She Belongs to Me

by Carmen DeSousa

  “Shopping, we need to get you some cold-weather clothes. Not that I don’t love the cute little sundresses, shorts and flip-flops. They’re just not practical in North Carolina year round; it gets rather cold in the winter.” He pulled her closer while they waited for their car.

  She leaned back so she could look at his face. “Jordan, really…I can purchase my own clothing; I do have money. We don’t have to squander time shopping.”

  “You’re right, you do…half of everything I have, and I expect you to use it. But, I want to go shopping with you, and I’m afraid it won’t be as simple when we return home.” His brow furrowed as if he were contemplating the situation.

  Jaynee didn’t like the sound of that. “Won’t we have time together?”

  His expression turned worried as if she would run away from him in that instant. How could he not perceive the hold he already had over her. “Yes, I didn’t mean we wouldn’t see each other. It’s just...I’ve been gone so long. I know there will be a lot of catching up.”

  She leaned into his side. The last thing she wanted him to think was that she was needy. “I understand.” Clearly, Jordan was an extremely busy man, and yet, he was taking additional time off work. “Well, you don’t return until Monday. So we better enjoy the remainder of our week, don’t you agree?” she encouraged, reaching up on her tiptoes and pecking him on the cheek.

  The look in his eyes warmed up. “I do. And we need to get you another dress. We’re going dancing tonight.”

  Their car was pulled up outside, and Jordan nudged her through the doors to their rental. As he held the passenger door for her to enter, he exchanged a tip for the keys. The young valet’s eyes beamed with appreciation. Jaynee shook her head. He wasn’t just like this with her; he was like this with everyone. He seemed to brighten up the room wherever he went with his smile. She wondered again how he had escaped the clutches of some prettier, richer girl than herself. She had done nothing to entice him to fall in love with her.

  “Dancing?” she asked with curiosity as he buckled his seatbelt. “Wouldn’t I just need jeans and cowboy boots?

  He shook his head. “Not the kind of dancing I’m thinking. I envisioned something mid-calf, flowing and red. Although, I do like the idea of just jeans and boots. We’ll have to purchase those too, but that will have to be a private dance.” He flashed a wicked smile, wiggling his eyebrows at her as he shifted the car into drive.

  “What in the world type of dancing are you planning, Jordan?” she asked, ignoring the private dance comment.

  He glanced in the rearview mirror then back at her. “Salsa…” His tone was seductive as he enunciated the word.

  “You, Salsa dance?”

  He huffed at her reaction. “Baby…it’s not my fault you think I’m a dumb country boy because of my accent, which by the way I can suppress if I want.” He did so instantaneously, demonstrating his ability.

  She started at the endearment “baby” but addressed his accusation first. “I have never thought you a ‘dumb country boy’, Jordan. Country, yes, but never dumb!” Her face flushed with anger that he would even imply such a thing.

  He reached across the seat and stroked her arm. “I know, darling. I didn’t mean you literally thought I was dumb.” He sighed. “I’ve just been accustomed to people making assumptions about my heritage and intellect my entire life.” His accent was back to normal; she liked it better that way. “My parents were from North Carolina, and as you know, my sisters and I spent all our summers with my grandparents there, so I did pick up the accent. But I’ve traveled all over the world and lived in many different cultures with my parents and then again on my own in the military. I enjoy every variety of music imaginable and think a good night out doesn’t just consist of getting drunk and going muddin’. Although, the muddin’ part can be fun.” He pulled her hand to his lips. “So what do you say…wanna go dancing with me tonight?”

  Her heart fluttered at the feel of his lips on her hand. “I say ‘yes’, and I love your accent, Jordan. Don’t turn it off again, please.”

  “Anything you say, love.” And he drew out the words even slower in that seductive southern drawl, sending chills down her spine. He was such a charmer.

  “Jordan,” she started to speak, not knowing how to introduce the subject without introducing an entire discussion, but she had to say something. “I love it when you call me ‘love’ and ‘darling’, and even babe is okay, but please don’t call me ‘baby’. I’m sorry…I just don’t like it. It sounds demeaning.” She hoped that would be enough explanation.

