First Love (20 page)

“Can we have this conversation later?”

“Mark, hi.” A groggy Jordan pulled the covers up to her neck as she sat up. “I hope I didn’t interrupt your plans.” She immediately pulled the sheet over her head. “Now what do I do?” she muttered. “I doubt my mother’s social secretary has this in her plan book. Ugh!”

Drew put her arm around Jordan and pulled her close. She was amused by Jordan’s mutterings. “It’s okay, Jordan,” she whispered. She turned to Mark. “You brought breakfast. How sweet. Hope you had a good trip. Can we meet you in the kitchen in ten minutes?”

As soon as she heard the door close, Jordan jumped out of bed and looked for the shirt she had been wearing.

“I’m so embarrassed.” Jordan pulled the shirt over her head and sat back on the bed.

Drew sat up. “Why?”

“Mark found me here, in your bed, with my clothes off.”

“You mean because you’re bare-assed?” Drew slid her hand under Jordan’s rear and caressed it.

“What must he think?”

“That we’re having sex.”

Jordan groaned. “Is he accustomed to finding girls in your bedroom?” Jordan shook her head. “I’ve always been such a private person. Now Mark not only knows about us, but he’s seen me in bed with you.”

“Jordan.” Drew was now serious. “There hasn’t been anyone since I came to Gainesville. There hasn’t been anyone serious since my freshman year at Wyoming. In fact, Mark is the one who’s been telling me for some time that you were interested in me.”

“He has?” Jordan tried to hide her face. “Have I been that obvious?”

Drew slid beside her and pulled her into a tight embrace. “It was mostly wishful thinking because he knew I cared about you and he was tired of seeing me alone. And you were the only woman I was spending any time with.” She began to kiss Jordan’s neck and nibble her shoulder.

Jordan groaned.“If we don’t stop soon, we’ll miss breakfast and lunch. I’m not sure I’m going to want to stop once we start.”

“You’re insatiable.”

“Well, I’ve got to make up for what everyone else has been doing since age sixteen.”

“Yes, you keep reminding me. I’m not sure I could last that long. Besides, I have to finish medical school, and this is my last year. You, my love, have at least three semesters left.”

Love radiated from Jordan’s eyes. Drew wanted to swim in them and feel all of the emotion she saw there. She caressed Jordan’s cheek and felt her tremble. “Are you cold?”

“No. I’m just in awe of how good this feels.” She paused but finally asked, “You’re not sleeping with me because my father’s the president of the United States, are you?”

“In spite of,” Drew replied, “in spite of.” She again kissed Jordan, still in awe that Jordan was her lover. Finally, she pulled them both out of bed to dress.

Mark was wearing running shorts and a white tank top when they walked in. “Doctors’ clothes don’t reveal much about what’s underneath. You’re a good-looking man, Mark.”

“This is too much. I walk into Reverend Mother AnDrew’s chambers and find her in bed with the lately straight president’s daughter. Then the president’s daughter makes a pass at me. Is nothing sacred anymore?” Mark picked up a napkin and fanned himself. “What is a girl to do?”

“Eat,” Drew said. “You won’t embarrass me.”

He shoved toast into her mouth.

Jordan, however, was turning very red. Drew found it endearing. “We’re not embarrassing you, are we?” Jordan turned away quickly.

Mark fluttered around the kitchen, moving food quickly to the table. “Next thing I know, David will want me to get pregnant.”

“I’ll deliver the baby,” Drew said. “I guess it will be Caesarian. I want to write that one up.”

The expression spreading across Mark’s face prompted more laughter from Drew and Jordan.

“Well, at least I know the people hanging around outside are Secret Service.”

“I forgot!” Jordan cried.

“What are they going to think? What are they going to say to your father?” Drew asked but wasn’t sure she wanted an answer.

“Who knows? Generally, they respect my privacy.” She pushed her empty plate away. “Let’s go do something today. I just want to spend time with you. And you, too, Mark,” she quickly added.

“That’s a little kinky, isn’t it?” he asked.

“Not that way.” Jordan put her head in her hands. “Will I ever get used to this?”

“What would you like to do?” Drew asked.

“Anything. See a movie. Have a picnic.”

“Go canoeing!” Drew and Mark replied.

