The Sweetest Surrender (Falling For A Rose Book 8) Read online

  Octavia reentered the bathroom. “When is it?”

  “I’m not sure. I’ll ask when he gets back.”

  Octavia held up her hand and high-fived Selena. “You go, girl, I’m not mad at you.”

  When the front door opened, Octavia’s eyes lurched. “Oh my God, I’m all in you guys’ personal space. I’m out of here. Besides, hubby is waiting for me at home.”

  Octavia turned and fled before Selena could wish her well, leaving Selena to wonder if she’d ever had a husband waiting for her at home.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “I didn’t know it was possible for this elevator to go higher.”

  When the metal doors opened, sailing currents of wind wrapped around Jordan and Selena. They were rooftop, and Selena’s eyes bulged when Jordan held out his hand and pulled her along the way.

  “Are you kidding me?!” she screeched, taking a sweeping eye over the large Airbus H155 aircraft in front of her. It sat in its own space, outlined by the reference of a helicopter pad.

  “There’s a place I have in mind that I think you would love.”

  Selena gawked at him. “In this thing!?”

  Jordan chuckled. “Yeah.”

  “Oh my— Jordan…” she turned to him and clutched the collar of his long woolen trench coat, stuffing her face in his chest.

  Jordan’s warm hands slipped along Selena’s neck and lifted her face to his.

  “Let’s get inside to keep you warm,” his deep voice grooved.

  “Who – Who’s flying this thing?” she stuttered.

  “Once we’re inside, I’ll give you all the specifics.”

  Still gawking, Selena trailed alongside Jordan as he led her to the chopper. He opened the door and helped Selena up on the seat then swiftly made his way to the pilot’s chair.

  At the alarm on Selena’s face, Jordan smirked. “Oh, baby, you’re scared,” he said. “Okay, let me give you a little history on this beauty. When Julian and I were in high school, we had a thing for airplanes. Not only did we both want to be pilots, but we took lessons that lasted our senior year. Flying an airplane is a little different than flying a helicopter, but the course available at the time had a simulation for piloting one of these beauties. If we wanted to truly fly, we had to enroll in a course and pass it along with our regular studies. And,” Jordan wiggled his brows and launched the system. “We did. Of course, I don’t fly often. I take her for a spin about three, four times out of the year.”

  Selena could feel the aircraft vibrate as the blades above spun faster.

  “So now, here we are. You don’t think I’d put you in harm’s way, do you?”

  Selena knew the answer to that, but still her heart clutched in her chest, and she reached for his hand. Jordan weaved their fingers together and lifted her delicate hand to place a kiss on the back.

  “Just in case, rest assured, let me show you something.”

  He reached below and hit a button that in turn opened a compartment. Reaching in, Jordan pulled out his pilot’s license and handed it over to Selena.

  “I imagine this is the perfect way to woo a lady,” Selena said as she reached back to put her seatbelt on.

  “Maybe,” Jordan responded. “You’ll let me know since you’re the first, yeah?”

  A delicious thrill slipped over Selena in a wave of chills. She blushed and watched as Jordan did his thing. When the aircraft lifted, Selena covered her chest with a hand. Her heart stammered just the same as her pulse quickened.

  “If it makes you feel any better, there’s a helmet to your left.”

  Selena glanced down at the helmet. “Where’s yours?”

  Jordan motioned to his right.

  “Well, I’m not wearing mine if you’re not wearing yours.”

  Jordan’s gaze dropped. “A bit of a daredevil, don’t you think?”

  Selena opened her mouth and paused then decided to proceed with her thought. “I trust you.”

  Jordan bit down on his lip and smoothly maneuvered the Airbus H155. A smile dashed across Selena’s face at his relaxing poise. Damn, he was sexy, she thought, and not just because of his physical appearance. A man of so many talents could only belong to Selena in a dream.

  “You know the view outside is better,” Jordan said.

  “Not when you’re me sitting on this side of the cabin,” Selena retorted.

  Jordan’s gaze crept over to her, dark and intense. “Don’t make me turn this thing around and take you back to my bedroom. I have handcuffs.”

