“They have a great collection of Renoirs on loan again. Some Monets and other impressionists. We could do all the things you never got to do. Spend some time together without boats, grandsons, or BAM boys interrupting us,” he added with a wicked grin.
“You want to go to Boston with me? How would we do that?”
“Here’s the part where you might get angry with me. I spoke to Bentley. You have tomorrow and Monday off if you want them. You’re covered. There’s a flight first thing tomorrow and one that gets us home on Monday by lunch. I have the hotel booked, arrangements made for all sorts of fun things for us to do.” He squeezed my hand. “And if you don’t want, I can cancel it all and I will head to Gina’s.”
I could only stare. He had arranged all that—on his own?
He shifted closer, his knees pressing against mine. “I don’t want to be here this weekend, but I don’t want to go to BC, Sandy. I want to take you away. Have days to spend with you—just us. Please come with me.”
“You arranged all of this for me?”
He cupped my cheek. “Yes, for you. For us. I wanted to give you something, and I happened to see an advertisement for the Renoir exhibit. I did some checking and then went and spoke to Bentley. He thought it was a great idea and said yes right away.”
“Who is going to cover?”
“Emmy was in his office when I got there. She volunteered immediately. Bentley was thrilled. He gets to have Emmy and Addi there with him. Try out the new day care.”
“I see.” Bentley would love having his girls around him all day.
He looked thoughtful. “I told Bentley it might be time to think of getting you your own assistant. You’re so busy all the time.”
I had to agree with him. Some days, I could barely keep up. Someone to take away the small stuff would help. But I would discuss that with Bentley at another point.
“And you can go, with everything happening with the house?”
“It’s staged and ready. The agent has everything well in hand, and she knows I am gone as of tomorrow. She’ll handle the weekend, and if she needs me, I’m as close as the phone. All I have to do is throw a few things in a suitcase.”
“You’ve thought this through very well.”
“Are you upset?”
“How can I be upset when you went to so much effort, Jordan?”
“Is that a yes? All you have to do is pack a few things and I’ll pick you up in the morning at six. We’ll be in Boston before lunchtime, and you’ll be staring at Renoirs by two.”
“What sort of hotel booking did you make?”
“A suite—two bedrooms,” he replied promptly. “No pressure, Sandy.”
His gaze was earnest, his words firm. He had no idea how his assurances made me want anything but two bedrooms. His insistence he only wanted time with me solidified the growing feelings I had for him. He was genuine, kind, and unknowingly sexy in his uncertainty. He clasped my hand, fully prepared for me to say no.
Except I didn’t want to.
I bent close and brushed a kiss to his cheek. “I would love to go to Boston with you, Jordan.”
His happiness was evident. “Really?”
“Yes.”
He gripped my shoulders and kissed my mouth. It was a hard, fast pressing of our lips. He did it again, this time holding it longer. Then again with a low groan as he pulled me tight to his chest and kissed me the way he had earlier in the hall. There was barely controlled passion in his caresses and an underlying desire that went straight to my core. I returned his kiss, losing myself in him again.
He eased back. “I need to go home and pack.” He dropped another kiss to my mouth. “You have no idea how happy you have made me, my darling.”
I thrilled at his endearment. It sounded so right coming from his mouth.
“I’m pretty excited.”
“Colin said you would be.”
“Colin knows?”
He grinned. “We had quite the fast chat while you were getting dinner. Man-to-man stuff. I told him my idea, and he assured me you would love it.” He touched my cheek gently. “Or kill me. He wished me luck either way.”
I laughed. That sounded like Colin.
Jordan stood. I gazed up at him. “You won’t stay for dessert?”
“Don’t you have to pack?”
I glanced at my watch. “It’s nine thirty. You can eat dessert and leave by ten. I’ll be packed in forty-five minutes. An hour, tops. I think even in my dotage I can handle staying up until eleven.”
