Chapter Four
Laci
As soon as I let myself inside, I regretted not giving Jordan my number. Jenna was on the couch, surfing through channels without even looking at the television. Her phone was in her hand and she yawned.
“Where the heck were you?” Jenna asked. “You were gone forever.”
“I took a long walk,” I said.
Jenna finally looked up. “What happened?”
“Nothing,” I lied. “Are there any fries left?”
“I ate them all,” Jenna said, tossing her head. “Seriously, Laci – you’re never gone for that long. Did you meet someone?”
I sighed. “One of these days, you’re going to have to learn a little about boundaries,” I said, shaking my head.
“So, you did meet someone,” Jenna crowed. “Oh my god, like a guy? Did someone ask you out?”
“Yes. And I said no,” I replied. “I don’t have the time to date right now.”
Jenna rolled her eyes. “What was he like?”
Ignoring her, I walked down the hall and into my bedroom. I closed the door behind me and sat down on my bed, kicking my shoes off and curling up under my favorite blanket. I knew that what I’d done was the responsible thing – there was no way I had time to date anyone, much less a gorgeous, rich man who couldn’t possibly want to be with someone like me. But now that I was home, Jordan’s sexy face refused to disappear from my mind. I couldn’t shake the image of his perfect chiseled jaw and his close-cropped brown hair. His dark brown eyes had been some of the most intense I’d ever seen, and in the garish lighting of the pizza joint, I’d seen a few tattoos snaking over his chest under his shirt.
Idiot, I thought, rolling over in bed and pulling a pillow over my head. Just when you meet the perfect guy, you have to go and fuck it up somehow.
It was crazy – I barely knew anything about Jordan West. But I wanted to know more. I wanted to know him deeply, to know him intimately in a way that almost frightened me.
I’d been on a few dates in the past – mostly to get Taylor to shut up – but I’d never fallen in love. And until now, that had always seemed an unattainable dream, like something from someone else’s life. But now that I’d met Jordan, I couldn’t stop thinking about how it would feel to fall in love with him.
You’re being stupid, I told myself as I rolled over in bed and groaned into my pillow. He’s probably got some horrible secret, like a diaper fetish or a lifelong obsession with eating nothing but cabbage.
But as much as I tried to talk myself out of being interested in Jordan West, I could tell that I was going to be thinking about him for a long, long time.
***
The next day, I left school without even chatting with Taylor. Instead of going straight home, I walked back and forth through the Boston neighborhoods. I was frightened of seeing my attacker again, but I figured that in daylight, I’d be perfectly fine…and maybe, somehow, I’d have the chance to see Jordan West again. I knew it was insane: a man like Jordan wouldn’t hang out in the kind of place where we’d accidentally met. But I couldn’t help it.
When I didn’t wind up seeing him, I couldn’t believe how disappointed I felt. My heart thudded slowly in my chest as I began the long walk home. I’d been out for hours – the sun was starting to set – and I knew Jenna would be full of questions by the time I got home. As I made my way across the street, I stopped dead in my tracks.
There he was – Jordan West! And he was standing right outside of my apartment building! Blushing furiously, I made my way over and flipped my hair back, trying to look cool.
“Hey,” I said. “What are you doing here?”
At the sound of my voice, Jordan turned around and grinned. “I had to try again, Laci,” he said in a deep voice that made me go weak in the knees. “I had to see you.”
I flushed hotly, biting the inside of my mouth so I wouldn’t grin like an idiot. “I see,” I said.
“You weren’t out looking for me, were you?” Jordan stepped closer and narrowed his eyes. “Because I don’t want you going back to that neighborhood, Laci.”
I nodded. It was all I could do – the way he said my name made me want to swoon.
“I wasn’t,” I lied. “I was just taking a long walk before coming home.” I stepped closer and a wave of deliciously musky cologne washed over me. “You know, living with an eighteen-year-old little sister and all that.”
Jordan laughed. It was a warm, deep sound that filled me from my head to my toes. Ask me, I thought impatiently, shifting my weight from one foot to the other. Ask me out again!
“I can imagine,” Jordan said. He smirked at me. “Laci, I think you know why I’m here.”
All I could do was nod. “Yes,” I said softly. “I think I do.”
