“How long do we have to wait?” Brandon asked, hopping onto the bathroom countertop at Jordan’s apartment next to where she’d placed the pregnancy test.
“Two minutes,” she said, the uneasiness of the wait too familiar, but also strange given the first time was four years earlier.
“Are you nervous?”
“No, but you’re making me.” Closing the toilet lid, she sat on top of it.
“Can you imagine us having a kid together? We’re so happy now. I don’t want anything to change.”
“Brandon! Stop talking,” Jordan warned.
“Maybe we should have sex while we wait.”
“That’s what got us here in the first place. You’re being so frustrating. Why are you doing this?”
He grinned at her, and she frowned.
“It’s not funny.”
“I don’t think you’re pregnant.”
“And how would you know that?”
“Because you’ve been so moody since yesterday. PMS?”
“Brandon, I swear. You’re pissing me off. Can you just wait in the other room, please?”
He laughed, “It’s okay. I love you even when you’re moody.”
God, he was so irritating right now. Pursing her lips, she propped her elbows on her knees and pressed her chin into her palms. He went silent for a moment, but not for long.
“Remember how I told you about the baby situation I had with Hailey?”
Hearing that name made her heart break for him, but now was the worst time to discuss his ex. Still, she remained silent because he didn’t talk much about his past, and if he felt compelled to do it now, she wasn’t going to stop him.
“Her daughter’s name is Rose. I used to call her Little Rosie. She’s ten years old now.” He paused. “I still feel guilty for leaving her when I did, so every couple of months I have someone check in to see that she’s okay. I also started a trust fund for her nine years ago. I didn’t have much then, but I would put whatever little I had into it until I was able to add more. It’s worth millions right now.”
Jordan inhaled and looked up at him, but he was leaned forward and staring at the floor. This daughter who should have been his—did he regret leaving? Did he want to go back to them? Why was he telling her this?
“Jordan, that’s not even my blood.”
Her eyes lowered to his finger, tracing over the tattoo on his wrist. The red rose. Rose, whom he’d thought was his daughter. It made sense why he’d been so vague about the tattoo before.
“I’m telling you this because if you are pregnant, there’s no limit to what I’ll do to care for you and the baby.”
She looked at the pregnancy test sitting on the counter next to her. Negative.
She took a breath. That was supposed to be good news, so why was she pissed? Why did she feel like crying? She threw it in the stainless-steel trash container with so much force, it clanged back and forth inside.
Brandon jumped off the counter and stood in her way as she tried to get around him. “What did it say?”
Disappointment tore through her, and she didn’t know why. It was too soon for them to think about kids. “It’s negative. You’re not tied to me anymore. Hope you’re happy now.”
“Whoa, where did that come from?” Brandon wrapped his arms around her. “Is it not what you wanted? I was pretty sure you didn’t want to be knocked up as much as I didn’t want to have done that to you.”
“Yeah. I guess we should both be happy then.” Jordan removed his arms. “I need to get ready.”
Jordan could now see that taking the pregnancy test the same morning she had a photoshoot for a local magazine had been a mistake. Her mood was all over the place. But she should have figured it was going to be that kind of day. It was barely nine a.m. and she’d already been irritated with the man she loved, spilled coffee on herself, and broke a nail getting into her car.
“Relax, Jordan. You’re distracted,” Mark said, clicking the camera from different angles.
“I’m sorry, I just need a . . .” Jordan sighed. “Richie, can I have some water, please?”
“Of course, hon,” he said. “Although you look like you could use a shot of tequila.”
“Take five. I’ll look at what we have so far,” Mark announced.
The air in the room changed, and Jordan looked up to see Brandon walking through the doors in a tailored suit. All eyes turned to him, but he had no regard for any of them. He walked straight to her, and the music and chatter seemingly came to a halt as his eyes held hers. Her stomach fluttered. She didn’t know he was coming to see her. He had a meeting on his schedule, from what she recalled.
Richie’s eyes followed hers. “Now I get it. Trouble in paradise?”
Brandon nodded to Richie. “Hey, man. Richie, right? I just need a moment with her.”
“Yeah, of course. Maybe you can put a smile on her face for the camera,” Richie said, shaking Brandon’s hand. Brandon’s expression turned hard before softening as he looked at her.
“Why don’t you like him?” Jordan asked when she was sure Richie was out of earshot.
“Who says I don’t like him?” Brandon asked.
“Your expression. You always seem displeased when he’s around.”