He pulled me up from the sofa and kissed me again. “Good. I plan on keeping you up late all weekend. Might as well practice now.”
I grinned all the way into the kitchen.
I had a feeling I was going to enjoy this surprise weekend.
Sandy
I barely slept all night. Packing was harder than I expected, although I was certain it had more to do with my nerves than the clothes in my closet. I had texted Jordan, asking what sort of clothing I should bring, and his reply hadn’t been helpful.
You’ll be beautiful in anything. Lots of walking. A nice dress for dinner.
I rolled my eyes at the unclear directive.
How many dinners? One dress-up and the rest casual?
I snorted. He was amazing but also a typical male—short on details.
In the end, I chose some outfits I could mix and match and packed two elegant dresses and one casual one. A good pair of walking shoes and one pair of high heels.
I hesitated over my lingerie drawer. I pulled out a bag that had been stuffed in the corner for months. I let the shimmering ball of satin fall from my fingertips, studying it. Blue, soft, and sexy, it hinted rather than revealed. Perfect for my body at my age. In front of the mirror, I studied myself. I kept in good shape. I wasn’t as thin as I once was, but I still had muscle definition, and I looked okay in a bathing suit. My breasts hadn’t sagged yet, and my long legs were still lean and shapely. I always tried to play those up. My hair hung past my shoulders, straight, thick, and pure white. I knew Jordan loved to run his fingers through it.
Would he like the nightgown? I had seen it one day while out shopping a couple of months ago, and bought it, then never took it from the bag, wondering in the emptiness of my bedroom why I had purchased it. It had been an impulse buy that seemed silly once I arrived home.
I had no idea if I would need it this weekend. If I was ready to move forward to that step with Jordan. There was no doubt the man had skill when it came to kissing me. He was passionate and confident, his tongue and mouth talented. His long fingers stroked my skin like I was a violin and he a maestro, leaving me longing for more. I lost myself to him, our surroundings fading away, yearning building under my skin and taking over every sense when he had me in his arms.
I tucked the nightgown into the suitcase and added my bathing suit in case.
I was simply being prepared; that was all.
I ignored the fluttering in my stomach at the thought of Jordan seeing me in that nightgown and his reaction.
Then before I could change my mind, I added my toiletry bag and snapped the locks shut. I found my passport and added some American cash to my wallet, grateful I always kept a little on hand.
Now, I was waiting by the door, anxious and already tired. A town car pulled up right at six, and Jordan slipped from the back, meeting me at the door.
He bent down and kissed my cheek. “Hello, my darling.”
“Hi.”
He picked up my case. “Are you ready?”
I swallowed. “Yes.”
He held out his hand. “Let’s go.”
The airport wasn’t overly busy this time of morning, and I wasn’t surprised when Jordan directed me to the Executive Class area. We were checked in within minutes and the security line wasn’t backed up, so we were in the first-class lounge not long after the car had dropped us off.
We found a table and left our carry-ons. We brought coffee and some pastries back to the table,
and Jordan opened his laptop, showing me some of the things we had to choose from.
“We’re staying at the Boston Harbor Hotel. I have dinner reservations at Finz tonight and Turner’s Seafood tomorrow. Sunday, I thought we could decide if there was anywhere we heard of or simply pick a place.”
“Sounds lovely.”
“I bought a membership at MFA last night that we’ll pick up today. I got tickets for the Impressionists for the three-o’clock time slot.” His fingers raced over the keyboard. “We have a cruise on the harbor tomorrow, a walking tour of Salem after dark, but sadly, no baseball game.”
“I think I can live without it,” I said dryly.
He picked up his coffee. “I thought so.”
“Have you booked us every second?” I asked, looking over the itinerary.
He laughed. “No. I saved lots of time for walking, exploring, and shopping.”
“You thought of everything.”
“I tried. I’ve never been there before either. I’m excited to share all this with you.” A sly grin appeared on his face. “I also booked us a massage Sunday morning.”
“Oh god, I love massages.”
