From Rags to Riches

In the deep end

Rebecca:

I'm putting the manuscripts I got sent today into my bag when Claire the receptionist rings me.
"Hello?"
"Rebecca there's a delicious man in the lobby waiting for you. Where did you find him and does he have a brother?" She asks and I laugh.
"I'm coming down now, thankyou Claire" I hang up and grab my belongings. As I step into the elevator my boss Mark steps in with a huge grin. He makes me uncomfortable. I mean, I'm grateful he gave me a chance, but I wonder at times whether he gave me the job purely on my passion for the job rather than for his personal interests.
"Afternoon Rebecca, going home so early?"
"Yeah I have a lot of errands this afternoon, but I have the manuscripts in my bag and will email you tonight with the changes" I say with a small smile.
"Very well, maybe after your errands you will join me and a few of the others for a drink?" He asks as the elevator doors open. I see Jordan and his eyes glare at Mark. He's told me on many occasions how he doesn't trust him, and I can't say I blame him.
"I'm sorry but I have plans this evening" I say while keeping my eyes on Jordan.
"Some other time them?" Mark persists and I just hum in agreement. I walk up to Jordan and he tears his glare away from Mark and his eyes immediately soften when they land on me.
"You ready to go?" He asks and I nod with a smile.
"Yeah let's go. Have a nice weekend Mark" I say as I walk out of the door and into Jordan's SUV where Mason is in the drivers seat.
"Afternoon Mason"
"Afternoon Miss. Kramer" he answers and I roll my eyes. The amount of times I've asked him to call me Rebecca and he still refuses. Jordan slides in next to me and my skin automatically responds to the close proximity. This is so wrong; I can't fall for him, he's only helping me until I get back on my feet. But then why is he taking me to a charity gala? I can't read him, he's a closed book and it's so hard to see how he feels.

We drive in comfortable silence until we arrive at the same shop he took me to when he bought mine and Sienna's clothes. Mason opens my door for me and I smile up at him before walking around to meet Jordan. He guides me in with his hand on the small of my back; giving me the shivers his touch always does.
"Why can't I wear the silver gown I got the last time we were here?" I ask him.
"You can if you don't find anything else. After this I'm taking you to get your hair and nails done, and then we're going to go home and have dinner with a four year old who probably can't wait to tell her mummy all about her day" he says in my ear and I just gape at him. He's so thoughtful, and yes it annoys me he's spending all this money on me, but I think it's so thoughtful he's taking me on a girlie day out. Yeah, he's probably done this with his other girlfriends the voice in my head tells me. My heart sinks slightly at that thought, but I push it aside; he's here with me and I'm thrilled.

The time has come. I'm standing in my room wearing a black long sleeved gown that has a very low cut at the front and buttons running down my left side. My hair is up in a bun with curls caressing my face and the hair and makeup artist Jordan hired went for the smokey eye look. I've never felt more glamorous, and I just hope Jordan's parents don't look down on me. I grab the gold clutch bag Jordan also bought me and make my way down the stairs. My heart beats even faster when I see Jordan holding Sienna; dancing around with her to some music I've never heard before. When I'm halfway down the stairs Jordan turns around and I can see the breath catch in his throat. He grins and Sienna claps her hands.
"Mummy pretty!" She gushes as I reach the bottom stair and walk over to them.
"Thankyou baby" I tell her and kiss her cheek. Jordan puts Sienna on the floor and takes my hand in his.
"Becca- wow you, you look... Incredible" he struggles to find the words and to keep his eyes off of my chest. I blush furiously. Why does he have this affect on me? I let go of his hand and reach up to straighten his black bow tie and kiss his cheek.
"All thanks to you, Mr. Matthews" I say with a grin and he chuckles. he walks over to the dining room table and grabs a black box.
"I know this isn't prom or anything, but I've never taken a girl out to any formal event, so I wanted to give you this" he explains as he takes the top off the box to reveal a gorgeous white and gold corsage. I smile and hold my wrist out to him for him to put the corsage around my wrist.
"It's gorgeous, thankyou Jordan" I say and he kisses the back of my hand.
"Right lets get going" he says and calls for Sienna; smiling as she runs towards him. He scoops her up and kisses her cheek.
"You behave for Cara ok?" I tell her and she nods.
"Bye mummy" she says and gives me a little kiss before turning to Jordan and doing the same. My heart swells seeing the two of them together, and I know moments like these are going to make it harder for me to leave.

