Rescued (Flowers of the Bayou) (17 page)

Amelia shook her head up and down roughly, hugging him to her. It hurt, true but as quickly as it had come it started to ease away. Lenora had told her this would happen the first time and she understood he didn’t mean to hurt her on purpose and blinked back the salty sting of tears that gathered at the corners of her eyes.

Giving her time to adjust to him Jordan waited until she once more relaxed in his hold before he started to move inside her, withdrawing only a little before pushing back inside. He sent out a silent prayer of thanks as she instinctively moved her hips to match his motions and once again turned to kissing her pouty mouth. More than pleased as she whispered his name at every pause.

Amelia arched her back up desperate to hold on to him, to hold him to her as pleasurable white hot heat spiraled down from her stomach and exploded in every hemisphere of her body leaving her with the most wonderful throbbing coursing through her veins.

Jordan held her tightly to him as he quickened his pace finding his own release not too long after hers. Moaning her name within her hair. Gingerly Jordan lowered himself down to her and rolling onto his back took her with him. Not wanting to crush her with his weight and not yet willing to give her up.

Moving his hands to her hair he gently brushed his fingers through its dark glossy strands threading them through his fingers until it fell from his grasp. He let her place kisses on his chest while she nestled down contentedly in the nook in his arm. He brought her hand to his face and touched the tips of her fingers to his mouth only then noticing the silver band she wore. Reading the emblem written across it, the jolt of jealously he felt was unwelcome to say the least. He pulled the piece from her finger and examined it more closely.

Taking the wide gold band from his hand Jordan looked at the ring his initials emblazed across its edge, it was a gift from his mother. Placing the silver ring on the side drawer he placed his own on her index finger where it hung loosely, moving it to her thumb he pushed it down, there it fit better.

“Why did you do that?” Amelia inquired drowsily.

Kissing her hair he focused his eyes on the ceiling. Not giving her an answer, simply because he didn’t know why except for the fact he didn’t like her wearing that man’s ring. “You’re sleepy.” He stated.

“No not sleepy, tired.” She said suppressing yet another yawn. “There is a difference, did you know?”

“No I didn’t.”

“And I don’t want to sleep. Not now.”

“What will you have us do then, Princess?” He questioned, and surprised himself by the endearing name he had used.

“I don’t know? What do you usually do after something like this?” She said, a slight tinge lighting up her face.

“Maybe I’ve never done this before.” He said trying to keep a straight look on his face as accusing arrows shot out of her eyes. “Most young women wouldn’t wish to speak of such things.”

“I am not most young women.”

“No, you are not—you’re far more beautiful.”

Amelia stared up at him drowsily and with barely opened eyes. “I thought you already got what you wanted from me, or was I mistaken?” She asked but seeing how he knit his brows together in aggravation she added quietly, “You really think so?”

“I know it.” Tracing the contours of what he was now sure of to be the sweetest softest alluring mouth that God had the good grace to make, Jordan shifted so that she lay completely atop him and once again he felt himself being seduced by the woman. The mere smell of her, just one touch, a look and he was lost. Closing his eyes he tried to absorb the feel of her into his senses.

Amelia tried and failed in her attempt to move to his side, strong arms held her firmly in place. “Jordan let go, I don’t want to crush you.”

“I doubt it.” He answered back holding her tighter. “See, still breathing. Amelia.” Seeing that she wasn’t looking at him he took a hand to bring her chin forward until their eyes met. “Where do you get these ideas?”

“What ideas?”

Placing his hands behind his neck Jordan made himself comfortable giving her another of those looks and waited patiently for her to answer.

“From everyone.”

“Being?” He inquired, truly wanting to know who was responsible for her warped sense of worth.

“What do you mean being? Lorraine and her friends.”

“That’s not everyone.” Reaching up he grasped her face in his palms and brought it to meet his own. “Far from it.” Kissing the side of her neck he rained plenty more kisses down until he came to her ear nipping her lightly.

Lazily she laid her head on his chest finding contentment in just listening to the soft beat of his heart. She wanted to stay like she was for as long as possible. She didn’t want him to ever leave, but that was impossible she knew. Yet she would request one thing. “Jordan?”

