She had three days left at the Diner as college would reopen at the beginning of September and she needed a week off to prepare herself. She sighed, she would miss the Diner, after all it had allowed her to meet Jordan and for that she would always cherish the memory of the place. She had opted to continue with the band; besides she needed a guise to see Jordan because she was sure Nana had not changed her mind on the matter of premarital relationships. Jordan’s parents had called and according to Jordan they were cooling out at the estate, therefore dinner would be rescheduled to the following weekend. She was still apprehensive of the meeting but Jordan insisted it was nothing to worry about.
She stared at his face, serene in sleep; she couldn’t help stroking the hard contours with her finger tips. His lashes fluttered open; wide hazel eyes pinned her to the spot with their flaming depts. He lifted her astride him in one fluid movement and instantly her body began to ache in anticipation of his welcomed invasion. Her breath caught in her throat as he gripped her hips, easing her slowly unto his remarkable arousal and began to move within her, his hands guiding her pace. They had never made love in this position before but she found it quite exhilarating, gradually she learned his movements and began to rock back and forth above him. She threw her head back in untamed passion, allowing the familiar yet irresistible pleasure she always experienced in his arms to assail her. As the desire built within her she rode him ferociously until all else became extinct and pleasure overcame them.
They showered together, lingering as they lathered and rinsed each other, dressed, had breakfast and made their way to the Diner. The kiss he planted on her lips was hot and prolonged, she wanted to cling to him and beg him not to leave. He waited until she entered the Diner before he drove away and at that very moment her sense of loss was so profound that she could not imagine how she would endure the next three days without him.
CHAPTER TWELVE
LAUREN BADE FAREWELL TO THE SMALL office she had occupied for the past three months, she sighed, she would surely miss it here, along with everyone else especially Mrs. P. It had been a long three days without Jordan, he had phoned whenever he could but that was not enough, she needed to see him, touch him. The memories of their weekend together, of being in his arms came flooding back; she smiled, even the thought of him was enough to set her blood boiling. She pulled the door closed, her melancholy mood forgotten; she was suddenly itching to be on her way. Where in God’s name is Mrs. P, she wondered as she made her way to the dining area.
“SURPRISE!” the entire Diner staff cluttered in the middle of the dining room, decorated in party hats and balloons.
She was pleasantly surprised as Mrs. P stepped forward and handed a wrapped gift to her and embraced her warmly.
“You have become a part of the family here at the Diner and we will certainly miss you”, Mrs. P. said.
“I don’t know what to say”, she said close to tears, in an attempt to address the group before her, “I’ll miss all of you very much”.
“Open the gift”, they chorused.
She stripped the wrapping form the parcel to reveal a breathtaking painting of a sprawling countryside, dotted with beautiful flowers and a house perched on top of a hill with a man and a woman seated on the patio holding hands.
“It’s beautiful”, she said in awe and proceeded to hug everyone, pausing everyone once in a while to share a fond memory.
For the next two hours she was immersed in conversation as she ate chocolate cake and drank cheap champagne. She was surprised when even Sandy came to offer her stiff goodbyes and best wishes which she accepted gracefully and moved on. The festivities finally came to an end and even before Lauren made it to door she was crying; she was so touched that they had taken the time to do all this just for her.
Daniel was waiting outside for her as planned and he took her to the hotel where she would rehearse and pack for tomorrow’s journey; she could hardly wait.
JORDAN’S GRIP TIGHTENED ON HIS champagne glass, if Nickolas’ arm ‘accidentally’ brushed Lauren’s one more time he was going to throttle him. Good God, he had barely gotten a chance to speak with her all night especially since her stunning piece on stage. No wonder, she looked ready to walk the red carpet at the Grammy’s instead of a mere grand opening for a party weekend. Her hair was swept back from her forehead and caught in an elegant French twist atop her head leaving her long graceful neck exposed along with one shoulder. Her gown was a stunning backless olive sequin silk; its single strap caught at her other shoulder and crossed at the opening in the back all the way to her rib cage. It hugged her full breast and showcased her flat stomach and rounded hips, all the way to her legs and pooled just below her ankles. His body was sizzling with heat, his only inclination to throw her across his shoulder and take her to his bed and ravish her until the fire overriding him cooled to a tolerable point as he was beginning to realize that it would never be totally satiated.
