Jordan slammed the door of his apartment and threw himself down on the couch. He was out of breath from a combination of running up the stairs and the explosive mixture of emotions rushing around his body. He leant forward and rested his head in his hands. He tried to get his breathing under control but all he could think was Angela, and how good she had felt in his arms again.

"Jordan?" Veronica emerged from the kitchen. She had a half empty bottle of vodka in her hand and she stumbled a little as she made her way to the couch. She giggled as she slowly lowered herself on to Jordan's lap. "Do you want a drink?" she smiled and pushed the top of the bottle against his mouth trying to get him to drink from it. He pulled his head away.

"I don't want it,"

"Just one drink Jordan. A little drink?"

She tried again to get him to drink from the bottle but he pushed it away before pushing her off his lap and standing up.

"What's wrong?"

She reached up to put her arms around his neck and he could smell the sweet stench of the alcohol on her breath. He hated that smell.

"Let me make it better," she giggled "whatever it is," she nibbled on his earlobe between more giggles. Then suddenly she felt a strong hand on her shoulder and another took hold of her face. "Jord-," his lips met hers with ferocious power. She struggled in his grip and managed to break free of him long enough to speak, "Jordan you're hurting me,"

"I thought you wanted to,"

"I do but," she shook free of his grip on her shoulder and rubbed it "jeez,". Jordan moved toward her again and kissed her with equal urgency. This time she wrapped her arms around his neck and Jordan lifted her up and carried her into the bedroom. There was no tenderness, just sex. Every time Veronica reached up to kiss him Jordan turned his face away and pushed her back down to the bed. She thought it was a game and giggled every time he did it. Jordan felt ill.

When it was over he walked back out into the sitting room and switched on the television. Veronica reappeared twenty minutes later.

"I'm heading out Jordan. My friend called she's really upset, her boyfriend broke up with her. We might head out for a few drinks so don't wait up okay,"

Jordan watched her leave. Her skirt rode high up her thighs and her top so low it left the top portion of her bra exposed. He knew where she was going but tonight he didn't care. Tonight he had used her as much as she used him.

--

The next day Angela couldn't concentrate in work. She had so much to do and was falling behind but all she could think about was Jordan. She tried to convince herself that the kiss had meant nothing but it had been so passionate that she couldn't help but hope.

She saw Will emerge from his office. He glanced over at her and she quickly looked across at her computer screen so as to avoid eye contact. But out of the corner of her eye she could see him approaching her desk.

"Hey," he rested a hand on her desk.

"Hey,"

"I've got a surprise for you,"

"What sort of surprise?"

"Are you busy tonight?"

Angela made a quick scan of her brain for an excuse but couldn't come up with anything quick enough, "no". She silently cursed Jordan for taking up so much of her brain capacity.

"I'll pick you up at seven thirty,"

"Okay," Angela said frowning a little.

"Great," Will rapped his knuckles on her desk before walking away.

Angela couldn't believe it. How much more confusion could one woman handle?

After work Angela returned home to find Sharon and Sean entwined on the couch watching a movie.

"Angela you wouldn't mind if Sean stayed for dinner tonight would you? I'm going to attempt that pie you taught me,"

"No that's fine. But I'd start with the chilli before you try the pie. It's still a bit advanced for you,"

Angela had set about emptying her briefcase on to the dining table.

Sharon took the advice cheerfully, "okay. But you don't mind right?"

"No I'm going out tonight,"

"You? Going out? Where?"

"I don't know it's a surprise,"

"From who?"

By this time Sharon had sat up on her knees and was resting her chin on the back of the sofa watching Angela organising her paperwork.

"Sharon quit quizzing her," Sean tried to pull her back down on to the sofa but Sharon persisted.

"It's not Jordan is it? After yesterday, Angela I don't think it's a good idea,"

"It's not Jordan,"

"Well jeez how many guys have you got going?"

"It's Will okay,"

"Oh," Sharon smiled, pleased that she had managed to unearth the truth but surprised that Angela had given in so soon. She sat back down next to Sean but retained the smirk of her victory.

