Southern Romantic-Suspense Boxed Set (Southern Romantic-Suspense Novel Book 0) Page 21

  He took a deep breath. “My dad wanted me to enter the military, but I didn’t want any part of that lifestyle. As a child, I hated moving every couple of years, never being able to establish lasting friendships. Only when I stayed with my grandparents here in North Carolina did I feel at home.

  “As a teenager, I decided on a career in law enforcement, but knew I needed a degree to advance. So after high school, I enrolled at the University of Charlotte but lost focus. I started hanging out late, drinking and partying, standard college-kid foolishness. I managed to uphold my grades, but my father was furious, said I was throwing my life away, that I would never amount to anything.”

  Jordan took a breath. He glanced at her once, then stared at the wall. Jaynee wondered what he could have possibly done that would upset him so. Was there something he hadn’t told her about his past? She’d always wondered why Jordan hadn’t mentioned his father.

  He finally just shook his head as if deciding it didn’t matter. “I know he didn’t mean it. He was just old school, but at the time, it seemed nothing I did pleased him. Then I came home late one night after drinking too much. If I drink excessively, I get feisty or frisky —” He stopped abruptly, turned to look at her, and placed both hands on her face. “Not that I have ever hurt anyone — well, no one who didn’t deserve it anyway. But I would never hurt you, Jaynee. I’d never hurt any woman.”

  Unable to speak, she nodded her belief. But she wanted to hear the rest of what he had to say before she spoke.

  His hands fell back to his side. “Anyway, as I said, I was extremely drunk, and my friend, John, had just dropped me off at the end of my driveway.

  “My father — a God-fearing, passionate American, who’d raised his family to have upright morals and serve his fellow mankind — was standing on the porch when I stumbled up the front stoop. At that moment, I was an affront to everything he represented. All he saw was how I was wasting my life. When I tried to pass him, he pushed me off the steps and started yelling, infuriated by my actions. He thought every man should enlist. Not only to serve his country, but also to become a better individual. And according to my father, I was mocking the lifestyle he’d chosen.

  “With great effort, I stood upright, brushed off the dirt, and attempted to walk around him. He grabbed me again. The second time, though, my instincts took over and I knocked him down. I sobered up immediately when my mother rushed toward us, but it was too late. I’d raised my hand against my father and in front of my mother no less.

  “My father was tough, though. He scrambled to his feet, undeterred by my actions. Not trusting myself, I ran off. I listened to his insults, how I’d never amount to anything, and it strung a chord. I’d never wanted to disappoint my father.

  “So the next day, I did the one thing I thought my father would consider a worthy accomplishment. In the vain hope of my father’s acceptance and escaping him at the same time, I enlisted in the Army.

  “I’d like to think we made amends over the next several years when I came home, but we never did completely. And then when my tour was up, Dad was dying, so I came home instead of re-enlisting. He died within months of my return.

  “While I was in the military, I continued to drink, got in fights, and lived a life I was ashamed of.” He sighed. “I don’t know what was wrong with me. I was mad at God, mad at my father, mad at everyone. I didn’t want anyone to tell me how to live. But the only thing that happened by living by my rules was that I almost got kicked out and would wake up feeling worthless.

  “Since leaving the service, though, I quit drinking, roughhousing, and sleeping around. I promised my father I’d take care of my mother and sisters. And my mother ... though she says she knows everything wasn’t my fault, she’d go ballistic if she ever saw me drink again. So, for her, I don’t.” Jordan turned to Jaynee and rested his hands on both sides of her face. “But honestly, Jaynee, I don’t want you to assume I’m an alcoholic who goes off binge drinking and hurts the people he loves. I was just an ignorant kid.”

