She Belongs to Me (6 page)

Could Jordan be everything he seemed? How disappointed would she be when he returned to North Carolina? Her insides burned at the thought. The appropriate action was to put those ideas aside. Tomorrow wasn’t important. She would enjoy the moment, live for today and not worry about tomorrow.

She drove to work in a daze, already resigned to forget about him. If he showed tonight
,
great, if not, oh well. She would just have to stumble through the next few hours and be acquiescent to whatever outcome developed.

Jaynee
had
finished her prep work and
had
just started to roll silverware when Amy poked her head around the corner. An impish grin spilled across
the hostess’
face.

Powerless to stop herself,
Jaynee
smiled wide in response. “No…don’t tell me…he’s here, isn’t he?”
She
couldn’t contain the excitement in her voice.

“Sure,” Amy sneered.
“As if you didn’t already know.
You haven’t worn makeup since you started here. You lucky dog, he’s a hunk, and did you see his pickup?” Jealousy seeped through her words, but deep down Jaynee knew Amy was tickled. She had been attempting to set her up for months.

“No,” Jaynee answered honestly. She never cared about trivial things like vehicles. Moreover, she was too enthralled with him.

Jaynee held her breath as she stepped out of the kitchen. Rounding the corner, she caught Jordan’s gaze, and a glorious smile spread across his face. Was it possible it was for her? She couldn’t contain her smile
either
,
but a nondescript “Hi” was all she could choke out. Her mouth suddenly felt parched. Her heart also started acting up, thumping so loudly she was sure he would hear.

“Hello, Jaynee,”
he drawled, his voice seductive.
W
hether that was his intent
ion, she couldn’t be certain. “I
needed to eat, and the food here is good
,
and the service is incredible, so why experiment with something new.” He folded up the menu and returned it to the end of the table as carefree as could be, as if they were old friends.
“
What do you recommend?
”

Jaynee looked around the restaurant and then back at Jordan, shrugging.
“Um…the grilled chicken & shrimp over fettuccini is my favorite,” she said in a casual tone, trying to imitate his relaxed behavior. It wasn’t working.

“I’ll take that with a salad and sweet tea please. Did I liberate you from rolling silverware again?” His eyes brightened at the notion.

Jaynee’s heart fluttered, attempting to resume its normal rhythm. “Yes, you did. I’ll order your dinner and be right back.”

She placed the order, waited for his salad while she retrieved his beverage and grabbed a loaf of bread. She wouldn’t have to dart off until another customer arrived. Jordan was watching as she rounded the corner again. How could he be looking at her like that? He made her feel wanted. No one had ever looked at her the way Jordan did. As if he cared about her thoughts and dreams. The way he listened to her last night
,
as she rambled about her pathetic life made her believe he had
a real interest in her as a person, not
just
an object to possess.

After placing his beverage and food on the table, she took a seat opposite him again.

“It’s nice you can sit down with your customers. I only wish you were staying and eating with me. I hate eating alone.” His words rang with sincerity.

“Management actually encourages us to sit with our patrons, although not the eating part.” She gig
gled at the thought
but then leaned across the table. “Why are you really here?” She peered up at his face, narrowing her eyebrows. “Did you assume I would stand you up and you needed to pressure me?” She smiled, hoping the words didn’t emerge harsh. She didn’t think Jordan was the domineering type, and s
he didn’t mind him pursuing her;
actually
, it was rather flattering. But
she would never allow a man to control her again.

“Not exactly.
I just couldn’t wait to see you. I had to make sure I didn’t dream you up. And now I see you’re even more beautiful than I remember yesterday.” His eyes smoldered, and she felt her emotions spiraling inside again. “Are you okay with me coming here?”

His honesty surprised her, sparking something within. Why should she conceal her interest? She only hoped he wasn’t pretending attraction in expectation of a vacation fling.

She sighed deeply. “It was a long day for me.”

He smiled, obviously pleased with her admission. He pushed the tomatoes aside to the bread plate then speared a perfect forkful of salad. “I won’t hold up your table, but I did need to eat.”

Jaynee stood up. She couldn’t remain with one customer without getting into trouble.

“Well, it’s not
as if
you don’t tip well. Do you always double the gratuity, or was that just for me?” The hostess trailed two older couples behind her, he
ading toward one of her tables.
“Sorry, I have to move around, and Amy’s getting ready to seat me.”

“Of course.”
Jordan gestured his hand for her to proceed. “As long as you regard me as your number one priority, that’s all I ask.”

His eyes were intense, and Jaynee couldn’t suppress a laugh at his request.
“Number one priority?
Well, okay if that’s all…” What was he asking, and why was she okay with it? Two states separated them. Where did he intend on this going? Was this just an affair to remember or worse—to forget? He seemed so sincere, and she didn’t want to destroy what little enjoyment she could have by broaching the subject.

“And
yes, I always double the tip when I dine alone. It doesn’t seem fair otherwise.”

She smiled at him and shook her head, letting out a small huff. “So it wasn’t just me,” she teased, but walked away before he
could comment. He was too cute
and too sweet, which meant he was too good to be true.

Jaynee assisted her other tables but always kept her attention on Jordan—she didn’t want him to think he wasn’t her number one priority. She made certain she was in the ki
tchen when his dinner was ready, and t
hen gr
abbing another fresh mug of tea,
headed to his table.

After he’d finished his meal, she left the check and waited on her other customers.

