Finding Forever (11 page)

“I’ll race you to the other side,” Jordan challenged, and swam away from him.

“What?” As Jake’s brain engaged, he realized she was swimming toward the shallow end of the pool and took off after her, swimming as fast as he could. He caught up, then passed her just as they neared the steep slope of the pool’s bottom that made it dangerous to swim further. He turned, resting against the slope, and caught her in his arms.

“I let you win,” she insisted, falling against him.

Jake didn’t care if it was true, as long as she didn’t hurt herself hitting her head on the slope. “You’re crazy, you know that?”

“Maybe. I’m lots of fun, though,” Jordan answered before giving him a searing kiss.

As his lips parted, letting her in, Jake wondered which would win out—the chill of the water, or the heat of the woman. It didn’t take long before he had his answer, and it was the one he wanted. “Maybe we should go back to your place,” he suggested.

“Why? Are you shy?” Jordan reached inside his shorts and the stirring grew stronger. “Because there’s no one else out here.”

Jake jerked his head around. She was right. The pool area was completely deserted. Still, h
e hesitated. “I don’t have any—”

She put a finger to his lips, silencing him. “It’s okay. I promise,” she said, as she adjusted her bathing suit and straddled him.

Jake put his hands on her hips and lifted his own, his breath hitching a little as he entered her completely.

“Oh, you feel so good,” Jordan said, as she began to move with him. “So right.”

Jake couldn’t agree more, and he thrust himself further inside her, wanting to cherish the moment forever. As she rocked against him and the water cascaded around them, Jake knew he was home.

If possible, she was even more beautiful in sleep than she was in the throes of passion. Jake lay next to her as long as he could, simply watching her sleep, the bunched and twisted sheets barely concealing any of her nude body. He listened to the soft sounds of her breathing and watched the rise and fall of her chest, struggling to recall a time when he’d felt more content. Sure, he’d had nights of great sex before—including with Jordan—but something seemed different this time. Deeper; more real. He didn’t care what they did, he just wanted to be near her.

Too many minutes ticked by with him simply watching her, and he risked being late to the set if he stayed much longer. Jake quietly left Jordan’s bed and made his way to the bathroom. He bypassed the whirlpool soaking tub in favor of the stand-alone shower with the marble finish, clear-glass door
, and multiple massaging shower heads. She didn’t mind eating in casual establishments with chipped Formica and worn booths, but when it came to her bathroom, Jordan obviously liked her luxury.

It took Jake a little while to figure out the multiple shower heads and adjust the temperature to his liking before stepping inside. Lined up on the built-in shelf on the shower wall was an assortment of bottles that could rival the bath products section at the average store.
Of course you wouldn’t just have a plain bar of soap, Jordan.
He reached for one of the bottles, which turned out to be a conditioner made from Tahitian flower oil. Not his thing. He quickly put it back and grabbed another. Vanilla mint shower gel. That must have been the scent that enticed him yesterday. He flipped the lip open and sniffed. Yes. That was it. Although smelling like mint had never been on Jake’s list of objectives, in the absence of a bar soap, it would do.

He searched for shampoo next, and found a vanilla and coconut organic cream shampoo. Jake sensed a trend. Jordan must like vanilla. That information could be useful, he decided, as he lathered the shampoo in his hair. He just hoped no one on the set noticed he smelled like vanilla.

When he emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a towel, Jordan was sitting up in bed.

“Morning, sexy,” she said.

Jake grinned. “I thought that was my line,” he said. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”

“I had to get up, anyway.” She walked over to greet him, softly kissing him. “Mmm.” She sniffed. “I think I recognize that scent.”

“Yeah. I used some of your product. Hope you don’t mind.”

“That’s what it’s there for. And you smell good.” She ran a hand down his chest. “Real good.” She reached for the knot of his towel. “It’s kind of a turn on.”

So are you
, Jake thought. “I have to leave soon,” he said, but he knew the protest was futile. Already, his body responded to her touch.

“I won’t make you late,” Jordan said, undoing his towel and dropping it to the floor. “But I have to finish what I started last night.” She lowered herself to her knees, closed her lips around his manhood, and began to work her magic.

This time, Jake offered no protest, surrendering to her power over him. He rolled his hips, pushing deeper into her mouth, until finally he couldn’t fight it any longer. “God, Jordan, I love you,” he cried out as he exploded inside her.

