***
Sweat glistened on her forehead, and Jake planted a kiss on it. He didn’t want to leave her. In fact, he felt as if he could stay forever. And why not? She was everything his fantasies were made of, but at the same time she was a woman he could take back to Iowa to meet his mom.
Jake dared to think she might even like Jordan a little, and Dottie was notoriously hard to please when it came to the women in her sons’ lives. At least that’s what his brother Jared insisted. Jake hadn’t been brave enough to bring a woman home, but maybe it was about time to change that. If he did, he’d ask Jordan to make the chocolate flan. His mother could never resist a good dessert. He’d just warn Jordan not to tell her about the local legend that came with it.
“You look deep in thought,” Jordan said, interrupting the silence. She traced a finger along his bare chest. “Want to tell me what’s on your mind?”
“You,” he said without hesitation. “How amazing you are, and how I don’t want to leave you.”
“Then don’t leave.” Her words were a warm whisper against his cheek, and would probably be enough to arouse him if he wasn’t still recovering.
“I’ll have to eventually. Early set call.”
“How early?”
“Seven.”
“Lots of time, then.”
Jake turned his head to look at the clock by the bed. Just past ten. She was right. Plenty of time. They could lay here, talk, make love again.
“How’s filming going?” Jordan asked. “You don’t talk much about it.” A grin crossed her face. “Is it top secret or something?”
“Not secret, no.” He propped his elbow up, resting his head on his palm as he faced her. “I just didn’t want to bore you with a bunch of movie talk. I know you left that life behind.”
She reached out and touched his cheek. “Yes, but I’m still interested in your success.”
“You always have been.” It was no small gesture, because not everyone was. “Things are going great,” Jake said. “The schedule’s about to get busier, though.”
“Are you falling behind?”
“No. The studio pushed up our release date.” As he said it out loud, it was impossible to stop the smile from breaking out. “Christmas.”
“What?” Jordan’s eyes widened, and Jake knew she recognized what it meant. “Are you serious? You’re getting the Christmas release?”
“Yeah, looks like it. Pretty cool, huh?”
“Um, yeah.”
“It gets better,” he said.
“How so?”
“Oh, because Reece is sending some of my scenes to the Academy voters.” He tried to keep his tone nonchalant. “What do you make of that?”
“Holy shit, Jake.” Jordan bolted up in bed, thankfully not bothering with modesty. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“Yes.” Jake sat up, too, and took her hand in his. Success was sweet, but it would be sweeter if there were someone to share it with. Thankfully, Jake had found that someone. “It’s all still a little surreal. I didn’t know if I’d ever work again after Passions went off the air. Hopefully this means I won’t have to worry about that anymore.”
“Oh, I think that’s pretty safe bet. Wow.” Jordan shook her head, as if still taking it in, but the big smile on her face told Jake she was happy for him. “You’ve come a long way, Jake. If you get that nomination, you can bet I’ll be cheering you on while I watch on TV.”
“Watch on TV? No way.” Jake shook his head. “I want you there with me, by my side.”
Her smile faded to a frown. “I can’t do that, Jake. I can’t go back there. I thought you knew that. I’ll support you however I can, except I won’t go back to that town.” Her tone was firm, and was it Jake’s imagination, or did her body visibly tense?
Damn it. Just when things were going so well, too. Jake chastised himself. He should have known better than to bring it all up so casually. It must scare the hell out of her to think about going back to a town she referred to as toxic, especially for an awards event where the booze was sure to flow freely. If the bar at the Daytime Emmys after-party was always a popular place, Jake was fairly certain the one at the Academy Awards would put it to shame. “We don’t have to talk about it now,” he said, lifting her hand to his mouth and kissing it. “I probably won’t even get nominated.”
“Or maybe you will, and you’ll win, and you can think about me every once in a while when you’re with your adoring public.” She separated her hand from his and moved to get out of bed. “Do you want to go swimming? I think we should go swimming.”
