I Love The Way You Look At Me

“Babe…” I finished buttoning Jenna up and he moved towards the crib. I had wanted to give her a hug and a kiss but he turned before I could even say anything. I smiled as I watched him with Jenna; I didn’t even realize that he never finished his last thought. But nothing could’ve stopped me from noticing the heat in his green eyes when he turned back towards me after making sure Jenna was resting comfortably in her crib.

As he strolled purposely towards me, I couldn’t help the nervous excitement that started to build inside me. In the month that Jordan and I had been dating, the furthest that we had gone was kissing on his bed - he had yet to actually touch anyone part of me that was covered by my clothing - and the anticipation was killing me.

So when he pulled me out of Jenna’s room and backed me against the wall, my body was already responding to him. To tell the truth, I was surprisingly turned on by his actions and the grin on his face as his body pressed me back against the wall.

His lips grazed my jaw as he asked me if he ever mentioned how hot I looked tonight. “There’s something about this dress,” he whispered, lifting his hand to my shoulder - his fingers trailing along the strap of the dress. “It makes me think of you without it.”

Closing my eyes, I smiled, “What do you think about?”

“Hmm,” his mouth opened against the base of my neck. “Your hair surrounding my face, the weight of your breasts against my chest - the feel of your body gripping my cock.”

My lips parted as he spoke. I found myself holding his arms to keep the floating feeling aside as his lips found my pulse. “I think about a lot of things Babe.” Moving back slightly, he stopped, the only sound was our breathing.

Lifting my head, my eyes fluttered until I managed to open them to stare into his green ones.

“The main thing I think of is how much I want to taste you.”

“Taste me?” I squeaked.

“Mmmhmm,” he lowered his head again, this time his lips closed around my earlobe. My fingernails dug into his skin as I held tightly to him while his lips sent feelings I never experienced before through my body. With a groan, I pressed my body against his, needing to feel every inch of him.

“Yes, taste you,” he breathed against my ear. “To part your lips and plunge into you - tasting you on my lips and tongue as you moan and groaned in pleasurable torment beneath my face.”

“Jordy!” I gasped. I never expected him to say something like that, ever. And I never expected the flood of heat and wetness between my thighs just from hearing him say he wanted to -

“What Babe?” He trailed kisses along my jaw. “You don’t want to know how badly I want to make you cum with my mouth.”

My eyes widened but any words I was going to say were swallowed by his mouth as he took possession of mine. This kiss was unlike any other that we had shared before, this time he wasted no time in letting me know exactly how badly me wanted me. With every stroke of his tongue, he let me know that, for this moment, I was his in every since of the word.

And I loved it. For the first time in my life, I felt my need to control every moment disappearing and it actually made me happy. I knew I could trust him. I knew he wouldn’t hurt me.

I let him have control over me.

His hands were at my waist when he first pressed me against the wall but as he kissed me and awaken a desire that I didn’t even know I possessed, they began to travel upwards. Every single inch his hands moved the more sensitive my skin became under the light material of the dress. By the time his hand brushed over the back of my bra, my breasts ached and I was desperate to feel his mouth around my nipples - through my clothe would’ve been torture though, I wanted his lips on my bare skin.

His hand stopped though, his kiss stopped too. “Anna…” his breathes were coming hard and quickly when he pulled away.

“What’s wrong?” I asked, a little confused, I didn’t want to break the spell I was under.

“I…ummm…” He swallowed hard as his forehead rested against mine. “I um…I think we should…maybe….change.”

“Change?” I asked, bewildered. “I thought you wanted to talk about me and my dress?”

“I -” He cleared his throat. “I just think we should change.” Pulling away from me, he told me that he needed to get out of his clothes. “I can only stand being in these clothes for so long.”

“But we…” I blinked. I couldn’t wrap my head around what he was saying. Why would be back me up against the wall, only to stop when he had me heated up.

He wouldn’t look at me as he played with the front of his shirt. “Let’s just changed Babe.” He went to turn but stopped. “I placed your bag in your old room.”

“Why?”

He hesitated for a moment and then shrugged, “I wasn’t sure where you would want to spend the night.”

“But I -”

He kissed me hard. “Just change,” he groaned against my mouth. When he pulled away, he turned me away and gave me a little shove towards my old room. “I’ll be in my room,” he told me.

At first, when I stumbled away slowly, I was very confused but soon that confusion turned to anger. Before I had gotten five feet away, I was embarrassed about what happened and my body’s response.

And then I wanted to get even.

His name died on my lips when I turned around and caught him staring at me; the heat that was in his eyes before had only gotten hotter. When my eyes met his, he asked me what I was about to say.

Closing the distance between us, I turned my back to him. “Could you help with the zipper?” I asked sweetly.

Closer

When we arrived at Jordan’s home, he quickly turned off the engine and came around to help me out of his truck before opening the back door to remove Jenna’s sleeping body from the car seat. “Can you open the door for me?” He held out his keys to me as he closed the truck door with his foot.

Before I got even two feet from him, he called out and asked me to lock his truck. “I forgot,” he said when I turned around.

“Which was is it?” I stared at the well worn remote in my hand, all the writing was long gone and the buttons looked the same.

“It’s the one on the right,” he stood next to me - the masculine scent of him combining with the powdery softness from Jenna was enough to make my body ache for his touch and my heart to ache for a baby of my own. I started to wonder if things would’ve been different for us if we had gotten our act together years before. Would we be together and have a family? Or would we have split up and gone our separate ways?

“Babe?” Jordan called out from the front door. “Are you coming?” He chuckled, “Or did you change your mind about spending the night?”

“No,” I started up the driveway. “I’ve been looking forward to this night for a whole month!”

His arm wrapped around my waist. “I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life.”

“Sweet talker,” I joked as I moved to unlock the door for him. “I’m already spending the night, you know.”

“I know,” he motioned me inside and then followed me. “I don’t think I’ll ever stop sweet talking you though,” leaning in, he whispered, “I’ll need to stay ahead of the other guys.”

“Other guys?” I laughed. “There’s no one else but you Babe.” Closing the door, I leaned back against it and grinned.

“Whatcha grinning for?” He shifted Jenna higher in his arms.

Instead of saying anything, I shoved off the door and went to him. Tilting my head, I gazed up at him and slid my hand over his chest. My hand continued to move until my fingers buried themselves deep in his hair. “You make me happy.”

“Babe,” he groaned, taking a step to bring him as close as he could get with Jenna in his arms. “Have I told you…” his eyes dropped from my eyes to my neck and then came to rest on my chest. “You in that dress…” he bit his lip.

Jenna suddenly moved in Jordan’s arms, she didn’t wake up but it was enough to snap me out of the little spell I was under. I dropped my hand to his on my shoulder, before I spoke, I wet my lips.

“Ahha,” he moved to kiss me but I turned my head so he caught my cheek. “Babe why -?”

With a smile, I stroked Jenna’s blonde curls, “I think we should put this little girl to bed and then…” I rocked up on my toes, my hand pressing against his chest. “Then we can talk about me and my dress.”

“Deal!” He kissed my cheek before kicking off his shoes. I chuckled to myself as he hurried down the hallway.

A few minutes later, I walked down the same hallway on my way to his room to grab my bag and start washing the make up off my face. When a search of his room didn’t turn up my bag, I wandered to the bathroom where Jordy was attempting to clean Jenna up before putting her to bed; he was struggling.

Leaning against the doorframe, I asked him how he was doing; he told me that Jenna wasn’t cooperating. “She’s sleeping,” I said with a chuckle. “Here,” I made my way over to them. “Why don’t I remove her clothes, take her and then you can do whatever it is you were trying to do here.”

“That would be great,” he flashed me a grateful smile.

I reached to undo the bottom on the back of her dress and then started to remove it. “Wow,” I chuckled as I held her arm in my hand. “She really got into her ice cream, didn’t she? She’s all sticky.”

“Yeah,” he kissed the top of Jenna’s head. “I didn’t have the heart to stop her, she was having so much fun and I figured I would clean her up after - I guess I didn’t clean her very well.”

“Oh it’s ok,” I placed the dress of the counter and motioned for him to lift her so I could finish. “Jenna didn’t mind, that’s all that mattered.”

Once Jenna was ready, Jordan handed her to me and turned to get a washcloth for her. It probably wouldn’t seem like a big deal to anyone else but this moment, helping Jordan with Jenna was probably the best moment of my life - I don’t think I could’ve ever been closer to him than I felt at that moment.

“There we go,” Jordan said with finality as he set the dirty washcloth on the vanity. “Come to dad-” he stopped when I held her close to my chest. “Oh,” he chuckled and crossed his arms over his chest. “That’s my daughter, you know.”

