Finding Jordie: Things aren't always what they seem. (The Love Lies Bleeding Series Book 1)

by Harley, HJ

  “I’m giving her a chance, yes. Why did you ask me like that?” I eyed him teasingly, suspicious.

  “It’s nothing, babe. Nothing I hadn’t expected from someone like you.” He smiled and shook his head.

  “Someone like me?” I spewed out in defense.

  “Yes, someone who’s as loving as yourself. You give a shit about people—I love that about you.” He bent over to kiss me. My stomach did a flip-flop or two.

  “Nate.” The barista held his cup out to him from behind the counter, half giggling.

  “Thank you.” Nathan flashed that celebrity smile of his.

  Oh Lord, she is going to faint, watch.

  “Thank you.” She beamed back at him.

  We walked outside. The group surrounded us, snapping pictures. “How are you today, Nate, Jordie? What brings you to Times Square?” They all asked the same questions, just in a different order.

  “We’re well, gentlemen, ladies, thank you.” Nathan reached for my hand. We got to the car and he whispered something to Frank before he climbed in.

  When we pulled up to my building, surprisingly there were only three people waiting. Frank informed us that he would be leaving and Elliot would be on until later. Elliot was already standing at my front door. We headed for the bar. I had those interviews to deal with. Charles was on guard at the entrance and he greeted us pleasantly as we went inside. Nathan locked the door behind him. I guess your neurosis is rubbing off on him. I chuckled to myself. It was twelve o’clock—I had an hour to get all that crap done from Monday night. The phone was blinking. I hit speaker and dialed the voice mail. “You have forty-five messages,” the pleasant voice reported to me. I rolled my eyes at Nathan.

  “Sorry.” He laughed.

  “Message thirty-six...Ms. Spagnato, this is Ryan from US Weekly...” Delete. “Message thirty-seven...” It was quiet except for heavy breathing behind a crackling bad connection.

  The sound reminded me of the phone calls I would have with Jason when he was deployed. We’d never had a clear phone call. I sighed at the memory.

  “Creepy.” Nathan didn’t look up from whatever he was doing on his phone.

  I hit delete and sat down to work. I reconciled the till from Monday night, prepped a bank bag, and sat back in my chair watching Nathan still playing with his phone. I admired him for a moment without him knowing.

  “All done. What time is it?” I broke my moment of admiration.

  “Twelve twenty-three.” He looked up finally.

  “Ah, good. I have time before interviews.” I picked up the phone and called Emma’s school to check in on her. Cal assured me everything was quiet and there had been no disruptions.

  Nathan came over to me and semi-sat on my desk. “Ms. Spagnato, you sure are cute when you’re worried.” He pulled me out of my chair so I was against him.

  “Cute? Puppies are cute. I’m not a puppy,” I chided playfully.

  “I’m sorry, you’re right.” He took his pointer finger and attempted to rub out the crease between my eyebrows. “Stunning is a more appropriate word.”

  My tummy was flip flopping everywhere again. What this man does to me... swoon. I want him... now... on my desk. “Stop it,” was all that left my mouth though, as I blushed.

  He leaned in so that I could feel his breath against my lips. He ran his hands up my back to my hair. He gently grabbed a handful at the nape of my neck tilting my head back as his lips moved to my ear. I let out a little moan as he began working his way to my neck.

  Nathan’s phone rang. My heart about jumped out of my chest. We both let out a frustrated sigh as he glanced at the phone.

  “It’s Charles.” He picked it up.

  “Oh, maybe my interview is here early. Strike one against her,” I muttered playfully, dropping my arms from around him.

  He smirked. “Yes, Charles, all right, thank you. I’ll be right there to let him in.” He hit a button and stuck the phone in his pocket.

  Him? I’d thought my one o’clock was with a woman.

  “Is it okay if I conduct some business at a table for a few minutes?” he asked.

  “Yeah, sure, of course. Actually, if you want you can use my office. I know it’s a mess, but I need to be out there once I start the interview. Besides, I wouldn’t want her distracted by you all Nate Harper-esque in the corner of my bar.” I poked his chest lightly and gave him a wicked look.

