Rescued (Flowers of the Bayou) (27 page)

With one hand at her thigh and his other free hand holding her wrist above her head. Jordan absorbed all that she was. And Lord but she was beautiful, trailing kisses down her throat right to her chest he released her wrist and let her begin her own assault.

Soon enough small hands started massaging and kneading the muscles in Jordan’s back, while sweet lips rained down kisses that made his heart skip a beat upon contact. Touching hands to either side of his waist Amelia arched her back and drove her hips up meeting his thrust.

“Stop or we’ll be finished before we had a chance to begin.” Jordan managed between ragged breaths, a fine beading of sweat forming at his brow at his effort to restrain himself.

Amelia could scarcely hear his words, less understand them and once more brought her hips up to meet him for he was too still and the spiraling pleasure in the pit of her soul would not allow her to be still.

The remained in sync for how long Jordan didn’t know but they both had grown weary as time passed by trying to hold on to the bliss that they were creating. Crying out at the feel of her Jordan could no longer contain himself and plunged himself deep within her as quick and hard as possible, blind to her own wails of passion. Then holding her close finally found his release and yelled it out to the wind.

Her cry mingled with his only moments after and Amelia closed her eyes, her body slowly stopping its shaking and shivering. Embracing him Amelia never wanted to let go and when he hugged her to him knew that she never could. Resting her head in the crook of his arm she sighed heavily, truly content with everything in the moment.

Jordan held her close to him. Then without knowing what to say but wanting to hear her voice asked. “What do you want in this life?”

“I already have it.” Amelia replied dreamily

“Seriously.”

“I want love, to be wanted, respect.”

“I want you, and more than respect you.”

“Then I’m more than halfway there already.”

“I care for you.”

“I want love.” Amelia corrected. “That you do not have for me.”

Silenced, Jordan just stared into golden eyes. He didn’t deserve her devotion, for her to care for him as she did.

“Don’t look at me that way.” Amelia said casting her gaze downward shyly. “It makes me feel…well …here.” Taking his hand in hers she placed it over her heart that now beat rapidly. “It skips, when you look at me like that. I can barely breathe.”

“I can’t help it.” Jordan croaked, voice caught in his throat. She truly was striking just then and he wanted to give her all that he had, the world, because when she looked at him or spoke his name he felt as if he held everything within his hands. That most anything was possible, could be achieved, if he only wanted it.

Smiling at Jordan, Amelia linked her arms around his neck. “At least I know I have some type of hold over you.” Amelia joked laying her head at his chest.

“You control me Princess you just don’t realize it.”

“I don’t believe anyone has ever controlled you and I’d be silly to think I do.” Pausing she flicked his nose. “Stop calling me Princess.” Smothering a yawn Amelia stretched her body against the length of him much like a cat, achieving the impossible becoming more comfortable.

“You look as if you plan to stay right here forever.”

“Or until the sun rises.” She threw back lightly. Though it was the truth. She hoped the moon would stay up in the sky forever.

“You say these things but even as they escape your lips I can tell you would rather the opposite occur. Why do you refuse to stay with me?”

“I told you. Besides I think you would tire of me.”

“Princess don’t you think I should at least get the chance to decide that myself.”

“No.” Amelia laughed up.

“You’re stubborn.”

“Oh you’ve nerve to say such a thing as that.” Scooting up Amelia rose above him. “You’re more stubborn than an old mule.”

“You act as if you’d have me any other way.” Jordan rested all of his weight back against the pillows his skin reacting to every inch of her flesh that made contact with his own. Taking up her arms in his hands he placed them on either side of his chest so that she lingered above him. She looked like an angel. Soft hair framing her face in a waterfall of sumptuously lavish curls that every so often brushed against his chest with her steady breaths.

Brazenly, Amelia brought her left leg across his waist to rest at his side until she sat atop him straddling his waist. Playfully she cocked her head to the side and said. “You’re going to miss me terribly come morning.”

Sternly Jordan captured her gaze and with an unwavering determination stated. “I won’t. We both know you’re not going anywhere. The sooner you realize it the better.”

