Designer Genes - The Boyfriend Cut (27 page)

I made a desperate plea, citing that if Rick didn't find him in our room in the morning, I'd undergo a grueling interrogation. I held out my hand and he left it dangling pathetically while he decided. When his fingers wove through mine and wrapped tight, a jolt of electricity seared my nerve endings. The simple touch proved the connection between us remained and I let go the breath trapped in my throat.

A stack of pillows and blankets piled on the sofa suggested Rick had already gone to bed. We tossed the cushions and snapped what looked to be an uncomfortable mattress into place. Jordan doubled one of the blankets and spread it on the floor. Judging by the hard lumps beneath my knees as I climbed on the sofa bed, Jordan had the softer place to sleep.

A question popped in my mind as I smoothed the sheet. "Jordan? Why did you come?" I wanted to ask earlier, but at the time, it didn't matter
why
, only that he had.

Suddenly a feathery weapon struck my head knocking me over.

"I didn't want you to go through this alone," my handsome assailant replied quietly.

He tucked one blanket under the corners of the mattress and I took advantage of the moment with his head down, to deliver a down-filled blow.

"Sure that's the only reason?"

Jordan grabbed the pillow and held it hostage. He sat on the edge of my makeshift bed and studied me with hooded eyes that still had a glint of mischief. "What are you really asking?"

Cautiously, I crawled closer. "I wondered if maybe you were curious about Alaska, enough that you couldn't wait until I returned." I desperately wanted to ask about the "ninety-day hold," but knew the topic could trigger another argument and spoil things.

When I tried to sneak the pillow, Jordan pounced and placed me in a headlock. When I raised my hands in surrender, he released me and patted the mattress for me to sit beside him.

"You are the sole reason I came." He tucked me under his arm. "But since you've brought it up, I have a confession regarding Alaska."

"
Now
you're sharing secrets."

His peaked brow matched mine."More like my guilty conscience nagging." His fingers lightly stroked along my arm and my skin tingled. "When you called yesterday…I was in Juneau looking for you."

"…tan this far north…you're not here…"

"Juneau? You followed me to Alaska? Why?"

"You didn't answer my calls or messages. I got worried—something I don't handle well.

"Obviously. How did you know where I stayed?"

"I, uh, didn't."

I faced him, unable to stifle the giggle. "You flew all the way to Alaska because you were jealous—" I held up my hand when he started to object. "Admit it,
jealous.
But you had no idea where to find me so you were just going to 'hotel hop' until you did?"

"Something like that."

"So why tell me? I'd probably never have found out."

Jordan scrubbed his face against his palms. "I'm not so sure that's true. And after accusing me of keeping secrets, I need you to believe in me again.

After indulging me with a lusty, apologetic kiss, he launched into the Spanish Inquisition about the interview. When I revealed my proposed candidate was Doug Peterson, his brows screwed together.

"Do you know him?" I asked.

"How would I know him?"

He gathered me close again, asking about what we did and if I met Doug's family. I thought about all the things Doug and I did in the short time I spent there, but to preserve my life, I edited my reply.

"Doug took me to a barbeque where I met his family. They seemed nice. His dad even invited me into his private office and offered me a taste of some new brandy," I said, waving my hand in a dismissive gesture. However, I couldn't erase the memory of Tony Peterson's eyes, the feel of his hands, or his creepy sidekick, not to mention the topic of conversation where I became a bargaining chip.

Jordan nearly choked. "You were alone with T—Mr. Peterson?" The little vein below his cheek twitched and his tone reeked of disgust. "I can't believe he offered you liquor. You're a minor."

I hated reminders of my age, but when I tried to pull away, both arms wrapped tight. His voice turned small and fearful. "Hey, I didn't mean anything by it, I swear. I know you don't drink. It's just odd he'd do that."

"Mr. Peterson said something about me learning 'social graces.' It was all kind of weird. What I don't get is why you sound scared."

"Because I'm constantly afraid of losing you."

I placed a light kiss on his neck. "You're not going to lose me, Jordan."

"I wish I was as sure of that as you are. All the same, I'm glad you're not in Alaska anymore."

My thumb rubbed mindlessly across Jordan's palm. "I feel bad about disappearing and only leaving a note. I haven't had time to call and apologize." A lie more than a truth. I had time, but chose not to call, fearing another rash decision from Doug.

"He'll understand." Jordan brushed the hair out of my eyes and kissed me softly. "I'm sorry about the beach."

"Same here, but I, uh, kind of liked what we did…before our fight."

Jordan brushed his lips over my knuckles, placing a tiny bite on my pinky. "Ditto."

I twisted the loose curl over his eye in my finger. "Someday, will you tell me what you're guarding from me?"

"Do you trust me Marli—I mean,
really
trust me?"

I thought about it for a second before answering. "Yes."

"Then please trust there's a good reason I can't say anything, right now. When I can, I'll tell you everything."

A mental "thank you" went to Brittany again for the pajama idea. When I came out of the bathroom, Jordan stood in front of the window in pajama bottoms that rode low on his hips. The moonlight found its way through a break in the clouds and the silver glow bounced off his body. Broad shoulder blades resembled stone wings guarding braided muscles, roped to a deep "V" at his lower back. I swallowed, unable to ignore the intense hot flutter that seemed to hover whenever I came within a mile of him. He shuffled a T-shirt over his head, covering my view
.

