A test of Love - Navaura Campbell (best management books of all time .txt) 📗

Chapter Eight

Denise's gaze flickered to the clock above the television. She couldn't believe that it was only Nine o'clock. Her eyes stayed on the clock, feeling anxious as the large hand took forever moving it closer to her set departure time. She wanted to make sure everyone in the house was asleep, before she headed over to Jordan's. Every-time she thought of the scene that took place in her office, she had to squeeze her legs tightly shut to press out the ache that tried to push it's way in. She tried not to think of the way it felt having his tongue glide over her, but that wasn't happening.

Her mind swarmed against her will, with thoughts of what had taken place two days ago. These had been the longest two days of her life. When she first came into the house, she had decided to ignore what he'd said, surely she was strong enough to get over what had taken place. She was older than she'd been at sixteen, her hormones wasn't a raging symphony as it had been back then, at-least that's what she'd thought. She'd been proven wrong on more than one occasion, having it impossible to concentrate on anything that wasn't him. She'd even driven by his house a few times, hoping that he was there, so that she could see him. He hadn't come out.

There had been no movement then. Sighing, she got up, letting out a frustrating squeal. She didn't know what she'd do about this. She didn't know if she could wait for the next four hours. Sighing, she cleared her throat and went into the kitchen, where she grabbed the jug of iced tea and a glass. Pouring the tea in the glass, she took both back to the counter with her, where she sat on her stool and drank the delicious liquid, hoping to cool herself off and focus her thoughts off him. Just as she was doing this, footsteps were heard on the stairs and a few seconds later, she was greeted by Vicki, who grabbed a glass and sat in the stool directly from her. Grabbing the jug of tea, she poured herself a cup. Denise, who'd finished her glass, reached over and grabbed the jug, pouring a second glass. She sipped this one slower.

"What's up with you lately?" Vicki inquired, her face perplexed.
"What do you mean?" Denise facaded. Vicki laughed, "He's got you already."
"What are you talking about?" Denise fidgeted with glass of tea.
"Jordan, he's got you already."
Denise lifted her eyes to Vicki's. "What do you mean?"
Vicki smiled, "I always wondered why you never gave that Derrick guy a chance. He seems to really like you and he's not that bad looking either."
Denise raised both brows. "Why can't you ever stay on one topic? Who's got me and what's that got to do with me going out with Derrick. I'm not interested in pursuing anything other than friendship with him."
Vicki sighed, "Yep, he's got you whipped, so I take it you two had passionate hot sex already?"
Denise felt her body stiffen up at the mention of them together. "Why are you on the prowl?"
Denise likened Vicki to a cat, very smooth, but vicious if crossed. "I'm not on the prowl for information, just confirmation. So, have you two screwed each other yet, or is it coming?"
Denise felt her face flush slightly. The Lord knows she wanted him. "How is that any of your business?"
Vicki shrugged, "It's not, but I just want to know if you guys are doing the nasty, cause you know how you used to be."
Denise rolled her eyes upward, "How would you know?"
Vicki laughed, "Because I used to hear everything you guys did, including prom night."
Denise's eyes widened, "I thought you were asleep?"
Vicki shook her head, "I started out that way, but seeing as how my bedroom was next to yours, I was awoken by the moans of you both. I swear there was a moment where I thought you would scream. You always seemed so close."

A heat began in Denise's center first, but then worked its way to her belly, and then upward, to her stomach, chest and then neck before finally reaching her face. "That's none of your business."
Vicki sighed, her gaze on Denise's. "So, anyways, I figure if he used to make you feel that way, as you say, it won't be long before you do screw him, I mean, if he wasn't my future brother in law, I would screw him myself, but unfortunately, you got to him first."
Denise narrowed her brows. "We're not going to get married."
Vicki smiled, "That's what bugs me about you, you always try to control the inevitable."
"There's no inevitable." Denise whispered.
Vicki nodded her head, "Yes there is."
"We're not going to get married."
Vicki rolled her eyes and leaned forward across the counter, "Yes, you are. The sooner you open your eyes to fate, the better off you'll be."
"Fate?" Denise inquired, thinking this a foolish belief.
"Yes, fate. It's fate that you two are together Denise. He's your soul mate. I bet if you went to another country, he'd find you without even trying."
Denise laughed at this ridiculous notion, "There's no such thing as fate or soul mates or whatever. There's just chemistry."
"Tell yourself that lie." Vicki stated, setting her glass down. She pushed her stool out of the counter top and got down, "I'll see you in the morning."
"Going to bed early?"
"I have class tomorrow."
Denise sighed, "Alright, good night."

After Vicki disappeared up the stairs, Denise listened as her door opened and then the light into the bathroom illuminated the hallway. Denise sighed as she heard the shower run. Sitting there, she put her hand in her head, hating that although Victoria Richards was not her full blooded sister, the girl could read her like an open book. Was she that predictable? She blushed when thinking of the many encounters she'd had with Jordan, thinking of the many times they'd both loved one another. Swallowing sharply, she got up and pushed her stool into the counter.

