Forget Cinderella (True Loves Fairytale Book 1)

by Tracey Champion

  “No, Jordan. Please stand back. I’m having a hard enough time with you looking all dreamy. I have told you what I thought. There’s nothing for us to talk about. I will be paying you back for lunch.” I take a hesitant step back and nearly bump into the table in the room.

  “Cara, just give me a second, please. Not everything is as it seems.” Jordan is looking at me through his long eye lashes. I could get lost in his eyes, but I will not let this get to me. I will stand my ground. I plan to stand my ground.

  I carefully walk around Jordan and stand in the doorway. “Jordan you need to leave please. There’s nothing that I have misinterpreted, you definitely have a girlfriend and as far as that goes, you are off limits.” I point out the door to the exit of the office. As Jordan walks past me, he runs his hand down my arm and slips a piece of paper in my hand.

  A week later

  “Okay, Amber I’m going. Let me find my purple flip-flops. Did I tell you about my landlord being a jerk?” I knew I should have told her before, but I forgot. I never told her about Jordan coming to my work to talk to me. I had enough to deal with fending off my co-workers. Karen and Aaron have not stopped talking about the sexy man that I need to hook up to make him mine. I told them that he has a girlfriend, and Karen said, “So what?” Her morals are lacking.

  I told Karen that I don’t want to be the other woman. I had listened to Momma talk about my dad. She never loved again after him. I understand that Momma didn’t know he had a wife at the beginning, and she chose to walk away from him. Momma would tell me it was the right thing to do. She mentioned she spoke to his wife about me and his wife told Momma she was leaving him. Momma said she told Dad to fix his issue and if they were not fixable to find her. My dad never found her. Even when I asked to see him, it seemed impossible. Momma was miserable, and she loved my dad regardless of her telling me otherwise. I could see it. I didn’t want to be in her position with Jordan.

  As for my landlord, Bill Tomelson, is a big creep. My rent was six hundred dollars, and now he wants to increase it to eight hundred. He took over managing the building and tenants after his mother had a heart attack. I used to see Bill and his brother Andrew when they did any maintenance needed for the apartments. I had seen Andrew the most for maintenance, but now Bill got control of the building, and he hangs around. He stays near my apartment the most.

  “You can tell Jordan about any issues you have, and he can take care of it for you. He deals with creepy men the best.” Amber is trying to help, and as nice as that sounds, I cannot ask Jordan for help. I find my shoes and grab my bag.

  “I will think about it, Amber. Now let’s go.” We are heading to Jessica and Nate’s place. I gave into her begging. She stopped begging today and threatened me with handcuffs and rope that she will use to drag me out. I caved in to her demand. I believed she would actually make good on that threat.

  “You need to stop hiding in your little cave you call an apartment. Even a hobbit hole is bigger than that place. Now that I think about it, your apartment might fit into my place. Seriously girl you should just move in with me.” We get into her Camaro, and I just roll my eyes.

  “I like my independence, thank you.” I don’t want to have to rely on anyone.

  We had to make a stop at Ambers place along the way because she needed to get some paperwork she had for Nate. This would be the second time I had been to her condo. We didn’t stay long for me to go inside this time.

  We talked about everything I could think of besides Jordan on the way, and I notice when we arrive that there are a bunch of other vehicles parked in the driveway. When we walk inside I hear a lot of talking. Amber motions that we should head down to the den. I don’t worry about making an embarrassing entrance. I did that last time.

  I look and see a bunch of guys around the pool table. Jordan, Ryan, and Nate are all busy gathered around together talking and there are two guys I don’t know. One is built like the others. All muscular, but his hair is black and a little spiky on top. For some reason, I want to touch his hair. It’s not the same urge I get with Jordan’s hair. Jordan has blond hair to his shoulders, and I could spend all day running my fingers through it.

  I mentally scolded myself for the thought’s I’m having of Jordan as I follow Amber to the pool table. The other guy seems out of place. He is tall and on the skinny side. I can tell that he has been working out, but not much.

  “Cara you know these three morons, and this here is Tyler.” Tyler is the guy with the black hair. “This man here is Travis. He works a lot with me.” I look at Travis, and my insides freeze. I have an involuntary shiver that overtakes my body. I don’t get good vibes from Travis.

