The Secret: A billionaire romance

by Harper Lauren

  I frowned. I didn’t like this – I wasn’t used to watching Laci hold back.

  “I know something’s bothering you,” I said. “And I don’t know what it is – but I’d like you to tell me.”

  Laci stepped back. “Jordan, this really isn’t a good time,” she said. She glanced down at her phone again. “I should get back to work.”

  I stared at her, feeling like an idiot. “Fine,” I said. “If you want me to go, I’ll go.”

  “Wait,” Laci said. She took my sleeve and gazed into my eyes. “Jordan, I really am sorry I can’t come out with you tonight, okay? Next week will be nice.” She stretched onto her tiptoes and kissed my cheek. “Besides, weren’t you the one who said that absence makes the heart grow fonder?”

  Inwardly, I groaned. Goddamnit, I thought. To be caught in my own trap!

  “Right,” I said, trying not to sound as irritated and unhappy as I felt. “I’ll see you then.”

  As I let myself out of Laci’s apartment and walked down the stairs to the street, I wondered what I’d possibly done. What was the matter with Laci?

  And why wouldn’t she just talk to me about it? I felt so frustrated that I could hardly see straight. Since we’d met, Laci had been the one who made a big deal out of being honest and truthful.

  But now, I was worried that it would be too late.

  Chapter Ten

  Laci

  It took all of the self-control I had not to leap into Jordan’s arms and kiss him. And watching him leave was almost painful – like someone had put a knife in my heart.

  “What was that?”

  I turned around to see Jenna leaning against the wall and licking peanut butter off a spoon.

  “None of your business,” I said curtly.

  Jenna rolled her eyes. “Are you trying to push him away?”

  I glared at her. “You were the one who told me that I should cut back on seeing him,” I said. “And for your information, no – that’s not what I’m doing at all.”

  Jenna stared at me and shook her head. It was obvious she saw right through my lie. Even though Jenna was so much younger than me, we’d always had an uncanny ability to read each other’s minds, almost like twins.

  “Well, whatever,” Jenna said. She shrugged. “I’m going out for a run. Want to come?”

  I looked down at my grubby yoga pants. The only thing worse than being seen by half of Boston in such a grimy outfit was being seen by Jordan. I should’ve at least changed, I thought, shoving my hands in my pockets. No wonder he looked so annoyed with me.

  “No,” I said, shaking my head. “I should really get back to work.”

  “Suit yourself,” Jenna said. She laced up her running shoes and let herself out of the apartment. I listened to her thundering footsteps fade away before retreating to my room and closing the door.

  The next week felt like torture. By the time Friday rolled around, I was dying to see Jordan.

  “You don’t have to punish yourself, you know,” Taylor said as we left school. “You could always call him.”

  I sighed. I still hadn’t come to a decision about Jordan yet. I knew I was in more danger than ever before of falling completely in love and getting my heart ripped into a million pieces. But every time I saw him, I couldn’t manage to make myself stay away. There was something about him that was like a drug – it was more powerful than the world’s rarest wine, than Switzerland’s most luxurious bar of chocolate.

  It frightened me. I was terrified of losing control, and of losing everything else in my life to the immense sensations that rushed through me each time I met with Jordan.

  “I know,” I said. I bit my lip. “But this makes me feel like I’m at least kind of in control.”

  Taylor laughed drily. “You’re never in control when you’re in love,” she said. “It’s a recipe for disaster, every single time.”

  I groaned. “Great,” I muttered, burying my face in my hands. “That’s just wonderful.”

  ***

  After a quick shower, I was ready for my date with Jordan. I’d missed him so much during the week that I’d almost felt sick. It was like a craving. I’d barely eaten, too – my biggest meal had been half of a mealy garden salad served at the annual teacher luncheon that signaled the end of the school year. Jenna had been home less and less – she’d been spending a lot of time on campus, hanging out with new friends and getting ready for classes to start. I couldn’t believe it, but I’d actually been feeling lonely.

