Page 47 of Jordan

“There’s only one step, Vail. The ground to the pedestal I’ll elevate you onto. I don’t do things lightly.”

His words sent heat through my body. In the time I’d spent with Jordan, I realized he didn’t say things he didn’t mean. But to think of him treating me like I’d always wanted and not like the scum on a man’s shoe, like I was put on the earth to serve him, it was almost incomprehensible.

Stopping in front of Jordan’s car, I pulled out my keys and handed them to Raiden. “Can’t we just stop there on the way to your house? I have an alarm I don’t want Sheldon to trip.”

“It’s sweet that you think an alarm will keep my men from your home, but fine. We’ll grab Tahoe on the way through Dremest.” He sent another text.

“I’m sure Sheldon will appreciate the sleep.”

“He’s an insomniac. He was probably welcoming the idea of going out in the middle of the night.”

I had questions but kept them to myself. If things went well tonight and tomorrow, maybe I could meet some of the men Jordan employed. Maybe he’d allow me into other parts of his building. The ins and outs of his business didn’t interest me. He did, and the men who worked for him. They must have meant something to Jordan for him to trust them with his business.

It didn’t take us long to get to my house. Untouchable was located on the westernmost edge of the city. Tahoe’s tail wagged wildly when he saw I brought Jordan and Raiden with me. He whimpered, tamping down his urge to jump on them. Raiden looked like he wanted to bend down and pet him. Jordan caught the look and waved his hand so Raiden could crouch for Tahoe to love on him. The big man laughed and roughed up the fur along Tahoe’s neck until Tahoe started jumping around and barking, wanting to play.

“Good. Wind him up,” Jordan said dryly. “He’s riding with you and will be your responsibility when we get back, while Vail and I retire for the night.”

Retiring for the night sounded far too boring for what I wanted to do with Jordan. I had visions of him filling my ass while I moaned out his name. We’d see if those came to fruition or if he was going to make me a begging mess, waiting for him to push me over the edge. I had no false pretenses we would sleep much. Thank fuck I felt better from the flu. Antiviral medicine for the win.

21

JORDAN

There were things in life that were too good to be true. I’d thought Vail and Hartley were some of them. But here I was, getting Vail in my bed, where he could be a reality. Not a dream. Not a fantasy. However, he wanted everything. After I gave that to my wife, I didn’t want to give it to another and hadn’t. Not after the way she treated me. After she wanted to kill my son and me.

Then there was Malik, who I was always afraid to give anything to, yet he had more than he ever knew. Fear held me back for far too long. It still rode me now as I stared into Vail’s eyes in the middle of my bedroom, fully clothed.

The anticipation hung heavy in the air. While I knew exactly what I wanted to do to him, I couldn’t get my feet to move. We’d already crossed a line when I put my lips on his. Tonight, we’d cross many more, ones I couldn’t come back from. I was too old and too hardened to keep putting myself through this. If Vail and Hartley decided they couldn’t handle me, I was done trying to be with another. I would run my businesses until I was put in the ground.

“Jordan,” Vail said, drawing my attention to him. I watched him, could smell his cologne in my space, the decadent food he prepared tonight.

Vail wasn’t another ass to pound. He wasn’t good for a fuck and nothing else. The feelings he evoked had me wanting to move his shit in here. Out there, out in that fucking city, was a man who would love to put his hands on Vail again. Who would hurt him and never let him leave if he got him alone. I had to remember to tamp down my emotions because I didn’t want Vail to leave, either. Only I didn’t want to cause him pain. I wanted to show him what it meant to be taken care of and want for nothing, not only in daily life but in bed too.

He stepped closer until he could run his fingers down my arm. I had taken my suit jacket off but still wore a button-down and slacks. “We don’t have to do anything. I’m content just being here with you.”

“I have this one day and night with you. I will not spend the start of it talking.”

“There’s nothing wrong with telling someone how you feel.”

“In my world, voicing insecurities can get me killed.”

“Then don’t show your hand to anyone but Hartley and me.”

“Vail…”

“I’m right here, Jordan.”

Instead of speaking, I did what I longed to and wrapped him in my arms so I could bury my face in his neck and breathe him in so deep, his scent wouldn’t leave me. Words of longing and need didn’t leave my lips. But I could show him how I felt. I could run my hands over him, kiss and suck him, drive him out of his mind with lust so he wouldn’t doubt how I felt.

My lips pressed to his neck, moving upward until I got to the stubble along his jaw. While I enjoyed being with women, there was something so fucking enticing about the rough facial hair of a man. The way it burned across my flesh, how it left red marks in its wake.

Vail’s hands went to my hips to grip me tight. As if I’d go anywhere now that I had him again.

I turned us, backing him toward the bed, but instead of pushing him onto it, my fingers went to the front of his button-down. Inching them inside, I held firm and pulled the shirt apart, sending the buttons flying. The shirt was in my way, as was the T-shirt beneath it. Before I could rip it to shreds, he gripped the hem and lifted it over his head.

His tattoos drew my gaze to them so I could trace over both arms, etching every piece of his art to memory. The way his muscles jumped, like he could feel my eyes on him, had my cock hardening more than it already was. Knowing all I had to do was look at him and he reacted made me feel more powerful than I did with a crate of guns ready to go to a buyer or men waiting for my command to do my bidding. Money was nothing compared to what I’d found in Vail and Hartley. Nothing in the world could buy them and, for some reason, they thought I deserved their attention.

“You’re beautiful,” I murmured as I lightly grazed the backs of my fingers up his hard stomach, over the ridges of his abs, to his chest, where I opened my hand and pressed my palm flat to his flesh. Beneath that hand was a heart that beat to keep this amazing man alive. One I would die to protect.

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