Naked Truth (6 page)

“Almost, but I’m working on changing that.” His smile looks sad. 

I nod. “I understand,” I tell him supportively then make a goofy face because I don’t want our date to end on a downer.

He chuckles and crosses his eyes back at me. “Can I see you again?” he asks genuinely then squeezes my hands.

“I’d love that.” I smile widely then squeeze back.

Trish returns with Jordan’s credit card and bill to sign. As we stand to head out, Jordan comes to my side of the table to help me up, and then grabs my hand as we exit the restaurant.  He walks me back to my car, like a perfect gentleman, and I can’t wipe the smile from my face.

“I’ll call you during the week to set something up,” he tells me.

“Okay, sounds good,” I respond.

Still holding my hand, Jordan leans down and brushes a gentle kiss against my temple, and my eyes involuntarily close taking in the moment. I sigh. I think I may have heard what sounded like a groan, but I am so lost in my head, storing every second of this interaction, that I can’t be sure.

“Night, Violet. Please drive safely and text me when you get home.”

“Good night. You do the same when you get to work.”

“Deal.”

I turn to get into my car and I can feel Jordan at my back. He’s so close, I can feel his body heat. It’s clear that he doesn’t want this night to end as much as I don’t. I’m dying for him to kiss me dirty, but I know when the time is right it’s going to be magical. I slide into the driver’s seat and he leans in for one last kiss. This time on my cheek. He’s getting closer! He stands back up and starts to back away, hands in surrender.

“You better go before I lose control. I’m barely holding on here, Violet.”

I smile. Just his admission is enough. But then I see his hand trying to discreetly adjust himself, and now I know my earlier thoughts were correct.  I’m scandalized and pleased at the same time. Knowing - seeing proof - that he is turned on because of me, lights my body on fire, and my panties are suddenly very wet.

“Goo…Good night!” I say one last time, stumbling over my words and too embarrassed by my body’s reaction to make eye contact. I really need to go before I do or say something stupid. 

“Soon, sweetheart,” is the last thing I hear from his lips, and I spend the night wondering what exactly he is promising.

-5-

I
really
didn’t want my date with Violet to end.  Physically getting my body to walk away from her sucked. I wanted nothing more than to kiss the shit out of her and show her what she does to me.  Not that she couldn’t tell with my dick already straining against my pants. But I knew if I stayed a minute longer, I’d never make it to work, and I really want to wrap this job up already so I can get back to my old life, boss, and friends.  Plus, then I could move back to North Miami and be closer to Violet. 

I’m already half an hour late as it is, and now I have to contend with the Friday night traffic in Miami. No bueno. I smile to myself, remembering how shocked I was when Violet told off those bitches. My shy little flower has some secret talents. I wonder what other gifts she has hidden behind those pouty lips. When she whipped out that Spanish, I thought I was going to come on the spot; it was so damn sexy. Always keeping me on my toes.

My phone rings through my radio via bluetooth so I hit the little button on my steering wheel for the voice to speak. I really don’t feel like talking to anyone; I’d rather fantasize about the things I plan to do to Violet, but duty calls. Literally.

“Pike,” I answer, impatiently.

“Any update?” the voice questions, just as impatiently.

“No, Sir. I am heading to the club right now, hoping to get some answers. I’m getting close to cleaning it up, though.”

“Let’s wrap this shit up; I need you back up here.”

I nod in understanding even though he can’t see me.

“I want nothing more, Sir.”

“I expect something tangible on Wednesday,” he relays then hangs up before I get the chance to assert any concerns.  Wednesday it is.

I am almost at the club when my phone rings again, and I huff in annoyance, assuming it’s my new “boss” calling to bitch at me for being late.

“Yeah?” I answer before I check the caller ID.

“Jordan Taylor Pike, is that the way you greet your mother?”

Shit shit shit.

“Of course not, ma. Sorry, I thought you were someone else.”

“Jordan, I don’t care if it’s the devil himself, I taught you better manners than that!”

“You’re right, ma. Sorry.  What’s up?”

“Can’t a mother just call her son to check up on him?”

Oh the guilt, here we go.

“Of course, Ma.  Sorry.”

“I haven’t seen you in a few weeks. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just been really busy. I will make sure to stop in this week.”

“How about I have your favorite dinner for you Wednesday night?”

“Can’t ever say no to your meatloaf, Ma.  I gotta get to work, though, so see you then?”

But she starts another conversation. One that we have had hundreds of times. “I hate you having to work so late.”

“I know, Ma, but that’s part of the job.”

She sighs. “I know, stay safe.”

“Always do.  Night, Ma. Love you.”

“Love you, baby boy.”

I love my parents, and I try to see them as much as possible. Transferring to this club down south has been inconvenient to say the least.  I didn’t even tell them about it because I know how much they worry as it is.  But Wednesday works out perfectly.  I can hit up my old boss, stop at the bank to see my sexy Violet, and then head to my parents’ house for a homemade meal. At least I won’t have to make numerous trips to North Miami this coming week. Kill three birds with one stone.  Like a fat kid down a steep hill. That’s just how I roll.