  The sun was setting as I crossed the street to the chic French restaurant Jordan had selected for our date. Delicious, enticing aromas swirled around me on the street and I closed my eyes as I breathed in the rich scent of roasted meat, exotic cheeses, and freshly baked breads, all mingled together in a perfect sensory experience. When I opened my eyes, I saw Jordan standing on the street, smirking at me.

  “Someone looks hungry,” Jordan said. He winked at me and I flushed. When he put his hand in mine, I pushed my body against his and kissed him gently.

  “I’ve really missed you,” I said.

  Jordan put his arm around my lower waist. “Come on, babe,” he said. “Let’s get something to eat.”

  I bit my lip and looked down. I’d never thought that I’d be the type who enjoyed being called “babe” by men, but somehow, Jordan pulled it off just right.

  Jordan opened the door for me and I walked inside, being careful not to trip in my high heels. When we reached the hostess stand, I felt my heart freeze into a solid block of ice. Stopping dead in my tracks, I gripped Jordan’s hand tightly as cold sweat began dripping down my back.

  “What is it?” Jordan asked. “Laci, what’s wrong?”

  “That’s him,” I stammered, pointing across the room. “That’s the man who grabbed me!”

  Jordan froze. “Shit,” he muttered. I saw him wave to the hostess and I grabbed his arm, yanking it down.

  “I just want to go,” I said, burying my face in Jordan’s neck. “Please, Jordan, get me out of here!”

  “Shh, baby, you’re going to be okay,” Jordan said. He rubbed my back and pulled me close. “Come on.”

  I closed my eyes as Jordan hustled me out of the restaurant. My ravenous appetite had turned to nausea and fear, and I held my breath as Jordan helped me into the back of his limousine.

  “Thank god my driver hadn’t left yet,” Jordan said drily. He rapped on the partition. “Take us home, immediately!”

  As soon as the driver pulled away from the curb, I let out a long, shuddering breath and relaxed against Jordan.

  “I can’t believe it was him,” I said softly. “What was he doing there?”

  Jordan looked angry enough to kill. “Don’t think about that,” he said firmly. He slid his fingers under my chin and tilted my head up so I was looking right in his eyes. “You’re safe now, Laci. You’re with me.”

  Something about the low, powerful sound of his voice made me shiver. As we drove along the anonymous Boston streets, my fear began to melt away. Nestled against Jordan, I did feel safe. In fact, I felt more than safe. I felt completely cared for, like Jordan would never let anything – or anyone – hurt me ever again.

  I love you, I thought as I tilted my chin back and looked at Jordan’s face. He was stroking my hair and I shivered again, wrapping my arms around his muscular torso as I leaned in for a deep kiss.

  For a moment, the kiss was soft and chaste. Then Jordan slipped his tongue into my mouth and I moaned softly as our tongues began to dance. Jordan put his hands on my body and pulled me onto his lap with ease. I barely felt the limo turn a sharp corner as Jordan held me firmly against his body. Our kiss grew more intense and passionate and I shuddered with delight as Jordan sucked my lower lip. Heavenly little bursts of pleasure were exploding in my lower belly and suddenly I knew that if I didn’t make love with Jordan, I would die on the spot.

  “God,” Jordan groaned. He broke the kiss and nuzzled my head, nipping gently at my neck and collarbone. The
slight pain from his teeth mingled with my intense, growing lust and when I shifted on Jordan’s lap, I realized my panties were soaked with arousal.

  “I want you,” I purred softly in Jordan’s ear. Jordan slid his hands up my bare thighs, pushing my dress nearly to my waist. The musky sensual smell of my pussy was enough to make me flush, but knowing that Jordan found it sexy was a huge turn-on. I leaned close and put my arms on Jordan’s shoulders, kissing him deeply. I shoved my tongue into his mouth and kissed Jordan as hard as I could, moaning and grinding my hips on his lap as his fingers ventured closer and closer to my throbbing crotch.

