“Really?” her voice brightened to a high note. It made me laugh. “I mean, I know we aren’t agreeing to anything just yet,” she continued, but I stopped her there.
“Jourdanne, I know this is sudden, but I would love to meet you.”
“You would?”
“Yes.” I went down the stairs and looked out the front door. It was a beautiful sunny day, and I was tired of sitting inside all alone. I wanted company, and now that Jourdanne and I had talked, I was sure I wanted her company. Even if it was just to sit and hang out. She did a fantastic job of clearing my mind and brightening my day, but soon Leandro would return. And how would I feel about everything then? I knew I had to meet Jourdanne and explain things in person. I wasn’t just a normal sugar daddy. I already had a boyfriend.
“I mean, I could meet you this afternoon. I work until one.”
“That sounds great. I’ll text you the address.”
There was a pause of silence before she spoke again. “Matt?”
“Yes, Jourdanne?”
“Thank you for responding to my message. I am really glad you and I found a connection.”
“So am I.” She was the epitome of a hopeless romantic. “I’ll see you soon.”
JOURDANNE
Jourdanne
I couldn’t believe that he asked me to come over. I finished up my shift and hurried out the door before my dad could ask me any questions. I got into my little green car and headed across town. I was somewhat familiar with the street Matt lived on, after all, it was in a prominent part of town. All the homes were luxuries and large, and I just knew they were filled with fancy things I could barely even dream of.
I pulled up outside Matt’s home and just sat there for a minute. It was bigger than big! Surrounded by a large iron fence, the mansion was something straight out of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. I pulled up to the gate and rang the bell. Without a word, the gate buzzed and began to open.
I drove up the road that led to Matt’s house as I continued to gawk at the sights. Small ornamental trees in full bloom lined the rounded drive. As I parked, I noticed the double-door entry embellished with scrolls and vintage architecture. The windows had the same markings and bright trim. I was starting to feel like I had traveled back to the gilded age. The house itself was painted cream, and it was symmetrical in every way. I turned off my car and just sat there looking up at the grandeur of it all.
Then the front doors opened.
I looked down at my lap to gather my breath, then I turned to see a man standing in the doorway. He was out of the sun, still inside the home, so I couldn’t tell if it was Matt or not. I faced forward and took another deep breath, then I opened the car door and got out.
“Jourdanne.” The man—Matt indeed—stepped out with a gracious smile on his face. The sun fell over his dark hair and brightened his whole body as if he were an angel. I shut the car door in a hurry to meet him, and in the process, I caught my sweater. Of course, I didn’t realize this until I was walking away and heard a rip.
“Oh, crap,” I said under my breath. Great way to make a first impression. Not only was I tired and still wearing my work clothes, but now I ripped my favorite long cardigan.
“Is everything okay?” Matt said to me as he came down the stairs and over to me. The genuine concern on his face struck me deep, and I froze in place. I watched his eyes travel over my body to see what had happened, all while he came closer and closer. The picture online barely did the man justice. He was so deliciously perfect. Those dark eyes were ever deeper in person, and they made me tremble just knowing he was watching my every move. He was lean and strong, I could see his muscles through his thin, black button-up shirt too easily. He was at least six-foot two inches, and the cologne coming off his body made me want to moan.
“Um… yeah,” I laughed as I realized he was still waiting for my reply. “I snagged my sweater. That’s all.” I opened the car door and pulled the thing free, then I gave an awkward smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” He smiled. Perfect teeth, kind gestures, and that woodsy, citrusy smell that was messing with my every desire. He was everything I dreamed of, and more! “Let’s go inside,” he suggested with a wave of his hand. He didn’t have to tell me twice.
After Matt closed the doors, he led me farther into the home. Right before me was a large, rounded staircase that went up to a balcony. The entry itself was pretty bare. There were only a couple of stiff chairs and a large wooden sculpture of a tiger. It looked like it was handmade and probably weighed about a ton. I glanced sideways to see Matt watching me take in the place. He was smiling, almost bashfully so, and it made my face warm.