearing a pair of black jeans and a pink polo shirt. Obviously, he doesn’t have any reservations about wearing feminine colors. He looks sexy, and the shirt frames his muscular chest and torso.
“Hey, you. Sorry I didn’t call first. I know it’s forward of me, but I had to see you.”
“You had to see me?”
“You’re stuck in my brain. You know the way a song gets stuck? I had a meeting today, and I had to postpone it because I couldn’t concentrate.”
“Are you teasing me?”
“Not at all. You’re up here,” he taps his forehead.
I lead him to the small round dining table we have next to the window near the kitchen. Jordan brought two bags full of food, enough for six people. We’re going to have leftovers for a while, which is fine with me. I love spicy, so Thai works great for me. I pull all the containers out of the bag and get some plates, napkins, and silverware.
“Would you like a drink? I have beer, soda, water.”
“Ice water is good.”
I prepare the ice water and sit down at the table with him. Our knees touch as I pull in my chair. Jordan won’t stop looking at me, and it’s making me uncomfortable. I squirm in my chair a bit.
“I’m making you uneasy, aren’t I?”
“Is it that apparent?”
“Emma, you can ask me anything you want. I’m an open book. I want you to know me, and I want to know you.”
“How many businesses do you own?”
“Twenty four. I have two hotels, the limo company, three restaurants, two parking garages, several laundromats, dry cleaners, a construction company, and a few other places.”
“How do you keep track of all of them?”
“I have staff. I also have silent partnerships with several companies, along with venture capital investments and real estate. I’ve diversified each year since I was given the initial investment from my father. ”
“So, you’re rich.”
“I’m comfortable. I try not to get too ahead of myself. A lot of people count on me for their paychecks.”
“Does that bother you that you’re responsible for so many?”
“No. I take it seriously, and I put my business as a top priority.”
“And that means you have no time for a social life.”
“I didn’t, but I’m trying to find a balance. I just need a reason.”
He fixes his eyes on me, and I look down at my spicy noodles. I know what he means. He wants me to be the reason. I’m flattered.
“Emma, did you hear what I said?”
“I did.”
“What do you think of it?”
“Jordan, I don’t know if I’m ready for a relationship. I haven’t had very good luck with them and would probably just fuck this one up, too.”
“We can go slow. Maybe have a few dates. Then you can let me know if you want to continue. I’m not asking for a commitment, but I really like you.”
That makes me smile, and I nod. I spend the next half hour asking him about his life and he, about mine. He tells me that his family is scattered around the country. He has a brother, Samuel, who lives in San Francisco and a stepbrother who lives in Manhattan. His stepfather, whom he’s close too, just got remarried. His mother lives in Connecticut after receiving a significant settlement from his stepfather.
I tell him about my sisters and their husbands, even though Megan is not married yet. Also about my niece, Arabella and nephews, Johnny and CJ. I announce that I’d like to have at least two of my own. I watch Jordan’s face for any signs of wanting to run away, but he doesn’t flinch.
After dinner, when all the leftovers are packed into the refrigerator, we share a bottle of white wine. I can feel myself getting a little tipsy, and I stop drinking. Jordan starts to kiss me, and I run my hands through his hair. For some reason, I feel compelled to pull his shirt out of his jeans. I want to touch his stomach. I run my fingers over the chiseled muscles of his abs.
When I remove my hands, I brush over his erection pressing against the denim. It didn’t take long. But I’m aroused, and my belly clenches as he tugs at my bottom lip with his teeth. He runs his tongue over it before slipping into my mouth. I can’t help myself and moan.
My reaction to him is one that I’ve never experienced before. Either I’ve been holding myself back, or my attraction to Jordan is strong and real. He slips his hands inside the hem of my shirt, skimming my ribs, and when he realizes I’m once again not wearing a bra, I hear his breathing pick up.
His thumbs run against the underside of my breasts, and then they’re in his palms. He gently kneads them. My tightly puckered nipples become swollen and sensitive as he continues to manipulate them.
“Emma,” he moans.
My breath becomes ragged at the sound of my name. My panties have to be soaked by now. His fingers work on the button to my shorts, and a bolt of fear goes through me. I pull back, breaking our kiss, and he quickly removes his hands.
“I’m pushing you. I’m sorry. You’re not ready for this. I want you to know this isn’t my style, but there is something about you that I can’t resist.”
I nervously giggle, “You think I’m irresistible?”
“That’s what I said.”
I’m embarrassed because no one has ever told me that. Jordan keeps watching me for signs of hesitation. He knows that I’m nervous. I want to kiss him again, feel his lips against mine. It’s been something that I’ve been craving for a while now. I haven’t kissed anyone in months, not like this.
As I leaned in, Jordan reclaimed my lips with his own. His kiss sent the pit of my stomach into a wild swirl. His tongue sent shivers of desire racing through my body. He gently eased me down until my back was on the couch, and he covered my body with his own, propping up on his forearms. I could feel his arousal against my thigh. I wanted him, oh how badly I wanted him.
