Southern Romantic-Suspense Boxed Set (Southern Romantic-Suspense Novel Book 0)

by Carmen DeSousa

  She looked in the mirror and wondered if it was too much. She sucked in a breath and wondered if her new husband found her as sexy as she felt.

  When she arrived at the restaurant, Jordan was leaning against a wall, arms folded across his chest, legs crossed at the ankles. She couldn’t help but think he looked like a 007 agent and anticipated an English accent to emerge from his lips, with a little country twang, naturally.

  He wore a dark suit with a crisp white shirt and a tie clearly selected to complement her gown. His smile lit up his entire face when he saw her. She wondered how many women had already attempted to proposition him, but his smile was for her, and it was clear he liked what he saw.

  “Wow ...” he drew out the word. Warmth filled her cheeks, a normal occurrence anymore. He reached his hand out to brush it across her cheek. “You look amazing. Not that you don’t always, but I was right, that green on you is breathtaking, and your skin is radiant, my little Florida girl.”

  Over dinner, Jaynee learned more about Jordan, more than she’d ever known about her previous boyfriend in their three years together.

  Any minute, she was certain that her alarm would detonate, waking her up from her dream, and it would be time for college, then work, and that cycle would repeat daily. But for now, she was inside a gondola, traversing the waters around the hotel in this magical place he’d chosen.

  Her thoughts drifted while leaning back in Jordan’s embrace. She was nervous about meeting his family. What would they think? Would they accept her? Would they think she was crazy? That thought calmed her a bit. They couldn’t think she was crazy without thinking Jordan was insane too. Luckily, they couldn’t accuse her of being pregnant after only a few days, even though she knew some would ... why else would anyone marry so quickly? Love ... she giggled to herself.

  Jordan nuzzled her neck, squeezing her tight against his chest. “What’s funny?”

  “Nothing ... I was just thinking how crazy this all feels.” She peered up at him. “Good crazy,” she amended.

  He nodded in understanding and rested his chin on her head, relaxing with her in his arms while the gondolier did the work.

  Her thoughts returned to their whirlwind romance. Did anyone believe in true love or love-at-first-sight? Jordan had alleged it was something more powerful, and she’d felt it too. The electricity that soared through her and still did every time he touched her, but would it be enough to make them last? Jordan had a dog and cat. What would they think? Okay, she’d lost her senses ... she was worrying about animals for Pete’s sake!

  She nestled into him further. She wouldn’t agonize over the inconsequential. She would just breathe in his affection, accepting he knew best.

  The next morning when she awoke in Jordan’s arms again, he was already awake as usual, just lying back staring at the ceiling.

  “What are you thinking about?” she asked when he looked down at her.

  He pulled her chin up to kiss her. “You, mostly, how fortunate I feel ... but also how I’m going to get you to wake up earlier?” His mouth turned up in a sideways grin.

  “What time is it?”

  “Seven.”

  Her eyes shot up. “That’s late?”

  “Seven ... Pacific Time ... and when you have to be ready by eight, it is. I’m an early riser, Jaynee, usually between three and four.”

  She scowled. “So, you’ve just been lying here these mornings,” she paused as she counted the days ... had it been three mornings, no, four, she thought, “waiting for me to wake?” She rather liked that, but it still embarrassed her.

  He tightened his grip around her. “Actually, yes, I enjoy watching you wake up in my arms.”

  Once again, his charm curbed any frustration.

  She traced circles on his bare chest. “So, what are we doing today?” she asked, knowing he wouldn’t divulge his plans.

  He flashed an enormous smile. “Nope. It’s a surprise ... you said surprises were acceptable.”

  “Okay, then ... what should I wear?”

  “Jeans and a shirt will be fine, but bring a jacket.”

  She attempted to roll out of his arms, and he stopped her. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “But you said ...”

  “We have a few minutes to play around.” He rolled her over on her back and nuzzled her neck while moving his hands across her body. “Just a taster of later ... unless you could get ready in fifteen minutes.”

  “I think I can manage.” She shivered as his hand trailed down her neck and sides, not from cold, but from the goose bumps his fingers raised on her flesh.

  It was fifty-five minutes later. She’d finished her shower, had just pulled on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, and was stepping into her flip-flops as he nudged her out the door. “Hey, mister, it’s your fault we’re running late. Stop being so pushy.”

  He pulled the door closed behind them. “I didn’t hear any disagreements from you,” he teased.

  “How could you? You seemed completely, otherwise absorbed,” she offered, giggling.

  “I’ll rephrase. It didn’t feel as if you had any complaints.”

  “I didn’t.” She latched onto his arm and let him drag her down the hall.

  He grabbed the elevator door before it closed, pulled her in, and pressed the button for the lobby. When it landed, he led her through the atrium to the entryway. Once outside, he spotted a limo and walked toward it, pulling her in his wake.

  “A limo again?” Would he ever cease to amaze her? The night of their wedding, she’d expected as much, but what had he planned today that warranted a limousine.

  He scooted next to her in the backseat of the stretched Lincoln. “Yep, but that’s not the surprise.” He turned to the driver. “Don’t suppose you could find a coffee shop drive-through, could you? My wife gets irritable without her latte and muffin in the morning.”

  He reached his hand through the opening, handing the driver, which surely must have been a generous tip, because he smiled, saying, “Whatever you want, sir. We have plenty of time.”

