Chapter Three #3
Colorful and amusing, the cable car operator chatted loudly with his customers, calling out the street names and interesting bits of information.
“These boys seem to be a unique breed,” Jordan said with a throaty chuckle, watching the gripman push and pull the long lever
that connected to the cable running underground, towing the car.
“We’re unique all right,” the cable man replied. “You have to be to take a job like this one.”
All too soon the invigorating ride had ended. Crowds were thick on the wharf’s wide sidewalks, even though it was well into
the evening. The permeating aroma of salt water and fish drifted pleasingly to their senses. Hundreds of vessels making up
the fishing fleet were docked at the pier.
They strolled hand in hand, not speaking until Skye pointed to the boats. “Over three million pounds of fish are caught every
year by our industrious fleet. Sardines account for most of that, with crabs running a close second.”
“Do you enjoy crabmeat?” Jordan asked unexpectedly.
“Far more than I like sardines,” she joked lightly.
Several vendors had set up shop on the sidewalks, and a lovely seashell necklace caught Skye’s attention.
“Look.” She stopped to examine the tiny, delicate shells. They lay gently across the palm of her hand. “It’s my niece’s birthday
soon. This would be perfect. Janey’s just the right age to appreciate something this lovely, and she has a seashell collection.”
“I’ll buy it,” Jordan offered immediately.
“Oh, no.” She gently laid a restraining hand against his arm. “You can’t. The gift would be from you then, not me.”
“All right,” he agreed reluctantly. “But one thing.”
“Yes?” Her eye sought his.
“Are you going to take off your shoe in order to pay for it?”
A corner of her mouth twitched upward as she fought to suppress a smile. “No, I think I can manage it.”
They decided to stop for a cup of coffee at a small restaurant beside the bay. Fish, crab, and other delicacies were displayed
on a bed of crushed ice outside the restaurant doors. An old seaman, a stained white apron hugging his chest and waist and
black rubbers on his feet, smiled up at them before they entered.
“Good evening, folks. Enjoy your dinner. It’s a night for young lovers.” He looked into the clear sky. The stars shone like
jewels on a blanket of black velvet.
“It is a beautiful night,” Skye admitted, her face flushed with embarrassment.
“Yes, beautiful.” Jordan added his agreement, but he wasn’t looking into the sky.
The coffee was dark and strong. Skye was grateful for its potency. She needed to be reminded, in a down-to-earth manner, that
this little excursion was a onetime experience. It would be too easy to allow herself to fall under Jordan’s spell. He was
a rare kind of man, both confident and totally masculine, and she didn’t doubt he used his charm to achieve whatever he wanted.
She faked a subtle yawn.
“You’re tired?”
Skye had difficulty meeting his look. “It’s been a long week . . . Maybe it would be best if I did head home.”
Skye would have willingly caught the bus that took her directly to her apartment, but Jordan wouldn’t hear of it and insisted
on calling for the car. Her heart hammered frantically when they arrived at her building.
“You weren’t going to invite me in?” He looked into her confused eyes.
“Well, actually . . . no. I generally don’t.” She spoke bluntly. She knew she sounded very prim and proper, but that couldn’t be helped. His laughing eyes riled her. “I’m glad you think it’s so funny,” she burst out irritably.
He ignored her outburst and took the keys from her trembling hand. “And as a proper gentleman, I consider it my duty to escort
you safely to your door.”
Skye was forced to follow him and did so ungraciously. The hallway outside her door was well lit, and Skye offered a silent
prayer of thanksgiving that her landlord had recently installed brighter lightbulbs.
“I enjoyed the dinner. Thank you, Jordan,” she said as soon as he had unlocked the door. She extended her hand, ready to accept
her keys, her knees suddenly weak at his close proximity. The cold metal felt good against her outstretched hand as he placed
the chain there and gently folded her hand closed. With his forefinger tucked beneath her chin, he raised her downcast gaze
to meet his. Forced to meet his eyes, Skye felt a flood of warmth sweep over her. His eyes were no longer laughing but warm
and sensuous. She wanted to back away from him and break the spell, but the attraction was so strong, she couldn’t blink.
The pressure of his hand moved from her chin to the back of her neck, his fingers sliding into her hair. Slowly his mouth
descended to hers. Skye could have protested, but she didn’t utter a sound. Caught in the powerful pull of her senses, her
eyes closed slowly, the curiosity to discover his kiss overpowering.
His mouth was warm and gentle, the pressure light and sweet, as if he understood her need for tenderness. Fighting the clamoring
of her nerves that had suddenly burst into life, Skye remained frozen, unable to respond and equally unable to break away.
When the pressure of the kiss ended, Skye remained caught in the sensations, her eyes shut. Only when Jordan’s hand pulled away from her hair did she find the strength to look at him. Moving aside, he turned the knob of her door and pushed it open for her.
“Good night, Skye,” he whispered huskily.
She stared at him blankly for a moment.
“Don’t look at me like that,” he groaned. “Now go inside before I change my mind.”
His words quickly broke the spell, and Skye hurried inside.