  “Amber mentioned a friend, but she forgot to mention how beautiful you are.” Tyler walks around the pool table and offers me his hand. I take it and as I expect a hard manly shake, but he does the unexpected. He turns my palm up and kisses the inside of my wrist. Well, that was hot.

  “Thank you for the compliment. It’s Tyler, right?” He smiles at me, and I cannot help but ask. “I wonder if it would be rude to ask if I can touch your hair.” He tilts his head to the right looking lost in thought. He must tower a foot or more over me.

  Tyler says nothing to me at first. I hear a growl-like sound behind me. I know better than to look. Tyler seems to be looking in the direction of the growl, and then he drops to his knees in front of me. My eyes go wide. Holy hell, what did I do? I carefully touch his hair. I notice that it has a blue tint to it that I didn’t notice before. I just touch the tips of his hair trying not to ruin it.

  “I thought spikey hair was hard to the touch,” I wonder.

  Tyler looks up at me with a grin that I can see reaches his eyes. “I take it you don’t know many men that spend time on their hair. I can make it hard, but I chose not to for the reason you speak of, beautiful Cara.” Tyler proceeds to stand up and then leans over to whisper in my ear. “Women love to touch my hair. Keeping it soft pleases them and in turn pleases me.”

  Before Tyler has straightened to standing there is a loud stomping up the stairs. I turn to see Amber following Jordan who has left and is climbing the stairs. I don’t know why he would be mad he’s the one who has a girlfriend.

  Jordan

  “Will you stop Jordan, what the hell is your fucking problem?” My wonderful little sister followed me. I sure as hell was not going to watch Cara flirt with Tyler. Hell, I wanted to pound him into the ground.

  “I’m not going to watch her flirt with one of my friends and fucking ignore me.” I was pissed the fuck off. I tried to talk to her, and she sent me away. Maybe she’s not worth the trouble. That’s not true, I want her and will do whatever it takes to have her. I’ve already made the decision.

  There’s something magnetic when Cara is around. She’s fucking stunning and doesn’t even realize it. She has curves in all the right places and that long, wild, curly hair. The dark brown of her hair sets off the gray of her eyes. Cara is fucking perfect and with the sweetest personality, and the way she looks when she stands up for herself; it’s fucking sexy. I want her to be mine.

  “Hello, attention to my butthead brother. Did you forget that you do happen to have a girlfriend named Hanna? I mean what? You two have been together for like a fucking year Jordan.” I never told Amber about Hanna. I guess now is a better time than never.

  I explain the whole thing to Amber. I’m not sure if she wants to strangle me or if is indifferent and hopes that I wallow in my miserable situation. “A job Jordan? A fucking job and you what? Forgot to clue me in? Really? Mom and Dad know, and you forget me? And Ryan knew too? That’s low Jordan to leave me out. I’m not telling Cara. That’s up to you, and from what I can see, she refuses to listen to you.” Amber’s pissed the fuck off at me, waving her hands around as she talks.

  I hate that my sister’s right. We’re outside when I hear a car come to a screeching stop. Hanna has arrived. Now I have one more fucking issue to deal with. This has to stop. I made the choic
e to honor my duty and my job and I can no longer do that. What a disaster this has become.

  “Jordan, baby,” Hanna coos as she walks up to me. I look up to see Amber walking off. I know she won’t tell Cara, but now I have to deal with Hanna. “Hi Hanna, we need to talk.”

  “I know the game, trust me you have told me enough times that I have it memorized. Really do you think I’m that stupid?” She starts to run her fake ass nails up and down my arm. I hate when she does that. Hanna thinks scratching my arm is a turn on for me. I can’t fucking stand it.

  “Stop Hanna, there’s a change of plans. I don’t want to continue this.” I know this will bite me in the ass later. I can handle the downfall. I will honor the first half of this sham, but the rest will need to change.