  Jaynee could see the pain in Jordan’s eyes as he tried to assure her. “Jordan, I don’t think that. You were a kid, and I’ve seen you drink ... even my bartender commented on how you took just a few sips then pushed it away; alcoholics don’t do that. I’m not worried.” She exhaled in relief. Almost giddy that that was the worst thing he’d thought he’d done. If he only knew all the things she’d witnessed her ex-boyfriend do. The drinking, the drugs, the fights ... and plenty of sleeping around. And of course, once she left him, he’d ended up in jail for armed robbery.

  “I’d never hurt you, Jaynee; you’re everything to me.” He pulled her closer, holding her to his chest.

  He made no attempt at making love, just held her close. Jaynee felt herself melt into his arms.

  Jordan watched as Jaynee’s eyes fluttered open. He loved watching her wake every morning, even if it meant staying in bed longer than he usually would have.

  He brushed the hair back from her face so he could kiss her forehead. “Good morning, sleeping beauty.”

  How he loved looking into her eyes. He hated that in a couple of days he’d have to return to work, which meant getting out of bed before she woke up. He doubted she would want to wake at four in the morning. Who would?

  He’d kept his hands to himself last night and this morning. He wanted to wait until this evening. Tonight would be special, he decided, like their wedding night all over again. He would enjoy the anticipation.

  “Did you sleep well?” he asked.

  She cleared her throat. “Of course, how could I not with you protecting me? Do you ever sleep?”

  “Yes, but I enjoy watching you. You’re so peaceful. Sometimes I can’t even hear you breathe. I find myself holding my breath, listening for your breaths like a new parent. You must have been exhausted. One minute we were talking and the next I felt you go limp in my arms.”

  “I was,” she admitted. “I guess the unwarranted stress I put on myself at the prospect of meeting your family wore me out. But I feel wide awake this morning; we never did get to practice.” She moved her hands over his chest.

  “No, we didn’t, but we have tonight,” he said casually, ignoring her innuendo.

  “Oh ... okay ...” Dejection saturated her voice.

  He tilted her head up at her distressed tone. “Jaynee ... I was merely suggesting if we waited until tonight ... after the reception ... it would be like our wedding night all over again. You don’t think ... You couldn’t possibly believe for a second I don’t want you this very minute, could you?”

  She laughed with relief. “Oh ...” She shook her head. “No, that makes sense. I understand ... anticipation, right?”

  “Exactly ... but, if you want me to attack you, it wouldn’t take much to convince me. We are married after all. I just figured since you fell asleep last night, we’d just wait. Anticipation sounds like fun ...” he trailed off, nuzzling her neck. “’Course, I could see if I could drive us both crazy with anticipation,” he murmured.

  Jaynee shivered as goose bumps traveled over her body. She could hear the smile in his voice. She knew he could stop; he’d stopped on several occasions.

  She rolled over and adjusted the pillow and blanket as if she were going to get out of bed. “No ... no sense in tempting ourselves.” She waited as the bait took hold, a couple of seconds, she assumed. She wanted to maintain a modicum of control. Within seconds, he pressed his body against hers.

  “Where do you think you’re running off to, Missy?” Jordan’s voice was demanding, but playful.

  “But, you said ...” He needed to swallow the entire bait, not just nibble around the edges.

  “Forget what I said, maybe I still want to fool around.”

  Hook, line, and sinker, as her father used to say. Now, what was she going to do with her catch?

  She turned over in his arms. “You’re right, Jordan, it’ll be good to wait. I’m actually looking forward to this evening.” She buried her head under his
chin.

  “Really?” he mused, chuckling lightly, as if to a private joke.

  “Yes, really. Your family is wonderful, and I’m sure your friends are great.” She looked up at him. “By the way, what are we wearing?”

  “Your wedding dress naturally,” he said, grinning.

  He replied with such vehemence she didn’t think there was a chance at arguing, but she did anyway. “Jordan ... won’t that be awkward. Everyone knows we’re already married.”

  “Not everyone, just the family. But even still, they wanted to experience all the traditions. Trust me; it’ll be fun. Everyone knows it’s formal; we won’t be the only ones dressed up.”

