Questing (Cosmis Connections, Book One) (28 page)

“You’re really not mad?”

“Of course not. If anything, you should be mad at me.”

“Well, I’m not so I guess that makes us okay then, right?”

“Right.” She still looked uncertain. “Want me to make love to you like I did earlier to prove it?” He kissed her sweetly.

By the time the kiss ended, Kiley was clinging to him. “More than anything, Jordan. But one, I believe you so you have nothing to prove and two, I can’t handle that yet,” she answered honestly.

“All right.” Jordan smiled. She’d said yet so that reinforced there would be a time for tenderness eventually. “Why don’t you wander around and look at Brett’s sketches? I’ll get the album too. Pick one and I’ll tell you the story behind it while we cook.”

Kiley quickly agreed glad to put the misunderstanding behind them and also for the opportunity learn more about him. Once she’d seen them, she went back to the one she’d chosen. “This one.”

The sketch was one of Brett, Jordan and Shane. There were tents in the background and mosquitoes buzzing around. Brett and Jordan looked up to no good, while Shane’s expression was a mixture of amusement and pride.

“That was the summer Brett and I turned thirteen. Both our birthdays are in July and by then we were asking Shane for a joint present. That year, he and his friends planned to hike into the woods and camp out overnight. We wanted to go along so that’s what we told Shane. At first, he offered us a campout of our own, just the three of us but Brett and I wanted to be one of the guys. They were in high school and we thought it’d be so cool, hanging out with them.

“We assumed they agreed because they didn’t really mind us tagging along. Then, maybe two days before we went, I overheard Dad and Shane talking. His friends only gave in because they planned on pulling stuff on us. Dad made Shane promise not to let it go too far. Instead of being mad or scared or backing out, Brett and I took it as a challenge. We decided to get them before they got us.”

“Did you tell your brother that you knew?” Kiley asked as they worked side by side.

“Nope. We didn’t want him involved in case our ideas backfired.”

“What happened?”

“To start with they made us carry the heaviest stuff. We’d expected that. It was hot and we were tired but we kept our mouths shut. They also made us set up the tents. Shane and his buddies had one big enough for the four of them and Brett and I were sharing a little one. After they picked out a nice, smooth spot for us to pitch their tent on, we slid some rocks underneath while they weren’t looking. We knew they wouldn’t complain since it would be like admitting they chose wrong. When we laid out their stuff inside, we found their flashlights. We turned the one on in the pack we weren’t supposed to open and we broke the bulb in the other one.

“We were camped next to a stream so Brett and I jumped in to cool off. When we came out we made such a big deal about putting on mosquito repellent that they called us wusses. We offered them some but they’d teased us so much they had to act too tough to want it. When we ate Brett and I waited until after they finished their sodas before we messed around with ours. Of course they sprayed all over us when we opened them. Again, Brett and I acted like babies, making sure it was all washed off before drenching ourselves with bug spray again. We tried to avoid hitting Shane as much as possible. When it started getting dark, we made a big deal about zipping the tents, saying several times how we’d hate to let any mosquitoes in with us. Since Shane knew a few bites never bothered us before he suspected we were up to something so he put repellant on when his buddies weren’t paying attention.

“We sat around the fire with them telling creepy stories to get us primed for whatever they had planned. Once we were in the tents, they pretended to be asleep, waiting for us to settle down. Brett kept mumbling while I crawled out of our tent and used a twist tie to hold their zipper down. That way they wouldn’t be able to get out without making a lot of noise and since their flashlights didn’t work, they couldn’t see what it was stuck on.

“Next, Brett and I took turns sneaking around the camp, snapping twigs and scratching the ground like an animal. The one of us near the tent made it seem like we were still talking, being sure to sound scared. Soon they quit trying to open their zipper. After they were asleep, I took off the twist tie off.”

“Why did you make such a fuss with the bug spray?” Kiley could picture them laughing in their tent, looking just like they did in Brett’s sketch.

