Forever Rain (Rain Will Fall Trilogy #1) (30 page)

“What are you grinning about?”

I turned to see Veronica propped up against my door. I shook my head at her, as the smile grew bigger.

“We better go for that run before I change my mind.” She was already in her running clothes. I picked up my gym bag and went to change in the restroom. Thanks to Jordan, I would have to run with no panties on.

The run was just what I needed after the busy day at the office. Sweat dripped down our bodies as our feet pounded the trail. Back at the car, we cooled off with Gatorade and cool wet towels, compliments of Mia, who’d met us for the run.

“I’ve missed my girl-time,” I said, looking at my friends. We were back at my townhouse and were now sprawled on the comfy furniture in my living room after taking turns with the shower. My housekeeper made baked ziti and we dug into the casserole served with a fresh summer salad.

“Yeah, yeah. Get to the good stuff already.” Impatient Mia kicked at my calf as Veronica threw a pillow at her.

“I am in love.” The girls squealed at my news and I laughed at the sound of my voice admitting the feelings of pure pleasure Jordan has brought to my life. “But I haven’t told him yet.”

“Why ever not, girl?” Veronica asked.

“I would like him to say it first.” Mia and Veronica looked at each other and shook their heads. “I mean, I know he loves me and all, but he hasn’t said it to me yet. Another thing bothering me is that everything is happening so fast with us.”

“Don’t waste time, Zoe. Go after what you want. Listen to your heart.”

Veronica was right. I knew she was, so I agreed. “Yup. I will. I think I’m being too proud and love should not be proud.”

“So right you are, Zoe,” Veronica said.

“Now for all the delish details, and I do mean A-L-L.”

I laughed at Mia’s enthusiasm to delve into my love life.

“Well, I do hate to spoil your fun, but some things will have to be experienced when you’re with your own guy. However, I can share this much with you.”

I told them of the penthouse that he wants me to help decorate just so he can have some things around that I chose. They were both excited about the estate home in The Woodlands and I promise a girls weekend trip at his home. The closet full of clothes was Mia’s favorite part, which did not surprise me at all. She was a self-proclaimed shopaholic. We were all in tears when I recounted Jordan’s conversation regarding his mother and why Becky is now his housekeeper.

“That is heartbreaking for him. I mean, it is one thing to lose your parent, but to know that you were conceived from rape…although he is innocent in all this,” Mia said, wiping the tears from her eyes.

“No, you’re right, Mia. Jordan said he does feel a lot of guilt. In some ways, I think that is why he’s so driven. It takes his mind off the pain. His mom would have been so proud of all his accomplishments.” Talking about Jordan’s personal life made my heart ache for him even more.

“Veronica, how is your grandmother?” Mia asked.

I was so consumed by Jordan for the past few days that I hadn’t remembered to ask her about Gaga.

“About that.” Veronica inhaled deeply and pursed her lips.

“Not cooperating?” I asked. Gaga was almost eighty-five years old and was rarely ill.

“I think it has something to do with her kidneys. Mom agrees too. We’re hoping she doesn’t go into renal failure. Gaga is just so stubborn, she won’t budge one bit. She’s in pain, but won’t even go to the doctor to get diagnosed.”

“Where would she go? Like what town is close to where she lives?” Mia asked.

“Monterrey.” Veronica’s family is close-knit and she followed in her mother’s footsteps by becoming a nurse.

“If there is anything I can do or if you need time off, you know what to do,” I told her.

“She’s very opposed to being under the care of a doctor and would rather endure her ailments or take home-made remedies. She insists that the family not interfere with her method of treating herself.”

The time with my friends flew by when they took their leave. I was sitting up in bed about to watch the news on my flat screen TV when my phone rang. It was Jordan.

“Hello.” My voice sounded breathy. Jordan definitely had a delicious effect on me.

“How was your run with the girls?”

“How do you know about that?”

Jordan chuckled on the other end of the line. “I have my ways. Are you in bed?”

“Yes.”

“Ah, unfortunately I can’t be as naughty as I want to with you right now since I have guest on board. They are, however, in the bedroom taking a nap.”