“Are you sure?” Amelia warned leaning into him all the more.

Reaching up Jordan laced his fingers through her thick hair and brought her face mere inches from his own. Placing a kiss to her forehead Jordan lay back and let his hands slide down to her hips and then playfully jolted her forward.

The quick movement won a minor giggle from her and lightened the slightly serious mood.

Amelia rested small hands on his hard chest for security lest she topple completely over. Not that if she did it would be too tragic. Scrunching up her nose in an odd way Amelia gave him a devilish look. If this was to be her last night with him like this she was going to make it the one to remember. “Jordan?”

“Yes Princess.” Jordan responded already reading her mind and using his hands to pull her forward until her most intimate part pressed against his own. But before he began his lesson in extreme lovemaking he needed to make one thing clear. “By no means does it end here tonight.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Jasper was overseeing the loading of crates onto the ships from the dock when Jordan sidled up beside him. “Finally made it I see.”

“I need a seamstress.”

“Our friendship had at one point no bounds but here I draw the line.” Jasper gasped before signing off on some document brought to him by one of the men.

“Who does Margaret use?”

“Duvall. Why?”

“Isn’t it self-explanatory?”

“Melanie.”

Jordan felt no need to give any name for certain and just grinned at Jasper. Lending his signature to the paper Jasper presented in front of his face and taking hold of a few documents his friend had soon handed him Jordan said. “Women prefer jewels to most anything.”

“Of course they do.”

“Come with me, I could use your help.”

“And leave all this?’

“Leave what?” Jordan countered.

“I tend to leave shopping for apparel and jewelry to women and—apparently you, I do begin to wonder…”

“Never doubt my fascination with women. Readymade dresses at Duvall’s?”

“Some I suppose.”

“Good…no need for the irritation of fittings.”

“Off with you, your tête-à-tête is disturbing.”

“Good day to you Sir.” Tipping his hat and giving a humorous bow Jordan tucked the papers into the side bag of his saddle on Colossus before climbing on.

“I will stop by today make sure you’ve signed and dated everything.” Jasper voiced a reminder.

“It will be done friend.”

*

By evening Jordan’s head was aching, the damned women of the boutique were sure that he could not possibly know the correct measurements of any woman. Therefore he’d gone through a grueling hour at the least of looking at models and women alike who he had to make most certain were a match to Amelia’s size and stature. When that had been done and the ladies ogled him and pet him for another half an hour to see if they could not steal him away from this mystery woman he looked at fabrics of satin, silk, chiffon, and lace.

Bored Jordan soon felt the eyes of a pretty blonde upon him and gave her a wicked smile. Like lightning she was at his side and on his lap and to his chagrin as she tried to place kisses to his neck in the privacy of the back room where he waited, an intense feeling of guilt washed over him and he spent an ample amount of time trying to avoid her..

By and by however he had gotten what he had wanted, and some hours later several ladies emerged with numb fingers and several day dresses elegantly assorted in bright blues and yellows to soft pinks, lavenders, greens, and whites.

Eight evening dresses and one ball gown not to mention the countless lace underwear and satin nightgowns. He was greatly pleased with their presentation for he had taken great care in his requirements of those garbs since he would enjoy seeing them on the lady immensely.

He’d had to send for a wagon to cart back the boxes of ladies hats gloves chemises corsets shoes pantaloons and every other accessory the women had convinced him was needed for a woman to be considered a well-established lady and now as Vivian greeted him at the door with questioning eyes and called to Andrew for assistance, he couldn’t even bring himself to give her a sly grin for he only wanted to eat and climb into bed with his Princess and forget about his throbbing head.

“Where shall I put all of this?” Vivian asked.

“Take them to my adjoining room and have Andrew prepare it please.”

Without another word Vivian did as she was told while sending Andrew to get the additional help of the other hired hand.

Peeking into a pretty stripped pink and blue box she’d placed on top of a wide white one Vivian balked as she pulled out a delicate hat with white feathers elegantly arranged.

