Forever Rain (Rain Will Fall Trilogy #1) (4 page)

“She’s my date, not my girlfriend.”

I was mortified! I wasn’t aware I said my thoughts of his girlfriend out loud.

“Sorry…I… Did I say something about her?”

“No, but you looked curious. Just thought I would set the record straight.” He grinned down at me and my breath caught in my throat. I felt a blush creeping up my neck.

“Me either…I mean, that is, I don’t have a boyfriend,” I blundered the lack of a male companion in my life. Wow. He must think I’m real loser. I was relieved when the song came to an end.

“Thank you for the dance, Zoe. It was a pleasure meeting you. I will see you again soon.” Jordan kissed the back of my hand. I was mesmerized at his impeccable manners, flawless good looks and incredible charm. Really good reasons why I needed to never see him again. Anyone that perfect and gorgeous was bound to have major flaws; plus, looking at the type of women he preferred to date, I was certain I didn’t measure high on his meter of fabulous hot women.

“Wow, Zoe. Who was the decadent, delish guy?” Mia and Veronica immediately pulled me aside to ask about Jordan.

“I’m not sure, actually. He said he does business with David and they’ve become friends over the past couple years.” I looked around the room and saw that he was once again speaking with his date as they made their way out of the room. I wondered if they were heading to his place or hers? With a sigh, I turned back to my friends.

“He said he started his own company a couple years ago and David helped secure investors for him,” I explained to Mia and Veronica. I feel a pang of regret that he left, but chided myself; it was for the best. I didn’t even know him and would probably never see him again. No more contact with Jordan would be just fine with me, as I was sure he would be a heartbreaker.

“Well, he can take me to the dance floor anytime and I mean T. A. K. E.,” Mia said, as we all giggled at her outrageous jokes.

“I wonder how old he is? He’s probably about David’s age, like late twenties?” Veronica answered her own question. I was wondering the same thing, but didn’t want to seem too interested in Jordan.

We gushed over him for a few more minutes then went back to mingling and dancing again. By the time the evening came to an end, I was still consumed with thoughts of Jordan. No matter how hard I tried…his tall, lean frame, strong hands and brilliant blue eyes kept sliding back into my mind.

Chapter 4

“Zoe, wake up, sleepy head. We will be at your sister’s house in about half an hour.” I was gently shaken awake by Veronica who actually set her alarm on her iPhone. Veronica was the pragmatic one in our group. Mia and I jokingly call her our timekeeper. She was never late to anything and never forgets important details about anyone in her life.

I texted Jenna to let her know we were almost at her home and took a photo on Instagram of all three of us grinning in the camera and sent it to her.

The car drove down the picturesque driveway that was adorned on both sides with live oak, crepe myrtle and magnolia trees, then came to a stop at the circular driveway. We were greeted by Jenna who was laughing and shaking her phone at us.

“I can’t believe you sent a photo of y’all wearing no makeup. See, that is just what I need for bribing,” she laughed gaily, her sweet smile contagious, and we all joined in the laugh but the other girls were now blaming me for the photo.

“What? I think we look great. Unadorned and pure,” I said, defending myself.

“Ah, speak for yourself on that one,” Mia piped in, which led to more laughter.

“Makeup perv…I was talking about makeup.” I hit her on her ass that she wiggled even more.

“I could simply spend days in your yard and not see all the plants and flowers you have growing here, Jenna,” Veronica said looking around. Although I see Jenna more often than Mia and Veronica, I try to schedule a couple trips during the year for all three of us to visit and have Jenna spoil us senseless. She loves her girl time with me and my friends.

“Thank you, Veronica. Rojellio will love to hear that. He is an amazing gardener. I swear the man can find the most exotic and rare plants from all over the world and somehow convince them to grow in Texas.” We slowly made our way up to the magnificent home and entered through the front door where we were met by Aunt Suzette who enveloped us in an embrace.

My sister’s home is well appointed with a dramatic curved stairway leading upstairs. The massive foyer was adorned by an elegant chandelier hanging overhead. We walked through the house and entered the backyard where there was an air-conditioned white party tent with a temporary wooden floor in place for dancing. The band was setting up and caterers were busy preparing food.

