Only For You

But as strong as his attraction was to Jordin, Ethan knew that he could never act on those feelings. A relationship other than friendship between them could never work because they were from two very different worlds. But also because love was not a part of his plans for the future. He was focused on his company and didn’t have the time or the inclination to deviate from the driving force that had been guiding him since college.

Ethan pulled up the collar of his jacket and turned the key in the ignition. He drove to his hotel. The home he purchased would not be ready for another two weeks.

He sat down in the living area of his suite and picked up the television remote. Jordin was still at the forefront of his mind. He considered calling her at the office, but decided to wait until he found the right words to say to her.

Ethan tried watching TV, but when he couldn’t find anything to his liking; he gave up and reached for a magazine on health and exercise trends.

He was interrupted an hour later when his friend Chandler called.

“How did your interview go?”

“Okay,” Ethan responded. “It’s just not something I enjoy doing. I’m thinking of hiring someone to handle publicity.”

“Have you talked to Ryker or Jordin?”

“Not yet,” he answered. “I’ve been so busy with the gym...”

“You might as well know that I told Ryker you were in town.”

“That means that Jordin knows as well,” Ethan uttered. “She was going to find out eventually, I guess.”

“Her knowing is not such a bad thing, is it?”

“No.”

“Have you visited any of the old haunts?”

“I did a ride-by on my bike a couple of times,” Ethan confessed, “but that’s about it. I didn’t go by my old neighborhood though.”

“Are you worried that you’ll run into your mom? My aunt said that she saw her at the market last Saturday.”

Ethan swallowed his surprise. He’d had no idea that Lydia was back in Charleston. “She’s the least of my worries.”

“I’m sure she’s heard by now that you were moving back.”

He chose his words carefully. “It doesn’t matter to me. She’s not a part of my life anymore.” Ethan changed the subject by asking, “What time are we meeting for dinner tomorrow night?”

Their conversation ended ten minutes later after setting a time to meet.

He got up and made his way to the master bathroom where he showered and put on a pair of sweats.

Jordin.

He found himself wanting to open up to her about everything, but to feel her pity was much more than Ethan could bear. He had no idea how much she’d heard about that awful period of his life, but staying away from Jordin would not be easy, especially when his new office was a block away from the DuGrandpre firm.

Chapter 2

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.

As their eyes met, she felt a cold shock run through her.

“To be honest, I vowed never to return to this place.”

“This is just more evidence that I’m always right,” she responded, wanting to lighten the mood.

Ethan chuckled. “That statement proves just how wrong you are.”

“You have always been a sore loser.”

They both laughed.

Jordin glanced down at her watch. “Ethan, I need to get to court, but I wanted to come by and see you.”

“I’m glad that you did. It’s good to see you.”

Ethan walked her out of the building and to her car. He handed her a business card. “Text me your phone number.”

“Definitely,” she responded with a smile. “I’m thrilled you’re back.”

Jordin stared with longing at him before getting in and turning the key in the ignition.

Ethan’s really back. Jordin had to see him for herself before she actually believed it. His return was an answer to her prayers.

Upon her arrival at the courthouse minutes later, Jordin parked her car, and then texted her cell and home numbers to Ethan. She anticipated hearing from him within a few days. The prolonged anticipation was almost unbearable.

Ethan’s obvious resentment of his mother was still at the forefront of Jordin’s mind. She shared a close relationship with her family, although she understood that his situation, like many others was a different experience. It was one of the reasons she chose to specialize in family law. She also volunteered at a women’s shelter twice a week and offered pro bono services to families who could not afford legal fees. She worked to keep as many families together as possible.

Her heart ached over Ethan’s pain. Jordin could not fully comprehend how a mother could just abandon her child like that. When they were younger, Ethan once told her that he suspected his mother’s boyfriend, Rob, was a drug dealer. Like Ethan, Jordin did not care for him and had no idea why Lydia was so in love with someone like Rob. He was controlling, possessive and verbally abusive to both Lydia and Ethan.

Jordin often wondered if Lydia was still with Rob, and if their life together was worth the price of abandoning her own child. It was obvious that Ethan was still angry with her for leaving him.

I would probably be just as angry if I were in his shoes, she thought. Despite his feelings, Ethan had decided to return home, and for that, Jordin was ecstatic.

* * *

The scent of Jordin was beyond description. The connection was still alive and sizzling between them. It had not been shattered by time apart.

He needed to get a grip, Ethan scolded silently, but it was hard to do because the floral perfume Jordin wore still lingered in the air, although she had already left his office.

She was no longer the gangly teenage girl he remembered; she had grown into a beautiful woman. Her walk still had a sunny cheerfulness. Ethan had always loved how Jordin’s features became animated whenever she discussed a subject she was passionate about. She had become more stylish and glamorous in her choice of clothing—a huge difference from the teenage girl with an obsession for Bedazzled denim jeans and T-shirts.

