Chapter Six

Chapter Six

Jay

I turn from side to side, looking at myself in the mirror. I don't normally spend a lot of time on picking out clothes for work. I go with comfortable and professional. But today my eyes keep going to a pair of heels I bought on a whim last year. I've never worn them before. They've been in my closet from the moment I brought them home. They were an impulse buy one day when I was walking by a store. I saw them in the window and fell in love, even though they were way too tall for me.

They would be nice for my date tonight, though. Maybe I could try to be a little sexier. I wanted him to kiss me so bad last night. It was all I thought about after I got home and lay in bed. Could I even count what we did in the cab as a kiss? It was so soft and fast that I didn't have time to register what was happening. I run my fingers along my own lips, remembering how I kissed him on the cheek. It was bold and unlike me, but God I'd wanted my lips on him again.

I pick up the shoes and set them on the bed. They're a bold red, and I don't even know what to wear with them. I dig through my closet and stop when I see a black halter dress I wore to a party for work a few months back. I could pair it with a blazer, and tonight, when I get off work, I can just take the blazer off to look more date-night-ready.

After putting on light makeup, I brush my hair out and pin a glossy section to the side before sliding my glasses on. I grab my bag and phone and head for the door. I see the error of my ways before I even make it to the end of my street. My shoes are already pinching my feet, and I can feel blisters forming. I have a feeling I'm also walking a little funny and making myself look awkward—not exactly what I was trying to go for today.

I hail a cab and wonder if maybe I should just go back and get different shoes, but they look so pretty. Sexy, even. I've never thought of myself as sexy before. When I get to my office building, I stop in the lobby when I see Mark, one of the security guards, staring at me with a smile pulling at his lips. I walk over to him and return the smile. Mark keeps an eye out for people I'm waiting to talk to. He lets me know when he sees them so I can cut them off and get what I need.

"You're all dolled up today," he says, and I smile at his compliment. He's never given me one before.

I eye him for a second before leaning in. "Do you think it's sexy?" I look down at my outfit, wanting a male's option. I want Jordan to like it. I want him to think I'm sexy. Not just cute. But desirable.

"Don't answer that question," I hear a deep voice growl from behind me, making me jump. I teeter in my heels, thrown off balance, and start to fall, but strong arms wrap around me in a tight hold. I look up at Jordan, who has me pressed to his body, keeping me from falling right on my face. He looks a little mad. His lips turned down in a frown.

"Hi," I whisper, and the frown on his face slowly slips away.

"You always look sexy," he says, so quietly that I know it's only for me to hear. I bite my lip as my cheeks burn. My heart does a flutter and I want to wrap my arms around his neck and have him brush his lips against mine again. I thought about it all night and want it again. Heck, I want more.

"My feet aren't on the ground," I finally say to him, becoming more and more aware of his tight grip on me. I like being in his arms. He makes me feel sexy and wanted. That he doesn't want to let me go.

Jordan lets out a deep breath, and I slide down his body until my feet touch the tile floor but his arms don't release me.

"Two o'clock, Jay," I hear Mark say, and then I realize I'd forgotten where I was for a moment. Mark's words snap me out of my daze, and I look to my right.

"Stein." My eyes narrow. I wiggle from Jordan's hold, and he reluctantly lets me go with a grunt.

"Get 'em," Mark says with a chuckle in his voice.

"She's not getting anyone."

This time, Jordan's words are loud enough for anyone around us to hear, but I don't pay them any attention. I've been trying to get ahold of this man for weeks now. He's not getting away.

"Mr. Stein!" I yell, not caring that we're on the lobby floor with people coming and going. Nope, not this time. He is going to talk to me.

He freezes at my voice, looks over at me, shakes his head, and begins to walk faster. I bet you anything he came in early to grab something off his desk, hoping to avoid running into me.

"Mr. Stein!" I yell again, chasing after him. I hear a muffled curse from behind me. I walk even faster, but these heels are slowing me down. I trip once again, almost falling over my feet, but like the last time, Jordan catches me as Mr. Stein slips from the building.

"I need that man." I point to him as if Jordan is going to chase him down for me and tackle him. I go to stomp my foot, but it seems I'm not standing on the floor again.

"I think maybe you should rephrase that."

It's then I realize what I said. "I need that man to do his job," I correct. Jordan places me on my feet, and smiles. "He's ignoring me, and it's driving me crazy. I need the Lannister report." I try to plead my case to Jordan, as if he even knows what the Lannister report is.

"I don't think anyone could ignore you." His words make all the anger and frustration I was feeling melt away so easily. He's so sweet. I don't think anyone can tell it by looking at him. He looks like he'd be rough around the edges, but he's not. At least not with me. He's the sweetest man I've ever met in my life.

"Do you think I look sexy?" I'm surprised at myself for what I just blurted out, and I drop my face into his chest, trying to hide what I'm sure is a cherry-red face.

"Do you really need me to answer that, little bird?"

