Chapter 8：Dancing With a Stranger

Jones had driven them to Jordan's other house in a secluded area in Tarryton, Minnesota. So far the press had no knowledge of his whereabouts so they would be staying there until it was time to leave for Canada on Sunday. Lana had called Amy to check on her and the others -they were safely guarded at the penthouse. Jason had tried to call her but she cut the call. She was still angry with him, he could have at least given her a heads up.

"Bambi are you done yet? It's only a high school prom sweets-there's no need to go all out." Jordan glanced at his Apple watch again and started to pace the room impatiently. He was dressed in a white shirt, that he had left unbuttoned and a midnight blue designer suit, the latest collection from Giorgio Armani, where he was currently one of the brand ambassadors. His platinum hair was sleeked back and it accentuated his handsome face.

"I'm almost done." Lana put the finishing touches on her face, examined herself in the mirror and when she was satisfied she left the room.

Her hair was swept to the side and she had donned a sleeveless, glittery midnight-blue gown, with a halter neck, that accentuated her curves and exposed modest cleavage and her back. She had protested to Melissa that she would be a bit overdressed for a prom but to no avail. Ryan told her that they would be there briefly and after that, she had to accompany Jordan to his concert at Madison Square Garden where she would have to change again. This was good publicity. He had assured Lana that she was good for Jordan's image. She was a regular girl that no one knew so they could use that to their advantage. It would prove to the public that Jordan Carter was a changed man.

"Wow! You look beautiful." He stared at her as she walked into the sitting room. "It was definitely worth the wait. Shall we?" He held out his arm for her.

"You're looking very handsome but that's nothing new right?" She linked her arm with his as they walked towards the elevator.

"It's nice to hear it if it's coming from a genuine reliable source." He grinned.

Melissa had selected her outfits as usual. The press would be there in and they wanted to portray the best side of Jordan. Anything to get their focus off the bad publicity he had received recently. It was hard to believe that they had only been here for two days and there was already so much drama that had happened.

Lana was not sure if she would go along with this whole plan of pretending to be Jordan's girlfriend, but Ryan said it was pure speculation. He just wanted to lead the press into thinking that but Lana could not understand how it would help. Ryan said he would give her time to think it over and they would discuss it further tomorrow morning.

They arrived at Beacon High School Hall just before they were about to crown the prom queen and king. The honor was given to Jordan of course and people were falling all over themselves to get a glimpse of him. They had prepared a corner table for him, his guards were surrounding the area and they were not permitting anyone to get close.

"And now ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. It is my utmost pleasure and honor to welcome America's golden boy, every teens pop-idol-please help me welcome to the stage the one, the only superstar of all time: Jordan Carter!!!" The MC announced and all the students went wild as Jordan stood up and walked to the podium. He pulled Lana along with him although she tried to resist at first.

"Please." He mouthed over the noise. She nodded her agreement and stood with him.

They could hardly contain their excitement. The girls screamed and the guys hooted.

"JC! JC JC!" Was resounding all over the school hall causing the walls to vibrate.

"Thank you. Thank you all so much. I love you guys." More screams and "We love you too JC."

"Well, I'd love to sit around and chat a bit-but as the saying goes the show must go on." He spoke into the mic. "So my lovely date over there-and I will announce your homecoming king and queen, then we gotta bust outta here cos we got a concert to go to. Is anyone coming out to Madison Square tonight?? I will be giving out ten free tickets tonight so keep your fingers crossed. But most definitely the king and queen deserve tickets right?"

The crowd roared.

They crowned the prom king and queen, then Jordan and Lana opened up the dance floor. He put his hands around her small waist and she looped hers around his neck. She rested her head on his chest and it felt like home. Like she belonged here, in his arms. He smelt so good and his masculine scent was intoxicating, causing her senses to reel. The DJ was playing Sam Smith Dancing With a Stranger. Jordan started to sing along as he looked at her pointedly.

I don't wanna be alone tonight

It's pretty clear that I'm not over you

I'm still thinking 'bout the things you do

So I don't want to be alone tonight, alone tonight, alone tonight

Can you light the fire?

I need somebody who can take control

I know exactly what I need to do

'Cause I don't wanna be alone tonight, alone tonight, alone tonight

Look what you made me do, I'm with somebody new

Ooh, baby, baby, I'm dancing with a stranger

Look what you made me do, I'm with somebody new

Ooh, baby, baby, I'm dancing with a stranger

Dancing with a stranger

I wasn't even goin' out tonight

But, boy, I need to get you off of my mind

I know exactly what I have to do

I don't wanna be alone tonight, alone tonight, alone tonight

(credit Dancing With A Stranger lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC)

"So I got a private performance...I feel kind of special." She smiled as she put her hand on his chest.