“So, would you do me the honor of joining me for dinner on Saturday night? There’s a great new Italian spot that just opened up in West End, and I think you’d love it – they’re getting great reviews.”
I flushed. I liked that he hadn’t asked where I wanted to go, that he’d already had a plan in mind when he asked me. It was oddly sexy.
“Yes,” I said. “I’d love that. I love Italian food,” I added, feeling like a giddy schoolgirl.
“Good,” Jordan said. He winked at me and pulled a slim, silver card case from his breast pocket. “How does eight-thirty sound?”
I looked into his deep brown eyes and shivered. Beyond the exquisite manners and impeccable suit, there was something different about Jordan, something raw and hungry and unlike anything I’d ever felt before. He was powerful, like a wild animal – I could sense it, just from standing next to him.
“That sounds perfect,” I said.
Jordan took my hand and I stepped closer, hoping he would kiss me. To my surprise, he lifted my hand to his mouth and turned it over, gently kissing my palm. The sensation of his lips against my sensitive skin was delicious, and I had to bite my tongue to keep from moaning.
“Good,” Jordan said. “I’ll see you then.”
I knew I should turn around and walk away, but I didn’t want to leave Jordan. Finally, I lifted my hand in the air and waved awkwardly.
“See you then,” I said softly, forcing myself to turn on my heel and walk down the sidewalk. When I was a few feet away, I turned my head and blushed when I saw he was watching me leave. Idiot! I thought to myself.
When I got home, Jenna was sitting on the couch, watching TV. She perked up when she saw me.
“Hey,” I said, flashing her a big grin. “How are you?”
Jenna snorted. “Someone seems like she’s in a good mood,” she said airily. “I’m fine.” She shifted positions and threw a pillow at my head. When I darted to the side, the pillow flopped to the floor and I grabbed it, throwing it right back. Jenna burst out laughing and squealed, giggling as I jumped on the couch and tickled her sides with my hands.
“Oh my god, Laci,” Jenna gasped. “What the hell is the matter with you?”
Grinning, I pulled away. Now or never, I thought. “I have a date on Saturday,” I said.
Jenna smirked. “I knew it would be something like that,” she said. “I totally had a feeling.”
I rolled my eyes. “I bet you did,” I said, pushing her to the side and sitting down on the couch. “And no, you don’t get to meet him.”
“Is he cute?”
Jordan’s sexy dark eyes flashed across my mind. I couldn’t get over that heart-stopping grin, the way I practically melted every single time I saw him.
“I’m going to take that as a yes,” Jenna said.
“He’s really hot,” I said.
“I can’t believe it,” Jenna said dramatically. She reclined on the couch and kicked her feet up on the living room table. “My big sister is finally growing up.”
“Don’t start that with me.” I groaned.
“What, you figured I could finally handle the possibility of you dating?” Jenna snorted. “Believe me, Laci, I’ve been waiting for this to start for years. I think I can deal with it,” she added. “At least, if you let me date as well.”
Now it was my turn to roll my eyes. “You’re eighteen,” I pointed out. “And I assume you’re going to meet a lot of guys at college. Just no bringing anyone home at two in the morning.”
Jenna gave me an odd look and blinked.
“What?” I narrowed my eyes. “I don’t think that’s unreasonable,” I said. “I mean, plenty of people your age have boyfriends.”
Jenna snorted. “No, it’s not that.” She bit her lip. “It’s just, um, wow. You’ve really changed in the past couple of days, you know that?”
I frowned. “I don’t think that’s necessarily true,” I replied.
Jenna made her eyes wide. “Are you kidding me? It’s so true,” she replied. “You’ve gone from like, crazy uptight to super relaxed.”
I laughed shortly. “No, I haven’t.”
Jenna tossed her hair over one shoulder and shrugged. “Fine,” she said, climbing off the couch and walking into the kitchen. “Don’t believe me. That doesn’t make it any less true.”
Alone in the living room, I lay back on the couch and stared at the ceiling. For once, the din of our noisy upstairs neighbor didn’t bother me. All I could think about was Jordan – and how much fun I was going to have with him on Saturday night. Was there any truth to what Jenna had said? Was my excitement over Jordan responsible for making me loosen up when it came to my baby sister?
Or was I starting to learn that she was an adult – an adult who was more than capable of making her own decisions?