There was pain in his eyes. “You know my history with cheaters. I know you’re different, but with you two being so close, I can’t help but think about it.”
Jordan shook her head. “I would never. Anyway, Richie and I are not attracted to each other. And to be honest, he’s more infatuated with you than he is me.”
“Okay, fine. But what did I do, Jordan? Why are you mad at me?”
“I’m just still processing my feelings about this morning, and about what you said. I didn’t realize your ex was still part of your life at all.”
“Beautiful, I told you that because I don’t want to keep anything from you, and also because I wanted you to know I would be there for you. What I have been doing has nothing to do with Hailey and everything to do with the little girl. Hailey doesn’t even know. In fact, you, the bank, and Andrew are the only ones who know about the trust. As I said before, I was there when she was born, and I feel like I owe her, even though I’m not her dad.” He shrugged. “I want to make sure she’s okay.”
Setting the bottle of water on the stool, Jordan lifted her hands to his neck, feeling calmer. He must have been hurting all these years, especially with the constant reminder on his wrist.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
He traced a finger down her cheek. “Nothing is wrong with you. I just can’t lose you, and it felt like something changed this morning when you left. I know you won’t cheat on me, but it’s somewhere there in my mind, driving me fucking crazy. It’s not that I don’t trust you—please don’t think it’s that, because I love you, and you have no idea how much it means that you’re with me, that you trust me. That you chose me.”
Jordan blinked back tears. “I love you, too. And I’m just being stupid and jealous of you almost having a baby with someone else, and that was ten years ago. I’m sorry I was upset with you this morning; my mood is all over the place right now, and it’s driving me crazy. One minute I want to cry, the next minute I’m pissed off, then I’m smiling. Seriously, what the fuck?”
Brandon smiled, smoothing her hair back from her face.
She shook her head. “The one thing that doesn’t change is what I feel for you. So you never have to doubt that, Brandon, because I’m glad we found each other. And it’s a plus that you come with such a killer personality, body . . .” As he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her into a tight embrace, she whispered in his ear, “. . . and extremely satisfying equipment inside your pants, which I can’t seem to get enough of. But please, put me down. As much as I love these hugs, my boobs are super sensitive. They hurt so bad right now.”
Brandon laughed and set her down. “I’m sorry. Why do they hurt?”
She wasn’t sure at first because she’d never had problems with premenstrual symptoms. But it all made sense now that she thought about it. Her hormones had only been haywire since she’d started the birth control, and she wasn’t pregnant, so it had to be the pills.
“I think it’s my birth control. We can talk about that later, but I’m guessing it’s the same reason I’ve been so moody. Anyway, I thought you had a meeting this morning.”
Brandon kissed her temple and straightened her crinkled blouse. “I did, but I wanted to make sure you were okay, and we’re okay.”
She nodded, turning to look at everyone else in the room.
“I’ve never seen Jordan like this, ever. Ew—it’s kind of gag-worthy,” Richie joked. “Anyway, Mark said he’s ready whenever you are.”
Jordan stuck her tongue out at Richie before smiling into Brandon’s eyes. “I think I’m ready now.”
The photographer walked over. “Hey, you must be Jordan’s boyfriend. I’m Mark.”
Brandon shook his hand, leaving one arm around her waist. “Nice to meet you, Mark.”
“I think you’ve gotten more from her than I did in the last hour. Now, if we can keep those eyes lit up, Jordan, we’ll get these shots in no time.”
“I guess you did cheer her up,” Richie said to Brandon, who now seemed a bit more at ease with her friend.
“What can I say? She needed her Vitamin B.”
Jordan’s eyes widened and her cheeks colored. “Brandon.”
“What? Everyone knows what the B can do for your mood.”
Jordan folded her arms across her chest and shook her head at him, hoping he wouldn’t continue.
“You know, multivitamins are usually recommended,” Richie chimed in, using his sixth sense for anything sexual in nature. “So make sure she gets the D later.”
Great. Lovely, Jordan thought, her cheeks flaming as the men laughed.
“You know, I think I like your friend,” Brandon said, encasing her in his arms.
“Of course, you do. You’re both embarrassing. Mark, you should ask them both to leave if you want any good shots.”
“Leave? Are you kidding me? I’ve been waiting for this energy all morning. Laura, can you give Jordan a quick touchup?” Mark laughed. “Maybe a little less on the blush.”
Laura, the makeup artist, approached them, a makeup pouch clipped around her waist.
“How much longer will you be here?” Brandon asked.
“Depends . . . I’m shooting in two more outfits,” Jordan said, turning her head for Laura. “Maybe an hour?”
