Captivated by the Millionaire

* * *

Jess couldn’t believe how much of her past she’d just shared—between their conversation at the penthouse earlier and all that she’d just divulged about herself. Something about Jordan loosened her tongue on topics she usually held close to her chest. Except for Kelly, no one had heard as much as she’d just confided in Jordan about her mostly absent parent.

Now as they walked out of the diner and down the street, she had to admit it had felt good to share some of her past with him. Like a bit of a release. Either Jordan Paydan had notable listening skills or she was growing closer to him than she wanted to admit. Hopefully, it was the former.

“I figured we could walk to Times Square,” he told her. “After that meal, I for one could use the exercise or I’ll need a nap before 3:00 p.m.”

“I’d love to see Times Square.”

He didn’t break stride when he answered her. “You didn’t think I was going to let you leave New York without visiting its most iconic tourist spot, did you?”

“I suppose that wouldn’t do.”

“Not at all.”

Jordan turned the corner around the next building a little too swiftly with Jess fast on his heels. They nearly collided with a couple who were just standing there.

No. Correction. Jess realized they weren’t simply standing still. A young man and woman were locked in a tight embrace, their lips fused in a passionate kiss.

“Um...excuse me,” she uttered to the two strangers who clearly didn’t hear her. They were much too engrossed with each other.

An awkwardness settled between them as they continued to walk. Jess couldn’t resist taking a backward glance at the enamored couple. Such public displays weren’t for everyone. Gary had certainly not been one to show any affection when others were present. But she had to wonder what it would be like, to be so consumed with passion for someone. So much so that the rest of the world simply ceased to exist, even on a crowded city sidewalk. She’d had her fair share of dates during her university days and in the period after her relationship had crumbled. After Kelly had gotten married, she’d been insistent on setting Jess up on more than a few blind dates with her new husband’s friends. None of those men had sparked any kind of flame within her. The one brief relationship she’d had after moving to the island had left her wounded by rejection yet again. The man had completely ignored her once summer had ended and he’d gone back to his regular daily life. Her gaze shifted to Jordan’s profile.

He might not technically be a tourist but he was no doubt cut from the same type of cloth. Despite his recent relocation, it was clear New York would always call to him. One day he would no doubt answer.

And what would that mean for her if she foolishly gave him her heart? Her summer fling had hurt after he’d left her high and dry without so much as a backward glance. But she’d hardly considered herself scarred afterward. The same could be said of her failed engagement to Gary. Something told her with Jordan the end result would be much more extreme. Far more devastating.

She studied him now. Jordan’s chin was clenched tight, his hands jammed in his pockets. He had noticed the awkwardness, too, it appeared. Jess tried to come up with something to say, a witty retort that may help them to return to the easy camaraderie they’d seemed to share since eating at the diner. Nothing came to mind.

“Not much longer.” Jordan finally spoke after they’d walked a couple of blocks. A few minutes later they reached the man-made wonder that was Times Square. Jess wasn’t sure where to look first. So much was happening around her!

A news chyron scrolled across the building to her right. Neon billboards in every direction flashed advertisements for everything from cologne to skinny jeans to political messages. Music seemed to be sounding from every direction. A man wearing nothing more than tight Speedo shorts and a straw hat played a string guitar a few feet away.

And there was a superhero approaching her wearing bright blue leggings and a long, flowing cape.

“Would the lady like a picture?” the masked man wanted to know.

She looked to Jordan in question but he was already pulling his cell phone out of his pocket. He motioned for her to stand next to the other man, then lifted his phone to focus the lens on the two of them.