“There are some great places around Gainesville to canoe.” Drew stared at Jordan and hoped she could spend the day with her without touching her. Maybe they should stay in.

“Okay. I’ve never been canoeing.”

“Why am I not surprised?” Drew asked.

*

It took a couple of hours to arrange for security, but it also ensured they had the best boats and would be undisturbed on the water. Drew quickly climbed in the boat and held her hand out to help Jordan in.

“I’m going to fall.” Jordan switched from one foot to the other. “How do I climb in without tipping it over?”

“Grab my hand. I promise you won’t fall in.”

“Yes, I will.”

Drew laughed. “Maybe we should just have lunch and skip the river.” She started to climb out, but Jordan grabbed her hand. “Come on. I’ll keep you dry. I promise.”

“You make it look so easy.”

“It is. Trust me.” Drew stood waiting.

Jordan looked at Drew’s outstretched hand. She reached out and took it.

Drew slowly pulled Jordan to her and then reached for her with her other hand.

When Jordan stepped into the canoe, it began to rock. She quickly sat down. This caused Drew to feel slightly unbalanced and the canoe to teeter. Drew tried to steady herself. Jordan, however, grabbed the sides of the boat, increasing the rocking. Drew went flying over the side of the canoe into the water.

“I’m so sorry,” Jordan cried.

Drew sat in the water laughing. “At least I’m not bleeding—yet.”

Mark stood on the bank laughing. He grabbed his sides and finally landed on the ground.

“Okay, funny boy. Get up and help me out before the Secret Service gets here.” She could see them rushing to help.

Mark jumped up and reached for Drew. She grabbed his hand and with a quick jerk sent him flying into the water near her. Now she laughed as he spluttered and splashed.

Jordan gasped and then she too started to laugh. A mistake, she quickly learned.

Drew stood and had a smirk on her face. “Ms. Thompson, are you laughing at me?”

Jordan shook her head. Drew was now one step away. Jordan tried to stand, but strong arms were lifting her.

“Put me down,” Jordan demanded.

“What did you say?” Drew turned and was carrying Jordan out to deeper water. “Did you ask me to put you down? Okay.” She carefully lowered Jordan into about four feet of water. Only Jordan’s head remained dry. She quickly lifted her back out before her protection detail came rushing into the water.

“I’m wet.” Jordan wrapped her arms tightly around Drew.

“A statement of the obvious.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“You don’t believe me. In that case, maybe I should drop you off somewhere.” She turned to walk back out into deeper water.

“Stop!”

Drew stopped abruptly. Jordan nearly fell out of her arms. “It’s a good thing I work out on the ranch.” Drew grinned. “Well, do you believe me or not? You’re getting heavy and I’m afraid you’re beginning to slip.” She loosened her hold, enjoying the panoply of emotions rolling across Jordan’s face. It was like watching a thirty second commercial. Only in fast forward. She smiled.
I love you, Jordan Thompson. I hope you can be strong enough for both of us.

“I believe.” Jordan felt the arms tighten around her. She loved being held in Drew’s strong embrace.

As a little girl, she dreamed someday of being carried in the arms of her love. Of course, at that time it was some boy. Now her dreams were of Drew. She didn’t want this weekend to end. She wished she could go someplace and hide away with Drew for the rest of her life.

“Can we stay here forever?”

Drew stopped inches from the shore. “I don’t think you’d like sleeping out on the hard ground without a restroom.” Drew grinned. “Besides, I don’t have my latrine shovel.”

Jordan laughed. “I love you.” She shivered, but it wasn’t from being cold.

“Let’s do some canoeing, have some lunch, and,” Drew lowered her voice, “get to bed early. I can’t believe how much I want you right now.”

Drew set Jordan gently into the canoe, helped Mark in, and then pushed the canoe out toward the middle of the river. She jumped in and began to paddle slowly until the security detail had caught up. It took ten minutes before they were rowing in a coordinated manner, and they were quickly moving down the stream. Her heart was full. She couldn’t imagine a more perfect weekend.

*

Monday morning, reality dragged Drew back into her responsible self. She looked at the clock. It was five thirty in the morning. She tried to remember her schedule. Lying next to the warm but bare body made it nearly impossible to think. She ran her hand over Jordan’s stomach, reveling in the softness.

