Jessica Sanders had an urge to kill. She understood that this was not an appropriate emotion for an office setting, so she gritted her teeth and laid her hot forehead down on her desk. When she straightened, her attractive, honey-colored features were resolute. She picked up the phone and dialed Della Rawlins, the Vice President of Finance at Judith Jordan Cosmetics.
Mrs. Rawlins secretary wouldn’t put Jessica through.
“Mrs. Rawlins is tied up now, but if you called she told me to tell you to put your concerns regarding the Legendary line’s budget cut in writing, and forward it–”
Jessica softly hung up the phone. She got up and left her office and marched straight into Della Rawlins office, past her protesting secretary.
Della Rawlins was on the phone. She motioned Jessica to silence, and a few minutes later hung up the phone. Mrs. Rawlins turned a syrupy smile toward her and said, “What can I do for you, young lady?”
Jessica ignored the woman’s condescending tone of voice and sat gracefully in a leather chair facing Mrs. Rawlins desk.
“You said in the budget meeting that you were cutting the launch budget of our new Legendary perfume and cosmetic campaign 40 percent. I’m hoping I didn’t understand you clearly. It’s simply not acceptable,” Jessica said smoothly.
Jessica swore she saw a gleam of satisfaction in Della Rawlins’ eyes. Mrs. Rawlins never liked her, especially since Jessica had started seeing the president of the company, Tom Jordan.
“My hands are tied” Della Rawlins said, shrugging.
“Did Tom approve this?” Jessica asked softly. Della Rawlins’ eyes hardened.
“Thomas Jordan hired me to oversee the finance department. The decision is final,” Mrs. Rawlins said. Then she stood, signaling to Jessica that the discussion was over.
Back in her office, Jessica sat in her leather chair heavily. She had to think. Tom was out of town until tomorrow, and she had to wire the funds to the suppliers of the perfume bottles by five o’clock this afternoon. Now she had no funds.
Jessica ran impatient fingers through her long, thick, black waves, as she placed a call to Tom’s secretary.
“Can you reach Mr. Jordan right away? I’m afraid it’s urgent.”
A few minutes later the secretary called back. She said that she wasn’t able to locate Tom Jordan, but she’d heard that he was on his way back to Atlanta, and could be reached at home shortly.
Jessica decided she would wait for Tom at his place. She stopped to get some flowers and his favorite wine, to dull the effect of her bombarding him with work problems as soon as he got back into town.
Jessica used the key that Tom had given her for the first time. She let herself into his apartment quietly. She went into the kitchen, intending to put the wine in the refrigerator, and look for a vase for the flowers. Suddenly, she stopped and listened. Jessica thought she heard something from the bedroom. It sounded like a moan.
Jessica crept toward the bedroom softly. She noted the trail of clothing that preceded her. Tom was usually much too fastidious to simply throw his clothes on the floor without hanging them up. There was a sinking feeling at the pit of Jessica’s stomach when she observed the feminine lacy and silk articles mixed with Tom’s clothing.
Jessica finally reached the bedroom door and looked in. Her fingers drew into fists, and the sinking feeling in her stomach hit bottom with a thud. She stood there, watching them stupidly, with her mouth hanging open.
Tom’s naked golden buttocks flexed and released over the woman. The woman’s head was thrown back, and her red hair flowed over the pillow. Her eyes were mere slits. The woman’s eyes met Jessica’s, and they narrowed even further. Jessica detected no shame in those eyes, only the glow of triumph.
Tom surged into the woman with the final thrust, and then he drooped across her. Jessica must have made a sound of dismay then, because Tom turned to face her. He gave her a look of irritation and calmly said, “Will you please get the hell out of here?” Jessica fled.
She let herself into her apartment blindly, stumbling to her couch. Jessica could hardly believe that this kind of betrayal had happened to her again. What was wrong with her? She looked at the phone with tear-filled eyes, willing Tom to call and tell her it had all been a mistake. Jessica grabbed her Afghan blanket from the sofa back and curled up in it, fully clothed, and cried herself to sleep.
It was dark when she woke up. The phone never rang. Tom wasn’t going to call her. Jessica went to her bedroom and looked at the clock. It was 5:30 a.m. She took off her clothes and went into the bathroom to wash her face and brush her teeth. She called the answering service to leave a message to her secretary that she wouldn’t be in to the office today.
Jessica sat in the middle of the bed with her journal and her favorite fountain pen. The pain and numbness had receded. In their place was pure, unadulterated rage. How could she have trusted him? He betrayed her. He used her. No punishment could be great enough.
She scribbled imaginative revenge fantasies furiously in her journal. The sun came up. Several hours later, she stretched on her bed, her hands cramped from her writing, and gave a little cat’s smile. Then she reached for the phone. The least she could do was to have his utilities turned off.
Then Jessica paced her apartment like a caged tiger. She couldn’t erase the scene of Tom and the woman out of her mind.
She heard his voice saying repeatedly, so scornfully and impatiently; “Will you get the hell out of here?” That scene was undercut with scenes of other memories, other heartbreaks.
Jessica couldn’t stay in her apartment one moment longer. She threw on a pair of jeans and impulsively went back to Tom’s apartment. Tom was gone. She let herself in with her key. She walked into the bedroom and surveyed his huge walk-in closet. It was meticulously neat, with everything hung by color and category.
Robotlike, Jessica walked to the kitchen drawer and pulled out a large pair of scissors. She looked at them, admiring the silvery shine, and the sharpness of their blades. She returned to his bedroom and circled the neatly made bed. Her hands clenched around the scissors handle. Jessica closed her eyes as a wave of nausea hit her, along with a memory.
She was twenty again and engaged. He was her first love and lover. Jessica was looking for him at the party his parents gave to celebrate his graduation from law school. They were going to announce their wedding date. He had been away from her side most of the evening.
Something drew her up to his old childhood bedroom. Jessica’s gut roiled when she saw him in the bed on top of her girlfriend. Spiteful satisfaction gleamed in the girl’s eyes when she saw Jessica standing there in shock.
Later that evening Jessica confronted him. He said the girl threw herself at him and that he couldn’t help himself. He told Jessica that she should understand, that was the way men were. Jessica told him that she would never understand betrayal, and she threw the engagement ring nto his face.
