Chapter 10
“Do you want dessert?” Jordan asks.
“Wasn’t that what this was?”
We’ve just had sex for the second time since our dinner of Pasta Carbonara. His bed is comfortable, and I’m lying on my stomach with my hands under the pillow. Jordan is stroking my back with his fingers making my body vibrate from his touch.
“Your skin is so soft, and it smells delicious. I could eat you, Emma Stanford.”
“Mr. Grayson, you already did,” referring to the tonguing he gave me before we had sex the first time.
“And how sweet it was.”
“You mentioned something about dessert. Do you have gelato? Like the kind you had in Vancouver?”
“Salted caramel?”
“Yes, please.”
“Be right back.”
Jordan climbs over me and pads to the kitchen, naked. When he comes back, he has the pint of gelato and two spoons. I try to turn over, but he pushes me back onto my stomach.
“Hey, I want some. ”
“This is going to taste so much better, licking it off you.”
I hear him pull the top off, and I’m startled when a dollop of the frozen treat drops onto my back.
“That’s cold!”
“I’ll warm you up.”
I can feel it beginning to melt, and his warm tongue works on cleaning off my skin. This is so sensual.
“This is fantastic. I want more.”
He does it again, but lower. He starts licking from the top of my ass to the middle of my back. I can feel myself getting aroused. My core clenches and breathing picks up.
“Emma, would you like some?”
“I’d much rather have something else.”
“So soon?”
“You’re turning me on.”
He gives my cheek a sticky kiss and climbs over me, putting the gelato and spoons on the nightstand.
“On your knees.”
I move into position. Jordan is standing behind me and pulls me to near the edge of the bed. He teases me with his head, running it up and down my soaked slit. I don’t need lubrication because of the previous two times. Jordan slowly enters me. I can feel every vein and throb from his steely length. It feels like velvet as it slips into me.
I push back against him as he rocks against me. He reaches under and rubs my clit with his fingers.
“Say it.”
“Jordan.”
“Tell me how much you love when I bury my cock in you.”
“I love it so much.”
My admission makes him speed his hips. His fingers are working me as fast as his cock is going. A quick minute is all it takes, and I’m clenching and squeezing against him as I have my fifth orgasm of the night. He grasps my hips and pumps into me as he begins to come, holding me in place as he empties.
When he’s finished, he pulls out and flops down on the mattress next to me, throwing his arm over his eyes.
“Jordan, are you alright?”
“I think I’m done for the night.”
“Um, maybe not.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Vancouver. You said the same thing.”
He smiles at me and moves his arm so I can see one gorgeous blue eye.
“You’re probably right. Let’s take a quick shower.”
After we’re done, the gelato is put away, and we’re snuggled together in bed, we talk. It’s just before ten, and Jordan can sleep until the decent hour of seven if he wants because he has no early meetings.
“Emma, I’m sorry if I was controlling. I don’t want you to think that’s how I am all the time.”
“You don’t need to apologize. I want to be independent. I was sheltered when I was younger. That’s what happens when there are large age differences between your siblings. Lexi was eight when I was born and Megan four. I was always the baby. There was no latitude for me to be independent. Everyone wanted to take care of me.”
“I want to take care of you.”
“You can take care of me, but you can’t tell me what to do. I need to make my own decisions.”
“So, does that mean you won’t come to Dallas with me?”
“Hush.”
Jordan starts to laugh, and I playfully slap his arm. I’m exhausted, and I think it’s time for me to go to sleep. I snuggle into Jordan’s muscular chest and begin to doze. Through my drowse, I think I hear something that makes no sense.
“Doll, I think I love you.”
I mumble for him to repeat what he said, but I get no reply making me think that I’m hearing things.
Jordan’s keeping tabs on me while he’s away. He calls or texts me several times a day even when I know he’s in a meeting. I feel alone without him even though my sisters and several friends live in the city. In the short time, I’ve known Jordan, I’ve gotten used to his brash and commanding style. I miss the challenge and can’t wait until he returns home, and it’s not just because I miss the out of this world sex.
Jordan is supposed to be arriving at eleven tonight so that I might see him tomorrow after work. He hasn’t said anything, and for the sake of not seeming clingy, I don’t want to mention it. I try to keep our conversations light even though I know he is missing me. He’s said as much but in not so many words. I get excited when I see his name pop up on my phone.
