A Question of Marriage by Temari James Read Free Book Online

him stroke for stroke, until finally the convulsions of orgasm ripped through them, as they fell off the cliff together.
    Wrapping her in his arms , Jordan pulled her close. Their breathing becoming even and steady, as they both came down from euphoria and drifted off to sleep.
    The next morning , Payton woke up to the cool blue morning light, emphasizing the contours of Jordan’s back and legs, he was putting his clothes on.
    “Good morning.”
    Turning his head he smiled at her. “Good morning.”
    “You plan to work today?”
    “Actually, I’m going to clean out my office then I’m meeting with an old friend, why?”
    “Wait,” Payton began as she sat up pulling the sheet around her body. “You got fired?”
    “Yep, it seems my father took offense when I told him he couldn’t run my life,” he told her, then picking up his belt.
    Payton climbed out of bed picked up the shirt he discarded from the previous night and slipped it on. “It was because of me , wasn’t it?” She asked, gathering her clothes from the floor.
    Jordan stopped buckling his belt, walked over to Payton and placed his hands on her shoulder. “Let me make one thing clear, no one , not even my father, gets to dictate who I should and should not marry.”
    “You still want to get married?”
    “Yeah, why shouldn’t we? There’s nothing standing in our way.”
    “But there’s no reason for us to get married now .”
    Pulling her into his arms , Jordan kissed her deeply. Still holding her, he lifted his head. “I still want us to get married Payton, I love you.”
    Payton smiled. “I love you too.”
    “Then it’s settled, we’re getting married as planned.”
    Payton sank down on the bed and watched Jordan pick up his coat and grab his briefcase. Despite their declaration of love she wasn’t sure they should go through with their plans to marry. Despite Jordan’s confidence , she had a sinking feeling things wouldn’t go as planned for either of them.
     
    ********************
     
    Jordan tossed back the last of the bourbon in his glass, then signaled the bartender for a refill, while he waited for his friend, who was a private investigator, to arrive. Earlier he’d gone to the firm to clear out his desk and his father stopped by to try and convince him to see things his way. Naturally he refused saying he wasn’t going to let him control his life. That was when his father issued the ultimatum, end things with Payton or he would see to it that her life became a living hell, and he would make sure that she wouldn’t be able to get a position writing on candy wrappers. He knew he had to find a way to stop his father from carrying out his plan, so that was when he put in the call to Howard Walker. A former Navy Seal. Howard started Elite Investigations with a few of his Seal buddies. Jordan had often used them on his most difficult cases and got excellent results.
    He watched as the six foot blonde , who was built like a pro wrestler, made his way passed the tables towards him and stop.
    “You look like shit,” h is friend said, by way of greeting extending his hand.
    “Fuck you , too!” Jordan responded gripping the younger man’s hand, in a firm handshake.
    “I hav en’t heard from you in weeks, then this morning out of the blue you call, what’s up?” Howard asks, as he sat down on the stool beside him. He signaled for the bartender and ordered a beer.
    “I need you to do something for me, it involves my father .”
    Howard nodded. “What is it?”
    “Remember Payton Hollister?”
    “The reporter,”
    “Yeah, it seems since I no longer want to do his bidding, my father has decided to threaten her livelihood unless I agree to stay away from her. I need you to dig up whatever you can find so I can use it to stop him.”
    Howard blew out a low whistle. “You must really care about this woman , if you’re willing to go up against your own father. The man is pretty formidable when it comes to his enemies.”
    “I