When Jessica opened her eyes she was back at Tom’s apartment, standing in front of his closet. Her first heartbreak was six years ago, but time apparently hadn’t burned the residue of pain from her heart. A surge of anger welled up within her at Tom, at all men. Her eyes filled with tears, and sobs heaved her chest. Jessica beat and flailed at Tom’s neatly hung clothes, tearing them from the rod and dumping the clothing on the floor. She tore open the labeled drawers of meticulously folded clothing and dropped the contents on the floor.
Jessica sunk to the floor and nestled into a pile of clothes, still sobbing. She realized she still held the sharp scissors in her hand and without thinking, grabbed one of Tom’s Armani suit jackets and started cutting. Then she realized what she was doing. She looked at the ribbons she made out the suit jacket with horror.
Jessica stood up shakily and eyed the devastation that her temper had rained on Tom’s closet. She closed her eyes in disbelief at her actions. The scissors dropped nervelessly from her fingers.
Jessica felt completely drained as she stumbled away from Tom’s apartment. It was as if someone else had taken over her body momentarily. If Tom ever took her to court she would plead temporary insanity. Jessica thought of the chaos she left behind in Tom’s closet and she felt like crying and giggling hysterically at the same time.
She drove to her sister Susan’s house. When Jessica walked into Susan’s kitchen, her stomach rumbled involuntarily at the delicious smells from the pots on the stove. She walked over to the stove and kissed her sister on the cheek. Jessica patted her sister’s very pregnant belly. “Hi, how’s the baby?” she said.
“The baby is active. I think I’m growing a soccer player in there.”
“A World Cup champion at the very least,” Jessica said.
“You look tired,” Susan said, “Why no work? What’s the occasion?”
“Not only am I tired, I’ve turned into a raving maniac.”
Later, after she told her story, Jessica savored the food Susan placed before her. Infidelity, fury, and madness apparently didn’t affect her appetite. Susan looked at Jessica in awe as she heard what happened. A glint of admiration appeared in her eye when Jessica told her about the destruction of Tom’s closet.
“He’s a dirty dog,” Susan said, referring to Tom. “Don’t worry about his clothes, you didn’t really hurt them, and he deserved all you did and worse. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to be a fly on the wall and see his pretty face when Mr. Fashion-Bandbox-Clothes-Horse looks into his closet.” Susan helplessly dissolved in laughter.
Jessica just looked at her. Susan sobered herself after she saw Jessica’s distraught face. Jessica said, “I’m worried about my career. I worked hard to get where I am today. I was looking forward to the launch of the new Legendary line of cosmetics. It is the first campaign I’ve handled by myself.” Jessica shook her head ruefully. “I guess that’s what comes from playing around with your boss at the office.”
“Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Susan said. “He wanted to marry you, didn’t he? It’s good you found out about him.”
“I guess you’re right, Susan. But I have a hell of a mess waiting for me at the office tomorrow.”
“Chin up, Jessica Sanders, you’re going to come out of this all right. You always do. Also, I never said so frankly before, but I never liked Tom Jordan. I think you’re better off without him.”
When Jessica got back home, she sat on the couch in front of her TV, aimlessly flicking the remote control. She finally settled on a popular daytime talk show that she arrived home too late to watch. She stared at the screen with unfocused eyes, and reflected on the time she spent with Tom.
The women at work had envied her relationship with the president of the company. Tom was a single, young, good-looking, African-American man, and it didn’t hurt he had money, education, and position also.
When she started eight years ago at Judith Jordan Cosmetics, she was a clerk. Tom Jordan didn’t acknowledge her existence; he usually didn’t associate with lower echelon staff. With her last promotion to campaign director, he finally noticed her.
At last year’s Christmas party, he insisted on riding home with her in a taxi. He also insisted on a nightcap. When Tom tried to kiss her, she firmly saw him out the door. She got the distinct impression that wasn’t something he experienced often.
Jessica realized now that it was her initial resistance and apparent innocence that fascinated Tom. He put her on a pedestal. He treated her as gingerly as delicate glass. Tom never touched her with passion and his kisses were light and fleeting. Their relationship was pale and unconsummated, and Jessica sometimes wondered why that fact didn’t bother her more.
Lately, he had been talking to her about marriage. Jessica was holding back from saying yes, although people were saying that if she didn’t hurry and reel in such a eligible man, she was crazy.
Jessica admitted to herself that she was relieved the relationship between her and Tom was over. She contemplated the blinders that infatuation puts over her eyes. Tom’s position, charm, and superficial appearance dazzled her. Jessica never examined closely who he really was. She never really wanted him. Tom thought her cool and virginal, but she turned away from his kisses because they never moved her. Jessica realized her past relationships with men and her feelings of inadequacy spawned her hurt and fury at Tom’s infidelity.
Jessica had just learned a hard lesson. She was no fool though. It was a lesson she hoped she’d never need to learn again.
Jessica was tense when she walked into her office the next morning. The sight of Della Rawlins knowing, gloating face in the hall didn’t help her feel any easier. Jessica was ready to face the consequences of her actions, and figured she didn’t have long to find them out. She was right.
“Boy, am I glad to see you,” Maria, her secretary said. “Mr. Jordan’s brother got in yesterday to review the company policies and finances. Here’s a memo about the Legendary line. It looks like they’ve decided to restore the funding. Lucas Jordan wants a complete prospectus on the line by eleven today.”
“Slow down, Maria, and let me get settled,” Jessica said. Maria looked at Jessica obliquely.
“I heard something had happened with you and the younger Mr. Jordan. His secretary said Tom Jordan wanted to fire you, but when the older brother looked over your work, he decided that you were the best person for the job and couldn’t be replaced,” Maria said.
“Oh, he did, did he? We’ll see about that. So, the office grapevine has wasted no time. Well, it’s true, Tom and I have split, and if it’s left up to him, I probably won’t be working here for much longer.”
Maria shook her head. “I hope you’ll stay, Ms. Sanders, you’re the best boss I’ve had in a long time. If I can be frank, I always thought you were too good for the likes of Tom Jordan anyway.”
“Thanks, Maria. So, tell me again about this Lucas Jordan.”
“They call him Luke. He’s older then Tom, well into his thirties, I think. He’s the one whom their father left the control of Jordco Industries. He is CEO of the entire conglomerate. I think he wants to straighten things out around here.”
“Hmmmm, now I remember,” Jessica said. The family fortune started in construction, and now had diversified to several interests, including the Judith Jordan Cosmetics. “But why the sudden interest in Judith Jordan?” Jessica wondered aloud.
