Chapter Sixteen
Laci
“You can’t wear that!” Jenna gasped, covering her mouth.
I frowned and looked in the mirror. “Why not?”
Jenna blushed and shook her head. “Nevermind,” she said, looking sheepish.
“No, tell me,” I said. “What’s wrong with it?”
“It’s just…um, I don’t know…a little sexy?” Jenna sounded embarrassed. “I mean, not like you.”
I snorted. “So, I should wear something more like a school teacher?”
Jenna flushed bright red. “No,” she said. “I mean, you look great. But isn’t this the first time you’re meeting the rest of Jordan’s family?” I gave her a stern look and she stopped talking. “You’re right,” Jenna added hastily. “It’s about how comfortable you are. How do you feel?”
I stepped back from the mirror and surveyed my reflection. Jordan had taken me shopping the night before and insisted on treating me to an insanely expensive evening gown. I’d never even tried on a dress like this before, much less owned one. The mermaid silhouette hugged my body and the black lace really set off my pale complexion.
“Do you think it’s too much?” I asked, squinting. “I mean, will I stand out?”
Jenna smirked. “Only in a good way.”
“Maybe I should change,” I said as I crossed my arms over my chest. “I don’t want Jordan’s family to think…well, nevermind.”
Jenna laughed. “Think what?”
I waved my hand dismissively through the air. “Oh, you know, think that I’m only with Jordan for his money or something like that.”
“I doubt that,” Jenna said. She came closer and met my gaze with her own in the mirror. “I’m really glad you guys got back together.”
“Me, too,” I said. I flushed thinking of the night of passion I’d had with Jordan just a few days ago. His touch on my skin had been hypnotic and enchanting, and just thinking about it was enough to make my breath come hard and fast.
“What are you wearing?” I turned to my sister and raised an eyebrow.
“What?” Jenna squinted.
“You’re invited, you know,” I said casually. “Jordan said he wants to get to know you better.”
A wide smile split Jenna’s face in two. “You’re kidding!” She said in excitement. “You really want me there?”
I laughed. “Don’t make me regret this,” I told her in a mock stern voice. “But yeah, I do. You’re my sister. You’re a part of my life, too.”
“I have just the thing,” Jenna said. She rushed out of the room and came back seconds later, wearing a shimmery cocktail dress over her jeans. As she wriggled her arms into the spaghetti-thin straps, she whirled around.
“Zip me,” Jenna said breathlessly.
I raised an eyebrow, but stepped closer and obeyed. Jenna pulled her jeans down and threw her shoulders back before staring at her reflection with a determined look on her face. In that dress, Jenna was transformed from a gawky teenager into a beautiful young woman.
“So,” Jenna said, leaning closer and fluffing her hair. “Does Jordan have any younger brothers?” She batted her eyelashes at me and I rolled my eyes.
“No,” I said. “At least, not that I know of.”
Jenna laughed. “Oh well,” she said. “I’m sure there will be other people there.”
“Hurry up. It’s almost time to leave.” I held my wrist up to Jenna and tapped my watch – a new rose-gold present from Jordan. He’d even had our initials engraved on the back.
“Well, geez, you could’ve given me a little bit more time!” Jenna said playfully. She stuck her tongue out at me before disappearing into the bathroom and slamming the door behind her.
Half an hour later, we walked out of the apartment together and climbed into the back of a black town car that Jordan had sent for us. He wasn’t there, of course – I assumed he was helping James get ready for the party – but there was a bottle of rose champagne and two crystal flutes. Jenna immediately grabbed the bottle.
“Hey,” I said. “You’re not twenty-one!”
Jenna rolled her eyes. “Yeah, well, I’ve had a few drinks,” she said. She uncorked the champagne with expert ease and poured us each a glass as the car rolled away from the curb. She passed my flute to me and I took a sip: the champagne was sweet and delicate, just like I wanted it to be.
“So, have you ever been to James’s house before?”