“You just missed your mother’s call,” the receptionist announced when he returned to his office.

“If she calls me back, just take a message,” he stated without emotion.

Lydia Holbrooke was the main reason Ethan briefly considered not relocating to Charleston, but he put aside his personal feelings in favor of a smart business decision. Besides, at the time, Ethan had no idea where she was. Resentment over her abandonment still filled his heart.

Ethan leaned back in his chair and let out a frustrated growl. Lydia being back in Charleston was indifferent to him. One thing for sure, he was not about to let her sabotage everything he had worked for in his life.

He was the result of his mother’s affair with a man who was engaged to another woman.

Despite Lydia’s pregnancy, his father’s fiancée decided to go through with the wedding, although she made it clear that she wanted nothing to do with Ethan. He and his mother were close until she met Rob Calloway. Rob was possessive and jealous. He didn’t want Lydia to spend time with her own child.

His mother always warned him of the dangers of drugs and alcohol, which Ethan considered hypocritical on her part because the man she was so in love with sold drugs for a living. In the end, she and Rob were arrested in Maryland for transporting drugs across state lines. His mother went to prison while he had to move to North Carolina to live with the father he barely knew.

His stepmother made it obvious that she was not happy with him being in her home. She did not want him around his siblings. His father apologized before sending him away to attend a military academy in Virginia.

He spent most of his holidays with the families of school friends, vowing never to return where he was clearly not welcomed. Ethan swallowed hard, forcing down the bitterness that threatened to spill out.

He leaned back in his chair to think. Ethan remained that way for a few moments, and then sat up. Instead of thinking of the past, his time would be better spent focusing on the future of his company.

* * *

Jordin hummed as she prepared a simple dinner of meat loaf and mashed potatoes. She checked her phone several times, hoping that Ethan had tried to contact her.

After she finished eating, Jordin cleaned up the kitchen before settling down for the evening. She felt a wave of disappointment that she had not heard from Ethan. It was clear that he wasn’t as eager to talk to her as she had imagined he would be. Jordin sighed, clasped her hands together and stared at them.

He had seemed happy enough to see her, however.

Jordin considered calling Ethan, but she had already made the initial contact—the ball was now in Ethan’s court.

She had always believed that Ethan had feelings toward her, although those emotions never bloomed into anything more than friendship. He hadn’t changed all that much outside of the huge chip on his shoulder. Jordin had done her best to put Ethan out of her mind over the years, but he held a permanent spot in her heart.

Her sister’s suggestion that he was possibly involved with someone came back to haunt her. Jordin could not imagine their friendship coming to an end because of his relationship with another woman. The idea of Ethan in love with anyone but her filled her with jealousy. Jordin had always believed he would come back to Charleston—back to her.

Chapter 3

Jordin glanced over at the desk calendar in her office, sighing in frustration. Five days had passed and still not a word from Ethan. She continued to put off calling him. Despite her frustration, Jordin was determined to wait for him to make contact. In the meantime, she kept herself busy.

She and Jadin had made plans to spend the day shopping. Her sister was expected to arrive at any moment.

The doorbell sounded, putting an end to her musings.

Jordin opened her door fully expecting to see her sister. She gasped in surprise. “Austin...” She had no idea that her brother was already in Charleston, but seeing him at her door thrilled Jordin beyond words.

“Hey, little sister.”

“When did you get into town?”

“Thursday night,” he responded. “Can you pretend to be a little happy to see me?”

“Oh, I’m glad that you’re here,” Jordin replied. “I was just surprised to find you at the door. I was expecting Jadin and I thought you were her. C’mon inside.” She stepped aside to allow her brother entrance into her home.

“Good, I want to talk to you both.”

She studied his expression for a moment before asking, “Is everything okay, Austin?”

He nodded. “Yeah.”

The room enveloped in uneasy silence.

“I heard Ryker got married again,” Austin stated, breaking the quiet.

“He did,” Jordin confirmed, “and they have two beautiful daughters and another baby on the way. They recently found out that this one is a boy.”

“I’m happy for him.”

Another pregnant pause.

“Austin, I’m ecstatic to hear that you are joining us at the firm.” Jordin broke into a smile. “You have to know that it’s a dream come true for Dad.”

He did not respond.

“How is your mother?” she asked.

“She’s great.”

“How does she feel about your coming here and working with Dad?”

“She’s not thrilled about it,” Austin admitted candidly, “but it was my decision to make.”

“It’s really going to be nice having you around,” Jordin stated.

The doorbell sounded.

“This has to be Jadin,” she announced. She walked briskly across the hardwood floor and opened the door.

Her sister entered the house. “Are you ready to go?”

