Captivated by the Millionaire

by Nina Singh

  A news chyron scrolled across the building to her right. Neon billboards in every direction flashed advertisements for everything from cologne to skinny jeans to political messages. Music seemed to be sounding from every direction. A man wearing nothing more than tight Speedo shorts and a straw hat played a string guitar a few feet away.

  And there was a superhero approaching her wearing bright blue leggings and a long, flowing cape.

  “Would the lady like a picture?” the masked man wanted to know.

  She looked to Jordan in question but he was already pulling his cell phone out of his pocket. He motioned for her to stand next to the other man, then lifted his phone to focus the lens on the two of them.

  After a few clicks, Jess stepped away. Jordan pulled a bill out of his wallet and handed it to the caped crusader. “Thank you, good citizen,” he said before walking away.

  Jess laughed as she watched the cape retreat. “Uh, what just happened?”

  Jordan chuckled. “Simple. I just got a compelling picture to share with all your students back home.”

  “They’re sure to be jealous.”

  He showed her the screen and flipped through the snaps he’d just taken. Jess’s smile looked more like a grimace in every picture.

  She groaned in consternation. “I’m usually much more photogenic than that. I’m just not used to being snapped with caped strangers in the middle of a public square.”

  “I think you look lovely. Beautiful, actually.”

  But he wasn’t looking at the screen as he said it. In fact, he’d turned to focus squarely on her face. Jess’s stomach did a little flip. Suddenly, all the noise and commotion surrounding them faded into the background. Her focus narrowed completely on the man standing before her. Her mind went back to the couple they’d almost walked into on their way over here. Heaven help her, she wanted that. She wanted to feel what they felt as they held each other, locked in a passionate kiss.

  And she wanted it with Jordan.

  They were suddenly interrupted by a statuesque young lady in an elaborate lioness costume. She handed Jess a flyer before walking away. An advertisement for a Broadway play. Jess stared at it longingly. Jordan clearly noticed.

  “You wanted to see a show?” he asked.

  She shrugged, hoping to seem less than eager. “Doesn’t everyone?”

  Jordan gave her a smile that sent a curl of heat down to her toes. “Let’s see what we can do.”

  * * *

  Jordan wasn’t going to give her a chance to protest as he called up his contact list on his screen and clicked on the number. He wished he’d thought of the idea himself. Of course, someone visiting this city for the first time would want to see a Broadway show. And if they saw a Saturday matinee, they would have plenty of time to get ready before the auction tomorrow evening. Jess didn’t strike him as the type of woman who needed an exorbitant amount of time getting ready for events. And if she was, he got the impression he’d be forgiven considering what he was taking the time for.

  She was looking at him expectedly when he disconnected the call. “It’s all set.”

  “All set? Jordan, what did you just do?” She reached out to rest her hand on his forearm and he felt the warmth of her fingers as they touched his skin.

  He shrugged. “I made a phone call to someone who owed me a bit of a favor. Simply collected.”

  “Someone who has access to show tickets, I presume.”

  “You got it. We are all set for a matinee showing tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Jordan, you didn’t have to do that,” she protested but the pleasure was clear in her voice and in her bright smile.

  “You don’t want to go, then?” He lifted his cell phone. “I can call back and cancel.”

  Her eyes grew wide with alarm and he had to chuckle. She gave him a useless shove. “You’re teasing me.”

  She was right. And he was having an immensely pleasurable time doing so.

  * * *

  “Thank you, Jordan. I mean it.” Jess was still expressing her gratitude half an hour later when they made it back to the lobby. Jordan had to wonder how often anyone had simply done something nice for her in her past.

  “Don’t thank me just yet. You may not like it.”

  She gave his arm a squeeze. “I know I’m going to absolutely love it.”

  Jordan called up the elevator and noticed Jess resting a hand to her midsection. “Still full from lunch?” he asked with a laugh.

  She returned his laughter. “Indeed. In fact, I might not even fit into the gown I plan to wear. It is rather formfitting.”

  He couldn’t even help the images that sprang into his head—of Jess in a tight, silky dress. A strapless number that showed off her tanned olive skin and the bright honey color of her eyes. And then he pictured himself helping her out of it.

  Enough.

  “If you prefer a different outfit, there’s a boutique on the ground floor, down the other hallway.”

  She studied her fingers. “I’m sure I wouldn’t be able to afford a place like that. I don’t typically shop at boutiques. Not with my part-time summer instructor job and the odd gig here and there.”

  Her words reminded him how much he sometimes took for granted. “You wouldn’t have to pay for it, Jess.”

  She laughed at that. “Why is that? Does this boutique just give away dresses?”

  He shrugged. “Let’s just say I have some credit there. And it isn’t like I’ll have the need to use it myself. It’s a ladies’ boutique. I’ll call ahead and tell them to expect you.”

  She studied his face. “You’re serious.”

  “Of course I am.”

  “Thank you. That’s very generous. But that’s not necessary. I’ll wear one of the dresses I packed.” Her tone suggested she would hear no argument. And he got the distinct impression he’d made her upset for some reason.