“Yes.” He replied quickly fighting the sleep trying to claim him.

“Wait until I fall asleep to leave? I just want to be able to feel your arms around me I know it’s dumb but…”

“Of course Princess.” He said, silencing her. If he had felt low before it paled in comparison to how he felt at that precise moment. Low didn’t do him justice. What he’d done tonight would in no way effect him but for her, though she wasn’t a part of high society everything one did being scrutinized and examined for approval he knew she was subject to her own rules, everyone was in one way or another, and he hurt her in more ways than one.

Letting her eyes fall closed, Amelia wrapped her arms around his waist. “Just one more thing.”

“Hmm.”

“Don’t call me Princess, and you didn’t prove me wrong tonight. You didn’t take what you wanted, it was given to you.”

“Is that right Princess?” He laughed into her hair, raising himself onto his elbows in time for her to grace him with a brilliant smile. Then as she closed her eyes and her breathing slowed and she dozed off, expertly he moved her to the side of him without waking her.

Picking up his clothes he quickly dressed as the sun crept sluggishly up above the horizon. Bending down he pulled the covers over her and stood against the wall near the window watching her sleep. For how long he didn’t know. He just stood and watched. Surprised at the gnawing feeling in the pit of his stomach. He hated the fact that when she woke he wouldn’t be there to see it. A thought that now rattled his nerves.

Reluctantly he turned from her deciding against the idea of stealing her away. She would object no doubt. He hadn’t bargained for this. Somehow getting what he wanted was becoming more complicated than usual.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

It was early and Lorraine grumbled at the strong knock on her door. Morgan wouldn’t have arrived already? Amelia was still sleep but she could easily wake her up. Running a hand down her crinkled skirt Lorraine answered. “Why you here so early?”

“Ma’am?”

Lorraine traveled up to the face of the unfamiliar voice. “Mr. Bradford—” She stumbled.

“I’m sorry to intrude on you so early and I know Amelia is scheduled off but I was hoping she could come into work today. Last minute guest arrival and we need her expertise in the kitchen. She will be compensated greatly.”

She did need the money. Lorraine gave the white man a cool look. “Would you like to come in, I’ll fetch her.”

“No Ma’am I’ll wait in the carriage.” Jordan observed the woman frown at him before shutting the door in his face. He had yet to sleep and he was tired but as soon as he had arrived home he was tumbling out of bed again to see Amelia.

He knew he was acting irrationally. When he’d made it in the door Vivian an early riser gave him a disapproving and salacious glower. She was no fool and somehow he felt she knew. Yet he owed excuses or apologies to only one woman and he planned on giving them today.

Inside the house Lorraine had already made her way to her niece’s room and rudely threw it open. “Get up and put something on.”

Amelia was startled but not so much as to not follow her command. “Where are we going?”

“That white man here for you, need you to do some cooking for his folks.” Lorraine tossed a brown cotton frock to Amelia. “Here you can wear that.”

Clamoring out of bed Amelia rounded up her pair of worn black shoes and tried to hide the fact her heart was in her throat. There was no way she was going to let Lorraine catch wind of anything being out of the ordinary.

“He is waiting downstairs for you so don’t dally.” With that being said Lorraine marched back out the way she came.

Amelia let the breath she’d been holding out and didn’t try to fight the heat that wanted to flood her cheeks. In her excitement she found it hard to even get on the frayed dress Lorraine had given her. With shaky fingers she fastened the buttons in front of her and then slid on her shoes. She wished she could dally, but instead she took a rag and dipped it in the water basin beside the makeshift dresser and washed her face and deftly tied her hair up with a white ribbon. She wanted to wear her fancy yellow dress.

She nearly ran down to the door but slowed her pace at Lorraine’s curious eyes upon her. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” She said blandly.

“Make sure he pays you today for the inconvenience.” Lorraine chirped busying herself with her sewing.

“I will.” With that she was on the other side of the door. The carriage was right there and suddenly her legs felt wobbly. When the door opened and he descended they refused to move.

