Linc was disappointed. “I see.”
“My brother Braden and his friend Willow have basically taken Aurora in. Made her part of the family. She means a lot to us.”
“I’m glad she found good people to help her after the way she grew up, and I appreciate everything you’ve done for her. But I want to do the same thing. Make her a part of our family and bring her home to New York.” To make her feel welcome.
“And I want to check out your story before we drop this bomb on her.”
Linc ground his teeth in annoyance. “I flew down here to meet her. Now you’re asking me to wait? It’s not like she’s your sister. What gives you the right to make decisions for her?” He rose up from his seat, and Jordan stood, grabbing his arm.
“Linc, you know you’d do the same thing if Austin showed up in New York claiming someone you cared about was his long-lost sister.”
The soothing sound of her voice along with the sweet aroma of her floral scent acted as a balm, and the tension riding him eased. Her words calmed him and allowed him to think clearly, and dammit, she was right.
“Fine. We’re staying at the W Hotel. Your assistant has my number.”
“I’ll be in touch.” Austin stood and walked them to the door.
Linc waited until they were outside in the parking lot before letting his temper go. “Who does he think he is?” He clenched his hands into tight fists at his sides, wishing he’d given in to the impulse to take a swing at Austin Prescott with his arrogant I know best attitude.
Jordan smiled and shook her head, and all the anger seeped out of him.
“You’re right.” He gave in to her knowing grin. “I would do the same thing if the situation were reversed.” He pulled the car keys out of his pocket. “I just don’t have to like it.” He pressed the button on the key fob and opened the passenger door, waiting as she slid in.
Resting a hand on the top of the windshield, he leaned down. “I’m very glad you came with me.”
She tipped her face toward his, her pert nose with freckles wrinkling as she looked up at him, the sun on her skin. “You know I always have your back.”
Just as he’d always had hers. So if he needed her now, she would be there.
No questions asked.
* * *
After leaving Dare Nation, Jordan let Linc brood on the way to the hotel. He needed to get his frustration with Austin Prescott out of his system, and she hoped the convertible ride to the hotel cleared his head. They had time to kill while they waited to hear from Austin, and she refused to let Linc spend all his time making business calls and working. Not when the sun shone outside and they were right near the beach.
They checked in and headed up to their suite. As she stepped inside, the nine-foot ceilings and glass balcony with a view of the ocean struck her first, along with the teal and white décor. A large television was mounted on the wall, and she knew there were two bedrooms, one with a king-size bed, the other with a queen.
“This is gorgeous,” she said, walking to the windows and looking at the white sand and blue water.
“It is.”
A knock sounded on the door, and Linc let the man with the luggage inside. He set their bags in their respective rooms, not without an argument about Linc wanting her to take the king and her insisting she was fine with the smaller bed. Linc tipped the man, and he left them alone.
“Do you want to take a walk?” she asked, hoping to keep Linc distracted.
He nodded. “Sounds great. Let’s change and get comfortable.”
A little while later, they were strolling on the sidewalk. She took in the shops. High-end clothing boutiques, trinket stores, and food places lined the street. Her sundress and flat sandals were comfortable, and her hair lifted off her back and shoulders from the light breeze.
Linc walked beside her, sexy as always in his sunglasses and a pair of khaki cargo shorts paired with a light blue collared tee shirt.
“I love the seasons in New York, but I can’t say this sucks,” she said, glancing up at him.
“Far from it.” He grinned and she knew he’d finally unwound.
They walked another few blocks in silence and he spoke again. “You know, when I was telling Austin about my father, I had this thought. I didn’t always hate the man. When I was younger, I actually looked up to him.”
“I think that’s normal,” she mused. “Most little kids idolize their parents, and then they become human beings, with flaws and imperfections. Just like us. And we decide whether any of those traits are things we can’t accept.”
“Makes sense. I drew a hard line at cheating. Hurting my mother. I thought those were the worst things Dad could do until he died and I found out he was a man with a secret he never should have kept.”
She nodded. “And you’ll never be able to ask him why.”
“It’s more like I can never ask him how. How could he abandon his own child?” He let out a disgusted grunt and they kept walking.
A gelato store was on the corner and she stopped. “Want to get ice cream?” At the thought, her stomach growled.
“Love some. Come on.” He held open the door and walked to the counter.
After ordering cones, a mint chocolate chip for him and a chocolate cookie dough for her, they headed outside and were lucky enough to score a small table with two chairs.
They settled in, and she licked the cone, closing her eyes and moaning at the delicious taste. “God, I love ice cream.” She darted her tongue out and slid it over her upper lip to capture the remains.
A low rumble sounded in Linc’s throat, and their eyes locked in awareness. Those blue eyes darkened, taking