I turned away from him, “I know,” I threw over my shoulder as I watched out of the bathroom.

“Wait, wait!” Jordan came after me. “Where are you going?”

Instead of replying, I turned into Jenna’s room and headed over to the dresser; once there I waited for Jordan to join us. “I thought I would hold her while you started to slip her pjs on her and then you’d take her and I’ll do her up. What do you think?”

He stood there staring at me for a few minutes and then finally, he laughed. “I think you wanted to be a part of our bedtime routine.” Opening the top drawer, he pulled out a pair of pink pjs with little white ducks on them. “All you had to do was ask,” he smiled at me. “I would’ve let you - I want you to be a part of this - a part of everything Babe?”

“Really?” I couldn’t hide my surprise.

“Of course,” he kissed me. “Even if you weren’t my girlfriend Anna, I would want you to be a part of this.”

“Why is that Jordy? If I was just your best friend, why would you want me involved with some of the most intimate moments between you and Jenna?”

“Why?” He laughed, a deep one that shook his body. “I don’t think you realize just how bad I have it for you Anna. You are the only person in my life who’s ever been there for me. You loved me, cared about me and have watched my back from the moment you were able to talk back.” He paused, gave me a look, as if daring me to argue that last point. I didn’t. “Babe….” I finished buttoning Jenna up and he moved towards her crib.

Holding Jenna up, Jordan kissed her and then carefully placed her in her crib. When he finished covering her up, he spun around with a look in his eyes that excited me. Even more so when he charged towards me, pausing only long enough to grab me by the hand and drag me out of the room.

The moment we got outside Jenna’s room, Jordan backed me up against the wall.

Emotional Girl

“Shut up!” I rolled my eyes. “You don’t interest me,” I threw at him.

“I know, I know,” Nick laughed. “I’m happy that you two are together, finally.”

“Me too,” Jordan sat down next to me with Jenna falling asleep in his arms. “Things are just starting to fall into place, it’s great.”

Not to be left out, Mike and Eric pulled up chairs and joined us as well. “I just never thought I would see the day that my little brother would date an ex of mine.”

“Yeah, well,” Jordan leaned back in his chair and reached out his hand to stroke my hair. “If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t but Anna…” he shook his head as he gazed, adoringly, at me. “You are the best thing that ever happened to me.”

I could feel the color rising in my cheeks as he gazed at me adoringly. I felt like an innocent schoolgirl who suddenly was approached by the most popular guy in school. I tried to say something to let him know that I thought what he said was sweet and that he meant a lot to me but all I could manage was a girlish giggle followed by a wide ass grin.

His eyes held mine while his hand slipped from my hair to gently caress my cheek. Involuntarily, I kissed the pad of his thumb when it passed along my lips. A low growl sounded deep in his throat as his hand dropped to the arm of my chair. With one quick yank, he pulled my chair right next to his and leaned over to kiss me.

“That’s not fair,” Nick whined.

Jordan’s mouth turned up in a smile against my mouth – he paused for a moment, chuckled and then gave me another kiss. “I think it’s very fair,” he remarked but didn’t look at his brother as his hand slipped over mine.

“Yeah…” Nick trailed off as Amy came storming back out of the house. You could see him jump in his seat as the door slammed off its frame. “What’s wrong Hon?” He asked wearily.

“Your dad is unbelievable!” She snapped while ramming random stuff into Bradley’s diaper bag. “Grab Bradley, we are leaving Nick.”

“Wait,” Nick gripped hold of her wrist as she moved to sling the bag over her shoulder. “Tell me what happened.”

Amy started to say something but stopped. “Let’s just go Nick, I’m tired.” He didn’t move and asked her what happened again. “He was rude,” she stated. “And I don’t have to stay here and listen to him. Let’s go.”

“If you tell us, we could help you with him,” I piped up. After having a lot of run ins with John because of the way he treated Jordan, I was damn sure I could help her deal with what ever he did now.

“Help?” She spun around and glared at me. “I think you’ve done enough!”

“What?” I frowned. “What on earth did I do?”

“I went in there and Harriet called out, asking me what was wrong.” She hiked the diaper bag higher on her shoulder while she shifted all her weight to her left leg. “So I tell her, like I always do when something is bothering me but this time it’s different. Instead of being the understanding guy–”

Jordan snorted. Amy glared at him.

“Understanding guy that he is, John laughed at me and said – and I quote – ‘you married into the wrong family if you are going to be that sensitive over a stupid joke’ and then had the nerve to say, ‘maybe you weren’t the right woman for Nick after all.’”

Nick’s jaw dropped, “Dad said what?”

“That I’m not right for you!”

“That’s bullshit,” he said firmly and tried to put his arms around her but she shoved him away.

“What have you been saying to them Nick? Why would he say that?”

“I didn’t say anything!” He replied defensively.

“So what?” She planted her hand on her hips and stared up at him. “He just pulled that out of his ass?”

Jordan, Mike, Eric and I sat there watching Amy accuse Nick of saying something horrible about her to his parents while he repeatedly insisted that he didn’t say anything at all. “I love you,” he told her at one point. “You and Bradley are my life, why would I do something that stupid?”

“Because you think everything is a joke!” She snapped. “I try to talk to you about us but you make stupid little jokes all the time or tell me not to worry, you’ll figure it out.” She broke at this point and through her tears she sobbed, “I worry Nick! I worry and you don’t seem to care.”

As Nick tried once more to wrap his arms around Amy, Jordan leaned in and asked me how this had anything to do with me. “I don’t know,” I whispered.

“No,” Amy shoved Nick’s hands away. “Maybe your dad is right –”

“Oh for the love of God!” I couldn’t stand it any longer, this was getting ridiculous. “You can’t be freaking serious Amy!”

“Mind your own business,” she hissed.

“No,” I shook my head. “I won’t because there’s no way I’m going to let you stand there and believe a word that comes out of the man in there! Not right for Nick?” I laughed. “That would be like saying that peanut butter and jelly don’t go together!”

Across from me, Mike started to chuckle.

“Stop laughing,” I glared at him and stood up. “Amy you can’t let John get to you. You’ve seen what he’s capable of doing, you’ve seen the shit he’s pulled with Jordan, you can’t –”

“Stop telling me what to do!” She screamed. “It’s your fault he’s picking on me!”

“Anna didn’t do anything,” Jordan butt in.

“No?” Amy turned to him. “I worked my ass off to have the little bit of respect from either of your parents and she can be rude and disrespectful but the moment you kiss her, she’s a damn goddess and I’m chop liver? Screw that! I will not be treated like crap because Anna finally gave in and tossed you a bone!”

“Then what the hell are you out here crying for?” I demanded. “If you feel like that, take it up with John don’t you dare come out here and tell Nick – your husband and the father of your child – that you believe all the bullshit that John spewed just now!”

Amy opened her mouth but I shot her a look that shut her up. She brought me into the conversation - I was on a roll and I had lots to say - and they were damn well gonna hear it.

“Not right for Nick?” I shook my head angrily. “Nick has been in love with you forever, he did everything he could think of to get your attention when there were other girls prepared to get down on their knees for him! I watched him fumble for the courage to ask you out and I was there when he vowed to love, honor and cherish you for the rest of your life! And even though we’ve had our differences over the years Amy, I never once got there and thought you weren’t right for him. Even when you two broke up, I did everything I could to ensure that you two found your way back to each other.”

“John is a jerk and he had no right to say what he did but you have to stand up for yourself! You can’t let him get to you!”

“And as for you,” I turned to Nick and hit him in the shoulder. “How dare you make that stupid joke about your right hand being your girlfriend? Are you really that insensitive?”

“I really –”

“Amy just had your baby dumb ass! Do you really think she wants to hear that kind of crap? You knew in the early stage of her pregnancy, she was worried about you losing interest in her once she started to gain weight –”

“I gained a lot,” Amy said quietly as she pulled on the oversized dress she was wearing, which seemed to be just to hide the fact that she hadn’t lost any of the weight. She was ashamed; I could see it in her face.

“What did you expect once Bradley was born? That she would jump back into bed with you the moment the doctor’s okayed her for sex?”

He actually nodded. Amy looked crushed.

I just closed my eyes and sighed.

“What’s wrong with that?” Nick asked. “What’s wrong with that?”

“What’s wrong?” I tried to hide the disappointment but I failed. “Can’t you tell? Just look at Amy and tell me, is that the look of a woman who isn’t trying to hide her body?”

As Nick’s gaze traveled over his wife, her head lowered and she missed the look. The confused but hungry look of a man who only saw the woman he loved. “I don’t understand what’s to hide.”

