Chapter 212
Chapter 21
JORDAN
I walk past the kitchen, heading to the pool built in my backyard, but I pause as I reach the. his legs like a giddy kid, waiting for his favorite aunt to prepare his snacks.
open door. Peter is sitting on the long kitchen stool, swinging
I lean on the door frame and watch him banter with my housekeeper. Agatha’s back is towards the door, so she is oblivious to my presence, but I know Peter can see me from his peripheral vision. However, he pretends not to and talks about baking like he wants to enroll in a culinary school this summer.
I chuckle lightly under my breath and fold my arms across my chest. I don’t have to go to work until noon. Nelson warned me not to show up until it’s time for my first appointment.
He’s like the son I never had.
I’d never thought about him that way until last night when he called and stayed on the phone until I was ready to jump into bed. We talked about his wedding anniversary, which is in a few weeks. Then he asked me to tell him about my late wife, what I loved about her, and my greatest regret.
When I told him I regret not having a child with Anna, he said I could adopt him. He said I could adopt him, and that stuck.
Deep in concentration, Agatha asks Peter if he’s seen me. He twirls the spoon on the counter and then chuckles softly.
“I’m not here to see Jordan, Agatha. I’ve told you that already. I came to see you. Take you on a date or something. Whatever you want.”
Agatha pauses but doesn’t attempt to turn around. Her neck is taking on a deeper shade of red, her mouth twitching in a shy smile, and she clears her throat. “Are you flirting with me, Mr. Volkov?”
He cocks his head. The bastard! “Am I? Does that bother you?”
She spins around, and her eyes widen when she sees me at the door. “Mr. Remington?”
I cross the threshold. “Is this man bothering you?”
She tosses Peter a quick glance and shifts her focus back to me. “No – no, Sir. We are talking about his daughter baking him cupcakes when she was a kid.”
My heart skips. Astrid. I don’t bother pursuing the topic. I walk to the fridge, open it, and grab a bottle of water. After taking a long swing, I turn to Peter. “I’m going for a swim. Do you want to come?”
He smirks. “Why? I’m having the best time here. Agatha is going to show me how to make a cupcake.”
I scowl at him. “You’re distracting her. Leave the woman alone,”
He grunts but slides off the stool. Agatha throws me an appreciative smile.
We leave the kitchen together. I don’t say a word as we stride out. We’re out, standing beside the pool. I discard the towel around my waist and eye him until he laughs loudly.
“It’s not what you’re thinking, man. I just wanted to see what it’s like to flirt with a woman. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to bed a younger woman? Agatha, she’s not particularly young, but she seems innocent. She gives off that naïve expression. Do you think she’s faking it?”
“Do you want to know what I think?” I wait for him to nod before adding, “I think you should stop harboring stuff like that in your head. You’re married.”
“It would have been better if I wasn’t?”
I shrug. “I guess? That’s not something I think about. I’m surprised you are. Your wife is an amazing woman.”
He looks at me with purpose. “You know I’d never cheat on my wife. She is my life. I’m just curious.”
1/4
Chapter 21
He walks into the bathroom and emerges after a few minutes in shorts and a towel hanging on his shoulders. I step into the sortemming pool pre in. We power through the cold water with the morning sun hitting on it.
The usual calm I experience every time I do this doesn’t envelop me. Peter is at the other end, his face upwards, Length after length, nothing happe mind seems to be swelling with Astrid. That night at the bar, she had appeared so withdrawn. I wanted to hug her and beg her to tell me whatever disturbing her mind.
I couldn’t. I was afraid I wouldn’t stop at just a hug, despite the fact that I’d decided to erase her from my thoughts and stop fantasizing about her. The smiles and laughter were no longer evident in her eyes.
All I want is for her to be happy and free of guilt. We can’t be sneaking around. That will cause problems, and I don’t want that for her.
When I complete the daily two hundred and fifty lengths, I haul myself and sit at the edge, watching Peter do his laps. I check my wristwatch. It’s only been two hours. I still have about two hours left before going to the office.
I grab the towel and wipe my face and neck. Peter powers his way towards me, then rests his elbows on the edge, laying his cheek on it with his face tips in my direction.
“The mayor came by to see me yesterday. He asked for my support.”
“What does he want? I mean, he won the election.”
“A Fundraising event, he wants me and my wife to host it. It’s going to be for the kids in the orphanage.”
I sit silently, thinking, “That’s a good one, but what did Stella say? Is she going to do it?”
He nods his head enthusiastically. “Of course! That woman loves parties. Charity function or not, she will enjoy every bit of it.”
And then he says, “She wants to do it with you. We have not forgotten how well you handle stuff. Jordan, Stella want you in. She has not accepted the offer yet. She wants to hear from you first.” He turns to me, his eyes daring me to go for it.
