Page 59 of Broken Princess

Gina rambles on. “I’ve been trying to track you down for my research paper.”

“I’m sorry?” I’m sure the confusion on Jordan’s face matches my own. Still, I notice she cuts her eyes at me as if I’ve set her up in some type of way.

“Oh, right.” Gina stabs her scallop with her fork. “I have to do a project on ethical quandaries and who has a better, more current one than you? The girl who sent her dad to prison.”

“That's not-”

“What Uncle Davis and everyone were printing.” Gina says, waving her fork around. “You're right. But I was following this since before it gained national mega news attention. I read your original article. It was amazing. You go to school with Logan now?” Gina glances over at me, smiling like she’s just learned a secret. “I guess now I know why I couldn't find you.”

Everyone at the table’s looking at Jordy now, and I meanreallylooking at her in a way that would generally make her ready to dig her heels in for a fight. Stroking her cheek, I say, “It seems you have a fan.”

Simon’s dad’s attention falls on her. “So, you're a writer too, young lady?”

"And a painter and photographer." I say, placing my hand on her knee, giving it a small squeeze.

She shifts, opening her legs, and answers, "Photographer is a stretch. And my paintings could use more color."

I admire the calm on Jordy’s face, and her ability to continue the conversation. No one would ever suspect my hand is coming dangerously close to the triangle of her panties. With each caress, her body unclenches, and her breathing takes on a different cadence.

Dad signals for another decatur of bourbon, and we each refill our glasses while Jordanna sips her daiquiri. I slip my hand around the back of her neck and whisper so no one can hear. "One more of those and I might not be able to wait to get you home."

Her eyes are steady over her glass as they meet mine while she takes another sip. When she lowers her glass, her lips twitch in an effort to hide a smile. Good, my distraction is working. Though I meant what I said about not being sure I can wait. Dad excuses himself to take a call and Simon’s parents go to speak to someone at another table. As soon as they step away, Claire who’s been fake smiling all through lunch, drops the pretense.

"So how long have the two of you been fucking?"

My voice is a quiet warning when I say her name. “Claire."

“I have a right to ask. Was it before you dumped me, or was she the reason you were suddenly no longer into me?” Swiping a non-existent drop of moisture from her eyes, she says, “I know we had an arrangement, but you threw it all away and never explained why. I was devastated thinking I’d done something to embarrass you or your family, but now, I know.”

Devastated my ass. Flicking my gaze to Aiden, I snort, “You seem to have recovered.”

“Your cousin was there for me. You can't blame me for wanting his comfort.”

My dad was definitely hinting at the suggestion that I should make my arrangement with Claire more permanent. But she’s right. I got caught up with things at school and never called her again. She’s dating Aiden now, but I see the way she looks at me. She’d let me fuck her on the table, with him watching, if I said I wanted to start things up again. “More like you wanted a way to stay in my life.”

“That’s preposterous. I'm over you.”

“Then why bring it up, Claire?”

She ignores my question, turning her attention back to Jordanna. “Don't get too comfortable. He does this all the time.”

“Share a meal with his dad?” Jordanna responds coolly.

"Wines and dines women then discards them after he's bored with fucking them."

Jordanna’s smile is polite and sweet. Innocent even, and I know that what’s about to come out of her mouth will be anything but. “Then it's a good thing I'm paying him by the hour, isn't it?” That response gets Simon and Tabitha to stop bickering long enough to tune into the conversation.

Claire stammers, “W-What?”

"Popular guy." Jordanna points to me. “Geeky awkward girl.” She says, pointing to herself. “I’m paying him to make me polished enough not to make a fool of myself in public.” She shifts in her seat, turning to look at me. "How'm I doing so far?"

My dad’s voice booms behind us. “Well, that sounds like an enterprising idea, but I suspect Logan is hanging out with you in spite of the pocket change.”

"I don't know Mr. McKay. You didn't see me before the makeover."

My dad clasps me on his shoulder as he passes on his way back to his seat. “Kinda hard to improve on natural beauty. It'd be like trying to re-pen a perfect sonnet or adjusting the tint on a magnificent sunset. Isn't that right, son?”

Jordy flashes my dad a smile. “Thank you for saying so. I see where Logan gets his charm.”

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