“Mmmm, that feels good.” Jordan stretched. “Is it time to get up?” She looked at the clock. “Not yet, please.”

“I really need to get a shower and some clean clothes. I have a fairly busy day and week.”

“I don’t want to get up.” She snuggled against Drew. “This is wonderful.”

“I know. This feels so good, but we need to get up.”

“Okay.” Jordan looked like she was trying to figure something out. “Oh! I’m supposed to meet with some of my sorority sisters today to plan Fall Rush. Damn!”

“You swore!”

Jordan raised one eyebrow. “Upon occasion.” She smiled and rolled on top of Drew. “But first there’s something I need to do.”

Jordan couldn’t keep from smiling during lunch. She listened to her sorority sisters talking about their weekends. Monday conversations often revolved around who was dating whom.

“Jordan, did you hear Dana got pinned this weekend? About time.”

Dana was the sorority president. She had been dating the same guy for nearly a year.

“That’s fantastic.” She was trying to feign interest. “She must be thrilled.”

“Now that Brandan is graduating in a couple of weeks, what about you?”

“I’m still planning on graduating next year and getting a job.”

“Silly. I’m asking if you two are going to be an item or is it all over?”

Jordan was resenting Brandan more and more. “Brandan’s a friend. He was dating Dana when I first started classes, then a Tri Delt, then a Kappa. He’s not interested in me. And I’m not interested in him.” She almost said she was dating someone but stopped, knowing she would be harassed until they got a name. She wasn’t ready to go there. Not yet, anyway.

“He’s been telling his frat brothers that he’s planning on marrying you.”

“That should be interesting for his current girlfriend. One of his law school friends from what I heard.” Anna, a senior, was the social gossip. “Apparently, she has her eyes on him.”

“Good,” Jordan muttered, hoping no one heard her.

“Well, I hear he already has a Florida Supreme Court clerkship lined up. He’s going to be a great catch.”

For someone, but not me.
Jordan was tiring of the conversation. “Shall we talk about Fall Rush?” It was an effort, but she was able to keep them on task for the next hour. This would be her last Fall Rush, and she was determined to make a graceful exit from sorority duties and ties after that. She wanted to spend time with Drew.

“I’m sorry. What was that?”

“Jordan, you said you’d take care of the selection and invitations. Are you still committed to doing that?”

“Of course. I was just thinking of who could help me put this together.”
Nice save.

*

As soon as the meeting was over, Jordan headed home. Drew would be busy for the next couple of nights but would be free starting Thursday. Jordan would use the time to catch up on her studying. While she had enjoyed the weekend, she now realized she had homework, projects, and studying, plus finals were two weeks away.

Jordan pulled her car up to the front of her house only to be blocked by a familiar vehicle.
Brandan! What is he doing here?

She opened her door. “Mattie, could you please come in with me? I’m not sure why Mr. Carter is here, but he was not invited.” Mattie nodded and followed her into the house.

Brandan had made himself comfortable in the living room.

Jordan gritted her teeth. “Hello, Brandan. Is there something I can do for you?” She was determined to be polite but make this short. He had no right to be in her house without her permission.

“Where the hell have you been? I’ve been calling for three days. Why didn’t you answer? I came by twice and no one was here.” Brandan walked up and stood inches away.

“I’ve been busy.”

“You haven’t been home. Where the hell have you been? I hope it wasn’t with those queers.”

“I think you better leave.” Jordan was desperately trying to remain in control.

“Not until I get an answer. You’re my girlfriend, and I deserve to know what you’re doing and where you are.” He tried to grab Jordan’s arm but quickly found a Secret Service agent standing between them. “Get out of my way while I talk to Jordan.”

“Mr. Carter, I think you need to calm down.”

“I said get out of my way.”

Jordan was alarmed by his loud voice and rude behavior. He was out of control. “Brandan, please leave.”

“Were you with those queers? Do you prefer to spend time around those perverts than around decent, normal people? My future wife will not be associated with such trash.”

Jordan stepped back, appalled by the vituperative attack.
What is he talking about? He has no right to say anything about my friends. Or whom I choose for my friends.

“Ms. Thompson, please go into the kitchen.” She was pushed toward the back of the house. “There are two agents there.” Mattie turned toward Brandan. “Sir, I must ask you to leave or I’ll be forced to remove you.”