I still wonder about the words I heard when I drifted off to sleep. How can you love someone so quickly? We’ve only been together for a week, well almost two. How can you love someone you barely know? I have an extreme case of like, but I won’t go so far as to say I love him, not yet anyway. I need more time.
I found that Whole Foods carries the salted caramel gelato that I love so much, and I bought several pints of it. If I keep eating this way, I’m going to gain weight and have to start doing shit I hate, like working out. Jordan has already hinted that I should start working out because it’s good for me, but except for cheerleading, I never did any other physical activities .
He would probably yell at me if he knew I was sitting on my couch, indulging in gelato and watching crappy reality television while he’s gone. I need to download some more books for my Kindle. I’ve been devouring them while Jordan’s gone. I already read four books in two days. What else do I have to do?
Lexi asked me to come to family dinner tomorrow night. She’s had family night each Friday for a couple of years. Everyone convenes at their apartment. Now that JC went back to work for his father, their new apartment is much bigger than the old one. Jordan’s penthouse dwarfs it but I won’t mention that if he comes with me. I’m not sure he will want to meet my family. He might take it as a sign of commitment. I just want them to know who I’m dating.
Nathaniel hasn’t contacted me since he left for England, and I’m growing more worried by the minute. He promised that he would call me a few times a week, but it’s now Thursday, and I haven’t heard anything from him. I know he’s busy, but now it’s going to be my turn to yell at him. I texted him a few times and called, but it always went to voicemail.
So I’m just bored now. Angelica asked me to go with her and Charles to a club tomorrow, but that’s not happening. I want to see Jordan. As I’m changing for bed, my cell rings with an unknown number. I let it go to voicemail, and when it’s ready, I listen.
“Baby girl, it”s Nate. I’m sorry that I haven’t contacted you until now. I’ve been crazy with work since I got here. To top it off, my phone was stolen the first night I got here. Barry had to get me a whole new setup. I miss you, and I love you. I’m going to bed in a little while, call me if you’re not getting your brains fucked out by Mr. Millionaire.”
Ugh, Nathaniel. I dial the number he called me from, and on the third ring, he picks up.
“Hey Emma, I guess you’re not in a sex coma if you’re calling me back. ”
“Nate, Jordan is in Dallas and won’t be home until late tonight.”
“Oh. Anyway, you should see the flat that I live in for the next few weeks. It’s owned by the promoter that got me the gig. It’s about four times the size of our apartment and has a hot tub on the patio.”
“Have you used it yet?”
“A few times. These London women are hot. They’re game for anything compared to the New York ones.”
“I think you still get plenty when you’re home.”
“I miss pizza. They don’t the food here like at home. The beer will knock you on your ass. I’ve had a few pints since I’ve been here.”
“So, you’re enjoying the atmosphere?”
“Yeah, it’s cool. What’s the matter, baby girl?”
“Nothing.”
“Bullshit. I know you well enough to know something is wrong? I can hear it in your voice, now spill it.”
“I’m lonely. I miss you.”
“You got Jordan. You don’t need me.”
“I always need you, Nate. Jordan’s away, Angie’s engaged.”
“Angie’s engaged? When the hell did that happen?”
“Last weekend. She met back up with her ex, Charles, and he proposed. Can you believe that?”
“So, you’re not spending time with anyone?”
“No. Megan and Lexi are busy with the kids. I’m just bored. I didn’t realize how much we used to do together until you were gone.”
“I’ll be back before you know it. You should come to the Hamptons when I go. At least take a week to hang out. That’s if Jordan lets you.”
“Nate, he doesn’t control me. I can do what I want.”
“Then come hang out with me. I’ll be back on July twenty- eighth. My first gig is at Smoke on July thirtieth. You can stay with me all week.”
“Are you staying in the Hamptons all month?”
“Yep, right until after Labor Day. Then Barry is going to see about the promoters he’s been talking to. A guy called him from LA. He asked if I was available this summer. It would have been great money, and I would be in one place.”
“So why don’t you forget Europe and come home?”
“Because I signed contracts. I can’t just ditch. That wouldn’t be good for my career. I’m heading to Spain in another week, then France at the start of July.”
“I hope you have a great time.”