“Judith Jordan Cosmetics in financial trouble I hear,” Maria answered. “I’m starting to hear about impending layoffs of the clerical staff. You know, in all the years I’ve worked here, we were always secure in our jobs. The company has always made good profits. I never wanted to say this before, since you and Tom Jordan were so close, but ever since he took over the reins, things have been going downhill.”
Jessica nodded and sighed resignedly. “When did you say this Luke Jordan wants to meet with me?”
“At eleven o’clock, with the complete dossier of the Legendary line.”
“I’d better get to work then. I’m not taking calls, Maria, especially from Tom Jordan.”
Jessica knocked on the door of Luke Jordan’s office promptly at eleven. A husky voice bid her to come in. Jessica’s heart pounded at the sight of him. He looked well over six feet tall, with a muscular, but not thickset, body. He was leaning back in his chair. Jessica thought she saw a faint echo of Tom in his features, but it was a very faint echo.
Luke Jordon was darker then Tom. He was a rich bronze color. His features were craggy and striking rather then ‘pretty’ as Tom’s were. By no stretch of the imagination could you call this man pretty. He made Tom look like a boy. He exuded masculine self confidence, before he even opened his mouth. The most startling golden eyes were set in that dark face.
Then, Jessica noticed those golden eyes looking at her with contempt. “Are you coming in or are you going to stand there? Please come in and sit down,” he said. Jessica walked into the office and sat in the leather chair facing him.
“First, I want to make something clear,” Luke said. “I saw the disarray you made of my brother’s closet. I consider your behavior childish and inexcusable. However, your private life is your business. What I want you to clearly understand, is that such behavior will not be tolerated in this company. I expect you and Tom to treat each other with professional respect and courtesy in this office.”
Jessica opened her mouth to speak, but Luke held up his hand. “Hear me out, Ms. Sanders. I have reviewed your recent work, and your record with the company. They have been exemplary. We value your work on the Legendary line for mature women, and we need you to be at the helm. But I will not tolerate the mess of your personal life to spill over into your professional one in this company.
“Tom told me about your multiple lovers and infidelities while you were with him, including how you threw yourself at him, and your extreme possessiveness. If you can separate your libido and unreasonable jealousy from the work you do, you have a future with the company. Otherwise, I suggest you walk out of that door right now.”
Jessica was speechless with rage when she heard the lies Tom told Luke Jordan. She opened her mouth and nothing came out.
“I’m happy we understand each other,” Luke said.
Finally she sputtered, “Understand each other? Your brother fed you a pack of lies, Mr. Jordan, I–”
Luke cut her sentence off. “This is not a subject we need to discuss further. Do you have the prospectus, Ms. Sanders?”
Jessica opened her mouth and closed it again. What a pompous ass he was. He and his brother could take this job and stick . . . But another line of reasoning struck her. She worked hard to achieve her present position. She liked her job and she was looking forward to the launch of the Legendary line.
Jessica was also aware of another feeling. It was shame. The attack on Tom’s clothing just wasn’t her style. Tom hadn’t owed her anything. They weren’t engaged, and they weren’t married. They had never even made love. She was grateful that her job wasn’t simply pulled out from under her.
If that’s how Tom wanted to play it, to portray her as a slut, Jessica guessed she could go along with it for now. It was a small price to pay. After all, Tom was out of her life. She wondered what Tom would do about his utilities. It usually took at least a week to get them all turned back on. Jessica silently handed Luke the prospectus.
Jessica had barely made it back to her office and sat at her desk, when Tom burst through the door. Jessica tensed, and she started to apologize to him. One look at his face stopped her. Tom put his hands on her desk, and leaned into her face.
“You stupid bitch,” he hissed. “Don’t think you got away with it. If it wasn’t for big brother, you’d be out the door right now. He isn’t going to be here forever. You’d better watch your back and don’t make a wrong move.” After Tom made his speech, he stalked out of her office, slamming the door behind him.
Jessica shivered with reaction. She wondered if her job at Judith Jordan Cosmetics was worth the aggravation. Then she lifted her chin, squared her shoulders, and decided it was.
The day had been exhausting. When Jessica got home she got straight into her old chenille robe and started eating the Chinese takeout she had stopped to pick up. She turned on the news, but she couldn’t concentrate on it. The memory of Luke Jordan’s face kept drifting in front of her eyes.
Jessica recalled his contemptuous and beautiful golden eyes. If she even smiled at him she bet he would think she was coming on to him. Luke Jordan had been very clear in what he thought about her. Jessica’s lips tightened when she remembered Luke saying that she threw herself at Tom. Luke Jordan was insufferable.
She looked around at the lived-in hominess of her apartment. It had a comfortable country look, with overstuffed chairs, lots of lace, chintz, and an eclectic mix of floral patterns, from cabbage roses to Laura Ashley prints. There was a fireplace with a carved oak showpiece mantel, and antique cabinets full of knickknacks. Jessica always indulged herself in fresh flowers for her apartment.
Tom hated her apartment as much as she loved it. He said it was a mess, and she needed a decorator. Jessica sat cozily in her overstuffed rose-colored velvet couch. She thought again about how relieved she was that Tom was out of her life. The doorbell rang.
Jessica opened the door to her sister, Susan.
“My hubby is working late again tonight, and I couldn’t wait to hear how your first day back on the job went. Are you still employed?”
“Yes, but I don’t know at this point whether it’s going to work out.” Jessica went on to tell her sister about Tom’s reaction and Luke.
“I hope that Luke Jordan is a better man then his brother,” Susan said.
Jessica shrugged. “It doesn’t really matter, he thinks I’m some tramp out to get his brother . . . By the way, is that the last of my chow mein you’re devouring?”
“Now, Jessica, you know a pregnant woman has to keep her strength up.”
“What you’re going to keep up is your weight,” Jessica said, grinning.
After Susan left, Jessica thought how lucky she was to have her for a sister. Jessica’s mother died when she was fourteen. Jessica never knew her father. He had left when she was too young to remember him.
Jessica went numb with grief when her mother died. She refused to get out of bed, or to go to school. She refused to talk. Susan was twenty years old when she dropped out of college and singlehandedly took on the job of guiding her fourteen year old sister through adolescence.