The week seemed to drag by. I spent as much time gossiping with Taylor at work as I could without ignoring my students. Taylor, who was much more experienced when it came to dating, was excited for me. But there was something she said on Friday afternoon that gave me pause.
“Look, Laci, he seems like a really nice guy,” Taylor said slowly as we were walking out of the staff room and into the hall at the end of the day.
I frowned. “I’m sensing there’s a ‘but’ there,” I said. “What is it?”
Taylor cleared her throat and looked embarrassed. “It’s probably nothing to worry about,” she said.
“What? Tell me?”
“You don’t think he’s…” Taylor trailed off. “Oh, forget it. It’s silly.”
I rolled my eyes. “Now you have to tell me,” I said. “Come on, you know you can’t do that.”
Taylor flushed. “Fine,” she said. “it’s just…don’t you think it was just a little too perfect?”
“What?” I frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“Well, the fact that he jumped in to save you when that other guy attacked you,” Taylor said. “And the fact that you went back to the spot and saw him there.”
“Well, he wasn’t right there,” I said. “And I wanted to see him.”
“You’re right,” Taylor said. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything. I’ve just never seen you get so excited about a guy before, Laci. I want to make sure things are okay.”
“Things are fine,” I said firmly. “And I know I’m going to have a really great time with him tomorrow.”
“Then that’s all that counts,” Taylor said. She smiled, but I could tell it was forced.
I left school that afternoon with a bad taste in my mouth. I didn’t want Taylor to be right – was it possible that she was jealous? After all, I’d always been the quiet friend, the “girl-next-door” type. Whenever Taylor and I went out to happy hours, guys were all over her like moths to a candle. They’d always ignored me in favor of her big bright smile and obvious cleavage.
Now you’re the one being ridiculous, I told myself, shaking my head as if to brush the feeling off like droplets of water. And Taylor’s always said she’d never let a guy get between our friendship.
I stayed in with Jenna that night, watching mindless movies and eating microwaved popcorn straight from the bag. Jenna kept asking questions about Jordan and I found that they were getting harder and harder to deflect. It wasn’t just that my sister was insistent – which of course, she was – it was that I genuinely wanted to talk about him. I was happy thinking about him all the time.
And that was beginning to scare me.
At eight-twenty-five on Saturday night, I walked into the flashy, new Italian restaurant Jordan had recommended. It was crowded – the waiting area was completely filled with couples – and for a heart-stopping moment, I wondered if Jordan was going to stand me up. But then I felt a firm hand on my lower back and I shivered.
“Hello,” Jordan said in a low growl. He stepped in front of me and smirked. “You look good enough to eat.”
I flushed. I’d borrowed a dress from Jenna – it was shorter than anything I’d worn in years – and Jordan leaned down to kiss my cheek. His chin and jaw were covered with dark stubble that brushed against my skin and made me shiver. I wonder what it would be like to kiss him, to throw myself in his arms and pull him close, I thought, glad the lighting was dim so Jordan wouldn’t see my bright red cheeks.
“You don’t look so bad yourself,” I said. It was true. Jordan was wearing pants of an expensive, grey material and a bright white button-down shirt that made his skin look golden and tanned. His close-cropped hair made his dark brown eyes look intense and deep, and I could see the faintest trace of black ink on his chest where the top button of his shirt was undone.
“You have tattoos?”
Jordan smirked. “There’s a lot I’ve got, baby,” he said.
I felt weak in the knees as Jordan took my hand and confidently pushed through the crowd to the hostess stand. The hostess was a pretty girl in her late teens, and when she saw Jordan she practically started drooling. I felt a hot rush of possessiveness flood my body.
“Hello,” the hostess said, beaming at Jordan. “Do you have a reservation?”
“Two for West at eight-thirty,” Jordan said.
The hostess looked down at her book and frowned. “Sir, I’m sorry – we just gave that table away.”
“What?” Jordan narrowed his eyes. He glanced down at his watch. “It’s eight-twenty-nine!”
“And our policy requires all guests to check in fifteen minutes before their scheduled time,” the girl said. She batted her eyelashes at Jordan.
“That’s bullshit,” Jordan said. “You’re going to seat us, right now.” He leaned over the podium. “I don’t care what it takes.”
