Because of You by Rochelle Alers Read Free Book Online

of champagne. It was an excellent vintage.
    â€œWould you mind if I serve you?” Jordan asked after he’d taken a sip from his flute.
    She swallowed, nodding. “Yes, please.”
    Reaching over, he picked up a cocktail napkin andthen a toast point covered with Almas pearly white beluga caviar. Holding the napkin under her chin, Jordan watched as she took a bite. “How is it?”
    With wide eyes Aziza savored the lingering taste on her tongue. “It’s incredible.” She opened her mouth and then closed it when Jordan popped the remaining piece into his mouth.
    â€œIt is delicious,” he agreed, chewing slowly.
    â€œHey! That was mine.”
    Leaning closer, he pressed a kiss to her ear. “There’s plenty more where that came from.” Jordan went completely still when he heard cheers coupled with the distinctive sound of exploding fireworks. He’d become so engrossed with Aziza that he’d lost track of time. He angled his head and slanted his mouth over Aziza’s slightly parted lips. “Happy New Year.”

Chapter 3
    A ziza felt the soft brush of Jordan’s mouth on hers. It was more a mingling of champagne and caviar-scented breaths than an actual kiss.
    â€œHappy New Year, Jordan,” she whispered, praying he wouldn’t feel the runaway beating of her heart slamming against her ribs.
    There was a tradition that said the person you find yourself with on New Year’s Eve when the clock strikes midnight will be the one you would spend the year with. She didn’t know Jordan Wainwright. And she hadn’t wanted to get to know him that well and didn’t want to know if or whether he was involved with a woman. And even if he wasn’t, she didn’t have time for a man—not when she’d just gotten her life back on track.
    Sitting up straight, Jordan smiled, recognizing the expression of surprise freezing Aziza’s features. “Are you all right?”
    She blinked. “I’m good. Really.”
    Jordan drained his flute. “We should’ve been with the others counting down the seconds.”
    â€œIt’s okay. If I hadn’t been here I would’ve been home dressed in my most comfortable jammies watching the ball drop.”
    Jordan’s expressive eyebrows lifted a fraction. “Alone?”
    A smile crinkled the skin around Aziza’s eyes. “Is that a subtle way of asking me whether I’m involved with someone?”
    â€œI’d like to believe I was being direct,” he countered.
    â€œWell, counselor, the answer to your very direct question is no.” She shifted slightly on the love seat until they were facing each other. “What about you? If you weren’t here, where would you be?”
    â€œProbably in the Caribbean with my brother and his girlfriend.”
    It was Aziza’s turn to lift her eyebrows. “What about your girlfriend?”
    â€œMy, my, my, counselor. Aren’t you direct.”
    â€œThat’s the only way I know how to be, counselor,” Aziza countered with a grin.
    â€œThe answer is I don’t have a girlfriend.”
    â€œWhy not, Jordan? You seem like a nice guy.”
    Jordan was hard-pressed not to laugh at Aziza’s crestfallen expression. Did she really feel sorry for him? “Thank you. But it’s been said that nice guys usually finish last.”
    There he was again, Aziza mused. She didn’t understand Jordan’s self-deprecation. “I don’t believe that. Nice guys may not choose wisely at times, but that doesn’t mean they always wind up on the losing end.”
    â€œSo you say there’s hope for me?”
    Picking up her flute, she sipped her champagne, staringat Jordan over the rim. The illumination from the lamp on a side table slanted over his lean face, and in that moment she sucked in her breath. His eyes were now a rich mossy green.
    â€œYou don’t need hope, Jordan.