by D. Camille
“Congratulations pretty girl,” he said softly.
She threw her arms around him. Without him this dream might just still be that. He'd done everything possible to make this opening a success. During the last two weeks he'd encouraged her every step of the way to make through to tonight. The most amazing part of it all was that he'd let her do it her way.
“Thank you Jordan. Thank you so much,” she said holding him tightly.
Jordan wrapped his arms around her waist. “You've done all the work baby. There's nothing to thank me for,” he said looking down at her. “But later if you want to anyway...” He smiled at her and she gave him a sexy look. Jordan laughed and turned her in the direction of the lobby. “Go greet your guests before you get in trouble.” He gave her a little push in that direction. Sage started walking but glanced back to give him another look.
She thought that Jordan looked extremely handsome tonight. In his black tuxedo, white shirt, black vest and Italian shoes, he was a walking dream. She turned back and headed toward the lobby.
Jordan stood watching her leave and it was a sight to behold. The one piece jumpsuit made her ass look like a big red apple. One that he wanted to bite. With her back bare and those glorious curls hanging down he could barely contain himself but he would for as long as necessary. Tonight was Sage's night being both her birthday and her opening. He wanted her to enjoy every single minute.
“Good look tonight Jay,” Ray said at his side.
Jordan looked over. “Thanks.”
Ray nodded. “I don't think I've ever seen her this happy,” he commented.
“Then we've done a good job.”
Sean joined them. “So Jordan, I heard you brought the Bugatti out tonight,” he said raising an eyebrow. Ray looked shocked.
“You brought out the Bugatti and parked it?” Ray asked amazed.
“Sage wanted to drive it tonight,” Jordan informed them.
Ray and Sean looked at each other.
It was Sean who spoke. “You mean you let Sage drive the Bugatti tonight?”
Jordan shrugged. “It's her birthday.”
Ray looked at Jordan. “Now that's some damn love right there!” All the men laughed.
They all looked up as the plain clothes security approached them.
“Mr. Black. Mr. Parker. Mr. Jackson.”
Ray nodded. “What's going on?” As the security expert he handled anything that had to do with security.
“There's a man outside. He doesn't have an invitation. He says he's Miss Parker's boyfriend and is insisting on seeing her.”
“Her boyfriend?” Jordan asked incredulously.
“Yes sir.”
When the trio got outside they found a hippie looking light skinned guy with big hair and gray eyes. He was wearing slacks and a dress shirt unbuttoned half way down his chest. Jordan and Ray looked at each other before Ray took over.
“Who the hell are you?”
The guy stuck out his hand. “I'm. Nico. Nico Maxwell.”
Ray looked at his hand then back at his face.
“What are you doing here?” he demanded.
Nico put his hand down. “I'm here to see Sage.”
Jordan's face hardened.
“Look I don't know who the hell you are but you're not here to see Sage,” Ray told him. “So if I was you, I'd keep it moving.”
Nico looked at the two men. “Sage will see me. I'm her man,” he proclaimed proudly.
Jordan stepped up then. “Actually, I'm her man,” he staring down at the shorter man. “So I don't know who the hell you are.”
Nico looked Jordan up and down then shook his head. “Nah. You can't be Sage's man.”
Jordan took another step and Ray stepped in front of him.
“What do want with Sage?” Ray said harshly.
Nico looked at Ray. “I'm here to wish her happy birthday and congratulate her on her gallery,” he said. “You dudes better tell her I'm here 'cause she's gonna be pissed that you didn't let me in. My girl has a bit of a temper.” He laughed.
Ray looked to Jordan then he motioned security over “Bring my sister out here,” he instructed.
Nico smiled. “Oh so you're Ray. Sage told me all about you. You do security and stuff.”
Ray and Jordan's eyes narrowed as they looked at each other. Jordan's instinct and gut told him this dude was going to be a serious problem. He wouldn't ignore them.
Inside, Lily watched as security walked over to Sage. She saw a surprised and fearful look come across Sage’s face before security started escorting her to the door. She had watched the guys leave earlier with the same security. What the hell was going on, she wondered?
When Sage got outside she took in the scene as she walked over to the men.
“Sage, baby!” Nico grabbed her and hugged her. Ray had to discreetly but firmly hold Jordan back.
“Nico...what...what are you doing here?” Sage said stunned.
He smiled at her. “It's your birthday baby. I came to see you.”
Ray spoke up. “Who the hell is this Sage?”
She turned to her brother. “Uh...this is Nico.” She looked to Jordan. “We used to date.”
“I tried to tell them baby. They didn't want to let me in,” Nico inserted.
Jordan swore if he called her baby One. More. Time. He looked over at Sean who gave him that look that said calm down. He ignored it.
“Tell them I'm with you Sage. Tell them to let me in,” Nico said smiling at Sage.
Sage turned to Nico. “You're not with me Nico but you can come in,” she informed him and the looks on both Ray and Jordan's faces did not agree with her decision.
“Go ahead inside Nico,” Sage told him. He kissed her cheek and looked back at Ray, Jordan and Sean before walking into the building.
Sage walked over to Jordan and put her hand on his chest. She could feel his heart beating a mile a minute. She could tell by the set of his jaw that he was really angry.