My heart fluttered with excitement as Jordan spoke. I knew it was wrong – Jordan was basically threatening a girl who had the power to kick us out entirely – but I couldn’t deny that it was a turn-on. I felt my lower belly grow warm and heated and the space between my legs grew wet as Jordan leaned in close.
The girl stammered and flushed. “Um, sir, I really don’t think I can—”
“Now,” Jordan growled in a low voice that sent chills down my spine. “Or else I’ll make sure this place shutters in a week.”
The girl’s eyes went wide and she nodded. “Yes, sir, very well.” She grabbed two leather menus and gestured for us to follow behind her.
“Wow,” I whispered to Jordan, stretching up on my tiptoes. “I can’t believe you did that.”
Jordan gave me a lazy grin. “Baby, sometimes you’ve just gotta know when not to quit,” he said. He winked at me and I blushed.
“Here we are,” the hostess said. She was back to her usual chipper self as she handed the menus to Jordan and I. Glancing around, I saw that we were in what was clearly the best table in the restaurant – a cozy corner booth with high backs that made it look private and intimate.
“Thank you,” Jordan said. There was no hint of danger or malice in his voice now and I watched as he smoothly took a crisp twenty-dollar bill from his wallet and passed it to the hostess. She scurried away and Jordan and I slid into the booth.
“This is really something,” I said softly.
“The reviews for the pappardelle are insane,” Jordan said. He leaned in close and I got another whiff of his musky, sexy cologne. “Do you like duck?”
I frowned. “I don’t think I’ve ever had it, to be honest,” I said. I laughed nervously. “I’m not much of a cook. Jenna and I get takeout…well, way too often.”
Jordan shrugged. “Nothing wrong with a good cheeseburger,” he said. “But Italian food is so sensual.” He locked eyes with me and my stomach did a nervous somersault. “Don’t you think?”
The only Italian food I’d ever eaten was spaghetti from the box and jarred marinara sauce, but there was no way I’d admit that to Jordan.
“Yeah,” I said. “Definitely.”
Just as I was beginning to feel more comfortable with Jordan, a uniformed man appeared at the side of the table with a bottle of dark red wine.
“Sir, would you like a taste before I pour?”
Jordan shook his head. He smirked. “I trust you,” he said with a smooth arrogance. “What do you think, Laci? Do we trust him?”
I flushed. There was something about the way Jordan spoke that left me feeling on edge. I couldn’t explain it – it was like he somehow had the power to look inside my brain and see exactly how I was feeling. I’d never experienced anything like it, not even with Jenna or a good friend like Taylor.
“Yes,” I said primly. “We trust him.”
The sommelier poured two full glasses of the red wine and left the bottle on the table, wrapped in a linen napkin.
“This is their house wine,” Jordan explained. “The reviews said they source it from a vineyard in Naples owned by a relative of the head chef.”
I smiled. “That’s so cool,” I said.
Jordan smirked. “Well, it’s only cool if the wine is good,” he said. Lifting his glass in the air, he cocked his head to the side. “Should we toast?”
“Yes,” I said. I clinked my glass against his. “To…”
“Having a first date with the woman of my dreams,” Jordan said. He raised an eyebrow at me and winked and I flushed again.
This is so embarrassing, I thought as I took a sip of the delicious, heady wine. If I’m already acting like a blushing schoolgirl without having had anything to drink, how bad am I going to get?
“To first dates,” I echoed, too embarrassed to say what I really felt.
Jordan closed his sensual eyes and made a soft purring sound as he drank. It was sensual, watching him enjoy an exotic pleasure. I closed my eyes and took another sip of my own wine, savoring the different notes as they played across my tongue.
When I opened my eyes, Jordan was staring at me with an amused smirk on his face.
“I never would’ve taken you for such a wine lover,” Jordan said. He grinned. “Just yet another thing to prove that you’re absolutely perfect.”
“I’m not perfect,” I said. “And I like wine.”
Jordan grinned. “We’ll have to see about that,” he replied. “What else do you like, Laci?”
Besides you? I thought, biting my lower lip. “I love teaching,” I said honestly. “I have so much passion for my job and my students. Just knowing I help them is enough to get me through even the worst days.”
Jordan nodded. “I like that,” he said. “Did you always know you wanted to be a teacher?”