  They rolled out of bed a little while later after cuddling and talking.

  Jaynee still couldn’t comprehend how she’d gotten so fortunate. One minute she was waiting tables, wondering how she was going to make her next grade, what she was going to do with her life, if she was ever going to find a man worthy of her love, and in strolls Jordan into her life. From the second they’d met, she’d wanted him. Now he was hers ... and she planned to spoil him rotten so he’d always be happy. And at the moment, food was his second favorite thing, it seemed.

  “How ’bout French toast for breakfast?” she shouted to the second floor, since he’d disappeared upstairs again.

  “Sounds fantastic, darlin’. I’ll be right down,” he called.

  He appeared a few minutes later, plopping down at the island, watching her move about the kitchen. She could feel his eyes follow her as she prepared breakfast. This was all she’d ever wanted. Of course, she still wanted to finish college. Without a college degree, she wouldn’t advance as an author. Her professors had always loved her papers ... said she was a natural. But this here, with Jordan, was all she’d ever wanted in her personal life. She’d never enjoyed going out partying every night with different guys; she wanted what her grandparents and aunt and uncle had.

  Her father had married so many times she’d been afraid of marriage, but she’d held out hope she could have what her grandparents had for almost sixty years. She couldn’t see anything ever happening between Jordan and her. She loved him madly and believed he too was deeply in love, even if it’d only been a short time.

  History had shown her many people who had fallen in love instantly and had married within weeks had made it. But she also understood marriages failed for ridiculous reasons. ‘He-said, she-said’ discrepancies. They would always have to be honest with each other.

  Jaynee set the plate of French toast in front of him. It was her own specialty, one she’d perfected since she was a teenager. She waited as he took a bite. Satisfaction lit up his face, as she knew it would. Everyone liked her French toast. She battered it with a blend of pancake mix, eggs, and milk then seasoned it with vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

  “Wow,” he said, swallowing between words. “This is incredible! You are an excellent cook. Did I tell you how much I love you today?”

  “Several times, but you can remind me if you want.” She took a bite from her own plate.

  “Well, I do, and thank you for breakfast. This is nice.” He motioned his hand at her and him sitting at the island together. “Other than cereal or a granola bar, I’ve not once had breakfast in my own house.” He shook his head, contemplating his own statement it seemed. “Incidentally ... I have another surprise for you.” He plopped another bite into his mouth before continuing.

  “Jordan, you can’t keep doing this; you’re going to spoil me rotten.”

  “Well, I’m actually nervous about this one. I don’t want you to be upset, so I’m not sure if I should tell you.” He lowered his eyes to his plate and just moved the food around with his fork.

  She decided to let him off easy. “If you did something you thought was a good idea, I promise not to be upset.”

  He looked up at her and his eyes widened. “You promise?”

  “You sound like a little kid. What did you do? Did you decide to move us to another state, colder than this one? Other than that, I can’t think of any reason I’d be upset.”

  He laughed once, a short burst as if he found what she’d said funny. “No, nothing that drastic. I just wanted you to know there was a surprise, and maybe that will take the edge off when you see it, tonight at the reception. And —”

  She cut him off. “There’s more?”

  “I just wanted you to know my sisters are coming to pick you up this afternoon around three. I have to leave earlier.”

  “Uh ...” She swallowed her words, why bother. “Okay,” she grumbled.

  “It’s for the best, I promise,” he said, noticing her reaction, taking her in for a moment before speaking, as though he were unsure himself. “It won’t be long, Jaynee. I just have a few things to look after, and then you’ll have me all to yourself. Well, not exactly ... you’ll have to share me for a few hours.” He laughed. “You’re so cute when you pout. You tend to jut out your bottom lip like a southern belle. I find it very disarming.”

  She smiled despite herself. “I don’t pout.” She crossed her arms over her chest, proving his point.

  “Yes, you do, but it’s adorable.” Jordan stood up with his plate and carried it over to the sink. “Our delivery should be here any minute, and I need to break down the old to make way for the new.”