  Selena’s eyes lurched, and her stomach tumbled. Jordan pulled in his bottom lip with the ridge of his perfectly aligned teeth and winked with a naughty grin.

  Feeling daring, Selena spoke, “Maybe later…”

  At the arch of Jordan’s brow, Selena nodded.

  “Have you ever been bound before, Selena?”

  Another wave of butterflies scurried through her. She cleared her throat. “Um, no.”

  Jordan’s leering smile touched her skin, and instantly, Selena became hot. She turned her head just as a blush rushed to her brown cheeks. Outside, the city of Chicago was a beautiful sight to behold. The landscape was unparalleled. Skyscrapers and high-rise buildings filled the city with a display of mirages. They cruised past The Willis and Hancock Tower before coming across Millennium Park.

  “Wow,” Selena crooned. “The bean is beautiful from up here,” she said, referring to the cloud gate stainless steel structure that sat as the centerpiece of Millennium Park.

  “Beautiful indeed.”

  Jordan circled the square, allowing Selena to get the best view.

  “Look,” she pointed, “we’re caught in the bean’s reflection!”

  Jordan followed her gaze and caught a glimpse of the helicopter hovering in the reflection of the cornerstone. They lingered a while longer when Selena sighed and sat back, satisfied.

  “Ready for our next venture?”

  “Sure am.”

  “Hold on to your seat.”

  Jordan navigated the helicopter to the left hitting a sharp turn.

  “Eek!” Selena shrieked as her insides fumbled, and a fast-paced thrill slid through her.

  Jordan laughed as they flew over more high-rises.

  “You like giving me heart palpations, don’t you,” she asked.

  Jordan’s smile drew back, and he pinned Selena with a dangerous glower.

  “Every chance I get,” he responded.

  Another thrill of energy slipped through Selena. If being with Jordan was going to be like this, she would be in for a rollercoaster ride of a relationship.

  They cruised downtown, and it came with another round of picturesque scenery.

  “I’ve been living here all my life and never knew just how beautiful Chicago was.”

  “Being this high makes you appreciate things.”

  “That is so true. Thank you, Jordan.”

  “Don’t thank me yet.”

  The helicopter took another wild turn, and Selena shrieked again. Jordan guffawed.

  “You’re doing that on purpose!” She yelled.

  Jordan nodded with a laugh still on his lips. “Okay, you got me.” His laugh continued and Selena swatted at him.

  “Im’ma get you back,” she said. “Eye for an eye.”

  Jordan’s wide-brimmed smile was a gorgeous delight. “No takebacks,” he said, repeating what she’d said previously.

  “A man who welcomes a thrill, what a lovely day,” Selena murmured as Jordan laughed.

  “Whatever you want to do to me, I’m all for it.”

  “Mmmm.”

  Selena’s wheels were turning when she noticed a popular exhibit just below. Her eyes popped, and she glanced over at Jordan, taking notice of the extravagant grin on his face.

  “Are we going where I think we’re going?!”

  “Yeah,” he responded.

  Selena’s mouth hung open as her eyes roamed over the gigantic ice-skating rink below. Maggie’s Daily Park was an exclusiv
e attraction specifically for the city of Chicago. It’s ribbon-like landscape of ice wrapped around for one-quarter of a mile, with the capacity to hold up to 700 skaters. Below, people of all nationalities glided; some holding hands and others spinning past their counterparts.

  “Squee!”

  Jordan laughed again as Selena gloated. Her happiness was contagious, and it was what Jordan wanted to see on her face for the rest of their lives. Shit. There you go again, he thought. His mind boggled with more images of him and Selena as a family. Again, Jordan pictured their kids in the back seat of the Airbus, filled with just as much glee as their mother. A tugging in his chest consumed him, and without warrant, Jordan reached out to touch her.

  Selena’s wide-eyed expression moved from the exhibit below to Jordan’s handsome face when his fingers fiddled down her skin. She tilted her head slightly as she watched a plethora of warm emotions sit in the inviting aura of his magnetic stare. I love you. There it was again; the words that punctured through Selena during their sexcapade.