“He's come a long way Jordan. I didn't want to just turn him away,” she explained.
Jordan didn't respond. He stood staring down at her.
“Please don't. Not tonight. Please,” she said looking up at him.
He nodded, because if he spoke right now there would be no telling what words would come out of his mouth. Sage lifted and kissed him. He brought his hand to her face and rubbed the spot where Nico had kissed her.
“I'll see you inside?” she asked.
Again he nodded.
She hesitantly walked back toward the building leaving the three men standing there.
When she was in the building Jordan turned to Ray. “I want to know who the fuck that is! I want to know what that bastard ate for breakfast and when he let it out. Now!” he ordered before walking back toward the building.
Sean looked at Ray. “Yes. This is going to be a problem.”
The one thing Jordan hated was surprises. They threw him off. He didn't like to be thrown off. No matter what though, he wouldn't ruin Sage's night. When he entered the gallery he spotted Nico with a drink in his hand.
When Nico spotted Jordan, he lifted his glass to him in salute with a smirk on his face. Jordan nodded. Oh yeah, this one right here, Jordan thought to himself. Jordan could judge a person in a matter of seconds. This one said con artist, thief, and liar; and Jordan hated all three. As he was walking he was stopped by a hand on his arm.
“Oooh, who tore your shirt?” Isabelle asked.
It was a standing joke about Jordan when he was angry. Jordan, Sean and Isabelle all grew up together as neighbors since they were young children. Jordan was always teased about wearing dress shirts and ties. One day a boy tore his shirt and Jordan lost it. He beat that little boy to a pulp.
Jordan looked down at her. “Hey Izzy. When did you get here?” he said kissing her on the cheek.
“Not too long ago. What's wrong Jordan?” she asked concerned.
At that moment Ray walked up. Izzy turned to him. “Hell
o,” she greeted him.
Ray stood as if in a trance and she looked back to Jordan confused. Hell Jordan was confused himself.
“What's up Ray?” Jordan asked.
Ray was still focused on Isabelle. Since he was staring so hard, Isabelle decided to introduce herself. “Hello. I'm Isabelle,” she said with a smile extending her hand.
Ray looked at her hand and snapped out of it. “I'm Ray,” he returned.
“Well it's nice to meet you Ray,” Isabelle said nicely.
“Ray is Sage's brother,” Jordan said slowly wondering what the hell was going on with Ray.
“I should have known, both of you have beautiful brown eyes,” Isabelle complimented.
“Thank you.”
“What's. Up. Ray?” Jordan asked again with more force.
While Ray was standing here making goo goo eyes at Isabelle, Jordan wanted that information.
“Let's talk in Sage's office,” Ray said finally turning to Jordan.
“Excuse us Isabelle,” Jordan said before turning and walking away. Ray gave her one last look and followed Jordan to the office. While Jordan was walking he caught Sean's eye and nodded towards the office.
In Sage's office Jordan, Ray and Sean sat down around her desk.
“Name's Nico Alexander Maxwell. Age twenty-nine. A musician. Dropped out of high school. No job. No house. No money. No damn good. Apparently he met Sage while she was on an assignment in Chicago. He was playing at some little club. He and Sage started hanging out together. Records show that Sage loaned him a thousand dollars to pay for studio time shortly before she left Chicago. Summary, he's a low life piece of shit who's trying to use my sister,” Ray finished angrily.
Jordan leaned back in Sage's chair at her desk with his hand on his face. “He's going to be an issue. I already know. I want air tight surveillance on his ass. I want to know when he moves, how and where; twenty-four seven. He's here for a reason and I don't want him anywhere near Sage.”
“I'm already on that.” Ray agreed. “I'm increasing security on Sage.”
Jordan nodded. “I'm going to keep her as close to me as possible,” Jordan supplied. “But when she's not I want half hour updates on her whereabouts.”
“We should get back out there,” Jordan said rising from his chair. “I don't trust him.” His instincts told him that this was definitely going to be a problem.
Out at the party, Sage and Lily were chatting when Nico approached them. Sage made the introductions and Lily turned up her face at Nico.
Nico smiled. “Let me talk to you baby,” he said to Sage smoothly.
“Uh, Sage. I think you should wait until the guys come back,” Lily interjected.
Sage looked around for Jordan, Ray and Sean, but there was no sign of them.
“Just for a minute. We can just go in the lobby,” Nico cajoled.
“Okay Nico. Make it quick,” Sage agreed.
Lily narrowed her eyes. “I'll be watching,” she said to Nico.
“Damn baby when did you get all these watchdogs?” he asked as they walked to the lobby.
“What are you doing here Nico?” she asked without preamble.
He looked her up and down. “Damn baby you look good!”
Sage threw up a hand. “Stop. Right Now. What do you want? Did you come to pay my money back?” she asked pointedly.
Nico patted his pockets and smiled. “I'm a little light right now.”
“Right Nico. Enjoy the party.” She turned to walk away and he grabbed her arm. Sage's eyes went to his hand and then back to his face before he quickly let go.
“Look baby I came all the way here to wish you happy birthday.”