Jenna told me to close my eyes and led me into the tent. When I opened them, I gasped in surprise. There was a huge screen with scrolling images of me from birth to my current age.

“Oh, Jenna. So many memories. I can’t believe you have so many photos of me.” I gazed around the tent that was beautifully decorated with plants, and flowers. Tables were set with dark pink and black tablecloths, white napkins, silver cutlery and white dishes. The centerpiece on every table was a gorgeous bouquet of pink and yellow roses. There were also several small chandeliers hanging from the ceiling of the tent. I was touched by Jenna’s effort and the time my friends were taking to travel to the event.

“You’re making me cry too,” Jenna said.

The event planner came over to us while talking on her phone with last minute instructions.

“Everything looks great as usual, Pricilla. I think she loves it,” Jenna said as Pricilla beamed with a smile.

Jenna used Pricilla for all her functions and the events were always a success. We chatted about the photos again as some of them were with my friends from high school. I played the cello in our high school orchestra and there were photos of me competing in tennis competitions and track as well.

“Well, we need to head in now. I see the hair and makeup team is ready for you girls.” We went inside and got ready for the evening.

My dress was a Marc Jacobs’ strapless red and flirty that swirled gently around mid-thigh. Veronica gave me jewelry for my birthday gift that I wore with my outfit. It was a lovely Swarovski crystal earrings and necklace set. I paired it with several silver bracelets of different designs that make for a chic look. My stylish Jimmy Choo wedge shoes showed off my calves quite nicely.

The girls whistled and clapped when I came downstairs. We complimented each other on our attire. Everyone was in a party mood. The party buses were arriving with friends and we headed outside to greet them.

“Zoe, you doll. You are the picture of perfection. I swear you are more beautiful every time I see you.” My friend, Jeremy, was the first one off the bus and greeted me with his usual flair. His brown hair was stylish with blond highlights and his green eyes twinkled with laughter. He was voted most likely to succeed in high school and he did just that. Jeremy was beautiful, simply put, and always fun. Right at 6’ tall, he always attracted attention wherever he went.

Jeremy always seemed to overcompensate for his intelligence. As much as he wanted to be popular in high school, most kids seemed to shy away from him since he operated on a different intellectual level. He sort of reminded me of the guy in the movie
A Beautiful Mind
. Sometimes he’d be in the middle of a conversation or doing whatever, and off he would go to figure out something else right then. He works in theory and is very analytical.

The others were slowly unloading and I was greeted with affection, kisses and birthday wishes. Someone reminded me that I have one more year that my age will be on the calendar, then I will be a full-fledged adult. The light banter and contagious party sprit was in full swing when I received a call from Robert that he rented a car and driver and would be here in five minutes.

The party was underway as the guests moved in to the cool air of the tent. There were two bars set up to serve drinks and the three-tier birthday cake was beautiful. I went back outside just in time to see Robert getting out of the car. I ran up to him and gave him a light kiss on the lips. Not one for public displays of affection, he held me at arm’s length and complimented me on my outfit but noted that I may need a light sweater. I smiled, as it was mid-May in Texas, but he was protective of me and I appreciated his concern.

We entered the tent and I took Robert around to meet some more of my friends while the band started up with light dance music. I was delighted that everyone seemed to be having fun and the screen with scrolling photos of me and my friends was turning out to be a big hit. As the night wore on, the music and fun intensified. My head was spinning from the effects of a few shots of tequila. Jenna made sure I was eating since she reminded me of the extra workout I endured over the past month so I might as well indulge in the decadence of great food.

“Dance with me.” My breath caught in my throat. I would know that voice anywhere. I have played this scene out in my mind countless times over the past 10 years. I often wondered if I would ever see him again. I was standing at the side of the dance floor catching my breath after dancing to a fast song by Beyoncé, while Robert fetched us a drink.

