Chapter Two
Jordan Lovett
Jordan Lovett answered the phone and then scowled as Lauren’s husky voice said hello. She didn’t give him a chance to respond. “Darling, so good to hear your voice. I do miss the feel of your unshaven chin tickling my neck in the mornings. Do you remember?”
He cut her off. “What do you want?”
“I want to invite you home for the weekend. In your old room, obv.” She chuckled. “Although I might be able to sneak away and meet you for a quick tryst, if we’re lucky.”
Jordan felt sick to his stomach. He hated the way she said home, the fact that she’d claimed his home by seducing his father. He’d never before considered violence to be an option but when he heard Lauren’s voice, well, it sure seemed like it might solve some problems. Anything to get away from her.
“I’m busy.”
“Your dad will be devastated if you aren’t here. We have a big announcement.”
His stomach sank. She couldn’t possibly mean... “It’s an engagement party. George has asked me to marry him!” He opened his mouth and then closed it again. What could he say? Congratulations? “Unless you want to make me a better offer,” she purred.
Jordan slammed the phone down. Lauren would only phone back but there was no way he could have replied without getting nasty. Equally, he couldn’t possibly avoid going home, not if George had summoned him.
He needed to keep Lauren’s claws out of him somehow. Maybe if he took someone with him. Someone to ensure he didn’t end up alone with Lauren.
He tapped his fingers on the desk and then gave up on the idea. He couldn’t think of anyone appropriate and quite frankly, he didn’t have time for this. His desk was groaning under the weight of paperwork which needed his personal attention. Usually the bustle of the office soothed him like a piece of well-oiled machinery but today it felt like everything was getting away from him.
He buried himself into the pile, trying not to think about next weekend. Declaring Lovett Industries a paperless-office had done nothing to slow down the relentless stream of reports and charts and forms created by the various departments, all marked as urgent and requiring his attention. Maybe if he took away all the printers. But no, there was a handwritten note from Marcy Stevens in finance. Removing the printers wouldn’t do anything to slow her down.
Fact: He needed to go home. His father was already upset Jordan hadn’t gone home for the long weekend last month. Jordan didn’t want to have to deal with Lauren but there was one thing he wanted even less: for George to find out Lauren had been his lover for the six months previous to her changing her target to his father. Lauren wanted one thing: marriage to a rich man who would look after her, so she would never have to lift a finger again. Although she was beautiful and charming when she wanted to be, Jordan quickly became tired of her: he preferred women who took care of themselves rather than fluttering their eyelashes helplessly. But rather than walk away, he continued to date her. It was the path of least resistance. She looked great on his arm and more importantly, slowed down the celebrity magazines that liked to guess about his love life. Then he took her to a family function where she met his father. Newly retired and a widow, George Lovett made for an easy target. He was flattered by the attention of the gorgeous socialite half his age. And now, apparently, they were getting engaged.
Joyce’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “Stop right there!”
Buddy walked into his office, holding a cigar. Joyce, Jordan’s personal assistant, chased after him. “You can’t just go walking into Mr. Lovett’s office like that!”
Buddy patted her on the shoulder. “Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it. Jordan’s always happy to see me.” He grinned at Jordan. “What happened to that open-door policy you keep banging on about?”
“My office is always open.” Joyce had been there for thirty years and was not particularly open to changing her ways but Buddy was right, Jordan wanted the staff to be able to walk right on in. The cigar on the other hand... “My office is non-smoking, as is the rest of this building.”
“It’s not lit,” said Buddy, tucking it into his shirt pocket. Joyce shot him a poisonous look and stomped out. Buddy Reynolds was part of the old-guard, his father’s right hand man and still the director of operations. He knew the organization like no one else, it had to be said. He was also a relic, stuck in the dark ages. Jordan considered himself lucky every day that went past without a harassment complaint, to be honest. He’d been with the company for fifty years, since the days when it was still Lovett and Jones. He knew everything and everyone. And there was no question that back in the day, greasing the wheels made a big difference. Buddy still took people out for three hour lunches: politicians, city management, even upper management of the competition. And he got information no one else had.
Speaking of information... “You hear the news?” Jordan watched Buddy for a reaction. “Apparently, George and Lauren are engaged.”
“Huh. Good for him.”
“That’s all you have to say?”
Buddy shrugged. “If your old man’s happy, I’m happy. I wouldn’t mind a girl like her hanging on my arm.” He eyed Jordan. “You’re upset, aren’t you. Kiddo, it’s nothing to do with you. You need to get her out of your system.” He made a crude in-and-out symbol with his fingers.