“The only thing that would make it greater is if you were with me. Think about the Hamptons. I’m going to bed. I’ve been up since 11:00 AM yesterday; it’s now 5:40 AM here.”
“I have to go to bed too. Work tomorrow. I’m glad it’s Friday.”
“I love you, baby girl. Sleep well.”
“You too, Nate.”
We hang up, and I feel my heart clench. I miss Nate more than I thought. Hearing his voice made me realize how much I rely on him. I finish getting changed for bed and slip under the covers in a t-shirt and panties. Tomorrow I’m going to let Lexi know that I’m coming for dinner. I need to see my family.
The next morning when I head out to the office, some men are doing work on the front door. It looks like their also fixing up the lobby area and putting in security cameras. I wonder why since we haven’t had any problems here.
I’m a bit put off that Jordan didn’t call or text me last night. I thought he was getting back to New York. I guess I’m not a priority to him. As I walk to the subway, his limo pulls up curbside, and the window rolls down .
“Hey doll, want a ride?”
“No, I don’t. I’d rather take the subway.”
“Are you upset with me?”
“You could have called me last night.”
“I didn’t land until after one this morning. I wouldn’t disturb you at that hour.”
“Why so late?”
“We had some mechanical trouble, so we had to detour. Let me give you a ride.”
I stop walking, and the limo halts so Jordan can get out and help me into the car. He looks fresh in his blue pinstriped suit, white shirt, and light blue tie. As I pass by him, I get the scent of his cologne, yummy. He slips into the seat next to me and instructs Albert to take me to my office, then closes the privacy glass, so we’re alone.
“You’re feisty this morning. Did you miss me?”
“Of course, I missed you. I was lonely.”
“Why didn’t you call me?”
“I didn’t want to disturb you. I knew you were busy. I don’t want to be one of those women.”
“Which women?”
“The clingy type that has to know what her boyfriend is doing every minute of the day.”
“Boyfriend?”
“What do you want to be called?”
“I like boyfriend.”
I smile because I like it too. I want to call Jordan, my boyfriend.
“What did you do while I was away?”
I’m not telling him I overindulged in gelato and watched television while he was gone.
“I read, did a few things around my apartment.”
“Did you go out?”
“No. Nathaniel’s away, remember? ”
“He’s not your only friend.”
“I know, but I don’t go out with many people.”
“You’re sitting too far away from me. Come closer.”
I slide over on the seat, so I’m practically on top of him. He cups my face in his hand and kisses me with passion, enough to make my knees tremble.
“If you didn’t have to work, I’d take you back to the penthouse to spend the day with me.”
“In bed?”
“That and to do other things.”
“I can’t.”
“I know you have to work.”
“Besides that.”
“What’s besides that?”
“I got my period this morning. I’m going to be out of commission for a few days.”
“Oh.”
“Don’t you have to work?”
“I’m CEO; I can work from wherever I want. Bed, the office, my plane, the Bahamas.”
“You’ve worked from the Bahamas before?”
“No, but I could.”
“Lucky you.”
“You could too.”
“How can I? I can’t just take off and do what I want. I have a job.”
“Work for me.”
“As what?”
“My assistant. Then you can go wherever I do.”
“You already have an assistant, and he does a fine job.”
“But he’s not you. I’d pay you a great salary, plus benefits, plus me.”
“Jordan, that’s ridiculous.”
“You need to stop talking,” he growl s
“Don’t order me around,” I snap.
“You need to stop talking so I can do this.”
Jordan leans in and claims my mouth with his own. His tongue stabs through my lips and tangles with mine. I can feel my toes curl and my belly clench. Why couldn’t he come home a few hours earlier? Now I’m going to be hot and horny for him until my period is over.
By the time he breaks the kiss, I’m weak, heady with his clean, masculine scent. He put his forehead against mine and caresses my cheek with his knuckles. I couldn’t break his stare as my quickened pulse seemed to get even faster.
“What are you thinking?” he whispered.
“I’m not going to be able to concentrate on my work today.”
“Ditto. You should come home with me.”
“Jordan, I can’t. It’s going to be a few days.”
“I don’t care about that. I just want you near.”
