Damn, his hands were strong…and big…and deliciously calloused. And big. They covered most of her upper arms. How would they feel scraping the rest of her body?
She drew in a breath. Not smart, her mind screamed while her nose rejoiced. Mmm…fresh and male. Hit with a sudden vision of a naked Cole lathered and wet, a small sound escaped her throat. Damn. Desire flooded her fluttering stomach and pooled between her legs.
“Did you hear me, Jordan? I won’t put up with your nonsense.”
He increased the pressure on her arms, and the warmth amplified between her thighs.
Whoa. Back the reaction train up. She wasn’t the one who needed to feel.
Her chin lifted. “Oh no? Well, I’m not going to stop just because you tell me to, Cole. You’re way over due for an emotional overhaul and reality check. So, what are you going to do about it, Mr. Personality?”
“This.”
In an instant, he had her pinned against the wall and pressed into her with his gorgeous, hard body.
Sensations—hot and frenzied, scorched a path to her lower belly. She was damp and trembling in seconds. Dammit. The resulting shudder had her shocked, wide eyes staring up at him.
Triumph gleamed back.
He leaned closer, sexy scruff grazing her cheek, sending a wake-up call to all her good parts, the ones that had gone dormant the past few years. And damn her nipples, too. They beaded and tried their hardest to get his attention.
They did.
He glanced down at them and smiled before his warm breath tickled her ear as he whispered, “Apparently, you like me after all, Jordan.”
Anger, mostly at herself, erupted just enough to tamp down her yearnings.
She pushed out of his hold. “Don’t try to turn this all around and put the focus on me, pal. It won’t work. I’m not one of your unsuspecting victims. But, you’re right. There is something about you I like. Your body. Or should I say Cole’s body,” she corrected, looking him up and down, really, really liking what she saw. Dammit. “It’s grown up quite nice. But I still don’t like you.” Pivoting on her heel, she drew in a steadying breath and walked as nonchalantly as she could to her room.
His deep chuckle echoed down the hall and rumbled through her like a Southern California tremor. It was great to hear genuine amusement from him…although she could’ve done without the Me thinks she doth protest too much remark uttered with it.
Damn sexy Texan.
Okay, so she wasn’t as immune to him as she’d hoped. That changed nothing. Shivers covered her skin. She ignored them.
Jordan Masters Ryan never failed a case and Operation Heal McCall would be no exception.
Chapter Five
By the time Tuesday arrived, Jordan’s head spun, filled with old acquaintances and a few dinner invitations she’d politely turned down.
Today’s line up of events appeared better. Excitement fluttered in her stomach. They were heading to Houston with a stop at McCall Enterprises to meet Cole for lunch and then shopping at The Galleria to find outfits to wear to the McCall’s party.
How Mrs. McCall had managed to convince her son to take time out of his hectic day to do lunch with the four of them, baffled Jordan. But she was glad. It would aid her to be able to observe where he worked, glimpse him in his own environment. She refused to blame her excitement on anything other than research.
Donning a sleeveless white dress trimmed in navy with a boxed neck and a slit up the back, she coiled her long braid at the nape of her neck and secured it with strategically placed sticks. A quick glance in the mirror and she was satisfied enough to leave the room to seek out her sister.
She found Kerri in the kitchen, an apron over her strapless yellow sundress, hair twisted up and clipped, and looking refreshed and full of sunshine—no doubt discussing the menu with Emma for the party to be held a week from this Saturday. Cooking, and all it entailed, always put her sister in a good mood.
Emma smiled. “Jordan you look so pretty. Hey, I’m missing a set of chop sticks, is that what you’re using on your hair?”
“Oh, darn. I was hoping you wouldn’t notice.” Jordan jumped into the joke. “I just couldn’t get the spatulas to work right.”
Her mother walked in with Leeann McCall. “How lovely you both look. Are you ready?”
“Thank you.”
“Yes.”
“Good because I told Cole we’d be there around eleven thirty, since he has some phone conferences to attend this afternoon.” Mrs. McCall’s eyes sparkled.
She was glad Cole granted his mother this outing. She’d noted since her arrival that pleasure rarely found the woman’s face. “Well, then by all means, let’s not keep his majesty waiting.”