As Denise walked to the corner of Grisham and Terrace, and then made a right, where she continued to walk up that block, stopping when she came to his house. Going up to the door, she raised a hand to knock on the door, but stopped in midair. She couldn't do this. Wouldn't. Ridiculous. Why did she want to all of a sudden throw caution to the wind? Why was she suddenly willing to work things out with him after all the time they spent apart? Just go home! Her mind screamed. She needed to go home. Clearing her throat, she turned to make her escape. Just as she hit the bottom step, his voice called out her name. Glancing up, she watched as he came up the driveway. A frustrated expression was on his face. Feeling a lump embed itself in her heart she attempted a smile, "Hi." Her tone came out soft, yet scratchy.

"Hey." He stopped in front of her as she set foot on flat ground. Dark brown eyes flittered to everything except the masculine frame that stood in front of her, dark green eyes smoldering with lust.
"I..." She started, frustrated. "I just wanted..."
Jordan leaned in close to her and without saying a word, placed a kiss on her mouth. Immediately she accepted it. He pulled her close to him, wrapping strong warm arms around her. After the kiss broke, he held her in his arms, not moving. "I understand if you don't want to De-De." Her body trembled within his grasp, her words jumbled in her head. "I want...but I don't...This is silly." She whispered. He swallowed, running a hand down her hair, not sure he liked the smooth texture of it. There wasn't any definition to it. Sighing, he whispered, "Why is it silly?"
Sighing, Denise whispered, "Vicki asked if we were having sex."
Jordan smiled, nodding, "What did you tell her?"
"I told her no."
"So you didn't fancy her ideas?"
Denise's eyes widened, "Why would I? We haven't had sex."
There was a twinkle in his eyes, "Because it would've been fun."
Denise sighed, "I'm sure you would've done better." She stated, her tone sarcastic.
Jordan lifted a brow in question. "What's up with the attitude? You scared?"
Denise shook her head, "No."
"Why the attitude then?"
She rolled her eyes and pulled away from him, "I have to go." She attempted to make her way down the driveway. He grasped her by the hem of her shirt, preventing her from leaving, "What's wrong with you, Denise?"
"This is Silly, Jordan. Absolutely insane. What idiotic person would do this? I don't even know if you're coming back once you go back to Chicago. We're not in a relationship. Shit, I shouldn't be acting like a high-school kid anymore."
Jordan laughed, his green eyes twinkling, "You're twenty years old Denise."
"Yeah, so? I'll be twenty one in November. I'm old enough to not be making these mistakes."
"Mistakes?" Jordan caught this, the hurt expression in his eyes.
Denise put a hand over her face, sighed and then put them down, her expression sorrowful. "I'm not saying you're a mistake Jordan. I just don't want to do something I'll live to regret."
Jordan ran his hand over her face, "So, you think you'll regret this?"
"Yes, come morning, I'll regret it." She whispered.
Jordan stared into her eyes again and said, "Why?"
"Because, we're not together anymore. We're not in a committed relationship."
"Who's to say we won't be, Denise?"
"Well, we can't. You'll be going to Chicago in a couple of weeks, and I'll be going off to NYU."
Jordan's brow raised, "You are?"
"Yes, I got accepted into there History Program on a partial scholarship."
He smiled, feeling saddened by this information, "Congratulations."
Denise sighed, and shrugged her shoulders, "Yeah, thanks." For some reason, Jordan didn't hear the same amount of enthusiasm as her voice held senior year in high-school. This was perplexing.
"So, that's why I think this is a big mistake," She stated truthfully.
Jordan leaned in and kissed her lips again, this time with more aggression than he had the last time, igniting her senses. When it was completed, she was left with a lot more electric bolts than the last one. Her legs felt as weak as Jelly and her body ached in all the right places, not to mention the sweet tingles that came from her lips. Jordan sighed, "ok. Let me walk you home."

Denise turned around, her feet heavy on the pavement as she made her way out of the driveway. Jordan sighed, irritated because he wanted her bad. He'd been able to think of nothing except the sweet pressure of her body underneath his that whole night. When he'd seen her, his heart began pumping fast and he'd been excited, but the expression on her face had stopped him. Walking beside her, Jordan wished for once that she'd take a chance. Did being in a relationship always have to be a component with her? Couldn't she just let him make love to her? Sighing, he shoved his hands into pants pockets.

Denise sighed, still thinking about the kiss. Why couldn't she just take chances? What would be the worst to come of their reunion? So what they weren't in a relationship. They didn't have to "be together" to be together. Sure, she still loved him, but they were living two different lives now. Plus, it didn't matter what Victoria Richards thought, because Victoria wasn't her mother or any authority figure over her. Glancing over at Jordan, she watched as he pushed his hands into his pockets, deeply in thought. She needed this. She wanted a release, and at-least with him, she knew what she would be getting, why not? Inhaling sharply,