Jadin’s eyes strayed over to where her brother was sitting. “Austin, I had no idea you were here. When did you arrive in town?”

“I’ve been here since Thursday evening.”

“You’ve been in town for a day and a half and we are just now hearing from you. Why is that?” Jadin questioned.

“I spent yesterday looking for a place to live. I’d like to get settled as soon as I can before I start work.”

“Austin, what’s the real reason you came to Charleston?” Jadin wanted to know. “I know that it wasn’t just because you wanted to be close to Dad.”

“Actually, it has everything to do with him,” he responded. “I want to get to know Etienne DuGrandpre for myself. I need to see if he’s anything like my mother said.”

Jadin smiled at him. “I think that’s a smart decision.”

Jordin wasn’t so sure that she believed Austin. She clung to the idea that there was another reason for his coming to Charleston. One that he obviously wasn’t willing to share with his sisters.

“Well, I’ll head out since you two already have plans.”

“You’re welcome to join us,” Jordin stated, “but I have to warn you—we love to shop.”

He smiled. “Maybe next time.”

Jordin and Jadin each gave him a hug before walking out with him.

“Well, big brother is in town,” Jadin murmured as she settled into her sister’s car.

Jordin nodded. “Yeah, but I don’t think this is just about Dad.”

“So what do you think the real reason could be?”

“I have no idea,” Jordin responded. “My instincts are telling me that he also came to Charleston for another purpose.”

“Well, we will find out what his motives are in time.” Changing the subject, Jadin said, “Ryker told me that you went to see Ethan. How did that go?”

“Fine,” she answered. “I was so happy to see him. Sis, he is so handsome.”

“He’s always been nice looking.”

Jordin agreed.

Fifteen minutes later, they strolled through the doors of a downtown fashion boutique.

“I know that you really care about Ethan, but maybe you should keep some distance between the two of you,” Jadin suggested as she switched her purse from one shoulder to the other.

“It’s not like he came looking for you when he returned to Charleston.”

Her words stung, but Jordin kept her expression blank. “No, he did not contact me, but Ethan’s still my friend and I’m not going to abandon him. He’s been through a lot.”

“You can’t save him.”

She turned and met her sister’s gaze straight on. “I’m just trying to reconnect with my friend. That’s all.”

“I don’t think even you believe that,” her sister responded.

“Seriously,” Jordin uttered. “This is about friendship.”

Changing the subject, she asked, “What do you think of this dress?”

Jadin smiled and nodded in approval. “I love it.”

“So do I,” Jordin responded. She was glad to put an end to discussing Ethan. She and Jadin would never agree when it came to him.

After forty minutes in the store, they were finally satisfied with their selections. Jordin led the way to the cash register.

“I spent more than I’d planned, but I found some great buys,” she said, pulling out her credit card.

“There were some great items on sale,” Jadin agreed.

Purchases in hand, they headed to the exit door a few minutes later.

Jordin heard a familiar voice shortly after they stepped outside. She looked over her shoulder, then stopped in her tracks.

“Hello, ladies...”

“Hello, Ethan,” she and Jadin replied in unison.

He chuckled at their response. “Still doing the twin thing, I see.”

Jordin laughed. “Since we’re identical, I don’t think that’s ever going to change.”

Ethan’s smile warmed her.

“I didn’t expect to run into you,” Jordin stated.

“It’s Saturday and the day is beautiful,” he responded. “I thought I’d enjoy some of it.”

Jadin gave a slight nod. “It’s a really nice day.”

Ethan met Jordin’s gaze and said, “I’d planned to call you, but this was a really hectic week for me. I had to fly out to Arizona for business, and then Memphis for a conference.”

“I understand,” she murmured. Deep down, Jordin felt a measure of relief upon hearing the reasons why Ethan had not called. She was beginning to wonder if he was avoiding her.

“Do you have any plans for this evening?” he inquired.

“I’m having a girls’ night at my place.”

He laughed. “I definitely don’t want to interfere with that.”

Jordin chuckled. “No, you don’t.”

“How about I give you a call tomorrow night?”

She broke into a smile. “I look forward to talking to you then.” Ethan glanced over at Jadin and added, “It’s good seeing you again.”

“Same here,” she responded.

Ethan gave Jordin a quick hug, and then hugged her sister before leaving them to enjoy their shopping.

“You were right,” Jadin stated. “Ethan is very handsome and so muscular.”

“I told you...”

“He seems a little distant though.”

“Really?” Jordin asked. “I don’t think so.”

“Be careful, sis.”

“I don’t know why you and Dad dislike Ethan so much. He’s never done anything to anyone in our family.”

“I can’t speak for our father, but I personally have nothing against the man,” Jadin stated. “I just know that your feelings run pretty deep where he is concerned and I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“That’s just it, Jadin. I don’t have anything to worry about where Ethan is concerned. He is a good person.”