Jake stared at her, not sure he’d heard correctly. Even though he thought he was getting used to her abrupt changes of subject whenever she felt ill at ease, this one still managed to floor him. “Swimming?”
“Yes. Don’t you want to experience that beautiful pool?”
“It’s ten-thirty at night.” It was a half-hearted protest, though. She made everything sound so enticing.
“So?” Jordan shrugged. “Moonlight swims are the best.”
Jake couldn’t disagree, but there was one slight problem. Or maybe it wasn’t a problem at all. “I don’t have anything to wear.” He smirked.
“I wouldn’t actually mind that, but in case we’re not alone, you should probably put these back on.” She tossed him the boxer shorts that lay on the floor. She crossed to her dresser and much to Jake’s chagrin pulled a bathing suit out of drawer. At least it was a fairly skimpy bathing suit.
Jake pulled his shorts on and five minutes later, they arrived at the pool area, which was empty. “Looks like we have it to ourselves,” he said as Jordan used a key to unlock the gate.
“It’s usually like this at night. That’s why I like moonlight swims.” Jordan tossed a towel onto a lounge chair and stepped to the water’s edge, where she dipped her foot in. “Perfect,” she said, making her way down the sloped entry.
I couldn’t agree more, Jake thought as he stared after her, admiring her lithe form as it disappeared further below the water as she walked.
“Aren’t you coming?” She turned and called when the water reached to waist level.
“In a minute.” Jake continued to watch, curious if she was one of those women who waded in, afraid to get her hair wet. He’d never understood that. What was the point of swimming if they didn’t want to get wet?
When finally the water level reached her shoulders, Jordan dipped her head under, then emerged, wet, blonde tresses falling down her back.
Of course.
As she took off and swam the length of the pool, Jake stepped into the water, wading until he reached a depth comfortable for swimming, then joined her at the other side.
“Incredible, isn’t it?” She shook water from her hair, sending droplets flying through the air.
“I’ll say.” Jake wasn’t referring to the moonlight reflecting on the pool’s water, though he couldn’t deny it was nice, too.
“I’ll race you to the other side,” Jordan challenged, and swam away from him.
“What?” As Jake’s brain engaged, he realized she was swimming toward the shallow end of the pool and took off after her, swimming as fast as he could. He caught up, then passed her just as they neared the steep slope of the pool’s bottom that made it dangerous to swim further. He turned, resting against the slope, and caught her in his arms.
“I let you win,” she insisted, falling against him.
Jake didn’t care if it was true, as long as she didn’t hurt herself hitting her head on the slope. “You’re crazy, you know that?”
“Maybe. I’m lots of fun, though,” Jordan answered before giving him a searing kiss.
As his lips parted, letting her in, Jake wondered which would win out—the chill of the water, or the heat of the woman. It didn’t take long before he had his answer, and it was the one he wanted. “Maybe we should go back to your place,” he suggested.
“Why? Are you shy?” Jordan reached inside his shorts a
nd the stirring grew stronger. “Because there’s no one else out here.”
Jake jerked his head around. She was right. The pool area was completely deserted. Still, he hesitated. “I don’t have any—”
She put a finger to his lips, silencing him. “It’s okay. I promise,” she said, as she adjusted her bathing suit and straddled him.
Jake put his hands on her hips and lifted his own, his breath hitching a little as he entered her completely.
“Oh, you feel so good,” Jordan said, as she began to move with him. “So right.”
Jake couldn’t agree more, and he thrust himself further inside her, wanting to cherish the moment forever. As she rocked against him and the water cascaded around them, Jake knew he was home.
Chapter 15
If possible, she was even more beautiful in sleep than she was in the throes of passion. Jake lay next to her as long as he could, simply watching her sleep, the bunched and twisted sheets barely concealing any of her nude body. He listened to the soft sounds of her breathing and watched the rise and fall of her chest, struggling to recall a time when he’d felt more content. Sure, he’d had nights of great sex before—including with Jordan—but something seemed different this time. Deeper; more real. He didn’t care what they did, he just wanted to be near her.
