Chapter Seven

Chastity

You won’t believe my luck, Patrick, I texted.

I hadn’t mentioned my one-night stand to my assistant, and still didn’t plan to originally. But, I had to tell someone that the first contractor I met with was a man I’d slept with not that long ago.

Patrick responded right away with a question mark. Nothing else. So, I furiously typed out a response, then deleted it. Because it told too much. I looked back out to the patio and saw Jordan putting his phone away. Shit.

No time to explain. Talk soon.

I put my phone away as he stepped back inside my condo. I tried to keep a blank face, to not let him see that his appearance at my doorstep had thrown me for a loop. But, truth be told, it had. And seeing him standing there – knowing what he looked like completely naked – made me feel downright giddy. Like a little girl high on too much sugar. Except, in my case, the sugar was Jordan’s hot ass in a tight pair of jeans.

“Everything okay?” I asked.

“Yeah, just business stuff” he said. “I’m sure you know how it is.”

“I do. All too well,” I said, shaking my head. “You own the business, then?”

“Nah, my dad does,” he said, closing the distance between us. “But one day, he’d like me to take over.”

“How exciting,” I said. “Though to be fair, owning a business isn’t always what it’ cracked up to be.”

“Yeah, I bet,” he said. “But you seem to be doing pretty well for yourself.”

Warmth rushed to my cheeks, but I nodded.

“I’m doing okay, thank you,” I said. “But it’s not easy, that’s for sure. With competition and people looking to poach your clients lurking around every corner, and well – God, listen to me. Now, I’m rambling.”

A shy laugh escaped my throat, and I covered my mouth, feeling like a fool. If Jordan minded, it didn’t show. He smiled down at me, the dimple showing in his cheek. Before I knew what was happening, he reached out and stroked my arm. It was a soft, gentle touch, but it caught me off guard and I jerked away, jumping backward slightly. I was off balance and almost fell over. But somehow, Jordan caught me. He’d saved me again.

“Careful,” he said, his hands lingering on my shoulders now.

This time, I didn’t pull away. I remained standing in front of him and just stared into his aqua colored eyes, allowing myself to get lost in them for the moment.

“Jordan, I –” I stopped, unsure of what I’d planned to say.

Normally, I was articulate, and very well-spoken. But, for whatever reason, around him, I was lost. I was either unable to form coherent sentences or I rambled like a fool. There was no middle ground, especially when I took in that chiseled, perfect face and those penetrating eyes.

I yearned to run a finger along the strong line of his jaw. Wanted to feel the sharp edges of his cheek bones. But, I resisted. Held myself in check.

“Yes?” he asked, cocking his eyebrow at me, a curious expression on his face.

“Nothing” I said.

That’s when I noticed his hands were still on my shoulders. We both seemed to notice it at the same time, and he pulled them away, turning around to walk toward the large picture windows that led out to the patio.

“What were you thinking about this space?” he asked me, pointing outside. “I think some greenery would be nice. Maybe some overhanging plants for shade and privacy?”

“Yes,” I purred, stepping up beside him.

Our arms touched, and I swear I felt a static electricity shoot through my body. I’m pretty sure he felt it too, but neither one of us moved away.

“That’s exactly what I was thinking too,” I finally said.

“Great minds,” he said, giving me a sideways grin. “Maybe a small fountain, to block out the noise from below. I’m sure being up so high, you don’t get much, but –”

“It’s enough,” I laughed. “I’d rather forget all about being in the middle of Manhattan if at all possible.”

“Oh yeah? Why’s that?”

I shrugged. “It’s too busy for me. Too crowded,” I said.

I thought about where I’d like to be instead of in the middle of Manhattan. A tropical island, perhaps. A place where I could play in the ocean and be served cocktails on the beach.

“Somewhere warm,” I added.

“Sounds like you know exactly where you want to be,” he said.

“I do,” I said wistfully.

“Then why not move? Not like you’re hurting for money,” he said.

Jordan’s hand stroked my arm, and I leaned into it, savoring the sensation of his rough hands on my skin. Tendrils of fire ran along my skin where he touched me and although my mind warned me, telling me it was dangerous, I realized that it was all too easy to ignore that little voice.

“It’s not that easy,” I sighed.

“Why isn’t it?”

I looked over at him and wondered why I was having this conversation with him. Of all people, why him? No one – not even Patrick who was one of my closest friends and confidantes – knew of my fantasies of moving far away from it all. Of leaving my business behind, and setting up a boutique on an island in the Seychelles.

“Because,” I said, straightening my posture, “it’s just not practical.”

“Fuck being practical,” he said. “I say live for today, do what makes you happy.”

Jordan turned to me with that devilish smile on his face and a wicked glint in his eyes.

“We can’t always do what makes us happy, Jordan,” I said. “That’s not how the world works.”

“And why not?” he asked, shrugging his broad shoulders. “Tell me, Chastity, if you could have anything in the world right now, what would it be?”

I bit my tongue, not wanting to say the first thing that came to mind. Because what I wanted – in that moment – was for Jordan to bend me over and bang me like a drum. What I wanted right now was to experience another one of those amazing, whole-body orgasms that only he’s ever given me.

But to say that out loud would be a bad idea.

My cheeks flushed and I turned away from him, staring out the window at the patio once more. I couldn’t answer him, not truthfully. I racked my brain, but couldn’t think of a convincing enough lie fast enough. So instead, I said nothing at all.

Jordan lifted my chin, and turned my face toward him again. His hand stroked my cheek, then moved toward my lips. He traced my lips with his fingertip, before asking me again.

“Tell me, Chastity,” he said, his voice lower than usual. “What is it you want?”

“You, Jordan. I want you.”

My eyes grew wide and I choked on the words as they came out, my brain trying to stop my heart from taking over. But, it was too late. They were out there. They were out there and there was no taking them back now.

I expected some reaction from Jordan – surprise, maybe? Instead of surprise though, he gave me a knowing, cocky grin.

“I thought so,” he said, holding my face tight so I couldn’t look away. “And I want you too, Chastity. God, I’d like nothing more than to just push you up against this wall and fuck you right here, right now, but – ”

“But this is a professional visit,” I said, remembering the words he’d said when he got here.

My heart dropped into my stomach and I tried to control myself. The fire burning inside of me wouldn’t be extinguished. At least, not today. Maybe not ever. Jordan laughed, a deep, hearty sound that seemed to come from the pit of his belly.

“No, I was just going to say you’re going to get a lot more than you bargained for with me,” he said.

I felt my lips twitch, curling up into a salacious grin. “I think I can handle it,” I said.

“You think so?” he asked, licking his lips.

“No, I don’t think so. I know so,” I said, standing up on my tip-toes and pressing my lips to his.