“Ah, that was the best part.” Jordan grinned like a little boy. “After I heard Shane and Dad, Brett and I spent the two days capturing mosquitoes. When Brett zipped up the tents, he dumped them in theirs. Remember we’d sprayed the guys with soda, sugar water, to ensure they got bitten. And, since they’d busted on us, they had to suck it up and try not to scratch.

“Between the bites, the rocks under the tent, which, by the way, we spared Shane from too, being trapped in the dark and the noises we made, they had a pretty rough night.”

“Did they figure it out?”

“Shane did but not the others. We had a good laugh when we got home. After that we were included even when their little brothers weren’t.” Jordan smile at the memory. “Brett did a sketch for each of us. His has us crawling to their tent. He’s holding the jar of mosquitoes and I have the twist tie. Shane’s friends are inside, cowering while Shane sleeps. Shane’s has his friends looking miserable, him standing in the middle and us peeking out from behind him.”

“It’s hard to remember that Brett was only thirteen. This is great and I bet the other two are just as detailed.”

“They are. Brett’s always said he’s just doodling but I think his drawings are spectacular. You should have seen his reaction when he saw that I hung them up all over the place. He tried to act like it wasn’t a big deal but I knew he was pleased.”

“You’re a good friend, Jordan.” Kiley finished tossing the salad.

“So is he.” Jordan was leaning on the counter, looking at her. “How many times has he spoken to you?”

“He talks to me all the time.”

When she deliberately misunderstood, he folded his arms across his chest and waited. Once it became clear that she wasn’t going to say more, Jordan reached out and settled his hands on her shoulders. “Kiley,” he paused until her eyes met his, “I am willing to bet every cent I have that Brett gave you some sort of lecture, warning, insight, or guidance about how you’re supposed to treat me. We’ve been friends for over twenty years so we can both pretty much guess what the other is going to do. If Brett declared that a woman we’d met less than five minutes earlier was the one he was meant to share his life with, I’d make sure I was around to get to know her. If she returned his interest, I’d leave no doubt that I was willing to protect him in anyway I had to even if it meant asking a lot of uncomfortable, personal questions and prying into her life. Now, I’ll ask again, how many times has Brett talked to you?”

“A couple,” she admitted.

“I’m sorry if he put you in an awkward position.”

“It’s okay, Jordan, really. I know he meant no harm. He’s concerned because he cares for you.”

“Can I ask what he said?”

“I’d rather you didn’t. I thought it was sort of sweet and even though I’d prefer you have Brett tell you what was said if you really want to know, I will assure you that he was very nice about it. I can’t imagine having a friend like that, one you know will always be there.”

“If you take a chance with me, Kiley, you’ll know what that’s like. You’ll have me and I’ll share everything with you, hopes, dreams, worries and thoughts, no matter how inconsequential or monumental they may be. Add that to your list of things to think about.” Jordan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “You know what else I’d bet on? If you become a part of my life, Brett will accept you and be your friend too.”

“I…” Kiley was flustered.

“Sh, there’s no need for you to say anything. I’m just letting you know what I’m thinking not trying to pressure you into anything. I asked Brett to trust me about you but, apparently, he feels I’m too emotional to think straight.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to his chest. “Perhaps this would be a good time to change the subject?” She nodded against him. “How do you like your steak? That should be safe enough.”

“Will I horrify you if I say rare? I don’t like the center to still be squishy but not much more done than that.”

“Sounds perfect to me. Ready to eat?”

“Yes but you haven’t let me do much of anything.”

“Fine. You can tend the steaks while I get us set up.” He indicated the built-in grill next to the stove.

“Oh,” she sighed, “I don’t know how to use that. I’m afraid I’ve never seen one of these before.”

“It’s just like a regular grill. You just have to make sure you turn on the ventilation so it doesn’t get smoky.” He turned it on for her. While Kiley cooked the meat, Jordan opened the wine they picked up earlier. He handed her a glass and raised his. “To us and a fun, relaxing evening at home.”

She clinked her glass to his. “To getting to know each other.”