I shook my head.
“Nervous?”
I was, but I didn’t want to admit it to Jenna. “No,” I lied. “I’m sure everything will be fine.”
But as the town car rolled out of Boston and into the wealthy suburbs, I wasn’t so sure. James had been nice enough to me before…even if he’d spent our entire interaction hinting at Jordan’s dark past. Now that I knew everything, how would he behave? And did he approve of Jordan dating me? Or was this some elaborate plot to force the two of us apart?
Either way, the champagne was helping. Jenna and I sipped in silence as the limo moved on. When it finally slowed to a stop, I dared to peek out of the tinted window. A beautiful, huge mansion stood on a small hill. The sun was setting behind the marble house, making it look like it was backlit, and well-dressed people were walking slowly across the lawn. I shivered nervously. I’d never been comfortable around excess money. That was one of the reasons why I liked Jordan so much – even though he was loaded, he never acted like it.
“I just hope this will be okay,” I said nervously as I climbed from the back of the town car. Jenna followed behind me, holding onto my arm with one hand as she adjusted her low chignon with the other.
Immediately, a stiff-looking man in uniform walked over to us and took a bow.
“Miss Laci?”
I flushed “Just Laci, please,” I said. “But yes, I’m her. This is my sister Jenna.”
The butler nodded. “Right this way. Mr. West has requested that you join him inside for a toast.”
I threw an anxious glance over my shoulder at Jenna, but she grinned and gave me a thumbs-up.
The butler led me into a massive foyer. The floor was paved in squares of marble and the ceilings were so high that looking up at them made me dizzy. We walked down a long, wide hall and then took a sharp left into a dimly lit room. The walls were paneled in wood and there were large paintings of important-looking men and animals on the walls. There was even a fire in the fireplace – and it was the middle of July!
“Miss Laci,” the butler said with a low bow. He turned and left the room. That was when I saw Jordan – he’d been sitting on one of the couches and now he got to his feet and grinned at me.
“You look beautiful,” Jordan said in a low voice as he leaned down to kiss my cheek. “Come on, I want you to meet my family.”
“Jenna’s here, too,” I said, flushing. “She’s outside, somewhere.”
Jordan smirked. “I’m sure she’ll be fine,” he said. He put his hand on the small of my back and guided me across the room. I recognized James – he looked like Jordan, but sleeker – but I didn’t know the stunning young woman at his side. Despite the squirming toddler on her lap, she looked incredibly glamourous.
“Laci, you remember my brother, James,” Jordan said solemnly.
I smiled awkwardly and turned to James. He was seated, and he’d made no effort to rise until we were almost in front of him.
“I do,” I said. “It’s so nice to see you again, James. Thank you so much for inviting me, and my sister.”
As if on cue, Jenna stumbled into the room. She flashed me a big, bright smile as she walked over the thick carpet on her narrow heels.
“Speaking of my sister, this is Jenna,” I said, stepping back. James got to his feet and gave her a small bow, then turned to me.
“Laci, it’s so nice to see you,” he said smoothly. Then he turned to the beautiful woman seated next to him. “This is my wife, Hanna, and our son, Christian.”
“Christian looks just like you,” Jenna gushed loudly. “I love babies,” she added.
Hanna smiled warmly. Suddenly, I could tell that like me, she wasn’t from wealth. Despite her perfectly-coiffed hair and expensive designer gown, I knew she was likely more comfortable in jeans and a ponytail.
“I’ve heard a lot about you from Jordan,” Hanna said kindly. She shifted Christian on her lap and groaned. “He’s almost too big for this,” she said. “But it’s not like I could say no to that face.”
I laughed. Christian had a head full of thick, dark hair and intense eyes with a pouting lip – just like Jordan and James.
“I don’t think I could say no, either,” I confessed.
Hanna scooted to the side and patted the couch. “Come sit, those shoes look like torture,” she said. “I haven’t worn heels for more than five minutes since giving birth…trust me, I don’t think I could handle it.”