Only recently had Jessica fully appreciated what her sister sacrificed for her. Her sister gave up her dreams of being a doctor, along with her scholarship. Jessica was happy when Susan married John, a dentist who adored her. She was proud when Susan went back to the university despite the twelve year hiatus. The pregnancy had interrupted her sister’s schooling, but Jessica saw on
her face that Susan was truly glad about the baby.
While Jessica rejoiced in her sister’s happiness, the loneliness in her own heart echoed. She missed sharing every facet of her sister’s life. Jessica chastised herself for the selfishness of her thoughts, and got up off the sofa wearily to prepare for bed.
Jessica was late getting to the office the next morning. She overslept. She scorched her favorite silk blouse in her rush to iron it, and she ripped a runner in her last pair of pantyhose as she pulled them on. Jessica rushed into her office and right into Luke’s sardonic eyes. He was sitting at her desk. He pointedly looked at the clock on the wall. The Legendary files were spread across her desk.
“I’ve been waiting to meet with you for an hour,” Luke said, sipping a cup of coffee.
Jessica thought about how she certainly didn’t need this aggravation first thing in the morning.
“Sorry I’m late,” she said sweetly to Luke. She dumped her briefcase and other belongings on her desk in front of him and walked out to get a cup of coffee and collect her thoughts. The very proximity of the man disturbed her.
When Jessica returned to her office, Luke still hadn’t moved from her chair. She sat on the sofa facing her desk and waited.
“I was just going over some of your plans coordinating publicity, and product marketing of some Legendary products. I’m very pleased, but you need to include some Hispanic models, also one or two Asians. We need to broaden our bases and remind the public that our products are not only for African-American women, but encompass all women of color.”
“I’ll get on it right away, Mr. Jordan,” Jessica said, just wishing he would go away.
“I see that you have all the products ready for release, and your promotion projects are planned. Basically, all there is left before the launch date is some minor detail work. Am I correct?” Jessica nodded.
“I’m going to allow you to hire and train an assistant to take care of those details. I prefer in house promotions. I’m going to broaden your responsibilities to coordinate planning and marketing for all the lines of our specialty products.”
The man was full of surprises. He was giving her more responsibilities on the tail of yesterday’s debacle. “Thank you, Mr. Jordan,” Jessica said.
He surprised her with a sexy, crooked grin, that perfectly complemented his husky voice. He lifted his lean body out of the chair and slowly approached her. Jessica’s pulse raced. He sat next to her on the sofa. Much too close, Jessica thought. His nearness made her heart beat erratically.
“I’ll see you at the meeting this afternoon,” was all Luke said before getting up and walking out the door. Jessica realized that she was holding her breath. She exhaled slowly, feeling a curious emptiness inside her upon his sudden exit.
When she moved to her chair, she could feel the lingering warmth of his thighs. She remembered his unique clean, masculine smell, the timbre of his voice, and the fine hairs at the back of his hand. No man had ever affected her so strongly. He was arrogant, opinionated, high handed and impossibly sexy.
Later that day, Jessica sat in the hot and stuffy board room, as Della Rawlins droned on about monetary matters. Jessica eased one foot out of her pump and wiggled her toes savoring their delicious freedom. She kept her face carefully blank, trying to interject interested nods when Mrs. Rawlins happened to pause for breath.
Jessica sensed the tiny beads of sweat breaking out on her upper lip. Her entire body felt sticky. She briefly entertained fantasies of aqua blue pools, and long luxurious interludes in a cool Jacuzzi.
Jessica picked up her pen and set it on her legal pad. The urge to draw a caricature of Della Rawlins’ plump face, faint mustache, and sagging jowls, became almost overwhelming. Jessica put the pen back down. Everywhere around her she heard the creaks of the leather wing chairs as bottoms fidgeted throughout the room.
Jessica was keenly aware of movement Luke Jordan made. So far he hadn’t squirmed an inch. Would Della Rawlins never shut up? Once Della Rawlins realized her audience was truly captive, she would go on and on until someone stopped her. Tom would have stopped her half an hour ago.
Tom wasn’t at the meeting today. It was likely pique over his brother taking over the key functions of the company. Sibling rivalry, she supposed.
Jessica sneaked a peek at Luke again. He looked cool and comfortable, the rat. His jacket was off, his shirtsleeves rolled up, and his tie loosened. Luke was practically sitting at attention, taking notes, and hanging on to Della Rawlins’ every word.
This time she noticed the length of his lashes, their reflection casting a shadow on his cheek. It was funny how his brother, with all his flamboyant beauty, didn’t have lashes like that. The attractiveness of Luke’s golden eyes darkly fringed with those lashes didn’t detract one whit from the overall effect of masculine ruggedness.
Jessica tore her eyes away from Luke’s face. She surreptitiously noted the ring on his left hand, fourth finger. The heat must be going to her head, she thought. He was married and even if he wasn’t . . . Jessica gratefully let that thought trail into nothingness.
She freed and wiggled the toes on her other foot. Inevitably her eyes were inexorably drawn to Luke’s face again. Suddenly golden glints met her soft brown eyes. Jessica looked away, mortified.
There was a collective murmur of relief as Della Rawlins wound up her financial report. Jessica tiredly climbed to her feet and started to head back to her office. She heard a husky drawl, “One moment, Ms. Sanders.”
Luke was blocking her exit. The room emptied, leaving her alone with Luke. Jessica looked at him quizzically.
“Is there something on my tie?” Luke asked.
“What?” Jessica said.
“Maybe I have something on my chin.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mr. Jordan. Excuse me, I have a stack of work waiting . . . ”
“Just a moment, Ms. Sanders. I want you to clarify what it is about me that held so much of your attention in the meeting?”
Jessica felt her face go hot. She couldn’t meet his eyes, but gazed at him somewhere in the forehead vicinity. “Please don’t flatter yourself, Mr. Jordan. There is nothing about you that could ‘hold my attention’, as you put it. Now, if you will excuse me,” she said.
Jessica heard the rumble of his laugh as she turned away. He touched her arm gently. She pulled her arm away. “In case you didn’t understand what I said the first time, Mr. Jordan, there is nothing about you that can hold my attention for even another second,” Jessica said heatedly.
“And please don’t touch me again.”
“I won’t unless you ask me to,” Luke drawled. “But understand this. Your long, sultry looks aren’t toying with a boy. You will be playing a man’s game.” His smile was almost predatory.
“I play no games of any sort with married men,” Jessica spat out.