With no money and no gift, Sage thought.
“Well thank you Nico.”
“Why don't you thank me by letting me crash at your place?” he asked.
Sage frowned. “First of all, how do you know I even have a place?”
“Girl, look at you, ballin' with your own gallery. I know you got a spot.”
“I don't have a place for you to stay Nico,” she told him. “I'm staying with Jordan tonight and I know for a fact you wouldn't be welcome there.”
Nico frowned. “That's really your man?”
“Yes.”
“When did you start being down with brothers in Armani tuxes? I thought you were an earth girl?” he accused.
Sage put her hand on her hip. “It's none of your business Nico who I'm with or why.”
He looked her up and down. “So all it took was some dollars to get you to give up them panties huh?”
“Get out Nico.” She turned and walked away.
“Sage wait!” He caught up with her.
“I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm just mad at myself for losing you.”
“What do you want Nico?” Sage asked exasperated.
“Can we meet for like coffee or something and just talk? I miss bouncing my ideas off you. You know you were my muse. I got some great stuff going on,” he pleaded.
He pulled out his phone. “Let me get your number and then we can hook up later.”
Sage believed that Nico had a good heart. Yes, he'd cheated on her but other than that he'd been a good guy. That and the thousand dollars he owed her. In the end she gave Nico her number and said they could meet for coffee.
“Thanks baby. You don't know what this means to me. I've missed you so much.”
“It's just coffee Nico,” she clarified.
“I know. I know,” he said shaking his head up and down.
Sage shook her head and began to walk away.
“Hey Sage.” She stopped. “Can you hook a brother up with hotel money tonight?
Sage shook her head walking away thinking she had to find her man...a real man.
As she walked back into her gallery she ran right into Jordan. Going straight into his arms he held her tightly rubbing his hands up and down her bare back. When he looked up he saw Nico sneering at them.
Sage looked up. “Hi Jordan,” she said smiling.
He smiled down at her. “Hi Sage.”
He lowered his head and kissed her.
“This night has been so special,” she whispered.
“It's not over yet baby,” he said in her ear watching Nico.
“I was looking for you. Where did you go?” she asked.
He shook his head. “Just some business,” he answered.
“Well I hope you got it all taken care of because I'm your business tonight,” she kissed him again.
“You're my business every night pretty girl,” he said stroking her cheek.
“Thank you for not overreacting tonight.”
He smiled down at her. “It's your night baby.”
One of the caterers came to settle business with Sage as things were beginning to wrap up. She went off to handle her business and Jordan went to handle his. He approached Nico.
“Is there a problem?” he asked harshly.
Nico shrugged.
Jordan stepped to him. “Let me tell you something. Don't let this suit fool you. Stay your ass away from Sage.”
“I will,” he said and Jordan stepped back. “Right after we're done with our coffee date that she agreed to this week and then who knows after that?”
“Maybe she's tired of pretty rich boys.”
Jordan stepped up again. “Really? I'm sure she's tired of begging, broke ass musicians.”
Nico was surprised that Jordan knew about him and it showed.
“Yeah. I know all about your low-life ass,” Jordan confirmed. “Don't say I didn't warn you.”
Jordan turned and walked away. Where in the hell was Sage!
Sean found Lily putting away the last of the things to be locked up for the night.
“Hey beautiful,” he said.
“Everything alright?” she asked.
Sean looked around. “Yes. For now.”
“You're a very busy man,” she said smiling at him.
“Not too busy for you,” he sai
d smoothly. “Would you like to go out for drinks later?”
Lily gave him a look. “If they're at you're place. Sure.”
“I can provide more than drinks.”
She smiled. “I was counting on it,” she whispered.
Sean gestured with his arm. “Lead the way beautiful lady.”
Lily took off in front of him. With Sean on her heels, literally, they walked out to the lobby. Isabelle was standing with a small group when she saw the pair. Sean had his hand on Lily's back as he led her through the now diminishing crowd. They both had smiles on their faces.
Isabelle excused herself from the group and headed towards the ladies' room to compose herself. As she rounded an empty corridor she ran into a solid chest. “Oh,” she said trying to maintain her balance.
A strong arm wrapped around her waist and beautiful brown eyes stared down at her.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
She stared up at him. “So you can speak?” she asked still in his arms.
“Yes. Very well actually,” he confirmed setting her on her feet.
“Well that's nice to know. I was headed to the ladies room,” she said pointing in that direction.
Ray stepped to the side and let her go past.
In the ladies room Isabelle put her hand to her heart. Why was it beating so fast? She had come to the ladies room because she'd felt sick at seeing Sean with his new lady but for a split second, a brief moment, she had forgotten all about Sean. How did that happen? She'd thought about Sean for over twenty years but Sage's brother was unlike anyone she'd ever met. He was dark and brooding and somewhat dangerous. When she stepped out of the ladies room, he was there waiting for her.
“It's pretty secluded down this corridor with everyone leaving. I just wanted to make sure you made it back safely,” he explained.
“That was very kind of you. Thank you,” she said softly.
Ray held out his arm and Isabelle put her hand around it. She felt the muscle beneath her hand and felt warm inside. She turned to look at Ray.