  When I felt Jordan’s hands push my dress all the way up to my waist, I flushed hotly and whimpered with anticipation. Jordan growled with lust as he put his hand inside my panties and found my hard clit, rubbing it with his thumb until I was writhing and moaning. It felt so good that I could hardly breathe, and soon I found myself rubbing my hips on Jordan’s body, desperately craving more of his delicious, dirty touch.

  Jordan ripped my panties away from my body, throwing the ruined pair to the floor of the limo. With ease, he put one of his massive arms around me and lowered me to the floorboards, crawling on top of me and pushing my legs apart. I locked eyes with him and ran my hands down my body, cupping my breasts through the thin material of my dress. It felt so taboo to be touching my own nipples and I shivered as pleasure raced through my veins.

  “You’re so sexy, Laci,” Jordan growled. He slid the straps of my dress down my shoulders and helped my arms free before dipping his head to my chest and licking and biting my stiff nipples. I rubbed my hand over Jordan’s close-cropped hair, moaning with delight as his tongue and teeth pleasure my hard nipples. Between my legs, my clit was throbbing and my thighs were soaked with my own juices. The heady smell mixed with Jordan’s expensive cologne and filled the back of the limo with an intoxicating perfume that made me feel strong and sexy.

  When Jordan lifted his head from my breasts, I shivered and wriggled my hips. He locked eyes with me as he slid a hand between my legs and pushed two fingers inside of my wet, waiting pussy. I felt my muscles clench tightly around his fingers and the sensation filled me with ecstasy. Closing my eyes, I arched my back and rolled my head back, shuddering and pushing my body towards Jordan. I was so hungry for him, so desperate for him to take me and fill me and complete me.

  “I want you,” I purred as I let out a long, shuddering breath. “Jordan, I want you so badly right now I can hardly stand it!”

  Jordan took his fingers out of me and put them in his mouth, savoring my taste on his hand. I blushed furiously as he growled at me, wiping his hand on his trousers and unbuttoning his shirt. When his gleaming, tattoo-covered muscles were revealed, I ran a tentative hand down his bare chest. Just touching him was enough to make my clit start throbbing again, and I reached for Jordan’s arm and yanked him down on top of me. The cold metal belt buckle on his trousers made me gasp as it touched my bare belly, but Jordan reached between our bodies and unfastened his belt, tossing it to the side. He yanked his pants down and I felt his huge cock bob free, pushing against the inside of my thigh. I whimpered with pleasure as Jordan spread my thighs and took his cock in his hand, getting ready to drive deep inside of me.

  “Take me now,” I whispered, pushing my hips forward to meet Jordan. As he slid inside of me, I screamed with pleasure. My whole body tensed and shook and I moaned loudly as I wrapped my legs around Jordan’s neat waist, pulling myself as close to his hunky body as possible.

  Jordan thrust his cock in deep, groaning and grunting. Beads of sweat dripped from his forehead to my body and I closed my eyes, breathing in the deliciously masculine scent of Jordan’s body. We moved together on the floorboards of the limo in a sensual rhythm that filled every cell of my body with pleasure. Jordan’s lips found mine and we kissed passionately, moaning into each other’s mouths as the movements grew more intense with each passing second.

  “God, Laci,” Jordan grunted. He tangled his hands in my hair and yanked my head back, dipping his face to my exposed neck and sucking on a huge spot by my shoulder. When I felt his teeth bite down, I shuddered and writhed beneath him. Each time our bodies slammed together, Jordan’s muscular abdomen rubbed against my clit and I could feel my powerful orgasm building inside.

  “Jordan,” I shrieked, burying my face in his neck. “Oh my god, Jordan, I’m so close!”

  Jordan thrust faster and deeper, sliding his cock into my pussy until he was buried to the hilt. When his body pushed against my clit, I felt my orgasm break over me in a powerful and delightful sensation. I moaned and howled with pleasure, clenching Jordan’s body tightly against mine with my thighs. Jordan began to buck and gasp and grunt and soon, I knew he was coming. We shook and shivered and held onto each other in a sweaty frenzy, both of us breathing hard.

