Forever Rain (Rain Will Fall Trilogy #1) (19 page)

“Wow. So that went well.” Andre sounded as impressed as I was about all the welcome speeches. My phone rang as we exited the elevator and made our way outside where the SUV and driver waited for us. Jordan’s name flashed across my phone screen.

“Hi, pretty lady. How did it go?” he asked.

“Really good, actually. Better than I thought. I usually have to sell the agency and myself, then wait for them to get back to me.” I sat in the back seat of the vehicle alongside Andre. “As a matter of fact, they offered me more than any of the hospitals in Houston. I think I am liking this city.”

I laughed as I thought of the possibility of keeping my head well above water financially and that I’d be able to offer my employees better benefits and maybe, just maybe, an annual bonus.

“Great. Good luck with the rest of your day. A driver should be waiting outside for you,” Jordan said.

“He was and we’re on our way now, but please don’t feel like you need to provide me with transportation. I could have easily rented a car.”

“Allow me this,” he said quietly.

“OK. Thank you. I’ll talk to you later.” I disconnected from the call.

Feeling less apprehensive now that the first contract was signed, I emailed my attorney and accountant regarding the contract so they could retrieve the file and keep for company records.

The second hospital meeting went smoothly as well, with the same welcome and happy to work with your agency speech. I was thrilled and phoned Veronica after the meeting to relay the news of our expansion with signed contracts.

Andre and I went to the new office where the receptionist and office manager met us.

“We had a great response to the ad for temp nurses, Miss Caine,” Bianca, the office manager, said as she led us down the hall to her office.

We sat to discuss the past few weeks of operations.

“I pulled the files for the first five nurses applying for the Director of Nursing position. They have all the qualifications and work history that you requested in your email.”

“I look forward to meeting with them. There are more interviews tomorrow as well?” I asked. I remember Andre mentioning two days of interviews.

She confirmed that there were three more applicants that I will meet with tomorrow. I felt assured that I would find the new DON and get the nurses hired and processed as soon as possible.

“We’re going to lunch with Bianca at a new place down the street,” Andre said. “Since we are in California, we might as well enjoy the great cuisine they have to offer.” He grinned at me and I readily agreed.

The time simply flew by and I was surprised to see that it was 6 p.m. when we finally left the office to go to our hotel.

“Well, well. We have not one, but two, chauffeured driven vehicles. Hmm. Which one you will choose?” asked Andre.

My heart skipped a beat as I looked up to see Jordan leaning against the Infiniti SUV that we arrived in this morning. He was dressed in jeans with a button down shirt with a light blazer. His lean frame made my fingers twitchy. I couldn’t wait to run my hands across his body. Magazines and billboard male models had absolutely nothing over this man. He oozed sexuality.

Jordan opened the SUV door as I approached and took my computer bag and purse from my hands. He placed a full-blown kiss on my lips. Lifting his head as if not satisfied with just one kiss, he kissed me again.

I avoided looking at Andre and the others and quickly slid into the car.

Although the day flew by and my brain was busy planning for the expansion and extra responsibility of the business, I found myself thinking about Jordan and the strange turn of events in my life.

I was surprised at how quickly my feelings of displeasure toward him had turned to desire to be with him. As I looked at Jordan, I realized that many things had changed about him.

Physically his shoulders are broader and muscles are more pronounced. His face and jaw has more of a chiseled look than 10 years ago and his demeanor is more serious, more assertive and aggressive. Even his lovemaking is more masterful and domineering. Just thinking of the way he handled my body made me shiver with anticipation for more. Jordan was so much more of everything than he was 10 years ago.

“Thanks for recommending the restaurant, Jordan. I can’t wait for sushi tonight. Hell, I may even go for a Saki bomb with a bottle of Sapporo,” Andre said.

“Ben should enjoy it. Try the sashimi as well,” Jordan replied as we parted ways with Andre. I had no idea what plans Jordan had for us but we seem to be headed downtown.

Jordan pulled me into his arms and placed his chin on my head.