I frowned. “I’m not sure. My parents died when I was so young – I was only eighteen – that I didn’t really feel that I had a lot of wiggle room, you know? I knew I had to do something that would give me a guaranteed job and stability after college. I knew I’d have to take care of Jenna, since she was still a kid then, and teachers get summers off.”
Jordan was nodding as I spoke. “You’re really smart,” he said quietly. “And you’re really dedicated to your sister. I like that.”
I nodded. “Of course,” I said. “I’d do anything in the world for Jenna. She knows that, too,” I added, rolling my eyes. “She actually thinks I’m starting to loosen up. Maybe you’re a good influence on me.”
Jordan smirked. “Then I see no reason why we shouldn’t keep seeing each other.” He reached across the table and took my hand, rubbing his thumb over the back of my skin. “What do you think?”
I flushed hotly. “I’d like that,” I said quietly. “I really would.”
A waiter appeared at the side of the table with a basket of freshly baked bread that smelled heavenly – like garlic and herbs and olive oil. He set it down and looked at Jordan.
“Are we ready to order?”
Jordan looked at me. “Laci, what do you think?”
“I haven’t even looked at the menu,” I said, feeling helpless. In all my time spent entranced with Jordan, I hadn’t even thought about food. But the steaming bread in front of me smelled mouthwateringly good, and suddenly I realized how hungry I was.
Jordan gave me an intense look. “Are you feeling adventurous?”
I nodded.
Jordan turned to the waiter. “My date will have the veal carbonara, and I’ll have the pappardelle with lamb ragu,” he said.
“Very good, sir,” the waiter said. He scribbled down Jordan’s order on his pad and darted away.
“I know everything on the menu will be good,” Jordan said. “And this way, we can share – if you don’t like yours, you can have mine.”
I took a piece of bread and tore it apart in my hands, taking a delicate bite. “I’m sure it will be good,” I said softly. “This place is incredible.”
Jordan looked smug as he glanced around. “It is,” he said. “I’m glad I waited to come until I met someone who was worthy of my company.”
Between the delicious, heady wine and the soft, fragrant bread, I was starting to feel like I was in heaven. There was no way this was real life. Guys like Jordan West didn’t even look at girls like me…much less call them perfect and spend hundreds of dollars wooing them over fancy Italian meals. I discreetly pinched myself under the table to make sure I wasn’t dreaming.
“Laci?”
“Yeah?” I looked up. Jordan was grinning boyishly.
“I’m having a really great time with you.”
“Me, too,” I said quietly. “Thank you for asking me out.” I sighed. “You know, after the first time we met when…well, when you saved me, I really regretted not giving you my number.”
Jordan’s grin changed from boyish to roguish. “Oh yeah? I was hoping you felt that way,” he said. “Because I sure as hell couldn’t stop thinking about you after I made sure you got home safely. I was going to send flowers if I didn’t see you again in a few days.”
“Did you always live in Boston?” I asked. “You seem like such a natural fit with the city.”
Jordan shook his head. “No. I grew up here…but I spent a lot of time away.”
Before I could ask just what Jordan meant, two steaming dishes of food were placed right under our noses. The smell was heavenly – I licked my lips so I wouldn’t start drooling over the table.
“Looks fantastic,” Jordan said. I couldn’t help but notice the slight trace of relief in his voice. “What do you think?”
“Amazing,” I agreed. “I think this is going to be perfect.”
Jordan and I didn’t talk as much while we ate. We didn’t need to – we were in a perfect little cocoon of incredible food and wine. I felt like I’d known Jordan for years as we made the occasional joke or comment. And just as Jordan had predicted, my food was excellent. Before I even knew it, I was sopping up the rest of my red sauce with the remnants of the bread basket. My stomach felt full – almost to the bursting point – but I was sated and happy.
“I can tell you hated it,” Jordan said with a smug look.
I laughed. “Oh, yeah, it was totally awful,” I said, shaking my head. “It was actually like, the best thing I’ve ever eaten. Just don’t ask me to walk anywhere…or do much but waddle home.”
Jordan laughed. “Noted,” he replied. He reached for my hand and laced his fingers with mine, squeezing my palm against his. “So, I guess you’re not in the mood for a walk? The weather is beautiful.”