I made no move to touch him even though I wanted to. I wanted to slide my hand against his erection and make him start to unravel the way he was doing to me. He removed his lips from mine and slid them to my neck, sucking his way along my pulse. Jordan shifted his body, so he was on the side of me, hovering dangerously close to falling off the couch. His fingers plucked at my marble hard nipples than he lowered his mouth to suckle on them through my t-shirt.
Fuck, it felt so good. I wish I had the courage to tell him what I wanted, but my mind and my body were disconnected. My body wanted and desired him, but my brain held back, not allowing the words to come. I softly whimpered as he pushed my shirt up, just short of my breasts. He kissed my stomach, nibbling, and tugging at the belly ring that I wore in my navel.
Jordan once again worked on the button to my shorts, and when it was undone, he pulled at the zipper until they were open. His eyes widened as he saw the hint of the lacy white boy shorts I wore underneath. He fingered the waistband, and when I made no move to stop him, he worked his fingers inside.
He was so close to my cleft, and I was sure that my panties were soaked with my arousal just like the night before. What was he doing to me? He slowly moved his hand down, stopping on my hairless mound. I had gone for a waxing two days before and was smooth as a baby’s bottom.
I heard a low rumble come from him as the tip of his finger touched my slickness. I wanted to force his hand against my swollen nub. It had been so long since someone other than myself made me come.
“Emma, is this alright?” he whispered.
“Oh, yes, please. ”
My affirmation made him confident to move forward, and his thumb caressed my clit. I bucked upward each time it circled; I wanted him to press harder, make me explode. Blood poured from my brain to feed my aroused core. I lost all sense of being, time, and my surroundings. All that I wanted was Jordan to make me come, hard.
I mewled and whimpered as he bent his head to tug at my nipples with his teeth. I was heading towards the edge, and soon I would be flowing over. My belly tightened, and my head short-circuited as Jordan pulled me down into an ecstasy spiral, I came with a howl, arching my back. When I flopped back on the couch, boneless and sated, he removed his thumb from my clit but kept his hand splayed on my mound.
“You’re so hot when you come. Do you know how sexy you look?”
I’m embarrassed, and I can feel my face heat. Jordan smiles at me and plants a kiss on my lips. He moves his fingers for round two. This time I’m more of an active participant, and I push my shorts down so that he can pull them off my legs as I lift my hips. I hear him inhale a gasp as he sees my panties.
“Bloody hell. You make me want to tear those off with my teeth.”
I giggle because the reference is so English, and I could just imagine him pulling them to shreds as he bites through the delicate lace. He moves in between my legs, moving one to the top of the couch, so he has better access. He dips down, and I can feel his hot breath against my pussy. My core starts to flood as Jordan presses his tongue against the damp panel.
“Emma, can we remove your panties? It would make it easier for me.”
I’m not thinking, and I wonder why he wants me to do that?
“Easier for what?”
“Easier for me to make you come with my mouth,” he says seductively .
I couldn’t get them off fast enough. Ricky expected me to suck him off, but he rarely reciprocated. Leo was too selfish. I realized as I removed my panties, tossing them to the floor, that things were moving fast, very fast. Before I knew it, I was hissing as I felt Jordan’s fingers slide inside me. He crooked them, finding that sensitive spot that was going to make me come quickly.
I bite my lip as he licks my clit, applying gentle pressure as he sucks with his lips. I constantly moan, and my hands claw at the cushions of the couch.
“Touch your breasts,” Jordan says.
I’ve never been requested by a man to do that, but I put my hands on my breasts and knead them, watching his blue eyes darken. He fucks me with his fingers and rubs my clit with his thumb while he watches me.
“Pull up your shirt.”
I frown and feel the heat coming back to my face. I don’t know why I’m embarrassed again when this man is touching the most intimate part of me. I’m wide open for him. I slowly pull my shirt up, tucking it just above my nipples.
“You’re so beautiful.”
He dips back down to concentrate on my clit, sucking hard, and I feel the ripple inside me as I climax, clenching and releasing against his fingers. When I’m finished, I’m spent. I don’t even care that I’m almost naked in front of someone I barely know. I close my eyes, trying to catch my breath. I feel Jordan pull my shirt down and put the light blanket we have on the back of the couch over my waist.
I wonder if we’re finished for the night or he’s going to expect something from me. I’m more than willing to reciprocate, but I’m also a bit afraid still. I keep my eyes closed, even when I feel him rise from the couch. It’s until he takes me into his arms, cradling me like a child and carries me down the short hallway that my eyes flutter open.
“Where are we going? ”
“Tell me which one is your bedroom.”
“At the end of the hall.”
He gently kicks the door open and lays me on the bed. I watch him to see what his next move is, but all he does is bend down to kiss my cheek.
“It was a pleasure to spend the night with you.”
“It was a pleasure to make me come. Thank you.”
Jordan laughs, “The pleasure was all mine. You have no idea what it does to me to make a beautiful woman come. I have to go. I have an early meeting tomorrow.”
“But tomorrow is Sunday.”
“Work never stops. I have some contracts to go over with my legal team and, of course, the meeting I had to postpone. I’ll be back, though. I like you, Emma. I hope we can go out again soon.”
