CHAPTER 5 JORDAN
JORDAN
“Lana. It’s me, Jordan. Open the door.” I call her name as I knock so I don’t startle her. It’s not like I told her I’d show up at her place the morning after the fire with two coffees and my tool bag.
It takes three attempts before the door cracks open and then her face appears.
She’s wearing pink pajamas, no bra, and my coat.
The wind whips across her and pulls her nipples into tight eraser buds beneath the fabric.
The sight sets a fire low in my stomach and it takes everything in me to keep my eyes trained on her face.
I've carried two-hundred-pound men out of burning structures without my pulse so much as twitching.
One look at this woman in my coat and my whole body forgets the job.
Down, Crush. She does not need a man losing his head on her doorstep at five in the morning.
I clear my throat and let her believe it's the cold making it hard to focus.
"Jordan, what are you doing? What time is it?" She blinks up at me.
"It’s almost five.”
"Almost five in the morning and you’re… here? How do you know where I live?”
"I’m here because you’re here. The school isn’t reopening today and I thought you could use a coffee. This one is actually warm.” I hand her the cup.
Her mouth pulls into a confused smile. “Do you want to come in?”
“Absolutely.”
I walk through her living room. There are moving boxes still stacked by the kitchen. There’s no curtain on the back window, just a sheet hung with thumbtacks. Then I take in the chair beside the door and it makes the muscles in my throat clench.
I dropped her off yesterday afternoon, but I spent all night combing through the details of what Lana shared. The thought of some asshole making her life a nightmare has my blood boiling. There’s something about Lana that makes me desperate to protect her.
“Thanks for the coffee. This is an unexpected treat after such a long day yesterday.”
"This deadbolt's garbage, no wonder you need the chair."
“This house has a few quirks that came with it. But it’s what I could find on short notice.” She nods. “If I stay, maybe I’ll see if they’ll let me make some improvements.”
"Not if. The improvements start today. We’re doing a new deadbolt, new strike plate and three-inch screws. A secure door is a good start."
She blinks at me over the rim of the cup. "Jordan, you don’t have to… I don’t think I’m allowed to change things. I’m just renting.”
I'm already unzipping my tool bag. "Good thing I'm not asking anyone."
From there I get to work. I tell her about my stop at the hardware store yesterday after our conversation and the way I can’t stop thinking about keeping her safe. An hour passes and she shakes her head like she can’t believe that I’m still here. But the truth is, I don’t plan on going anywhere.
I work my way through her house and Lana watches me. Her eyes are wide, but she doesn't try to stop me.
“You like what you see?” I flex my bicep and flash her my cheesiest grin.
“Of course I do. I just can’t believe you're here.” She bites back a smile and Lana’s cheeks flush with a vibrant pink that crawls down her neck.
I’d give anything to see where it stops.
“Believe it, baby, and you better get dressed too.” Even as the words leave my mouth I can’t believe I’m encouraging her to put clothes on when all I can think about is her taking them off.
“Yes, I should. To be fair, I had no idea I’d have company this early.”
“The clothes aren’t for my sake, believe me. I’ll be done here in a minute and then you’re getting a personalized tour of this town. I’m not talking about the highlights you can find on the internet. We’re touring a real local gem today. Have you been out to Bearclaw Mountain Pass?”
Her head tilts to one side. “No, I haven’t but… You don’t have to do this. You’re so sweet to show up here and spend your day off fixing things you didn’t break in the first place, but—”
I hold up a hand and cut her off. “Here’s something you should know about me, I don’t do anything I don’t want to do.
You need to get out and get a little fresh air after yesterday.
” The decision has already been made. She’s mine and today I’m taking her out.
“Now go get dressed or hell, I’ll take you over there like that. Fine by me.”
She laughs before she turns and heads for the hall. I can’t explain the pull this woman has over me. It isn’t just physical. It’s like my entire body aches to be close to her and I’ll do anything to make it happen.
I get back to work and test the lock three times before I’m done. It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s a hell of a lot better than it was. Knowing some jackass isn’t going to be able to kick it in will help both of us sleep at night.
Lana’s not out yet and I don’t mind. While I wait for her to appear, I make a list of other fixes. I’ll make them all happen. I note curtain rods, window locks, and a stray wire dangling from an outlet. I see her chair and make a note to get her pepper spray.
Then as a final touch, I walk into her kitchen. I open the cabinet over the coffee maker and Sharpie my phone number on the inside of the door in clear block print.
“What are you doing?” Lana’s voice is laced with shock and I turn to find her eyes wide.
She’s completely transformed with a white top that shows just the right amount of cleavage and jeans that hug her curves. Her long hair cascades down her back and for a moment I can’t think straight.
Lana continues, “You can’t write on that.” Her mouth falls open.
"Just did. Landlord doesn’t like it, he can take it up with me. But now you have my number. Memorize it, you know, in case your phone's dead. Or broken. Or somebody took it. Use it anytime you need me and I’ll be here, no questions asked.”
She hesitates for a moment. Then Lana gives me a slight nod, but doesn't say anything and I notice the way her eyes go glassy.
“Jordan, thank you.”