  “Thanks, baby.” He kissed the top of my head and stood up straight, but before he could go anywhere I tugged him close to me by his shirt. His eyes locked with mine, and he grinned the sexiest grin I had ever seen in my life. My stomach returned to its somersault routine and I was frozen for a second. I stood on my tippy toes to kiss him, slipping my pointer fingers into his jean belt loops to pull him closer. He groaned and leaned back, our hips still pressed together.

  “How am I supposed to talk business in this condition?” He looked down with his eyebrow raised, and smirked.

  “I’m sure you’ll manage.” I freed my fingers and took a step back.

  He took my chin in his hand and pretended to bite my lips. I let out a wistful little whine.

  He chuckled. “All right, I need a moment. Could you please let Todd in for me?”

  “Sure thing.” I grinned.

  He adjusted himself and laughed again when my hand trailed along his pants as I walked out.

  When I opened the door I was surprised to see the photographer who gave Isobel the camera standing there. I looked at Charles, confused.

  “Ms. Spagnato, this is Todd. Mr. Harper has a meeting with him.”

  “All right, of course. I’m sorry. I was thrown for a second there.” I let out a small, self-conscious laugh. “Please come in.” I motioned to him as I held the door open. I led him down the short hallway to my office. “Would you like a drink while you wait for Nathan?” I gestured to a chair.

  “I’m okay. Thank you, though.” He sat down.

  “I guess he had to use the restroom. I’m sure he’ll be right back.” I laughed to myself.

  “Thanks, baby.” Nathan came up behind me and swatted my behind.

  I blushed and tried to stabilize my stomach. Will my belly do back flips every time he addresses me sweetly? I hope so.

  Todd stood to shake Nathan’s hand.

  “Okay, I’ll be out here if ya need me.” I walked into the hallway and heard my chair squeak as Nathan sat in it. I decided to go outside to wait for my one o’clock and get some fresh air. It was the end of March but still crispy cool outside. The sun was warming up but the wind cut through me and sent a chill up my back. I sat in one of the chairs from the small metal table set off to the right. I lit up a cigarette.

  Frank came to tell Charles he was on lunch break. He took the position at the door but I could see him watching me from the corner of his eye.

  “Don’t judge me, Frank,” I said playfully. “We’re lucky this is just a cigarette after what’s been going on the past few days.”

  “Ah, Ms. Spagnato...”

  “Jordie. Please, call me Jordie.”

  “Yes, ma’am, Jordie.” Again his demeanor tugged hard at my emotions and I had to fight the memories that began to surface.

  “I was just thinking I could use one of those.” He laughed.

  “Well, please pull up a chair, join me.” I slid one of the other chairs out and made a little gesture towards it.

  “I can’t, Ms.... Jordie. Thank you. I’m on the clock.” He nodded sternly.

  Damn, this guy means business, eh? “I’m officially giving you a break, Frank. Please sit with me. Besides, you have been on the clock for what? Twenty-four hours now? Don’t you sleep? You were supposed to be off like an hour ago, weren’t you?” I teased him. “Have a smoke. I’m sure you can efficiently keep watch from here.”

  “All right, if you insist.” He smiled and walked over to where I was sitting. “I’ll stand if you don’t mind though.”

  “I like a man that can compromise, Fran
k.” I flashed a smile at him, and the severity on his face lifted. We chit chatted for a few minutes about Nathan, Emma, and his wife and kids back in Los Angeles.

  “You flew out here to be with Nathan?” I asked it as if he was a crazy person rather than a bodyguard.

  “Of course.” He sounded insulted. “Nate is a fine young man. We’ve been his security since he was, I’d say, twenty.”

  “That’s very loyal of you.”

  “Jordie, it’s not just loyalty. He’s a great kid. I want to protect him like I’d protect one of my own. He never really conformed to the celebrity lifestyle, so he’s had trouble trusting people. That’s why I’d fly three thousand miles for the kid. He trusts me.” He shook his head and grinned. “I never thought I’d ever get to see this side of him. I’m so glad I did.”

  “What side is that?” I asked, curious.

  “Nathan Harper completed.” He looked at me as if I should have already known what he was talking about.

  “Completed?” I was confused.

  “You know, not walking around going through the motions. Whole, enjoying himself, falling in love.”

