Questing (Cosmis Connections, Book One) (12 page)

“Not directly. She hinted a lot though.”

“Should we let them off the hook?” When she nodded, he took her hand and said, “Come with me.” Dee was speaking with Brett when they approached. “By the way, Kiley, I really enjoyed meeting Vera Saturday.”

“She loved you too.”

“So you did bump into each other.” Dee grinned.

“Yes, we did but please don’t do that again.” Jordan looked steadily between the two. “Fortunately, it worked out just fine but it could very easily have backfired. Kiley and I spoke Friday evening. And again this morning. And we’re meeting for breakfast tomorrow.”

“What that means is that as much as we appreciate the thought,” Kiley chimed in so their friends would know she was in agreement, “we’d prefer to do this at our own pace. We’re doing fine all by ourselves, right Jordan?”

“Right,” he agreed, thinking how much he liked the way she was still holding his hand.

After Brett and Dee both apologized and promised not to interfere, Kiley tried to walk away but Jordan hadn’t released her. “Jordan?”

In spite of his recent promise to behave, he motioned for her to lean closer in order to whisper in her ear. “Do me a favor. Try to walk around a lot while I’m here. The sight will feed my fantasies.” He gave her earlobe a quick caress with the tip of his tongue.

Kiley gasped, blushing hotly. “Oh!” She tugged her hand from his and scurried away. He fantasized about her! That one flick left her weak at the knees and wanting to feel it repeated all over her body. How did such a tiny gesture do so much?

“What the hell did you just say?” Brett watched her race back to her podium. “And why did you chase her off when she was holding your hand?”

Jordan groaned. “Damn! I just can’t stay cool around her anymore. I’m getting worse.”

Brett sat back and studied his friend. “So, you had a nice visit?”

“Yeah, we did. But I said something that upset Kiley Friday night so a setup like that could have made it even worse.”

“Care to share what you said? I might be able to help.”

Jordan watched as Kiley wandered from table to table, stopping to chat with some of the regular customers. When she sensed his attention, she turned and gave him a slow smile and a wink. As he grinned in response, he said, “I don’t know, Brett. Maybe it’s not that bad after all.”

Brett looked over his shoulder and caught her smile. “Hmm, I don’t believe it. Is she actually flirting here?”

“Hey!” Jordan scowled again.

“Lighten up. I know she’s yours but can you blame a guy for looking? That dress is about perfect and I, for one, always appreciate perfection. Besides, in all the months we’ve been here, I’ve never seen her look at anyone the way she does you.”

Jordan sighed. “I know. Somehow I thought it would be easier once she started talking to me.”

“I hate to say it but I doubt it’ll get easier until she declares, as you have, that you’re her future. Until then, I think the torture you’re putting yourself through will only get worse. Now come on, let me tell you about the rest of my evening with Sadie.”

“Anything else, guys?” Dee asked long after they finished eating.

“Not today, thanks,” Brett responded.

“Then you need to move to the bar if you’re staying. There’s a birthday party here soon and we need to set up. You’re in the way.”

“Subtle, Dee.” Jordan chuckled.

“Yeah well, I figure by now you’re family so move it or help.” When she saw Jordan considering it, she rolled her eyes. “Don’t you have work to do? I thought you had a big meeting coming up?”

“We do but we’re ready,” Jordan responded confidently. “And no, before you ask again, we’ll tell you about it when the time is right.”

“I bet you’d tell Kiley if she asked you,” Dee teased.

“Tell me what?” Kiley was nearby.

“About our meeting. But,” Brett paused, “Kiley’s a good girl who has more manners than to push Jordan into that position.”

Kiley immediately recognized that Brett had just added to his warning from the previous day. “That’s right, Dee. So stop pestering them. They’ve said they’ll tell us when it’s time and when it’s time, they will.” She walked them toward the door, leaving Dee grumbling. “Class again tonight, Jordan?”

“Mm but I should be home by ten if you want to talk.” He looked at her hopefully.

“Give it a rest, pal.” Brett couldn’t resist. “We’ve stayed much longer today. You’re seeing her in the morning. You know this is her long day. She’ll be too tired tonight, won’t you, Kiley?”