***

The last time Jordan woke up in a bed with Jake Morrison, her head pounded from a vicious hangover, she was two hours late for work, and had little recollection of how they’d spent the night, though the empty vodka bottle had offered a clue. It was the last time she’d consumed a drop of alcohol, and she was grateful for the not-so-gentle nudge toward treatment that her boss had given her that morning.

Now her head was clear, she still had an hour before she needed to leave to open her office, and she was able to recall every minute of the glorious night they’d spent together. There was a lot to be
said for sobriety, she decided as she watched Jake’s car back out of her driveway.

“Okay, Cujo, let’s pick this place up,” she said. The cat looked up at Jordan with her usual bored expression. Jordan shook her head. “Not much help, are you? Fine. I guess I have to do everything around here.”

She went to the patio and found the remains of the chocolate flan they’d left behind in their hurry to get inside. At least the remains that hadn’t been discovered by ants during the course of the night, which, as it turned out, wasn’t much. Leaving the plates outside hadn’t been one of Jordan’s smarter moves, but what was a girl expected to do? Tell the incredibly sweet, sexy, and hard man to wait a few more minutes while she cleared and washed the dishes? “Sorry, not this girl,” Jordan said with a chuckle. She dumped the remains of the dessert into a trash bag, wiped the table with a damp cloth and carried the plates in the house. She might have to spray for ants later, but all in all it was a small concession for an amazing night. The chocolate flan served its purpose.

Jordan loaded the dishwasher, started a pot of coffee and opened a can of cat food for Cujo while she replayed the events of the night—and morning—in her head, humming to herself. She’d just poured a cup of coffee when it hit her what Jake had said. “Shit! What am I supposed to do now?”

***

Jake got through his first scene of the day in three takes, and he wasn’t the reason it required three. Good. The last thing he needed was Reece’s wrath, especially after receiving such glowing praise the day before. If Jake truly was on the brink of stardom, which seemed to be the case, he couldn’t let personal distractions undermine him. Even if the personal distraction was completely amazing.

He couldn’t believe what an idiot he was. He’d waited thirty-four years to tell a woman that he loved her, heck, waited thirty-four years to find a woman worthy of such a declaration, and what did he do? Confess his true feelings with his dick in her mouth.
Yeah, way to go, Jake. Real smooth and romantic, there.
Somewhere along the way, Jake figured someone must have compiled a list of the best ways to make a declaration of love, and he was fairly certain this would be pretty low on it.

It was done, though. The feelings were real, even if the way he expressed them left something to be desired. Jake tried not to read too much into the fact that Jordan didn’t make any similar declaration of her own. Granted, her mouth had been busy doing something else at the time, but she’d simply swallowed, wiped her mouth, kissed him goodbye and told him to have a good day. How was he supposed to have a good day when he didn’t know if her lack of response was because she didn’t return the feelings, or worse, she believed his words weren’t genuine because of the manner in which they were said?

Jake walked from the three-walled set of the movie’s border patrol station in the direction of the break area, scrolling through phone messages while he walked. Nothing from Jordan. Only Greg. He tapped the screen to return the call. “What?” he asked when the agent answered. He figured he knew, though.

“You should probably be nicer to me, given everything I’ve done for your career,” Greg chided.

“You’re right, I’m sorry,” Jake said, feeling duly chastised. He might be having a frustrating day, but it didn’t justify snapping at his agent. “You’re calling about the new script, right?”

“Yeah. What do you think? It’s pretty great, huh?”

The part Jake had read certainly was, and he also liked that Chaz Collier was a friend of Reece’s and that Reece had personally recommended him. “So far, yes. I’m not quite done with it.”

“Then get done. Chaz needs an answer, Jake.”

“I know.” Jake also knew what his answer would be. There was no way he could pass this opportunity up. Still, he wanted to discuss it with Jordan first. If they were going to be in a relationship, she at least deserved to know he would soon be spending two months in the Caribbean with Kate Hudson. “Give me one more day, Greg. Tell Chaz he will definitely have his answer by tomorrow morning.”

Greg sighed. “Fine. One more day.”

***

Beth burst into Jordan’s office shortly before noon, out of breath and carrying a takeout bag from the nearby sandwich shop. “I got here as soon as I could,” she said. “And I brought lunch.” She held up the bag. “Your favorite. The club with applewood smoked bacon and chipotle ranch dressing.”

Jordan’s mouth almost watered just thinking about it. “I wasn’t aware we had an appointment, but I never turn down a free meal,” she teased. “Let me guess. Jen called you.”

