The Naughty List Bundle - Kylie Adams [295]
“He’s not?” asked Georgia.
Jordan didn’t want to explain exactly what her boss had said about a drinking limit, or how Jordan had reacted to his apathy. Luckily Honey saved him.
“He’s a smarmy one, isn’t he?” Honey asked.
Jordan stopped dead in midstep. In lethal tones, he asked, “Did he say something to you? Did he insult you?”
Both Honey and Elizabeth rushed to reassure him, patting his chest and shaking their heads. “No, of course not. He just looks like a weasel.”
Georgia laughed. She looked at each of them, saw that they had no idea what she found humorous, and laughed some more. Jordan smiled, too. The ways that she affected him were numerous. Georgia breathed and he got aroused. But what her laughter did to him was enough to cause spontaneous combustion.
Still chuckling, she said, “I really do like your family, Jordan.”
Elizabeth and Honey grinned widely.
The moist night air was very refreshing after being in the stale bar. A light breeze teased through the trees, ruffling Georgia’s loose curls. She lifted her face into the breeze, breathing deeply. Jordan watched her, wanting her more than ever.
When they reached the parked cars, he played the consummate gentleman. He opened car doors and kissed cheeks and when his sisters-in-law were finally ready to head home, he cautioned them to drive safely.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. Honey told him to do the same. They waved to Georgia and drove off.
When Jordan looked down at Georgia, there was still a small, very sweet smile curving her mouth. He tipped up her chin with the side of his hand. “Do you know how badly I want to kiss you right now?”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“And you’re breathless, which means you want me to kiss you, too. Don’t you?”
“I’m breathless,” she said somewhat smugly, “because Honey and Elizabeth were so complimentary. It’s been a long long time since anyone praised me for my dancing skills. And no, don’t you dare say anything. The way men view what I do on stage has nothing to do with my actual talent.”
Jordan blinked at her. An idea bloomed in his mind, growing, gaining momentum. “Where’d you learn to dance?”
“I took lessons as a child. All the other kids made fun of me for it, but I loved it. I’ve always enjoyed moving to the music. By the time I was a teenager, I was helping to teach the rest of the class. It’s something that’s always come naturally to me.”
Jordan caught her shoulders and pulled her to her tiptoes. He kissed her soundly before she could object. For the first time since meeting her he felt like he had the upper hand. He could help her while helping himself to get closer to her. He pulled Georgia into his arms and spun her around, lifting her off her feet.
Georgia laughed in surprise while clinging to his shoulders. “What are you doing?”
“Dancing with you.” She started to say something more, but he stopped and asked, “You won’t forget about this weekend, right? The cookout? Honey has been planning it all month and the kids are looking forward to it. Sawyer has promised to make them his famous fruit salad with melon balls—kids love melon balls—and Casey intends to take them boating.”
She ducked her head and said, “We’ll be there.”
Tipping her chin once again, Jordan asked, “You don’t sound very happy about it. What’s wrong?”
She shook her head, refusing to answer. But then, he didn’t really need her to. He knew she resisted their growing closeness and the need that got harder and harder to ignore. She was afraid if she relied on him, he might let her down. Jordan smiled, remembering that she wanted options.
He’d start working on that first thing in the morning.
9
THE KITCHEN was filled to overflowing with meddling relatives when Jordan walked in for breakfast. Even though Morgan and Misty now lived up on the hill, they often came down for breakfast. Honey insisted on it. And since Gabe and Elizabeth were still living downstairs in the renovated basement of the big house, they were always there in the mornings, too. The women generally helped each other out, cooking,