"You are..Thanks for doing these sweets." He whispered into Lana's ear as they danced, sending shivers down her spine. "I owe you one." He brushed his cheek against her soft one.

"I'll hold you to that." She said softly.

"Baby you can hold me to anything." He laughed and it made him look young and carefree.

"You should do that more often," Lana said as she smiled back at him. His smile was contagious.

"What laugh? Smile? I know it seems I have everything in that I could possibly want-and don't great me wrong I am grateful but-" He shook his head sadly, " You know what let's not talk about this right now okay?" He kissed her forehead.

"Okay," She touched his cheek lightly.

"Smile." He said as he put his head closer to hers and snapped a photo of them. She pulled out her tongue instead.

"I'm soo going to post this pic." He chuckled as he typed wildly on his iPhone.

"Go right ahead." She swung her hair back and grinned at him.

"Hey sweets..let me sign a few autographs and take a whole lotta selfies, then we can get out of here. I'll be right back-don't move." He led her back to the table and left her seated with Jones.

He made his way back accompanied by his other guards and he melted into the crowd. It was evident that his young fans still loved him by the way they interacted with him. He always grabbed the attention of everyone in a room, people were instantly drawn to him like a moth to a light. When he was done the guards cleared the way for him as he walked back over to Lana.

"You're ready to get out of here Bambi?" He put his hand on the small of her back and steered her towards the exit points.

"You look tired? If you're not up for the concert I can get Jones to drop you off at the condo?" He asked with concern.

"What are you kidding me right now?? I wouldn't miss your concert for the world! That's what I'm here for after all!"

"Okay, okay let's go then." He laughed as he entwined their hands.

The press ambushed them as soon as they walked out of the school hall and they were inundated with questions. The bodyguards pushed them through forcefully and Jordan protectively cradled Lana's head on his chest and she kept it there until they jumped into the limo.

"You're okay?" Jordan cupped her face.

"I'm okay Carter. Still in one piece as you can see."

"Good." Silence fell as their eyes burned into each other and the air became electric. Sparks were flying and the attraction was undeniable. They both seemed to wrestle with their feelings but common sense took over.

"I want nothing more than to kiss you right now.." He swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbed. "but I can't-I will respect your wishes.' He dropped his hands from her face, as if burned.

She turned her head aside and the moment was lost.

They arrived at Madison Square and as soon as they stepped out of the car Jordan was whisked away and she didn't see him again until much later. Melissa led Lana to the dressing room, where Amelia and Bella were also getting ready and helped them to change into casual outfits.

"Hey, stranger!" Amelia hugged Lana as soon as she entered the room.

"Hey you, where have you been?" Bella hugged her awkwardly.

"Hey..I'm glad you guys are okay," Lana said as he sat in front of the dresser and allowed Melissa to work her magic. "I couldn't come back to the penthouse because of the press and I had to go to some prom with Jordan. We came straight here after."

"No. Nothing like that." Lana stressed.

"So Jason is a detective.." Amelia swayed the topic of discussion, picking up that Lana was uncomfortable.

"Yeah. Who would have thought huh?" Lana mused. "Is Preston still-?

"No. They let him go. Insufficient evidence." Bella tried to make light of it.

"Right girls you're all done. Let's get you to the concert." Melissa announced.

"Yeah! That's what we came for." Amelia shouted excitedly.

"Group hug," Bella said and everyone huddled together and ended up taking photos.

Jones led them to the VIP section where they had a pretty good view of the stage. They were served drinks of their choice and the tables had champagne on ice, tequila, and drinks they couldn't even pronounce.

Jordan was on stage performing hit after hit and doing what he does best. Sweat was dripping all over his lean body and girls in the audience were about to pass out just by looking at him. He seemed oblivious to all of this as he continued with his performance. One lucky girl was hurled onto the stage and screamed her head off when he started grinding on her.

"This next song is dedicated to all my fans. But especially my ultimate fans that made it through to the competition. I'd like to bring them out to the stage so you can all meet them. C'mon guys." Jones ushered them onto the stage and left them standing next to Jordan.

"You guys ready? You all remember the routine right?" He whispered to them and they nodded. "Great. Let's do this." They positioned themselves behind Jordan and he started to sing.

He lingered behind Lana a little longer than necessary and when he decided to kiss her at the end of the song the audience went crazy. It was a spur of the moment thing and he hadn't planned to do it. Lana blushed furiously and hid her face in his shoulder and he laughed.

"Sorry about that sweets. Blame it on the adrenaline." He whispered in her ear before he walked back to the center of the stage.

"Everybody give it up for my Ultimate Fans!!" He gestured towards them and they took a bow before walking off the stage.