  And with the word “love” the brakes slammed in my head and my tummy dropped like a free fall to the floor. “You think?” was all I could manage. Love.

  He let out a boom of laughter that made me jump. “Yes, I think, Jordie. I’ve never seen Nate with a woman, not even for the evening. I admit even I was starting to think he was... well, you know.” He stopped and scanned our surroundings before he continued. “Gay,” he whispered.

  I was the one that had an outburst of loud laughter after that. “Oh, trust me, Frank, he is so not gay.” My cheeks hurt from laughing and smiling.

  “He is right about one thing for sure.” Frank smiled a wide smile. It kind of threw me off for a second.

  “Oh, yeah? What’s that?” I put out my smoke and stood up.

  “You sure are something special.” He slightly shook his head and put out his cigarette on the bottom of his shoe, sticking the butt in his pocket.

  “He said that about me?”

  “Yes.” His stern face was totally gone for moment, and he looked at me like a kindly uncle. “Thanks for the smoke break, kid. Back to business.” He stiffened up as what I assumed to be my one o’clock walked up the sidewalk.

  I touched his arm with two fingers. “It’s okay. She’s here for a job interview. I’m expecting two more and Rachel shortly.” I handed him a piece of paper with their names on it. “You can let them in when they get here.”

  “Hello, I’m Amber,” the woman said. “You must be Jordie?”

  I took in her confident demeanor. She was young but serious. “I am. Nice to meet you.” I fought off a shiver. “Let’s go inside. It’s chilly out here.”

  We approached the door just as Nathan and Todd were walking out. They were laughing. Amber took a double take of Nathan and froze. Involuntarily, I snorted with amusement when she blushed and lost her footing after he said hello to her.

  “Thanks again, Nate. If you need anything, please call me.” They shook hands. “Jordie, always a pleasure,” Todd said to me and mouthed, “Thank you so much” as he turned away from Nathan. I smiled at him. I wondered what that was about. Whatever it was, it would have to wait. I needed to get this place fully staffed so we could get a break and on a normal schedule.

  I was about five minutes into the interview with Amber when Rachel came walking in. “What’s up, bitches?”

  “Can you give me one sec?” I said to Amber. “I need to speak with her.” She nodded as I was already walking away.

  “Rach, a word real quick.”

  “Fuck? That’s a word. It can be real quick.” She laughed really loudly at her joke.

  “You’re such an ass. No listen. I hired a girl. She’ll be here at four. Her name’s Isobel. Easy on her. She’s going to need a bit of toughening up, so please just be nice for a little while until she adjusts to us. Please,” I begged her.

  “Yeah, yeah, sure. What’s this one’s deal?” She peered over my shoulder.

  “I don’t know. She just got here.”

  “All right. You can go. I got this.” She shooed me away with her hand.

  Nathan walked up behind me and put his arms around my waist. “Hello, Rachel. Hello again, gorgeous.” He kissed my cheek, which made me blush and almost forget Rachel was standing in front of me.

  “Oh my fucking god, you two. Seriously...” She stuck her finger down her throat and pretended to gag. “What up, Nate dawg?”

  He shook his head and chuckled.

  “Before I go, what happened with you and Tyler?” I cocked my head to one side, opening my mouth slightly and widening my eyes at her.

  “What? Oh. We, uh, had dinner.” Clearly she was trying to avoid answering my question.

  “Smooth. Did you get to hear the bow-chicky-wawaa music last night from your music man?”

  She gave me a dirty look. “Classy, Jords.”

  I stuck my tongue out at her and smacked her arm. “C’mon, tell me.”

  She rolled her eyes in true Rachel fashion. “Later. Too many ears in here right now.” She stared at Nathan, wide eyed.

  “Okay,” I said. “I’m going home. Don’t forget Isobel will be here at four and I want the low down on these three later on when I come back. Probably around six-ish.” I walked out the door. Nathan was right behind me.

  When we got upstairs in my apartment Nathan dropped my keys on the table, picked me up, and threw me over his shoulder, both his hands on my behind.

  “What are you doing? Stop!” I laughed loudly as he carried me upstairs.