“One second,” Brandon said, giving Laura one of his irresistible smiles before hauling Jordan into his arms and kissing her cheek. “Okay, have at her.”
“You are so silly.” Jordan smiled, closing her eyes as Laura dusted her face.
“You should come hang out with me at the eastern central office.”
“I can stop by for a second, but I still have so much to figure out at the store.”
“I’ll help you figure it out, but I need you at my office.”
Jordan opened her eyes to see the darkness expanding in his green eyes as he puckered his lips and kissed at her from where he stood before mouthing I love you.
Two days later, Sarah and Andrew wanted to hang out, so the four of them decided to kick back on Brandon’s sectional sofa and binge-watch How I Met Your Mother. They’d started around eleven in the morning, and at this point Jordan had lost track of exactly what time it was.
“Hey, your mom just posted some pictures of you and Jordan,” Sarah told Brandon after at least a full ten episodes of the show.
He leaned forward, his phone in hand. “Oh, shit, check us out.”
Jordan sat up and stretched one of her legs behind Brandon and the other across his lap. She grazed her fingers across his shirtless back as she peeked at his phone. It was a picture of them at the charity event, staring into each other’s eyes on the dance floor. He swiped the screen and another photo came up. It was the first time he’d kissed her that night.
“It’s so cute; I love it,” she cooed.
“I know. It looks like a fairy tale. It’s not fair,” Sarah complained. “Why do you always get the good pictures, Kuvat?”
“You guys should have been there instead of at Andrew’s lame office party.” Brandon grinned. “Baby, your mom just commented.”
“Let me see.” Jordan retrieved the phone. They are so cute, her mom had written. Returning Brandon’s phone, she squeezed at the single pimple flawing his shoulder.
“What are you doing?” He winced.
“Wow, cuteness overload,” Sarah said, leaning against Andrew at the other end of the sectional. “It feels so good to know I made this happen.”
“Well, don’t take all the credit,” Brandon countered. “We were seeing each other way before you.”
“I knew it. I fucking knew it,” Andrew exclaimed. “The sock on the couch in Utah! That’s when it happened, wasn’t it?”
Jordan and Brandon smiled.
“Andrew, not this again,” Brandon said. “Forget about the sock, dude.”
He flinched under Jordan’s fingers.
“There’s a pimple,” she explained.
“Leave it,” he ordered.
“I can’t. It’s just there.”
Andrew laughed. “Dude, you can never tease me again, because seeing you like this is priceless.”
“Seeing me like what?” Brandon asked, reading an email.
Jordan hadn’t noticed how much Brandon worked until she’d started spending more time with him. The man was a born multitasker because somehow, he still made sure she was getting most of his attention.
“Utterly whipped,” Sarah remarked.
“Did he just roll his eyes?” Jordan asked, playfully wrapping an elbow around Brandon’s neck. “I’ll end you right now, Kuvat.”
Sarah and Andrew laughed. “Yup, I think he definitely rolled his eyes.”
Brandon glared at Andrew and Sarah, and Sarah added, “Yup, he did it again.”
Jordan yanked Brandon against her chest as she dropped her body back on the sofa, his back to her front.
Brandon lowered his phone to the floor. “You two get off on making me feel like a bitch, don’t you?”
“Oh yeah, you have no idea what’s in store, buddy.” Andrew laughed, pulling Sarah up to standing. “Let’s go, sweetie. I’m almost sure this is some disgusting form of foreplay for them.”
“I always knew he needed someone who could manhandle him,” Sarah said, walking with Andrew to the foyer.
Andrew chuckled. “Don’t forget you owe me a hundred bucks. I called it first.”
“I heard that,” Jordan shouted. “You guys made bets about us? That’s really low.”
“Yeah, and you just took my man card in front of them,” Brandon mumbled as the front door closed.
“Aw, I did?” Keeping one arm around his neck, she slid the other into the waistband of his pants. “Kind of feels like you may like that kind of thing.”
“Hmm, is that what it feels like?” He turned and pressed himself between her thighs. “Interesting, but I’m not worried, because you already know who owns who.”
“Oh, do I?” she teased, touching his face and peering into his vivid green eyes. “Do you know how much I love you?”
“Well, you should love me. I’m a genius,” he whispered, kissing her neck. “But I know what you mean. You love me about as much as I would love to bury my cock inside of you right now. Seriously glad you’re not allergic to these nuts.”
Jordan laughed. “You are so horrible at this.”