“Who is the golden temptress?” Troy, his friend from childhood and business partner muttered from behind him, indicating to Lauren.
“None of your God damn business!” he snapped.
He was so aroused it was unbearable.
“My goodness, I thought you only showed your fangs in the boardroom”, the other man quipped.
He sighed “I’m sorry man”, he clapped him fondly on the shoulder, “let me introduce you”.
At least he had a reason other than murder or his burning body to interrupt them, he thought satisfactorily as he led Troy over to where Lauren was conversing with Nickolas.
“I hope I’m not disrupting you”, he said, returning Nickolas’ cold smile, “but can I steal Lauren for a few moments”.
“Sure”, he responded, his smile not reaching his eyes, “I’ll just circle the bar”.
Lauren appeared visibly relieved as Nickolas retreated into the crowd, she seemed genuinely wary of the man; he made a mental note to ask her about it once they were in private.
“Lauren, I’d like you to meet Troy Halsall”, Jordan said, “Troy, Lauren”
“Indeed, it’s a pleasure” Troy brought her fingers to his lips, his dark eyes alight with amusement and blatant male appreciation “you are beautiful beyond comparison”.
Jordan clenched his hands at his side to prevent himself from tossing the man from her. Get a grip, he rebuked himself, it was only Troy; his good old friend.
“Thank you”, Lauren blushed, apparently embarrassed by the compliment
“Let’s go for a drink”, Jordan snatched Lauren’s arm from his friend’s grasp when he made no move to release her and instead pulled her across the room and unto the patio, into the shadows.
She stumbled and almost fell backwards as he turned suddenly and took her into his arms for a searing kiss.
“I’ve had enough of this party”, he muttered when he finally broke the kiss, “Let’s go back to my hotel suite”.
“OK”, she said breathlessly as he made his way back through the throng of guest to the exit.
They barely got to his room before his lips sought hers, his hands fumbling with her dress in a frantic urgency. Her mouth was soft and yielding as he plundered her lips with the entire thrill that was threatening to shred him into bits. He was about to tear the gown from her body when it finally gave way. He moaned with longing as his hands stroked her smooth skin and fondled her hardened nipples. He shrugged the jacket from his shoulders followed by his shirt as she wrestled with his trousers rendering him naked; he was as hard as marble.
She drew her mouth from his, trailing a path from his mouth to his groin, nipping and tasting his shoulders and chest and shockingly took him into the hot corral of her mouth. He groaned in sweet agony as she flicked her tongue over the sensitive tip of his manhood and sucked, his large body quivered, if she did not stop soon he was going to spill into her mouth. When he was sure he would burst from pleasure; he pulled her to her feet and propelled her towards the sofa, certain with all his being that if he was not in
side her in the next second, he would release on himself.
He pushed her backwards unto the sofa and knelt between her thighs, sliding a finger into the throbbing flesh at the apex of her thighs and she moaned in pleasure. She was moist and ready for him; he growled with satisfaction, his mouth seeking her breasts and circling each with his tongue.
He hoisted one of her legs unto his shoulder, pausing to run his lips along the smooth skin. Through the haze of passion he glimpsed her appearance; her lids were heavy with passion, her swollen mouth gaping and a strained expression on her face. She arched her spine, shrill moans of ecstasy escaping her, as he burrowed himself into her pulsing core, gripping her hips as he ground into her over and over, faster, harder until she shouted his name in release. Her body gripped him, milking him until his body shook with the enormity of his climax. Drained, he fell back against the arm of the couch, taking her with him, their breathing labored.