An hour later, Jordan was standing in an elevator, soaring to the top floor of McCall Enterprises, wondering once again how Mrs. McCall had roped Cole into this lunch. Before she could formulate any plausible explanation, the polished doors opened to reveal a posh, but regal floor.
Straight ahead in the reception area, wood panels graced the wall. Two portraits broke the gleaming surface; one of Alex McCall and the other of Cole.
Jordan’s heart hit her painted toe-nails. The picture must’ve been taken before Bess’ death. He still had life in his eyes. Hair shorter, flopping on his forehead and barely touching his collar. God, the man was gorgeous.
Further into the lobby, a stylish gray haired lady greeted with a warm smile. “Hello, Mrs. McCall, Mrs. Masters.”
“Hello, Stella,” Leeann and her mother replied warmly.
“You two beautiful ladies must be Jordan and Kerri.” The woman rounded her oak desk to stand in front of them. “I’m Mrs. Dixon, Mr. McCall’s secretary.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m—”
“No, don’t tell me which is which,” Stella interrupted. “I want to try to guess for myself.”
Standing still, Jordan found the woman’s assessment amusing. Mrs. Dixon was cordial but shrewd, exactly what you’d expect of the executive secretary to the CEO of McCall Enterprises.
A well-manicured finger pointed at her sister. “You are definitely Kerri. And you”—Stella paused to transfer her intense blue gaze—“are undoubtedly Jordan.”
“Aah…you figured us out. What gave us away?” Jordan laced her voice with fake disappointment.
“Well,” the prudent secretary went on to explain. “Kerri has a sweet aura about her and was a bit unnerved by my scrutiny, whereas you…” Mrs. Dixon grinned as she walked around them. “You just stared right back at me without flinching, completely amused. And from what I’ve heard about the way you used to handle Cole—and apparently still do if his grumbling is any indication—it’s a characteristic only Jordan could possess in order to deal with him.”
Immediately liking his secretary, Jordan plunked her hands on her hips and cocked her head. “I noticed you left out the word sweet when you described me. Does this mean I need to eat more sugar—”
The rest of her words died in her rapidly drying throat. Heat prickled up her spine and settled in a slow tingle at the base of her neck. Their lunch date had, no doubt, just entered the room.
“Jordan,” Cole said, his deep tone spreading the tingle down her arms. “You could consume a five pound bag of sugar and you’d still be lacking in the sweetness department.”
“Stop the presses! Mrs. Dixon, take a memo. Cole McCall still has a sense of humor.” Jordan slapped a hand over her heart and turned.
“And you still have a big mouth,” he countered smoothly.
Two jokes in a row. Her pulse quickened.
Surrounded by several men wearing suits, he stood out, exuding confidence and authority. Good thing she got that remark out before turning around because this Cole McCall stole her breath as she slowly appraised the tycoon.
The superb cut of his Italian suit emphasized broad shoulders and trim waist. Powerful. From his stance right on up to the arrogant tilt of his head and cocky smirk on his lips. Fleetingly, Jordan remembered how the
y’d felt on her lips and couldn’t help but wonder how they’d feel on her skin. Butterflies stormed her stomach.
Thoughts of that nature were forbidden. She forced Eric’s image to mind and her control returned. That type of involvement she did not need.
Stepping forward, realization hit her with a start and she halted. I’ve come full circle. Laughter bubbled up her throat. All those years of comparing her male suitors to Cole, this time, she’d finally compared Cole to someone else. Eric.
Okay, so, he didn’t come up lacking. But, he did come up dangerous and that was just as bad.
Finding her voice, she followed his lead and planted a hand back over her heart. “Why Cole, you sure know how to flatter a girl.” She walked to him and playfully tapped his cheek. “Do you see why I can’t resist this man?”
His colleagues hissed, looking at her like she’d committed a mortal sin. What? No one had enough nerve to talk to Cole that way? Or was their reaction because she’d ventured to touch his majesty—Cole the Conqueror?
A bark of laughter filled the office. “Jordan Masters, you haven’t changed one bit.”