  Jordan’s head cocked just slightly as he glanced at her. His eyes took on a suspicious look, but then it looked as if he’d shook off her bizarre request. “I guess it does sound somewhat demeaning; though my mother still calls me baby when she thinks I’m upset,” he said, chuckling. “It’s just the southern way. We don’t mean anything by it; it just seems to flow naturally.”

  His smile was repentant, and Jaynee wished she had never mentioned it. It wasn’t that important. He wasn’t her ex, and he was never condescending. She wrapped her arms around his bicep, laying her head on his shoulder hoping to end the conversation. It worked.

  The mall, situated beneath Caesar’s Palace was remarkable. Jaynee couldn’t get over how everything was underground but felt as if it was outside. The ceiling, painted to resemble the sky, was amazingly realistic, and there were scores of fountains and statues as well as many areas of cobblestone walkways and a winding escalator. She wasn’t sure how she could possibly shop, as she wanted nothing else but to absorb all the sights, but Jordan had other plans.

  He pulled her through Diesel, Lucky You, Guess and other stores where previously she had only window-shopped. She shouldn’t have been surprised based on the way he always dressed. Although it was usually just jeans and a shirt, they were always top-of-the-line and fit perfectly. He suggested different things he thought would look awesome.

  “Why don’t you try them on so I can see if I like them.” He gave her a slow smile, and she couldn’t resist.

  When they stepped in front of Victoria’s Secret, he whispered, “Surprise me. I’ll return in about half an hour.”

  After handing her a credit card with her married name, he loped off. Her eyes followed him as he walked away, waiting for him to turn and glance back in her direction. He didn’t disappoint. He turned once, smiled, made a gesture she should carryon then strolled off again.

  Jaynee stood in the doorway not sure where to begin. Surprise him? She thought about the lingerie he purchased yesterday that matched the emerald dress. He said red tonight, so that’s where she would start.

  She decided on a lacy red number she hoped would work under the dress she hadn’t found yet. She was apprehensive about purchasing anything else; though he kept pushing the issue. She didn’t have any lingerie and was really in the need of some essentials anyway, so she went to work. She found a beautifully adorned white eyelet nighty and decided to find more attractive undergarments than the plain cotton ones she always preferred. He should appreciate that she thought. It didn’t take her a half-hour to finish; she always was a speedy shopper, so she waited outside the store, gazing around, fascinated by all the detail that went into designing the mall.

  Jordan returned thirty minutes later, carrying a dress bag and a second sack with a box she assumed were another pair of shoes. “I hope you don’t mind…I bought you a dress. I knew you’d grumble about the price, so I just bought it. Do you want to try it on? Not that you need to, I am quite confident it will fit your curves.”

  Her mouth dropped open again.

  Jordan nudged her chin up with the tip of his finger. “You can help me select a suit and tie to match…how’s that?” he suggested, a smile flashing across his face.

  “I’m sure I don’t need to try it on. I’m sure it’s perfect, just like everything you do,” she said, shaking her head in disbelief.

  Jordan laughed in relief. “Whew! I thought you we
re gonna give me a difficult time again.”

  Jaynee narrowed her eyes. “Do I give you a hard time? I’m sorry; I don’t mean to. I just don’t want you to assume you have to spend money on me to make me happy. I was just as content drinking coffee, window shopping and climbing a mountain with you.”

  “I know, Jaynee, and I am grateful. I know you didn’t know I had money, but I have plenty, I assure you. I’ve had no one to spend it on these last few years so allow me to have a little fun, okay?”

  Jordan took the pink bag from her, acting as if he was going to peek, so she attempted to grab it back as he held it out of her reach.

  “You said you wanted to be surprised,” she reprimanded.

  “That I did,” he conceded, relinquishing the bag.