A look of surprise crossed Luke’s face. Then he looked down at his rings. “My wife passed away almost three years ago,” he murmured. A shadow crossed his face for a moment, then Luke shrugged, and walked away.
Chapter Two
Tom strolled into Jessica’s office while she and Maria were busy working on the details of the Legendary launch party. Maria hurriedly excused herself. Jessica glanced at Tom and walked over to her window, stifling an urge to wrap her arms around herself for protection.
Tom presented a piece of paper to her with a flourish. Jessica looked at it. It was a bill for his Armani suit. She noted the total of $873.47.
Tom had a smirk on his face. “Now, if that’s too much cash for you for you to handle, we can make other payment arrangements,” he said.
Tom tore up the bill and let the bits of paper flutter to the floor. His eyes swept up and down her figure and he reached behind her and drew a caressing hand down her buttocks. A shudder of revulsion went through Jessica at his touch.
“I’m willing to forgive and forget, baby. I know the thought of losing me to another woman made you go crazy. You can make me forget all about that other girl,” Tom said, moistening his full lips.
Jessica stepped away from him. “I suppose even you have heard of sexual harassment haven’t you?” she said acidly. “It is through between us. The thought of us together makes me sick. In fact, you make me sick.”
Tom’s jaw tightened in fury. “You frigid bitch. I decided to let your ice-wrapped butt finally get some. Well, as they say, easy-come, easy-go.” The door reverberated behind him.
Jessica closed her eyes as emotions tumbled through her. This was getting more sordid every day. It was ugly. She regretted ever laying eyes on Thomas Jordan. Did he think he could chase her away? Did he think that she would give up all she worked so hard for, because of him? He was sadly mistaken.
Jessica opened her eyes, and spied the fragments of paper on the floor where Tom had dropped them. She went over and gathered them up. Then she went to her desk, and took out her purse. She made out a check for $873.47, addressed to Mr. Thomas Jordan.
The weekend had finally arrived. It dawned on a beautiful and bright spring Saturday morning. Jessica and her sister were browsing through the shopping center, looking for baby gadgets and knickknacks for the nursery.
“Look at this, Sue,” Jessica called out, pointing at the huge floppy teddy bear. “I’ve got to get it.”
“I hope that thing is for yourself. It’s at least four feet tall.”
“Nope, this is perfect for the baby. It will be like a substitute mother. Remember, those studies about baby monkeys bonding with stuffed animals?” Jessica said.
“You’re kidding, aren’t you?” Susan said, rolling her eyes. Susan followed Jessica into the store. Jessica whipped out her Visa gold. “Jessica, that thing will crush my baby,” Susan said worriedly.
Jessica looked at the huge bear again as the clerk rang up the purchase. “Well, it is sort of big. I tell you what, I’ll keep it until the little one is a year old or so, but I want to go ahead and buy it.” Jessica hugged the bear. “It’s on sale,” Jessica added apologetically.
“Okay,” Susan said. “Let’s sit down somewhere soon. My back is starting to ache.”
“We can go for some ice cream, “Jessica said, trying to get a grip on the huge teddy bear along with their other packages. She spied an inviting looking ice cream parlor, and motioned for her sister to join her.
“Don’t let me forget, Jess, we need to go to the grocery store and get some greens. I’ve been promising to cook John some greens and cornbread the last two weeks,” Susan said as she eased carefully into the booth of the ice cream parlor.
“Okay, hon.” Jessica perched the teddy bear in a chair at the end of the booth and went to fill their orders.
Jessica was on her way back to their booth. She was licking a drippy off the side of her ice cream cone, when she collided into a firm male form. She knew who it was before she looked up. Her eyes traveled from penny loafers, up the faded pair of jeans snugly hugging muscled thighs, to his broad chest, and finally into amused golden eyes.
“Hello,” Luke simply said, smiling at her. His smile was warm and friendly, crooked and sexy. It left a warm coal glowing at the pit of Jessica’s stomach.
“Hello,” she said. She felt herself grinning like an idiot, and quickly shifted her attention to the rivulet of ice cream continuing to melt down her hand toward her elbow. She hurried over to her sister to give her one of the cones. Luke followed and Jessica reluctantly introduced him to her sister.
“Won’t you join us, Mr. Jordan?” Susan asked.
“Call me Luke,” he said bestowing another one of his warm smiles on Susan. “I’ll be right back.” Luke went to fill his order. Susan looked at him appreciatively.
“Nice,” she murmured to Jessica. “He looks much more the man then his brother does.” Jessica didn’t meet her eyes and concentrated on her ice cream. Susan raised an eyebrow at her sister. Jessica rarely appeared discomfited by a man.
Luke returned, sliding into the booth next to Jessica. He had an extra-large root beer float topped with extra whipped cream, which he guzzled with relish. Jessica looked at him with amazement. Somehow he didn’t look the sort of man who frequented ice cream parlors drinking root beer floats. He would look perfectly at place at a posh man’s club, in the bar of a four star hotel, or presiding over a board meeting.
Luke drew Susan out with small talk, discussing Atlanta’s upcoming Black Arts festival and laughing over ludicrous suggestions for baby names. Susan gave a worried glance once or twice to her uncharacteristically silent sister, but didn’t try to force her into the conversation.
“That’s a great bear,” Luke suddenly said.
“Yes, that’s a great, big, giant bear,” Susan replied.
“You’re going to let the baby grow into it, huh? It will be a milestone when the baby’s bigger then that bear,” Luke said.
“I really think Jessica brought that bear for herself,” Susan said.
“Whoa, now,” Jessica answered. “I’ll give him up when the baby is big enough.”
“My baby will be a teenager before it outweighs that bear,” Susan said, laughing.
“What are you going to name it?” Luke asked.
“How about Teddy D. Bear?” Susan said.
“Oh no,” Jessica and Luke groaned in unison.
“Much too unimaginative,” Jessica said.
“Mr. Whipple the Bear?” Luke offered.
“Mr. Whipple!” both Susan and Jessica cried.
“You want to name him after that guy who squeezed toilet paper in TV commercials?” Susan asked.
“No, after my fifth grade teacher. He really looked like that bear.”
“No, everybody will think I named him after the toilet paper man,” Jessica said. “I see this bear naming is a task secondary only to baby naming. I must study up on this,” she said mock-earnestly.
