Captivated by the Millionaire

After a few clicks, Jess stepped away. Jordan pulled a bill out of his wallet and handed it to the caped crusader. “Thank you, good citizen,” he said before walking away.

Jess laughed as she watched the cape retreat. “Uh, what just happened?”

Jordan chuckled. “Simple. I just got a compelling picture to share with all your students back home.”

“They’re sure to be jealous.”

He showed her the screen and flipped through the snaps he’d just taken. Jess’s smile looked more like a grimace in every picture.

She groaned in consternation. “I’m usually much more photogenic than that. I’m just not used to being snapped with caped strangers in the middle of a public square.”

“I think you look lovely. Beautiful, actually.”

But he wasn’t looking at the screen as he said it. In fact, he’d turned to focus squarely on her face. Jess’s stomach did a little flip. Suddenly, all the noise and commotion surrounding them faded into the background. Her focus narrowed completely on the man standing before her. Her mind went back to the couple they’d almost walked into on their way over here. Heaven help her, she wanted that. She wanted to feel what they felt as they held each other, locked in a passionate kiss.

And she wanted it with Jordan.

They were suddenly interrupted by a statuesque young lady in an elaborate lioness costume. She handed Jess a flyer before walking away. An advertisement for a Broadway play. Jess stared at it longingly. Jordan clearly noticed.

“You wanted to see a show?” he asked.

She shrugged, hoping to seem less than eager. “Doesn’t everyone?”

Jordan gave her a smile that sent a curl of heat down to her toes. “Let’s see what we can do.”

* * *

Jordan wasn’t going to give her a chance to protest as he called up his contact list on his screen and clicked on the number. He wished he’d thought of the idea himself. Of course, someone visiting this city for the first time would want to see a Broadway show. And if they saw a Saturday matinee, they would have plenty of time to get ready before the auction tomorrow evening. Jess didn’t strike him as the type of woman who needed an exorbitant amount of time getting ready for events. And if she was, he got the impression he’d be forgiven considering what he was taking the time for.

She was looking at him expectedly when he disconnected the call. “It’s all set.”

“All set? Jordan, what did you just do?” She reached out to rest her hand on his forearm and he felt the warmth of her fingers as they touched his skin.

He shrugged. “I made a phone call to someone who owed me a bit of a favor. Simply collected.”

“Someone who has access to show tickets, I presume.”

“You got it. We are all set for a matinee showing tomorrow afternoon.”

“Jordan, you didn’t have to do that,” she protested but the pleasure was clear in her voice and in her bright smile.

“You don’t want to go, then?” He lifted his cell phone. “I can call back and cancel.”

Her eyes grew wide with alarm and he had to chuckle. She gave him a useless shove. “You’re teasing me.”

She was right. And he was having an immensely pleasurable time doing so.

* * *

“Thank you, Jordan. I mean it.” Jess was still expressing her gratitude half an hour later when they made it back to the lobby. Jordan had to wonder how often anyone had simply done something nice for her in her past.

“Don’t thank me just yet. You may not like it.”

She gave his arm a squeeze. “I know I’m going to absolutely love it.”

Jordan called up the elevator and noticed Jess resting a hand to her midsection. “Still full from lunch?” he asked with a laugh.

She returned his laughter. “Indeed. In fact, I might not even fit into the gown I plan to wear. It is rather formfitting.”

He couldn’t even help the images that sprang into his head—of Jess in a tight, silky dress. A strapless number that showed off her tanned olive skin and the bright honey color of her eyes. And then he pictured himself helping her out of it.

Enough.

“If you prefer a different outfit, there’s a boutique on the ground floor, down the other hallway.”