Finding Jordie: Things aren't always what they seem. (The Love Lies Bleeding Series Book 1) (16 page)

“It’s on East 13th Street, The Post. Here.” I slid the napkin over to her with all the information scrawled across it. Strange, but I was relieved this girl had no idea about me owning a bar. This simply confirmed her genuine nature and proved she wanted nothing from me. I guessed she hadn’t seen the tabloid report with the details of my business. In that moment I understood how Nathan must have felt about me, not knowing who he was and seeing I had no ill intentions getting close to him.

“Jordie, thank you so much!” she squealed and leaned over to hug me.

“Don’t let me down. It gets crazy in there and since the news of Nathan and me has spread I think it’s about to get a bit crazier.” I chuckled.

“I won’t let you down. I can handle it, I promise. I can’t wait to tell my mom!” She tucked the napkin in her purse.

I noticed the crowd of paps headed back in our direction. “Looks like Nathan’s finished,” I groaned and gestured out the window. “Meet me there about four today, all right? I’ll introduce you to Rachel and she’ll give you the details.” I stood up as Nathan walked in.

“Hello, ladies.” He came up behind me and took my hand.

“Nathan, this is Isobel. Isobel, Nathan.”

She had a face-splitting smile when she shook his hand. “Nice to meet you again, Nathan. Nate. Nathan.” She shook her head, looking a little flustered, and collected her new camera and wallet off the table. “Jordie, thank you again. I’ll see you at four.” She was still smiling.

“Don’t thank me yet, sweetie. It’s not easy. You may be cursing me by Sunday night,” I teased.

She pretty much bounced out the door.

“What did I miss?” Nathan raised an eyebrow and pulled me toward the line to get a coffee. “And what did you say to them?” He nodded to the crowd outside.

“They were saying how nice and thoughtful you were. One said if he could get just one good shot and a killer quote from us he wouldn’t bug us until next month.” He pointed to the same guy who gave Isobel the camera.

“I don’t know. Some man was bugging her to buy the picture of us three and when she said no, he stole her camera. She was pretty upset so I asked them if they could just chill out for a bit so she and I could have some coffee. Let me have a muffin and some conversation without feeling watched.” I shrugged.

“And that worked?” He looked astonished.

“Seems to have, they left us alone. That one even came in here with a new camera he had in his vehicle for Isobel.” I pointed to the same man he had. “They saw what happened, even made some calls to see if anyone knew who the guy was. Nobody knew anything, but it still was very nice of him to do that for her.”

He ordered his coffee and we walked over to the side to wait for it. “Hmmm, that
was
very nice of them.”

“I know they’re invasive and annoying, but they’re people. They’re just trying to feed their families.” My mixed feelings colored my tone.

“They are much nicer here in New York compared to L.A., I’ll give them that,” he admitted. “And the girl? You gave her a job?” He smiled at me as if he was in on some secret that I was oblivious to.

“I’m giving her a chance, yes. Why did you ask me like that?” I eyed him teasingly, suspicious.

“It’s nothing, babe. Nothing I hadn’t expected from someone like you.” He smiled and shook his head.

“Someone like me?” I spewed out in defense.

“Yes, someone who’s as loving as yourself. You give a shit about people—I love that about you.” He bent over to kiss me. My stomach did a flip-flop or two.

“Nate.” The barista held his cup out to him from behind the counter, half giggling.

“Thank you.” Nathan flashed that celebrity smile of his.

Oh Lord, she is going to faint, watch.

“Thank
you
.” She beamed back at him.

We walked outside. The group surrounded us, snapping pictures. “How are you today, Nate, Jordie? What brings you to Times Square?” They all asked the same questions, just in a different order.

“We’re well, gentlemen, ladies, thank you.” Nathan reached for my hand. We got to the car and he whispered something to Frank before he climbed in.