It was then that her heart sank—she’d made a mistake before, that man was in love with her Amelia, as unbelievable as the thought was, it was true, Lord help them both.

“Vivian.” Startled she laid the hat back in its box and once again began her balancing act of holding the heavy boxes.

“The white box, please.” Walking up to the older woman he took the box from her hands and with heavy feet made his way up the marble stairway.

His room had been quiet as he let his eyes travel to the bed immediately and to his disappointment she was not splayed across it wearing only his shirt as he had fantasized. However even his fantasies couldn’t conjure up this appealing picture before him of her sliding ever so slowly down into the bath through the open door of his waiting room.

Shucking of his shirt quickly and kicking of his boots Jordan made quick work of his pants and socks. After his day a bath was just what he needed. And he would enjoy holding Amelia close to him while he washed.

Last night he had caught himself watching her sleep, several times he had to stop himself from pulling her into his arms and holding her tight against him. She had been so tired he dared not in fear of waking her.

Instead once or twice he would just kiss her swollen lips and brush back her hair with his hand.

It was odd, he thought. All day he couldn’t wait to get home to her, to see her. He had never felt that way, not even about Regina. Every once in a while he had to warn himself. He didn’t want to lose everything, lose his heart and soul. No, not again—not ever. Rubbing his temple he made his way over to the tub and with a cat-like prowess snuck up to the edge of the massive porcelain tub with her being none the wiser.

Amelia closed her eyes tightly as she dipped her head under the steamy water of the bath. Feeling as she went under that her whole body was relaxing under the therapy of the lilac scented water. Her body was protesting against her. Her thighs were beyond. A nice soaking would help to lessen the pain.

Pain that was well worth it. She had thought of him all day. When she woke he had been in his study scribbling on papers, a cigar in one hand and brandy in the other. Ruffled hair curling boyishly about his face giving him an endearing appearance. She would have gone to him but she was so tired sleep soon took her again and when she woke the second time he was gone and there was a yellow dandelion on her pillow along with a note telling of his return later that evening.

Emerging from underneath she gave a sigh of relief that soon turned into a gasp of distress when she felt an unknown object step into her oasis from behind.

Opening her eyes quickly and scurrying to the middle she felt her heart settle upon hearing. “It’s me.”

“Get out Jordan there’s not enough room for us both.”

“Sure there is.” Sinking down into the hot pool Jordan too gave a sigh of relief.

“The water will spill over.”

“It won’t” Stretching his legs in the large tub he pulled her back in between his thighs.

“It will ruin the floor.”

“It’s my floor” Kissing her shoulder Jordan pushed her wet locks over her shoulder. “How was your day sweet?”

Amelia lay back into him already giving in. “Long, it felt like you were gone forever.”

“Missed me terribly.” Jordan chuckled. “You read my mind. I needed a bath.”

“So did I… my body is aching.” Leaning back into him.

The water nearly lulled them both into a stupor but after a few minutes had passed and the water began to cool Amelia felt Jordan stir.

Jordan whispered in her ear. “I have something for you.” Pushing up out of the tub Jordan dripped water on the floor, picking up the jacket he’d carelessly thrown to the ground only minutes ago.

Jordan smiled as he could see her from the corner of his eye twisting about to look at him fiddling in his jacket’s lapel pocket. He’d waited all day to give her the gift, purchased at the most extravagant jeweler in the Crescent city. The high priced piece had caught his eye while he was on the way to the tailor, sparkling in the sunlight from inside the glass confines of its case and store window. The moment he laid eyes on it he knew it was meant for her the bold coloring would complement her honey kissed skin. “Turn around.” He informed her while moving back inside the tub. “Close your eyes.”

“Alright.” Obediently Amelia did as she was bid but almost let curiosity get the best of her. Deciding against peeking Amelia clenched her eyelids tightly closed.

Kissing her neck once Jordan draped the sapphire masterpiece along her collar bone and clasped it at her nape. The contrast was dazzling in the dimly lit. “Do you like it?” He asked like a boy desperately waiting for approval.