Page 57 of Dreaming About Forever

But she had a feeling nothing would erase the ache of leaving Jordan behind. Alicia had a security team who followed her on tour, but maybe Lillian could secure Jordan as a full-time agent. Maybe he could come with her.

A resounding “no” echoed in her mind. He’d wilt in that world. It wasn’t anything like the ranch where he’d grown up or the life he probably had in Cleveland.

Jordan was made for this life, not hers. If he went with her, he’d resent her in the long run. Maybe even in the short run.

There was also the tiny fact that Jordan hadn’t exactly said he wanted to stay with her. They talked more, he shared more about himself, but there’d been silence when it came to confessions of feelings.

Jordan’s cheek rested against her head, and he turned, pressing his lips to her hair. “You probably need to get some rest,” he whispered.

He didn’t have to confess anything. She could feel how much he cared about her. With his arm wrapped around her and his lips to her hair, the humming in her bones said everything she needed to know.

She felt every move he made, every heartbeat. Every sad word he’d spoken about his friend tonight seeped into her skin.

Lillian had casually mentioned the clause in his contract today. After seeing photos of Jordan leading her out of the building, Lillian reminded Alicia that Jordan’s career could be compromised by a personal relationship with her.

Why did she have to be a client when she wanted to be something more? She wanted his protection, but there was so much more to Jordan that hid behind a locked door.

He wouldn’t cross that line. His loyalty and responsibility would keep him from her, and there wasn’t anything she could do to change it.

He’d lost so much already. She couldn’t ask him to give up a single thing for her.

Stretching her back, Alicia sat up straighter. “You’re right. I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Alicia.”

She turned at the quiet word. He stood tall beside her, looking down with shadows covering his face. “You did okay in the interview. You’re human, and you’re allowed to have feelings.”

She’d been beating herself up on the drive back, and she’d almost come to terms with her live fumble. “Thanks. I’ll try to be more prepared next time.”

Jordan followed her inside the quiet house. His parents must have been asleep because only the kitchen light was on. They ascended the stairs in silence, and Jordan stopped just past her bedroom door.

“Good night,” he whispered.

“Good night.”

“Sweet dreams,” he added.

Alicia bit her smile between her teeth as she slipped into her bedroom. Jordan’s softer side filled her with warmth, and she’d definitely have sweet dreams tonight about the strong, kind man guarding her across the hall.

20

ALICIA

Alicia stared at the ceiling of her bedroom. Moonlight cast streaks over the wood, bending in odd places. She’d memorized the pattern, and there was something comforting about retracing those paths.

It was either that or thinking about Jordan and how he was across the hall. He was probably sawing logs. Last she’d checked, it was four in the morning. It might be closer to a quarter till five now.

She closed her eyes and cleared her mind. The ladies she’d met at the church the few times she’d gone with Jordan’s family always promised to pray for her. Alicia hadn’t even told them she needed help. What were they praying about?

Better yet, there was a nagging in the back of her mind that said she needed to be doing some praying too.

But how?

She believed in God. There had to be a Creator. She knew that much. What little she knew about church was from movies and TV shows. She’d gone to church with Jordan and his family twice, and she’d listened when the preacher prayed. Was there a method to it? A formula?

That was something to ask Jordan about in the morning. Or maybe his mom. It wasn’t fun admitting she knew nothing, and she wasn’t ready to see the disappointed look on his face.

Her phone dinged on the bedside table, and she reached for it like a lifeline. Emails this early were never good, but Lillian liked to get ahead of the disaster. She gave early-morning updates assuring Alicia that her career was in danger, but she’d have it all smoothed over by breakfast.

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