I have no business being here, Jordin thought as she strolled through the doors of the 4200 Broad Street building where Ethan’s new offices were located. She’d debated most of the morning whether to show up at his place of business. Although Jordin had not heard from him, she decided to take the initiative.
She’d chosen a black-and-white color-blocked dress with a pair of red shoes and red accessories for work today. I always get compliments whenever I wear this outfit. Jordin imagined her look would also garner Ethan’s attention.
A sense of pride flowed through her as her eyes traveled around the lobby area with a two-story atrium filled with large vases of flowers and a stunning collection of abstract artwork. Ethan had chosen a great location for his home office.
She followed the sign to the elevators and took one to the top floor.
The elevator doors slid open.
She walked down the short hallway to the penthouse suite.
Jordin entered with determination through the double doors that led to the reception desk and waiting area of Ethan’s company.
She smiled at the receptionist, but caught sight of the man she longed to see. “Ethan?”
Their gazes locked across the room. Jordin noted the brief reaction of shock and pleasure in his chocolate-brown eyes before it faded into a businesslike stare.
Ethan excused himself from the person he was talking to and quickly walked toward her.
Smiling, Jordin met him halfway.
He looked so good. She gave him a quick and not-so-subtle once-over. Ethan was no longer the scrawny boy she remembered. He had grown taller and was built solid like a military tank. She doubted there was an ounce of fat anywhere on his body. He was all muscle. However, his movements were fluid and agile.
The words, “Hey, stranger, what are you doing here?” popped out of his mouth almost immediately.
“I’ve been here all along,” she replied smoothly. “It’s you who disappeared without a word. Then you come back into town and I don’t even get a phone call.” Jordin tried to maintain her cordial tone.
She heard his sharp intake of breath.
“You’re right,” Ethan said after a moment. “Things were crazy for me back then and I didn’t want to involve you in that madness. As for now, I had every intention of reconnecting with you, but as you can probably understand, it’s been a busy time for me.”
Jordin broke into a smile. “I’m glad you decided to come home. I have missed you so much.”
The tenderness in Ethan’s expression amazed her. “I missed you too.”
Her only emotion was relief.
Jordin glanced around. She could feel the heat of the receptionist’s gaze on them.
“How about a tour of your new office?” she suggested in a low voice.
“I have to warn you that there’s still a lot of work left to be done,” Ethan told her as he escorted her down the hall. “I guess we’ll start with my office.”
“Did your employees relocate here with you?”
“Most of them did,” he responded. “I was quite surprised because I hadn’t expected so many to want to leave Virginia.”
As soon as Jordin walked into his office, she said, “I don’t know what you were talking about, Ethan. This place is amazing.”
She loved the contemporary look. Ethan had combined leather and fabric furnishings for a unique, yet professional representation of his company. The camouflage chairs looked to be custom designed.
“The furnishings are from my old office,” Ethan explained. “I think it’s time for something new.”
“I think it fits your Boot Camp Gym branding.”
Jordin swallowed past the dryness in her throat, her hungry gaze taking him in. He wore a suit, black with faint pinstripes running through the expensive fabric; a crisp, pale gray shirt and a perfectly knotted burgundy tie. Ethan’s eyes were a rich, dark brown and his caramel-tinted face had chiseled features with a strong jaw. Everything about the man sizzled with sensuality.
Once inside with the doors closed, he said, “I’m sorry about that, Jordin. I want you to know that I regret not staying in contact with you.”
His intense gaze made her breath go ragged. “So why didn’t you call or write me?”
“At the time, I thought it was best.”
She embraced him, surprising them both. “It was a long time ago.”
“A lifetime ago,” Ethan responded as he held her close. “From the looks of it, you were too busy to miss me. I hear you’re a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom.”
Stepping away from him, Jordin broke into a smile. “I don’t know about that, but I do fight tooth and nail for my clients.”
He gestured for her to sit down in the green leather chair near the window. “It’s what you always wanted.”
Ethan sat down in the other one.
“It’s in my blood,” Jordin responded as she settled against the chair cushion. “You’re the one who’s doing big things around here. I’ve read all about your success. Ethan, I’m so proud of you.”
“I found something I was passionate about and things just kind of took off from there.”
“I’m going to have to check out your gym.”
His eyes slid casually over her body. “The programs are rigorous.”
“What are you trying to say, Ethan?” Jordin asked with a grin. “You don’t think I can handle your boot camp program?”
“It’s intense. Do you believe you’re up to the challenge?” he questioned.
Jordin met his gaze. “Definitely.”
“The gym will be open in a couple of weeks,” Ethan announced. “I guess we’ll find out what you’re made of then.”
She laughed.
“How is your family?” he inquired.
“They’re great,” Jordin responded. “How about your mother? Have you two been in contact since you’ve been back?”
Ethan’s smile disappeared as he walked over to his mahogany desk and stared down at his reflection in the uncluttered surface. “She’s the last person I expect or want to hear from,” he stated in a curt tone.
Jordin was stunned by the look of loathing on his face. It was clear that he held a lot of resentment against the woman who had abandoned him. She swallowed hard before saying, “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Don’t be,” he uttered. “I’m not.”
She stared, wordlessly. Jordin could not believe he was talking about his mother like that. At one time, the two shared a very close relationship.
“I know it sounds harsh, but I see no point in pretending.”
Jordin wanted to ask what happened after he left Charleston, but had a feeling this was not the right time. They would have the chance to have that conversation in time.
Finally, she said, “I’m just happy you decided to come back home, Ethan.”
“It was not my original intent,” he confessed. “But now that I’m here...seeing you again...it’s all good.”
“Deep down, I always believed that you would return,” Jordin stated.