  Jordan licked his lips then glanced away from Selena long enough to dock the helicopter. As they made their descent, Selena’s exuberance became astounding.

  “Squee!” she squealed again.

  Jordan chuckled as the Airbus landed with a soft bump. Selena turned back to him. “Touchdown!” she said, throwing her hands in the air. “That was crazy awesome!”

  Jordan laughed. “You like that, huh?”

  Selena pursed her lips and batted her long lashes. “I loved it,” she said.

  He wanted to pull her into his lap and ravish her right where they sat, but the crowd they’d just landed around would certainly be dismayed by his handling of her. Shaking out of his reverie, Jordan powered down the Airbus and left the aircraft, appearing at Selena’s side in an instant. He opened her door, and she held out her hand, and with an exciting jump, Selena was in his arms.

  She giggled up a storm when Jordan twirled her around, and the pace of her heart became erratic. Selena slid down his long muscular body, and static energy shocked them as she pounced on her feet. For a cold day, the atmosphere around the two was flailing with a buzz of warmth.

  “Come,” Jordan said, twirling Selena with a tug of his hand to couple her underneath his arm.

  They strolled to the gate and were met by security.

  “Mr. Rose!” The security guard held out his hand. “We should’ve known it was you making such a grand entrance.”

  “Tell me, boys,” Selena began, catching Jordan’s inquisitive stare. “Does Mr. Rose normally show up with a princess on his arm?”

  Jordan laughed and shook his head. The security guards held up their hands. “We have no idea.”

  Selena twisted her lips, and Jordan pealed over with laughter. His eyes watered, and Selena pushed him away.

  “Oh… don’t be like that,” he teased.

  “Seriously,” the guards said, “we really don’t know.”

  Selena rolled her eyes. “Sure, tell me anything.”

  Jordan pulled Selena back to him, making sure she understood what he was about to say as he stared into her brown orbs.

  “I’ve only been here during its grand opening in 2014 and even then it was a family affair. No other women.”

  Satisfied, Selena nodded, accepting his answer.

  “Sweetheart, do you really think I’m tacky enough to take you where I’ve taken others?”

  Selena twisted her lips. “I hope not.”

  “You don’t have to worry about that. I barely have time for lunch. Believe me, I wouldn’t do something so tasteless.”

  Selena leaned into him and softened at his words.

  “You’re just telling me that to make me feel better.”

  “Is it working?”

  Selena gasped and covered her mouth then pushed Jordan again as he wailed with laughter.

  “I’m just kidding, sweetheart. Come back here,” he said, drawing her back into his embrace.

  “So, you think this is funny?”

  Jordan held a strong smirk. “I’m just playing around with you, my love. Are you always so easily offended?”

  “Yes,” Selena stated as facts.

  Jordan chuckled again. “I can’t promise to never do it again. I like it when you pout. It’s sexy.”

  Selena blushed and bit the corner of her lip. Jordan reached down to kiss her, and as his lips were breaths away from hers, Selena curved him, rolling her head to the side.

  “Ooh!” she said, “how’s that for jokes?” She crossed her arms defiantly.

  Jordan nodded and rubbed his chin with a laugh. “Okay, you got me. But you know you could never get away from me that easily.” He pulled her back and captured her mouth so fast the oxygen from her lungs was removed. Selena practically fell where she stood, but Jordan held on to her, giving her breath back only to take it away again. When Jordan finally let Selena breathe on her own accord, she was dizzy, in a mind-numbing spell.

  Her voice held a low throaty depth when she spoke again. “That was um… incredible.”

  “What? The kiss… or, this!”

  Jordan scooped Selena off her feet and tossed Selena over his arm.

  “Oh my God!” she screamed as she pealed with laughter.

  Jordan marched over to the stand before sitting Selena back on her toes. He held on to her until he was sure Selena had her footing.

  “You good?” he asked.

  “Yeah.” She blushed.

  Jordan glanced to the attendant and noticed the elaborate smile on the woman’s face.