WHO WAS CALLING AT THIS UNGODLY hour of the morning, Lauren thought as she tried to ignore the piercing buzz of the phone somewhere in the distance. She could also hear a shower running nearby. Jordan! She shrank into the bed linens as she recalled her reckless behavior of the night before. He must have carried her to bed because she could not recall how she had gotten there. Groaning, she hauled herself out of bed in search of her cell, she found it in the sitting room.
“Hello”, she said, picking up her scattered clothing from where they had fallen the night before.
“Lauren”, Anna’s excited voice responded, “you’re in the celebrity column of the papers”.
“You’re such a liar”, her heart clenched with fear, she had tried her utmost to stay away from the media.
“I had to read the column twice to make sure it was you”, Anna blubbered on, “You look stunning, gold is definitely your color”.
“More like half naked”, she had been so uncomfortable in the dress.
“Nonsense”, Anna insisted and then exclaimed, “Who’s the sexy hunk latching onto your arm”.
There must be a paper here somewhere; her eyes scanned the room, there. She picked it up and rummaged through the leaves. There she was, in all her golden semi nude glory, alongside Jordan.
“Jordan”, she muttered distractedly, her mind grappling for an explanation for Nana.
“I know that; his name is also there”, Anna said, agitatedly, “italso says here you came and left together”.
Her heart sank to her toes as she read it for herself.
“You’re keeping secrets Lauren McKenzie”, she said, trying to sound stern.
She jumped as Jordan came up behind her and softly kissed her nape.
“Who is it babe?"
“I’ll talk to you later Ann”, Lauren responded as her body began to tingle.
‘No, don’t hang up…” Anna said desperately as the line went dead.
“I have to go into the office”, he must have seen the disappointment on her face, “I’m sorry, it’s an emergency”.
He kissed her swiftly and headed for the door, “I’ll be back as soon as I can”.
She went to take a shower, all the while hoping that Nana wouldn't see the article.
JORDAN WAS RIGHT, SHE REALLY should not have been so worried; his parents were wonderful. His mother was a medium size woman with brown eyes, thin lips and straight nose while his father was the spitting image of Jordan, only a size bigger in built with a laugh loud enough to shake a three story building.
A week had passed since her exotic weekend in Negril with Jordan, she colored at the memory. They had barely gotten out of bed the entire three days of their stay; she shivered at the thought of the delightful things he had done to her.
“Lauren”, her head snapped up to see all eyes at the table trained on her.
“I’m sorry, did you say something?” she was totally embarrassed.
“Mom was asking what your plans are after college”, Jordan reiterated, a knowing smile on his face and the color in her cheeks deepened.
“I suppose I’ll get a job and probably move out of my Aunts’ house”, she was taken aback by the question.
“You know”, the older woman said conspiratorially, “you’re the first woman Jordan has introduced to us, it must be serious”.
“Mother”, Jordan said, shifting uncomfortably in his chair.
“I’ll finally get a grandchild”, she clapped her hands in childlike glee, then frowned in consideration, “you’ll have to marry first though. It simply won't do to have a child outside of wedlock”.
Her heart warmed at the thought of carrying Jordan’s child but she shrugged aside the errant thought. Jordan was hardly likely to marry an orphaned girl such as herself with no money and two very controlling Aunts.
“Now, now, mother, don’t get ahead of yourself”, Jordan muttered, seeming flustered.
The life seemed to drain from the other woman’s face, pain evident in her expression and Lauren had a glimpse of the frailness Jordan had spoken of. Phillip, Jordan’s father, squeezed his wife’s hand and whispered something unintelligible to her, the intimacy with which they stared at each other made Lauren’s heart melt.
“I’m terribly sorry mother”, Jordan said, his expression pained.