I groaned. “Oh, god, don’t even say that,” I replied. “I think you’d have to roll me back home.”
Jordan laughed again. “Well, too bad,” he said. He winked mischievously. “Because I have another idea.”
“Oh yeah?” I giggled nervously. “Please, whatever it is, don’t let it be dessert.”
Jordan shook his head.
“Tell me,” I said.
Jordan shook his head. “Nope. You’re just gonna have to wait a few minutes.”
I pouted, but leaned back contentedly as Jordan handed the waiter his platinum credit card. I hadn’t gotten a good look at the bill, but I somehow guessed that our lavish Italian meal had cost over one thousand dollars. I felt extravagant and a little self-conscious that someone I barely knew had spent so much money on me…but it also felt good, knowing that Jordan had wanted to make such a gesture.
When we stepped outside, Jordan pulled me into his arms and pressed his lips to mine. It was our first real kiss and I melted against his muscular body, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him close. Jordan groaned as he slipped his tongue into my mouth and when I felt his teeth nibbling my lower lip, I shivered with pleasure. Jordan raked his hands through my hair, gently tugging at my scalp until pleasure raced through my body. He wedged a massive thigh in between my legs and shoved it against my crotch. It felt so good that I gasped and pulled away, arching my back.
“God, I could take you right here,” Jordan growled. He kissed me again, more gently this time, and I cuddled up against him. As he wrapped an arm around my shoulders, I opened my eyes and saw a horse-drawn carriage waiting for us in the middle of the street.
“Is this for us?”
Jordan smirked. “If you don’t think it’s too corny,” he said. “I thought it would be fun. All this time I’ve spent in Boston and I’ve never done this before.”
A grin spread across my face. “That sounds awesome,” I said. “I’ve never done anything like this, either.”
A small crowd watched as Jordan and I climbed into the back of the carriage. Jordan passed the driver a wad of bills and a few seconds later, the carriage began to roll forward. It felt special and strange – almost magical – to ride through the Boston streets pulled by a horse.
“Okay, now I really feel like a tourist,” I said, nuzzling Jordan’s neck and kissing the side of his jaw. His stubble tickled my lips and a hot rush of warmth flooded my body as I thought of how it would feel for his stubble to brush against my most intimate places.
“Me, too,” Jordan said. He grinned at me, then kissed me slowly. Unlike on the pavement, this was a soft, passionate kiss. He tasted of wine and rich Italian food, and as we kissed, the scent of his cologne washed over me. I want to sleep with one of his shirts, anything that smells like him, I thought as our kiss grew deeper. Our tongues danced together in a passionate rhythm of love and I moaned softly as Jordan pulled away after licking my lips.
“So,” Jordan growled in a low voice. “Feel like coming home with me? I’ve got some dessert in my fridge,” he added quietly, running a finger down my bare arm. “We could even take it into bed with us.”
I blushed. The truth was, in fact, that I desperately wanted to sleep with Jordan. But I was a virgin – how would he take that news? And despite the fact that I’d had a wonderful time with him, I knew it was a common mistake to sleep with a man on the first date. Taylor had always told me to make a man wait at least three dates, and while that number seemed kind of arbitrary and pointless to me, I was sure that she probably knew much better than I.
“I don’t think I should,” I said regretfully. “This was our first date, after all.”
Jordan chuckled. “If you’re worried about ruining things, don’t, Laci,” he said. “It’s not like I’m going to change my mind about you just because we’ve only gone out once.”
I rested my head on his shoulder and sighed. “I really want to,” I said quietly. “I just…”
Jordan put his hand over my mouth. “Don’t,” he said. “Look, Laci – one thing you should know about me is that I don’t judge. I’ve been through a lot of things in life, and it would be cruel for me to judge you. You have your beliefs, and I have mine.”
“Thank you,” I said softly.
Jordan grinned. “Not a problem, beautiful,” he said. “Just promise me one thing.”
“Anything,” I said softly.
“You’ll go out with me next week,” Jordan said. There was a trace of that steel in his voice, almost like back in the restaurant when he’d spoken to the hostess. It almost frightened me, but I couldn’t deny that it was both intriguing and incredibly sexy.
“Of course, I will,” I said. “Just name the date.”
Jordan grinned. “I will, beautiful,” he said. “And I can’t wait.”