She searched the sea of faces in the doorway. It didn’t take long to find the culprit and her brows shot up. “Kevin? Kevin Dalton, is that you?”
“The one and only.” Tall, dark and devastatingly handsome pushed through the men with his hand extended. “It sure is great to see you again. How’ve you been, sugar?” Smiling, he swallowed her hand in both of his before drawing her in for a big hug.
She returned the hug wholeheartedly, absently noting the man was all muscle under the Armani. He, too, had grown up hot. Cripes, what was in Harland County’s water? First, Cole, then Conner, now Kevin? She wasn’t sure her fluttering heart could handle seeing Kade again if he’d filled out like these guys. And how could he not? He’d always been cute, with an edge, a dangerous air that’d attracted the opposite sex in droves.
Smiling, she stepped back and winked. “I’ve been okay but apparently, according to Cole, you can’t call me sugar since I don’t have any sweetness in my body.”
“Hold on there, honey.” His blue gaze, surrounded by thick, dark lashes, admired her all the way down and back up. “Your body looks sweet to me.”
“Well, I guess it’s just your boss who doesn’t think so.”
Kevin pulled her out of earshot and kept his voice low. “Cole’s been dead from the waist down for almost two years now.”
More than she wanted to know, and disgusted with herself for the burst of joy his words brought, she just smiled and glanced over at Cole. Even at this distance, she could see the spark of irritation in his eyes. A reaction? She didn’t know if it was because they were quietly discussing him or because Kevin was paying such close attention to her. Either way, Jordan decided it was a good thing.
Hooking arms with Kevin, she led them back toward the crowd. “How’s your sister? And Kade?”
“Jen’s just fine. And Kade is on his third deployment.”
“Wow. Kade is still in the National Guard?”
She remembered talk of his cousin joining to help make ends meet at the Dalton ranch way back when the cowboy was still in his teens. The once a month drill and two weeks a year annual training were something he’d always looked forward to.
Kevin opened his mouth but never had the chance to continue because Cole spoke.
“Alright, enough with this reunion. I don’t pay you to just stand around. Do it on your own time. ”
Jumping at the order like a bunch of rookies, his men gave her one last curious look before disappearing down the hall.
Except for Kevin.
His attention switched to the other women. “Hello, Mrs. McCall. Mrs. Masters,” he said, bending to kiss them each on the cheek before he turned to her sister. “Kerri! It’s good to see you, too.” Capturing her hand, he brought it to his lips. “You Masters have gone from cute kids to stunning women.”
“Kevin,” Cole interrupted yet again. “I need you to work up the statistics on the new software account. Socialize on your own time, not mine.”
Kevin smiled and turned a hopeful blue gaze upon them.
“You heard my boss. You two will have to come to Shadow Rock on Sunday evening. We’re having our annual spring barbeque at the ranch. Jen would love to see both of you again.” He glanced at his boss. “I’ve asked Cole to come repeatedly but he never does. Connor, on the other hand, will be there so maybe you can hitch a ride with him. What do you say? Is it a date?”
“I…” Kerri sent her an uncertain look.
She smiled. “I wouldn’t miss it. We all have a lot of catching up to do.”
“Great! I’ll tell Jen and we’ll see you both there. Now, I’d better get to work before the bossman has a fit.”
He nodded toward Cole, and Jordan watched him until he disappeared down the hall. “Wow. He sure turned out to be gorgeous.”
“Yeah, he sure did.” Kerri nodded, watching where tall, dark and sexy once stood.
“If you’re done discussing the looks of my VP, maybe we could get lunch over with?”
Cole held his elbows out to the two smiling mothers and walked them to the elevator.
Unlike him, however, Jordan didn’t ignore his secretary. She strolled to Stella and held out her hand. “It was nice to meet you, Mrs. Dixon. I’d like to chat longer, but if I don’t pick up my feet, I wouldn’t put it past Cole to leave without me.”
His secretary shook her head with a gleam in her eye. “Something tells me that’s not possible.”
The next morning, Jordan sat in the parlor with Mrs. McCall, discussing the progress of party arrangements.
“Have the two of you decided on the songs you’d like me to sing?”
