Questing (Cosmis Connections, Book One) (32 page)

As he spoke, Jordan’s voice lowered. Although his hand was still on her cheek, Kiley shifted as if he were drawing her toward him. She sighed when their lips met again. Dee quickly turned back to the stove, trying not to stare. Brett and Will halted abruptly in the doorway. The couple had obviously forgotten that they weren’t alone.

“They been at this long, Dee?” Will asked, walking around them.

“Well,” she glanced over her shoulder, “just a few minutes.”

“You think we should take dinner into the living room?” Brett chuckled. “Or we could throw a bucket of water on them?”

“Nah, I bet we could guide them in there with a few gentle pushes without them even noticing,” Will suggested.

“I hope they’re not planning on doing this at the restaurant. Some of those little, old ladies would go into cardiac arrest just from watching them,” Dee joined in.

“Hmm, they are kind of hot,” Will declared as Kiley began to giggle. Jordan held her while she hid her face against his chest.

“I’d apologize but you’ll know I’m lying.” Jordan grinned happily.

“We do understand.” Dee motioned for them to sit down. “Now if we could only find someone for you,” she commented to Brett.

“Nope, no way, no thanks,” he protested. “I’m not ready for anything like this yet.”

“Do you think any of us were particularly ready either?” Will asked seriously.

Brett looked around the table at each of them. “No, probably not. Honestly, I don’t know what I’d look for.”

“Neither did I until he kept standing in front of me every day,” Kiley stated.

“Well I never reacted to anyone the way that Jordan did to you. If I do, I might feel differently but for now, I’m content with my life as it is.” Brett paused. “I’m not saying that I’m not open to the idea. I wouldn’t pass on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity if she showed up now. I’d just rather wait until I’m more settled if I have a choice.”

“That’s what I used to think too,” Jordan agreed, reaching to clasp Kiley’s hand. “Don’t worry about Brett, Dee. He may claim to be a cynic now but I’m sure it’s temporary.”

The conversation continued to drift throughout the meal. Jordan tried to control himself but there were many times when he caught his hand reaching out to touch Kiley. Every touch, no matter how brief and seemingly innocent, distracted her. Jordan realized how he was affecting her but pretended to be unaware of it while continuing to make his actions appear accidental. He knew Will, Dee and Brett could all see what was happening, especially once Kiley completely lost track of what was being said.

“Jordan, why don’t you two take off?” Will finally suggested after they finished eating.

“Yeah, stop tormenting the poor girl,” Brett added.

“What? I’m just sitting here.” Jordan grinned as his hand skimmed Kiley’s wrist.

“Oh please.” Dee rolled her eyes. “You keep this up and the three of us are going to have to leave in order to spare Kiley’s modesty.”

Jordan nodded and looked at each of them before turning to Kiley. Capturing her gaze, he smiled. “Kiley,” he cupped her cheek, “ready to go home, sweet?”

“Yeah,” she sighed, rubbing her face against his hand. “Jordan,” she practically purred his name, leaning toward him for a kiss.

When they separated, Kiley’s eyes were slightly glazed. Jordan stood, pulling her with him. “Say goodbye,” he whispered.

“Goodbye,” Kiley repeated as he led her from the room.

He shrugged at their friends, helping put on her coat. Outside, Jordan opened her car door. Instead of getting in, Kiley caught him in a passionate embrace.

Inside, the trio watched. “Skill skeptical, Brett?” Dee asked.

“Yes,” he admitted. “Look, no offense but being distracted to the point Kiley is only proves that she’s hot for him. Hell, she may even love him. But none of it shows me that she deserves the faith Jordan has in her. Please don’t take that the wrong way because I truly like Kiley. I want her to be exactly what Jordan believes she is. I’m happy for them, really. I’ll even apologize for every doubt I ever have at their fiftieth anniversary party.”

“But what’s wrong?” Dee prompted.