  He slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her safely to his side. She always felt so protected with Jordan as if nothing could ever touch her. It seemed he was always looking for danger, as if someone was going to swoop in at any second and carry her off. It must be the cop mentality as they were underground, how could it get any safer?

  ***

  This was not good; this couldn’t be happening. Jordan was going to ruin everything by getting married. If something happened to him now, everything would go to his wife.

  Who meets someone and marries them after a few days. Admittedly, most of the things Jordan had done had been crazy, but everything always worked for him. Jordan got everything; he had the Midas touch. Everything Jordan bought and sold always paid off. He never made a mistake—until now. No way would this marriage succeed, and when it didn’t, when it fell apart, his bride would get everything. That couldn’t happen; it had been too long for everything to fall apart now. There had to be somehow to make this work, some way to benefit from this added inconvenience. Maybe it could, maybe this woman would be worth something also.

  It would take time to formulate a new plan; something executed perfect so there would be no suspicions. Time, it was a precious commodity, but in the end everything would have its payoff. It would all be worth it in the end.

  ***

  Jordan suggested eating at the Cheesecake Factory for dinner so they could watch the Fall of Atlantis.

  Jaynee watched the show in awe, feeling a little melancholy that siblings would fight over money. The story told of King Atlas deciding which of his children will rule Atlantis. The siblings’ greed ended up poisoning the kingdom and eventually one another. The gods determined to destroy Atlantis with fire and flood as a gigantic, winged beast watched from his perch while moving statues of fire and ice appeared.

  Jordan never ceased to amaze Jaynee. She found herself enthralled with stories of his military service, family and his construction company but noticed he never mentioned police work.

  After dinner, they strolled by an aquarium containing sharks, rays and other sea life vying for food fed to them by a diver. Jaynee stood mesmerized. Such uncomplicated gestures on Jordan’s part, simple things like this made her feel special. He must spend all his time thinking what he can show her next. Her life had been so boring before him. As she reflected back on her day-to-day life, it was a wonder she never died from boredom. With Jordan, everything seemed to be an adventure. When the feeding frenzy ended, Jordan took her hand and led her toward the exit.

  Overall, it was a spectacular day, and Jaynee was exhausted. She wanted nothing more than to retreat to their hotel, relax around the pool and then retire early to their room, but Jordan had wanted to go dancing.

  Jordan pressed his lips to Jaynee’s hair; she smelled incredible, he thought to himself…the familiar vanilla scent that was uniquely Jaynee. He’d always appreciated perfume, but her simple, fresh smell was warm and seductive.

  He told her dancing but now all he wanted was to relax with her in his arms. Soon, he’d be back to the pressures of everyday life.

  “Jaynee…” he whispered her name, appreciating the way it sounded on his lips, knowing he was the only man ever to call her by her middle name. It made him feel special.

  “Mmm?” she asked, barely a murmur from her sensuous lips.

  He didn’t want to disappoint Jaynee, but he really had no desire to leave the room all night. He wanted to lie in bed with her snuggled against him, even if they did nothing, simply holding her would be fulfilling. She sounded depleted anyway.

  “Are you still up for dancing tonight, or are you too exhausted?” he asked tentatively.

  Her head tilted up, her eyes caught his, those beautiful catlike eyes. “Jordan, I’ll be content with whatever you want.”

  She clearly didn’t want to disappoint him. Did this mean she didn’t want to go or she did want to? This is what happened when he didn’t just make decisions, something he had learned his entire life. Make a decision; see it through. He was a man of action, and it had served him well. He wasn’t going to change. He always followed his gut feelings in business and in life. He had certainly done that where Jaynee was concerned.

  “Then we’ll stay in this evening. We can go dancing tomorrow. I’d rather just hold you the entire evening—in private.” There, that was the way he was. Make a decision, stick to it. She’d get used to it, he hoped.

  Jaynee smiled her sweet smile. He loved to see her smile; she didn’t do it often enough. “That sounds wonderful, Jordan. I was contemplating the same thing. Maybe a little time around the pool to get heated up, and then we can go back to the room?”