“I’m fat!” Amy cried. “I tried not to gain weight but it was hard and the stretch marks,” she shook her head sadly. “I don’t want you to see me until I can fix it Nicky.”

“Fix what?” Nick reached for Amy – this time not letting her get a chance to shove him away. “I think you are perfect,” he slipped his arms around her and sighed. “Amy Rae, do you really think that I’m that superficial? Do you believe that anything could make me less attracted to you?”

Jordan tugged on my hand and motioned for me to sit down.

Amy whispered something I couldn’t make out. It made Nick smile. “Honey do you remember the other night when I was sitting in the living room and you had just come back from checking on Bradley.” She stared up at him, question in her eyes. “You had walked over to the bookshelf to grab Bradley’s baby book to write in –”

“You came up behind me,” Amy cut in. “You wouldn’t leave me alone.”

“No,” Nick laughed. “I wanted you then and there, do you know why?”

“You were watching TV and –”

“I was watching the news,” he informed her. “That’s not what made me hard that night; it was you and your damn nursing bra!” He dropped his forehead against hers and laughed. “I need you so badly that a glimpse of your nursing bra drives me crazy.”

“I’ve gained weight and –”

“I have too,” Nick pointed out. It was true, in the last three months, he had managed to pack on between 20 -30 pounds. “Does that mean you love me any less? Or that the thought of making love with me sickens you?”

“No!” Amy’s eyes widened as she stared up at him. “No Nicky, that hasn’t changed at all.”

With a smile, Nick went in for a kiss.

“I think it’s time we went home,” Jordan whispered against my ear. “I want to put my girls to bed.”

Nick and Amy barely even noticed when we stood and said bye to everyone.

As we came up to the passenger side of Jordan’s truck, he turned me around to face him. “You know,” he grazed my cheek with his lips. “Maybe instead of being a department manager, you should take up as a full time shrink for my family.”

With a laugh, I told him that wouldn’t be a good idea. “I’m too emotional for that.”

He thought about it for a moment before he had to nod his agreement. “Let’s just go home,” he reached for the door handle and opened the door before taking Jenna in his arms. After he had her strapped in, he opened my door for me. His eyes held a mischievous look as he helped me up into the seat, “I’ll lay on a couch for you.”

Hanging Out

It was a beautiful night so while Harriet forced John to help her with the dishes - which I believe was so that she could talk to John about the new development with me and Jordan because she flat out refused my help when I offered it - the rest of us decided to head out back to the patio and relax.

“Do you think mom was trying to get us drunk?”

“What?” Jordan gave his brother a funny look.

“I think she was,” Nick stated. “Why else would she keep filling our glasses up before we could even finish what we had?”

It was an interesting question, I know I found myself wondering the same thing while we were all sitting at the table and Harriet kept filling the boys’ glasses until the two bottles of wine were gone.

“It didn’t work though,” Nick said as a cool breeze ruffled his hair. “I’m more horny than drunk.” The sound of the wind blowing was the only noise you could hear on the back patio after he revealed that piece of information. “Don’t worry,” he continued while watching Amy. “I’m not going to bother begging you to touch me tonight.” Turning back to us, he lifted his right hand. “Have you been introduced to Rightina? My girlfriend?”

“Idiot,” Jordan shook his head in disbelief.

Amy looked hurt when she punched him in the arm and called him a jerk before she stormed off into the house. “What’s her problem?” He asked cluelessly.

“You’re an idiot,” Mike informed him. “You should’ve stopped talking before you started.”

“I was kidding,” Nick mumbled and then asked me if I could tell him more about the jobs I mentioned at the table.

“Jenna no,” Jordan’s arms fell from my waist as he moved towards Jenna. “Bradley doesn’t want to play with the doll honey. Come see daddy.”

After a second of hesitation, Jenna came running over into Jordy’s outstretched arms. “Hey J-Roll,” he hugged her close to his chest. The smile that crossed his face when she pressed her face against his chest was priceless. When I moved into run my hand over his back, his elbow brushed against my breast, I tried to muffle my groan by biting my lip. By the look on Jordan’s face, it didn’t work.

“Hey Anna?” Nick motioned for me to come over. Reluctantly, I left Jordan’s side and went to sit at the table with Nick. “Tell me about those jobs?” He asked. “I really need to find something that pays and has benefits or I’ll be living in Amy’s parents’ basement for the rest of my life.” He looked tired as he told me that he loved Amy and Bradley but he didn’t marry Amy’s parents. “They are always down in our space and in our business. They make me feel that they think I don’t deserve her.”

“Nick,” I reached out and patted his clenched fist. “Why didn’t you tell us before? Maybe we could’ve helped you before now.”

With a sigh he raked his fingers through his hair. “Just tell me about the jobs, please?”

“Ok,” I nodded. “I don’t know much about the dispatcher job, just that Zack mentioned it the other night; I’d give him a call if I were you.”

“I’ll call him to-” he glanced at his watch. “I guess it’ll be tomorrow.”

“Well you could call him tonight, right now even, he’s at home.”

“Ok,” he replied but didn’t move. I looked at him expectantly and he laughed. “I’ll call him in a minute; tell me about the job at your work. What is it again?”

“Unloader,” I smiled. “I’m not sure what shifts you are looking for but this one is from 3:30 to midnight.”

With a chuckle, Nick told me that it would save him from having to deal with his in-laws too much. “What would I be doing? If I were to apply for that?”

“Unloading the warehouse trucks, mainly.” I shrugged. “I’m not really sure what else they have to do.”

“Will I see you?”

“I’ll be getting off when you are coming in so -” I stopped as a smirk appeared on his face. “What are you - oh!” I cringed. “Pervert!”

“Come on now Trouble,” he held up his left hand and nodded to Bradley. “I’m a family man, you have to control those urges of yours.”

“Shut up!” I rolled my eyes. “You don’t interest me,” I threw at him.

“I know, I know,” he laughed. “I’m happy that you two are together, finally.”

“Me too,” Jordan sat down next to me with Jenna falling asleep in his arms. “Things are just starting to fall into place, it’s great.”

Not to be left out, Mike and Eric pulled up chairs and joined us as well. “I just never thought I would see the day that my little brother would date an ex of mine.”

“Yeah, well,” Jordan leaned back in his chair and reached out his hand to stroke my hair. “If it were anyone else, I wouldn’t but Anna…” he shook his head as he gazed, adoringly, at me. “You are the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Reaction

A tiny squeak of surprise escaped my throat as he pulled me against his body and lowered his head to kiss me. It took a moment for me to realize what was happening and to respond to the pressure of his lips on mine but I made up for that hesitation by returning the kiss with so much enthusiasm, he stumbled backwards a step or two.

“I do,” his voice sounded so far away as his lips left mine.

“Mmm?” I remained in the optimal kissing position as I wondered why he stopped.

“Ice cream,” he kissed the corner of my mouth. “I want ice cream with my pie.”

I smiled and nodded.

Then I realized what he said. “Hmm?” I peeked out at him from underneath my lashes.

He chuckled, his lips grazed my cheek. “You asked who wanted ice cream with their pie and I said I do.”

“Oh my God,” I lowered my head to his shoulder as I flashed back into reality and realized that we were standing in front of his family. I don’t think my cheeks have ever burned as badly as they did at that moment.

Jordan’s arms tightened around me. “You wanted me to tell them,” he whispered softly. “I couldn’t think of a better way, could you?”

When I didn’t answer he moved back enough to gaze down at me. “Babe?”

Clearing my throat, I turned my head towards his family; they appeared to be frozen as they stared at us. With a smile, I gave Jordan a kiss on the lips and then stepped back to serve up dessert. “Who wants ice cream with their pie?” I asked again as I scooped a big spoonful out of the pail and waited for Jordan to place the pie section in a bowl for me.

Eric, who seemed to be the only one at the table who wasn’t shocked by Jordan kissing me, smiled up at me and said that he would love some ice cream with his pie. When I placed the bowl in front of him, he plunged his spoon into his dessert and then brought it to his mouth.

“What the hell are you doing!?!?!” Mike screamed as Eric’s lips closed around his spoon.

Eric’s eyes widened as he stared at Mike. “Eating,” he mumbled and then turned to me, taking the spoon out of his mouth. “Was I supposed to wait?”

Before I could even answer Mike was asking him how he could possibly eat after what just happened. “What the hell is going on?” He demanded as his eyes skipped over me and landed on Jordan.

“We are having ice cream and pie,” he replied innocently.

“Ice cream…” Mike glanced around the table at his family. “Am I the only one who seen that?”

“You told me I was delusional,” Nick accused. “I asked you what was going on between you and you lied to me!”

“No I didn’t. You said that Jordan was happy and I told you reasons why he was.”