He pushes me back on the bench seat, and his body heat seeps into mine as if the cool air of the car cabin didn’t exist. Jordan’s hands roam my body, pulling my legs around his back so he could press his hardening shaft between my legs.
“Jordan, please.”
“Come home with me,” he pleads again.
“I have work,” I half-heartedly mumble.
“Call in sick. You can. Be with me today.”
His plea doesn’t sound lustful; it sounds needy like something is wrong.
“You’re not telling me something. What happened in Dallas?”
“Come home with me. I need you.”
“Let me up.”
Jordan backs off me, and I sit up, reach into my purse, and dial human resources. I tell them that I’m sick and won’t be in today. After I hang up, I hug him.
“Are you going to tell me what happened or do I have to beat it out of you? ”
“It was bad. I thought we were goners.”
I feel nauseous and frightened, “Tell me.”
“I was late last night because the plane stalled in midair. It was drifting and dropping until the pilot got it going again. It was quite a few scary minutes up there. I thought of you and how it would be never to see you again. We landed in Kentucky, and I took a commercial flight home. The plane is being assessed as to why it happened in the first place.”
“Oh, Jordan. I would have been torn apart if I lost you.”
“I just need you to be with me today. I’m not going into the office. I can handle everything from the penthouse if they need me. I just want to spend a quiet day with you.”
“Why didn’t you tell me when you picked me up? You can be vulnerable once in a while, you know? I won’t think any less of you.”
“I hate sounding weak.”
“It’s not weakness. It’s being human. I’m not one of your employees that you have to put a brave face on for. You should have called me when you got home, no matter what time.”
“I didn’t want to worry you. I was worried enough for the both of us.”
I run my fingers through his hair, and he takes my hand, kissing the palm. Then he puts his head in my lap and curls his fingers around my thigh. I rub his back, just enjoying the intimacy of him being near me. We stay in that position until Albert lets Jordan know that we’re pulling into the Ballard’s parking garage.
He sits up and straightens his tie and smoothes some strands of hair that have slipped onto his forehead. I know it’s for show. He doesn’t want to look disheveled in case someone sees him. Albert pulls next to the elevator bay and opens the limo door.
Jordan steps out first then holds his hand for me to take as I slip out of the chilled interior into the balmy humidity of the underground garage.
“Thank you, Albert. I’ll call you if I need anything.”
“Yes, sir. Have a good day.”
He tips his hat as he gets back into the limo. Jordan presses the code for the elevator, and when it comes, he puts his hand on the small of my back to prod me inside. I can feel the heat of his hand searing through my silk shirt. He fists the cloth as he pulls me into his embrace.
My pulse starts to race again as Jordan lowers his lips to my neck and gently sucks. I tangle my fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck. My feelings for him are intense, and my blood starts to boil.
“Jordan,” I moan.
“I missed hearing you say my name. Say it again.”
“Jordan,” I say in a breathy whisper.
“You’re so beautiful.”
I suddenly realize that we’re not moving, “Jordan, you need to punch in the code for the penthouse.”
“It’s time you knew what it is.”
He takes my hand and stretches out my index finger in his own, pressing the buttons for the code that will allow me to have access to his home.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m more sure than ever. I want to give you the tour that you didn’t get.”
The last and only two times I was in his penthouse, I saw the kitchen, bedroom, guest room, living room, and bathroom with a glimpse of the workout room. I know there is so much more to his place. I want to explore the library that he gave me a taste of as well as the incredible patio that overlooks the city.
“I’d like that.”
My stomach lurches as it usually does when I take the elevator in the Ballard. It sweeps upward until it dings, and the doors open to his apartment. Each time I see it, I’m amazed. He takes my purse out of my hand and puts it on the counter then takes me to the bedroom.
“Let’s change. I want to be comfortable. You have clothes in the guest room closet. I can make room so you can share some space in mine if you like.”
“Yes, I would like that.”
“I’ll do it later. Go change.”
I head to the guest bedroom, opening the drawers that I placed some of the clothing that Svetlana had selected for me. I’m not sure if I have anything but pretty work clothing, but I’m mistaken. I find some linen shorts, t-shirts, and polo shirts. I’m positive that these didn’t come with the initial batch I last got, which means that Jordan ordered more for me.
I chose a pair of caramel-colored linen shorts and a light green t-shirt. I leave my feet bare. Jordan is sitting at the barstool in the kitchen, looking at his phone intensely.
