Designer Genes - The Boyfriend Cut (30 page)

"Jordan, is Doug right? Are you interfering?"

"Marli, whatever he's accused me of I did to protect you."

"Protect me? From
Doug?
Give me some credit. I think I can take care of myself where Doug or any boy is concerned."
Right.
If only I believed it myself.

Doug folded his arms, a smug grimace on his face. I immediately nodded his direction. "I'm also suspicious why you came all this way." When Doug started to object, Jordan let out a satirical huff. I threw both hands up. "That's it! Listen, I've discovered something neither of you apparently have the guts to tell me. I'm hurt and disgusted with both of you."

My eyes pricked with tears I didn't want anyone to see. I refused to break down before getting my answers. "Would one of you please explain the stupid hold you
both
put on me?" Silent tension choked the air surrounding us. Doug looked shocked. Jordan did not.

"Remember Jordan, it was your choice to date and not pressure me. But that's exactly what you're doing. The day you stomped out of here claiming 'betrayal' you put me in lockdown—before I even opened Doug's red envelope."

My body sold me out whenever I became nervous and my right foot tapped flat thuds against the tile floor. My bottom lip would have permanent bite marks, but it was the only way to fight back tears. "You're a hypocrite, Jordan. You sat in judgment of me, making me feel horrible—even dared me to open Doug's envelope. You left me wondering if you'd disappeared from my life forever. Then you turn around and cage me until
you
decide to unlock the door? My freedom is not yours to decide."

Doug smirked and I shoved a finger his direction. "Nor is it yours!"

My throat closed and I swallowed the lump choking my airway, delivering my final wrath. "I'm only seventeen. My adult life hasn't even begun and I deserve to be treated better than a 'possession
.
'"

I turned to Doug, the chagrin of his choices reflected on his face. "Figuring out my favorite color or flower isn't enough to say you know me. How can you possibly make such a selfish decision about
my
life?"

Jordan's posture tightened. "You gave her pink tulips?"

"I gave her a lot of things."

"You—"

"Doug! Answer me! And they were yellow tulips, so calm down, Jordan." The adrenalin rush made me nauseated. I inhaled a cleansing breath. "Doug?"

"I wanted a fair chance at getting to know you before anyone claimed you."

Jordan approached me and I lowered my voice. "Why?"

"I was afraid."

"
You
were afraid. Did you stop to consider how I'd feel?" My gaze darted to Doug. "Did you?" Neither answered and a warm tear tumbled from the corner of my eye. "Apparently not."

I felt the color drain from my face and a sticky cold sweat prickle my hairline when my emotions and upset stomach collided. Jordan reached for me, but I dodged his hands and raced for the sanctuary of my bedroom. I locked the door and collapsed on the bed. Overhead, the make-believe clouds faded out of focus and I concentrated on deep breathing to calm down.

Seconds later, a rap sounded on my door, "Marli, let me in."

I wrapped a pillow around my face and screamed. "Go away Jordan!"

"I'm not leaving you like this." He paused, his feet shuffling on the other side of door. "Babe, please?"

When I unlocked the door, Jordan waited until I gestured for him to enter the room. His arms hung limp at his sides, his hands curling in an out. He sized me up with a measured glance before taking my hands. A deep, pained breath puffed his chest and he peered sheepishly at me through his lashes. The same boyish look that stole my heart nearly three months ago.

"Marli, I didn't mean to hurt you, believe me."

He cradled my face with quivering fingers and I stared into his eyes, searching for the truth behind the starburst of golden brown and green rays surrounding his widening irises. They turned shiny and bright as his steady gaze matched mine. His explanation came without hesitation, the tone soft but determined.

"I'm not apologizing for putting the hold on you. I knew when I walked out I couldn't live without you, but I was too damn stubborn to come back."

Unfortunately, a shield had raised around my heart. "This is exactly why I'm scared to stay in The Program. I hate to be manipulated. I don't think I can do this anymore, Jordan."

The corners of his eyes tightened, a glossy sheen appearing. "Marli, don't say that."

He wrapped his arms around my shoulders and I knotted the back of his shirt in my fists, pressing him close. "Then help me understand why?"

"Because I couldn't risk losing you before
you
were sure of your feelings. This way gave me an insurance policy." His lips brushed my damp cheek. "If you chose someone else, I would have withdrawn my option and prayed you'd never find out. Marli, I told you I'd never force you into anything
.
I stand by my promise. The choice will always be yours. Program or not."

"Is Doug telling the truth about you interfering? Did you do something?"

His head dropped. "Yes. I called Mike and asked him to block the frequency on your receptor so no one bothered us
.
I wanted you all to myself in California. I know that's selfish and controlling, but I felt desperate."

"
Mike.
Who is he, anyway? Jesse had him tweak my bracelet frequencies on the yacht."

Jordan pulled back slightly, the vein in his jaw pulsing. "Jesse shouldn't have done a lot of things that day." He gave me an intense stare. "Mike works for my father. He's our techno wizard
.
"

I stepped out of Jordan's arms in a flashback to the beach. "More secrets."

"One less," he corrected. "I told you; when I can, I'll share them all." His fingers tapped the bony knobs of my elbows. Slowly, each finger grabbed a little more of my arms, drawing me into him. "Forgive me? I really do love you."

"Don't do it again. I have to be able to trust you, Jordan, or we don't stand a chance." I couldn't explain to him the pain I suffered from those closest to me, or how that infidelity kept me from trusting people, relationships...life.

