He now wondered if everything bugged her. Did all his quirks she laughed at actually annoy her? He shook the thoughts from his head. No, she wasn’t phony. Her honesty was one of the first characteristics he liked about her.
It was something entirely different. Something from her past…it was the only logical explanation. Nothing else made sense. He knew Jaynee loved him; they were destined from the beginning.
Jaynee struggled with the immense blanket smothering her, wondering why she couldn’t just throw it off.
She hated feeling trapped. She didn’t even like her feet covered in bed. Jordan was the opposite. He had his side of the bed sheets and blankets tucked in tightly, while she kicked them off as soon as she climbed into bed, no matter how cold it was. And they always kept it cool inside; she couldn’t breathe with electric heat.
The pain had subsided somewhat, and she could hear murmurs again, or was it singing? Was Jordan here? Why couldn’t she see him? Didn’t he see her smothered by this awful blanket? He knew she was claustrophobic, knew she hated feeling trapped.
She tried listening to the surrounding sounds. Yes, it was definitely Jordan singing in a hushed whisper, but also something else, an annoying buzzing and beeping.
Then it hit her. She was in the hospital.
This was the reason he was beside her and why he wasn’t uncovering her. Was she dying? Did they assume she wasn’t alive?
Jaynee tried to recall the last thing that happened, but there was nothing except Jordan. All she remembered was Jordan. He was angry, but she couldn’t remember why, and then he wasn’t. He was kissing her and they made love. Their bodies entangled together afterward as they always did. His arms wrapped around her. He was her strong tower. She felt safe in his arms, but there was something else.
She was afraid, but couldn’t remember why.
63
Carmen DeSousa
Chapter Six
(September 2004)
Jaynee awoke blissful in Jordan’s arms.
He stayed overnight and hadn’t attempted anything. She peeked through half-opened lids to see if he was awake. He was staring out the window but obviously sensing her stir turned his gaze to her.
“Good morning,” Jordan purred. His baritone voice was deep and raspy from not speaking yet. A glorious smile spread across his face as if he had won some incredible honor.
She smiled up at him, astounded he hadn’t altered his position overnight. She considered he may have come to his senses and realized what a basket case she was.
“Mornin’, did you sleep well?” She knew he couldn’t have.
“Never better. I thought we fit perfectly together.” He pulled her closer to demonstrate, slid his arm underneath her and sat up with her in his arms. “However, I do need to brush my teeth. I feel rough. I don’t suppose you have an extra toothbrush?”
Realizing she may have morning breath, Jaynee inched her way out of his arms and stood up before speaking. “Actually, I do. Would you like to take a shower, too?”
Jordan stood up beside her and pulled her back into his arms. “You don’t mind? I could just return to the hotel.” He looked down at her, his eyes forlorn. Hoping, she assumed, she wouldn’t ask him to leave.
“Don’t be silly…my grandmother and neighbors have already seen your truck. It’s not as if you can sneak away. You might as well get cleaned up.” She pulled away from him and walked toward the bathroom. “Just let me grab my toothbrush and anything else I’d rather you not see.” She giggled at the thought. She didn’t want him seeing any panties hanging on the shower rod or some other embarrassing female paraphernalia. She wasn’t accustomed to having company.
“Would you mind walking across the street to meet my grandmother for breakfast?” Jaynee called from the bathroom.
Jordan stepped around the doorframe inside the small room startling her.
“Really? You want to introduce me to your grandmother?”
She shook her head and let out a small laugh. “Well, yeah, naturally…I told you she’s the most important person in my life.”
He suddenly grabbed her waist and pulled her to his body. He buried his head into the nape of her neck. Chills ran down her spine as he worked his way up her throat with small kisses and along the side of her jaw. He pushed back her hair so he could continue kissing her neck up to her ear. His breaths quickened. “Thank you, Jaynee, for giving me a chance. You won’t be sorry. I’m going to love you like no one has ever loved you.”
She sucked in a ragged breath, feeling as if she would collapse any second. Jordan was rocking her world apart. She pulled back to look at him, certain he would decipher the trepidation in her eyes.