“Probably,” she admitted. “But we’ll see,” she added because Jordan looked truly disappointed.

“Don’t feel you have to,” Jordan said seriously. “Of course, I’d love to talk to you but,” he leaned closer so Brett wouldn’t hear him, “I’ve got plenty of images in my mind to hold me over until breakfast.”

Kiley actually giggled, surprising them all. “You are shameless.”

“Nope, honest.” He decided he could happily listen to that forever.

“That’s it. I’m out of here,” Brett interrupted, pretending to be annoyed. “If you’re going to go all secretive and ignore me there’s no point in waiting for you, Jordan. Tomorrow, kids.” He left them alone.

“He’s not really mad, is he?” Kiley worried.

“Nah, look.” Jordan pointed at Brett as he laughed his way passed the window. “Unfortunately, I should take off too. Let me say one more time how beautiful you look.” He kissed her palm. “Thanks again.”

“Oh…um…” She was very aware of how close he was standing and could see the heat in his eyes.

“Have a pleasant afternoon.” He closed the brief distance and brushed her lips with a gentle kiss.

Kiley stood, watching him go.

“Kiley, you’d better breathe,” Henry intruded in her thoughts. He laughed at her startled expression when she realized he was there. “Little girl, why don’t you give in and stop torturing that poor boy? He’s a good guy and I hate to see him in so much pain.”

“Henry, I…” Kiley groaned. “I don’t mean to tease him. It’s just… I mean, he’s so handsome and I can feel it every time he speaks.”

“Ha! I knew it. You’re just as badly off as he is.” Henry was pleased. “Boy, this is going to be fun. Now remember if you have your reception here—”

Kiley gasped. “We haven’t even gone out yet!”

“Oh but I heard you mention breakfast so I’m sure that’s just the beginning. You’ll see.” He winked. “One thing will lead to another and if you both have the sense to follow your hearts, it’s only a matter of time before you’ll be setting the date.”

“Knock it off and let me get back to work.” Kiley sighed. Henry’s chuckle followed her as she went to help the staff prepare for the party.

Chapter Nine

Worse than a damn schoolboy. Jordan laughed at himself as he waited in front of the restaurant for Kiley. He had been so full of anticipation at the thought of seeing her that he’d arrived a good half-hour early for their breakfast date. He’d always expected to fall hard when he finally fell in love. What he hadn’t imagined was the way his emotions would override his normal cool and confident demeanor.

When Jordan landed his first financial consulting job, he rapidly earned the reputation of being able to keep his head under any circumstances. His persona grew after he ventured out on his own. He was known for his boldness and his ability to be in the right place at the right time. He could negotiate a cutthroat, multimillion dollar deal that could make or break both him and his client in a heartbeat without ever showing a hint of nerves at either possible outcome. He was “The Golden Boy” as they’d started calling him soon after he’d proven his assessment of the opportunity that caused him to part ways with the firm where he’d been employed was dead-on. The firm, on the other hand, missed out on literally millions and lost credibility with some very powerful clients. When the dissatisfied flocked after Jordan, he shocked more than a few by refusing their business. Now, with his level of success, his right to pick and choose clients was no longer questioned.

Fat lot of good that did him now! Jordan tried not to pace. He wanted to appear casual and calm when Kiley arrived. He silently lectured himself that he would remain in control and unfazed, no matter how good she looked or what she said.

“Morning, Jordan.” Kiley wondered what he was thinking when he failed to notice her approach. “You’re scowling. Is something wrong?”

“Not anymore.” His face lit up with a smile.

“I did say eight thirty, didn’t I?” Kiley told herself to shut up. She’d been surprised when she turned the corner and saw that he was already waiting for her.

“Yes.” He glanced at his watch and saw it was only five past eight. “Do you need to do something before breakfast?”

“Um, I’m perpetually early. I can’t seem to help it. I try not to be but…” She knew she was babbling.

“And here I’d hoped you were as anxious to see me as I am you.” He pouted, urging her closer.