Lauren was touched by the older woman’s misery. She could never imagine the anguish of losing one child much less so many. She supposed the idea of grandchildren had brought the older woman some measure of solace.
“Never mind honey”, her husband soothed, his eyes shooting daggers at Jordan.
“I’m fine”, she promised, smiling.
Her husband took the opportunity to launch into adventures of his travels abroad, to which his wife joined in eventually. However nothing could dispel the air of tension surrounding the dinner table.
Finally the older Myles left, but not before Jordan promised to visit them before they left for Italy the following week and they both hugged Lauren, wishing her all the best.
As soon as they were out of sight, he led her upstairs to his bedroom and made love to her like a man possessed. Until she beseeched him to stop for fear she would faint from pleasure. Eventually sapped of energy they slept intertwined with each other.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“ARE YOU SURE YOU’RE OK”, Jordan persisted, his brows creasing with worry.
“I’m fine”, she attempted an assuring smile, “I’ve just been working too hard lately, that’s all”.
It had been four months since she had started working fulltime with the band and although it was exciting, the constant upheaval of moving from place to place and performing, plus keeping abreast of her school work was taking its toll on her.
“I called Harry and told him you weren’t well so you couldn’t work tonight”, he said handing her a glass of water.
“You what?” she flung the bedcovers aside and sat up, not bothering to take the pro-offered glass, “you had no right to cancel my show without asking me first”.
“For heaven’s sake Lauren, you can hardly stand, not to mention the fact that you’re as pale as a ghost”, he said through clenched teeth.
She shot to her feet to show him she was more than capable of doing as she pleased, but sank back down as her knees buckled. They had argued over her work several times since she had gone down with a few bouts of illness last month. He had insisted that she should see a doctor but she had continuously contended that she was alright and agreed that she would rest more and work less but in the end it was always the opposite. This time it was not to be though, maybe she should see a doctor. She was deathly afraid of needles, but what if she was developing her late mother’s fragility.
“Fine”, she hissed resignedly, and his face relaxed.
“I have an important meeting that I must attend”, he seemed reluctant to leave, “I’ll be back in two hours, don’t move I’ll send Mrs. Stewart up with breakfast.”
He kissed her on the lips and covered her with a blanket, then went to the door, pausing to look at her one
last time.
“Go, I promise I won’t get out of bed”, she said and he closed the door behind him.
She smiled despite herself, so much had happened in so little time. Anna had gotten married a week after her dinner date with Jordan’s parents. It was the most beautiful wedding Lauren had ever attended, not to mention the bride of course. Anna had drilled her mercilessly about Jordan at the rehearsal and insisted that he should attend the wedding even though Lauren was a bridesmaid. Anna was a picture in a beautiful off the shoulder white satin wedding gown, with a sweetheart neckline and a short trail; boasting a still flat stomach.
Her eyes had prickled at the sight of the loving couple exchanging vows, automatically her eyes sought Jordan’s and his stern features softened as their eyes met. They would never share such a moment, her heart constricted at the thought. She was sure of it now as he had never once spoken of the future in all the time they had been together. The knowledge that he was just across the room had only made the pain worst.
They had driven to his house in silence. She was so sad, if only he loved her a small fraction of the way she loved him, she thought wistfully, her world would be right. She was so out of it that she hardly felt his hand as he led her to his room; he disappeared as soon as they got there. She wished that she had gone home; at least she would have been able to cry her eyes out at leisure.
He returned a few moments later, naked to the waist and despite her inner turmoil she felt a stirring between her thighs. He was silent as he gently peeled the clothes from her body and carried her into the bathroom where he settled her into a warm bath. The bath gel had her favorite scent; vanilla. He had noticed; she was touched by his thoughtfulness. She couldn’t help the tears that slid in rivulets down her cheeks as he cleansed her body delicately with a washcloth. He brushed them aside with his fingertips, lifted her out of the tub and towel dried her dripping skin, all the while crooning to her as one would a terrified child.
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