“You mean you’re still going to be keeping an eye on him?” she asked.
He nodded. “Until he leaves New York. Even then, I’m here if he bothers you.”
“Like I told Jordan, I can take care of myself.” She had to. The last thing she wanted was to start depending on someone, only for them to leave when she needed them. Like Jordan did.
Sal nodded and left but she held onto his card. Gianna hoped she wouldn’t need it, but right now, who else did she have to call on? It wasn’t like her father could call and threaten Marvin to leave her alone. Mary-Lou would do it in a heartbeat, but she still wasn’t totally sure what Marvin was capable of. She’d like to think he wouldn’t physically harm a woman, but then again, this behavior of his left her questioning that.
There was no time to sit and worry about that right now. Gianna had left someone in her office who probably was thinking this wasn’t the company for him. Who could blame him? Right now she didn’t want to be there either.
When she entered her office, the man was already standing up. “Are you leaving?” she asked.
“Yes. I don’t believe this is what I’m looking for.” Gianna nodded.
“Thank your coming in and I wish you the best of luck on your job hunting,” she replied.
Before he left her office he turned around and said, “I’d get a restraining order against him. From what I could hear, it sounds like he’s going to be back.”
That was one thing Gianna knew to be accurate. Marvin wasn’t going to give up. And she had no idea on how to make him see she wasn’t ever going to change her mind.
When she was alone, she went into her desk and pulled out her cell phone. She had so many missed calls, but they would need to wait. There was a text message that held her attention.
Jordan. Why are you doing this to me?
Her heart couldn’t take it. She trusted him once and shared her deepest darkest secret and look what happened. He shut her out. Granted he was reaching out now, but she wasn’t even sure why.
Probably because he doesn’t want things to be weird with us tomorrow night.
She sighed. No matter what they said, how could it be anything but weird? Gianna decided it was best to decline his offer.
THANK YOU, BUT I CAN’T.
Keeping it simple was better than trying to explain what she still didn’t understand herself. There was nothing more she wanted than to see him tonight and that was the reason why she couldn’t.
Damn, this doesn’t get any easier just because you get older.
8
Jordan could read her text over and over again it still wasn’t going to change his mind. He was seeing her tonight. After the call he’d just received from Sal, nothing was going to keep him away.
Of course he needed to be careful he wasn’t being as controlling as Marvin was. Although his agenda was totally different, Gianna might not view it that way. So he chose not to show up at Today & Tomorrow, and opted to go to her apartment. But he wasn’t showing up empty handed. He brought dinner, flowers and hopefully an apology that she’d take the time to listen to.
He looked up and the lights were on, so she had to be home. Jordan could wait for someone to come or go, or press her apartment number and ask to be buzzed in. As he debated, someone exited the building. This was his chance to slip into the building. He put his hand on the door, but hesitated. Once again he was here to earn her trust and forgiveness. It had to start from the beginning. He released the door and watched it close and lock.
Jordan pressed her apartment number and waited. Her voice came through the speaker, “Hello.”
“Hi Gianna. It’s Jordan. I’d…I was hoping we could talk.”
He heard her sigh. Was she about to tell him no? Maybe she wasn’t going to say a thing. Both well deserved, but he held onto hope that she was a better person than he was. Then the sound of the buzzer echoed right though him.
Thank you.
Without hesitation he opened the door and went right up to her apartment. She was standing at the door waiting for him.
“What’s all that?” she asked.
“Dinner,” he said. “Have you eaten yet?”
“No.” She stepped aside and let him in.
Once inside he handed her the flowers. “You said yellow was your favorite.”
She smiled. “I’m glad you remembered,” she said taking the roses from him. “Thank you.” He watched her finger trace one of the pedals. “Beautiful.”
Yes you are.
“I know flowers do not make up for what I did. And the word sorry doesn’t cut it either. So I wanted to come and explain myself in person.”
“Why don’t we sit in the kitchen and talk while we eat?” she suggested. “I don’t know about you, but this has been the day from hell and I’m starving.”
He’d only heard about Marvin. Jordan wasn’t sure what else might have happened. Tonight he was going to listen and no matter what she said, he wasn’t leaving.
As they unpacked the Chinese food, he figured he’d start. “I was wrong the other night. I should’ve stayed. I wanted to, but I couldn’t think clearly sitting there. I was so angry and I wasn’t sure how to…deal with it.”
“I didn’t tell you to upset you. Maybe I should’ve kept quiet,” she said softly.
He turned to her and looked her directly in the eyes. “No. I’m glad you told me. All this time I thought you and Marvin had been…involved.” He didn’t want to say lovers, but they both knew that’s what he meant. “A part of me was relieved to learn you hadn’t been.”
“Oh God. No way. I might have been foolish enough to go along with his plan, but the only person Marvin could ever love is himself,” she stated.
“Gianna, I shouldn’t have brought him up. I’m not here because of him. I’m here because I care about you. I’m hoping that you’ll give me a chance to earn back your trust.” He needed to let her know that he understood that didn’t happen instantly.
