Chapter 35：Stake Your Claim

Lana was sitting at the breakfast table with Jones when Jordan came in from his morning swim. She couldn't help but ogle his Adonis body and was almost tempted to run her fingers down his six-pack and wet hair.

"Like what you see Bambi?" He rasped when he caught her staring, "don't worry it's all yours baby. No one else's," he whispered the last part in her ear and her body tingled.

"Gosh! I'm going to through up-in my mouth!" Jones muttered.

"Don't hate cos my wife is drooling over me instead of her breakfast," Jordan laughed and Lana's jaw dropped.

"Carter!"

"I'm going to get dressed," he gave her a chaste kiss and walked away laughing.

"Glad you two worked out your issues," Jones said as he poured himself a cup of coffee.

"Not really.."

"Explain?" Jones stirred his coffee and looked at her attentively.

"Who's Dahlia?" Lana questioned.

"Hmm.." Jones dropped his gaze.

"Jones?" Lana put her glass down and narrowed her eyes.

"I would rather you ask Jordan about that-her," Jones suggested, "it would be better coming from him okay?"

"You know that he will just blow me off," she replied.

"Well if you want answers then you're going to have to get them from him, sweetheart. I would rather stay out of this one," Jones picked up his coffee mug and walked out, leaving her more confused than she already was.

"Penny for your thoughts," Jordan hugged her from behind and kissed her hair.

"Who's Dahlia?"

"Can we not talk about this right now?" Jordan sighed and scratched the back of his neck.

"Then when Carter?" Lana challenged.

"Another time-later maybe?" he sat down and busied himself with getting breakfast, "do you want to do something later?"

"Oh," Jordan slowly buttered his toast, "with Liv and Lisa?"

"No..but if you stick around you will see.." she got up and pushed her chair in.

"You wouldn't dare bring another man to my house.." he clenched his jaw.

"It's our house now babe...See you later," she blew him a kiss and walked away.

"Jones!" Jordan had suddenly lost his appetite.

"You rang master?" Jones came into the kitchen and mock-bowed.

"Cut it out!" Jordan shouted.

"What has you so riled up? I thought you and the Mrs had a wild night of passion and all your misdemeanors were forgiven?" Jones sat back down and picked up the morning paper, "oh look-you made headlines again." Sure enough, there was a photo of Jordan locking lips with Lana at the front of the restaurant.

"Whatever," he muttered.

"Are you going to tell her?" Jones asked, "she's been asking questions.."

"I'm not ready."

"Hmm.."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," Jones grunted and pretended to read the paper.

"I need you to stay and look after Lana while I'm gone. Can you do that for me?" Jordan asked, "Preston is out there and-"

"You know that you don't even have to ask!" Jones exclaimed, "of course I'll take care of her," he folded the paper and put it aside.

"Thanks, Jay," he nodded, "want to go to the studio and strum a few chords?"

"Thought you'd never ask!" Jones smiled and followed him out.

They stayed in the studio for hours and played new songs, classics and some of Jordan's songs that were due for release soon. Jones was one of his biggest fans and worst critics all in one but he didn't mind because it was always constructive criticism.

The studio was on the third floor of the house and had the best view of the lake. The windows touched the ceiling to the floor and you could watch the sunrise and set from there. This was Jordan's happy place-he always felt at ease whenever he was in here. Lana hadn't been in his studio so he decided that he would invite her to come and see it after lunch.

"You want to go out for lunch?" Jones stretched as he rose to his feet.

"You go ahead. I'll be down in a bit."

"An onset of another hit?" Jones laughed.

"Yeah...I need to get it while it's still fresh in my mind," Jordan clutched his guitar and strummed a few chords, "please pass me a pen and paper before you leave."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Where's Jordan?" Lana asked Jones as they sat down for lunch, outside by the lakeside.

"Why didn't you tell us we have guests?" Jones held out his hand.

"Oh sorry-these are some of my classmates," she explained briefly, "we're working on a project together so you're going to be seeing a lot more of them. This is Tyler, Charlotte, and Austin."

"Nice to meet you all," Jones said with a firm shake of the hand.

"Sorry, can I use your bathroom?" Tyler asked.

"Sure, just go straight down the hallway and then turn left-it's the first door," Jones directed him.

Tyler got lost and ended up wandering into the bar, where Jordan was sitting alone, drinking a Martini.

"Sorry Mr. Carter, I was looking for the restroom-I-got lost-sorry.." Tyler started to back out and Jordan stopped him.

"Wait-who are you here with?" he asked.

"I-Lana-your wife..invited me-us over Sir.." Tyler was a bunch of nerves and Jordan decided to take advantage of this.

"Have I seen you before?" Jordan asked as he slid off the barstool.

"Yes-I'm Lana's classmate-sir," Tyler gulped nervously.

"Yeeah...I remember you.." he held his chin thoughtfully, "you were all over my wife at a party we had at our New York Penthouse.." he squinted.

"Yes-I mean-no. I mean I was at the party but I didn't-wouldn't-"

"I think you should stop talking," Jordan stood in front of him and scowled. "So you've got a thing for my wife? Do you like her? You want her?"

"No!" Tyler's green eyes widened and he took a step back.

"You better not-she's off-limits. Got it?!" He said with intimidation.

"That's enough Carter!" Lana leaned on the door frame and folded her arms, "Tyler get out of here, I need to have a word with my caveman."

"Sure-thanks," Tyler squeaked and scurried away.

"What was that?" Lana marched over to him and pushed against his chest with her hands.

"Just staking my claim sweets," he shrugged and walked back to the bar, "can I get you a drink?"

"Carter you can't go around threatening my friends," Lana frowned as she slid onto the stool.

"I didn't," he poured her a Martini and handed it to her, "here's to us Bambi," he raised his glass and clinked it against hers.

"You're crazy you know that?" she shook her head.

"Crazy for you baby," he smiled as he came round, stood in between her legs and leaned in for a kiss.

"That is so corny!" Lana laughed. "We have guests Carter," she pulled away from him.

"So.." he put his hands on her thighs and nuzzled her neck.

"We need to get back..."

"We will...soon as I have lunch.."