“Yes. She said you’re distracted and there’s three-fourth
s of a chocolate flan sitting in your break room refrigerator,” Beth said. “She can’t figure out what that means.”

“So she called you in as the resident expert in deciphering my moods, huh? Terrific.” Jordan rolled her eyes. This part of the day was at least going as she predicted it would. “Did you by any chance bring lunch for three?”

“Of course. Do you take me for an idiot?”

“I plead the Fifth.” Jordan pressed the intercom button on the office phone. “Jen, go ahead and set the phone lines to go to the answering service and join us in the conference room for lunch,” she said. She wasn’t going through the great date recap twice.

Jordan waited until they were all seated in her conference room and she’d sampled the sandwich before getting to the point. “I’m sure you’re both wondering what happened last night.” She didn’t blame them. She’d been left wondering a little herself. Jordan never felt confused or uncertain when Carl left her house after sex. Mostly, she just felt used, but since she was also guilty of using him, she didn’t have much right to complain.

Jake was completely different. He wasn’t using her. The sex was great, and Jordan knew she pleased him, but he seemed interested in more. He seemed interested in her, and that thrilled her and surprised her. It also scared her to death.

“Well, duh,” Beth said. “Did the chocolate flan work?”

“Do you even need to ask?” Jen looked at Beth, her expression aghast. “My
abuela
says the only time chocolate flan doesn’t work is if a man is allergic to chocolate or not interested in women.” She unwrapped her sandwich “You know, if he’s...” She waved her hand in the air. “You know.”

Jordan had a hard time picturing Jen’s grandmother saying such a thing. “I know, yes. And trust me, Jake is definitely into women.” A self-satisfied smile formed on her face. “You can tell your grandmother that the powers of chocolate flan were working fine last night. Why do you think most of the cake is left? We got a little distracted.”

Beth let out a “Woot!” and high-fived Jen.

Jordan watched in amusement and sipped Diet Coke. Apparently they really wanted her to get laid. She idly wondered if they might have had a bet riding on it. Probably not, since they both seemed to be enjoying it so much. “Can I safely assume you’re happy for me?” All things considered, it was better than passing judgment.

“Yes, because it hopefully improves your mood.” Beth snickered.

“I’m the one that has to spend eight hours a day with her unless she’s in trial,” Jen countered. “I’m affected a lot more by her mood.”

“Gee, thanks,” Jordan said, rolling her eyes. “You talk like I’m a total bitch all the time.”

“Oh, no!” Jen covered her mouth. “I didn’t mean that, boss. I’m just very happy for you. You deserve a good man who makes you smile.”

Nice recovery
, Jordan thought. “Thank you,” she said. “And thank your grandmother for the recipe.” She smirked “It was a great success.” Jordan spent the next twenty minutes telling them excited tales about her date, including the meal she prepared and the moonlight swim in the pool—though she declined to offer a lot of detail about how that ended up.

All in all, she thought she offered a glowing explanation of the previous night. So why, then, did it all remind her so much of when she’d returned to Grande Valley for her class reunion and regaled her friends with stories of her success? Perhaps because then, like now, Jordan knew she was spinning a yarn.

After almost thirty minutes, Jordan figured she’d provided enough entertainment for the day and made an elaborate gesture of looking at her watch. “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I have work to do. Jen, we should probably take those phones off the answering service,” she said, perhaps more brusquely than intended.

Jen looked at her, slightly disappointed, but nodded. “Yes, of course, boss,” she said, getting up from her seat. “And thank you for lunch, Ms. Brewster.”

“You’re welcome, Jennifer,” Beth said, but didn’t get up from her seat.

Apparently, she was going to make this difficult. “Don’t you need to go back to the office?” Jordan asked when they were alone.

“I have ten assistant prosecutors on staff,” Beth said. “I’m pretty sure the county can survive without me for a few more minutes, even in an election year.” She shifted in her seat. “So what really happened last night? What don’t you want Jen to know about?”

Jordan sighed. It hard to get anything past Beth. “Jen’s a great girl, but at the end of the day, I still sign her paychecks. Some distance is needed.” She sank back in her chair. “You, though...you don’t shock easily and we don’t have any secrets.”

“That’s right.” Beth offered a smile. “What’s wrong, Jordan?”

What was right might be a better question. “He said he loved me.”

Beth’s eyes widened and she gaped. “Oh, wow...”