Jordan winced. “Buddy, I don’t need to get laid.”
“We all do, kiddo, it’s nothing to be ashamed of. You shoulda seen the things me and your old man used to get up to. Those were the days.” He wiped his brow. “You, though. I been meaning to talk to you. Thing is, there’s a girl...”
The last thing Jordan needed was Buddy setting him up. “Forget it.”
“No, wait, hear me out. Her name’s Cherise. She’s something special. She wants to get out of the escort business but the money’s too good, you know? I told her I’d help her find some work. Wait until you meet her. You’ll love her. She looks all professional in a silky suit, except it looks like the buttons are about to burst off. She’s all tits and ass, it’s amazing.”
“Jesus Buddy, you aren’t really trying to set me up with someone you’ve seen naked...”
“Hey, hey, I’m not trying to set you up,” said Buddy, although that was quite blatantly exactly what he was doing. “But you could use someone at your side, right? Someone who’ll stand by your side and play the part. She’d be perfect. Gorgeous and sophisticated and looks like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth. But she’s got cleavage that says VAVAVOOM!” His voice carried through the hallway and Jordan put his head down on the desk.
“Buddy, I don’t need cleavage. Get out of here before I throw you out.”
Buddy backed up but didn’t stop talking. “She’d be great for you. She’s a nice girl, completely presentable and no complications. I mean, she’ll want her time paying. But it’s what you want, right? No strings attached.” He held up his hands. “Don’t say no. Give the girl a chance. I’ll tell her to come in to your office and you can see for yourself. You’ll love her.”
And with that, Buddy stepped back and disappeared before Jordan could say another word. Once a salesman, always a salesman: never take no for an answer.
A moment later, Buddy’s voice boomed through the office. “Joyce, you are looking stunning, my love! Have you lost weight? Or your hair? What’s a guy got to do to get a date with you?”
With any luck, Buddy would get distracted three times just walking through the office and would forget all about this woman before he even made it back to his desk. In any event, it wasn’t Jordan’s problem.
Jordan shook his head and went back to work.
Half an hour later, he was interrupted again. “Lauren’s on the phone.” Joyce looked apologetic; she knew he didn’t want to talk to her.
Jordan clenched his teeth. “Tell her I’m busy.” This was insane. He could not, would not let that gold digger get the better of him.
He picked up the phone and dialed Buddy’s number.
Buddy’s voice was grumpy. “My office is 72 steps from yours, you could just walk over.”
Jordan smiled. That meant Buddy was finally paying attention to caller-ID. Jordan would drag Buddy into the 21st century if it killed him. “Listen, about that friend of yours...”
“Hah! I knew you’d see reason.” Buddy laughed so loud, it echoed through the office. “Tell me the truth, what made up your mind? The vision of her buttons bursting off? I knew it! When I’m right, I’m right.”
“Buddy, shut up and listen. Lauren invited me to Haven for the weekend.”
“You have to go,” said Buddy. “Don’t take it out on your old man.”
“I know, I’m going. But I want someone to go with me, act like my girlfriend.”
“Huh.” Buddy was quiet for a moment. “You’re saying that woman of his doesn’t know how to keep her hands to herself,” he said, although Jordan hadn’t said a word about it.
“I’m just saying I want someone with me. Running interference, if you want to call it that.”
“It’s a good plan. I’ll give her a ring.” He paused. “Kiddo, she’ll want paying, you know that, right?”
“Sure, I know. I’m not a total child. I’ll pay her.” Jordan paused. “How much?”
“Offer her 10k for the weekend and you’ll get all inclusive.”
“How much?” Jordan’s words came out as a bellow and he saw Joyce glance behind her. He dropped his voice. “Buddy, seriously?”
“Hey, she’s a looker and she doesn’t usually do weekend jobs. That woman makes a few hundred an hour in tips alone. You gotta make it worth her while.” Buddy sighed. “Look, I can get you someone cheaper, but she’ll look it. You like ‘em classy. I’m telling you, Cherise’s perfect for you.”
“Ok, ok. I guess it’ll be worth it.” He grimaced. “I’ll give her 5k for showing up the weekend. No extras. On second thought, don’t tell her that, let me do the negotiating.” God knew what Buddy would arrange if given a free hand.
“I’ll tell her to come see you. I don’t know if she’ll put out for that, though.”
“Buddy!” But the line was dead. Jordan put his head in his hands, already feeling slimy. But if it kept Lauren off his back, it was worth it.