“I can’t believe you lied to me,” Nick shook his head. “How could you keep that from me?” The last question was directed at Jordan. “I thought we told each other everything!”

“I wanted to tell you,” Jordan told him. “There were so many times I almost did –”

“Why didn’t you?”

Jordan glanced at me. “We thought it would be best to keep it to ourselves for a little while, to be sure that we could do this before telling everyone.”

“You’ve been keeping it a secret?” His mom looked upset. “For how long Jordan? Why didn’t you want us to know?” She didn’t even look at me. “I’m sure Anna’s family knew.”

“No they didn’t,” Jordy replied. “The only one who knew was Jenna.” He chuckled, “If it wasn’t for my daughter, I don’t think I would’ve found out that Anna wanted to give us a chance.”

“Jenna?” Harriet turned to look at her granddaughter who was trying really hard to grab her daddy’s bowl of dessert. “What did Jenna have to do with it?”

“Well…” Jordan told his family all about the morning he overheard me talking to Jenna about him. As he spoke, I finished serving up dessert and listened. Hearing him tell the story made me smile. The excitement in his voice as he got to the part where I realized that I’ve loved him for years, made me smile. I couldn’t stop myself – nor did I want to – I slipped my arms around his waist and gazed up at him while he spoke.

“It’s been a month?” Nick shook his head in disbelief. “I can’t believe you kept this from us for that long.”

Conversation circled around Jordan and me dating for a while but as they talked, I noticed that John wasn’t paying attention as he ate his dessert and went for more. I watched him work his way through his second bowl and wondered how on earth he could sit there and pretend that nothing big was happening when he was one of the ones who didn’t understand why we weren’t dating before.

I guess Harriet must’ve noticed me watching John and realized that he didn’t say anything. “I think it’s wonderful that Jordan and Anna are finally together, don’t you John?”

Silence fell around the table as everyone turned to John. Beside me, Jordan stiffened and I knew that he was holding on to the hope that his father would finally be happy for him about something.

“Don’t,” I whispered.

“Don’t what?” He brushed his lips against my cheek. “Don’t hope that my dad is happy that I’m with the woman that I love?”

I sighed. “Jordy whatever he says won’t change how happy we are – you don’t need his approval. You’re a good man and I’m very happy with you.”

“You’re right,” he turned all his attention to me. “It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks, you are all that matters to me.”

Although he said that, and I believe he really meant it, it didn’t stop him from slumping back in his chair when his dad looked up from his bowl. Staring straight at Jordan, John pointed his spoon in his direction, and said “It’s about time,” before returning to his ice cream with the biggest grin on his face.

Catching Up With Everyone

Never in my life would I have thought that being at Jordan’s parents’ house - surrounded by people who were, essentially, my family - would have felt like torture. But that’s exactly what it felt like as I sat in their living room that night. Every time I glanced Jordan’s way and his gaze met mine or every time I heard him say my name, I ached to be next to him with his arms around me - not sitting next to his father and sister-in-law.

I couldn’t explain it if I tried. It made no sense to me when I tried. How could I possibly be this deeply tuned into him when all my life I knew him and I managed not to lose my mind over him.

Well, barely. My last few years of high school were nothing but pure hell as I pretended that I didn’t have more than friendship feelings for him. It took me a while to come to terms with the fact that nothing would happen between us and I guess you could say that’s when I started to seriously date those guys who ended up not working out - Will, who cheated and Mike, who turned out to be gay - just to name a couple.

I suppose it’s best to say that all my feelings for him have always been lurking beneath the surface, just waiting for the moment when we are both ready to explore that possibility. Now that the possibility was real, I couldn’t stop my feelings or the way my body and mind reacted to his presence.

And to tell you the truth, I didn’t want to change or stop it at all. Whatever was to come, whether or not we would last, I was happy that we were taking the chance and seeing where it could lead us.

“Jordan?” Harriet came into the living room drying her hands in a towel. “Why don’t you go take up some dinner for Jenna? We are going to be sitting down soon.”

“Sure mom,” he excused himself from the conversation he had been having with Mike and Eric. Without drawing too much attention to myself, I watched him cross to his mom and kiss her cheek. “Thanks mom.” Before he left the room, he sent a look my way that had me squirming in my seat.

I waited, I didn’t want too but in order to not make it obvious, so I waited a good five minutes before I excused myself and went to find him.

“What was that look for?” I asked him as I came up behind him and wrapped my arms around his waist. “It was hot,” I sighed against his back while my hands roamed over his stomach to his chest.

“Was it really?” He chuckled softly. “Did it make you squirm?”

“You know it did,” I leaned around and watched him cut up vegetables in small pieces for Jenna. “Look at you,” I grinned. “Not even six months ago you swore you would never be a dad, let alone a good one and now?”

“Anna,” he chuckled. “Anyone can cut up food for their kid; it doesn’t make me a good dad.”

“No,” I agreed. “But the happy little girl in the other room, who adores you, does.”

“She does, doesn’t she?” He smiled.

“Mmmhmm,” I gazed up at him. “She not the only one.”

“Babe,” he sighed, dropped the fork he was using and turned towards me. “When you look at me like that…” his arms wrapped around me. “You make me feel things I can’t describe.”

“Then don’t describe it,” I told him. “Show me.”

“Show you?” He lowered his head. “Give you a little taste of my…”

“Yes,” I said breathlessly as my lids dropped as my gaze focused on his lips. “Show me how you feel Jordy.”

“Like this?” He pressed his lips against my temple. “Or maybe like this…” he trailed kisses down my cheek and along my neck. “Did I tell you I really like this dress?” His fingers slipped under the strap of my dress as his lips grazed my skin. “So hot…”

“Jordy,” I moaned softly. “You have to tell them, now.” I swallowed hard. “I can’t handle this anymore.”

“What?” He blinked. “What do you mean?”

“It’s killing me to be this close to you and not be able to touch or kiss you whenever I feel like it.” I pouted. “It really hurts to hold back when all I want to do is be with you.”

“I know how you feel,” he kissed my forehead. “How do you think I felt for the last two years? To watch you kiss and touch other guys? Wishing with every breath that you would look at me like that - touch me like that.”

“This is your chance,” I whispered against his neck. “Tell you family and let’s finally be together. Please Jordy.”

“I will,” he nudged my cheek with his nose. “I promise. Just let me do it my way.”

“Ok,” I lifted my face and met his lips.

Jordan’s hands travelled down my back to cup my ass, thrusting me against him as his lips captured mine.

“Yes mom, I’ll ask him!” We pulled apart at the sound of Nick’s voice as it came closer.

“Damn it all,” I cursed. “Please tell them,” I begged as I pressed my lips against his cheek.

“I will,” he promised, pouting as I slipped out of his arms.

Nick came through the door shaking his head. “Mom wants to know why you aren’t potty training Jenna yet.”

Jordan stared at him blankly, which I think had more to do with what he interrupted as opposed to the question he asked. “Is that all you came in here for?”

“No, Jenna needs her diaper changed and mom sent me to find out where her bag was…” Nick trailed off as he glanced back and forth between the two of us. “What’s going on in here?”

Jordan looked at me. “We were just talking,” he told him before excusing himself to go check on his daughter.

Nick watched Jordan go and then turned to me. “I don’t believe that,” he stated. “I know there is something going on between you two, I can feel it.”

“Going on between Jordan and me?” I chuckled. “What on earth would make you think that?”

“He’s happy,” he replied simply. “We both know Jordan isn’t just happy.”

Rolling my eyes I told him there were many reasons for that. “I mean, he does have his daughter today and his whole family is here. You know how much he loves it when Mike is home.” I shook my head and started to walk away from him. “You really should get some sleep Nicky, you are becoming delusional.”

It killed me to walk away from Nick without telling him that Jordan and I were dating but I promised Jordan that he would be the one to tell his family.

An hour later I would realize that as hard as it was not to tell Nick in the kitchen, it would be harder not to spill the beans while we all sat around the table for dinner. I even tried to make Jordan to spill sooner than he seemed to want too by stroking his inner thigh with my fingers from the start of dinner. It didn’t seem to be working, he was barely managing to hold on to his emotions but he wasn’t giving up our relationship.

“Fine,” I whispered, pulling my hand from his thigh and turned my attention to everyone else except him.

First up were Mike and Eric and their hunt for a house here. “How’s that going?” I asked. “Is that your main focus for this weekend?”

“Yes,” Eric replied. “We’re hoping to find something suitable before we load everything into the moving truck at the end of the month.”

“Don’t worry about it Eric dear,” Harriet piped up. “John and I already told you guys that you are more than welcomed to stay here until you find a place.”

Eric smiled, “And we appreciate that Harriet but we wouldn’t want to burden you longer than necessary.”