Damn.

I folded into his open arms, laying my cheek against his warm chest. I felt safe in his embrace. Safe, from whatever unknown he felt he needed to protect me from. Safe from whatever unknown I left in Alaska, still haunting me.

He drew little circles over my back. "Hmm. Nothing underneath. I like." I gasped, hushing when his lips pressed and lingered, only for as long as he felt safe. "I'm glad you'll be eighteen soon."

"Is that the magic age when you'll seduce me?"

A wicked spark glinted in his dark eyes. "Is that an invitation?"

"What if I said I'm not sure I can wait that long
.
"

Jordan growled, playfully biting my ear. I giggled and he silenced me with another kiss. And another. "We better stop. Our lives are over if your father catches us." I climbed into bed and Jordan settled on the floor.

A few minutes passed before I heard a muffled sound from the other side of the wall. I strained to listen. Rick was crying and my heart crumbled. Anger seemed to be the only emotion he openly showed, maintaining a tough image, especially since the testosterone levels rose in my ever revolving love life.

A sudden sob caught me by surprise and I held my breath, pushing down tears. The bed shifted and an arm wound around my waist. Jordan curled his legs under mine, scooping me close, but keeping the sheet between us. A soft kiss on the back of my neck caused a small shiver.

"Hey? Are you all right?"

Still holding my breath to keep from crying, I answered only by shaking my head. His embrace tightened and his nose nestled into the nape of my neck. A beautiful tune hummed against my skin between more gentle kisses.

"Your voice is beautiful," I whispered. The humming came to an abrupt end. "Please, don't stop. It's soothing. What is it?"

"A lullaby Mom used to sing to us whenever we became frightened. I can't remember the words, but the melody's burned in my memory."

The image of Jordan's mother cradling a bronze-haired little boy and singing him a lullaby after a nightmare seemed in direct contrast to the stern woman who interviewed me.

"More? Please?"

The melodic sound of Jordan's voice to the side of my ear encouraged a sleepy haze to tug my eyelids and I relaxed, molding to his curves. A perfect fit.

Bright light filtered behind my eyelids. Slowly, my senses became alert and I remembered Jordan lying next to me on the bed when I drifted to sleep. My arm reached over for him, feeling nothing. I jerked upright, looking around the room. Blankets folded neatly covered the chair, but no sign of Jordan.

"He went for a run."

Dad's voice startled me. He sat at the small table by the window, his head tucked in the morning newspaper. He remained stuck in the past and refused to read his news on anything digital.
"I like the smell of newsprint,"
he once told me.

"When we get home, Pumpkin, we need to have a serious talk about Jordan Mason."

"Why? Is something wrong?"
Did he find Jordan asleep next to me?
No. Jordan still lived.

"Not that I'm aware of. I'm more afraid there's something 'right' between the two of you. That's what I want to discuss."

"Great. Not you too," I muttered, gathering bedding and readjusting the sofa. The newspaper shuffled and Dad's eyes burned a hole in the back of my head. Keeping my back turned, I explained. "I'm meeting with Chuck next week."

"Oh? You'd tell me if there's something I need to worry about, right? You know how I hate surprises."

"Yes, I'd tell you, but no, nothing to worry about."
Only two ninety-day holds on your daughter. One by a boy you've never met.

Rick rolled the paper and placed it to the side of his coffee mug. "Mars, Jordan asked me if he could take you to that fancy island of theirs for the summer. You'll be eighteen so I can't legally stop you, but I have my concerns, considering his twin will probably be there, too. Does Jordan know you're going to his brother's concert next week, or have you smartened up and decided against it?"

I straddled the chair across the table. "
Jesse
. He has a name. Yes, I'm still going and Jordan knows. He's not happy about it, but he trusts me."

"Or so you think. You're playing with fire, Mars."

"I like Jess, Dad. He's fun and only pretends to be the bad boy, but he's not in The Program. Nothing serious can happen between us and Jordan knows that."

He swallowed the last of his coffee. "Jordan believes nothing of the sort, I can assure you. Candidacy status won't prevent 'serious' from happening."

"Precisely why Jordan, and apparently you, too, will have to trust me."

"Sorry, but I'm siding with Jordan where his brother is concerned. He's trouble and has you in his cross-hairs. I'd give this summer vacation substantial consideration. In fact, I'd prefer you didn't give Jordan an answer until you've discussed it with Chuck
then
me." A demand—not a request. "Staying home may be best. They'll both be gone for a couple of months, giving you some time alone," he added.

Two months would also compromise Jordan's ninety-day hold and leave me vulnerable to Doug.

"But you won't stop me if I want to go?"

"This is your life to figure out, Pumpkin. I told Jordan I'd leave the decision up to you." Dad regarded me. "He wants to fly home with you this afternoon. I have a few more items to take care of, but I should be home Sunday night. I can trust the two of you alone, can't I?"

A flicker of last night's fight on the beach passed before my eyes. "Jordan's a stickler for obeying rules. Especially The Program's."

"It's your hormones I worry about, but I don't have a choice. Karen needs your help at the clinic Saturday.

Karen. Topic "A."

"Dad, are you dating Karen?"

Rick's cheeks turned three shades of pink, answering my question. "I'm too busy monitoring your love life to have one of my own." He kissed the top of my head." Right now, we're only close friends, which I wish was the case with you and Mr. Mason."