  He kissed the top of her head again. “That’s my girl. We’re thinking more and more alike every minute.”

  63

  Carmen DeSousa

  Chapter Fifteen

  (December 2009)

  Patricia Monroe peered into the hospital room, hating the grief she saw on her son’s face. He hadn’t eaten or left Jaynee’s bedside for almost two days, and it showed in the deep, dark circles under his eyes.

  She ran her fingers through her son’s hair as she did when he was a child. “Jordan, honey, you need to eat something and try to get some rest. It’s been almost two days. You can’t continue without sleep and nourishment.” Her voice echoed in the cold room.

  Exhausted physically and mentally, her son leaned into her hand. “I know, Mom, I just can’t leave. What if she wakes and I’m not here for her? What then?” he fretted, his head falling into his hands.

  She despised seeing her son like this. He was always strong. He had taken care of the family after his daddy had died, provided for them all, even gave her daughters’ husbands jobs. He was her baby, a man she knew, but always her baby. She loved Jaynee too, like a daughter, but now she felt resentment and betrayal at what Jaynee was doing to her son.

  “I spoke with the doctor, Jordan. They won’t bring Jaynee outta the coma for a while, not until the swelling is under control. Just leave her side for a few minutes, for me, please. Just long enough to get something to eat and clear your head. It’ll be good for you, so you can be here when she wakes.”

  If she wakes up, Pat thought but wouldn’t dare utter the words to Jordan. He was madly in love with Jaynee. Even though things seemed rough lately, his feelings would never alter. She noticed the difference in Jordan at Thanksgiving. Jaynee seemed unchanged, but Jordan was withdrawn and angry. He had sat on the sofa most of the day brooding and then was rude when he was ready to leave. She had never seen him act like that, especially around Jaynee. But she knew his feelings would never change; he would love Jaynee until the day he died.

  It was the same when she’d met Jordan’s daddy and his grandfather before him had met his wife. The Monroe men seemed destined for ‘love-at-first-sight’ or as Pat’s mother-in-law alleged, ‘the thunderbolt’. Pat had never believed in the Old Italian folklore. But it had happened three times, so there must be something to that darned curse. Now look where it landed Jordan. He was thirty-two, with a wife dying in the hospital and no children, which meant no grandchildren for her. She had her grandbabies from Melissa and she loved them, but they needed another Monroe. And Pat couldn’t
wait to hold her boy’s babies, knowing they’d be just as loveable as Jordan was. Never gave her a lick of trouble. ’Course, he and his daddy were something else. Pat knew it was because they were so similar, but neither of them wanted to hear nothing ’bout that.

  Jordan stood up beside Pat his head lowered, his eyes rimmed with red. She draped her arms around him in understanding.

  He wiped his eyes. “I love her so much, Mom. I don’t know what I’ll do if anything happens to her.”

  Pat stroked his back lovingly. “I know, baby. I’m sorry.” She squeezed her eyes tightly, knowing she was preparing to lie. “It’ll be alright, Jordan. We just need to keep praying.”

  Taking Jordan’s hand, she escorted him out of the room to the elevator. “Let’s get you something to eat and fresh air, then you can come right back. It’s too late in the day; they won’t do anything now. Maybe they’ll bring her out of the coma tomorrow morning?” she offered, stepping into the elevator, her hand latched around his arm.

  ***

  Brian had been standing around the corner, listening to their conversation. He had waited almost two days to see Caycee.

  Mostly he waited in the primary waiting area so he would not be noticed loitering, and more importantly, not be seen by Caycee’s husband. Jordan had made eye contact with him yesterday in the smaller area, and he was certain he connected him to Caycee. But Brian had been so distraught when they rushed her back into surgery; he had waited in the ICU area alongside her husband.

  When he saw Jordan’s mother go up, he knew it was his opportunity, so he followed on the next elevator. Brian figured she would pull Jordan away from Caycee…or Jaynee as she was calling herself. What a load of crap. These hicks couldn’t even pronounce her middle name correct.