“Can you come for dinner tomorrow? I can’t cook, but we have all that Thai food.”
“I have to see how long I’ll be at the office. Things can sometimes go well into the evening. I’m working on a complicated deal for some real estate.”
My face drops. I want to see him and wish he could stay.
“Call me.”
“You can bet on that. You’re under my skin, Emma Stanford.”
As he leaves the room, I hear him singing, “I got you under my skin.” It’s the last thing I remember before Nathaniel rudely awakens me just after five in the morning. I open my eyes, and he’s got my shorts in one hand and panties in the other.
“Did we have a nice night?” he says as he twirls my panties on his finger.
“Put those down. And why are you waking me up at this ungodly hour?”
“My baby girl got laid. I want to hear all about it.”
“I did not get laid.”
“So you stripped your bottoms off in the living room for what purpose? I know someone was here because we have several containers of Thai food in the refrigerator, and I know they don’t deliver.”
“Jordan was here.”
“And? Did his dick get anywhere near your revirginized pussy?”
“No, but his tongue and fingers did.”
“Do tell,” he says as he sits at the foot of the bed.
“He got me off a couple of times.”
“In return for what?”
“Nothing. Nada.”
“So he got you off, twice and just left. He must have some set of blue balls. Did you at least offer?”
“Offer what? I’m not a piece of meat.”
“Neither is he.”
“I would have had he asked, but he never did.”
“He sounds like a keeper. When are you going to see him again?”
“I’m not sure. He told me he had a meeting today.”
“On a Sunday?”
“That’s what I said, but he said that work never stops.”
“Oh, one of those?”
“One of what?”
“A workaholic. What’s his last name again?” Nathaniel says while pulling his cell out of his back pocket.
“Grayson. Jordan Grayson.”
I see him typing on the keyboard of his phone, and a minute later, he’s whistling loudly.
“What?”
Nathaniel ignores me while he taps through something on the screen.
“Your boyfriend is quite a player.”
“Player, how? With women?”
“That and in business. There must be twenty articles about him and tons of images. ”
Nate hands me his phone, and I scroll through some of the articles. Most of them are about business, but a few are the gossip pages. He dated a couple of stars and a pop singer. How come I didn’t recognize his name before? It looks like the latest article was from many months ago when he attended a charity ball.
“He dated several stars, why would he want me?”
“Do we have to do the mirror thing again? Those women couldn’t hold a candle to you.”
“I’m just some lowly associate editor. He can have anyone he wants.”
“I’m exhausted. I need to get some sleep before we have this conversation.”
“Alone again?”
“I fucked the same brunette in the bathroom. I’m good until tonight.”
I slap my forehead, “Get out of my room. I’m going back to sleep.”
“Goodnight. I’ll see you in six or seven hours.”
Nate kisses my forehead and takes his phone out of my hand. After he closes the door, I try to get back to sleep, but I can’t think about Jordan and who he dated. I type his name into my phone and start scrolling through the articles.
He’s had a lot of business dealings, and I find an article about how he got started in business and open it. As I read, I begin to feel nauseous. Not because of how his business got started but from whom he got the funds. His father, or rather stepfather, is Robert Scarborough, the very man that owns the company I work for. The worst part is that his stepbrother is my asshole boss, Nicky.
This is my fault. Why didn’t I do some research on Jordan when he told me his last name? Women do that, don’t they? I had all day, and instead of due diligence, I flipped through channels and let my brain turn to mush. For all I know, he could go home and call Nicky to tell him about this hot piece of ass he fooled around with. How humiliating to have that get around the office.
I slam my phone down on the nightstand, so angry at myself. Here we go again with my stupidity about men. I want to scream, but for the sake of not waking Nate, I don’t. Instead, I get up and take a shower. When I finish and pull the curtain back, Nate is peeing. I cover my breasts and grab my towel.
“Goddammit Nathaniel, can’t you wait until I finish.”
“I drank too many beers. It was either this or pee in the kitchen sink.”
“The last thing I want to see is your penis starring me in the face.”
“It’s not like you haven’t seen it before. Come on, take a good look at the monster. Why are you covering yourself? It’s not like I haven’t seen you naked a million times.”
“Just because. Now tuck your buddy in your underwear and let me finish drying myself.”
“Suit yourself. I’m going back to bed.”
Just for good measure, he turns around and pulls his boxers down before he exits the bathroom. Seriously, I feel sorry for the women he fucks. His cock is big and thick. I have no idea how they accommodate him.
I dry myself and realize I should have mentioned the shit to Nate that I read about Jordan. I can’t date him, and I don’t know how to tell him the reason why. I’ll have to make something up rather than tell him that I despise his stepbrother and work for his stepfather’s company.
It’s only 6:15 when I get into my room. I want to call Jordan, but once again, I forgot to get his fucking number. I’ve been such a scatterbrain the past few days. Well, I have nothing to do but read or mess around on the internet. I decide to read because if I start on my laptop, I’ll look for more articles about Jordan. It doesn’t matter because it’s over before it got started.