"Little bird?" I ask, wondering what that means.

"You flit around from place to place. You remind me of a little blue jay. So smart and beautiful."

It takes me a moment to get myself together. Jordan just stands there, rubbing my back with a gentle hand. I thought he was going to laugh at me or something for being so crazy, but I pull back and finally get the courage to look at him. He's still wearing his soft smile, but he firms his hand on my back, pressing me further into him, and I nudge against what has to be a lead pipe in his pants. Either that or a very, very large erection.

"I'll get you your report, so don't worry about it. Why don't you think of what you want to do on our date tonight?"

"It can be anything?" I ask, feeling both nervous and excited. But maybe that has to do with the anaconda going down his leg.

"As long as the people around us aren't getting naked," he teases, and it makes me smile. I notice he didn't say we can't get naked, but I keep that thought to myself, having already almost died from embarrassment this morning.

He leans back a little and puts a few inches of space between us. I'm irritated by it, but then I realize he's probably got to tame that monster in his slacks or my libido is going to start salsa dancing all over him.

"I've always wanted to do one of the carriage rides in Central Park," I admit. I see people on them looking so happy and in love. I don't care if it's cheesy, I still want to do it.

"Then that's what we'll do," he replies easily.

Jordan takes my hand and leads me to the elevator, sliding his key card in. I know all the higher-security people have a fancy card that makes the elevator come directly to them, so it's nice I don't have to wait.

I eye the card for a minute. "You want one?" He holds up the little black card.

"Am I that easy to read?" I lick my lips and wonder what else he reads so easily about me. For some reason I kind of like it. When it comes to him I can be shy at times. Something I'm not used to with people. I speak my mind but with him I care what he thinks.

"To me, yes. But I also watch you more than anyone else." He shrugs like it's normal to watch me. Then I wonder how often he does it. His security floor monitors the entire building, and they can see everything up there, even what we do on our computers, if they want to go looking.

The elevator doors open, and we both step in. He hits the button to my floor, and the doors close. I lean into him, wanting to be close. Something about him calms me. The chaos that often invades my mind, reminding me of things I need to do, people I need to talk to, slips away, and I'm left with a feeling of warmth and happiness. I think I could stand next to him and forget the rest of the world.

When the elevator dings, he puts his hand to my back and leads me to my desk.

"Have a good day, Jay," he tells me as I sit down in my chair. I look up at him, but he doesn't move, and I think maybe he's thinking about kissing me or something. He rests his hands on my desk, and leans down. I love how his big frame always makes me feel so small.

"No more asking men if you're sexy. You want someone to tell you that, you come find me." With that, he turns and leaves, heading back to the elevator, and I watch as he hits the button.

I see he left his key card on my desk. "Jordan," I say, picking it up as the elevator dings and he gets on.

"Keep it. In case you ever need to get to me faster. You know, if you need someone to tell you how sexy you look," he teases. With that, the elevator doors slide closed.

I don't know how long I sit there with butterflies dancing in my stomach, but eventually Skyler snaps her fingers in front of my face. "Earth to Jay."

"Sorry," I say, looking up at her. I take the card in my hand and slide it under my keyboard. I don't think I'll ever use the thing, but I find his giving it to me oddly sweet.

"I've never seen you sit still." She leans in a little. "Good sex will do that to you." She taps my desk before turning and leaving me alone. I've barely kissed him and I'm already this far gone. Sex could possibly put me in a coma.

I shake my head and turn on my computer, knowing I need to get to work. I glance at the clock and see Miles still hasn't made it in yet. He's prone to lateness sometimes now that he has Mallory in his life.

I fall into my work, but the time still seems to drag by. I'm usually focused at work, but this morning all I can think about is Jordan. He thinks I'm sexy. I smile thinking about it.

"Miss Rose." I look up to see Bryson standing before me with a box in his hand. He's worked in the mail room for as long as I've been around. We have an ongoing deal. He always brings me my mail first, and I always give him the special fudge I make at home once a month.

"Special delivery." He sets the box down on my desk. My name—and nothing else—is written on the top of the box.

"Thanks, Bryson." I smile at him, getting up from my chair to open the box. My mouth falls open when I see what's inside—a pair of flats with little bluebirds all over them. I pull them out and see a note at the bottom of the box. I pick it up and read it.

Wear these before you give me a heart attack. You almost tripped getting up from your desk when you went to get a drink.

-J

I slide on the flats and moan at not having on the heels anymore. They fit perfectly. Sitting back down in my chair, I pull up my emails to try to come up with what to write to him. How do I say thank you for such a great gift?

From: [emailprotected]

Subject: Thank You

I love them. Our date hasn't even started and it's already wonderful. Lunch?

I hit send, and wait. A few moments later I get my reply.

From: [emailprotected]

Subject: RE: Thank You

I can't today, but I promise I'll make it up to you.

J

I smile at the email and wonder if he's watching me right now.