Luke glanced at his watch. “I’ve let time get past me. It is a pleasure to meet you, Susan, but I have to be going. Jessica, you will let me know the name for the bear, won’t you?” Luke gave them a final smile as he left the ice cream parlor.
Susan rested her chin on her hand and examined her sister. “You should have met him first,” she said.
“Spare me,” Jessica muttered. “Tom told him I am a promiscuous, jealous, not to mention unbalanced, man chaser. With the evidence I left at Tom’s apartment after I went through his closet, I don’t believe Luke’s going to doubt him.”
“He looks like a man who can think for himself, Jessica, and he must know his brother.” Susan was silent for a moment. “You like him, don’t you?” she asked softly.
“I really can’t afford to. Tom was bad news, and as you said, that is his brother,” Jessica said.
Susan sighed. “Let’s go to the store so I can get started on dinner.”
A small fire had rendered the hotel’s banquet hall unusable for the launch party of the Legendary line. They had less then two weeks to secure another adequate space. Maria was pacing the office cursing colorfully in Spanish. Jessica could feel her head start to pound. She pressed her temples carefully with manicured fingertips and said, “We need to get positive. Let’s be creative. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a ritzy hotel. Something in the community might be better after all. I’m sure we’ll turn something up.”
“You’re right, Jessica. You know that new community center off Auburn Avenue? That might be perfect. I’ll get on it right now.” Maria went to her desk.
Jessica reached into her desk for some aspirin, and walked to the water cooler. A group of old friends from her clerical pool days was grouped around a table in the break room.
“Jessica, over here,” one of them called out. Jessica walked over to the table with a smile.
Everybody drew closer together at the tiny table to make room for her. “What’s this?” Jessica asked taking one of the unidentifiable balls they offered her.
“I don’t know the name, but they’re East Indian. Alicia’s roommate made them for a party and these are the leftovers,” Sandy said.
“They’re delicious,” Jessica replied.
“I got this new dress for the party, except it’s not really new, it’s old. It’s this fabulous forty’s movie star dress in ivory. I’ve even got a feather boa to wear with it,” June said.
“Where did you get it?” Alicia asked. “I’ve been looking for an evening dress like that and I simply can’t find one I like.”
“This consignment shop up in Roswell.”
“What are you wearing, Jessica?” Sandy asked.
“I haven’t decided between two choices. One is a flapper styled gown in white, with bugle beads,” Jessica said.
“This party is going to be fabulous. I can’t believe I’m finally going to see Lena Horne close up, I just adore her,” said June.
“I’ve been watching all these old Fred Astaire movies to polish up my dance steps,” Sandy said.
“Is it true all of the music is going to be big band era tunes?” Alicia asked Jessica.
“Some will, but I think the band will pay some softer jazz also. I’ll let you in on something. Etta James is a guest and she’s agreed to sing some blues,” Jessica said.
“Oh, God. It’s going to be great,” Alicia said dramatically, her eyes wide.
“The big wheels wouldn’t dream of inviting the rank and file to a company party like this. We really appreciate this, Jessica,” Sandy said.
“Nonsense,” Jessica said. “Without what you do, there would be no company. You belong at the celebration.”
Jessica noticed the long, lean figure leaning against the wall next to the coffee pot, listening unashamedly to their conversation. It was Luke. His golden eyes were assessing her. Jessica could feel the pounding of her headache escalating under his steady regard. “I’ve got to go, ladies,” Jessica said, easing away from the table. “I got some troubleshooting to do.” Jessica exited the room amid calls of goodbye and good wishes. She gave a cool nod to Luke as she passed him. Luke looked after her trim figure with interest.
The ease in which she interacted with the clerical staff went against what Tom told him about her snotty, arrogant ways, Luke thought. Everything that Tom had told him about Jessica conflicted with what he had observed with own eyes.
She was an intelligent, dedicated, hard worker. Her co-workers and underlings respected her. She was beautiful, true, with her velvet, honey-toned skin, warm brown almond eyes, and full, mobile lips that were quick to turn up into a smile. Her beauty had an unconscious appeal to it. Luke had seen no evidence of flirtatiousness or duplicity in her. Why would Tom lie about her to him?
Luke straightened up and followed her petite, hourglass figure from the break room. Maybe it was time he got to know her better. Intent on following the graceful swing of Jessica’s hips, Luke walked dead into his brother Tom.
“Are you sleepwalking, man?” Tom said, steadying himself.
Tom turned around and saw Jessica’s retreating form. His black eyes narrowed as he swung back around to confront his brother. But Luke was gone.
Tom immediately went to Luke’s office. Luke was working on the computer terminal and barely looked up at his brother.
“My ex-lover, Jessica Sanders, is one fine looking woman, isn’t she?” Tom said, studying his fingernails. “She goes for the man with the well-padded wallet. She practically broke mine, with all the clothes and jewelry she begged me to buy. Yep, Miss Sanders is one expensive woman. But that should be no problem for you, big brother. Our Dad made sure your bank accounts would always be far fatter then mine.”
“What is your point?” Luke ground out.
“I have no point, big brother. I was merely informing you of some of the potential aftereffects, in case you decide to dine on one of my ‘leftovers’. You are already aware of her temper.”
“Your warnings are unnecessary, Thomas. Whom I decide to ‘dine on’ as you put it, is none of your business. Speaking of business, do you have the summary of measures you took in response to each quarters financial reports, that I asked you for days ago?”
Tom shrugged. “No, I suggest you get that from Della Rawlins.”
“I already have Della Rawlins’ reports. I want your reports. Does this mean you haven’t even started compiling them?”
“That’s exactly what it means. If you are going to waste all this time worrying over company finances, you’d damn better do the leg work yourself. Since you’ve walked in here and taken over the one company our esteemed father left for me to manage, I think I will go ahead and take some well-earned rest.”
“Drawing your regular salary, of course.”
“Of course. Some of us have to work to earn our living and deserve our little vacations, unlike those who are left inheritances to do with as they please.”
“If you were willing to work to meet the requirements to inherit the companies that Dad worked so hard to build, he would have left you your legacy outright. Even now, if you would build this company to show steady growth, Dad’s will stipulates that the family’s share of the stock in Judith Jordan Cosmetics, Inc. reverts to you. The will says if the company fails through poor management, you will have nothing, not even a job in one of our businesses. Don’t pretend you don’t realize that I came here just so you would have some share–”
“Spare me your pious excuses, Luke. Dad didn’t leave you a bunch of written business goals to meet, for you to inherit control over his businesses. Everything was handed to you outright.”