  Jordan turned back to Jaynee with a Cheshire grin and a wink. Yep, he was accustomed to getting his way.

  Fifteen minutes later, the driver pulled into the parking lot of an airport. The chauffeur parked alongside other limos and cars, next to a metal building advertising Helicopter Flights over the Grand Canyon. Scores of people milled around, awaiting instruction.

  “We’re going in a helicopter?” It was impossible to contain the excitement in her voice.

  His eyes brightened at her enthusiasm. “Yes, will you like that?”

  “Heck yeah, I will!” She practically jumped up and down. “My dad was a pilot, amongst other things. When I was fifteen, he taught me to fly his Cessna. But I always wanted to go up in a helicopter,” she shrieked, unable to contain her overwhelming delight.

  A gentleman approached, directing them to the front office where they needed to review their itinerary and supply copies of their drivers’ licenses. In no time, they were boarding a chopper. The pilot, Jonathan, went over safety information, putting everyone at ease — but mostly the other couples who looked as if they might get sick.

  Jonathan was comforting, assuring everyone the weather was perfect for a flight, and it should be smooth sailing.

  As the helicopter took flight, Jaynee squeezed Jordan’s hand. He rubbed small circles into the back of her hand, reassuring her of his presence. The sensual action soothed her, and soon she forgot about the flight. Heck, she almost forgot to look at the scenery.

  The pilot was entertaining and informative, taking every opportunity to break into the prerecorded information, inserting his own personal anecdotes about Nevada’s history and his personal experiences of the region. He remembered everyone’s name, and when there was a point of interest on that person’s corresponding side, he used their name as he pointed it out.

  Forty-five minutes into the flight, Jaynee felt them drop. She winced, and Jordan was quick to not
ice and explain. “We are descending into the canyon. It’s about a three-thousand-foot drop, and we’ll be able to get out, have lunch, and look around.”

  She never thought for a second that she’d be able to walk on the canyon floor. But then again, Jordan continually managed to surprise her.

  For lunch, they sat under Native American structures evidently built just for such purpose and ate from individual picnic baskets. Each lunch included champagne to toast the adventure. Jordan took a sip of his, then slid his glass in front of her.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Jaynee rested her hands on her hips. “Dare I ask?” she mused as they arrived back at the hotel four hours later.

  “What do you mean?” Jordan said innocently, wrapping his arms around her waist and leading her into the lobby.

  “What you have planned next,” she teased, “dining in Paris, skiing in the Swiss Alps?”

  His eyebrows shot up. “Would you like that? I’m sure that could be arranged.”

  She burst out in a laugh. “No, I would not! It was meant to be funny, Jordan. I just meant you’re so chock-full of surprises as if you’re going off some menu in a book, how to make a girl fall in love with you in ten days or less.”

  “Ah, but that was How to Lose a Guy.” He chuckled. “I won a girl, and I believe I did it in three.”

  “Uh —” she started to speak, but he held up his finger for her to hold that thought as he motioned for the valet to retrieve their car.

  Then he continued before she had the opportunity to voice her opinion. “Actually, it was instantaneous ... it just took three days for you to acknowledge your feelings,” he said, a smile in his voice.

  She sighed, exasperated, it was no use. He was right; he was always right. “So ... where are we going, since you clearly just requested the car?” she asked again.

  “Shopping, we need to get you some cold-weather clothes. Not that I don’t love the cute little sundresses, shorts, and flip-flops, but they’re 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 though he were contemplating the situation.

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

  His expression turned worried as if she’d run away from him in that instant. How could he not perceive the hold he already had over her.

  “Yes,” he said, smoothing his hand down her hair. “I didn’t mean we wouldn’t see each other. It’s just...I’ve been gone so long. I know there’ll 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 reached up on her tippy toes and pecked 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.”

  The valet pulled their car up in front of the building, and Jordan nudged her through the exit 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’d escaped the clutches of some prettier, richer girl than herself. She’d done nothing to entice him to fall in love with her.

  “Dancing?” she asked 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’ll have to be a private dance.” He flashed a wicked smile, wiggling his eyebrows at her as he shifted the car into drive.

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

  He glanced in the rearview mirror before pulling out of the drive, 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. “I told you my interests run deeper ... I thought you’d like —”

  She sucked in a breath, interrupting him, at the endearment baby; she hated anyone to call her baby. But she 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, darlin’. 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 have 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, muddin’ 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 shaken 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 she wished she’d never mentioned it. It wasn’t that important. He wasn’t her ex, and he was never condescending. She wrapped her arms around his biceps, laying her head on his shoulder, hoping to end the conversation. It worked.

  The mall beneath Caesar’s Palace was remarkable. Jaynee couldn’t get over how everything was underground, but felt as if it were 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’d 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?” 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, smiled, made a gesture that she should carry on, and then strolled off again.

  Jaynee stood in the doorway, not sure where to begin. Surprise him? She thought about the lingerie he’d purchased yesterday that matched the emerald dress. He’d said red tonight, so that’s where she’d 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, even 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 nightie and decided to find more attractive undergarments than the plain cotton ones she always wore. He should appreciate that, she thought. It didn’t take her half an hour to finish; she’d always been 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 held 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’m quite confident it will fit your curves.”

  Her jaw dropped again.

  Jordan nudged up her chin 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.