Forever Rain (Rain Will Fall Trilogy #1) (21 page)

“My woman beautiful.” Jordan slipped an arm around my waist and escorted me to the private elevator. “Erik, my driver, will take you to the first hospital meeting, and Andre will be there.”

The door opened and I stepped in followed by his driver. Jordan winked at me as the elevator door closed. My heart gave that now familiar jolt.

Andre was waiting in the hospital lobby when I arrived. He was on his phone with Veronica in the Houston office. I walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder. He acknowledged me by nodding his head. From the look on his face and tone of his voice, I could tell this was not a courtesy call to the office, so I paced in the lobby waiting for him to complete the call.

“Zoe is with me now. I will update her on the situation with Luke,” he said, ending the call.

“Good morning. We have about five minutes before our meeting with administration.” He picked up his briefcase and we made our way down the hall to the suite of offices where we were meeting.

“There is a situation with Luke Hastings. He had an ER shift last night. I suggest we go to our meeting then we can discuss the issue?”

I agreed and we stepped into the waiting room of the office where the receptionist announced our arrival.

Three members of the hospital met us and the result was about the same as yesterday. I signed the contract. There were four hospitals in this group and the contract covered all four. The nurses would be busy and I looked forward to the increase of applicants in the coming weeks.

Andre and I headed back to the new office, but did not discuss Luke due to privacy issues, so we looked at the interview info and meeting schedule for the afternoon.

“Good morning, Miss Cain,” Bianca greeted us. We moved to the conference room where I asked her to give me a few minutes with Andre.

She closed the door behind her and went back to nursing applicants that were taking computerized exams or doing last minute prep, getting their badge, welcome package, and asking last minute questions before starting to work for the agency on Monday.

Andre began filling me in. “Luke Hastings worked ER in North Houston last night. Several nurses reported that he was acting strange and out of character for him so they reported it to the ER manager on duty. He was submitted to a drug test and tested positive for opioids. Incidentally, several patients that he cared for during his shift had orders for Demerol from the ER physician. He was relieved of his shift and sent home by taxi. The nursing supervisor notified Veronica this morning and requests a meeting with you Monday morning.”

“Wow. OK. Did Veronica speak with Luke today?” I asked.

“She called, but he didn’t answer. Probably sleeping, but she left a message and will try to reach him again.”

“We will need to conduct our own investigation. Notify the state board and offer TPAPIN program to assist him in recovery from substance abuse. Until then, have Veronica clear his work schedule and ask him to report to the office at 8 a.m. Monday morning then ask the ER supervisor for a meeting at her office or mine at 10 a.m.”

“Also, Angie Mata’s grandmother died last night. She has been ill for a few months. Angie requested a week off for bereavement. Veronica said she approved the time off and has already filled the shifts in ICU.”

I saw that Andre was not done with his report a he consulted his computer, and I was making notes of my own.

“Mr. Grant fired his private duty nurse. He said his nurse was too bossy and he’s requesting a male nurse this time. We do not have a private duty male nurse, so I posted an ad online and in the
Houston Chronicle
for a full-time male nurse.”

“Good. In the meantime, call some of our male nurses that work in hospitals and ask if they can help out by filling in those shifts until we’re able to hire a full-time nurse for Mr. Grant. Call Veronica and ask her to notify Mr. Grant of our plan to fill in temp male nurses until we can fill the position with a full-time one.”

He jumped into action with my instructions and I answered my most urgent emails.

Bianca ordered lunch to be delivered to the conference room so we had a working lunch. She also updated me on the progress of the office and applicants, hospital needs for available shifts, and the growing need for our new DON.

“I anticipate this office will be busy when the ad’s hit the Internet and newspaper,” I told Bianca. I wanted her to be ready for the onslaught of applicants and shifts that would be available.

“We will be ready, Miss Caine. If for some reason it is more than we can handle, I will let you know.”

“If you feel that more office help is needed to process applicants, answer phones or take hospital calls, you can hire another office assistant.”