I pull into the club parking lot, and just as I turn off my car, a text comes in from Violet. A smile dons my face, and I’m almost embarrassed for myself. I’m having this reaction from a text? Really.  I shake my head in self-disgust.

Violet: I made it home alive. Thank you for a great night.

I text back, wondering if she will get the reference.

Pike: Number five’s alive. I had a great time, too.

Violet: That’s good news, Johnny.

I burst out laughing like a lunatic.

Pike: Still keeping me on my toes. Gotta head into work. Night, pretty girl.

Violet: xox

Well, shit. Beautiful, intelligent, sweet as honey, and even gets my stupid humor. I’m so screwed.

As I walk into my house, well, my parents’ house, I have the widest grin on my face. I don’t even remember walking from my car to the door.  I actually think I may have floated here. Or little tiny angels carried me because I’m already in heaven. Absolute, pure bliss.

I jump, scared out of my mind when my mom speaks from a dark corner in the family room.  Looks like she fell asleep while reading. And waiting up for me to get home, no doubt.

“Good date?” she asks.

I bring both hands to my heart. “Holy…Mom, you scared the crap out of me!” After a beat, and with my heart rate slowly calming, I sigh.  “The best.”

She meets me over at the sofa and sits, patting the spot next to her for me to join her.

“Tell me,” she prods as if she were my college roommate.

“I don’t know where to start,” I tell her.

“Start from the beginning.  Where did you meet? Have you known him long? Is he dreamy?” she asks without giving me the chance to answer. Clearly, she is very excited by my prospects of getting a boyfriend.

After giggling from my mom’s rapid-fire interrogation, I tell her everything from crushing on him for the past few months that he’s been coming to my bank, to our encounter in the rain, and then end with tonight.

“He took me to dinner at the Brewery House.  He was just an absolute gentleman.  He was attentive and courteous and ahh.  I really like him, mom.”  I smile at the memory of the evening. “Oh, and he makes me laugh. He really seems to get me.”

“That sounds lovely, dear. What’s his name?”

“Jordan.  Jordan Taylor.”

She nods. “And what does he do?”

“Ya know, I got so caught up in all of our other conversations, I never really asked.  I do know that he works the night shift, so that kinda sucks.”

“Language, Violet,” she warns.

“Sorry. It really stinks.”  I give her an, “is that better,” look and she smiles with approval.

“Did you tell him?” she asks vaguely.

“You mean about my ability?” I clarify, as my mom looks at me sympathetically.

“No, it didn’t come up. And stop looking at me like that.”

She sighs. “It’s nothing to be embarrassed about, Vi.”  She smiles, but I can tell it’s forced.

Whatever. I’m still feeling too excited from my date with Jordan to let anything really get to me.

“I know, but we were talking about so many other things, I just didn’t think about it. I actually felt…normal with him,” I divulge and surprise myself by my admission.

“Well, it sounds like you had a wonderful time. I just want you to be open and honest. Don’t hide yourself. You are a beautiful young lady – inside and out.”

“Thank you, Mommy.”

“Why don’t you invite him here for dinner?”

“Whoa, slow down. It’s only been one date, mom. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” I laugh.

“Fine. So, are you going to see him again?” she asks, curiously.

“He said he would call me.” I shrug. “He even made me promise him that I would text him as soon as I got home.” I smile at the thought of him worrying about me getting home safely. It’s so romantic.

“Did you already do that?” she inquires, and it clears my head from daydreaming.

“Of course.  I couldn’t wait to get home just so I could talk to him again. I texted him as soon as I parked in the driveway,” I admit.

“I’m happy for you, darling.  Just be careful.  And be smart.  I’m going to head to bed, mija. Don’t stay up too late.”

She stands up then leans over and kisses me on my temple.  It feels weird.  Inappropriate even, coming from anyone other than my Jordan.
My
Jordan. I sigh.

I head up to bed at the same time. I take a quick shower and slide into bed with Jordan’s jacket. You didn’t think I really returned that, did you? Sleep comes easy tonight, and my dreams are filled with vivid images of Jordan’s sexy lips and boisterous laugh.

Boss, Violet, dinner with parents. Boss, Violet, dinner with parents.

Wednesdays have become my favorite day of the week. I’ve dubbed them ‘Violetdays.’ And today is such a day. Only today, I’m having the added joy of dinner with my parents. Don’t get me wrong, I love my parents, and enjoy their company, but I’m tired.  I already know that after a meeting with my old boss, and then seeing Violet, I’ll be exhausted. And then I have at least an hour drive home. So, as you can see, dinner at my parents’ is less than convenient.  But once I move back to North Miami, I can drop in all the time.