Forever Rain (Rain Will Fall Trilogy #1) (29 page)

“Wouldn’t be as much fun. Plus, you are in the papers this morning.”

“What the hell? Why?” Curious, I opened my computer and navigated to the
Houston Chronicle
online edition. “What section is it and what does it say?”

“Lifestyle section, and you are looking all kinds of sexy with Jordan and another almost equally gorgeous couple.”

“Here it is. I didn’t know there were photographers. Well, I knew they were around, but I thought they were taking photos of other people.”

“Hate to break it to you, chick, but wherever Jordan is, well, the man is news in the social and business scenes. Nice dress, by the way. Totally hot. I approve.”

“I wasn’t wearing any underwear.”

Mia jumped up into a sitting position at this news and pushed her sunglasses up on her head.

“You naughty girl! Thought I was the only one doing that. Although I have had like no action in forever, so no reason to leave off my undies lately.”

I laughed at her complaining about her sexless life. She was a total flirt but very selective when it came to a sexual partner.

“I wasn’t thrilled about the idea at first, but let’s just say it had its rewards. I mean, I felt totally sexual and Jordan was winding me up all night long. He couldn’t wait to get me in the limo.”

“This fucking blows, you know? I mean, I’m happy for you, but I need some real action soon. My BOB is totally not cutting it.” Mia’s blue eyes stared woefully into the camera phone.

“You have my sympathies, but I’m happy to report that I am deliciously sore in areas that have not seen any such action, well, since Jordan was last there 10 years ago.”

“Lucky bitch. He is really incredibly hot. So, are you all into him now? Like, everything is OK in Zoe-land with Jordan?”

“I am thinking yes. We’ve had the most incredible few days.”

“I’m happy for you, but don’t go neglecting your friends. We need some girl time soon.”

“What about tomorrow night? We can go for a run after work then come back here and have some takeout. Catch up. Veronica will be going to San Francisco to help with the new office on Tuesday.” We chatted for a few more minutes and Mia agreed to meet the following evening.

I grabbed my purse and car keys. Soon, I was on my way to the one place that I visit often. Although I had no memory of them, I felt the deep spiritual connection between us just the same. I sat cross-legged on the ground and pulled small weeds growing around their shared grey marble headstone.

“Hi, Mom and Dad. Jenna has some great news for you but she will be coming to see you soon and I’ll let her tell you herself.” I smiled at the news of Jenna’s pregnancy and knew that my parents would have been thrilled with the news of their first grandchild.

“I know that I told you I would never let him in my life again, but Jordan had a totally different agenda. He moved to Houston and has pursued me. He’s taking down just about all the walls I had set up in my heart against him.” I looked down at my ankle where a brilliant red ladybug was crawling on me. I put my finger against my ankle and it moved onto my hand as I continued to speak to my parents.

“You see, I’m at an impasse. I want to tell him how I feel about him, but he has not said the words that I need to hear. He has not actually said that he loves me and I need to hear that from him. Well, I would like to hear him say it first. Maybe that’s silly. I mean, he’s told me so many things I want to hear. He says that I’m the only one for him and that he’s never felt that way about another woman. He pampers me and I feel so incredibly alive when I’m with him.” I paused as if waiting for one of them to give me the answer I sought. A warm breeze blew, rustling some leaves across the lawn of the cemetery. Knowing that I would not audibly hear their words of advice or wisdom, I continued to tell them of the past week with Jordan and the care and attention he has showered on me.

“I always wondered what I would do if I ever saw Jordan face to face again. So much has happened in both of our lives, but if I’m honest with myself, I must admit that my feelings are stronger now toward him than they were 10 years ago. I am tired of running from him and it feels good that he has finally caught up to me. He gave me no choice, just moved back and plowed his way into my life.” The heat of the summer sun and humidity had my hair sticking to my neck and I wiped at the perspiration with my hand.