“So we can’t Skype. Hmm, pity, since I’m naked on my bed with my busy hands…”

“You don’t play fair, Miss Caine.”

“I’m learning fast from you, my dear Mr. Dawson.”

“My lovely Zoe wants to play tonight. Don’t worry, we will have ample time when I get back and I expect you to deliver,” he said and I giggled.

“I love that sound. Sexy as hell. There is not much about you that does not turn me on, Zoe. I am fast learning that I will be in agony when I’m not with you.”

I looked up at the ceiling, wanting to tell Jordan I loved him, but I’d rather do it face to face. Excitement curled in my belly as I thought of what his reaction would be.

“You know the saying, absence makes…”

“That’s bullshit, babe! Not having you with me right now is simply torture.” He pulled in a ragged breath and I got it.

I got that he really did miss me and wanted to be in my company as much as I wanted to be in his. Too bad he had to go back to Europe so soon, but business obligations are important and I get that too.

“I do miss you, Jordan.” I closed my eyes with the sweet admission. He was slowly stealing my heart piece by piece and I was so ready to give it all to him.

“Stole my line, pretty lady. I’ll be back soon and intend to take up all your extra time.”

“Promise?” I was being silly, but sometimes life called for silly and I have a guy that understood that.

“Promise. Dream about me. I will call you sometime tomorrow. Helen emailed you all my personal and company contact information before she left the office today, so if you need to get in touch with me for any reason, don’t hesitate to call. OK?”

“OK. Night, Jordy.”

Chapter 30

Another early morning in the office led up to a busy Tuesday. Vanessa was on her way to San Francisco. I was anxious to hear her report since the office was new and we were operating without a nursing director. Luckily, Bianca, the office manager there, was competent and managing the applicants effectively. She was also interviewing for a general office position. I was gearing up to start staffing the hospitals by next week.

“Skipping lunch today?” Andre asked. He came into my office and sat in one of the chairs in front of my desk.

“Didn’t notice the time.” I glanced up from my computer.

“Just say, ‘Thank you, Andre’.” He slid a bag across my desk with what looked like a sandwich in it.

“Thank you, Andre.” I bit into the crusty French bread with cold cuts then took a long sip of my water.

“Let me guess, no breakfast this morning?”

“No time, but I did have my coffee. Skipped yoga as well.”

“Hmm. Jordan is a bad influence.”

I smiled at the mention of his name and for the hundredth time thought of him again today.

“So, did you love Napa?” I asked.

“Absolutely. Can’t wait to go back. Jordan had some good suggestions for Ben and me. Oh, I invited your friend, Jeremy. He’s a great guy. Lot’s of fun.”

“Good. I’m glad he could go. He loves the West Coast. Hard to believe he’s a Texan.”

“We had a good time on the wine tour. Ben needed a break anyway and he is already planning our next trip.” Andre flashed that handsome smile that lit up his face showing off his dimpled cheek.

“Work hard, play hard.” I grinned at him.

“Hey, did you hear that we will be under renovation soon?”

“Define ‘we’,” I said.

“Like this building. Lenny said he will be renovating and putting in a new cooling system. Even repaving the parking lot.” Andre picked up our trash and sat back in the chair.

“When did he tell you that? Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled that we will have a facelift and not have to worry about the air going out when it is a 100 degrees outside, but Lenny has always been low on funds.”

“Don’t know and don’t care. Just glad that we will have a little more updated accommodations around here.” He got up to leave.

My cell phone rang just as Andre left. I motioned for him to close the door since I recognized Jordan’s number on my screen.

“Hello.” I leaned back in my chair.

“How is my pretty lady doing today?”

“Missing you.”

“Good to know you are not busy then.”

I laughed at his statement. He was chuckling on the other end of the line.

“How is business in Brussels?”

“Going very well. I had a meeting with the two new VPs. They are earning their keep with me being in the U.S. I have plenty to keep them busy. Lots of new investors. Even have a couple new high-rises under construction.”

“How about the office in Asia?”

“Even busier than in Europe, but a lot less costly since most of the building material that we use in Asia is made in China.”

“Sounds complicated.”

“It is, but good for the world economy.”

