Chapter Text
No sex.
A boundary Jordan implemented much to Layla’s chagrin but since she had rules that he respected, she would do the same for him. His reasoning—Singledom proved was very accessible to them. Real intimacy was what they were striving for. Kisses remained kisses for them, so the expectation of sex wasn’t there. Whereas before it meant that a kiss was a part of foreplay with previous partners.
Approximately 3 weeks of alone studio time, stolen time at the beach house, and quality at any given hotel of their choice. The hotel was their most desperate option for them to be alone because of the heightened risk. The secrecy did add more allure to their current relationship.
Nobody was suspicious of them but their veiled relationship was at risk because of a prodding Liv. The Baker sister noticed a faint love mark on Layla’s neck. Of course, she took precautions and covered the bite with makeup. Her artsy efforts were doomed for failure when she suggested working out.
Liv brought up her renewed proximity to Clay and her word became law. He’d be the scapegoat for Jordan’s boyish damage. That boy was just too damn persistent even with his healing hand. However, that is where their primal activities hit a screeching halt because, with the no-sex rule, he too vowed not to touch below the torso.
Hotels were out of the question even though they were addicting.
Now it was two days post-Thanksgiving and two weeks post-Liv-finding-Jordan’s but-blamed-on-Clay hickey incident. There was a resulting dispersion after the holiday dinner and everyone went back to routine after being bound to family tasks. Layla was a fixture in the Baker home which meant they saw each other but were missing their key element of alone time.
And no, Jordan pulling Layla into a storage closet for a kiss was not the best barometer for private time.
The couple was in the studio–their greatest alibi. Where was Jordan? Dropping food off for Layla because she was always locked in with her work. A missing-in-action Layla was normal and Jordan had proved
That was the perception of their relationship at the moment–platonic, familial if they needed to sell it as such to quell any accusations. It echoed the way they defended their friendship to Simone and Clay respectively.
“We’ve been friends for a really long time,” An anxious Layla nearly stuttered to a confrontational Clay.
“Layla and I have been friends since we were kids!” A torn Jordan exclaimed to a suspecting Simone.
Who were they fooling?
Finally trusting Jordan had its perk in their emerging relationship. She vented more which was new to him but left him giddy with excitement. Prior he had to press rants out of her. They came naturally though and about the most repairable things. She always prefaced how she didn’t want to complain about things like how her favorite boutique didn’t have her preferred shade of pink–Rosè to be exact in stock.
Little did she know Jordan back-ordered it but he kept his naughty secret hidden as he listened to her grumbles about the fabric.
“Enough about me, I wanna know how tortuous this week has been for you,” Layla said, shifting a bit to take off her heels.
After her decompressing, it was only natural to check in with her companion. Their bond had been about reciprocity but she was still transitioning to being more open emotionally. Jordan was amazing, but her progression wouldn’t take a day or even just a few weeks. Hence why he was content with waiting because the previously all-in Layla would arise.
He watched her rise from her seat and join him on his lap. He was surprised initially at the leap of closeness but welcomed it by rubbing her thigh in appreciation.
Jordan bit his lip as he still caressed her leg.“This is…new.” He teased.
“Oh.” Layla straightened up immediately and decided to play his game. “It’s fine, I can go back to us being a few feet apart.”
The mogul-to-be stood up gracefully despite being barefooted and was planning her exit from her captor. Her plans were cut short as he quickly spun her back into her planted position. He cradled her and in response, she giggled in his embrace.
“Are you mad woman? I’m not letting you go anywhere.” Jordan whispered the last part to her.
Layla wiggled around and put a finger to his lips and he was disheveled.
“Uh, uh, cease your actions pretty-boy, Liv caught that last hickey, remember?”
Jordan rolled his eyes, also recalling the fall guy for that one. He shifted too while having Layla on him still. She felt the energy change drastically—the L word was weighing them down. Since their partnership required transparency she had to tell him about Clay being their scapegoat. Sneaking around only worked if you had a fall guy.
Layla rubbed the back of his neck to placate him. “Jordan, I can’t say when I’ll be ready for an actual label but I know I feel for you and we have something exclusive."
“I understand.” The injured player was still keeping her at a distance.
Her heart ached and she choked out, “Is this too hard for you?”
“It is,” Jordan admitted as Layla sniffled. He then rotated her so she was straddling him so he could be face-to-face with her. Her chin was lifted tenderly by his good hand. Making Layla cry was never anything he wanted to be responsible for.
“Don’t cry, pretty girl. I’m still here present, growing, learning, exploring, with you, we just aren’t out to everyone else now.”
Layla’s breathing became more steady as his reassurance that was both verbal and physical relaxed her.
“I want to scream my love for you in front of the Beverly Hills sign, have you on my arm everywhere you go, and add to that also splurge on you even though you being Mr. Keating's daughter is already a high bar.” They both shared a laugh.
Jordan continued after their laughter subsided.
“Point is that you’re my dream girl, Layla. So, I’m okay with waiting despite the resistance.”
Layla kissed his hands in adoration, a bittersweet smile bestowed on the fractured one.
“I’d kiss it away if I could.” She suggested in a soft voice, wishing it was an option.
“Heh, we don’t deny attempts at the temple of Baker.”
A brow raised. “Temple of–? Never mind, I’m just going to go with it.”
“Good choice,” He said leaning into their many kisses to come for the night.