When we pulled up to my building, surprisingly there were only three people waiting. Frank informed us that he would be leaving and Elliot would be on until later. Elliot was already standing at my front door. We headed for the bar. I had those interviews to deal with. Charles was on guard at the entrance and he greeted us pleasantly as we went inside. Nathan locked the door behind him.
I guess your neurosis is rubbing off on him.
I chuckled to myself. It was twelve o’clock—I had an hour to get all that crap done from Monday night. The phone was blinking. I hit speaker and dialed the voice mail. “You have forty-five messages,” the pleasant voice reported to me. I rolled my eyes at Nathan.

“Sorry.” He laughed.

“Message thirty-six...Ms. Spagnato, this is Ryan from
US Weekly
...” Delete. “Message thirty-seven...” It was quiet except for heavy breathing behind a crackling bad connection.

The sound reminded me of the phone calls I would have with Jason when he was deployed. We’d never had a clear phone call. I sighed at the memory.

“Creepy.” Nathan didn’t look up from whatever he was doing on his phone.

I hit delete and sat down to work. I reconciled the till from Monday night, prepped a bank bag, and sat back in my chair watching Nathan still playing with his phone. I admired him for a moment without him knowing.

“All done. What time is it?” I broke my moment of admiration.

“Twelve twenty-three.” He looked up finally.

“Ah, good. I have time before interviews.” I picked up the phone and called Emma’s school to check in on her. Cal assured me everything was quiet and there had been no disruptions.

Nathan came over to me and semi-sat on my desk. “Ms. Spagnato, you sure are cute when you’re worried.” He pulled me out of my chair so I was against him.

“Cute? Puppies are cute. I’m not a puppy,” I chided playfully.

“I’m sorry, you’re right.” He took his pointer finger and attempted to rub out the crease between my eyebrows. “
Stunning
is a more appropriate word.”

My tummy was flip flopping everywhere again.
What this man does to me... swoon. I want him... now... on my desk.
“Stop it,” was all that left my mouth though, as I blushed.

He leaned in so that I could feel his breath against my lips. He ran his hands up my back to my hair. He gently grabbed a handful at the nape of my neck tilting my head back as his lips moved to my ear. I let out a little moan as he began working his way to my neck.

Nathan’s phone rang. My heart about jumped out of my chest. We both let out a frustrated sigh as he glanced at the phone.

“It’s Charles.” He picked it up.

“Oh, maybe my interview is here early. Strike one against her,” I muttered playfully, dropping my arms from around him.

He smirked. “Yes, Charles, all right, thank you. I’ll be right there to let him in.” He hit a button and stuck the phone in his pocket.

Him? I’d thought my one o’clock was with a woman.

“Is it okay if I conduct some business at a table for a few minutes?” he asked.

“Yeah, sure, of course. Actually, if you want you can use my office. I know it’s a mess, but I need to be out there once I start the interview. Besides, I wouldn’t want her distracted by you all Nate Harper-esque in the corner of my bar.” I poked his chest lightly and gave him a wicked look.

“Thanks, baby.” He kissed the top of my head and stood up straight, but before he could go anywhere I tugged him close to me by his shirt. His eyes locked with mine, and he grinned the sexiest grin I had ever seen in my life. My stomach returned to its somersault routine and I was frozen for a second. I stood on my tippy toes to kiss him, slipping my pointer fingers into his jean belt loops to pull him closer. He groaned and leaned back, our hips still pressed together.

“How am I supposed to talk business in this condition?” He looked down with his eyebrow raised, and smirked.

“I’m sure you’ll manage.” I freed my fingers and took a step back.

He took my chin in his hand and pretended to bite my lips. I let out a wistful little whine.

He chuckled. “All right, I need a moment. Could you please let Todd in for me?”

“Sure thing.” I grinned.

He adjusted himself and laughed again when my hand trailed along his pants as I walked out.

When I opened the door I was surprised to see the photographer who gave Isobel the camera standing there. I looked at Charles, confused.

“Ms. Spagnato, this is Todd. Mr. Harper has a meeting with him.”

