Captivated by the Millionaire

by Nina Singh

  Jordan looked off into the distance, silent for a moment. Finally, he spoke. “How lucky for her. For both of them.”

  “Lucky?”

  He shrugged. “To have found the person they each wanted to spend the rest of their lives with. And have grandchildren together.”

  A grim tone had settled into his voice. He was clearly speaking from personal experience. But her gut told her he wasn’t speaking about himself. Maybe that was just wishful thinking on her part. She asked anyway. “Are you thinking of your mom and dad?”

  Jordan folded his arms in front of his chest before he spoke. “I guess my parents were lucky, too. For a while anyway. My dad certainly wasn’t as fortunate the next time love came around knocking for him.” The way he pronounced the word love had a distinct undertone of disdain. “I’ve seen a successful marriage that crumbled due to illness, and I’ve seen a disastrous one that should have never happened in the first place. One has to wonder if the risk is even worth it.”

  He gave his head a brisk shake as if to clear it. Jess didn’t know quite what to say to his last comment. After all, she’d had the same notion more than once since her breakup. Gary’s utter rejection once she’d made her decision to change careers had sent her self-confidence stumbling several notches. It had taken her some time to convince herself that she was simply enough, by being exactly who she was. But to hear the cynical words spoken out loud the way that Jordan had phrased them, filled her heart with sadness.

  The conversation had suddenly turned too deep, too serious. The air around them seemed to grow heavy and loaded. An idea struck her about how to possibly lighten the mood. She turned to him. “The contest with the bumper boats could certainly be considered a draw.”

  He blinked at her. “I beg your pardon?”

  “I mean, we’re pretty much even after my challenge.”

  “And?”

  “Clearly, we need another test of sorts to settle the matter.”

  “Not that I’m ready to concede anything, but what do you have in mind?”

  She had to giggle at his serious tone. “That I have another challenge for you.”

  “I’m listening.”

  “I bet I can beat you at mini-golf.”

  His dark gray eyes filled with mirth. “You’re on.”

  She beat him soundly on the first hole. But apparently, he was just warming up. By the time they got to hole three, she was already up by five strokes. To his credit, he only taunted her once about it. Luckily, they hadn’t placed any kind of wager.

  “How are you sinking so many holes in one?” she demanded in exasperation.

  Jordan gave her a sheepish grin. “I have an admission to make.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I golf regularly. Started when I was barely a preteen. Mini-golf isn’t any different than putting on the green.”

  She should have guessed. Someone of Jordan’s wealth and status probably had access to some of the most elite courses on the East Coast. No wonder he was beating her so badly. But her pathetic score did nothing to dampen her fun. In fact, this was the most fun she could remember having in quite a while.

  The next hole took them through an artificial cave. Jess suddenly found herself in a tight, dark space completely alone with the most enigmatic man she’d ever encountered. In an instant everything else around them faded into the background. Only the two of them seemed to exist.

  Jordan was so close, she was certain he could hear the increased pounding of her heart. So close that it would be so easy to lean toward him with a clear invitation. So easy to ask him to kiss her.

  Heat and excitement curled deep in her belly at the thought. What might it feel like to have his lips on hers? She could smell the subtle scent of his aftershave. That same smoky, woodsy scent she was now beginning to associate with the man.

  Was he wondering about kissing her, too?

  The breath seemed to be leaving her chest in gasps. He had to notice the effect he was having on her. Was probably too much of a gentleman to acknowledge it. Oh, but a part of her so wished he would.

  She knew Jordan was far out of her league. From what Clara had told her so far, he was successful and accomplished. Together enough to not only be in charge of an international finance business but also for a little girl he’d taken on complete responsibility for.

  Whereas she was barely making ends meet with no idea what her plans for the future were, aside from a part-time teaching gig and various artistic projects that paid if and only if they came to be.

  They were from two completely different worlds. She had no business being attracted to him. And she certainly had no business acting on it anyway.

  Even in the dark, she could read hunger on his face. Desire for her. He was attracted to her, too. The idea made her giddy and downright terrified at the same time. How she had ended up here she had to wonder. A few short days ago she hadn’t even known Jordan Paydan existed. Now she couldn’t imagine going even one day without thinking about him.

  It wouldn’t take much for him to kiss her. She had no doubt that if she so much as leaned farther toward him, he would take her up on the clear invitation. But this was all so confusing. They’d only just met, for heaven’s sake.

  She made herself pull away.

  Finally, Jordan cleared his throat and stepped back, as well. He was barely tall enough to fit inside the makeshift cave. They had to get out of here for more reasons than one.

  “I...uh...” Jess stammered like a confused toddler. She’d never felt at such a loss for words before.

  “I think it’s your turn,” Jordan said simply, sparing her the need to try and complete her sentence.

  Not that she really had any idea of what she’d been planning to say.

  * * *

  Dear Lord, he’d almost kissed her back there. Jordan rubbed a hand down his face and tried to compose himself as Jess returned their golf clubs to the teenage worker at the mini-golf stand. What had he been thinking? The fact was he hadn’t been. The first half hour of being alone with her and he’d almost lost control.