Jordan regarded her with a smile. She was beautiful standing there in the morning light. Taking her hand in his own he helped her into the coach and followed behind her. Rapping on the door he signaled Mitchell to move on. There was a silence that followed that was both comfortable yet awkward at the same time but Jordan was soon glad to break it. “You look lovely.”

Amelia nodded her thanks her eyes fixated on his hand that held her own. She watched with amazed eyes as he took that same hand to his lips and kissed her palm.

“You are quiet.”

“I don’t know what to say.” She admitted in a hushed whisper. “I just seen you mere hours ago. Things are decidedly different.”

“Some yes, but others remain the same. You are still brilliant, and beautiful and I want nothing more than to eat breakfast.”

Amelia took her hand from him. “Don’t be silly.” She said sternly.

“I am taking you to Nourriture Du Coeur.”

“Excuse me? You can’t do that and you know it. That restaurant is for whites only.”

“Who said this? If old white men can parade their concubines under the guise of Plaçage all over the streets of New Orleans I can have lunch with you.”

“Am I to be considered your concubine?” Amelia countered.

“Of course not and you know what I meant.”

“I do know Nourriture Du Coeur is not hidden in the bayous out of site, I am not a passing mulatto, or quadroon, or octoroon, and I would never submit myself to the dying practice of Plaçage.” Grumbling she removed her hand from his as he still looked determined. “I will not go. You want to see me hanging from a rope?”

“Don’t say that, don’t ever say anything like that. I would never allow that to happen to you, ever!” Jordan reiterated.

“I will not go to that restaurant.” Amelia stated with finality.

Jordan frowned but relented. “I had a notion you might be difficult.’’ Jordan reached outside of the carriage and rapped the side of the wood door.

Amelia felt the carriage shift and change direction. “Where are you taking me now?”

“When I left this morning it was already balmy and the sun was up and beating down on my back so I thought today I’m going to teach Amelia to swim.”

At this she smiled. “What about breakfast?”

“Do you take me for a fool?” Jordan revealed to her a basket all but ignored on the empty seats across from him until now. “I am always prepared.”

“You shouldn’t have come, you know that right? Now I’ve got to go home smelling of meats and pies.” She joked. “And there is no way I can go swimming as much as I’d like to I’ve no change of clothes, unless we go wading like before. Or perhaps we can just eat and you can take me back home.” She suggested.

“Amelia be quiet.” Jordan instructed and he was amused that she actually listened. It was in his favor for her to remain so. Otherwise she might talk herself out of their excursion.

The glittering water of the Mississippi river could be made out and Amelia gave a cringe inside. “There are going to be far too many people here.”

“Amelia trust me.”

They drove on for a while longer before they came to a patch of high trees that nearly reached to the river bank itself. It was perfect and it was secluded.

Jordan exited first so that he could help Amelia out and he turned to Mitchell and soon the driver was turning the horses around and back down the dirt trail they’d come.

In silence he lead Amelia into the trees where a tiny clearing was just large enough for him to lay a blanket down and Amelia lowered herself onto it.

Jordan set the basket down on the side of her but remained standing. “Come on Amelia.” He was removing his shirt and tossing it to the ground before she could contemplate a response. He barely took the time to roll his pants up over his calves before he was in the water knee deep. “You are coming right?”

Amelia stood and meandered to the edge. “It’ll be just my luck to get bit by an alligator in the behind.”

“No, I doubt it, not even an alligator would mar that backside, it’s far too lovely.”

Amelia giggled at this before removing her shoes and stepping onto the river’s edge. Immediately the hem of her shift became soaked but she didn’t back out. She would enjoy all the time she had with Jordan before it came to an end.

“You have to come in farther if I’m going to teach you.”

“I’m coming.” Amelia retorted. “The water is cold.” Thinking better of hitching up the skirt of her dress, it was going to get wet anyway, Amelia took a large step and joined Jordan waist deep in the murky water.

Engulfing her in his arms Jordan stole a kiss before pulling her the last few feet into the deep water.