Page 82 of Entice

She nodded out of habit. She was anything but okay at the moment.

CHAPTER NINE

Crystal finished typing up the last of her notes on Sage’s case and sent them to Jordan. She was being a coward by not printing them and walking them to his office.

She grimaced. In the three days since the letter had been sent off to Brady’s family, her emotions were in turmoil. Fear, anxiety, and confusion were all jumbled up into a big ball in the pit of her stomach.

Fear her family would find out where she was. Anxiety about the letter they’d sent to Brady’s family and if they’d have to fight. Confusion because she was in love with Jordan and she didn’t know if he loved her.

A bitter laugh left her lips. Love. Who knew it could happen so fast, especially to her? She never expected to find a man like Jordan.

He remained the bright spot in her days. And nights. She smiled. Last night, as they made love, he’d been so gentle and tender, trying to pull her out of her own head. He knew something was wrong but, thankfully, didn’t press her. Sadness filled her. Until she got her head on straight, it wasn’t fair to stay with him.

Besides, the job he’d hired her for was done. They hadn’t talked about that either. Instead, he’d kiss her or distract her when she tried to speak about it. Not that she blamed him. She didn’t want to leave, but it was time.

She needed time to think. Time to figure out her life and how she was going to deal with the old tapes playing in her head. Crystal picked up the letter she’d written earlier today, slipped it into an envelope, and wrote Jordan’s name on it. She stood, grabbed her bag, and walked out of her office.

It was lunchtime, and Valerie was out. Crystal shook her head. She was being a big coward by not saying goodbye to Valerie. But if she couldn’t talk to Jordan about this, how could she talk to Valerie? Hell, she hadn’t even told Sierra or Tessa about her fears or about leaving her job. Crystal stopped at Kendra’s office first, knowing she could come back from lunch at any second, put a letter on her desk, then slipped into Jordan’s office and placed the letter on his desk. He’d see it when he got back from court later.

Her heart clenched, and she reminded herself she was doing the right thing. She’d fallen hard for Jordan, but until she had her own life cleaned up, she had no right to bring trouble to his doorstep.

With heavy steps, Crystal made her way to the elevator. She was leaving a man she trusted, a man who had shown her sex wasn’t a sin, a man she loved with all her heart.

A tear slipped down her cheek, and she brushed it away and stiffened her spine. Once she got her head on straight, she could tell Jordan her feelings but not until then. Otherwise, she’d never know if she’d made the right choice or not.

* * * *

Jordan read the letter once again.

Jordan, I’m sorry I’m not doing this in person. I can’t. I’m asking you to give me some time to sort through all my feelings and emotions around what has happened. It’s not just Brady’s family’s threat to out all of us but other things. It’s honestly about me. I have issues I need to work through. I promise, once I’m done, we’ll talk. I do want you to know you opened up something in me I didn’t know was there. I will be in contact. Love, Crystal.

He blew out a breath. He’d found the letter a week ago. Jordan picked up his phone, then put it back down.

Crystal asked for time. He tried to give it to her, but he’d already left a dozen messages, letting her know he was here for her. No response. He’d even questioned Sierra, who told him Crystal was dealing with some heavy shit and to give her time.

Jordan rubbed the back of his neck. What was Crystal dealing with? He wanted to help her so much, but it had to be her decision. He wasn’t going to force her; that wasn’t his way. But damn, this was hard.

He’d made it clear in his messages if she needed to talk or needed him, to call. Silence. Depression settled over him. He missed her. He wanted her back in his life, his arms, his bed. This was more than kink.

Crystal had helped him see he was nothing like his father. He never lost his temper. Yes, he got angry, but he’d learned to channel his emotion into other actions. BDSM had helped, taught him control, more than he ever realized until Crystal.

A few more days, he could give her a couple more days. Brady’s family had backed down. He’d gotten the news from his lawyer. He’d already called Max, Damon, and Sage, now he wanted to share it with Crystal. Sierra would tell Crystal, but he wanted to do it. He wanted to hold her in his arms as he gave her the news.

A knock sounded on his office door. Jordan looked up, surprised to see it was three in the afternoon. Valerie opened the door and stuck her head in. Thanks to Crystal’s friendship, and him firing Johnson, Valerie had blossomed and excelled at her job.

“I have a gentleman who wants to see you. He won’t give me his name or why. Do you want to talk with him?”

Jordan frowned. “Very well, send him in.” Must be someone who was worried about appearances. Not unusual. Jordan stood.

“Thank you,” a male voice said. The door was pushed open, and a gray-haired man walked into his office, his dark brown eyes wary. He was an older man, maybe in his late 50s, early 60s.

“Hello, Jordan.”

That voice. Jordan stiffened and stood. The man who’d murdered his mother stood in his office. “What the hell are you doing here?” A swirl of emotions flooded him. Funny, a few months ago, it would have been pure anger, but since Crystal… Jordan closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them. He wasn’t his father.

“I’ve come to talk with you.” Conrad Frost held up his hand when Jordan opened his mouth. “I’m asking you to listen to me.”

Jordan stared at him, emotions churning inside him. “Fine.” He gestured to one of the chairs before he took his seat behind his desk. He’d let the man say his piece, but nothing would change. Some might say he was being hard-nosed in this matter, but Jordan couldn’t help it. This man had killed his mother and left Jordan with nothing.

---