Too many minutes ticked by with him simply watching her, and he risked being late to the set if he stayed much longer. Jake quietly left Jordan’s bed and made his way to the bathroom. He bypassed the whirlpool soaking tub in favor of the stand-alone shower with the marble finish, clear-glass door, and multiple massaging shower heads. She didn’t mind eating in casual establishments with chipped Formica and worn booths, but when it came to her bathroom, Jordan obviously liked her luxury.
It took Jake a little while to figure out the multiple shower heads and adjust the temperature to his liking before stepping inside. Lined up on the built-in shelf on the shower wall was an assortment of bottles that could rival the bath products section at the average store. Of course you wouldn’t just have a plain bar of soap, Jordan. He reached for one of the bottles, which turned out to be a conditioner made from Tahitian flower oil. Not his thing. He quickly put it back and grabbed another. Vanilla mint shower gel. That must have been the scent that enticed him yesterday. He flipped the lip open and sniffed. Yes. That was it. Although smelling like mint had never been on Jake’s list of objectives, in the absence of a bar soap, it would do.
He searched for shampoo next, and found a vanilla and coconut organic cream shampoo. Jake sensed a trend. Jordan must like vanilla. That information could be useful, he decided, as he lathered the shampoo in his hair. He just hoped no one on the set noticed he smelled like vanilla.
When he emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a towel, Jordan was sitting up in bed.
“Morning, sexy,” she said.
Jake grinned. “I thought that was my line,” he said. “I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“I had to get up, anyway.” She walked over to greet him, softly kissing him. “Mmm.” She sniffed. “I think I recognize that scent.”
“Yeah. I used some of your product. Hope you don’t mind.”
“That’s what it’s there for. And you smell good.” She ran a hand down his chest. “Real good.” She reached for the knot of his towel. “It’s kind of a turn on.”
So are you, Jake thought. “I have to leave soon,” he said, but he knew the protest was futile. Already, his body responded to her touch.
“I won’t make you late,” Jordan said, undoing his towel and dropping it to the floor. “But I have to finish what I started last night.” She lowered herself to her knees, closed her lips around his manhood, and began to work her magic.
This time, Jake offered no protest, surrendering to her power over him. He rolled his hips, pushing deeper into her mouth, until finally he couldn’t fight it any longer. “God, Jordan, I love you,” he cried out as he exploded inside her.
***
The last time Jordan woke up in a bed with Jake Morrison, her head pounded from a vicious hangover, she was two hours late for work, and had little recollection of how they’d spent the night, though the empty vodka bottle had offered a clue. It was the last time she’d consumed a drop of alcohol, and she was grateful for the not-so-gentle nudge toward treatment that her boss had given her that morning.
Now her head was clear, she still had an hour before she needed to leave to open her office, and she was able to recall every minute of the glorious night they’d spent together. There was a lot to be said for sobriety, she decided as she watched Jake’s car back out of her driveway.
“Okay, Cujo, let’s pick this place up,” she said. The cat looked up at Jordan with her usual bored expression. Jordan shook her head. “Not much help, are you? Fine. I guess I have to do everything around here.”
She went to the patio and found the remains of the chocolate flan they’d left behind in their hurry to get inside. At least the remains that hadn’t been discovered by ants during the course of the night, which, as it turned out, wasn’t much. Leaving the plates outside hadn’t been one of Jordan’s smarter moves, but what was a girl expected to do? Tell the incredibly sweet, sexy, and hard man to wait a few more minutes while she cleared and washed the dishes? “Sorry, not this girl,” Jordan said with a chuckle. She dumped the remains of the dessert into a trash bag, wiped the table with a damp cloth and carried the plates in the house. She might have to spray for ants later, but all in all it was a small concession for an amazing night. The chocolate flan served its purpose.