Jordan squeezes my hand as we make our way up to the big door of the mansion we're about to enter.
"Don't be nervous, they'll love you" he whispers in my ear and plants a soft kiss on my cheek. What I would do to have those lips on mine again. Neither of us has mentioned the kiss since it happened, but he's the one that initiated it so shouldn't it be him bringing it up? Maybe something will happen tonight. Doubt it the voice comes back. The door opens and I'm taken aback by how expensive it looks. I've never been in a place like this, not even when I was a little girl. Soon enough a middle aged woman walks up to us and she looks so enchanting and energy is radiating off of her.
"Jordan honey" he kisses Jordan on the cheek and looks at me with nothing but love and admiration in her eyes.
"Mother this is Rebecca Kramer, Becca this is my mother Dr. Colleen Matthews" Jordan introduces us and I shake her hand.
"It's an honour to meet you Dr. Matthews" I barely whisper and she grins.
"Sweety call me Colleen, you have no idea how lovely it is to meet you" she gushes and I blush once again. Why can I not control my blush?
"Is this her?!" I hear another voice enter the room and I turn to see a petite girl about a year or two younger than me with ebony black hair wearing a stunning emerald gown.
"Hope this is Rebecca. Rebecca, my little sister Hope" Jordan says as Hope latches onto me and gives me a hug. I giggle and give her a hug back.
"Never thought I'd see the day Jordan got himself a girlfriend" I nearly choke on the air I breathe in. I look at Jordan and he just smiles; neither confirming or denying that statement. Are we something more? Surely not.
"I know you've just arrived and everything, but one of my friends has dropped out and we need one more person for the first dance auction. Please Rebecca say you'll do it" Hope pleads. Do what? I look at Jordan with a frown and he shakes his head.
"You basically bid on a girl and you win a dance" he explains briefly and I nod. Do I really want to do it?
"It would be great if you did do it, but don't feel pressured honey" Colleen's sweet voice rings next to me. How can I say no?
"I'll do it" I smile and Hope squeals. How bad can it be?

Ok, I'm on stage and I'm regretting this. I feel like I'm a cow getting bought at a cattle market. Hope got bought for ten thousand dollars by a young man with beach blonde hair, and now I'm next. As I walk forward I see Jordan in the audience and he gives me a reassuring smile. The auctioneer makes up a speech about me and almost instantly Jordan places an offer.
"Five thousand" he says and of course I blush.
"Ten thousand" someone at the back pipes up and I look for who it was in shock.
"Twenty thousand" Jordan fights back.
"Twenty five"
"Fifty thousand!" Jordan exclaims and I gasp. Fifty thousand dollars for a dance? Is he having a laugh?! Soon enough the hammer is lowered and Jordan comes up to take my hand. Once I'm off the stage he pulls me close and leans forward.
"Walk with me" he says and leads me off away from the party.

A boathouse? Is he serious? All of this is so overwhelming and I let out a big sigh.
"Are you ok?" Jordan asks as he steps up beside me and I face him.
"I just feel like I've been thrown in the deep end, Jordan. I've never been to a charity event, never worn a dress like this, never been bought for fifty thousand dollars! I don't think I've even seen fifty thousand dollars. It's so overwhelming" I ramble on and look up at Jordan's face. He looks concerned, worried, hurt. Why is he hurt?
"I'm sorry I brought you here, I should have known it might be too much" he confesses and I shake my head. When he doesn't look up I hold his head in my hands and make him look into my eyes.
"I didn't mean it like that. Thankyou for bringing me here, I've learned so much about you and your family are incredible. It's just so much to take in your know?" I try to get through to him and I think I do. His eyes soften and he cracks a shy smile. A smile I've noticed only I've ever seen.
"I'm so glad you're here Rebecca, you have no idea how much it means to me" he admits and I bite my lip. I swear I hear a growl come from the back of his throat, but he covers it up.
"Do you not like it when I bite my lip?" I ask boldly. His eyes darken and he leans closer to me.
"I find it hard to control myself when you bite that gorgeous lip of yours" he says and I gasp at his confession. I'm feeling brave, partly from the three glasses of wine I've had, and I press him on the matter.
"What do you need to control?" I question him and purposely bite my lip. Before I can process what is happening, Jordan has me pinned up against the railing on the decking and his lips attack mine. My body is electrified by his touch and I immediately fight back with as much passion. I've waited months to have this feeling again, and I don't want to lose it. My lips fall in sync with his and our lips start a dance of their own. His hands slide down and wrap around my waist as mine make their way up to his thick copper hair. I dig my nails in his scalp and he groans; causing a moan to escape my own lips. He reluctantly pulls away and we're both breathless.
"Come on, the first dance is about to start, and if I remember correctly, I did win you" he reminds me with a wink and takes my hand.
I can't do this, How am I going to walk away now?