“Anyway, I wanted you to know that he’s made me very happy and my love for him grows deeper everyday.” I touched the headstone then stood slowly. I wiped the tears from my eyes as I bid my parents goodbye and promised, as always, another visit soon.

That evening, Aunt Suzette and I sat across from one another at Churrascos restaurant snacking on crispy plantain chips.

“You look well, Zoe. How are you and Jordan getting along?”

I knew this would be the first topic of conversation and I was anxious to share my emotions about Jordan with her.

“I feel that we’re at a great place right now, Aunt Suz, but things have happened so fast with us. I’m trying to be cautious-like, and get to know one another all over again.”

“It’s normal for you to feel that way. After all, 10 years is a long time. A little self preservation is just good common sense.”

“Well, that’s just it. Jordan did not completely disappear from my life. He admits that he had a private investigator keeping an eye on me. Now that’s just creepy to me, but when he explained it and why he did it…I don’t know, I just didn’t over-react like I thought I would. Does that make sense?”

“Completely. Knowing Jordan, I think he knew that Robert was getting serious about you. We all thought that he was and Jordan was not going to let you go without a fight. Actually, dear, I always thought he would come back. David has hinted to me several times over the past few years that Jordan was talking of great investment opportunities here in the U.S. and his next move would be Houston. Jordan would not let you forget about him, with all the gifts, flowers and God knows what else he has sent your way. I think that he made a bold move to come to Houston without you knowing. Sounds like a man that knows what he wants and will not let anything get in his way.”

As usual, Aunt Suzette’s capacity to listen to Jenna and me seeking out her advice is priceless. We could always count on her to balance out the listening with a healthy dose of wise counsel. We talked about Jenna being pregnant, but we were concerned that she was experiencing hyperemesis due to the pregnancy.

“David watches over her like a hawk and is in constant contact with her physician,” Aunt Suzette said with a huge smile on her face. “I’ve been thinking of names that I want the baby to call me.”

“What’s wrong with grandma?” I sipped on the glass of water.

“I will leave that for David’s mom.”

“You will think of something.” I patted her hand as she looked over my head and squinted her eyes.

“GG.”

“The alphabet starts at A, Aunt Suz.”

“Gorgeous grandma. GG. That’s what the baby will call me.”

I laughed, but she was not laughing. I saw she was serious so I cleared my throat. “Yes. I can see that name is fitting for you.”

“OK. I’m glad you agree with me.” She smiled and we ordered our meal.

After dinner, we went our separate ways. I looked forward to the coming workweek. I will miss Jordan while he was gone, but I also had plenty to keep me busy, especially with Veronica’s absence in the office for most of the week.

After a shower, I settled down to read when my phone rang. It was Jordan. Although I had a busy afternoon, I missed being in his delightful company.

“Hi,” I answered as I set the unopened book back on my nightstand.

“There is someone missing from my house.” His sexy voice coated my ear like honey dripping from a spoon, sweet and slow.

“Better call 911.” I stretched out on my bed with my head propped up on two pillows.

He chuckled on the other end of the line. “That won’t be necessary. She is running, but won’t get far. I won’t let her go this time.”

I giggled, but my heart thumped faster in my chest. “Maybe she needs a little more time.”

“Ten years about killed me, baby. The past few days proves that the greatest pleasure was missing from my life.”

“Wow. Do tell.”

“There is this incredible woman that has graced me with her company over the past few days. Her company would have been enough for me, but I was honored to experience the gift of her touch on my body.” He paused and I wanted to hear more of his thoughts.

“I must take lessons from this woman.”

“The pleasure of her mouth on me brought me to my knees and I readily admit that I am totally addicted to her incredible, talented tongue.” I squirmed in my bed at his seductive words. He laughed as if knowing that he had me turned on. “You missing me, babe?”

“Yes.”

“I miss you like hell. Do you want me to come over? I’m at my penthouse downtown.”