  I took a deep shuddering breath as Jordan slowly pulled out of my body. He scooped me into his arms and set me back down on the plush seat of the limo, smirking.

  “That was unexpected,” Jordan said. He winked at me. “Now we’ve really worked up an appetite.”

  I swallowed hard. My heart was still pounding with lust and excitement and adrenaline from having seen my attacker. I’d never felt such a strange blend of emotions before in all my life. Part of me felt ashamed – why the heck had I wanted to have sex so badly after seeing a man who almost raped me? But it wasn’t about him at all, I realized, looking at Jordan as he fastened his trousers. It’s about Jordan. Jordan took care of me. Jordan made me feel safe.

  “Laci?” Jordan asked quietly, brushing my hair out of my face. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”

  I shook my head. “No,” I said softly. “You didn’t hurt me.” I flushed. “It was wonderful.”

  Jordan reached for his discarded shirt and handed it to me, wrapping it around my shoulders. He was so much bigger than me that the tailored shirt fit like a dress. It wasn’t cold in the back of the limo but I pulled the shirt gratefully around my body and snuggled closer to Jordan. He put an arm around my shoulder and pulled me close and I flopped against his chest, resting my head on the perfect notch where his neck met his shoulder. I love you, I thought, running a hand down his bare chest and tracing the lines of the tattoos with the tips of my fingers.

  “What’s on your mind, then?”

  My heart was pounding. Is this the time to tell him, I wondered as I stared into his intense brown eyes. Or should I hold off – wait until I know more? My brain and my heart were at war with each other, and that fantastic orgasm I’d just experienced wasn’t hurting, either. All I wanted was to spend my life with this kind, caring, sexy man who made me good in ways I’d never possibly imagined. Swallowing deeply, I tried to summon every ounce of courage I’d ever possessed.

  “I love you,” I said, biting my lip. “Jordan, I’ve fallen in love with you.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Jordan

  When I heard the words from Laci’s lips, I felt my heart slow to a dull pounding in my chest. I sat up in bed and looked at her.

  “I love you, too,” I said. I didn’t even have to think about it – I knew the words were true as soon as I’d spoken them aloud.

  A soft smile spread across Laci’s face and she sighed happily. “Really?”

  I snorted. “Of course, I do,” I said honestly. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before – I know it’s you, Laci.”

  Laci bit her lip. She tossed her hair and wrapped her arms around me with surprising strength for her small frame. As we reclined back against the pillows, I held her tightly to my chest, wondering how I’d managed to get so lucky.

  I couldn’t believe it. In only a short span of time my life had changed from dreary and dull to fascinating. I wondered what the future might hold. Would Laci and I make it through? Would I be able to give her the lifestyle she’d always wanted?

  “Maybe when Jenna moves out, you can think about moving in here with me,” I said, stroking Laci’s silky hair. Sh
e yawned, covering her mouth before rolling onto her belly and locking eyes with me. It was dark in the bedroom, but the street lamps outside highlighted Laci’s delicate features. Her eyes looked as big as saucers.

  “Really?”

  I smirked. “Don’t sound so surprised,” I replied. “You know how much I enjoy spending time with you.”

  “Yeah, but that’s…” Laci trailed off. “That’s a big step, Jordan. I mean, if you’re not sure…”

  “I’m sure,” I said firmly, taking her hand in mine. I brought her fingers to my mouth and kissed them. “If you’ll have me, at least.”

  Laci giggled. “I don’t know,” she said playfully. “I mean, my apartment is so great. I’d hate to give it up.”

  I shrugged. “Keep it,” I said. “I’ll pay for it.”

  The look of disapproval on Laci’s face was evident, even in the dim light of the room.

  “No,” she said. “I won’t let you do that, Jordan. It’s my apartment, and I keep it, I’m going to pay for it.”

  I shrugged. “Whatever you want,” I said. “I just want you to be happy.”

  Laci licked her lips. She draped her arm across my chest and snuggled closer. “As long as I’m with you, I know I’ll be happy,” she said in a drowsy voice followed by another huge yawn.