by Kori Hart
I turned to look and held back my gasp. I nodded and put my hand on the handle. “Thanks for the ride. I’ll see you tomorrow,” I said before getting out.
“Officer…” I stopped when I realized I had forgotten his last name.
“Jordan, please.” He stepped away from the door and put his hands out. “Here, let me carry that.”
I let him take the portfolio and my bag even though it was only twenty steps to the front door. I unlocked it and let him go inside before I followed.
“What are you doing here?” I asked curiously, turning the deadbolt. I tossed my keys on the nearby table and then kicked off my shoes.
“I wanted to come and see how you were doing,” Jordan explained as he removed his own shoes.
“You’re not on duty.” I nodded to the street clothes he was wearing and wondered what the real reason was for his visit.
“No, I’m not working today.” Jordan shoved his hands into his pockets and looked down at his feet. A second later, he looked back at me and I smiled.
“You had nothing better to do on your day off?” I asked with a laugh.
He smiled bashfully and shrugged his shoulders. “I wanted to make sure you were okay. You were pretty shaken up the other night.”
“I was, and it means a lot that you would come by to see how I’m doing. It took a few days but everything is back to normal,” I told him, grabbing my portfolio and bag.
Jordan followed me to the small dining table as I put my things down. I looked back at him and noticed he was studying the portfolio.
“It’s for work. I’m a graphic designer but I like to hand sketch a lot of my designs before I work on the computer,” I explained.
“Can I see some?”
“Sure.” I pulled the book, so it was in front of us and flipped it open. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“Whatever you have is fine,” Jordan answered. He didn’t take his eyes off of the pencil sketch on the front page. He ran his fingers over the edge of one building I had created. He seemed mesmerized, and I felt proud for some reason.
I went to the kitchen and pulled out two glasses. I filled them with ice before retrieving a two liter bottle of cola from the fridge. Once both were full, I carried them back to the table.
“That was when we redid the graphics at the bowling alley.” I smiled at the memory as I looked at my sketch. I laughed when he looked at me in surprise.
“You did that?” he asked.
I nodded. “Me and the rest of the team at work.”
“I thought that was some big firm that works with chains. It's very well done.” Jordan looked at me a moment longer before he went back to the sketches. “Are these all for work?”
I nodded and took a sip from my glass.
“Do you ever sketch for fun?” Jordan asked, picking up his drink. He paused a moment with the rim at his lips before he took a sip.
The way he did that made me hold my breath. It was such a simple gesture, but it got my heart racing. He didn’t have to do much for me to think he was the sexiest man I’d ever seen.
“I do,” I said with a nod. “That goes in another portfolio though.”
Jordan chuckled. “Can I see that one? Or is it private?”
“It’s private but if you’re good, I’ll let you see it.” I smiled at him when our eyes met. His sparkled back at me as if he loved the challenge I put forth in front of him.
“I’m tempted to ask what being good includes but I have a feeling you won’t be telling me,” he teased.
“You’d be correct,” I replied with a big grin. “Now what are we having for dinner?”
Jordan laughed. “That means I’m staying?”
“Of course unless you only had plans on checking in on me and bailing,” I teased.
“That is the last thing I want to do,” Jordan said. He took another sip from his glass.
“I would have mac and cheese or a sandwich so we might have to order something. What are you in the mood for?” I asked.
“That…” Jordan stopped himself.
“What?” I lifted an eyebrow.
“That’s a dangerous question,” he finished.
“Oh?”
Jordan nodded his head. “I’m supposed to be good, remember?”
I blushed and immediately put my glass to my lips for another drink. Jordan seemed to notice because his smile grew even bigger.
“To answer your question about food. I’m easy to please in that department. What are you in the mood for?” he asked.
I shrugged, not knowing what to say. The idea he was having naughty thoughts about me flustered me. It had been a long time since I’d seriously dated anyone and Jordan; he checked all the boxes.
He was tall, with deep brown eyes and brown hair. He had some muscles on him, displayed better now that he was wearing a t-shirt instead of his uniform. His blue jeans fit his lower half perfectly. On top of that, he was a man in uniform. He was a police officer, something I’ve admired and adored for a very long time.
I almost had to pinch myself.
“Let’s go with something easy,” Jordan suggested. “Pizza.”
“I can always go for easy and pizza is on that list,” I replied. “Please tell me you’re not one of those guys that wants anchovies or something weird on theirs.”
Jordan laughed and shook his head. “I’m easy to please, remember? Whatever you want, I’m good with. Well…” He laughed again. “As long as there are breadsticks and dessert pizza.”
“I never order pizza without either of those,” I stated.
“Seriously?”
I nodded. “Seriously.”
“I have a feeling that this will be the start of a beautiful friendship,” Jordan joked, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. He pulled me close, and I took in his scent, loving how it felt to be pressed against his firm body.
“Just friends?” I asked, looking up at him.
“I didn’t want to press my luck.” He grinned back at me.
My stomach did several flips before I forced myself to look away. I took another sip from my glass before putting it down. If I was going to behave myself, I had to pull myself away from the man.