Jordan loaded the dishwasher, started a pot of coffee and opened a can of cat food for Cujo while she replayed the events of the night—and morning—in her head, humming to herself. She’d just poured a cup of coffee when it hit her what Jake had said. “Shit! What am I supposed to do now?”
***
Jake got through his first scene of the day in three takes, and he wasn’t the reason it required three. Good. The last thing he needed was Reece’s wrath, especially after receiving such glowing praise the day before. If Jake truly was on the brink of stardom, which seemed to be the case, he couldn’t let personal distractions undermine him. Even if the personal distraction was completely amazing.
He couldn’t believe what an idiot he was. He’d waited thirty-four years to tell a woman that he loved her, heck, waited thirty-four years to find a woman worthy of such a declaration, and what did he do? Confess his true feelings with his dick in her mouth. Yeah, way to go, Jake. Real smooth and romantic, there. Somewhere along the way, Jake figured someone must have compiled a list of the best ways to make a declaration of love, and he was fairly certain this would be pretty low on it.
It was done, though. The feelings were real, even if the way he expressed them left something to be desired. Jake tried not to read too much into the fact that Jordan didn’t make any similar declaration of her own. Granted, her mouth had been busy doing something else at the time, but she’d simply swallowed, wiped her mouth, kissed him goodbye and told him to have a good day. How was he supposed to have a good day when he didn’t know if her lack of response was because she didn’t return the feelings, or worse, she believed his words weren’t genuine because of the manner in which they were said?
Jake walked from the three-walled set of the movie’s border patrol station in the direction of the break area, scrolling through phone messages while he walked. Nothing from Jordan. Only Greg. He tapped the screen to return the call. “What?” he asked when the agent answered. He figured he knew, though.
“You should probably be nicer to me, given everything I’ve done for your career,” Greg chided.
“You’re right, I’m sorry,” Jake said, feeling duly chastised. He might be having a frustrating day, but it didn’t justify snapping at his agent. “You’re calling about the new script, right?”
“Yeah. What do you think? It’s pretty great, huh?”
The part Jake had read certainly was, and he also liked that Chaz C
ollier was a friend of Reece’s and that Reece had personally recommended him. “So far, yes. I’m not quite done with it.”
“Then get done. Chaz needs an answer, Jake.”
“I know.” Jake also knew what his answer would be. There was no way he could pass this opportunity up. Still, he wanted to discuss it with Jordan first. If they were going to be in a relationship, she at least deserved to know he would soon be spending two months in the Caribbean with Kate Hudson. “Give me one more day, Greg. Tell Chaz he will definitely have his answer by tomorrow morning.”
Greg sighed. “Fine. One more day.”
***
Beth burst into Jordan’s office shortly before noon, out of breath and carrying a takeout bag from the nearby sandwich shop. “I got here as soon as I could,” she said. “And I brought lunch.” She held up the bag. “Your favorite. The club with applewood smoked bacon and chipotle ranch dressing.”
Jordan’s mouth almost watered just thinking about it. “I wasn’t aware we had an appointment, but I never turn down a free meal,” she teased. “Let me guess. Jen called you.”
“Yes. She said you’re distracted and there’s three-fourths of a chocolate flan sitting in your break room refrigerator,” Beth said. “She can’t figure out what that means.”
“So she called you in as the resident expert in deciphering my moods, huh? Terrific.” Jordan rolled her eyes. This part of the day was at least going as she predicted it would. “Did you by any chance bring lunch for three?”
“Of course. Do you take me for an idiot?”
“I plead the Fifth.” Jordan pressed the intercom button on the office phone. “Jen, go ahead and set the phone lines to go to the answering service and join us in the conference room for lunch,” she said. She wasn’t going through the great date recap twice.
Jordan waited until they were all seated in her conference room and she’d sampled the sandwich before getting to the point. “I’m sure you’re both wondering what happened last night.” She didn’t blame them. She’d been left wondering a little herself. Jordan never felt confused or uncertain when Carl left her house after sex. Mostly, she just felt used, but since she was also guilty of using him, she didn’t have much right to complain.
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