“He didn’t have to leave me written standards, because I had already met them. Dad told me, before I graduated from college, how much his businesses meant to him. He said he wouldn’t leave them just to anyone to fritter away, not even his sons. I know he told you the same thing. You know what he expected.”
“He expected a damn robot clone of himself. All I remember of him is working. He thought it was a sin to loosen up, to have fun, and enjoy your money. And you’re exactly like him,” Tom said with a sneer.
“Do you think it’s fun to let down your father and your family? That it’s fun to throw away all Dad worked for?”
Tom sneered again, “I hope you’re not trying to judge me. I’m getting as sick of you as I got of our recently departed father.”
Luke stiffened. At that moment Jessica opened the door saying, “Mr. Jordan, the Legendary party site has . . . ”
Her words trailed away as she felt the tension in the room. She looked back and forth between the two brothers.
“Excuse me,” she said, withdrawing from the room.
“That’s all right, Ms. Sanders,” Luke said. “Thomas was just leaving.” Tom shot a poisonous glance at both of them as he left the room.
Jessica was silent for a moment. Luke sat at his desk, looking into the distance. He looked pensive, Jessica thought. Jessica cleared her throat and Luke looked back up at her.
“Our hotel site is unusable, Mr. Jordan. Maria and I have come up with an alternative,” Jessica said. “The new Atlanta Urban Community Center has adequate space and is willing to allow us to modify it to our specifications. Most importantly, it is available at short notice.”
“Are you sure the amount of space is adequate?”
“Yes, they just faxed over the floor plan, and it looks like it will do nicely,” Jessica said, handing the plan to him.
Luke glanced at the plan and nodded. “Good work, Ms. Sanders.”
“Why don’t you call me Jessica, like everyone else does?” she asked.
“Because you always address me as Mr. Jordan.” Luke said.
“Okay, Luke, please call me Jessica.”
“Jessica, do you have an escort to this event?” Luke asked lazily.
Jessica hesitated before answering. “Well, Tom was going to take me . . . ”
“I thought so,” Luke replied. “I’ll pick you up at eight at your place.”
“Have you considered how that will look? I would prefer to go by myself.”
“This isn’t a matter of preference, and I could care less how it looks. You’re in charge of coordinating the launch of the new Legendary cosmetic line. I’m the acting company president. I will escort you to the Legendary launch party. As I said, I’ll pick you up at eight.”
“Whatever,” Jessica said after a pause.
“I wouldn’t think you were the type to worry about appearances. You didn’t hesitate to carry on a very public affair with your boss, and you ended that affair in what I would consider a dramatic manner.”
“Think what you like.” Jessica turned on her heel to leave.
“Eight o’clock sharp,” Luke called after her.
Saturday evening, Luke’s black Jaguar purred into the drive of Jessica’s townhouse at exactly eight o’clock.
“Come on in, the door is open, I’m almost ready.” Jessica called, as Luke rang her doorbell.
Luke opened the door to her townhouse gingerly. He felt like a restless cat invading some mysterious lair. The distinctive scent she always wore perfused her apartment. It smelled like the fresh flowers he saw everywhere. He liked her place. It was cozy, colorful, and extremely feminine.
“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Jessica said, handing him her wrap. Luke’s eyes widened at the sight of her. Her beauty always was breathtaking, but tonight, it stopped his heart.
Her hair tumbled in shining ebony waves, over bare honey brown shoulders. She wore a black silk dress. It was simple and stunning. The dress had long sleeves and a draped, off the shoulder neckline. It gently hugged Jessica’s full breasts. As she turned away from Luke for him to place her wrap over her shoulders, he saw that the dress defined her tiny waist. The full skirt flowed over her womanly hips and buttocks, and flashes of shapely leg tantalized him through the slit on the side.
“Luke?” Jessica questioned, wondering why he was so silent behind her.
Luke collected himself and settled the black and gold lace shawl over her shoulders. They walked to his car in silence.
Luke said in his low and husky voice, “You look wonderful.”
Jessica shot a glance at him.
“Thank you,” she said.
She had wanted to return the compliment. She was certain he would be the most attractive man at the event. Jessica sneaked a peek at his profile. He was driving a little too fast, his long elegant fingers draped over the steering wheel.
The silence between them was easy and comfortable. It was unlike the time she spent with his brother, where she always hurried to fill any empty spaces that fell between them.
Luke’s Jaguar pulled up to the community center amid the blinding, popping bulbs, and jabbering questions of the press. Luke shielded Jessica as they made their entrance.
The lobby had been transformed into an elegant reception hall. White coated waiters circulated champagne and hor d’oeuvres on rich thick camel carpet underneath the soft shimmer of chandeliers. Jessica was immediately surrounded by people.
Luke stifled a surge of irritation as she was separated from him. The crowd separated as he made his way through. He seated himself at the table, nodding familiarly at the cream of Atlanta’s society and entertainment community seated around him.
Luke took a sip of Chivas, and stifled a sigh as he saw Anna Dressler head toward him.
“Luke,” Anna cried, bending over to make kissing noises near his cheeks.
She sank into the chair next to him. Anna had a black slip of a dress that was barely decent. She took her time crossing her long, slim, brown legs. Luke saw her watching to make sure he observed her display her best assets. He didn’t let her down, and Anna smiled smugly.
“I got back from Italy, love,” she said.
Luke wanted to laugh. Lately, Anna affected a British accent. He guessed that was the fashion with the continent-hopping jet-set that Anna ran with, but he knew as well as she that she’d grown up in the poor Bankhead section of Atlanta.
DiSalvo wants me exclusively for his spring line,” she continued.
Luke nodded, thinking she needed to seriously work on that accent. It wasn’t anywhere near right. God, he regretted asking her out last month. Since then, he ran into her with suspicious frequency.
Luke sipped his scotch, murmuring and nodding at while Anna babbled nonstop about her European adventures. Her voice faded into the background, and he wondered where Jessica was.
Jessica nodded pleasantly at the short entertainment mogul’s self-centered conversation, and she looked over at Luke seated at their table with the drop-dead gorgeous, famous model practically drooling over him. She had a momentary urge to walk ever there and rip every weaved hair out of her head.