  “Good afternoon,” he said. “I’d like two sets for me and my lady if you will.”

  “Coming right up, Mr. Rose, and here are two complimentary hot cocoas to keep you warm while you wait.”

  “Thank you.”

  The teetering lady quickly handed over two fresh cups of hot chocolate to which Jordan offered one to Selena.

  “I like the sound of my lady,” Selena admitted with another blush. She blew over her warm cup and eyed Jordan as he stared back at her fiercely.

  What about my wife… The compelling thought raced through Jordan’s bloodstream and at the same time his heart rate increased. Shit. Selena would think he was crazy if she knew where he thoughts ventured over the last twenty-four hours. Or would she?

  Chapter Fifteen

  When the attendant returned, it was with the manager who carried their skates in hand. She was a rather tall woman almost meeting Jordan’s height of six foot three inches. Curly black and silver strands coursed through her mane, and her face was flushed from the cool outdoor weather.

  “Mr. Rose, thank you and your companion for joining us today here at Maggie’s Daley Park.” The woman glanced between the two. “Am I to assume you guys are a couple?”

  The city of Chicago was infamous for trying to find out who was dating in the Rose family. While they tried to live their lives like anyone else, it was impossible because of their popularity. Jordan slipped an arm underneath Selena’s and branded her to his side.

  “No need to assume,” he said, “this is Selena, my girlfriend.”

  The woman’s mouth opened, and she clapped with glee. Selena blushed even harder. Although they’d made that clear last night at Velvet Café, Selena had yet to hear him say those words out loud. It spun her where she stood and sizzled her blood. Just then, Jordan leaned into her for a kiss on the forehead when Selena turned her face up to meet his lips head-on.

  “Mmmm,” Jordan’s dark voice grooved. He pulled away then gave Selena a warning glare. “Don’t get me started, girl.”

  Selena chuckled and turned back to the smiling manager with a wave.

  “Hi, how are you this afternoon?”

  “Doing better now that we have celebrities in our midst.”

  Selena pressed her lips tightly. She was hardly a celebrity. But with Jordan at her side, she’d just unintentionally become one.

  “Here are your skates. Lockers are located over there,” the manag
er pointed.

  “Thank you,” Selena and Jordan chimed simultaneously.

  Jordan’s arms fell from her waist, and he clutched her hand, mingling their fingers. They strolled hand in hand to the lockers and removed their shoes and strapped on their blades.

  “I didn’t know you could ice skate,” Selena said.

  “Growing up, Norma aided us in trying out different things. She nor my father wanted us to grow up with the mindset that we could only do this or that because of our heritage or because we were black men. While we were mostly interested in sports and girls—”

  “Of course,” Selena added, and Jordan chuckled.

  “They would take us out to try other things. Ice skating was one of them.” Jordan laughed when he thought of some of his favorite times. Hand in hand, he and Selena stepped onto the ice and Jordan made sure she had her balance before he continued.

  “I will never forget the look on Jonas’ face. He was so outraged. The only thing he wanted to do was go to the park and find some girls to talk to. Skating is for wimps he used to say.”

  Selena grinned. “I can see Jonas saying something like that.”

  Jordan nodded. “Jacob was the happiest. He fell so many times, spinning on his butt and sliding on his knees.”

  “Jacob’s next to the youngest of your brothers, right?”

  “Yeah. Then Josiah.”

  “I’m sure Josiah had fun, too, then.”

  Jordan nodded. “He did, but he would act like he was as mad as Jonas since he wanted to be so much like his big brother.”

  Selena nodded again with a smile. “I guess most little brothers want to be like their big brothers.”

  “Yeah, we all did in our own way. Jonas was our hero. We all took a back seat so to speak while trying to imitate his steps in life.” Jordan rubbed his chin with one hand. “He inspired us to be the best person we could, ya know. And even though we all had an eye out for women, he taught us self-discipline, and made sure we knew to respect them at all times. We listened to Jonas and took his words to heart.”

  “Does he know how big of an influence he had on you guys’ upbringing?”