Angela waited in her room for Will to arrive. She liked him. He was handsome, but not in the same way that Jordan was handsome. She enjoyed their conversations about economics and current affairs, but sometimes she just wanted to discuss the strange woman at the bus stop who collected used bus tickets and had a cat living in her shopping cart, and all the strange and funny things she and Jordan used to laugh about. And when Will leaned toward her across her desk in work she liked the closeness but she didn't get goose bumps like she did with Jordan.

Will arrived spot on seven thirty, Jordan would inevitably have been late. In the cab Will sat close to her and at one point he ran a finger across her hand as it lay on the seat.

"Where are we going anyway?" Angela asked at last.

"Actually we're going back to the Vallette. I spotted their caramel ice cream with maple toffee sauce when we were here before. I've been dying to give it a try ever since,"

Angela smiled a little "great,"

As they entered the restaurant Angela scanned it for Jordan. She couldn't see him and she wasn't sure whether she liked that or not.

She ate her meal mostly in silence. Will wanted to tell her all about the flying lessons he'd been taking. She was interested. He was engaging. But he wasn't Jordan and Angela couldn't help but glance around the restaurant every now and then.

Jordan arrived for his shift ten minutes late. He changed into his uniform in the staff room. Veronica hadn't come back the night before and he'd finished off the bottle of vodka before falling asleep on the couch. It had been almost a year since he last had a drink and he woke feeling depressed and aching all over. Before starting work in the restaurant Jordan paid a visit to the hotel bar where the barman helped him to a double shot of whiskey.

"Did you enjoy your meal?"

"Yes, thank you" Angela sipped her coffee.

Will chewed his bottom lip for a moment and took a slight sideways glance. He lowered his voice, "I could get us a room?"

Angela was speechless for a moment, hardly believing how quickly the conversation had spun around, "I have to get back,"

Will pouted, "I hear the suites are some of the most romantic in the city,"

"Really I-, I can't,"

"You're worried I'd tell everyone? You don't fancy yourself the source of office gossip,"

"Well no. But I mean I trust you wouldn't say anything, it's not that,"

"Well then,"

"Well what?"

Will smiled slyly. There was something about the look in his eyes that made Angela uneasy. She began to analyse the whole evening, wondering if maybe she could have given off the wrong signals.

"I don't want to Will," she looked up at him.

The smile slowly slipped from his face "but I thought we were close?"

"We are. I like you a lot. But I'm not ready for anything like that right now,"

"So all this was just you leading me on?"

"No," Angela frowned, she didn't like how the conversation was going, "I think I should leave," she stood and walked quickly out of the restaurant into the hotel lobby. Will followed her.

The lobby was busy with people checking in and out of the hotel as well as guests scattered around in the seating areas. As Angela made for the main door she felt a hand wrap around her wrist and bring her to a halt. She turned.

"Will let go of me please,"

He shook his head, "not going to happen,"

Angela was close to tears, she tried to free herself from Will's hold but his grip was too tight. "Let go,"

"Shhh, let's not make a scene. We can take a cab back to my place, I've got champagne,"

Will led her toward the main door but bumped into a member of staff crossing the lobby to the restaurant.

"Watch it," Will pushed the man out of the way.

"Angela?"

"Jordan," Angela wept tears of relief at the sight of him.

"Excuse me we're just leaving," Will tried to continue pulling Angela toward the door. By this time they had drawn the attention of some of the other people in the lobby.

"You're not leaving with her," Jordan stood face to face with Will, placing a hand against his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks.

"I think I am,"

"I said. You are not leaving with her,"

"God your breath stinks. How about you let us go before I tell your boss you were drunk at work?"

Jordan looked at Angela who shook her head.

Jordan's shot hit Will between the eyes and he fell to the floor, drawing a gasp from the spectators. Angela nearly lost her footing too as Will fell but Jordan caught her with an arm around her waist. She clung to him as she recovered her breathing.

"It's okay," he whispered in her ear, "come on,"

He led her out of the hotel and she followed willingly.

okay making you wait a little bit longer tee hee xx