She nodded. “I’m not going to lie to you Jordan. I was hurt. But I’d like it if we could start fresh.”
He wanted to pull her into his arms, hold her tightly and never let her go. Once again, that was pushing things too far, too fast. He’d promised her this would go at whatever speed she wanted. So he stayed where he was, painful as it was.
“Did you want to talk about your day?” he asked.
“You mean besides Marvin showing up?” she asked.
“Yes,” he replied.
“Well, even though we weren’t speaking, I still was hoping that Lawson Steel might consider my company for their staffing needs. I interviewed so many people today that my head began to spin.”
“Any good candidates?” he asked.
“There are a few. The issue was the fact that I’m not sure what you need. I had to interview a variety of candidates hoping that I will be able to meet your expectations.”
Jordan had not thought it through. He had been trying to give her advanced warning that they might consider her company. He should have realized that she would immediately begin recruiting. Gianna wasn’t a procrastinator. And obviously she really wanted Lawson Steel’s business. It only proved to him once again that her company was what they needed.
“I will be having a meeting with my brothers on Monday. I cannot make any promises regarding what they will decide. Charles is the CEO, but we call a vote when it comes to any major changes like this one. I’m sure you know what my vote will be,” he said.
Gianna looked up at him in a serious tone she said, “I want you to promise me something.”
“I’m surprised you still accept promises from me, since I broke the last one.” Jordan hated voicing it, but it had to be said. “All I can do is promise I will try to do better this time.”
“That is all I can ask. Actually, I’m asking for more than that. Jordan, you cannot base your vote on how you feel about me. It is not how I want to earn your business. I feel as though my company would be a good match with your
s. That doesn’t mean you and your brothers have to feel the same. As in any other business endeavors, I expect that you will each do your research and make the decision based off of what your company needs, and not mine.”
“Gianna I”
“Jordan, I mean it. I have worked hard, but I want to earn things on my own merit,” she stated firmly.
He smiled down at her and said, “What I was going to say was my brothers wouldn’t have it any other way. This has been a family business since the early 1800’s. I think serious has been drilled into us since birth.”
“Good. I feel better. Now all I need to worry about is dinner tomorrow.”
“What is there to worry about?” he asked.
“Well, for one, I’m sitting here having dinner with you instead of making my chili. The longer it sits, the better it is. So I need to make it tonight,” she explained.
“I can help.”
She looked at him and said, “You? You can cook?”
“I know how to follow directions. Hopefully you know how to cook it,” he said.
“I’ve made it a million times. Well, maybe more like fifty. It’s easy, just time consuming. I actually might be up all night long preparing it.”
Is that an offer?
“All night?” he repeated.
“The prep is one part, but I simmer it for hours. It sounds like a lot of effort for chili, but trust me, it’s worth it.”
He could tell she was really looking forward to this. It wasn’t what he’d like to be doing, but at least they were going to do this together. An hour ago, he wasn’t sure she’d even speak to him. It was as though they were picking up where they’d left off. Now I just need to make sure I don’t fuck it up again. I don’t deserve a second chance, never mind a third.
“What do you say we eat and get going on that chili?”
“Are you sure you want to stay? I wasn’t joking about being up all night,” she said.
Even if he went home, Jordan was going to have a sleepless night tossing and turning, thinking of her. “I’m game. Besides, if I help, I can take half the credit for it too,” he said giving her a playful wink.
“Maybe I’ll let you make it and I’ll watch,” she teased.
“Then we can save a lot of time and just toss it in the trash now. What do you think? Want to watch a movie instead?” he joked.
“Since this is supposed to be my party, I think I’ll do the cooking and you can watch the movie,” she stated.
“I thought you wanted my help?”
“I also want it to be edible,” she laughed.
Beautiful and smart.
“I’m great with a can opener,” he smiled.
“It’s electric,” Gianna stated.
“Even better. Now let’s get going before you change your mind and send me away.”
Gianna got up and started to clear the table. “Oh don’t worry. You’re not getting off the hook that easily. Do you know how to make coffee?”
“Put the pod in and press the button,” he said.
Gianna rolled her eyes. “Okay, you’re back on can opener duty,” she said and pointed to the counter. “That’s all you.”
There must have been ten cans piled up waiting. “You’re putting all that in there?”
“That’s only part of it. You’re going to be glad you stayed,” she said.
I don’t doubt that for a minute.
Gianna walked into the living room only to find Jordan sound asleep on her couch. She’d only left him for ten minutes while she went to stir the chili one last time and to turn off the stove. She was tempted to wake him, but he looked so…relaxed.
She hadn’t expected him to show up tonight, but she was glad he did. Gianna wasn’t sure how she would face him at the party with things being so…awkward between them. Now things were back to normal. Actually they were better than normal. It was like they had their first bump, a huge bump, and they had overcome it. Many couples don’t.
Yet they weren’t a couple. Actually they’d only been out a few times. It’s so new, but for some reason, it all felt so right. There was a saying that the right person will feel like an old shoe. She never understood what that meant until now. It meant they were a perfect fit. But Gianna knew there wasn’t any such thing as perfect. But at least tonight was damn close. They talked, cooked and laughed for hours. Even though she was exhausted, she hated for it to come to an end.