“I don’t know. Maybe I need time to accept that they’re honestly as good as they seem now.” He shook his head. “Maybe I’m jealous even though it doesn’t feel like it. Maybe I’ll feel better after there’s some outside pressure and Kiley handles it without breaking his heart. Other than Winslow I mean. Tomorrow will be a good first test. She’s going to be embarrassed about the way they just left. We’ll see if she’s embarrassed as in she wishes she’d had more control or embarrassed as in it was rude to rush off like that but she’s glad they did.”

“I bet she doesn’t stop blushing all day,” Will speculated.

“Me too,” Dee agreed. “Brett, they’ll be fine. Kiley does love him, even if she is afraid to tell him so soon. She’s just a little overwhelmed at the moment. That’s all. Keep in mind that she doesn’t have someone like you who’s known her all her life who can help sort out her feelings without even being told what they are. She and I are pretty close now but I didn’t know her before her parents died. Oh sure, I worked with her while her mom was in the home but Kiley spent all her time there so I didn’t really get to know her until after. And you can’t really count Alyssa because they’ve always been in and out of each other’s lives not to mention her tendency to keep things impersonal with everyone, including Kiley. While you guys were upstairs, she told me how she wished her mom were here so they could talk about this. It’s all so new and exciting and frightening for her. She just needs time for her heart and her mind to reach the same place.”

“Dee’s right, Brett,” Will seconded. “Give Kiley the benefit of the doubt. She reminds me of Dee when I first announced that she was meant to be with me. She’ll settle into this. Jordan will make it easy for her.”

“I know. I’m probably worried over nothing.”

“It’s understandable. You simply want him to be happy. You’ve known him forever and she’s new. It’s only natural that you’re a little overprotective,” Will stated.

“I guess. As I said I’m really not jealous. You know Jordan brought her by Friday and gave me and Kiley time to talk. It’s funny but since he met her, we’ve actually spent more time together than we did over the past four years. It’s like he wants me there to share this with him.”

“Of course he does. You’re his best friend. Maybe he’s asking for your approval, not that I think he’d give her up without it.”

“Yeah, I got that part already. It means a lot to me, that he wants to include me. You’re both right. It’ll take some time for us to all settle in.”

Chapter Twenty-One

In the car, Jordan talked continually in his very seductive tone. Every time he stopped for a light, he touched her. By the time he parked, Kiley was trembling.

“Come with me.” Jordan held her against his side while they walked.

“Jordan, please!” She molded herself more tightly to him and tried to capture his mouth for a kiss.

“Just let me get the door,” he pleaded. His mind was racing. The first few touches had been truly accidental, well mostly accidental. As soon as she started to react, he had been too fascinated to ease up though he knew he should. Kiley was going to be more than a little embarrassed once she was thinking clearly again. Probably angry too but it was worth it. God, how he loved this woman! And how could he possibly resist when she was so unbelievably turned on? He was sure their friends understood and had a good laugh after they’d left.

Jordan pushed open the solid wooden door to his formal office and finally maneuvered her to the rich leather couch. Kiley had been making things difficult ever since she’d gotten out of the car, reaching for his belt buckle, trying to push off his jacket, tugging at his shirt. “Let me help, sweet.”

When he took over those tasks, she threw off her own coat. Kicking off her shoes and shucking her pants, Kiley reached for him. “I want you, Jordan. I can’t wait.” She pulled him down with her. The desire showed plainly in her eyes.

With a growl, Jordan gave up his tenuous hold on the restraint he’d been attempting to exercise. Roughly, he positioned her under him, thrusting deeply when she raised her hips in invitation.

“Oh, God!” Kiley shifted so he was filling her fully.

When he felt her inner muscles begin to spasm, Jordan pumped harder, coming as she did. When his mind returned, Jordan slid from her and sprawled on the floor. Kiley followed, curling next to him, snuggling in his arms.

“Wow,” she sighed softly.

“Are you okay?” Jordan asked.

“I’m more than okay,” she mumbled before recognizing the real question. “Jordan, what do you mean?”

