therefore harmless.
Or so she had thought. In the past several months he had proven to be attentive, protective, witty, kind, and sexy as all get-out. Maybe she should give him a chance, like David suggested. She would just make herself available for a few dates, very public, nothing too intimate, and then just in case those massive hands and towering body lost control she would not be in the line of fire. She had been a scared, helpless victim for years and fought her way out of that life. She was trying to just be normal now, but that couldn’t happen without taking a few steps out of her comfort zone.
As she lay curled in a ball, gripping her comforter to her chest, she heard the voice that never truly quieted in the back of her mind. Stupid little bitch. If you just do what I say... If you listen and just do what I say… This is all your fault...
***
Riordan sat at his desk scrolling through emails, shuffling papers, and staring at blank forms which needed to be filled out. He could never understand why missions that were supposed to be so secret needed so much paperwork. Wasn’t that defeating the purpose?
He sighed and threw down his pen, running his hand through his hair. Pulling back his hair and tightening the elastic keeping it out of his eyes, he wondered how long until the agency told him he had to cut it off. He kind of liked the rebellious look and he noticed his Lovely Viper did also. There had been several occasions when she would tug at his locks gently when she wanted his attention or stare at him when he made a show of pulling his hair back. She dug it. He dug her. It was staying.
The ping of a text message coming through caught his attention, and he stared in surprise at the sender.
Lovely Viper: How’s the hero business?
Riordan: Tedious and boring. So how’s the lotion business?
Lovely Viper: Relaxing and minty fresh. Can I make a confession?
Riordan: Sure. Confess away.
Lovely Viper: I’ve never asked anyone out on a date before so this is really awkward after all the roadblocks I’ve thrown up for you. Think you’d still like to get some dinner and talk about something other than Michael and Audra’s wedding?
Riordan sat back in his chair, smiling at the front of his cell phone like a loon. He didn’t know what great epiphany had happened between his last encounter with her and today, but he was not looking this gift horse in the mouth.
Riordan: Sure. When would you like to have this meeting of the minds?
Lovely Viper: Tonight?
Riordan: How about Foster’s on 28 th St.? I’ll pick you up at 7 .
Lovely Viper: I know this is last minute. If I’m interrupting any previous plans, you don’t have to…
Riordan: You are no interruption, sweetheart. J You are a pleasant surprise.
Lovely Viper: Oh um ok J See you at 7.
Riordan: With bells on and maybe a top hat with tails.
Lovely Viper: LOL. Goodbye Funnyman J
Riordan stood up and stretched, checking the clock on his wall. Three more hours and he could start unraveling this puzzle that was Jordan Anderson.
***
Jordan, Audra, and David stood in Jordan’s bedroom staring at Jordan’s reflection thoughtfully.
“You need more color closer to your face,” said Audra, turning back toward Jordan’s walk-in closet.
“I like the black dress, though. It’s seductive and slimming,” David disagreed, tapping his pursed lips in thought.
“You’d think I’d never dated before. Seriously though, I can dress myself, Oh Critical Ones. I feel very confident. Look, even the girls look perky,” countered Jordan, hefting up her double D’s and running her hands down to her waist.
Audra raised an eyebrow and snorted.
“You think he’ll miss ’em or something? I still think you need color. You look like a Domme. You need something that says ‘ talk to me ’ not ‘ tie me up’ . Here, try this red satin wrap-around blouse with the pencil skirt. Flattering, yet not so come-hither.”
“I
Or so she had thought. In the past several months he had proven to be attentive, protective, witty, kind, and sexy as all get-out. Maybe she should give him a chance, like David suggested. She would just make herself available for a few dates, very public, nothing too intimate, and then just in case those massive hands and towering body lost control she would not be in the line of fire. She had been a scared, helpless victim for years and fought her way out of that life. She was trying to just be normal now, but that couldn’t happen without taking a few steps out of her comfort zone.
As she lay curled in a ball, gripping her comforter to her chest, she heard the voice that never truly quieted in the back of her mind. Stupid little bitch. If you just do what I say... If you listen and just do what I say… This is all your fault...
***
Riordan sat at his desk scrolling through emails, shuffling papers, and staring at blank forms which needed to be filled out. He could never understand why missions that were supposed to be so secret needed so much paperwork. Wasn’t that defeating the purpose?
He sighed and threw down his pen, running his hand through his hair. Pulling back his hair and tightening the elastic keeping it out of his eyes, he wondered how long until the agency told him he had to cut it off. He kind of liked the rebellious look and he noticed his Lovely Viper did also. There had been several occasions when she would tug at his locks gently when she wanted his attention or stare at him when he made a show of pulling his hair back. She dug it. He dug her. It was staying.
The ping of a text message coming through caught his attention, and he stared in surprise at the sender.
Lovely Viper: How’s the hero business?
Riordan: Tedious and boring. So how’s the lotion business?
Lovely Viper: Relaxing and minty fresh. Can I make a confession?
Riordan: Sure. Confess away.
Lovely Viper: I’ve never asked anyone out on a date before so this is really awkward after all the roadblocks I’ve thrown up for you. Think you’d still like to get some dinner and talk about something other than Michael and Audra’s wedding?
Riordan sat back in his chair, smiling at the front of his cell phone like a loon. He didn’t know what great epiphany had happened between his last encounter with her and today, but he was not looking this gift horse in the mouth.
Riordan: Sure. When would you like to have this meeting of the minds?
Lovely Viper: Tonight?
Riordan: How about Foster’s on 28 th St.? I’ll pick you up at 7 .
Lovely Viper: I know this is last minute. If I’m interrupting any previous plans, you don’t have to…
Riordan: You are no interruption, sweetheart. J You are a pleasant surprise.
Lovely Viper: Oh um ok J See you at 7.
Riordan: With bells on and maybe a top hat with tails.
Lovely Viper: LOL. Goodbye Funnyman J
Riordan stood up and stretched, checking the clock on his wall. Three more hours and he could start unraveling this puzzle that was Jordan Anderson.
***
Jordan, Audra, and David stood in Jordan’s bedroom staring at Jordan’s reflection thoughtfully.
“You need more color closer to your face,” said Audra, turning back toward Jordan’s walk-in closet.
“I like the black dress, though. It’s seductive and slimming,” David disagreed, tapping his pursed lips in thought.
“You’d think I’d never dated before. Seriously though, I can dress myself, Oh Critical Ones. I feel very confident. Look, even the girls look perky,” countered Jordan, hefting up her double D’s and running her hands down to her waist.
Audra raised an eyebrow and snorted.
“You think he’ll miss ’em or something? I still think you need color. You look like a Domme. You need something that says ‘ talk to me ’ not ‘ tie me up’ . Here, try this red satin wrap-around blouse with the pencil skirt. Flattering, yet not so come-hither.”
“I
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