I laughed and joined her on the couch. “I teach high school, so I’m almost always in flats,” I explained. “But I like dressing up sometimes.”
Jordan walked to the other side of the couch and stood by my side. He put his hand on the back of my neck and squeezed, rubbing my shoulders in a way that made me feel calm and relaxed.
“Come on,” Jordan whispered. “Let’s go for a walk.”
I glanced over at his brother and Hanna. They were talking animatedly to Jenna, who was squatting down on the floor and playing with Christian.
“Won’t they think it’s rude?” I asked softly.
Jordan shook his head. “No,” he said. There was a gleam in his eye that made my stomach twist. “They know what I’m going to do.”
Flushing hotly in anticipation, I followed Jordan out of the room. I expected him to lead me out to the front lawn, where other people had been clustered around with drinks. Instead, he led me down a dark corridor and out a narrow side door.
“Hey,” Jordan said quietly. “Come here.” He put his hands on my waist and pulled me close before dipping me into a low kiss. When I felt his smooth lips on mine, a hot shudder went racing through my body. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pushed my body against his, moaning softly as Jordan nibbled on my lower lip.
When we parted, I was breathing hard.
“Just a little bit further,” Jordan said. He glanced down at my feet and smirked, then knelt and gently eased my heels off. He carried them in his hand, the straps hooked over his thumb like he was used to carrying women’s shoes.
The marble floor was chill and hard against my bare feet, and I was glad when Jordan led me out a private door to a small garden. The moon had risen in the sky and the black velvet above us was dotted with bright white stars. The garden was beautiful, too – hedges and topiaries and sculptures and statues that looked as if they’d be right at home in ancient Rome or Greece.
“This is magical,” I breathed. “Your brother has a beautiful house.”
Jordan nodded once. He turned and in the moonlight, his profile looked sharper and more handsome than ever before.
“He does,” Jordan said. “And I want to give you something just as beautiful.”
I bit my lip.
“I’m selling Trading West,” Jordan said. “I’ve already got a few potential buyers lined up.”
“What are you going to do instead?” I asked softly.
“My brother has offered me a place in our family company,” Jordan said. “Vice president.”
I looked up at him. “I’m confused,” I said.
Jordan led me over to a small stone bench and we sat down together. He put an arm around me.
“Why?”
“I just…” I trailed off, fumbling my words. “I didn’t think you wanted that, Jordan. I thought you wanted to do your own thing, you know.”
“I’ve done my own things,” Jordan said with a shrug. “And now, I want to work with my family. Family is important to me now. It wasn’t for a long time, but I know I’m going to be happy.”
I threw my arms around Jordan and hugged him tightly.
“I love you,” I whispered. “I’m so glad.”
Jordan kissed my neck and pulled away. Then, quick as a wink, he slipped from the bench and got down on one knee. I gasped as he pulled a bright blue velvet box from his pocket and opened it to reveal a sparkling pear-shaped diamond solitaire set in platinum.
“Laci Wright,” Jordan growled in a low voice. “Will you marry me?”
Tears that I didn’t even know had come to my eyes spilled down my cheeks and I leapt from the bench and threw myself into Jordan’s arms, hugging him and burying my face in his neck.
“Yes,” I whispered hotly. “Yes!”
Jordan pulled away just long enough to slip the sparkling diamond onto my finger. “Good,” he said. “Because I can’t live without you, Laci.” He pressed his forehead to mine and stared deeply into my eyes. “You’re the one who makes me strong. You’re the one who makes me want to be a good man.”
I cupped Jordan’s face in my hands and kissed him deeply, slipping my tongue into his mouth and sucking on his lips as our kiss grew increasingly passionate. Jordan groaned and slid his hands down my black lace dress, cupping the cheeks of my ass. I shivered and wriggled and pushed against him.
“I love you,” I panted as I pulled away. “And I always will.”