The words caused a tightness in his chest, brought a smile to his lips the second his brain acknowledged those words. He didn’t say anything back and she didn’t expect him to. Because that was Jordan. Confident, self-assured Jordan. She said what she wanted, did what she wanted and rarely needed affirmation from others. It’s what he liked most about her, the powerful magnet that drew him to her and kept him coming back for more.
But it wasn’t just that. It was everything about her. It was the way she stepped over his reluctance and got him to try new things. Her ability to challenge him on every level, her ability to make him happy without even trying. She made him a different man, a better man.
Smart, funny, adventurous and also a total nerd. All of those things had him wrapped around the little pinky of Jordan Shepard, wound so tight it was impossible to pull away. And he didn’t want to pull away. He wanted to keep free-falling.
The moment wasn’t awkward, but something needed to be said. “I thought Aquarians are supposed to be insensitive. You going soft on me, Jordan?”
“Ugh! Fuck. I am.” She dropped over onto the sofa and threw her arms out on either side of her. “Just have sex with me and make me forget all this soppiness.”
“You’re damaged goods, Roman,” he said with the slight shake of his head. “An emotional basket case.”
She laughed as his body moved over hers. “I don’t even have daddy issues. What’s wrong with me?”
“I don’t know. Let’s see if we can fix you.”
“What are you about to do?”
He grabbed the back of his sweatshirt and pulled it over his head. “I’m about…to getallup in your Kool-Ade…just all up in that.”
She was giggling like crazy now. “I love it when you talk dirty.”
Her laughter subsided when his mouth took possession of hers and then he told her, without words, exactly how he felt about her.
November
Just Checking In
Ten days into November. It was Kevin’s twenty-first birthday today and Jordan had dialed his number four times and hung up before it rang. Gemma was having dinner with Matt, so she didn’t even have any moral support. She hated emotional situations and Kevin would definitely be emotional today. First birthday in fifteen years without Perry, he was probably a mess. Her bond with Max was different. He understood her and never took offense if she said something insensitive, but Kevin was volatile and her words needed to be chosen carefully before she actually said them.
She picked up her phone once more and was relieved when a text from her brother came through.
Max:Have you called Kevin yet?
Jordan:Nope. Not sure what to say to him
Max:Pansy!
Jordan:Ah, the pot and the kettle. Which one are you?
Max:The pot. I think you should call him first.
Oh, hell no. She wasn’t going to let him con her again.
Jordan:NO WAY! I went into the room so now it’s your turn.
She waited a few minutes, wondering if Max would actually have the balls to call him first and just as she was about to send him another text, the message tone beeped on her phone.
Max:You can call him. He seems to be doing okay.
Jordan:Cool. Gonna call him now.
One more deep breath to brace herself and then she dialed his number.
“Let me guess,” Kevin said when he answered. “You beat Max this time.”
“What are you talking about? I didn’t even talk to Max.”
“Very clever wording, Jo, but I see right through you. It’s been my birthday thewholeday and you call me at night…directly after Max…so there was at least a text involved. Next time don’t make it so obvious.”
