Chapter 16 Change of Plans
Anushka's P.O.V.
After the plane lands, Jordan calls his car service to pick us up and take us home. Two years ago, Dakota and I moved from the small house I bought after my divorce. We now live in an apartment in the city. I’m looking forward to spending time with Jordan that doesn't involve one of us being kidnapped, robbed, or poisoned. As soon as we get inside, I know something is wrong.
"Someone's been in here," I tell Jordan. Everything looks in place, but I can tell things aren't where I left them. I put Dakota down and walk over to the picture of my mom. It's turned the wrong way. I wouldn't have done that because I have it positioned so she can see the city out the window. She loved the city.
"How can you tell?" Jordan asks, putting our luggage next to the door.
"It doesn't look like anything is missing, but things have been moved as though someone was looking for something. We were only gone a couple of days, so it had to be someone who knew we weren't home," I reply, fixing a plant that's been turned. Who would break into my apartment? I doubt it has anything to do with Paul and the slimeball on the island.
"Is it okay if I look around to make sure there isn't anyone still here?" Jordan asks. Dakota looks like she's ready to pass out. I lay her on the couch, and she falls asleep instantly.
"Go ahead. I'll be honest, I feel numb. Why do these things keep happening? First, all the stuff on the island, and now here too. What’s going on?" I stroke Dakota's head as she sleeps. Jordan wraps his arms around me and strokes my hair the same way I’m stroking Dakota's.
"I don't know, but we'll find out. Did anyone know you were going to be away?" He asks as he rubs his hand up and down my back. Just knowing that I have his support makes me feel stronger. I thought Dakota and I were fine on our own. I don't have any friends I'm close to or any family other than my so-called father. I didn't think we needed anyone, so we couldn't be hurt. However, having someone else's support makes me feel like I'm not in this fight alone.
"Everyone in my company. Other than that, I don't think so," I reply, taking a deep breath. Jordan kisses my forehead, and my heart melts even more. Something about that gesture seems so caring that it feels more intimate than our deep kisses.
"Let me look around, and then I'll ask Raymond to see if he can find anything. How do you feel about staying at my place until we sort this out? There's a lot of security in my building and plenty of room." My instinct is to say no, but until I know who was in my apartment and why, I think more security sounds better.
"Okay. While you look around, I'm going to pack clothes that are more appropriate for New York and not a tropical island. I’m also going to call the police. I doubt they can do anything but at least it will be reported. Thank you for everything. I didn't realize how much I needed someone in my corner until I met you." I look into his eyes, and he strokes my cheek.
"You'll always have me in your corner. As long as you want me." Is forever too long? He leans down and kisses me. His kisses make my knees weak. It's not the possessiveness or the fact that he's a great kisser; it's the emotion I can feel in his kiss. I guess Cher was right: it's in his kiss.
While Jordan searches every nook and cranny of the apartment, I unpack and repack Dakota's and my suitcases with winter clothing. I also called the police and reported the break-in, but told them nothing was taken. I just wanted it reported. Just as I finish, Jordan enters my bedroom and wraps his arms around me from behind.
"It's too bad we're not staying here. I was looking forward to making love to you in this bed." He kisses my neck and then sucks on it just enough to make my eyes flutter. I see a little blonde head peeking in from the hallway.
"Don't worry, you'll get your chance. I think we have company." Jordan turns around just in time to see Dakota duck around the corner.
"I need to finish looking for the intruder," he says loudly as he stomps around the room. "Have you seen anyone suspicious?"
"Nope, no one," I stifle my chuckle when I see Dakota peek around the corner again. Jordan pretends not to see her and walks out of the room.
"Caught you," he says as she squeals with laughter. Jordan runs into the bedroom with Dakota over his shoulder and tosses her onto the bed. She's laughing so hard she can't catch her breath. He looks at me, and I shake my head.
"Don't even think about it," I say while backing up. Dakota gets up on her knees.
"Get her, Daddy." She encourages him.
"Hey, whose side are you on?" I ask her as I continue backing up. Jordan lunges for me, and I try to escape, but he's faster. He throws me over his shoulder just like he did Dakota and then throws me on the bed. I'm breathless as I laugh. Jordan tries to tickle me, but I twist away. My little traitor helps him tickle me, and when I finally get free, he pulls my feet before I can jump off the bed. He kneels on the bed, tickling me from one side while Dakota tickles me from the other. I can't breathe because I'm laughing too hard.
"Please stop." I barely get my words out. Jordan falls onto the bed beside me, and Dakota squeezes between us.
"Fine, you get a reprieve, but when we get to my place, you may not be so lucky." He looks at me over Dakota's head and winks.
"Are we going to your house?" Dakota asks Jordan.
"Yeah, is that okay?" he asks her.
"Do you have a bed for me to sleep in?" She looks nervous.
"Yes, I have three extra rooms, and you can pick whichever one you want. I'll even let you redecorate it. You may be staying there for a while." Dakota jumps out of the bed and runs out of the room. I have no idea where she's going. I turn on my side to face Jordan. He puts his arm over my waist and pulls me against him.
"You know, if I had my way, I would have you two move in with me permanently. I know it's too soon to say something like that. I already love both of you so much that it's hard for me to think about a time when you weren't with me." I want to tell him it's not too fast and we'll move in, but that's a big decision. We need time to process everything that's happened. I don't want to make any spur-of-the-moment decisions that I'll regret later.
"We love you too. Let's see how it goes while we're staying with you, and we'll go from there." I lean over and kiss him just as Dakota returns to the room. She climbs onto the bed, pushing her way between us, holding a book.
"Can we make my room look like this?" She opens the book to a page that shows a little girl sleeping. From what we can see, her walls have elaborate murals painted on them. One looks like spring, and another looks like winter. I'm assuming the other two are summer and fall.
"You want your walls painted like summer, winter, spring, and fall?" I ask her. She smiles and lies back on the bed.
"Yes. Can I have it look like that?" She looks at Jordan. The way he's beaming at her, I know he's going to say yes.
"Of course you can. Once you pick out your room, we'll get someone to come and paint it for you, and then we'll get you all new furniture to match." Dakota throws her little arms around his neck.
"Thank you, Daddy. I love you," Jordan looks at me with tears. I think he needed us just as much as we needed him. Maybe now we can all feel whole.