I pulled my cell phone out of the pocket in my bag and scrolled through my list of contacts until I found my favorite pizza place.
“We’re getting pepperoni and sausage,” I told him as the ringing started.
“Sounds delicious,” Jordan said with a smile.
Once someone picked up the call, I put in our order. I didn’t forget the breadsticks or the dessert pizza before hanging up.
“I should have asked if you wanted anything else like a drink or wings,” I said, tossing my phone into my bag.
“What you ordered is perfect,” Jordan reassured me. “You could have ordered me liver and onions. I would have been fine with eating it if it meant I got to spend more time with you.”
The butterflies in my stomach went crazy, and I felt my cheeks flush once more. I could feel a warmth building within me and I once again thought about how sexy and sweet he was.
This man was doing things to me that nobody had ever done.
Chapter 4
Natalie
“That was fantastic,” Jordan sighed. He put his napkin down on top of his empty plate and leaned back in his seat. “I will remember this place next time I order pizza.”
“They’re my favorite in the entire city.” I picked up my glass and finished my drink before wiping my mouth.
“I can see why.” Jordan smiled at me as our eyes connected from across the dining room table. “It was delicious. Thank you.”
“You paid for it,” I giggled.
“You picked the restaurant,” he argued.
“I see we won't settle this with words,” I joked.
“Are you going to fight me?” he asked.
We both laughed.
“If it was regular fighting, you’d win.” I shook my head at him with a big smile.
>
“What other kind of fighting is there?”
I bit my lower lip. “Well…”
“Tell me.”
The look on Jordan’s face was a mix between curious and hopeful. I didn’t know what that meant. The thoughts that entered my mind weren’t something I usually shared with a person I barely knew. But I wanted to tell Jordan. I wanted to flirt with him and see how far things could go between us.
“You will think I’m ridiculous,” I argued, feeling my confidence wavering.
“I doubt that. Nothing you could say or do would make me think that,” Jordan confessed.
I bit my lower lip once more and looked into his eyes. I could see so much emotion and it felt like no matter what, Jordan would do whatever he could to make me feel all right.
“Naked fighting,” I mumbled.
“Did you say naked fighting?” Jordan asked softly.
I nodded.
He laughed.
My cheeks went red, and I looked down at my hands in my lap.
“That's the best thing I’ve ever heard,” he said cheerfully. “I’ve never fought anyone naked but if I was going to, I’d want it to be with you.”
I lifted my head and looked at him again. “Really?”
“Of course. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Anything that involves us removing our clothes, I will be ready and willing.” Jordan ran a hand through his brown hair, pushing some longer strands back from his face. “In case you haven’t noticed, part of the reason I came to see how you are is because I’m attracted to you, Natalie. I couldn’t stand the thought of you being home alone and scared. I want to protect you and make sure nothing ever happens to you again.”
Everything he said shocked me. His words made me forget how to speak. The perfect man sitting across from me thought I was beautiful and hot and he wanted to be naked with me. He wanted to make sure I was okay. He wanted to protect me. It blew my mind.
“I…” My voice cracked a little. “I don’t know what to say. I mean, I feel speechless in a wonderful way. You’re this perfect guy. Handsome, strong, funny, charming, caring… and…”
“A cop,” he smiled. “I know that’s part of it, to some degree, and I’m okay with that. I have a thing for graphic designers that have sketch books.”
“No, you don’t,” I laughed, knowing he was only saying that because it’s what I do.
“You’re right, but you’re also wrong. I’ve never had a thing until I met you,” Jordan said with another smile.
“So I’ve given you a thing?” I asked.
“You most certainly have,” Jordan replied. There was a sly smirk on his face and I wished he would tell me exactly what he meant. I had a good idea though.
“I should clean up,” I blurted out, rising from my seat. I collected the empty glasses and dirty plates and tucked the two-liter under my arm.
Jordan hesitated for a moment before he closed the pizza box and gathered the remaining food items.
I shoved the cola into the fridge and went to the sink before he joined me in the kitchen. The nervous butterflies in my stomach were getting the best of me and I didn’t know how to handle them.
“Did I say something wrong?” Jordan asked as he put the food into the refrigerator. He turned toward me at the sink and took a step forward.
I said nothing, focusing on rinsing our plates.
“Natalie,” Jordan whispered. He gently put a hand on my arm and I froze. “Please talk to me,” he added.
I looked to him and could see the concern and worry written all over his face. “I’m nervous,” I finally admitted.
“Nervous about what? Me?”
I shrugged. “I don’t know what to do or what you expect.”
Jordan smiled and reached up, lightly brushing his fingers over my cheek. The butterflies fluttered around even more, but there was a calming feeling to them.
“I expect nothing from you,” he reassured me. “I enjoy being in your presence. I admit, I want to kiss you but I’m not going to because I don’t want to make you uncomfortable or make you think I’m only after one thing.”
“What if I want you to kiss me?” I asked. “Among other things.”
“Then kiss me and we’ll let things happen as they happen,” Jordan replied.
“You trust me?”