She opened the closet door, pulled out a blanket and walked back over to Jordan. Gently she laid it on top of him and then tiptoed out of the room. Gianna took a quick shower and put on her ‘save the kitty’s’ oversized t-shirt. She was just about to climb into bed when she remembered she hadn’t bolted the door. The odds of anyone trying to break into her apartment were slim. That didn’t mean she as going to take the chance with just one lock. Tossing the blanket off she went to check.
Jordan was still sleeping as she passed him. Trying to be so very quiet, she twisted the knob on the deadbolt and started to head back to her bedroom. She noticed the blanket was slipping off Jordan. He probably was fine, but she’d gone that far to get it, she might as well make sure he’s covered.
Gianna once again pulled it up around him, but this time she tucked it in. Then she leaned over and placed a kiss on his forehead. “Sweet dreams Jordan.” His eyes flew open the instant her lips made contact. Damn it. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”
He smiled and said, “I’ll never complain about being awakened by a kiss from you.”
“That wasn’t really a kiss. It was…” As though everything was happening in slow motion, she found herself leaning into him, and this time she didn’t aim for his forehead, but for his lips instead. She felt him tense and pull back. She opened her eyes and said, “I’m sorry. I…I shouldn’t have done that.”
“Gianna, don’t be sorry. Trust me, it’s killing me not to pull you down onto this couch with me,” he said.
“Then why did you stop?” she asked. Maybe it was a good thing he had. That was moving way to fast. But was it so wrong that she wanted him? Her body ached for his kisses, for his touch. Right or wrong didn’t matter at this moment.
“Because I don’t want you to regret it in the morning,” he said.
She smiled down at him. “Still taking care of me?” she asked.
“It’s not like that Gianna and you know it. But I don’t want to fuck this up by moving too fast. We can always do more, but you can’t go back and do less.”
“I have no idea what that means,” she said. Gianna went to stand upright when he caught her hand and pulled her down onto him.
“Neither do I,” he said kissing her. When she pulled away he said, “I should go.”
Gianna could pursue him very easily. She could feel his body growing hard beneath her. But he was right. They actually could have something good building between them. Why fuck it up just because her body yearned for him. She wanted more than just sex with him. If this it meant to be, it’d happen. Just not tonight.
She wiggled out of his grasp and stood up. Jordan didn’t linger on the couch either. “I guess I’ll see you at Rosslyn’s,” she said.
“Or I could come by and we could go together,” Jordan suggested.
“I’d like that,” she said.
He took her hand as he walked to the door. Before leaving he kissed her gently again. “Gianna, leaving sucks, but tomorrow, you’ll thank me.”
Don’t count on that.
She nodded and said, “Sweet dreams Jordan.”
“They definitely will be now. Good night Gianna. And don’t forget to double lock the door when I’m gone.”
It was nice having someone care enough about her to think about her safety. She just wished it wasn’t needed. Once he was gone, she did as he instructed and headed back to her room. It was dark and so empty. So she turned and decided to sleep on the couch instead. As she laid down and pulled the blanket up around her, she inhaled.
This will have to do
for tonight.
She curled up, enveloped with his scent, still lingering. It wasn’t long before the comfort she felt lying there was overtaken by her need for sleep. But even as her lids closed, she knew she was still smiling. Today may have started off like hell, but ended like a slice of heaven.
9
“I really do appreciate everything that you have done to help with the planning of this party. I couldn’t have pulled this off without you, Liz and Rosslyn. Of course, we have enough food here to feed us for a month,” Gianna said.
Bobbi laughed. “Well that is what you get when you put us in charge of the food. Liz came over my house a couple of nights after work and we did most of the cooking. Well… with my mother’s help. Did I tell you my mother had been practically raised in a restaurant?’
“No you didn’t. But from what I’ve tasted so far, that doesn’t surprise me.”
“Yup, down in Alabama. So when you said you were doing a country themed party, I knew I had to have my Mama’s help.”
Gianna bit her tongue. She hadn’t suggested the party, or the theme. Then again, for this being her so called party, Gianna also didn’t do much of the work either. “I can’t take credit for any of this. It’s all you and Liz. And for the record, you did amazing.”
Bobbi beamed. “I still can’t believe I’m here. I mean, look at this place. It’s a penthouse apartment that overlooks the city. I don’t care where you’re standing, the view is spectacular.”
Gianna hadn’t even noticed. She was having a difficult time taking her eyes off Jordan. When he arrived to pick her up, she almost lost it. She knew he hadn’t purchased that cowboy hat the day they went shopping, but he must’ve gone back for it. He definitely looked the part, from his hat to his plaid shirt and jeans. The only thing missing was a pair of cowboy boots, but who cared. Her eyes wouldn’t have made it that far, not with how his jeans hugged him in all the right places. God, he’s hotter than my chili. If he’d been wearing that last night, well, he might not have been wearing it for long.
The Billionaire's Revenge (The Blank Check Series Book 6) Page 10
