CHAPTER SIX

A BUMP IN THE NIGHT

Sighing, Jordan opened the door. Woody turned to face her, his blue eyes trying to penetrate her gaze, trying to understand where she was coming from.

"Can I come in?" He asked. Jordan stood aside and allowed him entrance. He went over to her couch and sat down. She walked closer to him, but did not sit down. Woody cleared his throat, and then spoke.

"We need to talk, Jordan." He began. "Please, sit down." Jordan perched on the edge of an oversized chair. Her body language was telling him that this might be a useless visit.

"Woody," she said firmly. "I am not sure about a lot of things in my life, but I'm very sure of this one thing. I want to explore a relationship with Garret."

Her words cut him to the core. He knew that his and Jordan's relationship had suffered greatly after he started going out with Devan. But, he had always believed that, given time, she would return to him. Now, seeing the determined look in her eyes, he knew he had blown it.

"Is this because of Devon?" He asked quietly.

"No. It's because of me, and Garret. There are things about him that both frighten and attract me, and his memory loss fortunately made me realize that I need to sort them out." She tucked some stray hair behind an ear, and looked away from Woody. "I've kept him just a friend for a very long time. I now realize that I did that as a way of keeping him away. Because, as I've just recently realized, my love for him is far deeper than just friendship. That scared me, Woody. But, if I'm ever going to be happy, I have to let someone get close to me."

"I was hoping that would be me." Woody said in a choked voice. Jordan looked at him, a mixture of pity and sympathy in her dark eyes.

"I know. I................I often thought that too. But, it wasn't meant to be, Woody. I'm sorry............" Her voice trailed off.

Woody stood up.

"I understand." he said softly. He walked over to Jordan and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. "Good-luck, Jo. I hope it all works out for you." A single tear worked it's way loose and trailed down her cheek.

"I still want to be your friend, Woody." He nodded, started to speak, but changed his mind and left her apartment, shutting the door quietly behind him.

Jordan closed her eyes for only a moment, and then swiftly brushed away the tear from her face. Squaring her shoulders, she stood and walked into her bedroom. Moments later she had picked out a short black dress with spaghetti straps and a low-cut neckline. She began to hum to herself as she stepped into the shower, thinking about the night ahead, and wondering what it would be like.

Two hours later, Jordan heard her doorbell while she stood at the mirror checking herself out. Nodding approval at what she saw, she crossed the living room and opened the door. Garret stood there, speechless for a few moments. His large brown eyes took in the sight of her and what he saw started his blood to boiling. He smiled that lovely crooked smile that she so loved.

"Damn," he said. "You look great!" Jordan took in his dark brown jacket, tan pants and light brown sweater. Her eyes ran down his chest and flat stomach.

"You look pretty good yourself." she commented. She took a step forward. With her fingers, she traced his mustache down under his chin to his goatee. They felt soft and tempting. Gently, she pulled on the hair under his chin to bring his mouth down to hers. They kissed greedily, and soon her body was pressed against his. Jordan was tired of waiting, and her hands swept under his sweater to feel his soft skin. She moved them up his chest, feeling the soft hair there, and wanting to feel her own naked body against his. But, Garret pulled away from the kiss once again.

"Whoa, there." He was out of breath with desire. "Jordan, we have to go on a date. You promised!"

"Okay, okay!" She went into the living room to get her purse and then joined him back in the hall. Shutting the door, she smiled wickedly at him.

"Just wait until this date is over and I get you home." She taunted him mercilessly. Garret looked like he might give in then and there, but with groan, he took her arm and lead her out of the building to his car.

Twenty minutes later they were sitting at a table in a very nice restaurant with a live jazz band. Garret had ordered for her and been such an old-fashioned gentleman that Jordan had to smile. It was his way of telling her that he wasn't out for 'just' sex, and she was enjoying the attention. They talked as they ate, falling into easy conversation like they'd always done. Jordan felt reassured that their new relationship hadn't changed their close friendship. Neither one of them seemed nervous actually. They did, however, subconsciously tend to lean closer together and touch hands constantly. Finally, the band signaled they were going to play some slow numbers so everyone could dance. Garret stood up and offered his hand to Jordan. She smiled almost shyly and let him lead her to the dance floor.

Garret quickly looked around the dance floor. There were quite a few other couples, but his date was definitely the most beautiful woman there. For a moment, he felt like he was back in high school where his long hair and skinny body tended to keep him from getting dates with the most beautiful girls. Jordan felt him stiffen slightly. She whispered in his ear.

"What's the matter?" Garret smiled down at her.

"Just not quite believing that a woman as beautiful as you would want someone like me." Jordan drew back a little at his words.

"Why not?" She asked, confused.

"Well, for one I'm a little follicly-challenged." He said with a grin. Jordan rolled her eyes. She reached up and ran her hands over his shaved head.

"This," she said, "is one of the sexiest things about you." Garret looked surprised.

"Really?" He asked. Jordan hands tightened on his head and she pulled him down to her.

"Really." She said firmly, and then kissed his ear, breathing softly into it. Garret's reaction was instantaneous. He brought a hand under her chin and lifted her lips to his. As their lips met, their eyes closed and they became aware of nothing but each other. Needing, wanting, and desperately seeking closure for the rampant desire that ran through their veins. Suddenly, they realized the music had stopped playing, and opened their eyes. Standing around the dance floor, the other couples and the band were staring at them, smiling and winking. When they stepped apart, embarrassed, the entire group exploded into appreciative applause. Someone shouted laughingly, "Get a room. Quickly!" Jordan looked at the very red-faced Garret and smiled.

"Is the date over?" She asked innocently. Garret took her arm and steered her toward the waiter who took his credit card to pay for the dinner. Seconds later they were back in Garret's car, heading for his house, and the long-awaited end of the date. Jordan smiled as she looked at him across the car seat. He was concentrating hard on his driving because she knew he was being driven crazy by the woman next to him. Scooting as close to him as she could, her hand came to rest on his knee. His sharp intake of breath let her know she was having an affect on him. This was going to be one hell of a date she thought contentedly.

THE END