“Why would you ask that?” Jordan frowned and brushed some hair away from my face.
“Because of my obsession with cops and all things crime,” I whispered.
Jordan smiled and cupped my cheek. I kept my eyes on his, but my hand reached out, feeling for the faucet. I somehow turned off the water before turning to face him a little more.
“I know you enjoy all that stuff and it doesn’t bother me. That isn’t the reason you asked me to stay for dinner, right?”
I shook my head.
“You feel something. Just like I do. It’s deep in your gut, down in your soul.”
This time I nodded.
“Then kiss me,” Jordan said with a smile.
We both leaned in and our lips crashed against one another. His hands ran along the sides of my body. Once he reached my hips, he picked me up, and I wrapped my legs around his waist.
Our kiss grew more heated as Jordan carried me to my bedroom. My arms tightened around his neck and he paused near my bed. We kissed passionately for several minutes before he gently put me down.
Jordan stood there, looking at me. I could feel his eyes wash over me and I wondered what he was thinking. If I was naked, I knew I’d be much more nervous, but even still; I hoped he liked what he saw.
“You’re gorgeous,” he said.
I laughed. “Get down here and kiss me.”
Jordan laughed and climbed onto the bed, moving to hover over me before his lips landed on mine.
As the kiss grew more passionate, we both worked together to rid ourselves of the clothes we were wearing. One by one, we threw each piece of clothing to the ground. Once I was naked, I crawled under the blankets and Jordan followed. We quickly resumed our heated kiss.
Jordan moved his body on top of mine. He looked down and our eyes met. The butterflies in my stomach went crazy, and I reached up to touch his cheek. He leaned into my touch. I smiled at him before I wrapped my arms around his neck.
Our lips met once again, and Jordan’s hands ran down my thighs. He guided them around his waist and I moaned against his lips. I could feel his erection brush against me. Shivers went down my spine, I wanted him so much.
Jordan slowly pushed himself into me, and my lips fell from his. My low moan filled the room as we connected and my hands moved to hold the back of his head a little more.
“Oh Nat,” Jordan groaned before pressing his lips to mine.
It was a few seconds later when Jordan moved his hips. I ran my hands over his back, his arms, his chest. Anywhere I could touch, I did.
At times, we shared the same breath. When it happened, we looked into each other’s eyes and the world stood still.
Never had sex felt like this and I was sure the difference was obvious. We were making love.
Each thrust of his hips made me moan out in pleasure. Each gentle rake of my nails along his skin made him groan. When he went faster, I responded with more moans. Other times, he slowed down, and I begged for more.
It was as if he knew my body and I knew his. Our bodies complimented each other in such a way, I knew in my heart that this man was the one I was meant to be with. The idea was scary, but right then: I wanted more. I wanted all of him.
Jordan reached between our bodies and pressed his thumb against my clit. I cried out in pleasure. A smirk appeared on my face as I looked at him. His thumb moved in a circle as he bucked his hips against me. It was all it took for me to call out his name as my orgasm took over. He followed seconds later.
“Oh my God.” I was out of breath and still reeling in the rush of pleasure I had experienced. “You’re perfect.”
“No, that’s you.” Jordan lea
ned in and gave me a sweet yet loving kiss. He nuzzled against my neck for a few minutes before he kissed my shoulder. I tightened my arms around him and silently wished I could keep him there forever.
We made love a few more times before Jordan’s head rested on my chest. I was exhausted but happy.
“Sweet dreams,” Jordan whispered before he fell asleep.
“Good night,” I managed to say. A second later, I was asleep as well.
Chapter 5
Natalie
Thankfully, when we woke up, there was no time for awkwardness. I was running late and had to get to work.
“I’m going to shower. I know you have to go so please don’t wait around for me,” I said, grabbing some clothes.
“I don’t like leaving you alone,” Jordan stated. “I want to drive you to work so I know you got there safely.”
“I know but I’ll be fine. I promise.” I glanced up to look at him and flashed a smile.
“Text me when you made it?”
I nodded and put my clothes in a chair near my bed so they were ready for when I got out of the shower. When I turned around, Jordan was standing right in front of me. I jumped in surprise.
“I had a wonderful time last night,” he whispered, brushing back some of my unruly morning hair. “I hope to see you again soon.”
Before I could speak, he leaned in and caught my lips for a passionate kiss. I leaned into him, melting a little, and kissed him back.
“I better go,” Jordan announced, seconds after the kiss ended. “Otherwise we’ll both be late.”
I smiled at him, part of me wishing neither of us had to go. “Be safe.”
Jordan seemed to appreciate the sentiment as his face lit up like a Christmas tree. He leaned in and gave me a sweet kiss before heading for the door. He paused in the doorway and looked at me one last time before disappearing.
My heart ached. It was as if it couldn’t be without him and I shook my head. Even though it had been a long time since I’d been with a guy, I’d never depended on one. The feeling scared me.
I got showered and dressed as quickly as I could. After gathering up my things, I grabbed a cold piece of pizza from the fridge and headed out the door.
♦♦♦