“Trouble?”
“No. Just answering a question on a negotiation.”
He slips the phone into the pair of khaki shorts he’s wearing. The ribbed blue tank top shows off his muscular back, chest, and arms. I want to kiss him all over.
“Now, the grand tour.”
We head up the industrial steel and cable stairway to the upper floor above the living room. He flicks on the lights, and all the built-in bookcases are illuminated—so many books. I look closely at one shelf and slide “For Whom The Bell Tolls,” by Hemingway, out. I flip the cover open and can see that it’s a first edition.
“That whole shelf is first editions,” Jordan says.
“I didn’t know you were interested in literature.”
“How could I not be since my stepfather owns a publishing company?”
“I guess that makes sense. How long have you been collecting?”
“Since I was able to afford it, about four years. ”
I close the book and gingerly slide it back into the shelf I took it from. I keep looking at the expanse of books from floor to ceiling. Two comfortable oversized couches sit catty-corner for spending hours reading.
“Do you sit up here and read?”
“Rarely. I haven’t had time to read anything but contracts, paperwork, and computer screens.”
“Come, plenty more to see.”
He takes my hand and leads me down the stairs to the kitchen. A double door leads to a large washroom, and next to it is a huge pantry, fully stocked with food. Down the hallway where the bedrooms are were several closed doors, I was curious about. One opens to a large office with a huge teak desk that dominates the middle of the room.
“Why the middle?”
“So I can move around easier. Everything else is surrounding. I can even sit in my chair and push myself around without getting up.”
I can see what he means. Much easier than tripping over chairs and wires to get what you need. Next, he pops open three doors, a large bathroom, and two more bedrooms. We stop at another double door at the end of the hallway next to his bedroom.
“Before we go in, I want you to keep an open mind.”
I raise my eyebrow, “Do you have a red room like in Fifty Shades of Grey?”
“You’ll see. Just don’t freak when you see it.”
He opens both doors at the same time, and it turns out to be a man cave. A pool table with blue felt and ornately carved feet sits on one side of the room. Next to it is a poker table with four beige high backed leather chairs, a dartboard, granite-topped bar with six leather stools, sports memorabilia lines the walls of the room. Finally, he leads me to the last door and opens it to reveal a huge sectional couch and a massive projection screen on the wall.
“This is what you wanted me to keep an open mind about? ”
“I wanted you to realize that I’m not all about business. I play too.”
“I don’t see any game consoles in here.”
Jordan smiles and leads me to a long low cabinet underneath the projection screen. Inside are several game consoles, joysticks, games, and other accessories.
“Do you play these?”
“Sometimes. I haven’t had time lately with a few deals I’ve been working on, but when I want to decompress, I invite Nicky and a few of my college buddies that still live in the area over to play.”
“Can we play?”
“Another time. I want to sit on the patio with you and relax.”
I’m excited about the patio tour. It was so pretty from a distance; I can’t wait to see it up close. He takes me to his bedroom and opens the glass doors that lead out to the space. Large pebbled stone tiled planters with boxwoods, red and pink roses and white, red, and pink azaleas line the area.
“This is all for you?”
“Yes. It’s only for the penthouse. Let’s sit by the pool.”
The tiled lap pool is almost fifty feet long and fifteen feet wide, more like a swimming pool than a lap pool, in my opinion.
“Is it heated?”
“Why? Do you want to go for a swim?”
“It’s so warm out that you don’t need it heated.”
“It’s heated, and it’s perfect during the fall when it gets cooler. Let’s sit on the lounger.”
He leads me to a double lounger and adjusts the back, so we’re partially reclining. The cushions are soft and a cross between red and orange. Jordan puts his head on my stomach and puts his arm possessively across my hips.
“Jordan, do you want to talk about the plane.”
“No. I just want to lay here with you.”
I kiss the top of his head and let my lips linger as I inhale the scent of his hair. I get choked up thinking about how my life could have changed overnight if something happened to Jordan. My life has changed overnight in a lot of ways from two weeks ago. I’m with a man with huge wealth who can give me anything my heart desires. Yet, I don’t care what he can give me as long as he can share a piece of his heart. I close my eyes and put my face up to the sun. It feels so good on my skin.