Her host ripped a paper from the yellow legal pad on her lap.
“Yes. Here’s our list.”
List? She frowned. Hopefully, they won’t want too many. She accepted the offered sheet and was relieved to find only a handful of country songs.
“These will be fine. As a matter of fact, I’d already promised my mother I’d do two of them you have listed.”
“Wonderful. I think—” Mrs. McCall halted when her phone rang. “Sorry,” She said, glancing at the cell. “It’s Cole.”
“No problem.” Jordan stood and walked to the window to give her host some privacy. Besides, she wasn’t happy with the woman’s son at the moment. He hadn’t said much at lunch yesterday and ran back to the office as soon as he’d finished eating, leaving everyone else to have coffee and dessert without him.
Her fingers curled into fists as she stared at the horses grazing in the distance. Dinner that night went as it had every night since she arrived. Cole didn’t speak much and when he did, he was unbelievably rude, even to his parents. If they didn’t say something to him soon, she would. They needed to stop treating him with kid gloves and put an end to this nonsense. She wasn’t going to let him get away with it much longer. He was corralling his emotions and it was high time someone broke past his firewall.
“Oh, Cole, what do you mean, you can’t? I was counting on you. I even had Emma make all of your favorite dishes. Are you sure you can’t make it?”
Mrs. McCall’s raised tone stiffened Jordan’s spine. Now what?
“Well, if it’s unavoidable, then it’s unavoidable. All right. No it’s okay. I’m sure everyone else will enjoy it.”
Shoulders slumped, Mrs. McCall hung up the phone. When she finally turned around, Jordan watched her host fight to hold tears in check.
“What’s wrong, Mrs. McCall?” She strode to the unhappy woman and touched her arm.
“Oh, it’s nothing, really. Cole just called to say he has to stay late tonight to work on some kind of project of his. You know, he has deadlines and all…” her voice trailed off as she wiped her cheek.
“And this meal is important to you?” Jordan kept her tone soft. When what she really wanted to do was scream.
“Well, you see, his father and I ha
d planned on giving him a little surprise celebratory dinner tonight—for the award the company just received for their latest software innovation.”
“So you had Emma make his favorite dishes and everything?”
She smiled weakly and nodded. “We invited his college professor and Kevin, too.”
“And now Cole’s not coming home.”
Mrs. McCall sat back down and picked up her notepad. “Well, he didn’t know we had this planned. It’s okay. At least I know you’ll all enjoy Emma’s cooking.”
“We all sure will,” Jordan reassured.
In her room ten minutes later, she picked up her cell and punched in the numbers she found for McCall Enterprises. Mrs. Dixon told Jordan Cole was in a meeting and wasn’t taking any calls.
“Please. This is somewhat of an emergency,” she said truthfully and was put on hold. Technically, it wasn’t a lie. Surely when she explained things to him, he’d rearrange his schedule.
“Sorry, Jordan, he won’t take the call.”
Why that dirty rotten…
Her temperature rivaled summer in Texas. Jordan hung up and punched her pillow.
An hour later, Stella relayed the same message. Bastard! Snapping her phone shut, Jordan shot off the bed and grabbed her purse on the way out of the room. Finding her sister in the kitchen with Emma, she informed the pair she had some errands to do in town and would be back in time for dinner.
“Won’t take my calls? Well, now he’s gonna be sorry he didn’t take them,” Jordan muttered as she strode to her rental car, jammed the keys in the ignition and started the vehicle. Determination stiffened her spine. With a deep breath, she began the hour’s drive north to Houston and the stubborn Texan who was quickly becoming the bane of her visit.
Arriving just before noon, Jordan marched to Mrs. Dixon’s desk and smiled as the secretary’s shock turned into a grin.
“Why Jordan, let me guess, you’re here to see Mr. McCall.” She glanced at a set of double doors at the end of the hall. “I’m sorry he’s still in his meeting and isn’t taking calls or visitors.”
“Actually, I’m here to see Cole, Mr. McCall is back at the ranch. When Cole does something to earn my respect, I’ll address him that way.”
Her Fated Cowboy (Harland County Series) Page 7