The afternoon was busy and productive. My last interview ended at four o’clock and I wrapped things up with Bianca and Andre. I knew whom I wanted to hire for the DON position, but I needed to take a couple days to look over their applications and my notes before my final decision. I finally had a minute to speak with Veronica myself.

“I got your email about the hospitals. Six hospitals under contract should keep us all busy for quite a while,” Veronica said.

“Very much so. I’m anticipating an influx in nursing applicants by next week. I may need you to come to San Francisco next week to help conduct interviews and process new nurses and whatever you think needs to be done.”

“Great.”

“Hmm. Have plans for the weekend?” I asked.

“Going to Monterrey with mom. My grandmother has not been feeling well for the past few weeks. It’s hard to convince her that she needs to see a doctor and I’m not sure what else is going on with her except for pain in her back.”

“Sorry to hear about that. Keep me posted about sweet Gaga then. I hope it’s not too serious.” I had met some of Veronica’s extended family the first summer that Jordan and I broke up. They were friendly and accommodating, especially Gaga.

“Me too. How are you and Jordan doing?”

I got up to look outside and saw that the SUV was pulling up at the front of the building.

“Delightful. Incredible. Delicious.”

“Are we talking about Jordan or food?” She laughed.

“Jordan is food.”

“You’ve got it bad, girlfriend.” We giggled like teenagers. “Can’t say that I blame you. The man is smoking hot.”

“I’m not sure what time I will be landing tomorrow…”

“No rush to come into the office. It’s busy but I have plenty of help. You may want to take the afternoon off since I will be gone a few days next week.”

I had no idea what Jordan has planned for us tonight or what time we’d be leaving tomorrow, but decided to start my long weekend off now.

Jordan was waiting for me outside as I exited the office. He held the door open for me to enter and slid in beside me. I flopped beside him and he pulled me to his side as the vehicle pulled away. I gratefully drank from a bottle of water that Jordan handed me.

“I missed you today,” Jordan whispered in my ear. I smiled and looked up at him. He brushed his lips against mine.

“Hmm. Don’t have enough to keep you busy in your empire?”

He tickled me and I yelped.

“Did you accomplish all you needed to?” he asked.

“And then some. The office will be very busy. A few of the Houston nurses said they would be interested in working here if I housed them since I may end up with way more available shifts than nurses, so I will think about that as well.”

“Good.” He rubbed my shoulder with one hand while the other kept a possessive hold at my waist. Jordan got a phone call but kept holding onto me.

A feeling of nostalgia came over me as I remembered our cuddling days, but I decided to build on new memories now and see where our rekindled romance would take us. Thus far, we engaged in easy flowing conversations and he can’t seem to keep his hands off me. No complaints there. I intertwined my fingers with his hand that was holding me. It felt great to have a close physical connection, but was it too early to think of the emotional?

“I don’t mean to be presumptuous about tomorrow, and I should have asked if you need to get back to your office. If you do, I will hire a private jet to take you back to Houston. I have meetings until early afternoon.” He looked across at me.

“I’ll take the day off so you can save your money for the private jet.” I smirked across at him. He grinned at me and shook his head.

“This is a beautiful city. Plenty to do. You will have the vehicle, driver and a tour guide to take you wherever you wish to go.”

“Goodie, cause I want to go to Alcatraz, but you can call off the tour guide.”

“OK, no tour guide. That’s one of the movies we saw when you were in college.”

“Yup. Clint Eastwood was awesome in that movie. Have you been?” I asked.

“No, but I can’t wait to hear about it after your visit.”

“I may even have lunch with Jeremy,” I said, as I scrolled to Jeremy’s contact information.

“This Jeremy guy…”

“Is a very good friend of mine,” I said with no hesitation.

“His IT company is doing very well. He has an impressive portfolio and financial statements.”

“Is there anyone in the business world you don’t know? Don’t try to buy him out, please. He’s a friend.”

“Not at all. I already own an IT company in Silicon Valley.”

“What a surprise. Not.” I laughed.

Chapter 21

Back at the hotel, Jordan’s staff was wrapping things up for the day in the lobby slash temporary office. He stopped to speak with his attorney, but continued to hold onto my hand.

After a couple minutes we entered the suite.