“It’s not a burden,” Harriet said with a dismissively wave of her hand. “We are excited to have Mike home again, aren’t we John?”

“Yes, of course,” John responded.

Beside me Jordan leaned in and whispered that he was certain that Eric wasn’t too happy at the idea of living with his parents. “Can’t really blame him, can you Babe?”

Shrugging, I turned to Mike. “So what are you doing when you come back to town? Have you started to look for work or…?”

“I haven’t looked yet,” he told me. “Eric and I figured that I would wait until we are settled here before I look for something.” He smiled. “Since any job I’m qualified for doesn’t involve skill,” he muttered.

“I never said that Mike.” Eric replied defensively. “I just thought that you would like to take some time to spend with your family when we first move back. I never meant -”

“Don’t worry about it,” Mike cut him off. “We’ll talk about it later.”

Eric slumped a little in his chair next to me and I can’t say that I blame him, the last time something bothered Mike, he didn’t talk about it for the longest time. “Well,” I gave Eric a smile. “I for one am very glad that you guys are going to live here, I’ve missed Mike terribly and I feel like I don’t know you that well Eric. I want too, just the little I came to find out when Nick, Jordan and I visited you guys that day - well, I have to say, I believe we would be friends even if we didn’t know each other through Mike.”

“Thank you,” Eric smiled at me while Mike gave me a questioning look.

“What?” I asked Mike. “I can’t help it that your boyfriend is interesting and fun to talk too. You are lucky he gave you a chance.”

Mike laughed and said something about nosy little girls and their ‘do good’ attitudes but I did see him exchange a look with Eric that made me smile.
Jordan poked my side, trying to get my attention when his reach for my hand resulted in me drawing it out from under the table.

I turned to Nick and Amy. “I can’t believe it’s been a month since that little guy was born,” I glanced at Bradley sleeping in his car seat on a chair at the end of the table by his grandmother.

“Me neither,” Nick gazed at his son. Sighing, he turned back, “It’s going to suck going back to work next week after being home with Amy and Bradley for the last month but,” he shrugged. “I have to start earning some money soon, things are getting expensive fast.”

“Are you going back to the restaurant?” I asked while shifting in my chair as Jordan poked me again.

“Yeah,” he nodded. “I might have to look at something else though, it may not be enough.”

“You promised you wouldn’t work two jobs,” Amy turned to him. “Bradley will never see you if you do.”

“I know,” Nick looked at her. “I don’t want that but baby we can’t expect your parents to let us live in their basement forever. And I don’t want that either. I want to give you a place to call your own and a yard for Bradley to play in - I can’t do all that at the restaurant alone.”

“Nicky dad said that they would give us money for a down payment -”

“And we would help as well,” John cut in.

“No,” Nick shook his head. “I want to provide for my family myself; I don’t want to continue to depend on everyone else lending me a helping hand! Mike doesn’t do it and Jordan has never needed to.”

“Nicky -”

“No Amy, I told you, I’ll figure something out.” Nick stabbed at the last of his roast beef. “I have to figure something out,” he mumbled.

“Ummm,” I glanced around the table, not sure if I should say anything. “Nick?”

“Yeah?” He sighed as he looked at me.

“Well, I don’t know if you are interested but I happen to know that they are looking for unloaders at work and Zack mentioned something about needing another dispatcher at the station. Maybe you could check into one of those?”

Nick’s face brightened with that little piece of info. “Thank you Anna, I’ll check into both.”

Jordan poked me again and whispered my name.

“John,” I smiled as I turned to him. “Are you and Harriet going to visit your parents this summer? Don’t you normally go this month?”

John nodded, “Yes, we’ll be going in a couple weeks but we are only staying a couple days.”

“What?” I was surprised; they normally stayed a couple weeks. “Why is that?”

“Mom and dad want to come back here to visit with the boys.”

“Anna,” Jordan hissed.

“That’s great,” I smiled at John. “I sure hope I get a chance to visit with them, I haven’t seen them in a while.”

“I know,” John told me that his parent’s had been asking how I’ve been doing. “They are looking forward to seeing you too.”

Finally I turned to Jordan’s mom; I wanted to know all about the look she gave me and give Jordan the perfect chance to tell his family. “Harriet can I ask you something?”

“Sure Anna,” she smiled at me. “What’s on your mind?”

“Well,” I frowned. “I was curious about the look you gave me when you answered the door.” I paused. “Were you upset to see me?”

Harriet looked across the table to John and then to her boys before she looked at me. “I wasn’t expecting you,” she told me. “When I told Jordan about dinner, he told me he would be bringing someone and I had assumed that he meant a girl.”

“But I’m a girl,” I said a little more defensively than I had planned.

“I know you are dear,” Harriet laughed. “I meant I thought Jordan was bringing a date.”

Finally, I glanced at Jordan; it was the perfect time for him to tell them.

But he didn’t.

“Excuse us,” Jordan grabbed my hand and pulled me out of my chair. He ignored me demands that he let me go as he stomped out of the dining room, not stopping until we were in the living room.

“What are you doing? I was talking in there!”

“I know!” He snapped. “And you did it while ignoring me too.”

“If you don’t like it, tell them!”

“I’ll tell them when I’m damn good and ready Anna!”

“And when will that be Jordan?” I sighed, shook my head. “I’m dying here! I want to touch you, I want to kiss you and the longer it takes you to tell them, the more frustrated I’m becoming! I can’t take it too much longer!”

“Babe,” he rubbed his hand over my arm. “Just a little while longer and you’ll be able to do whatever you like with me. I promise.”

“Fine,” I turned away from him. “Do this your way.”

“Don’t be mad,” he came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me. “You know I want everyone to know about us Anna,” he spoke against my ear. “I want nothing more than to be with you in public.”

“Just tell them,” I said simply. “Tell them and we can be a real couple.”

With more reassurance that he would tell them, we made our way back to the dining room where I did my best to ignore all the curious looks from his family.

When it came time for dessert, I volunteered to head into the kitchen to retrieve the pies and ice cream just so I wouldn’t have to sit next to Jordan any longer. I was moments away from pushing all the dishes off the table and throwing him on it!

After returning from the kitchen a second time with bowls and spoons, I reached for the ice cream tub to remove the lid.

“Here,” Jordan stood up. “Let me get that for you.”

“It’s ok,” I started to protest but he removed my hands from the 4lt tub and insisted that he had it.

“Who wants -?” Jordan had removed the lid, placed it on the table and them turned to me, pulling me into his arms. “…ice cream…” I whispered as he lowered his head and gently kissed my lips.

Family Stuff

I wish I could say that it didn’t bug me that Harriet didn’t seem happy that I was there with Jordan but it did. My first thought was that I was his girlfriend, I had every right to be there with him whether she liked it or not.

“Hi mom,” Jordan moved forward to give her a kiss on the cheek. “It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?”

“Why yes Jordan it -”

“Is Nick here?” Jordan asked, as if he didn’t see Nick’s car in front. “And Mike?” He moved past his mom.

“Of course they are in the living -”

“Great,” he spun around and smiled at her. “Shall we head to the living room then?” He glanced at me still standing on the front step, “Come in Babe, don’t be shy.”

Harriet gave me a questioning look as I removed my shoes. With a ‘I don’t know’ shrug, I followed Jordan into the living room.

“Hey guys,” Jordan greeted his brothers cheerfully as he crossed the room to where Amy was holding a fussing Bradley in her arms. “Amy,” he sat on the couch next to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek which not only surprised her, it surprised everyone who witnessed it. “You are looking very pretty today.”

Amy blinked. “Thank you Jordan,” she smile at him but soon shot Nick a questioning look.

“And this little guy,” Jordan turned his attention to his nephew. “How are they treating you kid? Is your daddy being nice? If he’s not just tell me, I’ll set him straight.”

While Jordan was busy shocking everyone with his surprisingly out of character behaviour, I was left standing, unnoticed, with Jenna in my arms. Unnoticed that is until I called out to him.

“Babe come sit down,” he slid over to the end of the couch and patted the spot next to Amy that he just occupied. “I swear Bradley has grown a lot since the last time I saw him.”

“I doubt he’s grown all that much since yesterday,” I said as I crossed the room and took a seat next to Amy. “Oh,” I cooed as I gazed down at my Godson. “Jenna look, it’s your cousin, isn’t he just the cutest little boy ever?”

Jenna leaned over and stared at Bradley. “Bebe,” she stated as she shoved her doll back onto Jordan’s lap and held out her arms and waited. When Amy didn’t hand over Bradley for her to hold, she stared innocently up at Amy. “Bebe?”