“I’m scaring you, aren’t I? Do you want me to stop?” His eyes, filled with nothing but sincerity, searched hers for an answer.
“Yes…No...” She buried her head in his chest, shaking it softly. “I mean, yes, you are scaring me. But, no, I don’t want you to stop.” She stepped back from his embrace. “Get ready, Jordan. I’ll call my grandmother and tell her we are coming over for breakfast.” Her vision blurred as she tried to focus on the wall behind him. If she looked at his face, she was positive she would breakdown again.
Jaynee retrieved her toothbrush and paste, pulled out a toothbrush and some other new travel-sized items from her toiletry bag and left the room. Walking into the kitchen dazed, she picked up the phone and dialed the only number she had memorized.
Her grandmother’s gravelly voice answered after the first ring.
“Hi, Gram. I’m bringing company over for breakfast…Yes, he belongs to the gigantic truck outside, but before you ask... No, nothing happened it was just late… I know, I know, I remember. Listen… Gram, please listen to me; this is serious. I think I just met the man I’m going to marry—” Jaynee stopped her words dead in their tracks. But it was too late; strong arms encircled her waist.
“You didn’t leave me any toothpaste.” His voice was a low whisper in her ear. He smiled down at her as his arm reached around her shoulder to the tube of paste clutched in her hand. Squirting some out on his brush, he kissed her neck and walked away without uttering another word.
Oh, God. Oh, dear God. I can’t believe he heard me. He had to have heard me, she thought helplessly.
“Gram, are you there? I’m sorry… No, it’s not him. I already told you he’s out of my life forever. We’ll be over in a little while. Please don’t mention anything about him.”
Jaynee hung up the phone and stood at the kitchen sink staring out the window. Had he heard what she’d said when she was on the phone with her grandmother? Oh heavens what would he think? Did she believe what she said? Was Jordan the One? She had never believed that about any man, even the one she’d dated for several years.
Those same muscular arms circled around her again. He brushed the hair off her neck and buried his face between her jaw and shoulder. She turned around in his arms.
He narrowed his eyes at her. “So who is he, and where can I find him? This man you’re going to marry.” His voice was lighthearted.
She acted casual, as if that were even possible. “Oh, just a guy I met who seems perfect in every way. Except for the minor detail he eavesdropped on a private conversation.” She brushed nonexistent dust off his shoulder and raised an eyebrow.
“Did you mean it?” His voice was deep and earnest as he stared intently into her eyes.
No doubt, she was crazy about him. Only apprehension that he’d hurt her made her cautious. She gulped down the lump of fear lodged in her throat. “Yes, I believe so.” She did mean it as fanatical as it sounded.
Jordan pulled her closer. His mouth covered hers. She already knew his kiss. How his tongue would part her lips and gently circle around hers. He was incredible. His mouth, his body, his heart. And for some reason, he wanted her.
Jordan scooped her up and carried her back to the sofa. She longed to feel his skin on hers. It had been too long since she had felt wanted. She started unbut
toning his shirt, and again he stopped her. This time by smoothly moving her hands around his neck.
“We’re expected across the street,” he chided with a chuckle.
She batted her eyelashes coyly. “We have thirty minutes.”
A smile flashed across his face. “Jaynee, I don’t know what you are familiar with, but half an hour won’t even be a warm-up.” Jaynee caught her breath. Again, like the first evening, he turned her flirting around on her. “I want you too, but not like this. Just kiss me again,” he insisted, but then kissed her as his arms tightened around her waist.
Her body burned with pleasure. Never had she wanted a man so much, and twice he had told her “no”. But it didn’t offend her; she knew he wanted her too. She could feel that need in his kiss and hear it in the low groan escaping his mouth.
He pulled back after they’d gotten lost in the kiss. “Go take a shower before I lose my willpower and we stand up your grandmother. That wouldn’t make for a good first impression.”
He pushed her away but detained her hand kissing it, and then let it fall as well.
Jaynee hurried through her shower. She toweled off, sprayed on body mist and deodorant, dabbed on a little bit of mascara, fluffed her hair with the hairdryer, and she was ready.