  It absolutely could not happen again. He’d just have to be sure never to be alone with her anymore. Starting right now.

  As soon as she approached him, he said as much. “We’ve probably been gone too long.”

  Her breath seemed to puff out in little gasps. Was that because of his effect on her? If only he could test that theory by taking her into his arms, despite the myriad people around them. If only he could kiss her like he’d so badly wanted to in that silly plaster toy cave.

  “Of course.” She nodded. “Though Sonya’s definitely in good hands. Clara was a teacher for over twenty years and has all those grandchildren she helps take care of.”

  He knew all that. It had come up in the center’s office when he’d signed his sister up for the gymnast classes. He would have never let Sonya go with the woman if he hadn’t been confident of her skill level. “Nevertheless.”

  “You’re right. They’ve probably run out of animals to pet.”

  But they were interrupted before they’d gone far.

  A tall and fit gentleman with dark blond hair jogged up behind Jess and playfully tapped her on the shoulder. When she turned to him, he gave her a bright smile. But the look he glanced in Jordan’s direction appeared less than cordial.

  “Travis. Hi.”

  The man didn’t tear his gaze off him even as he responded to the greeting. Whoever this Travis was, he wasn’t terribly thrilled at seeing Jess here with him. A spear of jealousy shot through his chest.

  “Have you been here long?” Jess asked in a clear attempt to simply make conversation as things appeared to swiftly be turning to the awkward.

  “Just got here,” Travis answered. “I’m really glad I ran into you.”

  Jess indicated Jordan with a head nod in his direc
tion. “This is Jordan Paydan. He just moved to the island recently.”

  The handshake that ensued held absolutely zero friendliness or pleasantness of any degree.

  “Are you showing him around or something?” Travis wanted to know.

  Jordan resisted the strong urge to ask him why he thought it was any of his business.

  Except maybe it was.

  A disquieting thought occurred to him. He knew so little of Jess. Despite an almost surreal and inexplicable attraction, she was barely more than a stranger. He’d speculated earlier that she might be in a relationship with a man. But now that one stood before them, given the way he was looking at her with nothing short of possession in his eyes, the notion disturbed Jordan more than he cared to admit. Much more. His hands clenched into tight fists at his sides.

  He was jealous.

  Of all the foolish... If he’d ever felt the emotion before, he couldn’t recall the time. Not when it came to a female, in any case. What in the world was wrong with him? He wasn’t even himself when it came to this woman.

  He didn’t give Jess a chance to answer Travis’s question. He spoke before she could. “Yes, Jess has been nice enough to introduce us to one of the town’s biggest attractions.” He turned to her before continuing. “I’m going to go find the others now. I’ll meet you there. Unless you think you may have found another ride back home.”

  There. He’d given her the out if she wanted to take it. Though he hated the thought that she actually might take it.

  Her whiskey-gold eyes narrowed on him, hardened. “Travis was just saying hello. Weren’t you?”

  Travis merely nodded. He seemed utterly at a loss for what to say. Welcome to the club, pal.

  “First of all, my car is parked in your driveway.”

  She had a point there.

  She continued, “Secondly, I’ll leave with the person I came here with.”

  A small, churlish hint of satisfaction hit him as they said their goodbyes and started walking away. Then he reminded himself how he didn’t need any of this. He didn’t need to feel strange emotions over a woman he’d just met. He didn’t need to feel jealous simply because she’d been approached by another man. He had enough on his plate. And he couldn’t afford to mess any of it up. Particularly when it came to the well-being of his sister. No, he didn’t have the time or the inclination. Look at how his father’s life had been shattered. First, when he’d lost the woman he’d loved for over three decades. Then again when he’d been selfishly used by another. Look at all the lives that had been affected in turn. His. Sonya’s.

  Serious relationships weren’t for him. Certainly not now. Probably not ever. And Jess certainly wasn’t the type of woman he’d entertain indulging in a meaningless fling with. She deserved more than that.

  It was better to cease all this now before Sonya grew more attached. For he had no doubt things were heading in that direction for his little sister.

  Inviting Jess over for dinner was a mistake. He should have known better.

  “A friend of yours?” he asked when the silence between them had gone awkwardly long during their walk back.

  “Yes. As a matter of fact.” She answered with a clear bite in her tone.

  “Appeared to be a very good friend, in fact.”

  “My old roommate’s brother. I’ve known him for years.” She was clearly speaking through gritted teeth. He’d made her angry. Well, so be it. Not like he was exactly feeling pleasant. Was she trying to say the friendship was purely platonic? If so, he had no doubt it was one-sided. She was blind to the other man’s obvious feelings for her. Just meeting the man for a few brief moments and Jordan had been able to see it as clear as the setting sun in the horizon.

  Again, none of this was any of his concern. He had to keep reminding himself of that. Yep. Dinner with Jess had definitely been a mistake. He’d be sure to make better decisions in the future as far as she was concerned. After all, he had more than himself to consider now. He was in charge of a child. One whom he’d already let down in the most unforgivable way imaginable.

