Page 34 of The Keeper and I

“You didn’t have to do that,” Laci said under her breath as she followed Jordan into the fray of photographers.

“Yes, I did,” he replied. “You’re my girlfriend. The whole point of bringing you here was to show you off.”

He refused to allow anyone to disrespect her. He pulled her into his side as they faced the cameras together. Laci was a natural, shifting her gaze slightly so each photographer got a straight-on shot. Also, she posed her arm differently—first with a hand on her hip, then hanging at her side, then placing her palm on Jordan’s chest. His arm tightened around her waist.

“You alright?” she asked, looking up at him.

He faced her. “Great.”

“Give us a kiss!” a photographer cried, and several more shouted their agreement.

“Showtime,” Laci whispered.

Jordan grunted in response. He wanted to kiss Laci, but he knew kissing her would make things so much harder on his heart. He was both excited for and dreading it. But it wasn’t about him. He needed to protect her. Feeling as if he were moving in slow motion, he brought his hand up to cup Laci’s face, bent at the waist, and kissed her.

The moment his lips touched hers, the cameras and noise melted away. Visions of country lanes, folk musicians, sweeping gowns, and fresh flowers danced behind his eyes. Her mouth was warm and familiar as if he had been kissing her for years—centuries even.

They were the only two people in the world. The surge of emotion threatened to overwhelm him, so he pulled away. And he had no idea how much time had passed.

Laci met his gaze. Her eyes only half focused as she caught her breath. He searched her face for any indication that she felt what he had, but he couldn’t tell nor could he ask her there. He willed his heart to slow, and he cleared his throat, straightening.

“Got your shot?” he asked the paps.

They gave a murmur of affirmation.

Satisfied, and desperate to be away from the hullabaloo, he took Laci’s hand and led her inside the venue. He needed a drink if he was going to shake off the feeling of her lips. His were still tingling.

The venue was an old warehouse that had been converted into a ballroom complete with a dance floor, tables, and a full bar. It was stunning. Soft, warm lights glowed on each table from the centerpieces. The place settings had name cards written in neat calligraphy. A string quartet played quietly on stage as the guests mingled and got drinks. An usher led Laci and Jordan to their seats, but they only stayed long enough for Laci to set down her bag before they headed to the bar. Jordan ordered a whiskey and Laci, a cosmopolitan.

“You’re really a cosmo girl?” Jordan asked, hoping he sounded teasing so they could put the kiss behind them.

“Absolutely,” she said. “I’ll take pretty much any opportunity to feel like Carrie Bradshaw.”

He chuckled. “I’ve never watched that either.”

“Jordan Frawley, we’ve got some serious catching up to do on your television and film education.”

She took a sip, and he watched her. It was absurd to feel jealous of a cocktail glass, and yet he was. That glass got to feel her lips. Fuck, that kiss was never going to leave his mind. Already, it was driving him crazy to think he might spend the entire evening yearning for more of her mouth.

Over her shoulder, he spied the hosts, Ethan and Billie, coming over to greet them.

“Duty calls,” he said quietly to Laci.

“Jordan!” Ethan said brightly in his rich southern American accent. It was as strong as Jordan remembered. He offered his hand, which Jordan shook. “How are you, man?”

“Good,” Jordan said. “Season’s off to a shit start, but we’ve come back from worse. I see you’re doing well at Chelsea.”

“Heck yeah, it’s great,” Ethan replied. “But even better is wedding planning.”

Jordan looked over at Billie, who had already introduced herself to Laci and was showing off her engagement ring. Laci cooed and asked about the cut and the metal she had for the setting, along with other specifics.

Jordan was glad to see Billie safe and happy. The last time he saw her, he’d bodied her boss off her and helped her press charges against him. Jordan was still helping with that investigation seeing as her boss, at the time, was the head of the legal department at Stanmore, and she had exposed him for hacking phones and emails to prevent specific players from transferring.

Ethan spoke again as if reading Jordan’s mind. “I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the way you helped Billie out of that jam with Tony. I can’t thank you enough for keeping her safe.”

“Fuck, Knight, you don’t have to thank me for that.” Jordan dropped his gaze to the floor. “I was only being decent.”

“It’s more than that. Who knows what might have happened if you didn’t show up…”