Jordan asked me to call him when I got home this evening, although it would be past midnight for him, but he insisted. We bid goodbye since I had a call waiting.

“This is Zoe.”

“Zoe, it’s Veronica. I just landed and checked my email. There’s one that’s important so I forwarded it to you and Andre.”

I opened a new tab on my computer and quickly scanned for her email.

“Forest Grove Hospital Systems?”

“That’s the one. Let me grab my bags and regroup. I checked my voicemail and they left a message asking me to call the director after I read the email. I’ll call you back on my way to the office.”

After we hung up I read the email. Their DON wanted a meeting with us ASAP to discuss an exclusive contract for their four hospitals in Houston. They’re a mid-size hospital group that is privately owned. That would be perfect since my agency had nurses in those areas. It was not unusual for hospitals to offer a contract to one nursing agency, but it was rare. I jumped out of my chair and ran to Andres’ office.

“Great news. Forest Grove wants us to sign an exclusive contract with them. Can you come to my office in about ten minutes? Veronica’s calling back and we need to plan.”

Andre high-fived me and I grinned from ear to ear. When Veronica called back we decided to meet with their DON on Friday. Veronica would be back in the office and all three of us could attend the meeting.

I went back to my office and left Andre to arrange the meeting. A few minutes later an instant message popped up on my screen. It was Andre asking if we could possibly be there tomorrow. Glancing through my calendar I saw that I am available so I agreed to the meeting at 8:30 a.m.

Back at home that evening, I texted Jordan and asked if he was awake due to our time difference. My phone rang with a Skype call just after I sent the text. His gorgeous face was smiling on my screen. I sat on my sofa and curled my legs under me.

“There’s my lady.”

God. That voice did it for me.

“Hi.” I smiled at the screen.

“Long day?”

“The usual. Busier since Veronica is out, but manageable.”

“See, you never complain, just get the job done, which in turn makes you a successful and savvy business woman.”

“Why, thank you. Your evening went well?” I asked. He’d said he was meeting with other investors that would be coming to America soon in hopes of finding more commercial real estate opportunities.

“Very well. I have plenty going on in the U.S for them to choose from, but enough shoptalk. I want you to go to your room and take off your clothes.”

Oh yes, please.

I smiled in the camera phone and headed to my room peeling off my clothes as I went. I giggled like a teenager.

“I hear that sexy little laugh. I have a little surprise for you,” he said.

I complied with his instructions and now stood naked with the phone in my hand.

“Ah, there she is. Now pull out the bottom drawer of your nightstand. There is a small white device that looks like a spider.”

I reached down and pulled out the plastic device.

“Place one of your pillows at the foot of your bed then angle the device to stand on the pillow and place your phone inside.”

I quickly did as he said.

“Now go back to the same drawer and take out the wooden box that is tied with a black ribbon and open it.”

“Jordan!” I gasped as I looked in the box. It was a LELO vibrator. I slipped it from the pouch and gazed at the artful design of the instrument of pleasure.

“Not even close to the real deal, but it will do. Lie on the bed and let’s play a little.”

I hopped on the bed and lie supine, holding onto the sleek pink vibrator. “I have a perfectly good vibrator, you know,” I said looking at the camera.

“I found yours and it needed serious upgrading. This one is charged and ready to go. Turn it on.”

I pressed the ON button and it hummed softly and vibrated in my hand.

“We will start with that speed for now. Place it on your areola lightly, going from one breast to the other.”

I slid the smooth device over my skin. My nipples beaded to tight knobs, pleasure slowly uncoiling in my abdomen.

“Good girl. Now, move it down slowly with your right hand and continue to squeeze your nipple with the other.”

I slowly pushed the device to my pelvic then stopped.

“Lower, then lightly run it over your pussy. Start at the clit and go down to the end of the slit.”

I closed my eyes imagining Jordan’s hands on my body. I moved the vibrator up and down slowly as Jordan guided my movements. My legs were bent at the knees and I was spread out on the bed with my camera phone aimed between my legs. I felt sensual in this position.

“Such a nice view of your beauty, oozing your pleasure already. Now turn up the speed.”