"You're right and I'm really, really,
really
…

"Okay, I get it. You're sorry." I lifted on my toes, accepted his apologetic kiss.

"Promise me you're not leaving The Program, Marli…or me." His hazel eyes held an intensity that wouldn't dissolve until I answered.

"I'm not leaving The Program." His brow tilted. "Or
you.
"

His hands camped on my waist. "I have to go. Walk me out?"

"I don't know."

Jordan's lips swept across my mouth., taunting. "Sorry, did you think that was a request?" I knotted my hands in his hair, not allowing his mouth to move away.

"Give a reason why I should."

Sliding his hands over my hips, he locked my body to his, the sensuous kiss against my lips creating a freaky sizzle that raced through my body. When he released me, I feared I'd ebbed to a puddle at his feet. I also wondered how tight his pants were now.

Jordan led me back downstairs, but before stepping out the front door, he shared a warning with Doug. "I'm not your worst competition, Peterson. My brother is."

I stood beside the rental car while Jordan loaded his bags. There would be fallout from the bomb he dropped inside, but right now I only cared about saying goodbye to him. He drew me into his arms, onto his lips, eagerly taking from me without regard for who watched.

"Marli, lie to me right now and tell me I have nothing to worry about next weekend."

"I don't have to lie. I made the decision in California to end things with Jesse
.
"

Jordan nodded toward the house. "Will you be all right alone with Peterson?"

"Yes," I replied, hoping I'd masked my fear of the opposite. "I'll make Brittany stick around. I stole another small kiss. "Go, before you miss your flight."

Shoving my hands into the pockets of my shorts, I marched back to the house. Time to deal with the Alaskan iceberg melting in my living room.

When Rick called to check in, he wasn't thrilled to find out I had unexpected company, especially when I told him Jordan had left. The shrillness of his voice suggested if he could, he'd crawl through cyberspace and strangle me.

"So why's this Doug kid in Ohio, Mars? I thought things ended after the interview in Alaska."

"Doug's on his way to see his sister at Princeton. I'm a side trip."

"Pumpkin, you're anything but. Like it or not, I'm sending Karen over."

He hung up before I could argue. Given Doug's behavior in Alaska, this was one time I'd welcome a chaperone.

Brittany's dad called and she had to leave. I waved her off from the porch, promising a full report later. When I walked inside, I caught the end of an intense phone conversation. I inched closer, staying tucked in the shadows of the entryway.

Doug scratched his head, his voice low and tone contrite. Whoever bent his ear on the other end sounded angry. "Mason beat me here. Yes, she found out. His came in first." He clamped the back of his neck in a tense vise. "I understand how important this is. Quit pressuring me!" He tucked his chin to his chest. "I'll try, that's the best I can do." He caught a glimpse of me and abruptly ended the call.

"Who were you talking to?" I asked, stepping into the kitchen.

"My father."

"You said Jordan's name."

Doug's jaw tightened. "We were discussing the ninety-day hold I missed."

Confusion swirled with caution.
Mr. Peterson knew?

"Is that what he's pressuring you about?"

Doug trapped me against the wall, arms wrapping my waist. "It's family stuff, okay?"

"But—" Before I could utter another word, his lips covered my mouth in a hot kiss edged with territorial intensity.

I bounced my hands off his chest and shoved him back. "Don't!" I crossed the kitchen and picked up the frying pan Jordan scrambled eggs in earlier.
If he comes at me again, this is going up the side of his head.

Doug regarded me from the doorway."I get it.
Hands off.
So, why is Mason's brother someone I should worry about?"

Because Jesse's kisses curl my toes.

"Jesse gave me tickets for graduation to come see his band play at a resort in Utah. I don't get what the big deal is. He's not even someone I can consider."

Doug grabbed my wrist and took the pan I subconsciously twirled. "You're flinging what I presume are eggs, everywhere." He kept my arm in his grasp and dropped the pan in the sink. "What's wrong with Jesse?" He kissed my wrist and I yanked my hand away,

"He's not in The Program." I thought by saying it aloud, I'd believe the possibility of a relationship with Jesse could never happen because of his yellow band. My heart, however, was colorblind
.

"Mason's brother isn't in The Program? They're
twins.
"

"How do you know that?"

"Doesn't matter. And you didn't answer my question."

"Nor did you answer mine." I proceeded to vigorously scrub the pan. "Jesse's story isn't mine to tell."

Doug dried the pan after I finished. "If he's not someone worth considering, then why go?"

"The tickets were a gift. Besides, Jesse's my escape
.
He's not worried about band colors or diamonds. Our friendship worries Jordan."

Doug boxed me against the counter, his hips pressing me in place. "If I didn't know better, Marli, I'd say a part of you wants Mason's brother to be more than a 'friend'."

I tried to move and Doug's eyes darkened alerting me to stand still.
Very
still. "Okay the 'Jesse subject' is officially closed," I announced, struggling to keep the panic out of my voice.

"You got it. No more talking period."

Doug fastened his lips to mine in a demanding kiss. I raised my knee
hard,
buckling his body.

"Shit!" he coughed. "What was that for?" He gingerly lowered onto a kitchen chair.

I tossed him a package of frozen peas. He pressed the bag of vegetables to his crotch and I turned away, my cheeks flaming hot. "I warned you to stop kissing me."