Amy hesitated and I can’t say that I blamed her. “Don’t worry,” I smiled at her. “I’ll make sure that he’s safe.”

After looking to Nick, who nodded, Amy turned towards us and carefully placed Bradley in Jenna’s (my) arms. Once she held him, Jenna started to ‘talk’ to him and giggle.

“I wonder what she’s saying to him,” Jordan said as he leaned in close to us.

“I don’t know,” I looked up at him. “Maybe she’s telling him all the family secrets.”

“Maybe,” he smiled as his hand brushed against my knee.

As I stared up at him, I felt this overpowering desire to kiss him. I believe he felt it too because his gaze dipped to my lips and when his eyes met mine again, his eyes held the same look I’m sure mine did.

“So ummm,” Jordan pulled back from me and glanced around the room. “Mike!” He jumped off the couch and went over to sit on the arm of the loveseat his brother and Eric were seated in. “It’s good to see you guys.”

Mike laughed, “You aren’t going to give Eric a kiss on the cheek and tell him he looks very pretty today?”

“Well, I could.” Jordan stated as he stood up.

“No, no,” Eric shook his head as he turned red. “It’s not necessary.”

“Ok,” Jordan sat down again. “But you do look…pretty?” He shrugged his uncertainty. “Can guys look pretty Babe?”

“Let’s see,” I pretended to think about that. “Handsome…gorgeous…good looking…fine…sexy…hot…doable…” I shook my head. “Nope,” I smiled at him. “I don’t think I’ve ever said a guy was pretty before.”

“Doable?” He chuckled. “I didn’t ask what you thought about me.”

“Whatever,” I stuck my tongue out.

“Hey!” He pointed to me. “Don’t think I won’t come looking for that later!”

Shaking my head, I turned my attention back to Jenna and Bradley but my thoughts had definitely turned to what he could possibly expect later. And the thought of touching him, any part of him with my tongue, was very exciting. I shifted as I gazed at him from underneath my lashes, watching him as he continued talking with Mike and Eric.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t even notice Amy was taking Bradley to feed him until I felt like I was dropping him. “Sorry,” I apologized when I realized what was happening and released my hold on him.

“Jenna!” John exclaimed as he came across the room towards us. “How’s Papa’s little girl?” In my arms, Jenna perked up and started to bounce as he sat down in the empty spot next to me. I guess I didn’t mask my surprise very well because John asked me what was so surprising about a little girl being happy to see her grandfather.

“Nothing,” I managed to say. “I guess I just haven’t been around to see you two together - I was just shocked - especially after the reaction you had to -”

“That’s all in the past Anna,” he slipped his hands under Jenna’s arms and pulled her onto his lap. “Guess what Papa got for you.” He held a pink Disney Princess purse in front of Jenna. “Do you like it?”

Jenna gasped and then grabbed for the purse with the biggest grin on her face. She pulled it down to her lap and then started to look it over until she found the zipper. She struggled for a moment and when she couldn’t get it to open, she slipped off John’s lap and ran towards Jordan. She held her new purse up to him and waiting for him to open it for her.

“Come here you,” Mike grabbed her around the waist and pulled her onto his lap - blowing against her neck to make her laugh out loud as Jordan pulled the zipper open for her.

“Dad?” Jordan gave John a puzzled look as he pulled out a $10 bill.

“What? I can’t give my granddaughter a present?” He asked accusingly - almost offended that Jordan would even question it.

“Well, no I -” Jordan glanced at Nick and stopped when Nick held up a toy wallet. “Never mind,” he handed the purse to Jenna. “Did you say thank you to Papa?”

Jenna shook her head.

“Then don’t you think you should?”

With a nod, Jenna slipped out of Mike’s lap and came running back over and threw herself at John and said something. “You’re welcome,” John picked her up and hugged her.

From across the room, I watched Jordan watching his dad with Jenna and I was sure that I saw something that resembled a longing for that kind of affection for himself. When he glanced my way, he shrugged slightly as if to say ‘at least Jenna has that’. I nodded, I couldn’t think of what else to do. With a smile, Jordan turned back to the conversation he was having with Mike.

And So It Begins

“Aunt Anna hurry up and pick something out, it’s almost four.” Cassie came up behind me with a hand full of hangers with various dresses dangling from them. “I can’t believe you waited until the day that you were having dinner with Jordan’s family to decide to buy a dress.”

“I didn’t wait,” I mumbled turning from side to side to see the hideous creation that I managed to squeeze into. “He only told me last night about the dinner and then -” I threw my hands up in frustration as another dress was crossed of the list. “I don’t know why he requested that I wear a freaking dress! He knows me; he knows I don’t have dresses just laying around in my closet waiting to be wore.”

Cassie rolled her eyes as she shoved me towards the changing room. “He asked you to wear one because he wants you to look nice tonight - you know his mom and Amy are probably going to be wearing dresses.”

“Yeah,” I waited for her to unzip me. “They are freaks! There are perfectly good pants and shirts that work for a casual dinner, why does it have to be dresses?”

“Stop complaining and try these on,” she shoved the hangers she was holding at me. “And hurry up! Jordan is going to be at the house at 5 to pick you up and we haven’t even started getting you ready yet!”

“That’s another thing,” I complained as I closed the door. “Why did he insist on picking me up at home? I could’ve easily met him at his house and gone from there, it would’ve been so much smarter.”

“I don’t know,” Cassie replied. “Maybe he’s excited about finally being able to take you somewhere as his girlfriend!”

“Maybe,” I mumbled as I sorted through the dresses she gave me and picked out the first one to try on. “I know he’s excited - and nervous - about tonight; you should’ve seen the smile on his face when I told him I would go with him.”

“I bet it was something.”

I smiled at the awe sound in her tone. “Yeah, you would think that he had just been told he won the lottery.” Slipping the straps to my shoulders, I glanced in the mirror and then opened the door so Cassie could see. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Jordan so happy in my life - well, maybe when he found out about Jenna but other than that -”

“That’s the dress,” Cassie cut me off as she came towards me. “That’s the perfect dress; you don’t have to try anything else on.”

I eyed her suspiciously. “This is the dress?” I stared in the mirror at the light pink and white floral print sundress that I was wearing. “Are you sure? Or do you just want me to hurry up?”

“It’s perfect,” Cassie repeated as she hurried off. “I know the perfect shoes to wear with that!” She called as she went.

“Perfect?” I turned in the mirror, sizing it up from every angle. “I guess it is,” I smiled when I couldn’t find anything wrong with the way it hugged my torso but flared from my hips. Swinging from side to side, I watched the material swish around my legs. “Perfect.”

“And these are the perfect sandal,” Cassie informed me as she pulled a pair from the box that were similar in color to the dress. “And I have a crocheted cardigan at home that would be perfect with it as well.”

I tried on the sandal, agreed and then she sent me back into the change room to put my regular clothes back on. “Now,” I said as I walked out of the changing room and we headed for the tills. “I just have to figure out what to do with my hair.”

“Already got it,” Cassie told me. “We are going to pull it back in a sexy, messy ponytail with some curls framing your face.”

“Oh, ok,” I shrugged. “That was easy.”

“Yeah,” she laughed and started to walk faster. “This way if Jordan gets hungry before dinner, your neck is wide open for him!”

****

It was nothing short of a miracle that I didn’t get caught speeding on my way home from the clothing store. “It’s twenty after four,” Cassie reminded me as she followed me down the stairs to my room. “No,” she stopped me and grabbed my bags. “Shower, now and make it fast. I’ll be coming to pull you out if you aren’t in your room in ten minutes.”

“But I need -”

“Go!” She said firmly as she pointed to the bathroom.

I didn’t see the point in standing around arguing with her, so I quickly headed into the bathroom and stripped for my shower.

“I think this would be the best bra and panty to wear for tonight,” Cassie informed me when I walked into my room ten minutes later. I gave a nod as she tossed the pink lace and satin set towards me. “Put them on and sit down, so I can do your hair as you do your make up.”

“I need to pack a bag for tonight,” I reminded her.

“Already done,” she pointed to my overnight bag on the bed. “I just put in clothes that I know you normally wear. Once we are done your hair and make up, you can put in whatever you need of that.”

I raised a brow. “Oh.” I had no idea what she put in but I was hoping I wouldn’t regret it later.

While I was slipping into my panties, Lindsay and Natalie came knocking at my door.

“Go away,” Cassie yelled when she found out it was her sisters. “We are busy and you will just get in the way.”

“Cassie,” I shook my head before calling out to them to come in.

“We wanted to watch you get ready,” Natalie stated as she crossed my room and jumped onto my bed.

“More like wanted to make us late because it’s not the guy you want Aunt Anna to be dating,” Cassie sent a pointed look at Lindsay.