  “You get no say in this, Ms. Spagnato. You teased me earlier.” He tossed me on the bed and grabbed my feet, pulling off my boots. He kicked off his shoes and pulled off his shirt and undid the top button of his jeans. I heard my mouth go pop as it dropped open. Nathan laughed as he lay down next to me.

  “Seriously, you are one sexy mofo,” I said.

  He propped his head up on his elbow and looked at me. “As are you, minus the mofo part.” He placed his hand on my stomach under my shirt.

  “Ahhh! Cold!” I arched my back and he quickly slipped his other arm underneath, pulling me to him. He began to kiss me, picking up right where we left off in my office earlier.

  “So what happened in your meeting today?” I asked him as we got dressed to go up to the roof.

  “The usual stuff.” He shrugged.

  “Uh yeah, you’re going to have to fill me in on what the usual stuff entails.”

  “They showed me the script. I read the synopsis and agreed to take the job.”

  “Oh? Just like that? You took it?” I smiled sarcastically. “That’s the usual stuff? What if the script sucks?” I zipped my hoodie and climbed out the window.

  He followed. “It won’t. I know the screen writer, and he’s good at what he does.”

  “What’s it about?”

  “A womanizing business tycoon.” He grabbed his smokes from his pocket and sat down.

  “Womanizing business tycoon,” I repeated quietly. The one thing I hadn’t taken into account before was his job. His free pass to make out with drop-dead gorgeous leading ladies.

  “Oh.” My stomach hurt as a huge pang of jealousy ripped through it.

  “Jordan? Baby, what’s wrong. You look... green.”

  Green with envy.

  “Nothing, it’s silly. Anyway, so you’ll be here starting when?” I changed the subject. Knowing he’d be here for a few months helped me feel a little less sick.

  “I’ll go home next Friday, sign some paperwork, pack up some stuff, and head back April tenth. Filming will start May twentieth downtown. Oh, and my parents will be driving in the RV from Sacramento to New York for a visit, too, sometime in May.” He was smiling the nut job smile.

  “Why are you smiling like that at me?” I laughed and stubbed out my cigarette.

  “My mom wants to meet you. She was aggravated that sh
e had to find out about you with the rest of the world off a television tabloid show.” He smacked my butt as we stood up to make our way back inside.

  “Nathan, I don’t do so well with parents.” I pressed my lips together. “My parents died when I was eighteen. So... I... I don’t know. I don’t have a parental filter in my body.”

  “Good, you and my mom will get along perfectly. She doesn’t have any filters at all.” He winked.

  We were standing in the bedroom again by this time.

  “Did you tell her about Emma?” My voice came out defensive and harsh.

  He turned to me with sort of a pissy look on his face. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “Just what I said. Did you tell her that I have a nine-year-old daughter?”

  “Of course I did, Jordan.” He turned his back to me and put his hoodie on the chair. “Why would you think I wouldn’t? Of course, when she asked me how old you were I told her I didn’t know and it didn’t matter.” He took his phone and plugged it in, placing it on the nightstand next to mine. Then he picked mine up. “Does this thing really work?” He arched an eyebrow.

  “I never told you how old I was, did I?” I said, ignoring his question.

  “Nope.”

  “Okay, guess.”

  “Hell, no.” He chuckled.

  “I’m thirty-one. I’ll be thirty-two in August,” I admitted quietly, hoping the almost five-year difference really didn’t matter.

  “Really?” He narrowed his eyes a little.

  “What the hell? Did you think I was older?” I screeched out.

  “Nooo, not at all. I thought you were younger than me or around my age.”

  “Oh, you just made my day—again—Nathan Miles Harper.” I slipped my hands just inside his pants so the backs of my hands were on his treasure trail, and pulled him close to me by his jeans.

  He grinned that sexy as hell grin and chuckled. “How much time do we have before Emma comes home?” He glanced at the clock.

  “About two and a half hours.”

  “Good, because round two is going to take a little bit longer.” He grabbed me under my thighs below my behind and lifted me up. I immediately wrapped my legs around him. We kissed until my back was against the wall. He was the only person who had ever made my body react that way. It was like we responded to one another without even thinking about it. I had never felt my body exploding around someone else’s like this. It was amazing. He was amazing.