Chapter 14

ASHER

To say I’m on cloud nine is an understatement. I’m feeling so good I cancel all my meetings for the day, opting to take some time for myself instead. It’s not like I can focus on anything at work with Jade on my mind.

I take full advantage of the rollercoaster of emotions I’m feeling and decide to drive myself around for the day in my convertible. Stopping by my favorite tailor, I get fitted for a few new suits before grabbing lunch at my favorite Mexican restaurant, only to cruise around the city some more. Long drives always help clear my head, not that I really want to clear my thoughts, because my memories of Jade are worth the clutter.

Last night was amazing. Hell, everything about Jade is amazing. Every single moment of last night was picture perfect. I’m not sure what to do with these new feelings she’s awakening inside me, but I’m experiencing a lot of firsts. I felt something between us during dinner, something deep, passionate and intimate. There’s something so innocent and pure about Jade. It makes me care that much more about her, wanting to protect her from anything that will bring her harm or unhappiness.

I’ve never cared so much about somebody else’s feelings before, and I never truly cared about somebody else’s pleasure more than my own. Simply put, I think I care about Jade. In fact, I know I do. Her thoughts, feelings, pleasure and well-being all mean something to me. I long to hear her voice throughout the day as she updates me on whatever she has going on. She’s the first woman to make me forget about work and just get lost in the moment.

I check the time and sigh. I regret telling Joe and the other guys I would meet them later at Club Zero, but since I’ve been ducking and dodging this “good time” they’ve been promising, I knew sooner or later it would catch up to me. If Jade was off tonight I would cancel on the guys in a heartbeat.

This woman really has me under her spell.

I turn the car around and head back home to get ready for tonight, hoping to catch a glimpse of Jade before I go. I shower, get dressed and head out the door in less than two hours. I call Jade, wanting her to take a short break to meet me outside, but she doesn’t answer the phone.

I sigh and shove the phone into my pocket as I slide into the backseat of my car. Rather than deal with the traffic and parking nightmare downtown, I get Ed to drive me.

The bouncer moves the velvet rope to the side and waves me through as soon as I step out of the Rolls. Once upon a time, I was a regular fixture in the upscale club scene. I would come in after work and not leave until it was time to head back to the office, but those youthful days are long behind me. I walk in and wave at a few familiar faces before heading straight for our reserved area in the back, stocked with its own private bar. I spot Joe first and see he’s nursing a beer, nuzzling the neck of some young woman who is giggling a little too much.

Nothing Joe is saying is that funny.

He raises his glass bottle and waves me over. “Damn glad to see you, I thought you blew me off for the nanny.”

“Jade,” I say giving him a hard stare. “Not ‘the nanny,’ her name is Jade.”

Joe laughs and holds his hand up defensively. “Loosen up, cowboy, it was just a joke. I know she’s tugging at your heartstrings. Trust me, I know the feeling. First, they tug on your heart, then your dick and their favorite thing to tug on is your wallet. Go ahead and grab a drink and then come have seat with us over here. This little beauty named Dahlia has a few friends keeping us company.”

I glance over in the direction Joe is pointing and see a flock of young girls who appear closer in age to eighteen than twenty-five. I have serious doubts about whether Dahlia should really have that drink in her hand.

I’m going to need a drink, or five, to deal with this all night.

I order a rum and Coke and walk over to take a seat. Two young ladies instantly surround me.

“Hello, I’m Honey,” says one.

“And I’m Sugar,” says the other.

I give them both a quick once over before focusing back on my drink. They aren’t twins but they look alike, and probably went out of their way to find matching outfits for tonight.

“Is that supposed to be some kind of joke?” I ask.

“No,” says the one who identified herself as Honey. “Those are our names.”

“Our industry names,” says Sugar. “You know… it’s what we go by.”

“And what industry are you referring to?” I ask.

Honey laughs and nudges Sugar. “He’s so funny, isn’t he? We’re dancers.”

I nod and throw back the rest of my drink in one swallow. Damn it, I should have ordered a double.

“Woo-hoo!” yells Sugar. “That’s the spirit, you tossed that back in one gulp. Somebody’s ready to party!”

I glance around the room and notice each one of my colleagues is surrounded by one or more women and they are all beautiful, but my mind is on Jade, not on partying with Honey and Sugar.

“Excuse me, ladies,” I say, quickly making my way to the bar for another drink before searching for a quiet place to make a phone call.

I’ll leave a message if she doesn’t answer this time. Luckily, she does answer and my heart skips two beats.

“Hi handsome, sorry I missed your call earlier,” she says. “I was at the doctor’s office with Jacob.”

I take a seat in the corner of the small room I found and put my drink down on the table. “All okay?”

“He’s fine,” she says. “He has a little ear infection, but he’ll be okay. The doctor gave him some drops and he’s resting now. What’s all that noise in the background? Are you out right now?”

I sigh heavily and take a sip of my drink. “Yeah, the guys convinced me to come out, but I had to sneak away to call you. Nothing holds my attention like you do.”

“Aww,” she says. “You’re so sweet.”

“Speaking of sweet,” I say. “I wish I had more of you to taste. Every time I close my eyes I see the look on your face when you came and I can hear you moaning just as clearly as the night it happened.”

She laughs and drops her voice. “You’re trying to get me in trouble.”

“I sure as hell am,” I say. “When is the next time you can come out with me and get in a little trouble?”

“Um,” she pauses.

I hear paper shuffling in the background and I wait with bated breath for her answer.

“I’m not really sure, especially with Jacob not feeling well, but I’ll let you know as soon as I know.”

“Deal,” I say.

“What do you think about me planning the date next time?” she asks.

“Hmm. What do you have in mind?”

She pauses for a moment before responding. “I don’t know just yet, but I promise you’ll enjoy it.”

“Okay,” I say. “Just so we’re clear, you can plan the date, but I’m the one paying for it, and we’ll let Ed drive.”

She laughs a little and shuffles more papers in the background. “You know you don’t have to pay for every date, but I see chivalry is alive and well when it comes to you.”

“Absolutely. I wouldn’t dream of you paying for anything when you’re with me,” I say, taking a large gulp of my drink. “I’d give anything for you.”

There’s a pause on the line following a small gasp, as if she’s contemplating what I just said. I hope it wasn’t too forward, because it’s the truth.

“I’m going to hold you to that, Mr. Jordan. Be a good boy tonight and I’m sure I’ll have a nice treat for you the next time we’re together. I’m hoping I see you sooner rather than later,” she says. “But at least now we have something to look forward to. Right, Mr. Jordan?”

There’s that “Mr. Jordan” again.

“You’re calling me that on purpose,” I say.

She giggles into the phone. “I sure am, but like I said, don’t worry, we’ll see each other very soon.”

I force the erection threatening to hold me hostage down.

“We sure will, beautiful, even if I have to set up my telescopes to make it happen,” I say.

We laugh together for a moment before ending the call. I put my phone back in my pocket and walk into the private room with a renewed sense of purpose. The guys have loosened up even more. Some of them are dancing with different women and Joe has two ladies sitting on his lap.

He peers out at me from between their breasts, which are positioned on either side of his face, and gives me a thumbs up.

To them, this is the life. Countless women, money and attention. But Jade, my blue-eyed beauty, is more than enough for me. She’s a welcome distraction to my hectic world.

I get another drink and find a seat off to the side, out of the way. I’m thankful Ed drove here instead of me. With the number of drinks I’m consuming and the high of knowing I’ll be seeing Jade soon, there’s no way I would have been able to drive home.

I nurse my drink while watching my friends have a good time, all while daydreaming about my last evening with Jade as the countdown to our upcoming date begins.