Easing her way out of the bathroom, covered only by a towel, she glanced toward the living room. She should have remembered a robe. Jordan smiled but remained on the couch as she made her way to the bedroom.
Did she want him to follow her into her bedroom? Yes, but conversely, no. She liked the idea of waiting. All that half an hour warm-up conversation got her blood racing. Undoubtedly he knew what he was doing.
Slipping into her favorite white dress, she glanced at herself in the mirror. It was a little late in the year for a sundress. But it was unseasonably warm, and she liked the way it looked on her. Her Portuguese heritage gave her a natural glow that contrasted with the white dress and showed off her tan the best. She could only hope Jordan would appreciate the dress also.
She opened the bedroom door and found him standing in the hallway, waiting patiently.
“May I?” he asked as he stepped past her and into her bedroom. He gave a quick glance around the room. “You’re clean, but not a freak about it. I like that.”
He sat down sinuously on the edge of her bed, pulling her with him so she was standing between his legs, his hands resting on her hips.
“Are you skipping school today?”
“It appears I am,” she answered flatly.
“How about work…do you have to work this evening?”
“Yes, at five.” She heard the disappointment in her own voice and knew he wouldn’t miss it. “I need the money. Friday night is big bucks.”
“So I should show up and distract you again?” He smiled that same devilishly handsome grin he did yesterday. The man made her blood boil just by smiling at her.
“No, not tonight,” she insisted, smiling despite herself. “I have a later shift, so I’ll be busy from the moment I clock in. But, I’ll meet you at the Starbucks around ten o’clock.” He nodded, and she moved in closer to him. “And then, we’ll have all day Saturday and Sunday if you still want an actual date. I’ll even get gussied-up for you.”
“Better than this?” He flipped the ruffles on her dress. “I can’t imagine. Maybe you shouldn’t. We might not make it out the door. Speaking of which…let’s go. I have a grandmother to impress, and I don’t want to be late.”
Jaynee let them into her grandmother’s house. It was normal for her to walk right in, but never with a guest. The aroma of Linguica permeated the air as soon as she opened the door. Jaynee glanced back at Jordan for his reaction.
“What is that?” An intrigued and delighted look lit up his face.
She laughed. Jordan liked to eat she noticed. “That delectable smell is Linguica. It’s a Portuguese sausage, and it is unique. My grandmother will teach you how you are supposed to eat it.”
Gram leaned over the stove flipping over pieces of Linguica. After leveling a large splatter screen over the pan, she placed several slices of fresh bread on top to steam the flavor of the sausage into the bread.
Jaynee grinned when she looked at her grandmother. Normally she walked around in her duster, as she called it, but no matter what the age, she always tried to look good when company called. And she did. She’d even put on a little lipstick. You’d never know she was seventy-nine. She looked and acted closer to sixty. She would putter around in her garden every day. Grampy on the other hand, just hung around and slept. He’d been dying for as long as Jaynee could remember, but he was wonderful. She loved them both with all her heart.
“Good morning, Cay.” Gram looked up at her. “Breakfast’s almost finished. Come and give your Grammie a kiss.” It was as if she was twelve all over again, but Jaynee complied. “And, who’s this?” Gram asked with a smirk.
“Gram, this is Jordan – Jordan, this is Gram. Everyone calls her Gram.”
They shook hands, and Jordan gave Gram one of his breathtaking smiles. It wasn’t lost on her; Jaynee could see it in her eyes. Gram always was a sucker for a military looking man, and Jordan certainly looked the part.
Grampy was in the Navy when they met, and Jaynee was positive Gram married him just because of the way he looked in his uniform. Grampy was on leave when he noticed her at the community pond. And according to Grampy’s story, his friend had dared him to go up and kiss Gram. Jaynee was shocked when she heard it the first time. Who would have thought they did those things in the forties? But it was love-at-first-sight. He asked her to marry him thirteen days later. They were married within a month and had been married for over fifty years. Jaynee couldn’t help but wonder if the magic could repeat itself with Jordan and her.