“That’s not fair,” Lindsay exclaimed. “She’s my Aunt too and I should be able to help her get ready for a date too!”

“You just want to ruin this for Aunt Anna.”

“I don’t!”

“You do!”

“Girls!” I snapped and they both turned in surprise to stare at me. “Me almost naked, hair and make up not done. Jordan, on his way here as we speak. A little help, please?”

“I’ll get your shoes,” Natalie exclaimed as she grabbed the sandal box from beside her and jump off my bed.

****

“Wow!” Jordan stared in wonder at me as I appeared in the doorway from the basement. It was five minutes after five and I just barely had time to finish up before I heard the doorbell announcing his arrival. “You look…” he trailed off as I spun around to give him a complete view.

“Is this what you were hoping for?” I bit my lip nervously as he came towards me.

He nodded as his eyes travelled over my face and then down to my exposed neck. Licking his lips, he grinned, “its prefect. You are so beautiful Anna.”

“Thank you,” I blushed. “You -” I shook my head. “Why do you do that?” I stepped towards him and started to mess with his hair. “I don’t know why you comb your hair flat when you know you are extremely sexy when it’s spiky.”

“Maybe I just love it when you run your fingers through my hair.”

I stopped what I was doing to look at him. “Is that so?” I chuckled, “Then it worked because I fall for it every single time.” I finished spiking his hair and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. “There you go, sexy man.”

With a chuckle, he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me to him. “Are you ready Babe?” He asked between light kisses on my lips.

“Mmmhmm,” I smiled, hugging him tight. “I’m very ready.”

“Then let’s go,” he murmured against my lips.

I turned to take Cassie’s cardigan from her when Mary came down the stairs with Zack on her heel. “Wait,” she demanded as she waved her digital camera at me. “I want a picture of this.”

“So do I,” Jordan stated before asking Mary where she wanted us.

“Right there is good,” she told him as Zack told us to keep it PG.

Jordan stood beside me with his arm wrapped around my waist. We were smiling and waiting for Mary to take our picture but just before she did, I glanced up at Jordan and felt my heart soar at the look of pure happiness on his face.

I turned to him, slipped my hand over his chest. He looked down at me, his hand slipping over mine.

And Mary snapped the photo. “Damnit,” she cursed. “You two moved!”

“What can I say?” Jordan’s eyes sparkled with mischief as he looked at Mary. “She moves me.”

“Come on,” I tugged on his hand. “We are going to be late if we don’t leave now.”

****

“I’m nervous,” I admitted to him as we walked up the front steps to his parents’ house. “What if your family doesn’t like that we are together?”

He shrugged. “It won’t be like that, they all love you.”

“I know they love me as your friend Jordy, but your girlfriend?” I sighed. “This is a big step for us.”

“Yes it is,” he agreed as he pulled me into his arms. “It’s a big step but it’s one that everyone has been waiting for since we were old enough to date.”

“That’s true,” I smiled as Jenna squirmed between us. Looking down at her, I told him it didn’t matter what anyone else thought. “Jenna looks like she’s happy that we are together.”

“Of course she is,” Jordan kissed Jenna’s forehead and then kissed me. “She knows you make me happy.”

Any reply I had was chased away by nerves when I heard someone turn the doorknob. Stepping back from Jordan, I turned to see the door open and Harriet appear. Hey eyes focused on Jordan and then Jenna. When she got to me her smile disappeared and she looked really disappointed. “Oh, Anna.” She gave me a fake smile. “I didn’t expect to see you.”

Excuse Me While I Stare At Your Chest

For the most part, Jordan listened to me without interrupting me much.

Ok, he interrupted me a lot, it’s what he does, he thinks of things and he has to say them right away. It’s one of the reasons we’ve always been best friends, he isn’t afraid to say what he’s thinking, no matter what. I’ve always appreciated that quality, even if it did get us into trouble a lot as kids.

“So at the beach yesterday…” I started only to stop a second later when his hand reached out to fiddle with the top button on my shirt. “What are you doing?”

He flashed me his trademark grin, one that I knew from experience would lead to trouble. “If I have to listen to you talk about drooling over Josh for the next few minutes, I wanna see some cleavage.”

“Cleavage?” I snorted.

“Yes little piggy, cleavage.” His grin widened in celebration as my button slipped through its hole. “Ahhh, that’s better,” his eyes met mine. “Now you can say anything you want about Josh and I won’t even notice the drool.” With a glance downwards, he sighed happily, “Boobies.”

“Oh Lord,” I rolled my eyes and laughed. “There won’t be any drool Jordy.”

“Oh no?” He raised a brow.

“No.”

Laughter danced in the depths of his eyes when he looked at me. “Oh Babe, there’ll be drool…” his gaze drifted south.

“Jordy!” I laughed.

And then I had an idea.

“Well,” when I reached for the next button, his eyes jumped to mine - the laughter all but taken over by desire as his body reacted to the possibility of more cleavage being revealed.

“Wh -” He coughed, swallowed hard and then tried again. “What are you -?”

I slipped the button through its hole and spread my collar open a little more - giving a great view of my breasts and a tiny peek at the light blue lace of my bra.

It was amusing to watch him open his mouth to attempt to say something only to glance down and close it again. As he gaped like a fish and squirmed against me, it became very obvious just how much he was enjoying the view of my chest. I can’t even began to tell you how hot it was to know that just the tiny view I gave him was enough to set his body to stone.

“Like I was saying,” my voice lowered as I gazed at him affectionately. “I was sitting on my beach blanket minding my own business, thinking, when I realized Jesse was squatting next to me.”

“What were you thinking about?” He asked my breasts.

“To be honest?” I raised a brow and waited for him to answer.

Reluctantly he tore his eyes from me breasts. “Yes Anna, tell me honestly what you were thinking.”

“Ok,” I slipped my hand up over his chest to his shoulder where my fingers played absently with a lock of hair at the base of his neck. “To be honest, I was thinking about Josh - wondering how he was doing with Jesse since he had him this summer and wondering if he would be able to let him go when the time comes.” His eyes never left mine once, not even when I said. “I was thinking about the last time I spoke to him - the night of the party - when he asked if we could be friends; I thought about calling him to see how things were going.”

I chewed my bottom lip nervously as I saw sparks of jealousy in his eyes. “Are you upset about that?”

“Anna,” he sighed.

I closed my eyes and lowered my head - why do you have to be ‘honest’? You know guys don’t want to know that you are thinking about someone else - even if it isn’t sexual.

“Babe don’t,” Jordan’s fingers brushed against my chin. “Don’t look away.”

“I’m sorry,” I tiled my head back to look at him again. “I know you don’t want to hear that I was thinking about Josh anymore than any other guy would want to hear that their girlfriend is thinking anything about another man. I’m sorry I shouldn’t have -” He pressed his finger against my lips.

“First of all, please don’t tell me what I want and don’t want to hear - if I didn’t want to know, I wouldn’t ask. Secondly, I’m not any other guy, I’m your boyfriend and best friend - tell me whatever you are thinking, I don’t want you to feel that you can’t tell me something. And lastly, I know you are going to think about Josh.”

“But I -”

“I know,” he smiled. “You weren’t really thinking about him as much as wondering what is going on with Jesse and him. Anna, I know you, you will always wonder about the people you know - hell! I bet you still wonder about Will some times.”

I cringed as I closed my eyes. It was true.

“See?” He chuckled. “You worry, you care, you try to help - it’s who you are. Don’t ever apologize for being you.” With that he kissed my forehead. “Although, with that said, don’t tell me if you are having sexual thoughts or dreams about Josh - I don’t need to know that. I’ve had enough of that part of your relationship with him when you lived with me.”

I was unable to say anything through the embarrassment that washed over me as I remembered him walking in on Josh and me when we were making out and the time that he overheard us when we were having sex.

“Now,” he turned his gaze to my chest. “I see no tan lines; please tell me you were wearing something when you ran into him.”

“Of course I was,” I rolled my eyes and told him what I was wearing.

He glanced up at me. “I haven’t seen that one before, have I? Sounds sexy.”

“Nope,” I laughed. “You haven’t and according to the girls, it wasn’t that sexy at all.”
He groaned, “You know that means you were looking super hot right? If they didn’t like it, it had to be stunning.” Wrapping his arm around me, he held me so tight I could feel his pulse pounding. “Model it for me some day?”

“Sure,” I smiled mischievously. “That bathing suit and the ‘purple’.”

“Purple?” His brows drew together in confusion and then suddenly his eyes widened. In one swift movement, he managed to get me on my back while he pressed his hips against mine, leaving me with no doubt as to whether or not he was turned on. “Purple?” He hissed. “The purple?”