“I had some business to discuss with David today. He told me about the pregnancy and I told him about us being together again,” he said.

He seemed a little uneasy since I have literally not had time to tell anyone that we’ve been in each other’s company since last night. The only person that knew the extent of the relationship thus far was Andre, and I knew he wouldn’t say anything unless I did.

“So, I thought you may want to tell your sister before he does.”

I raised a quizzing eyebrow at him, surprised that he would be talking about us being together so soon. I was not sure that I knew where we were going with this thing between us or how long it will last. Maybe I was just kidding myself and might as well face the fact that Jordan was hell-bent on everyone knowing about us.

“OK. I will call Jenna and the other girls when we get… By the way, I have no idea about my plans anymore while I’m here except for tomorrow during the day,” I said.

My body curled into his chest and I lay my head on his shoulder. He kissed the top of my head and ran his fingers along my side, slowing the action as he approached the side of my breast. He lightly rubbed the side of my breast through my clothing and my body immediately responded. My nipples puckered up which did not escape his attention. One side of his lip lifted in a sexy smile as he continued to touch me. I lifted my face to his and he bent down to kiss me.

“I missed you, baby. Glad you had a productive day. I just want you to relax this evening, and although I have a few things planned for you, we will stay in.”

All right then. Well, that settled any questions that I had about going out or staying in tonight.

“Hmm,” I replied and he laughed huskily, taking my one groan for contentment and he was right. At this moment, I felt at ease and peaceful.

Chapter 19

The vehicle came to a stop at the Ritz Carlton hotel. The doorman opened the door and ushered us inside. I took in the opulence of the lobby with marble floors and elegant chandeliers. A young man met us inside the door and escorted us to a private set of elevators.

“Welcome back, Mr. Dawson. Miss,” he said. He used the key card to open the door.

“Thank you, Robbie,” replied Jordan. He kept a possessive arm around my waist. I motioned that I can help with my computer bag and purse, but Jordan would not let me.

“Have a great evening, sir,” Robbie said as the elevator came to a stop.

We stepped into a lobby that seemed to have been converted into an office. There were at least five people buzzing around on phones and computers.

Jordan took my hand and led me down a hallway and toward a set of doors.

“Sorry to bother you, Mr. Dawson, if I may have a minute.” A short balding gentleman addressed Jordan.

“Sure. James, this is Miss Zoe Caine. Zoe, one of my attorneys, James Moore.” We shook hands as Jordan made the introduction and I stepped inside the door that Jordan opened while he spoke with his attorney.

“You wanted a report on unit four in Houston. There are actually two more with another holding company and they want an additional fifty million for those two which brings the total to a hundred and fifty million.”

The difference between Jordan’s business and mine is that I speak in hundreds and thousands when it comes to money, whereas Jordan… Well, I was more enlightened about his financial status as the hours goes by.

They walked into an office, but Jordan left the door open.

I looked around the area and noticed that we were in the penthouse suite. It was plush and extravagant. The decor was expensive from floor to ceiling and once again, I was reminded how much life has changed for Jordan, but he seemed to take it all in stride. I was starting to appreciate all the sacrifices he had made in his personal and professional life. Many times he acquires companies in a hostile takeover or outbid others for prime commercial real estate.

They were only in the office for a few minutes when Jordan and James walked back to the door.

“Have Jeremy look over the documents tonight. Tell him to use his judgment about their demands and we will work more on the deal tomorrow.” He showed James out of the suite and joined me by the window.

“My company budget could easily afford such humble accommodations,” I teased him and absorbed the view of the magnificent city below. The suite had several rooms with elegant furnishings and decor.

“Glad you approve,” Jordan said as he step behind me and circled my waist with both arms. Clasping me in a tight embrace, he rocked us gently from side to side. I felt his warm breath on my neck.

“Hm. You get E for effort and A+ for comfort.”

He laughed softly against my neck. “You have always been easy to please.”

“Who would not be pleased with all this?” I responded.

“You would be surprised, but I’m glad you’re relaxed. You work way too many hours.”