  * * *

  To think the evening had started so pleasant and cordial. They’d even had some kind of moment while playing mini-golf. And then Jordan had tried to hoist her off on another man for a ride as soon as he’d had the chance. Sitting in his passenger seat now, the ride back to his place seemed to be taking forever. The only sound in the car was Sonya’s rhythmic, steady breathing in the backseat. If she hadn’t already fallen asleep back there, she certainly was close.

  Well, Jess wasn’t going to try and break the silence. Damned if she would be the one to start speaking first. She’d be too tempted to curse if she did.

  Finally, they pulled into the paved circular driveway of Jordan’s Mediterranean-style mansion complete with plaster columns and an upper balcony above the front double doors. The house was lit up with floodlights now that the sun had set.

  Jess got out of the car when Jordan came to a stop and opened Sonya’s car door for her. The child got out rubbing her eyes. Yeah, she was beyond beat. Jess crouched down in front of her as Jordan came to stand a few feet away behind his sister.

  “Good night, Sonya. I hope you had fun.”

  Sonya smiled at her. “Let’s get you cleaned up and into bed.” Jordan spoke behind them. “Then I’ll tuck you in.”

  But when Jess stood to leave, Sonya grabbed her hand. She seemed to struggle as her mouth quivered. Then floored her by actually speaking. “Jeth do ee.”

  Jess do it.

  Oh, heavens. Jess had never heard the child try to speak until now. And she was doing so to ask Jess to get her ready for bed.

  There was no mistaking the shock that flooded over Jordan’s features. Well, she was pretty surprised herself. She gave Jordan a questioning look above Sonya’s head. She may be mad at him, but she wasn’t about to usurp a decision that was clearly his to make. He came to stand by her and touched his sister on the shoulder.

  “You’re saying you want Jess to help you into bed?”

  The little girl didn’t hesitate and nodded with solemn determination.

  Jordan let out a deep sigh as he rubbed his hand down his face before crouching down in front of his sister. “I’m sure Jess is tired, sport. Why don’t we let her be on her way?”

  The irritation she’d felt for him earlier fled like a flock of migrant birds. To his credit, Jordan really was trying to do right by Sonya.

  The little girl nodded and dropped her chin to her chest, but not before Jess noticed the clear tell of sudden tears in her eyes. Damn it.

  “Come on, kiddo,” Jordan continued, “we don’t want to end such a pleasant day on this solemn note, do we?”

  Sonya slowly shook her head but didn’t look up from staring at her toes. Jordan lifted his head to look at her then. The depth of emotion in his eyes took Jess’s breath away. It was tearing him up inside that he had to disappoint his sister. Jess didn’t give herself time to think. She gave him a small nod. “It would be my pleasure to help Sonya into bed, if it’s okay with you,” she said softly, so that only he could hear her.

  Gratitude flooded his features and the look he gave her nearly knocked the breath out of her lungs.

  Jordan quickly signed to Sonya. This time the little girl gave a wide smile before reaching for Jess’s hand. She’d made the right decision, hadn’t she? After all, she was simply putting a child to bed after she’d been asked.

  Together, the three of them made their way up the front steps and into the house.

  CHAPTER SIX

  “PLEASE JUST HELP her get as cleaned up as possible,” Jordan instructed as they approached the circular stairway. “A bath would be ideal but she’s likely to fall asleep in the water as exhausted as she is.”

  Jess nodded. “Got it.”

  “After she brushes her teeth, it’s just a matter of
getting her into bed with a picture book for a few minutes before lights out.”

  “Sounds simple enough,” Jess answered and smiled at Sonya, who seemed to be paying close attention to her older brother’s directions.

  Jordan rubbed a hand through the thick hair at the top of his head. “I guess I’ll just go get some work done while you two are up there.”

  Jess led Sonya up the stairs and took the opportunity to take a good look at the first floor. She’d just passed through quickly earlier this evening. As she’d expected, Jordan had gone with the eggshell-white paint throughout the whole first floor. Most likely the second floor, as well. The furniture was modern and spotless.

  Jordan had mentioned they were all done unpacking. So this was it. The place looked like it could have been put together by a hotel decorator to look as generic as possible. A few pieces of art hung on the walls. Priceless, no doubt. But she saw no photographs. In fact, nothing in the house gave any indication of who lived there or what their personality might be.

  The only part of the house that showed any hint of personality was the castle she’d drawn herself in Sonya’s room. It had caused a bit of a ruckus at first between her and Jordan, but she was very glad to have done it.

  In a matter of minutes, Sonya was cleaned, brushed and dressed in a soft cotton nightie. She settled into the bed and Jess pulled the covers over her.

  “Which book will it be?” Jess asked.

  Sonya pointed to a hard cardboard-covered book sitting on her nightstand. Her breath caught when Jess picked it up and saw what it was.

  Mother Goose.

  “Our school play.” She did her best to sign out the letters P-L-A-Y.

  Sonya nodded.

  Jess pointed at Sonya’s chest then pointed at the book. “Do you think you might like to be in it, after all? I can talk to your brother.”

  Though the notion had her palms breaking into a sweat. Given his initial reaction to the suggestion a few days ago and the fact that weren’t exactly on the best of terms at the moment, asking Jordan about the play would not be something to look forward to.