“Emmy might have told me that.” He leaned close, waggled his eyebrows, and spoke in a low, growly voice. “I give great massages, Sandy. Play your cards right and maybe I’ll show you.”
“Is that a fact?”
He brushed his fingers down my cheek. “It is. I’m very dexterous.” His words were accompanied by another waggle of his eyebrows, his green eyes alive and dancing in the bright light surrounding us.
“Well then,” I said, “I suppose I’ll have to figure out a way of getting in your good graces.”
He linked our fingers together and brought them to his mouth.
“You already have, Sandy. You already have.”
The flight was uneventful. I napped, my head resting on Jordan’s shoulder during the brief trip. The hotel was sumptuous, the suite ready when we arrived. I stood looking out onto the harbor, feeling excited. Our driver had pointed out a lot of landmarks and made some suggestions. I had a feeling it was going to be a fabulous weekend.
Jordan came up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and tugging me back to his chest. “Happy?” he murmured.
Without a word, I turned and flung my arms around his neck. I pulled his head down and kissed him. Deeply. Letting him feel my emotions. It had been so long since I had experienced this sort of attention. Being the center of someone’s focus. Max’s illness prevented him from enjoying life, and although he had been a wonderful husband, I had missed little moments like this for so many years.
Jordan’s arms encircled me tightly. His mouth moved with mine, and our tongues danced and teased together. He eased back, smiling down at me. “I love it when you kiss me,” he murmured. “It’s a little surprise gift every time.”
“I plan on giving you lots of gifts this weekend.”
His eyes widened and he ran his finger over my bottom lip. “I look forward it to, my darling. Now, ready to head to the museum?”
“Yes.”
“You like this one.”
I startled at Jordan’s voice. We’d been in the gallery for hours, walking, looking, exploring. I saw paintings I had never seen before. Works of art so beautiful they took my breath away. One Renoir painting in particular caught my eye, and I kept coming back to it, studying the colors, new hues emerging with every sweep of my gaze. It was called Landscape on the Coast near Menton, and I was mesmerized by it.
“Yes.”
“What draws you to it?”
“The colors. The light.”
Jordan tucked me to his side as people went past. We looked at the painting, not speaking. Then he pressed his lips to my head. “Hmm. The same things I see in you. Beautiful light. Breathtaking colors.”
I slapped his arm. “Goof.”
He chuckled, capturing my hand. “It’s true, Sandy. I see that when I look at you. I see life again.”
“Jordan,” I breathed out. “I think that is one of the most beautiful things anyone has ever said to me.”
“It’s the simple truth.”
Without thought, I wrapped my hand around his neck and pulled his face down to kiss him. He instantly wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me in tight. I wasn’t a short woman or delicate, but Jordan was tall enough, at times I felt as if I were a piece of Dresden china being carefully cradled within his embrace. It was still an odd feeling, yet I found I liked it.
He released me, smiling. “Should I inquire about purchasing this?” He indicated the painting. “I’m sure I can find forty or fifty million kicking around somewhere.”
“Nice little souvenir,” I agreed. “But I don’t think they sell the paintings off the walls.”
“Pity.”
I slipped my arm through his. “Let’s go see more.”
Hours later, my feet were tired from walking, my mind full of all the beauty we’d seen. Outside, the sun was still shining, although the temperature had dropped a little as early evening set in. We waited for the car to arrive, our hands clasped together. “Thank you for today.”
Jordan tightened his grip on my fingers. “We can come back if you want. The membership is good for a year, and I can get us tickets to look at the exhibit again this weekend.” He lifted my hand to his mouth, kissing my knuckles. “Whatever you want to do this weekend, Sandy. It’s yours.”
“Dinner,” I stated. “I’m starving.”
He grinned, opening the car door as it came to a stop in front of us. “Our reservation is in two hours. I have some appetizers waiting at the hotel, and we can get dressed and go.”
He thought of everything. “Sounds perfect.”