I almost caved for a moment, but I thought a little time away was due, so I told him that I was exhausted and needed a clear head in the morning. We chatted for a couple more minutes before ending the call, but not before Jordan promised to see me before he left for Europe tomorrow evening. I was already counting the hours before I would see him again.

Chapter 29

I arrived at my office early Monday morning. The most pressing issue was my meeting with Luke Hastings followed by another meeting with the ER supervisor that was on duty on the night of the incident with Luke. Shortly after 8 a.m., Veronica came into my office followed closely behind by Luke.

“Good morning, Veronica, Luke.” I was seated at my desk reading the incident report that was emailed to me from the nursing supervisor. This report would follow Luke all the way to the Texas Nursing Board. I motioned for them to sit in the chairs in front of my desk and got up to close my office door.

“How are you doing, Luke?” I asked.

“Not too good, Miss Caine. Um, I am a drug addict and I was clean for two years, but for the past few months I fell off the wagon. Just lots of stress with my life and all.” Luke sat with both elbows on his knees ringing his hands. He had tears in his eyes as he explained his current situation.

“It’s not up to me to decide what happens to you long term, Luke. I am sorry to hear about the addiction. It is a disease, as you are aware, just like any other. I will speak with the nursing board this morning and they will let me know what I should do as your employer. For now, I must suspend you, but I know you have a family depending on you, so I have decided to pay you two weeks salary while you comply with the state board. Veronica?” I looked to my DON for her input on the situation facing Luke and the agency as well.

“This is difficult for everyone involved, but ultimately we all want for you to be well. More than likely, you will need to go through drug rehab. We will cooperate fully in whatever capacity required by law and the state board. I’m sorry we don’t have more to go on right now, but we will let you know as soon as we hear from the nursing board.” Veronica took Luke to her office where they would meet with human resources and file a written report from Luke.

The nursing supervisor from the hospital met with Veronica and me about the incident and possible actions that Luke would be facing. The morning continued with more meetings and plans to hire the nursing director in San Francisco. I called the candidate that I’d chosen for the position. She was excited to join the agency and will start in two weeks.

Right at 5 p.m., Jordan walked through my door and locked it behind him. I abandoned the financial report from my accountant. My heart quickened to a gallop in my chest at the devastatingly handsome man standing in my office.

Jordan walked slowly around my desk and pulled me out of my chair and into his arms. I tilted my head back as his mouth crashed down on mine. His hands ran feverishly over my arms and back. Both of my arms were looped around his neck.

“My day just got a whole lot better,” he whispered in my ear, then ran his lips down my neck.

I gasped as his hands rubbed the side of my breast.

“Not fair.” I pouted as his hands continued to move lightly over my body. “This is a terrible thing to do.”

“What is so terrible about what I’m doing?” He ran his tongue lightly over my ear.

“You’re getting me turned on then…well, you won’t finish what you’re doing and I will be…”

“You will miss me while I’m gone.”

It was a statement and I readily agree by nodding my head.

“I will miss you as well, pretty lady. Think of all the ways I will fuck you when I get back.”

My breath caught in my throat as moisture gathered between my thighs.

“I will see you Thursday evening.” He tugged on my bottom lip sucking it into his mouth. With a pat on my ass, he left.

I flopped down in my chair totally breathless with a silly smile on my face. What a great way to end my day. My phone dinged with an incoming text. I slid the indicator across the flat screen and grinned as I saw the message from Jordan.

What?
I texted back.

I ran to my door and shut it. I pulled off my underwear, and for good measure, I swiped it between my legs that was indeed slick with need. I scrunch it up and pulled a manila envelope from the shelf, shoved the undies in the envelope and sealed it. The knock on my door came just as I pulled down my dress. Calmly I opened the door and gave the envelope to George and turned back to my desk. My pulse ratcheted up a few more beats as I thought of my panties being taken down to Jordan. Oh God! The things I did with this man. I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth as thoughts of what he would do with the underwear hit me. The man was kinky as hell! A few minutes later my phone dinged again with another text.