Chapter 12：Treading Carefully

Jordan was lying on his bed but for the life of him, he couldn't fall asleep. It was 3:00 am. He had sung his heart out at the concert, stayed very briefly at the after-party and tried to get drunk but failed. Women had tried to entice him but he just wasn't interested. He kept his eyes on his prize all night. He even got jealous when a dark-haired guy approached her and engaged her in conversation. She seemed taken with him-they laughed, they smiled and even flirted. The guy kept her entertained most of the night and he saw them dance a couple of times. Finally, when he couldn't take it anymore he walked over and cut in. After the dance, he faked a headache and asked Lana if they could go home.

"Bambi? Can I come in?" Jordan knocked softly on the door and got no response. He had a serious case of insomnia and this was his only remedy. All the alcohol that he had didn't seem to do the trick, even some stronger stuff-he was wide awake.

Jordan opened Lana's door slowly and found her fast asleep on top of the covers, her long legs overlapping each other and her flat stomach exposed. She was in shorts and a sports bra, her smooth, milky skin glistening in the moonlight, her hair fanned all over her pillow and her face looked so serene. He sat on the edge of the bed and lightly traced his fingers across her stomach and then up to her face. If it were possible, he could sit here and just watch her sleep all night but she would freak out when she woke up and found him staring at her.

Lana woke up an hour later feeling thirsty and tried to move but she was firmly secured in a grip. She woke up with a start and turned to see Jordan sleeping like a baby. Just watching him sleep made her heart melt into a puddle. Her hand reached out on its own accord, to stroke his hair and his beautiful face.

A smile lit her face as she reached out for the glass of water on the nightstand. Jordan Carter was lying in her bed in his bare necessities. He was right here with her and not some floozy or flavor of the night. This was the stuff dreams were made of. Her heart fluttered as she took in the sight before her again as she assumed her position once more. Their bodies fit so perfectly together when they were like this, if only it could apply in every area of their relationship. That's if you could even call it that. But a girl could only hope...

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"Lana!" Amelia barged into the room, "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry I didn't know-sorry!" She covered her face and quickly backed out. The said couple was deep in sleep and were oblivious to the intrusion, fortunately for Amelia.

"There is such a thing as knocking you know?" Jones stood at the foot of the stairs, with his hands behind his back, as she descended in a hurry.

"I didn't know-" Amelia said her face beet-red.

"You should learn to expect the unexpected when it comes to those two," Jones said with a knowing look. He had learned that the hard way.

"I didn't expect them to be..you know..Gosh, I wish I could unsee that!" She covered her face, trying to hide her embarrassment.

She didn't anticipate walking into Lana's room to find her and Jordan half-naked and glued to each other's bodies. After all, how could Lana get with him after everything he had done to her? She just couldn't understand it. But then again this was Jordan Carter and he was beyond irresistible. I mean who could say no to that hot body? If Amelia was in the same position then they definitely were not going to be sleeping.

"May I interest you in breakfast perchance?" Jones asked as he led her to the sitting room, drawing her out of her nasty thoughts. "What brings you here so early anyway?"

"It's way after 9 Jones." She flopped onto the couch. "I need to talk to Lana..about something.."

"Well, you just have to wait or come back later?" Jones suggested. "Whenever they sleep together they have been known to wake up way past noon..and we had a pretty late night coupled with the heavy hangover.." He perched on the armrest.

"What do you mean "when they sleep together?" She looked at him suspiciously.

"I think I've already said too much-breakfast?" He stood hastily and retreated to the kitchen.

"I think I'm going to go then!" She shouted after him and followed him to the kitchen.

"Slow your row there little lady. I'm sure they will be up and about in no time." He said. "What would you like the chef to prepare for you?"

"An omelet and toast-he can be creative but I don't eat mushroom." She slid onto the stool by the kitchen island.

Lana began to stir when she heard a murmuring of voices coming from downstairs. She tried to turn but Jordan's arms-and legs were tightly wrapped around her. Why would anyone want to ever wake up from this, she thought as she tried to sleep again but Jordan had other plans.

"Good morning sweets." He said, his voice still husky.

"Hey." She said nervously as his arms tightened around her waist

"I could get used to this." He buried his face into her hair and groaned.