I stepped out from the bedroom, feeling strangely nervous. Jordan turned from the window, and our eyes met across the room. He walked toward me, giving me a chance to take him in. Dressed in a silver-gray suit that clung to his shoulders and suited his coloring, he was handsome. His hair was brushed to gleaming, and his tie matched his green eyes. He stopped in front of me, lifting my hands and kissing them.
“You are beautiful.” He grinned widely. “And we match.”
I had to laugh. My green dress shot with strands of silver went perfectly with his suit, as if we had coordinated.
Jordan stepped back and twirled his finger. “Let me see.”
Feeling like a teenager, I turned in a circle, my full skirt curling around my knees. Jordan shook his head. “You are so sexy, Sandy. Elegant, beautiful, and so, so… sensual. It boggles my mind.”
My blush threatened. “Thank you.”
He crooked his arm. “May I take you to dinner?”
I slipped my arm through his. “Yes.”
A few hours later, I sat back with a groan. “I am so full.”
Jordan topped up our wine. “It was an amazing meal.”
“Amazing,” I agreed, then giggled. “So is this wine. I think I might be a little drunk.”
“I think we both are.”
The evening had been wonderful. The ambiance of the restaurant, Jordan’s company, our conversation—everything.
“You are the perfect date.”
He lifted his eyebrows. “Perfect?”
I leaned forward, stroking my finger along his hand. He had strong hands. Large, capable of performing the most manual of tasks or touching me with the gentlest of caresses. “I can talk to you about anything. You never judge me.”
He cocked his head to the side. “I’m interested in anything you want to tell me, Sandy. I feel the same way about you. I enjoy our conversations.”
“You make me feel safe.”
He flipped his hand up and encased mine. “You are safe with me.”
“It’s been a long time since I felt that way.”
“I imagine so. I know the feeling of caring for an ill spouse. Nothing feels safe anymore. Nothing feels right. Your entire world is upside down, especially when you know they will be taken from you at
some point and there’s nothing you can do.” He was quiet. “You offer me that safety as well, Sandy. I feel very peaceful with you.”
“Why did you put my bag in the master bedroom and yours in the other one?” I blurted out.
His smile was gentle. “I thought you’d like to soak in that huge tub. It didn’t matter to me what room I had, as long as you were happy. This weekend is all about you, my darling.”
His words, his thoughtfulness, his very closeness soaked into my soul.
I met his gaze directly. “What if what would make me happy was both of us in that room?”
There was a moment of silence. The pulse in his neck beat rapidly as he studied me. “Is that the wine talking?”
“No. It’s my heart.”
His grip on my hand tightened, and his eyes darkened. “Then I would signal for the check, and hurry back to the hotel to have you alone. In my arms.”
“Then pay the bill, Jordan.”
He signaled for the waiter.
We held hands in the car, Jordan’s thumb drawing restless circles on my skin. We didn’t attempt to make small talk or sit too close. Both of us were wavering on the sharp edge of desire, each caught up in our own thoughts and working through the varied emotions this moment was drawing out.
In the hotel room, we circled each other, unsure and on edge. Jordan held out his hand, then tugged me into his arms. “Let me sleep beside you tonight, Sandy. Just hold you. We don’t have to rush it.”
I nodded against his chest, unable to speak. I wanted more than to sleep beside him, but I didn’t know how to form the words.
He kissed the top of my head. “Go get ready, and I’ll join you.”
I changed into the pretty nightgown I had bought. Washed my face and brushed my teeth. I released my hair from its chignon and let it fall past my shoulders. I studied my image in the mirror. I was pale, my eyes bright in my face.
I stepped into the bedroom. Jordan swung around, whatever he was about to say dying on his lips. He stared at me, his eyes dark, his body tense. He was in a robe, his chest and legs bare. I felt myself flush, the heat building under my skin as I wondered if he was totally naked underneath.
Sandy: Vested Interest #7 Page 10
