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Body Moves
by Copeland, Jodi Lynn (EXCERPT)
Chapter One
PRIVATE PASSION
Jordan Cameron sank back in his office chair and glared at the
reflection of his father's profile in the eighth-story window of
the New York City investment firm. For the first time in over a
decade, John Cameron wore no beard, and every trace of gray
in his hair had been covered with dark blond. He looked more
like Jordan's older brother than his father. It wasn't right and,
clearly, neither was his father's state of mind.
Jordan swiveled in the chair, curling his fingers around a
brochure for the medical tourism resort his father returned
from three weeks ago and had yet to stop talking about. He respected
his father and never questioned his choices aloud.
However, this latest decision wouldn't allow him to bottle his
exasperation. "Jesus, Dad, think about what you're doing. It's a
passing fad at best."
Inspecting himself in the golf green-etched mirror hanging
on the wall kitty-corner from Jordan's desk, John rubbed his
first finger and thumb along his clean-shaven chin. "Oh, I think
about it. Every time your mother sneaks up and pinches my
ass. I forgot how strong my sex drive was until I spent a week at
Private Indulgence. Thanks to that 'fad,' our marriage and love
life are stronger than ever."
Jordan sighed. From the way his father talked, you would
think the resort staff had restructured his entire reason for
being and not just his underdeveloped chin.
"Fine. Let's say this place is the real deal and will be around
for years to come; that still doesn't explain why you feel the
need to sink your entire life savings in it." Not when he'd spent
the last five years refusing Jordan's investment advice because
he claimed the only save place for his money was in the bank.
"Split the money. Let me put seventy percent of it into annuities."
Barking out a laugh, John looked over. "Back in the day, we
considered a split to be fifty-fifty."
Back in the day, there wasn't an endless supply of lowlifes
coming up with every scheme under the sun in the hopes of
getting their hands on an old man's money. Jordan had heard
the buzz on the medical resorts-Private Indulgence had never
been among those said to be taking off. Even those resorts that
claimed to be doing well had yet to provide convincing proof of
their longevity. "At least give me some time to check this place
out. You got to know too many of the staff to view it objectively."
"Not to mention I was strung out on Percocet ninety percent
of the time I was down there."
"Exactly."
His father crossed to the twin tan leather chairs opposite
Jordan's desk and slammed his hand down on the back of one.
"By God, son, you've gotten so stiff, you don't even recognize
sarcasm anymore."
"Oh, I recognize it. I just don't find it humorous when it
mixes my father with habit-forming drugs."
John closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose-a
habit Jordan had picked up from him. Opening his eyes, he let
his hands fall at his sides. "All right. You've got four weeks.
Only because I want to see you away from this damned desk
for more than a few hours at a time. This place is sucking you
dry, stealing your zest for life-"
"And worrying Mom sick she'll never have grandkids,"
Jordan finished dryly. He'd been through this song and dance
too many times to count. Sorry to say for his parents, he wasn't
one of those kids who lived to please only them. "She'll get her
grandkids when I'm ready. Right now, I'm enjoying the zest for
life you seem to think I've lost by dating whatever women appeal
to me."
His father snorted. "Whichever ones are willing to come in
second to your career is more like it."
"Dad ..." Jordan warned.
"I'm leaving." John went to the door, turning back when he
reached it. "Four weeks. If I don't hear convincing evidence
against the resort by then, I'll be on the first flight to the Caribbean
to share my investment decision with Dr. Crosby."
With the snick of the office door, Jordan turned his attention
to his laptop. He clicked on the bookmarked resort informational
page for Danica Crosby, MD, the plastic surgeon cum
owner of Private Indulgence who'd somehow convinced his father
to sink his money into her resort.
Calling the plain-looking, glasses-wearing redhead who appeared
on his screen a surgeon was pushing it, considering she
was barely out of her residency. The sudden ache in Jordan's
gut told him that calling her business dealings with his father
reputable would be pushing it even further, and in less than
four weeks he would prove it.
"What in Hi'iaka's name are you doing?"
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