He stood up as she returned to him.
“Will I distract you if I sit at the bar?” His fingers grazed hers as he handed her the folder with the dinner check inside. She could see two bills sticking out. He obviously gave her way too much of a tip again.

Her heart thudded uncontrollably at his slight touch. “Yes…” she admitted, gulping, but hoped he would.

“Good.” He
flashed
a wicked grin then strolled toward the bar.

Jaynee did something unprecedented. “Tim.” She walked up to
the general manager
hesitantly. It was too early for him to cut a server, but other waiters had asked this early. She knew this, of course, because she was always picking up their slack. “I know it’s early, but could you close my station.”

Tim’s head cocked slightly “Seriously? You never ask me to cut you early, C.J. Don’t tell me you’re
gonna
start acting like the rest of the college kids?”

“No, no, it’s nothing like that. Actually, I have a paper due, and I need to work on it,” she lied lightly. She really did need to work on her novella
;
though
,
she had no plans on doing that tonight.

“Fine, I’ll tell Amy not to seat you again.” She turned to walk off, hoping he wouldn’t press her. “But, C.J…” She turned to look back at
him
. “Please don’t make this a habit. I like the fact I can count on you. The reason I give you the best stations.” He lowered his gaze and smiled, assuring her of this fact.

She completed her closing duties, so when her last table finished, she was ready to le
ave. She rushed to the
employee
s
’
lounge, changed clothes, freshened up and then headed to meet Jordan at the bar. It was only eight.

Bounding up behind him, she startled him. He turned around quickly when she touched his arm, shielding his body. She cringed at the suddenness of his movements. He reacted like she’d seen men do in thriller movies, as if they were gearing up for an attack.

Not wanting to ruin their evening, she passed it off as nothing. Jordan was a big man, but he wasn’t dangerous.
“How ’bout ice cream instead of coffee?
I know a great little place off the causeway where we can pick some up and then drive to the beach. Also, if it’s okay, we can drop my car off on the way.” She normally wouldn’t allow that. But if he intended to try something, he wouldn’t hang around where everyone could identify him, or he would have attempted something last night. He didn’t even kiss her.

Jordan smiled wildly again,
sending
her blood coursing through her veins. “I always wanted a woman to say that.”

“What?” She narrowed her eyes in confusion.

“‘I know a great little place’, like they always say in the movies. It’s rather romantic, don’t you think?” His cheek pulled up on one side revealing a dimple she hadn’t noticed.

Romantic
?
Jordan wasn’t effeminate by any standard, and yet, he wasn’t afraid to verbalize something as romantic.

Jordan stood up and directed her toward the exit. His hand rested lightly against her lower back again. Amy’s eyes were wide as were a couple of the girls who
stopped bussing tables. Jaynee heard their whispers earlier as they checked Jordan out. They’d noticed him two evenings in a row, but she had kept her mouth shut.

Jordan walked her to her vehicle as he had the previous evening, closed her inside, and then without a word, turned to his truck. Amy was correct. It was an eye-
catching pickup. It was a brand
new F-150, a mammoth of a truck with its customized lift-kit and chrome wheels, the paint a pristine solid black. A true country-boy’s truck—it fit him.

Why hadn’t they discussed what he did for a living? Billy had mentioned construction, but she never thought to ask. She now wondered. Though she was positive it wasn’t anything like how her ex made money, but then, she
hadn’t
discover
ed
what he did for income until it was too late.

After pulling onto her driveway, Jaynee shifted her car in park and sprinted around to Jordan’s F-150. He had already jumped down and had opened the passenger door.

“I guess I need to install running boards.” He chuckled lightly as he helped her up.

“Hey…is that a ‘short’ joke?” she asked miffed, watching him climb into the driver’s seat. Truly though, she reveled at the idea of him wanting to install running boards—for her?

“On the contrary…your height is ideal. I detest tall, skinny girls.” He crinkled his nose, as though frowning at the notion.

She put her hands on her hips and jutted out her bottom lip, pretending to be offended. “So, I’m not skinny either?”

“Thank God, no!” he offered, laughing heartily. “Jaynee, you are perfect so far in every way.”

“So far…” She sighed. “Are you certain you want to finish the book?” She used the analogy he cited yesterday.

Jordan looked over at her, his eyes burning. “I do.”

Just two little innocent words, yet the implication in his tone sent shivers down her spine.

“What if you don’t like what you discover?” She quickly gave him directions before he could respond. “Take a right on Curlew Road at the light which will take us directly to the Dunedin Causeway.”

“Jaynee.”
His tone was solemn. He stopped at the intersection, but didn’t turn right on red. Instead he looked at her. “Are you doing anything illegal or immoral, or have you committed a crime against someone?
” His voice was serious at once;
he sounded like a cop.

“Of course not!”
Her voice rose to nearly a shout.

He smiled, shrugging. He looked to the left then started moving again, turning right. “Then it doesn’t matter. Whatever your life up to now is immaterial. When you trust me enough to tell me why you don’t believe in happiness, I’ll listen. Otherwise, as long as it doesn’t fit into one of those categories, it doesn’t matter.”

They were silent as they drove toward the causeway. She thought about what he
’d
suggested
;
it sounded as if he wanted more than a couple of days.

“That’s it up ahead.” Jaynee pointed to the yellow house-like structure with the front porch, its appearance similar to eateries located in the Florida Keys. She was so excited when they built it. Beforehand there wasn’t any place to get ice cream or dine on the causeway after sunset. “There are tables or we can take it with us,” she offered, appreciating the sound of “us” a little too much, and it was only their second non-date.