  He certainly wasn’t suggesting any type of charity. He did have an understanding with the manager who ran the store, an arrangement set up long ago for his mother while she was alive. His father had never bothered to change it and neither had he.

  Jess appeared to want the topic closed for now. Though he couldn’t guess why his suggestion would be upsetting in any way, he would respect her wishes.

  “What color is it?” he asked, more to change the subject than any other reason. “Your dress.”

  “Why?”

  “I should probably try and match my tuxedo sash or cuff links. Seeing as we’re going together.”

  Her smile reappeared. “Have that many tuxedo accessories on hand, do you?”

  Again, more reminders of all the little things he’d taken for granted in his life. Jess was doing more to point such things out than he’d encountered ever before. “I go to a lot of black tie events.”

  “Hmm. Sure sounds like it.”

  “It’s hard to describe, actually. It’s blue but more of a cross between sapphire blue and ocean blue with the most delicate gold detail spun over it. The material is silky but it isn’t silk. Feels lighter than silk, believe it or not. It almost feels like liquid.”

  “Spoken like a true artist. Where in the world did you find such an exceptional item?”

  She ducked her head. “My mother travels the world. Every once in a while, she’ll see something and remember she has a daughter. I believe she picked this item up at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul.”

  “I see.”

  Jordan wasn’t surprised when she didn’t take long to change the subject. “You know, some men might be envious.”

  He quirked an eyebrow at her. “About what, exactly?”

  “All those extravagant parties you get to attend. With a line of beautiful women on your arm, no less.”

  Jordan grunted at that. If she only knew. Most of those party invites were nothing more than networ
king opportunities or direct commitments he’d made to colleagues or friends. Often, he was tired and bored out of his mind, more than ready to be one of the first to leave. Much to the chagrin of some of his past dates.

  So it surprised him just how much he was looking forward to the gala he’d be attending tonight. And that feeling had everything to do with the lady he’d be attending it with.

  * * *

  Jess had been right. There was no real adequate way to describe the dress she wore. Now as he watched her step out of her suite dressed for the award gala, Jordan felt as if the breath had been knocked out of him.

  He’d found her beautiful and striking when he’d seen her in overalls back in Sonya’s room at the mansion. Dressed in an evening gown with her hair up, she was a vision out of some kind of fantasy.

  How had she done all that in less than an hour? By herself, no less.

  She gave him a shy smile as she approached. “What do you think?” she asked with a little twirl.

  Think? Who could think at a time like this?

  The dress may as well have been made specifically for her. The color brought out the reddish, copper highlights of her hair and accentuated the honey-gold specks of her bright hazel eyes. The fit fell somewhere between loose and formfitting with the light fabric hugging her body in all the right places. He’d never wanted to remove an article of clothing off a woman so badly in his life.

  Her lips tightened at his continued silence, and a shroud of concern clouded her eyes. “Jordan, please tell me if you don’t like it. You won’t be offending me if you tell me the truth. Is it not formal enough? I’ve been worried about that.”

  He cleared his throat and forced his mouth to work. “It’s perfect, Jess. Absolutely stunning.”

  And so was she.

  * * *

  She had to be in the middle of some kind of fairy tale. Jess sat in the backseat of the stretch limo, trying to process the moment she was living. A devilishly handsome man in a custom-tailored suit sat next to her as they drove through New York City in a chauffeur-driven limousine. When she’d first gotten the request to attend this ceremony in her mother’s place, she’d never dreamed that she’d be arriving to it in such a fashion.

  She’d fully expected to take a cab downtown from her low-key motel just outside the city—the only kind she could afford in this part of the state. Then she’d expected to walk in, sit at a table surrounded by a bunch of strangers and count the minutes till she could leave.

  Instead, here she was, about to enter the ballroom on the arm of one of Manhattan’s most eligible bachelors whose penthouse she was staying in. How could all of this be happening in one day?

  Though she was trying hard not to think about why exactly a man like him would have a credit at a women’s boutique. Only one explanation made sense. Jordan must entertain women often enough that he felt the need to secure a retail service on standby.

  That prospect bothered her more than she cared to examine.

  “Nervous?” Jordan asked next to her.

  Yes. For all sorts of reasons. “Maybe a little. Particularly about the walking on stage part,” she admitted.

  He reached over across the seat and took her hand in his. Then he proceeded to brush the faintest of a kiss along her knuckles. Jess felt her insides turn to jelly. Heat swam through her core. Full-blown kisses from other men had evoked less of a response.

  “You’ll be fine,” Jordan reassured her.

  “Easy for you to say. You’re quite accustomed to this kind of thing.”

  He chuckled. “I admit to having given a speech or two at various charity events.”

  “I’m sure you have. And that you were both charming and inspirational.”

  The strong, masculine hand around hers tightened ever so slightly. “Is that how you see me?”

  The air suddenly grew heavy with his loaded question. How was she supposed to answer that?

  Thankfully, Jordan spared her from having to. “Just focus on me and where I’m sitting. And think of how I’ll be silently cheering you on,” he added and gave her hand another squeeze.

  As if she could focus on anything but him. The same way she had been pretty much since the first day they’d met.