“I…well…yes. I mean, no…”

Kiley was silenced when Jordan covered her mouth with his. The kiss was soft and lingering. He started to pull her tighter against him until the door to the restaurant opened next to them. The conversation of the emerging couple reminded Jordan where they were. He forced himself to ease his lips from hers.

“Damn, woman, you make me lose my senses!”

It came out sounding harsher than he’d intended and Kiley took an anxious step back from him. “Me? You’re the one who grabbed me. I didn’t do anything!”

“The hell you didn’t!” What was wrong with him? Here he was, accusing her of who knew what, behaving like a complete ass when what he wanted was to have her back in his arms.

Kiley was shocked. For the life of her, she couldn’t understand why he was mad. Quickly, she racked her brain, searching for something, anything that could have angered him. She hadn’t called him the night before because she had fallen asleep as soon as she sat down to unwind. He’d said she shouldn’t if she was too tired. And this morning all she’d done was show up early, just as he had. When Jordan attempted to speak, Kiley held up her hand to prevent him.

“Actually, um, being perpetually early isn’t it today. You see, last night Henry asked me to come in before my normal time to help with something so I came here on my way there to leave you a note because that means I need to cancel on you.”

“Kiley.” He reached for her but stopped when he saw fear in her eyes. He lowered his hand and tried to look natural even though his heart was sinking. “All right then. Maybe some other time?”

Instead of responding, Kiley nodded and rushed away, knowing without looking that he was standing there watching her retreat.

* * * * *

“Dee, I love you but please, I don’t want to talk about it.” Kiley wiped her eyes. “Oh darn it! Would you look at me? I’m just a mess!”

“Come, I can help.” All that Dee knew was, according to Henry, Kiley had shown up for work almost two hours early. She’d spent an hour in the employee bathroom, crying, before she asked him to back her up by saying he’d needed her to run an errand for him that morning. When Dee came in, he’d sent her to Kiley to see if she could find out what had her so upset and if there was anything they could do to help. Now it was almost lunchtime and the only thing Dee had learned was that Kiley had left Jordan standing on the sidewalk after she’d backed out of breakfast. And the later it got, the more frazzled Kiley became. “Maybe he and Brett won’t even show today,” she offered helpfully as she touched up Kiley’s makeup. “Don’t cry again, honey. It’ll all work out. Whatever happened can’t be all that bad.”

Henry stuck his head around the door. “Why don’t you just take the day off? It’s not that busy. We could manage without you just this once.”

Kiley was shaking her head. “No thanks, Henry. I appreciate your offer but I’m not running away.” She might have been confused and scared earlier but here she was among friends. She’d decided that whatever it was that had set Jordan off had nothing to do with her. There was absolutely no way she was going to let him chase her from her job. Maybe other people jumped when “The Golden Boy” snarled but she wasn’t about to become one of them. But what if it was something she’d done?

Jordan was waiting for Brett at the corner, unwilling to face Kiley alone. He knew she’d used Henry as an excuse to ditch him. Not that he blamed her. He’d reacted like a lunatic, taking his anger at himself out on her. She was gone before he could explain that he was disgusted by his own lack of control when she was around. He’d meant to give her a friendly, “good morning, it’s nice to see you” kiss and had been seconds from deepening it into a demanding, “let’s uncover some body parts and have wild sex” kiss. If those people hadn’t walked out when they had, Jordan knew his hands would have strayed inappropriately.

“What did you do now?” Brett asked after taking one look at him.

“Blew it. Big-time,” Jordan responded. “I’m not sure I should go in there today.”

Brett stopped walking and stared. “Details!” Jordan shook his head sadly. “Listen up, pal. You are not, I repeat not, running away now. I don’t care what happened.”

“She won’t want me there.”

“Nope, no way, forget it. You’ve dragged me here every day for months. You hit one little snag and you’re ready to hightail it out of here? Well that’s not happening. We’re going in there right now and we’re going to continue to every day until you figure out how to fix it.” He sensed that Jordan was about to argue. “You’ve been telling me that Kiley is your future for months. I’ve known you all my life and never have you even come close to saying something like that. I believed you the first time you said it and I know you still feel that way.”