“All right, of course. I’m sorry. I was thrown for a second there.” I let out a small, self-conscious laugh. “Please come in.” I motioned to him as I held the door open. I led him down the short hallway to my office. “Would you like a drink while you wait for Nathan?” I gestured to a chair.

“I’m okay. Thank you, though.” He sat down.

“I guess he had to use the restroom. I’m sure he’ll be right back.” I laughed to myself.

“Thanks, baby.” Nathan came up behind me and swatted my behind.

I blushed and tried to stabilize my stomach.
Will my belly do back flips every time he addresses me sweetly? I hope so.

Todd stood to shake Nathan’s hand.

“Okay, I’ll be out here if ya need me.” I walked into the hallway and heard my chair squeak as Nathan sat in it. I decided to go outside to wait for my one o’clock and get some fresh air. It was the end of March but still crispy cool outside. The sun was warming up but the wind cut through me and sent a chill up my back. I sat in one of the chairs from the small metal table set off to the right. I lit up a cigarette.

Frank came to tell Charles he was on lunch break. He took the position at the door but I could see him watching me from the corner of his eye.

“Don’t judge me, Frank,” I said playfully. “We’re lucky this is just a cigarette after what’s been going on the past few days.”

“Ah, Ms. Spagnato...”

“Jordie. Please, call me Jordie.”

“Yes, ma’am, Jordie.” Again his demeanor tugged hard at my emotions and I had to fight the memories that began to surface.

“I was just thinking I could use one of those.” He laughed.

“Well, please pull up a chair, join me.” I slid one of the other chairs out and made a little gesture towards it.

“I can’t, Ms.... Jordie. Thank you. I’m on the clock.” He nodded sternly.

Damn, this guy means business, eh?
“I’m officially giving you a break, Frank. Please sit with me. Besides, you have been on the clock for what? Twenty-four hours now? Don’t you sleep? You were supposed to be off like an hour ago, weren’t you?” I teased him. “Have a smoke. I’m sure you can efficiently keep watch from here.”

“All right, if you insist.” He smiled and walked over to where I was sitting. “I’ll stand if you don’t mind though.”

“I like a man that can compromise, Frank.” I flashed a smile at him, and the severity on his face lifted. We chit chatted for a few minutes about Nathan, Emma, and his wife and kids back in Los Angeles.

“You flew out here to be with Nathan?” I asked it as if he was a crazy person rather than a bodyguard.

“Of course.” He sounded insulted. “Nate is a fine young man. We’ve been his security since he was, I’d say, twenty.”

“That’s very loyal of you.”

“Jordie, it’s not just loyalty. He’s a great kid. I want to protect him like I’d protect one of my own. He never really conformed to the celebrity lifestyle, so he’s had trouble trusting people. That’s why I’d fly three thousand miles for the kid. He trusts me.” He shook his head and grinned. “I never thought I’d ever get to see this side of him. I’m so glad I did.”

“What side is that?” I asked, curious.

“Nathan Harper completed.” He looked at me as if I should have already known what he was talking about.

“Completed?” I was confused.

“You know, not walking around going through the motions. Whole, enjoying himself, falling in love.”

And with the word “love” the brakes slammed in my head and my tummy dropped like a free fall to the floor. “You think?” was all I could manage.
Love.

He let out a boom of laughter that made me jump. “Yes, I think, Jordie. I’ve never seen Nate with a woman, not even for the evening. I admit even I was starting to think he was... well, you know.” He stopped and scanned our surroundings before he continued. “Gay,” he whispered.

I was the one that had an outburst of loud laughter after that. “Oh, trust me, Frank, he is so not gay.” My cheeks hurt from laughing and smiling.

“He is right about one thing for sure.” Frank smiled a wide smile. It kind of threw me off for a second.

“Oh, yeah? What’s that?” I put out my smoke and stood up.

“You sure are something special.” He slightly shook his head and put out his cigarette on the bottom of his shoe, sticking the butt in his pocket.