  “You promised me. What? You’re giving up on me? You know I will have to tell my Daddy about this and he…” I put my hand up to stop her from talking. “Hanna I will honor my duty to your father, that’s my job. The other half is done. I don’t care anymore and haven’t for a long time. I need to have my own life and I can’t if this doesn’t get resolved. There will be a change.” She crosses her arms, and that only push up her very fake tits.

  Hanna has altered her appearance and has been correcting her figure over the last few years. I have known her for a long time, and at age twenty-seven I could not tell you what was real or fake on her. I guess money can buy you beauty. She just needs to stop letting it affect her personality.

  “Fine, whatever you say, boss. I will make sure daddy knows about this.” She begins to glare at me like she has figured something out. “This has nothing to do with your sister’s new friend, Tara, right?” Really? Hanna spent the last time we were here harassing her and didn’t catch her name?

  “Her name is Cara. Hanna, you need to play nice.” I tell her this knowing it will do no good, but I can at least try. We both walk back inside and into the rec room. Hanna is mad, and I can see trouble coming. The way she is walking gives it away. I’m fucked.

  “Hey, Ryan!” Hanna screams and everyone in the room turns around. I see that Cara is sitting on the couch with Tyler. That needs to stop.

  “What Hanna?” Ryan answers her. Thank God he’s paying attention to her behavior and I know the brute is on my side. He’s always on my side, Ryan is my oldest friend.

  “You may want to have a talk with your buddy here. I think that stick he had up his ass is back.” Is she trying sound sweet with him? I look at Ryan giving him my best,’ help me the fuck out’ face.

  “Hanna, more than likely you put it there. If this is some ploy to get me on your side, that’s not going to happen because you annoy the piss out of me. My friends come first then my job. You fit neither.” Thank fuck, for Ryan. And, why do I always get stuck with the dumbest fucking shit? Next time I get a job that will possibly affect my morals I’m refusing to take on the job.

  I walk over to Tyler and Cara. She is giggling at something Tyler has said. I hate to pull my boss voice, but right now I need to talk to her, and he needs to get the hint quickly.

  “Tyler.” One word is all I say using a drill sergeant tone.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Cara

  “Tyler.” That’s all I hear, the booming sound of his voice caused me to jump. Please for the love of God, he’s not going to do this here. I was enjoying talking to Tyler after Amber walked off. I like him, he seems nice. He was telling me about the last job he worked. He was helping out a motorcycle club turn themselves around. He told me that he thought the blue helped him fit in better, gave him a little edge.

  I pout as Tyler stands up. “It was nice getting to know you beautiful,” Tyler says softly and then kisses my cheek. Oh, hell no. Jordan did not just make him get up and walk away. He’s the one with a girlfriend. I stand to face him and see that Hanna is talking to Travis. All the guys that Amber works with are extremely sexy, well maybe not all of them. Travis gives me a funny feeling and not a good funny feeling.

  I look in Jordan’s direction. He has his arms crossed over his chest. He’s in jeans and a white shirt. The crossing of his arms causes the muscles to flex, and the shirt has tightened around them. I want to touch him, but I won’t. No matter how much my body wants him, I cannot let that control me. I stand up walking over in front of Jordan.

  “Really, what’s your issue Jordan? I was just talking. You know what? Never-mind. Please don’t say anything. I don’t want to hear whatever it is you have to say.” Jordan takes a deep breath and runs his hands through his hair. I can’t do this. He has Hanna his girlfriend. Why won’t he back off of me?

  I walk toward where Jessica and everyone else is sitting and talking over the music. Hanna is giving me a nasty look. I don’t want to do this here. I have done nothing wrong.

  “Jessica, do you mind if I get a glass of water from your kitchen?” She tells me that I can. I walk back to Jordan, who has not moved from the spot I left him. “Are you going to come with me?” Jordan brings his eyes to meet mine. He does this slowly as his eyes caress my body. I decided to wear shorts today, and I have on my blue button-up top that opens right above my cleavage. He follows me as we head to the kitchen.

  I get a glass and proceed to add ice to the cup. Jordan hasn’t said a word, and I’m thankful for that. “Okay, Jordan, I want you to listen to me.” As a fill the cup with water, my mind wants me to say everything, but my body is telling that I’m an idiot. I shiver as I think about the right thing to say. I know that he has moved closer to me, and I can’t help but feel excited. My body is a traitor.

