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* * *
Leon and Sheila were holding hands. “I’ve spotted a good friend of mine down on the dancefloor and I want to introduce Sheila to him. We might be back. Will you be alright on your own, Liebste?”
“Sweetheart?” laughed Jordan. Leon loved to offer him these little German terms of affection. Anything to get his blood up. As his cousin and assistant made their way past him, Jordan gave Leon a friendly slap on the back. “Just go easy on whatever treats your friend downstairs might be selling. Don’t forget you promised me a tour of the new hotel before I leave tomorrow.”
Jordan picked up his glass and took a long drink. There was every chance that he wouldn’t be seeing either of his friends again this evening. He was now on his own.
With the others gone, Jordan turned his attention back to the booth opposite, to where the world-famous pop star, Chloe, sat pretending to sip from a flute of champagne.
She was more than nursing it, the drink had barely shifted from the top of the glass. Being a recovering addict meant Jordan tended to notice those sorts of things.
Chloe stood and waved a hand in his direction, beckoning him to come join her. Jordan didn’t need a second invitation. He’d barely taken a step in her direction before two burly gentlemen appeared in front of him. Instinctively, he lowered his gaze, not daring to meet their eyes.I am not a threat to her.Only an idiot would give the slightest bit of attitude to a man the size of a mountain, let alone when he had a muscular friend.
“It’s alright, Martin. I asked him over.” Chloe’s hand rested on the arm of one of the men. She was a fully grown woman but in comparison to the size of her security detail she looked like a child. These men were paid to protect her, and Jordan had no doubt that they wouldn’t hesitate to sit him on his ass if he made the wrong move.
His billionaire family background had given Jordan a lifetime of experience in dealing with people protection. Of how they worked, and how not to get on the bad side of a large, well trained Navy SEAL. He remained exactly where he was, not daring to twitch a muscle. It was only when Chloe finally came to stand in front of him, offering Jordan her hand, that he deemed it safe to lift his head.
“Hi, I’m Chloe.”
He was immediately struck by the warmth and sincerity in her smile. Her deep brown eyes reminded him of liquid chocolate. Her long raven hair was glossy and smooth.Stunningly beautiful.
The way she shared her name was as if she genuinely expected that not everyone would know it. It took Jordan a moment to gather his wits.
“I’m Jordan, its lovely to meet you, Chloe.” He took her hand, holding and shaking it with the right amount of pressure. His father had taught all his sons how a gentleman should shake a woman’s hand. To Jordan’s surprise, Chloe’s handshake had a degree of firmness to it.
Her smile, however, remained soft and inviting. “I see you’ve been abandoned by your friends, Jordan. Would you like to come and sit with me?”
Jordan checked over his shoulder. Sheila and Leon were still nowhere to be seen. Since his cousin had paid for full table service, at some point in the night, Leon would return and spend more cash on drinks. But who knew when that might be, or whether his own presence might make things awkward for Sheila and Leon.
Never let it be said that I am a cock blocker.
Then again, he might be making fanciful assumptions about his cousin and assistant. “My executive assistant might be back eventually …”
“Oh, that’s alright. She can join us as well. What about your other friend?”
“Leon? Oh, don’t worry about him, he’s only my cousin. He lives in Berlin and can take care of himself.”
* * *
And I was right, he is an American.
Chloe brushed her hand over Jordan’s chest. The way the white button down fitted his form so perfectly, it was clear he didn’t shop at Gap. And his pants had the unmistakable cut and fine cloth that could only come from a gentleman’s tailor. Which meant, Jordan either had money or his family did. “Come and sit with me, Jordan. I am keen to meet someone new.”
It was all an act on her part. Her way of protecting herself with strangers. People wanted to meet Chloe the pop star, and in public that’s who they met. Few got to know the real Chloe Fisher, and she was determined to keep it that way. Maintaining an invisible wall between her and the rest of the world kept the girl from Nebraska safe.
She motioned for her entourage to move along and make space. When Marta and Gabriela let out a collected huff of disgust at this imposition, Chloe glared at them. Stixxluv eyed Jordan’s bespoke suit with bored distaste but shuffled over. For their troubles, Chloe banished them to Jordan’s booth. Grumbling about their lot and how unfair the world was, the three of them snatched up the bottles of champagne and tequila and beat a hasty retreat.
Gabriela, bless her, who had a little more manners, brought Jordan’s drinks over and placed them with care on the table in front of him and Chloe. She offered a polite. “Enjoy,” then scooted back to rejoin her drinking buddies.
With everyone now settled in their new places, Chloe turned her attention back to Jordan. “So what brings you to Berghain, Jordan? You don’t look the type to be getting all hot and sweaty on the dancefloor.”
She was interested to see how he would react when she placed a touch of emphasis on the wordshotandsweaty. In the music business, it never paid to be too subtle.
The pair of dark green eyes which met hers had Chloe swallowing deep. There was no mistaking the strong intelligent mind behind them. Chloe both liked and appreciated clever men.
“My cousin Leon’s side of the family runs a number of hotels and resorts in Germany and Eastern Europe. I’m here to catch up with him, and also to visit the new hotel they have just opened here in Berlin.” He picked up his drink and took a generous sip. “And as for getting hot and sweaty, my days of destroying what’s left of my youth on the dancefloor are mercifully well behind me.”
Jordan threw back the rest of his drink. Chloe wasn’t sure if he was thirsty or nervous.