“I was rough with you, Kiley. I’m sorry. If I hurt you…”

“Sorry for what? A little lusty sex certainly won’t hurt me. After yesterday, I thought you knew I don’t always want gentle. If anything, I should apologize to you for the way I grabbed you.”

Jordan chuckled. “You can grab me anytime. Seriously, Kiley, I shouldn’t have let myself get that out of control.”

“You do realize that sounds like a challenge? I admit I’m not very experienced but I don’t have to be to know you excite me more than anyone else ever could. Tell me, did you intend to drive me crazy like that during dinner?”

“Not at first,” he answered honestly. “But then I felt you shiver and I got carried away.”

“I tried to resist. I feel bad, rushing out like that. But I’m sure I was very entertaining.”

“You’re not mad?”

“Mad? Heck no! Slightly embarrassed and I’m sure we’ll get teased tomorrow but no way could I ever be mad at you for working me up like that. Unless you left me hanging, that is.”

“Not a chance. Good thing we got out of there when we did because I was ready to ask if we could use their spare room.”

“You wouldn’t! Jordan, please tell me you’re teasing. Leaving is one thing but asking to use the guestroom for casual sex in the middle of dinner…”

“Kiley, there is nothing casual about this.”

“Sorry, wrong word.” She nuzzled his cheek. “So this is where you hold all your big powwows.” She looked around since he hadn’t shown her this office before. “Why do you keep your main setup out of sight?”

“I use this room when I want to be intimidating. Having no computers in sight tends to cause discomfort among corporate types.”

“Oh, I get it. It adds to your mystique when they don’t see how you work.”

“Exactly. I must admit though, it’s going to be extremely hard to give an indifferent glance to anyone sitting on this couch from now on. It’s highly likely that I’m going to see your face in my mind every time I’m in here.”

“Mm.” Kiley grinned. “I’ll have to see what I can do upstairs to make this seem insignificant.”

“No way.” Jordan straightened his clothes and handed Kiley hers. “A hot, sexy woman like you, looking at me first with desire, then pleasure, followed by satisfaction is not an image I’ll ever let go of.”

“Not even if I show you more longing and ecstasy somewhere else?” She slipped on her panties but tossed her jeans over her shoulder.

“I doubt it, but I’m willing to try whatever you have in mind.” He let his gaze rake her boldly from head to toe, showing her actions conveyed the message she’d intended.

“Why didn’t you take me right upstairs?” Kiley was curious.

“Because we just would have needed to come back down here later.” He kissed her deeply, sliding his hand under the elastic on her panties. “Dwight said his girlfriend got a present for you.”

“A present? For me?”

“Yeah, he said he’d leave it on his desk.” Jordan took her shoes and their coats before pointing to the package on the corner of his intern’s desk. When she hesitated, he urged, “Go on.”

Kiley opened the card and read the note. “Thought you could add these to your collection. We’re looking forward to meeting you. Enjoy! Amy and Dwight.” The gift was two DVDs, “Sleepless in Seattle” and “Hudson Hawk”. “I’ve never heard of this one.” She held up “Hudson Hawk”.

“Me either,” Jordan laughed, thinking of the teasing he was in for. “I guess they understand.”

“Understand what?”

“That one of the reasons I’m so willing to watch these movies with you is so we stay home and I don’t have to share you.”

“Jordan, you could have just said that. You didn’t need to get them to start a movie collection for us.”

“Sure I did. Some of the things we said last night are helping us get to know each other. I thought we had fun.”

“We did but I think that was more us than the movies.”

“Probably but I like the idea of having a shared collection. We’ll watch them again sometime.”

“Okay. Can we watch this one now since neither of us has seen it?”

“I thought you were going to make me forget what just happened down here.”

“I am.” She headed for the stairs after looking over her shoulder and giving him a seductive smile.

Hours later as they cuddled in bed, Kiley asked, “So, how’d I do?”

“Love, you are indescribable.”

“Thanks but did I make you forget about earlier?”