Now it was my turn to laugh. “Say’s the kettle…” Ever since we met when I was in college, Jordan has pushed himself to achieve his goals and that meant working an insane number of hours in any given week.

After a few moments of light banter and caressing, Jordan led me to the sofa where he sat me down and took off my shoes. He propelled me to lie down while he massaged my feet and calves.

Bliss. Pure bliss.

“This will be the end of our evening.” I peeked up at him then closed my eyes again.

“Nah. I won’t let you off so easy, but I want you to regenerate your energy. I have big plans for you tonight.” I opened one eye and looked at him. His wicked smile lit up his face.

“By the way, you don’t need to have your administrative assistant call you with a report if I need to get in touch with you through her. It’s a waste of her time.” I needed to put down some ground rules with Jordan since I didn’t want his employees looking after me.

“No problem at all. I need to know that you are OK and taken care of. Of course I will make sure that you never need to go through anyone to get to me starting tomorrow. I’m sorry that I didn’t give you the codes. It won’t happen again.”

I saw that he will not budge on this issue so I let it go. “I do need to call Jenna,” I said, feeling guilty that I hadn’t taken the time to do so already. A smile crossed my face as I remembered that she was pregnant.

“Here is your phone.” He pulled my phone off the coffee table where I set it earlier. “Or you can Skype, FaceTime, Tango…whatever works. Let me know,” Jordan said. He got up to give me some privacy and headed to the bedroom area.

I called Jenna and we chatted about her pregnancy all over again. Aunt Suzette was with her like a clucking mother hen and Jenna loved every minute of it.

“So, Jordan and I are back together.”

I figured the best way to let those closest to me know was to get to the point and fast. I have zero interest in being in the social media and they had zero interest in me, but I was well aware that being with Jordan was going to make the headlines sooner or later. When we were dating, everyone thought he was with Celia or Tara since they were photographed in public often. He made sure to keep me out of the limelight for many reasons, and as I look back, I appreciated that only those close to us knew we were an item.

As much as our breakup hurt me emotionally, it was also embarrassing, but at least I did not have to do the whole hiding and changing my lifestyle due to the media. Whatever emotions I had to deal with were done in private and among friends and family.

“What? Jordan Dawson? I mean, I can’t believe it happened so fast.” Jenna was shocked, but not as surprised as I thought she would be. Hmm. Interesting.

“Well, funny thing happened the other night. When we talked earlier this week and I told you about me planning to break up with Robert… Well, Jordan was already coming on the scene. I suppose I didn’t want to resist him in the end. I mean, I just…I believe what he had to say. It all happened so fast and now we are in San Francisco together.”

Jenna momentarily forgot about her nausea and was relaying our conversation to Aunt Suzette. It was weird having to wait and listen to what could have been a three-way conversation but they were both happy that we worked it out and were together again. I finally ended the conversation after about fifteen minutes later and made another call. This time I made it a three-way call since I was feeling very much like a recorder.

“OK, y’all. I am in San Francisco with Jordan.” I was not one to use southern slang, but this time called for just that.

“Oh. My. God,” were the first words out of Mia’s mouth.

“I knew it,” Veronica chimed in.

“Unlike someone else that Veronica and I know, I will totally kiss and tell. I won’t do the TMI thing but…”

I did not get much of a rise from Mia other than a huff and her saying that this was about me, not her and Philippe.

“Well, let’s just say I am now a proud member of the mile high club.” I started off with that bit of information as the girls squealed and wanted more details than I was going to divulge with Jordan being in the other room.

“So, our girl got some great loving and now she is not holding back. Will there be some naughty spankings on the way like in
Fifty Shades of Grey
? You know, the Christian dude? ’Cause that shit is totally hot,” said Mia.

Trust her to take conversation to another level. She had never been one to hide her sexual fantasies and was always complaining that there were more vanilla guys out there than girls.

Mia and Veronica were excited about the changes I was making in my personal life and were asking so many questions that I threatened to cut the conversation short if they did not settle down. We talked for another ten minutes about Jenna’s pregnancy before signing off.