  “Listen, you have Hanna. I don’t know what you want from me?” I turn and almost bump into Jordan. I knew he was close, but not that close. My traitorous body is electrified when I inhale his scent. The scent is very manly, not bold, but somewhat sweet. I like his smell. It causes butterflies to take flight in my belly. I cannot lose my focus.

  Jordan steps closer to me. “Cara, pretty girl, we need to talk. I want to tell you everything, but you have to trust me and what I tell you.” Trust him? How can I do that when the first time we met he forgot to mention Hanna? I set the glass full of ice on the counter behind me.

  “Fine, give me time to think about it and when I’m ready to listen, I’ll tell you. Jordan I can’t right now, and I hope you’re okay with that. Right now, I don’t like what you did when I was talking to Tyler. That was rude.” My voice sounds strained and making my point clear has become hard. I know I should let him talk, but I don’t want to listen to his excuse right now.

  “Cara, you have a deal.” Jordan leans forward like he intends to kiss me, and I panic. No way, Hanna’s downstairs. I don’t know why I react the way I do, but I draw my hand up. I avoided him kissing me, but I did it by slapping him.

  Why is it in the movies when a woman slaps a man they never mention how much it hurts? I look to Jordan in shock. I don’t know what to say or to do. I start into a full panic attack. My chest is tight, and I feel the tears forming. I just slapped Jordan.

  “I…I’m so…so sorry. I...I don’t know why I…I did that.” My voice is shaking, as is my whole body. I look down at my hands and begin to play with my fingers. I’m extremely panicked. So much so, that I begin to hiccup. I can’t look at him. I feel very ashamed. This is really bad.

  “Cara, look at me, please,” his voice is soft, unlike the deep tone he used earlier. I know if I look up I will cry, I cannot cry. My mind is racing, and I’m trying to fit the pieces together as to why I reacted by slapping him. “Cara, look at me.” His voice is no longer soft but commanding.

  I still don’t look up at him. I just watch as Jordan brings his hand to my chin to force me to look at him. I squeeze my eyes shut tight. The burning sensation of tears is there. When I shut them, I feel some tears leak from my eyes. This is bad.

  “Cara, please open your eyes.”

  The hiccups won’t stop, and my breathing has become hard. I have never had this happen before. All I want to do right now is hide.

  �
��Cara…please, open your eyes and look at me.” Jordan’s voice sounds worried, and I’m terrified that he will be mad at me.

  “No (hiccup). I…I’m so…(hiccup)...sorry.” My body starts to shake. I feel Jordan’s hand on my cheek as he wipes away the tears.

  “Cara, please don’t make me have to ask again. You need to open those damn beautiful eyes and look at me.” I can’t tell if he is mad at me by the sound of his voice. I reluctantly open my eyes.

  Jordan is staring at me. I can see that his cheek is red from where I hit him. How horrible am I for hitting him? What am I going to tell Amber? As I try to figure this out, the hiccups are getting worse, and breathing is almost impossible. I don’t even notice I stopped breathing as I stare at the redness of Jordan’s cheek.

  “Cara, relax and breathe for me. I deserved to be slapped and trust me when I say that’s not the worst thing to ever happen to me.” Jordan is calm, and there is not anger in his voice. I have to force my mind to turn off and repeat in my head “breathe in, breathe out.” I am still a wreck, but a tiny bit better.

  “I…(hiccup)…I hit you…(hiccup)...Please don’t...(hiccup)… be mad at me.” This is a mess. I’m a mess. I blink to allow the tears to fall. I finally have friends, and here I go messing things up, real smart Cara. I begin to mentally scold myself for my behavior. This is not the lady Momma wanted me to become.

  Jordan lets out a laugh, and I’m about to lose the last bit of control I had. “Cara, I deserved to be slapped. I understand why you got upset with me. You don’t need to apologize to me and for the record I could never be mad at you.” Jordan brings up his arms and pulls me in close for a hug, and I allow it. I know this is bad. I don’t understand why he isn’t mad at me. I’m mad at myself, and I want him to be mad, too.