I nodded slowly.

“As in the purple -”

I kissed him. “Yes Jordy, that purple.” Gazing innocently up at him, I pouted, “You did ask me to model that for you, didn’t you?”

“I - I…” he stopped making sounds at that point.

“So,” I chuckled. “Like I was saying, Jesse was squatting next to me.”

It took him a few minutes to recover enough from the shock to pay attention to what I was telling him. While I was talking, he returned to rest on the couch beside me but had tugged my leg over his hip and held me close - most of the time I was talking to his chest but I made it all the way to the end without too many more questions. “And then Josh asked me if I was really happy with you.”

“Uh huh,” he nodded. “And what did you say?”

“Yes,” I grinned. “I just smiled and said ‘yes’.”

“Yes?” Jordan repeated slowly.

“Yes,” I nodded.

“Wow,” he looked impressed.

“Yeah,” I smiled. “You make me happy Jordy.”

“You make me happy too Anna, very happy.” We lay there, in each other’s arms, gazing into each other’s eyes for the longest time. It was probably the most calming, yet exciting moment of my life.

“Tomorrow night,” he broke the comfortable silence that settled around us.

“Tomorrow night?” I frowned.

“Yes,” he nodded. “Mike and Eric are out for the weekend so Mom invited Nick and me over for supper. When she asked me a couple days ago, I hinted that I might bring someone because I was hoping that I could convince you to come with me - even if it was as my ‘friend’. Although, now that your family knows about us, you can go as my girlfriend and everyone can finally know about us.” He searched my eyes for a moment. “What do you say? Will you go to my parents’ house for supper tomorrow night?”

I hesitated. I wanted to tell my family but I wasn’t really wanting to let his family - his parents mainly - in on our relationship.

“Or not,” he sighed his disappointment. “We don’t have to tell them, I guess. I’m sure they’ll find out some time.”

“Jordy,” I stroked his cheek with my fingers. “You know I want everyone to know that we are dating.”

“But?”

“But…” I shook my head as I realized how stupid I was being. You should be there with him just like he was there for you like you wanted him to be. “But nothing,” I said confidently. “I would love to go to supper with you.”

“Great!” He kissed me. “I can’t wait to tell my family about us! I’ve been dying to tell them for so long!”

Tan Lines

“I have to tell you something,” I gazed up at Jordan as we sat together on his couch the next evening.

“What’s that Babe?” He asked but didn’t take his eyes off the TV and the episode of the Family Guy that we were watching from the season one DVD.

“I have to tell you something,” I repeated. “Tell you about something that happened at the beach yesterday when I was there with my family.”

“Oh?” He raised a brow as he tilted his head to gaze down at me – a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Did you lose your top and flash the entire beach?” He asked with a smirk. “That would be something you’d have to tell me about and reenact so I could see.”

“No,” I rolled my eyes while I tried not to laugh. “I didn’t flash anyone.”

“Oh,” he sounded disappointed but he was smiling. “That’s good Anna, it wouldn’t be a great way to spend your ‘Aunt’ time with the kids anyway – unless…” His eyes narrowed, he leaned down and whispered, “You were showing the girls how to get a man to do whatever you wanted, weren’t you?”

“Jordy!” I shook my head and laughed. “I didn’t flash anyone.”

“Well,” he sat back with an indignant look on his face. “I can’t believe you would bring up flashing and then tell me you didn’t do it just so you wouldn’t have to reenact it for me.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at him, I knew he wasn’t serious – the sparkle in his eyes told me that much. “Oh Jordy,” I wrapped my arm around him and snuggled close. “I don’t need to accidentally flash at the beach to flash you, you know.”

“Good,” he replied. “I’ve been hoping to get a closer look at those tan lines of yours for a while now.”

“Tan lines?” I repeated innocently as my fingers gently stroked along his neck. “What makes you think I have tan lines?” My gaze met his as his whole body tensed beside me.

“Y-y-you…”

I raised a brow. Smiling, I leaned up and pressed my lips against his jaw. “I’m sorry,” I whispered softly against his skin. “I didn’t quite hear that.”

He took a couple deep breathes and then squeaked, “What the hell kind of beach are you taking those kids to?”

“It’s a fun beach Jordy,” I chuckled.

“A fun one?” He asked hoarsely as he tilted his head until his lips brushed against my neck. “Tell me about it Anna.”

“Well,” I stared at a spot over his shoulder while I tried to keep all rational thought with me as his mouth moved along my neck. “There’s the sun, it’s hot –”

“Mmmm, like you,” he mumbled against my skin as his hands made quick work of pulling my legs over his. “Tell me more.”

I bit my lip to stop from groaning as he sent shivers through my body. “There’s water and sssss-and!” I hissed as his lips closed around my earlobe.

With a chuckle, he released my lobe and gazed down at me. “Sun, water and sand,” he repeated. “Those sound like they could be lots of fun.”

Just by the heat in his gaze, I was sure that his mind was going the same way mine was, so I asked him. “Thinking about us naked on the sand with the water lapping over our bodies?”

“Hmm, something like that,” he chuckled. “Then I would see those tan lines you say you don’t have.”

“Tan lines?” I giggled. “You wanna see tan lines?”

He nodded, “But you don’t have any, or so you say.”

With a smile, I pulled away from him and fell back against the couch. “In that case,” I stretched my arms above my head, arching my back as my right leg started to slip back from his lap to slide behind his back. “There’s only one way to settle the ‘do I or don’t I’ question.”

“How’s that?” He asked with a grin. “You’re going to flash me?”

Shaking my head ‘no’, I relaxed against the cushions of the couch. “You are going to come here and do some exploring,” I told him. “You can start from one of two points,” I informed him. “One being,” I stroked my fingers along my neck and down my shoulder until I ran into the collar of my shirt and stopped.

“I like one,” he told me as he started to move towards me.

“Wait,” I pressed my foot against his chest. “There’s still one more way – can I show you?”

His fingers wrapped around my ankle as he took a second to ‘think’ about what I asked him. “Hmmm,” he smiled as he focused his attention on my socked foot. It wasn’t until he tossed my sock over his shoulder and began to massage my foot that he turned to gaze down at me once again. “Show me.”

“Way two is…” my hand trailed away from my shoulder, down to the swell of my breast and lingered at its hard peak. Jordan’s breathe hiss out of his body as his fingers stilled on my foot. “What’s wrong Jordy?”

“N-nothing,” he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “I just…” He trailed off as my fingers circled over my breast. “Did…” he swallowed hard. “Didn’t you have something to tell me?”

My fingers stalled and my heart stopped. “You don’t want…” I looked away.

“Are you kidding?” He asked a little breathlessly as he moved over me. “I want,” his hand brushed my breast as he buried his face against my neck. “I want nothing more than to explore every inch of your body, and not just in search of tan lines Babe.”

Turning my head, I asked why he stopped me if that was the case.

He placed a kiss against my neck before he moved to gaze down at me. “I know you Anna,” he stated. “If we do anything right now and you don’t get to tell me what it is that you started to say, you’ll feel guilty.”

My eyes focused on his lips while I imagined them pressed against very intimate parts of my body. “It wasn’t important,” I sighed.

“Yes, it was,” he kissed my cheek.

“No,” I shook my head. “I don’t believe it is.”

With a chuckle, he told me to stop staring at his lips and tell him. “I’m very curious to know why Josh called me out of the blue last night.”

“What?” My eyes jumped to his.

“That’s more like it,” he smiled. With another kiss pressed against my cheek, he moved from his position over me and came to rest beside me. Pulling me against his side, he held me. “I would like you to tell me what happened at the beach.”

I resisted the urge to ask him what Josh had said because in the end it didn’t matter what Josh said or what I said, he would believe whatever he thought was true.

“Don’t look at me like that,” he whispered against my forehead.

“Like what?” I asked him.

“Like you think it doesn’t matter what you say.” I looked away and he chuckled. “Anna it matters a lot to me, otherwise why would I even bother to ask?” His fingers circled my chin and tilted it upwards. “I could’ve assumed what happened but then I would be an ass and I like to think I’m a pretty nice guy.”

I smiled at that. “Most of the time, you are,” I joked.

“Oh?” He raised a brow questioningly. “What am I the rest of the time?”

Rising up on my elbow, I smiled down at him. “The rest of the time you are naughty,” I nodded confidently.

Shaking his head, he told me that his naughtiness was my fault. “I was innocent until you came along.”

It was my turn to laugh, “So for 11 months, you were innocent?”

He nodded, “Yup and then you were born and the corruption began.”

“Whatever!”

“No, not whatever,” he kissed me. “The truth.”

“Uh huh,” I smiled. “So at the beach yesterday…”