“Can I suggest we eat in here?” He put the silverware on the kitchen table. “I assure you all traces of our activities are completely cleaned away. Since we’re aiming for comfortable tonight, I think the kitchen is better than candlelight and soft music in the dining room.”

“If you don’t mind.” Kiley sensed that Jordan was trying not to make her uneasy by showing too much emotion. “Can I pick some CDs? You’ll have to show me how to work the stereo too.”

“Sure. That’d be great.”

They quickly had her choices in the player. “If you push this button, they’ll play in order, this one and songs will be randomly selected.” She chose the second button. “You made some interesting selections,” he commented as they sat to eat.

“You sound surprised. Should I be equally surprised by your CD collection?” Kiley grinned. “Or are you surprised that we have similar taste in music?”

“Ah, I guess it’s my turn to apologize for making assumptions. Jimmy Buffett, I understand. Warren Zevon, The Doors and George Thoroughgood?”

“You’re forgetting that I spent most of my childhood living on Marine bases. I bet I could surprise you with lots of things.”

“I guess you could. Tell me,” he teased, “do you swear like a Marine?”

“Yeah but not as smoothly as Alyssa does. She looks fierce when she lets out a string. I tend to blush.”

“I can’t wait. I bet you’re incredible.”

“Let’s get something straight right now.” Kiley poked his arm. “I only swear when I’m really, really angry so you better watch what you say once I get started.”

“So you do have a temper that matches your hair.”

“Now who’s making assumptions?”

“Do your eyes flash too?”

“Jordan, don’t make fun of me.”

“I’m not, sweet. I’m just trying to visualize you. You are so beautiful. You’re innocent-looking. I’ve seen you flushed with passion. The thought of you, red-faced and bright-eyed, angry enough to swear, is painting quite a picture in my mind. And I have to admit that it’s turning me on.”

“You are impossible.” She rolled her eyes.

“No, I’m a guy, picturing a very furious, very hot, sexy woman.”

“You better not grin like that if you’re the one who’s made me angry,” she warned.

“Kiley,” he began seriously, “it’s highly unlikely that I won’t do something in the next seventy years that makes you mad. And if you look like I think you’ll look, it’ll be impossible for me not to grin.”

“Why?”

“Because I’ll be so distracted by how hot you look that I’ll forget you’re pissed at me. You’ll be swearing and your chest will be heaving. Your eyes will flash and I won’t be able to prevent myself from hoping that you’ll redirect all that energy to sex.”

“If it’s you that I’m angry with that line of thinking might get you hurt.”

“Quite possibly but imagine what it would be like.” Jordan’s gaze seared her. “Angry sex with a furious, dangerous woman. You could take everything out on my body and then be calm enough to talk about whatever I’d done to set you off. Just think, you might be as out of control as you pushed me to be this afternoon.”

“You don’t need to make me angry for that to happen,” she admitted as she blushed. “But before you decide you want me to demonstrate, we need to change the subject and eat our dinner.”

“If you insist,” Jordan sighed dramatically. “Why don’t you tell me about a birthday you particularly enjoyed? You heard about one of my best so it’s your turn.”

“That’s easy.” She smiled at the memory. “It was my seventh birthday and, for a change, Alyssa’s dad and mine were on the same base, so we were all together. My mom was happy because she and my aunt had been very close growing up. Then, a few weeks before my birthday, my dad got sent somewhere. I cried so hard, thinking he’d miss my birthday. To cheer me up, my mom planned a party. She invited all the kids on the base and set up a bunch games for us to play. We were in South Carolina so it was warm enough to be outside.

“The morning of my party, Alyssa found me crying in my room. She’s two years older than I am and, of course, I thought she was so smart. She told me how important it was for my dad to be doing whatever he was doing and that I had to be tough like he was and be happy for my mom. Lyss had a camera even then so she promised to take loads of pictures to show my dad when he came home. I made myself have fun so he would like the pictures. I really did understand that he’d be there if he could and I knew that my birthday without him was no different from any of the other kids at the party. All their dads missed things too.