"What? Waking up in someone else's bed?" She turned onto her back and faced him.

"Your bed you mean?" He smiled and pushed her messy hair back so he could look at her face. Never had he wanted the female specie as much as he wanted her right now? Never had he slept in a bed with a woman and just traded war stories. He knew that if he made a move she would comply but he couldn't. There was more to him agreeing to keep from jumping her bones but she was clueless, and he hoped it stayed that way until he had dealt with the issue. He would take that secret with him to the grave.

"No ping-pong remember?" She was saying to him. Maybe dreams do come true, she thought. Maybe he was really into her? But then again there was no telling with Jordan Carter. He was just to complex and she didn't have the energy to try and figure him out.

"Yeah, yeah I get it but-I think we've already crossed that line Bambi.." He looked pointedly at their tangled limbs. Not to mention her undergarments left very little to the imagination. She looked at their entwined bodies and fell silent for a moment. They were in quite a predicament-it was clear as the light of day.

"Well..you decided to invite yourself into my bed Carter. After you promised to keep your distance." She said in defense mode.

"..and you were purring like a contented cat next to me. You never really put up any form of resistance sweets." His blue eyes twinkled like the sea when its hit with the rays of the sun. The liquid courage had worn off and both of them were now completely aware of their actions. She felt her cheeks redden as she looked at Jordan's inviting body. Fortunately, Lana's phone broke the awkward moment.

"Hey, Mom." Nice save Mrs. Logan.

"Hey, sweetie. I'm sorry to disturb you but the press has been camped outside my house for two days now and-"

"What do they want? Why didn't you say something?" She sat up and Jordan looked at her with concern.

"I'm sorry sweetie I just didn't want to worry you. Plus they have been blowing up my phone and my practice has been overwhelmed. I know I'm a good therapist but this has just been ridiculous. I have had people make appointments just so they can ask me questions about your relationship with Jordan. Even your friends Liv and Lisa are being stalked-it's a nightmare. Urrgh.." She screamed in frustration.

"I'm so sorry Mom. This is all my fault. How can I fix it?" Lana said with determination.

"No, no honey, don't do anything hasty. I think I'll just take a well-needed vacation to Bora Bora or something and I think I have a conference coming soon-" She sighed.

"Should I come with you? I can-"

"No. You stay put. Besides, that will do more harm than good." She murmured.

"So what can I do?" Lana raked her hair with fingers. Jordan motioned for her to hand over the phone and she gave it to him.

"Mrs. Logan. I'm sorry to hear about your little inconvenience but not to worry I got it handled." Jordan said confidently. Lana looked at him in disbelief-who did he think he was? Olivia Pope?

"Oh really?" Mrs. Logan was equally shocked.

"I'll get my team to come and get you out of there and set you up in a place where you will be secured and- where you can enjoy your privacy once again." He assured her.

"Oh no Jordan, you don't have to do that sweetie." She protested.

"I want to. Please let me? It would mean so much to me." The Carter Charm was turned on.

"Okay sure." Mrs. Logan caved in.

"Great." His face lit up. "One of my assistants will be in touch shortly."

"Am I still going to see you guys at the weekend?" She asked.

"Yes. We will be there sooner actually." Jordan confirmed.

"I can't wait." She squealed in delight.

"Okay speak soon." Jordan rang off.

"Jordan Carter, did you just lie to my mother?" Lana said in bewilderment. There was no way they would go back to Minnesota and back again to Paris in time for his show.

"FYI sweets my Paris Show has been canceled because of the bombing at Ariana Grande's concert. I'm not taking any chances and my security team has advised against it. So..we can fly to Minnesota then straight to Norway after the weekend. Easy." He gestured with his hands.

"You're too sweet. I could kiss you right now." Lana said without thinking.

"Then what's stopping you, sweets?" He leveled his face with hers.

"I- we-can't." She hopped off the bed and grabbed a robe. "So what you got planned for today?" His heart sagged, he expected her to be all over him. Most girls would have jumped at the opportunity-but, not Lana.

"Pack your bags, Bambi. We're going to Minnesota." He said as he left the room, his shoulders sagged. She really wanted to kiss him but she wanted to tread carefully. Things between them were complicated enough.