Luke was mouthwateringly attractive. The slight smile he directed down at the model accentuated the sexy slashes of dimples in his cheeks, the cleft of his chin. Their eyes met. It seemed inevitable that they would. Jessica didn’t look away this time. Their eyes were like magnets, drawing them together in spite of everything.
She saw Luke excuse himself from the model, and his golden eyes never left her own. He walked gracefully toward her. The little man, who had been talking about himself nonstop, finally realized that Jessica’s attention was focused elsewhere, and he faded away from her field of vision.
Couples had gathered on the dance floor, dancing to the easy jazz. As Luke reached her, and took her hand, a wave of excitement rippled through the room. Etta James had taken the microphone. As Etta started to croon “Damn Your Eyes,” Luke led Jessica to the dance floor without a word. He gathered her into his arms.
Jessica’s eyes closed, and she let her body be carried away by the music and the man. It wasn’t a conscious decision. Her body leaned into his of its own volition, her curves melding to his lean form. Her face was buried at his neck. The smoky scent he wore blended with his clean, male smell and was more intoxicating than champagne.
When Etta sang her moving lyrics of being swept away by love, Jessica felt her eyes moisten. She was afraid of losing her emotions to this man. Jessica knew if she allowed the draw of his body to pull her into their mutual desires, he would merely use her and throw her away. She knew what he thought of her.
Jessica wondered if Luke thought she was his brother’s discarded plaything, even though Tom had never made love to her. Jessica wished she could explain to Luke and make him understand the truth. She wanted Luke to know that the entire relationship between her and Tom paled in comparison to how she felt from just a look from him.
Luke pressed his cheek against hers, and Jessica felt the hardness of his body as they swayed to the blues. A tremor went through her, and Luke drew her closer to him. Jessica stiffened, and he raised his head to look at her through eyes heavily lidded with desire. Jessica forced herself to tear her eyes away from his.
She looked around her at the faces surrounding them. They obviously were a center of attraction. Some faces just looked curious, some were knowing, others looked speculative, and a few appeared offended. Jessica had heard a few rumors about how she supposedly slept her way into her present position, and she apparently just added ample fuel to the gossip.
Jessica pulled free of Luke’s arms. “Please take me to the table. I want to prepare myself for the presentation,” she said quietly. Luke nodded and escorted her to their table, Jessica was acutely aware of his hand pressed warmly into the small of her back. Thankfully the model had disappeared, and Tom was nowhere in sight. Apparently Tom wasn’t going to bother to show up. Jessica felt relieved. The presence of Tom would have overwhelmed her taut emotions.
Later, as Jessica murmured her goodbyes and accepted the lavish praise the attendees of the event gave her, she felt her tense shoulders loosen. The night had gone smoothly, the press coverage was wonderful, and it looked like everybody had a good time. Luke settled the shawl over her shoulders and led her to the car door that the valet was holding open. Jessica settled into the soft leather seat with a contented sigh.
Luke looked over at her and said, “I haven’t told you yet how much I appreciate your hard work and professionalism on the Legendary campaign.”
“Thank you, Luke. That means a lot to me.”
The Jaguar was a lot like Luke himself, its hidden power sleekly contained. Luke handled the gearshift of the car expertly. His long lean fingers were casually draped over the steering wheel. The car seemed to purr and respond to his slightest touch.
I wonder if he handles a woman like that? Jessica thought She was immediately shocked at herself for the forbidden thought.
“I had a good time,” Luke said.
Jessica started at the sound of his voice. A strange shyness overwhelmed her. She didn’t know what to say. She swallowed.
“I had a good time, too,” she answered.
Luke glanced at her, and suddenly it was hot in the car. The atmosphere was sultry, steamy.
“The Legendary promotion was an unqualified success. Congratulations,” Luke said.
“Thank you, the entire team worked hard.” Jessica was finding it hard to breathe. The air was thick with unspoken words. This was crazy, insane. She wanted this man more than she had ever wanted any man before. But he was Tom’s brother. He was off-limits, totally forbidden. He was her boss. He probably thought she was some sort of crazy slut. She wanted him to rip her clothes off. She wanted to rip his clothes off. What was wrong with her?
“And you headed that team. I’m pleased with you–your work.” Luke loosened his tie. Jessica’s heart thudded.
They pulled up to Jessica’s town house. She waited for him to open the door for her, her hands tightly clasped together to stop their trembling. When Luke took her hand to help her from the car, they both started as if the mutual touch was electric.
Luke followed her to her door so closely, she felt the heat of his body. It echoed her heat.
Jessica fumbled in her evening bag for the key at the door, and turned around to thank him for the evening. Their eyes met. Golden fires swallowed her and she was lost. Her eyes closed as his lips took hers. Once again her body melted into his. It sought his maleness eagerly as if coming into a familiar home. Instead of deepening the kiss that Jessica offered, Luke took the keys from her nerveless fingers. He opened the door and pulled her inside her darkened apartment.
Luke closed the door behind them and pressed her against it with his strong body. His fingers brushed the shawl from her shoulders and caressed her bare back. He pulled her to him. She felt the heat of his hard body and the hard evidence of his arousal.
He lowered his head to her throat, tasting her jawline, her neck, her earlobes. Her hand reached and fingers caressed his crisp, black hair. Jessica’s body was begging for his kiss, and when he finally gave her his mouth, she moaned in pleasure, their tongues mingling and imitating the age old rhythm of what was to follow.
Luke’s fingers reached for her dress hook. He released it, and his lips again trailed from the hollow of her neck down to her breast. Jessica arched her back as he slowly removed the dress down her chest, his warm tongue following so lingeringly, teasing, tantalizing. His tongue reached the bud of her nipple, and Jessica gave a whimper of surrender. At that moment the jangling ring of the phone brought Jessica back to reality. Luke felt Jessica stiffen and huskily whispered into her ear, “Ignore it.”
Luke continued to rain tiny kisses against her jaw and throat, and Jessica was starting to melt against him again when her answering machine clicked on. It was her brother-in-law, John’s, voice.
“Jessica, I’ve been trying to reach you all evening. Susan started her labor. She’s at the hospital. It’s not good. They say she will probably lose the baby. They say we may lose her–” His voice broke. Jessica grabbed the phone from the cradle.
“John, I’ll be right there. Tell her I’m coming.”
Luke already had the door open for her as she snatched her wrap from the floor. Luke said tersely, “Get in the car. I’m taking you to the hospital.”
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