  “Thank you. That just may work.”

  He didn’t let go of her hand and Jess was in no rush to do so, either. The contact was helping to reassure her in a way—about the award acceptance, that was. As far as her emotions regarding Jordan, his touch only seemed to be pushing those to the forefront and wreaking havoc on her equilibrium.

  She didn’t feel any more steady when the car finally pulled up to the front of the banquet hall. On shaky legs, she let Jordan lead her out of the vehicle and up the stairs. A handful of photographers snapped a few photos as they entered the building but she was much too nervous to so much as smile, let alone stop to pose for pictures.

  A well-heeled doorman in a dark suit met them at the ballroom doors and showed them to their table. The two couples already seated greeted them with warm smiles and brief introductions. Jess let out a sigh of relief as she settled into her chair. Wouldn’t be long now before the whole thing was over. Only about two or so hours to go.

  “I think you may need a drink,” Jordan declared and motioned for a server.

  “That might not be such a good idea. What if it goes to my head and I trip up the stairs?”

  He laughed out loud at her potential embarrassment and she gave him a playful punch on the upper arm. “Then I shall gallantly come help you up and brush you off.”

  She hadn’t expected to be quite this anxious. Jess cast a grateful glance in Jordan’s direction where he sat next to her. Thank heavens he was here with her. He was truly a godsend or she’d be a quivering mess sitting here all by herself with the chair next to her remaining empty if it wasn’t for him.

  Jordan Paydan had certainly come through for her. When she hadn’t even been aware that she’d been in need of rescuing.

  CHAPTER NINE

  “I HOPE YOU slept well,” Jordan said as she stepped into the kitchen the next morning. Jess had awoken and immediately followed her nose to the origin of the smell of brewed coffee.

  He was already dressed in gray pressed slacks and a crisp collared navy blue shirt. She looked down at her thick cotton socks and ragged sleepshirt with a cartoon depiction of a sleeping kitten on the front.

  He handed her a steaming cup and any thought or care about her appearance fled. All she cared about right now was the caffeine.

  “I slept great. Thanks.” She really had. The award ceremony had taken a lot out of her last night. She’d fallen into slumber as soon as her head hit the pillow at half past midnight. “Are you headed out?” she asked, gesturing to his clothing.

  He nodded. “There’s a property over on Park Avenue I’ve been meaning to look at, for a potential acquisition.”

  “No rest even on a Saturday morning for you, then?”

  “I’m afraid not.”

  “So I have the morning to myself?” she asked with a bit too much enthusiasm.

  Merriment filled his eyes. “Don’t sound too disappointed.” Amused sarcasm was clear in his voice.

  Jess simply laughed in response. The truth was, she could use some time alone. Jordan’s presence was wreaking havoc on her emotions. She needed some downtime to try and process it all. Maybe she’d find some paper and pens and do some sketching to help ground her. As it was, she was practically jumping out of her skin in anticipation of the theater show later this afternoon. She needed a distraction. Several sights from yesterday were etched in her mind, and her soul was crying out to get the images out in some type of physical form.

  “I just wouldn’t want to keep you from your work, is all,” she replied.

  Without responding, he glanced at his watch then set his mug down on the counter. “I’m going to get g
oing. If you do want to head out, the car and driver are available. I can text you the number to call. Or there are shops on the first floor, as I mentioned yesterday.”

  Jess shook her head. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll enjoy the solitude.”

  “All right, then. I’ll see you in just a couple of hours.”

  Jess gave him a small wave as he walked out then drained the rest of her coffee. She realized too late that she’d never asked him where he kept the paper and pens.

  He had to have writing materials here. He was a businessman, after all. Jess doubted he’d mind if she used some. She wouldn’t need much; she could work small.

  She walked over to a mahogany writing table she’d noticed in her entry hall and pulled open the top drawer. There was indeed a writing pad and an elegant, silver ink pen sitting there in the center. But that was not what drew her eye. The drawer also held a three-by-five framed picture. Jess drew in a breath and picked it up.

  He appeared to be not much older than ten or so when it had been taken. Jordan stood between an older gentleman who had to be his father and a breathtakingly lovely woman with an angelic smile. His mother. Jordan had her eyes and high cheekbones. They all looked so happy, so content to just be together. Jess rubbed her thumb over the image as it seared into her brain.

  Jordan’s apartment was very much like the mansion back on the island in that there were no photographs hung on any of the walls. In fact, the only photo she’d ever seen of Jordan outside of a gossip website was the one she held in her hand.

  Jess had never considered herself to be particularly nosy. And she certainly hadn’t meant to be snooping. But she couldn’t tear her gaze away from the image in the frame. An uncomfortable feeling settled over her. She was clearly invading his privacy. If Jordan wanted this picture seen, he would have set it out on top of the desk.

  It nagged at her that he’d hidden it. She could guess why. Jordan had had so much love in his early life. Only to have it all torn away. Of course, he had Sonya but that relationship came with an extraordinary amount of responsibility. And though countless women would be more than willing to share his life with him, the loss he’d endured was so clearly depicted in this one photograph.