Brandon propped up on his elbow and gazed into her eyes. “Stop taking the birth control.”
Her heart thumped. “What?”
“You heard me. As you said, it makes you moody. And as I lie here on top of you, I can’t help but think about how I wish that pregnancy test had been positive. I wish there was a baby Kuvat growing inside of you this second.” He smiled. “That’s how much I love you.”
Okay, maybe he’s too good at this. “You can’t just—we can’t just—”
He kissed her lips, stopping her. Her emotions were conflicted. How could she be happy and sad at the same time?
“Why not?” Brandon asked, easing off her to sit on the ottoman. “I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone. And I can see it in your eyes. You’re scared, Jordan. I saw the same look in your eyes when you found out you weren’t pregnant. I’m not going anywhere. I’ve waited so long to find you, and now that you’re here with me, I almost have everything I thought I never would. With this taste of what my future could be like, I can’t not have it now. Jordan, I want everything, and I want it with you.” Brandon moved to his knees and positioned a ring before her. “Will you marry me?”
She gasped, shivered, and sat up straight, her eyes widening at the white-gold diamond ring sparkling in Brandon’s fingers.
“But when—how?”
Brandon smiled and let out a breath. “I knew you needed to be Mrs. Kuvat the first time I joked around and called you Mrs. Kuvat. I knew I wanted to marry you at Andrew’s engagement party. I knew I was going to propose to you when the pregnancy test came back negative, because I wanted you to know it had nothing to do with that.”
He seemed even more nervous as he continued.
“Remember at the charity event when I told you I needed to keep you around for a very long time? I wasn’t joking. I want you in my life, Jordan, and if you take this next step with me, I promise to spend the rest of our days together making you happy. Anything you want, beautiful—though I’ll still give you everything, even if you don’t want to marry me. Please. Say something . . .”
Her eyes watering, she whispered, “Yes. Yes! Of course.”
His shoulders visibly relaxed as he slipped the ring onto her finger. Leaning in, his lips met hers, his tongue met hers, and his words matched hers as she mumbled, “I love you.”
Then he took her on the ride of her life—not as expected, but so much better.
Jordan sat in the cockpit of Brandon’s jet two hours later, trying to calm the tension sitting on her spine. “Are you sure you’re good at this?” she asked.
He winked and blew her a kiss, which was all it took to disperse her concerns as the jet settled into position at the beginning of the runway.
“Have you no trust in your future husband’s abilities?”
She wouldn’t have been here if she didn’t trust him, but he knew that. Shaking her head, she smiled, keeping her eyes on him even as he looked ahead. The aircraft accelerated down the runway and took off. As the plane lifted, adrenaline rushed through her before dropping into a deep, carnal desire.
Brandon stole a peek at her as he brought them up to cruising altitude. “Hmm, look at those eyes. You can’t distract me like that up here.”
Jordan smiled, bit her lower lip, and let it slowly slip from between her teeth. “Seeing you so focused and in control like this?” She inhaled. “Captain Kuvat, you are the sexiest man alive right now.”
“Damn,” he rasped. “Consider this your official invitation to the Mile-High Club. I have an exclusive membership package for you, future Mrs. Kuvat.”
Her stomach weakened at his words. He slid his seat back, the mere inches it went, and looked at his lap and then her face. “Or we could get started early. Just kidding, but not really.”
Jordan laughed, running a hand down his arm. “I don’t think I’ll ever tire of you.”
Brandon took her hand and kissed the center of her palm. “I had the airport schedule a pilot to fly us back from Seattle this evening, so you’d better not tire anytime soon. There is a certain mileage requirement for that exclusive membership.”
She laced her fingers through his. “I’m sure there is, if your genius brain has anything to do with it.”
Brandon glowered. “Keep being a smartass and I’ll deny you the package I’m offering.”
“Oh, you wish you could.”
“Okay, smartass. You know what I’m going to do to you?” He wagged his eyebrows. “I’m going to come inside of you, every time, until I’m sure there’s a baby Kuvat, and every time after because by then I’ll be too dedicated to quit. Too addicted to quit.”
“You’re so gross.”
“But you love me.”
“I do,” she said, passing her gaze to the outside world for the first time since takeoff to see the setting sun. The skies were a fading blue, and in the distance, deep red, orange, and yellow splashed around a glowing center. The colors touched the frame of the windshield, the window. She tracked the warm colors down her body and over to a starry-eyed Brandon.
He’d planned this.
She cleared her throat. “What were you saying about that Mile-High Club again?”
THE END