My body stood rigid. Unable to respond, I shook my head no, slowly. I could hardly breathe. He was back. Now what? Sensing my discomfort and inability to answer, he made the first move. His strong arms came around my body. Large, capable hands settled on my waist. Those hands, I remembered them so well, as they’d once glided over my body sending me into a frenzy for more of his glorious touch.

He propelled me to the left side of the dance floor and gently turned me around so that I was facing him. The band was playing Chris de Burgh’s “Lady in Red.” I was not aware of my hands resting on his biceps until I felt them flex in my palms through the expensive material of his suit. My eyes focused on the paisley design of his purple silk tie then tracked up to the broad expanse of his shoulders.

Try as I may, I could not avoid looking into his eyes. Gorgeous blue eyes were staring back at me. They reminded me of the deep ocean on a stormy day. Turning darker still with dilated pupils during his passionate lovemaking. He was sexy as hell! Luscious lips curled at one corner of that sinful mouth in what looked like the beginnings of a smile. His tall lean frame moved me gracefully across the temporary wooden dance floor. I felt like I was floating. Maybe I was, or maybe I was slowly losing my mind which is possible as this man can surely drive me insane with lust and need.

My pulse increased to a gallop as his arms around my waist pulled me closer into his body. It was an intimate stance that had my body leaning into the warmth of his. His cologne was intoxicating and I wanted to bury my face in his chest. My body knew his so well, it responded to his touch as if it were just yesterday.

Traitor!
My subconscious yelled at me.
He hurt you once, he will do it again. Plus, you have a boyfriend.
My mind was trying to reason but my body was rejoicing in the reunion of this magnificent being holding me in his arms.

Drawing me closer into his embrace he lowered his head and placed a soft kiss on my left ear. His breath was warm on my skin. I gasped and tried to step back but his arms were like bands of steel, unmoving. His head lowered to my left shoulder where another kiss followed but this time the kiss lingered. Warmth rushed through me settling in my lower abdomen. I stumbled due to the response of my treacherous body, but he lifted me effortlessly and gently set me back on my feet.

“Hello, pretty girl.” His deep husky voice washed over me like cool water going down my throat on a warm Texas day. He used the sweet endearing name he used to call me when I was in college.

“Jordan.” My voice sounded foreign to me as I croaked his name. Clearing my throat, I looked away. I couldn’t think logically when I was staring into his handsome face with gorgeous features that should only be found on the pages of a glossy magazine.

“Why…how…?” I wasn’t sure what I wanted to say to him. I needed some air. His presence at my 30th birthday was a shock to say the least. My arms were around his neck. How the hell did they get there? He had this effect on me, making me giddy with his touch, and his voice with words that would make any woman swoon just to be closer to him.

Vaguely aware of being locked in an intimate embrace with another man, my eyes scanned the room looking for Robert. Thankfully, I saw him with his back to the dance floor engaged in deep conversation with Andre.

Move, get away. You don’t do hurt and pain well.
I was aware of the voice of reason trying to get through to my treacherous body but it was so not listening.

I willed myself to leave his warm embrace. Stumbling out of his arms, I bolted from the massive enclosed air-conditioned white party tent. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw that Jordan was following me. I quickly made my way across the perfectly manicured lawn. I was fuming! With deliberate steps, I walked to the east side of the garden and stood looking out into the night across the rolling hills in the suburbs of Austin. The glow of gas lamps on the property cast us in a muted light.

I took a few deep cleansing breaths and held on to the rustic wood fence. This can’t be happening. Why now? Why was he back? I looked over my shoulder to see Jordan standing a few feet away from me. Hands in his pockets, he walked slowly toward me like a predator on the prowl. I turned my gaze back to the open expanse of land.

“What are you doing here, Jordan?” I asked, desperately wishing him away. Far, far away. I was getting over the initial shock of seeing him again. My words were a little slurred due to several hours of celebrating.

“Is that any way to treat an old friend, Zoe?” He was directly behind me now. His arms flanked me on both sides capturing me in a loose embrace against the fence.

“We are not friends. You made sure of that.” I put an emphasis on sure so he would not miss my meaning. He was the one that caused our relationship to crash and burn.