“Would you like to take a bath or a shower? We’re meeting with an investor and his wife for dinner. Would you do me the honor and accompany me?” he asked.

“Certainly. Do I have something to wear?”

“But of course.” He raised his brows at me.

I shook my head as Jordan went to set the bath. I slid out of my clothes and yelped as he picked me up from behind and lay me on the bed.

He splayed my legs open and buried his face in the apex of my thighs.

My underwear dampened with desire as he rubbed his face in the fabric. I moaned and lifted my hips to his face.

Jordan slipped the flimsy fabric from my body and licked my slit.

I whimpered above him. My body trembled with need.

“You like this, baby?” he asked, as I fisted my hands in his hair.

“Yes. Yes. Yes.”

He brought me quickly to orgasm.

I lay replete on the bed with my eyes closed.

Jordan chuckled then took off my shoes and bra. He carried me to the tub and I sank in the aromatic suds. Jordan slid in behind me. We stayed that way for a few minutes until he pushed me away and massaged my shoulders.

“Come on. Let’s shower and get dressed. We’re meeting them at 8 p.m.,” Jordan said.

I sipped on a glass of J Rochioli Chardonnay that Jordan handed me. The Nicole Miller red V-neck lace dress fit perfectly as did the four-inch ankle cuff Sam Edelman stilettos.

Jordan ran his hand under the hem of my dress and over my ass.

“The only thing that should be between this dress and your skin is my hand. Lose the underwear,” he whispered in my ear.

“Jordan. I am so not going with my ass hanging out…” I yelped as he pinched my ass.

“Either you take it off or I will. We are the only two that will know what you don’t have under the dress.”

“Fine. But you are some kind of kinky.”

He had the audacity to chuckle as I slipped off the offending underwear.

“I will have fun fondling you. I may even cause you to orgasm right there at the table while our unsuspecting guests are with us.”

“No, Jordan. I…you can’t…I…”

“Well, well. You like the idea.” A corner of his lip turned up in a smile. “Come on, my beautiful Zoe.”

“Where are we going?” I asked as I grasped his hand in mine and we walked to the elevator.

“Saison. You will love it.”

I texted Jeremy about lunch tomorrow and he said he would go with me to Alcatraz.

“Jeremy will be able to go with me tomorrow. We will lunch on the pier after Alcatraz,” I said.

“Is that so?” He cocked a brow at me.

“Yes. It will be good to spend some time with him,” I replied.

The food and ambiance of the restaurant was exquisite. Our guests were among the elites of San Francisco and the gentleman readily agrees to invest in Jordan’s business overseas. They discussed business as I entertained his wife. She was my age and her husband was 30 years her senior. He was doting on her, but her eyes were glued to Jordan.

Despite her heavy glances toward him, Jordan managed to caress my legs and work his way to the apex of my thighs. I hurriedly excused myself to the ladies room.

I stepped into the restroom when my phone beeped with a text that read: ‘Don’t wipe it all off. I want to smell you.’

I blushed with the blatant sexual message from Jordan and stayed a few minutes longer than was necessary to calm my erratic breathing.

We finally left around midnight and I was frazzled from Jordan’s hands on my private parts.

He jumped me as soon as the door to the limo closed. “I have been hard for hours. I can’t wait any longer. I need you.” He hiked up my dress and slammed into me.

The breath left my body for a moment as he fucked me.

I tried to match his strokes, but he was merciless as his hips pushed into my slick pussy.

“Fuck. Need to…” He didn’t finish his broken sentence as his body shuddered against mine.

A few minutes later, Jordan pulled slowly away from me and grabbed some tissue to clean us off. He then pulled me into his arms and we reached the hotel in silence.

After getting ready for the night, I lie in the bed, sated and relax.

“Are you OK? Was it too rough?” he asked.

“I’m fine. I loved it.”

“Your body, it’s, um, I can’t stay away, needing you…”

“Jordan. Come to bed. I loved every minute of if.”

He slid into bed and we fell asleep.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The next morning I got up early to work out in the private gym with Jordan. We showered, he made love to me, I showered again, then we went our separate ways.