  “Okay. I’ll clean up down here while you start upstairs,” she offered.

  He grabbed her in one of his unyielding embraces. “I do love you, Mrs. Monroe, and I’ll miss you today.”

  “I’ll miss you too,” she admitted, pouting for his benefit. He kissed her again, effectively ending her pout, then bounded upstairs. Her stomach twisted at the thought of being alone with his sisters. Rachael didn’t seem to like her, and Melissa was a talker.

  The furniture delivery was punctual, and they worked together to set up everything. Their bed was colossal and delicate simultaneously. It looked ever so inviting with the down comforter and yards of gossamer flowing down over the canopy. Jordan promised they would go shopping for artwork and accessories tomorrow that would complement the room and make it their own private paradise.

  He left afterward, just shy of two o’clock. She couldn’t imagine what he needed to do that he would leave so early. The reception wasn’t until six.

  Melissa and Rachael arrived around three. “We’re here to do whatever we can,” Melissa replied as soon as Jaynee opened the door.

  Both her new sisters felt it was their obligation to indulge and pamper her. Jaynee was self-conscious yet grateful, imagining if her cousins were here, they would have done the same.

  Her cousins were the closest thing she had to siblings, and she missed them, wondering if it was right to have excluded them from an actual wedding. Then she thought of her mother and father. She’d always felt like an imposition to her parents. Although she was a trouble-free kid, never giving them a minute of difficulty, they’d been too busy with their own lives to be concerned about her.

  Except for Gram, she was the exception. Jaynee knew indisputably that Gram would have wanted to give her a wedding. Heck, she would have flown to Vegas with them. But she’d made her decision and refused to let it upset her.

  Melissa insisted on styling her hair, and Rachael informed Jaynee she would apply her makeup after she buffed her nails and touched up her pedicure. Both ladies had worked in salons, but had given it up when their husbands started working for Jordan. Evidently, the hours on your feet were agony according to Rachael, and Melissa had wanted to stay home with her children.

  It was about four when they unanimously decided they were finished pawing over her. They turned her around in the chair for a look. Jaynee hardly recognized the woman in the mirror. There was a little more makeup than she normally applied, but it looked elegant. Her hair cascaded in delicate curls around her face and neck, a look she’d never been able to accomplish.

  Overwhelmed by the attention these strangers had shown her, tears welled up in her eyes.

&
nbsp; Melissa noticed and started fanning her. “Don’t cry, honey, you’ll ruin your makeup.”

  Jaynee found it hard to articulate a complete sentence; her throat felt desiccated. “Thank ... thank you so much, I ... I ... can’t express how thankful I am,” she choked out.

  “We had as much fun doing it,” Rachael admitted. Jaynee was surprised to notice she sounded sincere.

  Melissa squeezed her shoulders and looked at her in the mirror. “I already think of you as another little sister, Jaynee, and I’m thrilled Jordan has finally found someone.”

  The genuineness in their words rung true for both women, and Jaynee fought to retain the tears again.

  “Well, we better get going. Still more stuff to accomplish, and you know how Jordan can be a stickler.” Melissa looked up at Rachael as she spoke. An understanding nod transpired between the women.

  Melissa carried Jaynee’s dress while Rachael carried the accompaniments, and they were off to the reception. She couldn’t understand all the fuss for what was really a party but decided, as it seemed everyone else around her did, just to subscribe with what Jordan wanted.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  It took thirty minutes to reach their destination. It wasn’t anything like Jaynee had imagined. She expected some hotel banquet room; instead, Melissa turned onto a road with a park-like setting.

  The long driveway zigzagged through trees and gardens until they arrived in front of a building that looked more like a southern manor torn out of the pages of Gone with the Wind than a place for a party. Melissa ignored a jam-packed parking area off to the left and pulled alongside the mansion, directly below steps leading to an entry with a sign over top that read, Bride’s Room.