“What do you say, man? She’s going to call any minute now.” He briefly smiles and then lowers his gaze to – his phone is vibrating, and the caller ID is a name that can only be his wife. I avert my gaze.
Planning a fundraising event is no big deal, but the problem is running into Astrid. I will be working with her parents, which means anytime she shows up, we will be in the same space. And what if I fail to mask the guilt?
“Why don’t you ask Nelson? He’ll be off my hands soon.”
Peter shakes his head. “Let me be plain with you. Stella is looking for an avenue for us to catch up. Talk, recount stories from the years you’ve been apart from us, and, of course, ask you questions that will make your eyes roll. I would have advised you to say no, but I need this, too. We may be older and busy with our respective businesses, but you’re still my best friend. I want to see more of you.”
I laugh. “Nice speech. Did you have that rehearsed?”
Peter smacks my arm. His eyes are playful.
“I meant every word. Did it work, or do you want me to hit you with another?”
“I’m in,” I say finally, then stand up and dust the back of my shorts even though there’s really nothing there. I can’t keep running from Astrid. Peter says I’m her Godfather, which means there are specific roles I’m expected to play in her life, and I can’t do anything if I don’t really get to know who she is – outside a bedroom.
I know how responsive she is. I felt her soft palm and slightly sharp fingers
s on my skin, and her moans were like loud echoes in my mind.
If I keep dodging, I will never be able to get past that night at the cottage on the outskirts of town.
“Astrid is—”
13:49 Sun 1 Jun
Chapter 21
I cut him off with a shake of my head. “I’m starving. You can tell me about your firecracker daughter at the breakfast table
Before Peter can respond, Agatha steps into the sunlight with a dish towel on her right shoulder. Her footsteps barely make any sound as she Liones cobblestone. She glances from me to Peter and a blush glimmers on her cheeks. She lowers her gaze and shields her eyes with her palm cupped ovim v forehead.
“Uh, Mr. Remington, would you like to have breakfast out here or in the kitchen?”
“Out here would be perfect.” I don’t want to give Peter any chance to continue his silly games.”
He gets the drift and nudges me after Agatha disappears into the house.
“Spoilsport!”
I give him a smirk. “I’m doing it for me. I don’t want her ruining my meals because she’s obsessing over you.”
“Would you care for coffee or a glass of wine, Mr. Remington?”
I re–cross my ankle and adjust on the couch, glancing up from my tablet.
“Water would be just fine.”
The door opens, and a man walks in. Behind him is Nelson. I drop the device on the empty space beside me and uncross my ankle. He looks vaguely familiar – like a face from my past.
I stand
up
and adjust my tux. “Nelson?”
Nelson steps forward and stands with his hands behind his back. He seems not to be convinced of the man’s presence, and I wonder why it is so.
“This is Ross Arthur. He’s a member of the board. He called me this morning saying that he will be coming over to have a look at things.”
“Hello, Mr. Arthur. Please have a seat.”
His gaze darts between the chair opposite my desk and the couch. Then he moves towards the couch. I wait for him to settle in before crossing the floor to the chair. Nelson nods at me and then exits the room. He returns a minute later with my PA right on his heels.
After a glass of wine has been served to Mr. Arthur and another glass of water for me, an uncomfortable silence stretches.
I clear my throat. “I remember you now. You’ve come to gloat?”
Looking up, he takes a sip from the glass. “You don’t forget easily, do you?”
“You don’t expect me to forget, do you?”
I’ve never really thought about the drama that unfolded in the conference room at my first meeting with the board. The details are becoming hazy, but that doesn’t mean I’m ready to move from their betrayal. I don’t think about it or let it bother me.
He laughs, the sound strained. “It was a rough time for all of us, Mr. Remington. We saw how everything was rolling down the drain. Surprisingly, the investors are still sticking around. Doesn’t that tell you something?”
My grin is easier this time because I’m amused by his words and his, um, audacity. “Of course. Maybe they’ve placed a bet and are most likely waiting to see me fail so they can jump around screaming ‘I told you so‘ at each other. Why are you here, Ross?” I manage to ask in a neutral tone even though I’m itching to throw his ass out of my building.
“I saw the chart.” He says without emotion, Perhaps he’s doing a perfect job at masking it. I cock my brow, wordlessly telling him to go on. If he’s come to gloat, I’ll let him have his round.
Chapter 21
He pulls himself straighter, spreading his palms on the table. “It wasn’t good enough, but it was something. And if you can recall, I asked you that de you were making a pit stop or here to stay. You told me you were not sure yet. So, I’ve been wondering, after this result with the first attempt are you tell willing to stick around?”
