Captivated by the Millionaire

Jess’s laughter came to a sudden halt when she noticed Jordan approaching. A brick of disappointment landed in his gut at her reaction upon seeing him.

He walked over to where she stood. Elise didn’t appear to be out here. Jess gave him a small wave then turned her gaze back to the water and Sonya’s backstroke.

“Your little sister is apparently part guppy,” she remarked when Jordan reached her side.

“I’d say at least sixty to seventy percent.”

It was a lame joke but Jess indulged him with a small laugh. “She couldn’t wait to show you all she’s learned,” he told her. “She’s very glad you came, I’m sure.”

“I’m honored she wanted to show me.”

Jordan rammed his hands into his pockets. “Frankly, I’m a little surprised you came.”

Sonya chose that moment to pop her head out of the water and nod her head in a small bow. Jess clapped again.

“To be perfectly honest, I didn’t think you’d be here. Figured you’d be working. Elise didn’t mention you would be. In fact, she sort of alluded that you wouldn’t.”

Ouch. “She did?”

Jess nodded, her gaze still on Sonya, who’d started a series of butterfly strokes down the length of the pool.

“She probably figured you would say no if you knew about my presence,” Jordan told her.

“Should I have? Said no?”

“No.”

“Are you sure about that?”

He reached for her shoulders then and turned her to face him. She’d just been honest with him so one good turn deserved another. “Yes. I’m sure. Because I’m happy you’re here, too.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

JESS FELT LIKE a schoolgirl who’d just been acknowledged by her older teenage crush. Then she wanted to kick herself for feeling that way, for the way she reacted to this man whenever he was near. Her pulse quickened; excitement hummed through her veins. She had to get a hold of it. She had to get a hold of herself.

“Clara was bristling with excitement about all the programs we weren’t going to have to cut, after all.” Jess wasn’t even aware she was going to bring up the subject until the words had left her mouth.

“Jess, the donation is separate from what’s between you and me.”

Jess’s heart fluttered in her chest. Her pulse quickened. She knew she should let that be the final say, had sworn to herself that she wouldn’t subject her heart to the potential pain. But Jess had to ask her next question. “How exactly would you define that, Jordan? What’s between you and me?”

He bit out a curse. “Damned if I’ve figured it out.”

She was about to tell him that wasn’t enough. That he had to at least try to formulate some answers. He owed her that much. But the screen door to the kitchen sounded open just then. Elise walked out to the patio carrying a tray of lemonade.

“Who wants some refreshments?” She set the tray down on an outdoor table next to them then motioned to her charge who had popped up out of the water for a breath.

“She’s going to prune if she doesn’t come out now.”

It took several moments but Sonya finally heeded Elise’s urges to climb out of the pool. Jess gave her another round of applause when she exited the water. Elise wrapped her up in a large, thick towel. “Let’s go get you dry and dressed.”

“I guess the show is over,” Jordan stated when the other two had left.

Great. They had to endure another one of the awkward silences that seemed to be so prevalent between them.

“I should be going. Tell Sonya I’m very proud of her. Truly.”

“You haven’t had your lemonade. Elise will be out of sorts. She makes it homemade.”

It appeared this was going to be the afternoon Jess figured out how quickly she could drain about twelve ounces of sour citrus. She eyed the drink warily. Elise had served it in very tall glasses.

“Try some,” Jordan urged.

Jess picked up one of the glasses and took a large sip. An explosion of sweet and tart filled her mouth. “Wow. This is really good.”

He smiled in pleasure then reached for his own drink. “I told you. Have a seat.”