Jordan ate everything and looked up for more, which Jaynee knew thrilled her grandmother.
“Cay.” Her grandmother looked at her with disapproval in her eyes. “Get Jordan seconds.”
Jaynee stood up with his plate and refilled it.
“Thanks,” he said, offering her a sheepish smile. Then he looked to her grandmother. “And thanks for the breakfast, Gram. It’s wonderful.”
Jaynee removed her plate and started cleaning up the kitchen.
“So, Jordan, tell me about yourself. Where are you from, what do you do for a living? How long do you plan on staying in Florida—”
“Gram?” Jaynee whirled around.
“It’s okay.” He turned to look at Jaynee and shrugged. “I don’t mind.”
“Never mind, Jordan. Cay will tell me everything later. She tells me everything.” Her grandmother winked at her. Gram wouldn’t have cared if he had three eyes. Her single concern was he wasn’t Jaynee’s ex and that Jaynee was happy.
Gram stood up from the table and walked to the living room. Jordan followed, throwing Jaynee a quick smile, and it looked as if he might have blushed from her grandmother’s statement.
Jaynee decided it was safe to stay in the kitchen area and finish the dishes. Only the breakfast bar separated them, so she could see and hear them from here. She could only hope her grandmother wouldn’t get too frisky with Jordan.
Gram, thankfully, took a seat in her recliner while Jordan strode from picture to picture along the living room wall. “Is this you, Jaynee?”
Gram looked up and stared between the two of them taken aback by him referring to her by her middle name. She was merely Caycee or Cay to the family. But undaunted by an opportunity to gloat over her granddaughter’s pictures, she walked over and started pointing out different pictures of Jaynee around the room.
“Would you like to see some baby pictures of Caycee, Jordan? I have tons of albums.”
Jaynee dropped the towel she was using and ran into the living room. “We’ll pass this time, Gram,” Jaynee interrupted before Jordan agreed to pore over old photo albums. He had no idea what he was getting himself into. “I want to take Jordan up to Tarpon Springs before work tonight.”
> Jordan glanced at Jaynee with understanding and acceptance but also a look of sadness as if he really wanted to spend the day perusing old photographs of her.
“Well then…have fun, kids. Jordan, it was delightful meeting you. You are welcome back anytime,” Gram said straightforwardly.
As they walked out the door, Jordan hugged Gram.. Jaynee was thrilled. Of course she knew Gram would like Jordan. She just wanted Jaynee to be happy. It was all she’d ever wanted. Her grandmother had spent the majority of her retirement taking care of her. Jaynee was the daughter she never had. Gram had raised four boys and always wanted a little girl. Fortunately, her boys turned around and had almost all daughters. Jaynee ended up being like her daughter when her mother abandoned her when she was three.
Jaynee looked over her shoulder and waved at her grandmother. She had a huge grin on her face as she watched them walk away. Jordan waved too, then took her hand in his and brought it to his lips.
“I really like your grandmother,” Jordan confessed while walking across the street. “She reminds me of my grandmother. She’s a firecracker, isn’t she?”
“You have no idea.” And he didn’t. No one other than Jaynee understood what tragedies Gram dealt with in her life. Even her own children and grandchildren weren’t privy to the stories she’d shared with Jaynee. They’d always had an intimate relationship because of their similar backgrounds, even if they were fifty-seven years apart.
“I’m glad she was there for you,” he murmured, his voice filled with compassion. He really did care about her. “So, what is Tarpon Springs, or was that just an excuse to get me alone?” He nuzzled her neck playfully as they approached his truck.
Jordan changed the subject again, just like the last time he sensed her getting upset. Could he already read her actions?
She plastered a smile on her face, refusing to think about her family and all the troubles they’d caused her. Jordan made her happy, something she hadn’t felt in a long time. “The Tarpon Spring’s Sponge Docks are where the Greek sponge divers—to this day—continue to go out diving. It’s interesting. And there are several pleasant spots to get lunch on the water. I think you will enjoy it.”
She Belongs to Me Page 7
