All You'll Ever Need (14 page)

He caressed her arm, loving the feel of her soft skin. “What are you thinking about?”

“I still can’t believe what you did for me.”

“Well, baby, there’s more where that came from.” He nuzzled her neck and would have kept going if she hadn’t pushed against his shoulder.

“Not that!” She giggled. “The clothes and accessories in the other room. I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but it’s too much, Zack. I might love clothes, but even I have to admit that buying all of that stuff was way beyond—”

“Sweetheart, I wanted to do that for you. Thanks to me and my great date ideas, I’m sure you had to replace several items. The least I could do was help. Besides, the look on your face when you walked into the room was worth the effort.”

“Still, it’s too much.” Jada’s soft hands caressed his chest, sending desire to a particular part of his body that was longing to be back inside of her. He placed his hand over hers to stop the delightful torture.

“So let me ask you. Why didn’t you want to go out with me when I first tried to get with you?”

Jada hesitated. “You unnerve me.”

“What?” Zack chuckled. “How so?” He pushed strands of her hair away from her face.

Meeting his gaze, she said, “I like being in control of situations as well as my emotions. I felt out of control, from the moment I met you it was as if you were sucking away all of my power.”

Zack laughed. “Are you serious?”

“Yes, I’m serious.” She shoved him. “You make me feel things I have never felt for a man before and that’s scary.” Zack listened, surprised by her admission. “But I’m glad I finally said yes. I would’ve missed out on getting to know a wonderful man. You took good care of me during our dates. I’m fairly independent, but it’s nice to have a man who comes to my rescue when I need him.”

“I like taking care of you.”

Zack twirled a lock of her hair around his finger. Jada, a woman who hated getting dirty and hated the outdoors, sacrificed her comfort for him. No woman had ever done anything for him that was so selfless.

“I have always wanted to share my love for sports and my love for the great outdoors with the women I’ve dated.” Jada looked up at him, and he placed a kiss on her lips. “You were the first woman who ever showed an interest in anything that interested me. Granted you weren’t
really
interested.”

“Well I…” He placed a finger on her lips to silence her.

“Though you weren’t interested, you went anyway. Even almost got yourself killed a couple of times. Sweetheart, you don’t know how much that means to me. Well, not the almost killing yourself part, but the selfless part. The part that didn’t care that your expensive tennis shoes were ruined, or that you had to get a manicure twice one week because I had you digging around in dirt, picking vegetables. You probably have no idea how special that makes you, that you put me and my desires first.”

“Zack … I need to tell you th—”

“You don’t have to say anything. I’m cool with you not wanting to go fishing or hiking again, but I love that you did those things for me.” He pulled her on top of him, her soft curves molding to the contours of his body. “But how is it that a sheet metal worker doesn’t love the outdoors and has a problem getting dirty?”

“Well, I’m not your typical construction worker.”

“Nooo!” he said in mock surprise. “I hadn’t noticed.”

“Shut up.” She grinned and punched him in the shoulder. Turning serious, she ran her fingers through his hair. “I got into construction for a couple of reasons. One, I didn’t want to go to college, and my parents made it clear that I had to do something because I couldn’t live off of them for the rest of my life. And two, my brothers and my cousins were working in the family business. I figured I should too. Peyton was looking to get another sheet metal apprentice, and since I was always good in math, she suggested that I take the test.”

“And then you became a sheet metal worker.”

She nodded. “One thing led to another, and before I knew it, I had finished my five-year apprenticeship and I was a certified sheet metal worker.”

“I’m impressed.”

“Don’t be. It’s a dirty job, but someone has to do it.” She cupped his face between her hands and kissed his lips. “There’s something I want to ask you.”

When she didn’t continue, he leaned back a little, his head brushing against his pillow. “What? What do you want to ask me?”

“I just…”

He placed his finger under her chin, forcing her to look at him. “You just what?”

She stared at him, a hopeful glint in her eye. “Did you mean what you said earlier, about loving me?”

Ah, so she did catch that.
“Yeah, I did. But if you don’t feel the sa—”

“I do.” Her soft hand caressed his cheek. “I love you too.”

She giggled when he flipped her onto her back, nuzzling her neck. “Hmm, maybe we should show one another how much we love each other then.”

Chapter Eleven

The next morning, Zack woke up to the ringing of his cell phone. He didn’t care what time it was, all he knew is that it was too damn early for the phone to be ringing.

He started to reach for it on the bedside table, but Jada was lying on his chest, her legs intertwined with his. When the intrusive ringing stopped, he glanced at the clock.
Seven-thirty
. The only people who called him that early in the morning were Donny or Zack’s mother, and he was sure that neither of them wanted anything.

Jada moaned and snuggled closer, her arm draped over him. He kissed the top of her head, playing with the ends of her hair. He could easily get used to having her in his arms and his bed every day.

The night before had been one of the most amazing nights of his life. Never had he connected with a woman, on so many levels, the way he had with Jada. This was what he wanted. She was who he wanted in his life.

He cursed under his breath when his cell phone started ringing again. This time he reached over and grabbed it.

“Yeah,” he answered in a whisper.

“I take it this is a bad time,” his oldest brother, Shane, said.

“Yeah, it is.”

“When’s a good time to call back?”

Zack wanted to say never, knowing his brother only called that early in the morning if he wanted money or tickets to a game. “In a couple of hours.”

“All right.” He hung up without saying bye.

Zack put the phone back on the side table. He and Shane had a love-hate relationship that Zack had thought at one point would never survive. Zack loved him, but hated his attitude, especially when he acted as if everybody owed him something.

Readjusting the pillow behind him, Zack glanced down. Jada’s almond shaped eyes stared up at him.

A smile immediately covered his lips. “Hey sweetheart, I’m sorry I woke you.” He kissed her.

“Good morning.” Jada stretched and yawned, but quickly covered her mouth. “Oh, sorry.” She rolled to the other side of the bed.

“Hold up.” Zack reached over and grabbed her by the waist, pulling her back to him. “Not so fast”

“I’m going to brush my teeth so that I don’t knock you out.”

He laughed and kissed her again. “I can handle a little morning breath if you can.” Sighing with contentment, she settled against him, her head back on his chest.

“Did you sleep okay?” He moved his hand up and down her bare arm.

“Yeah. You wore me out.”

Zack grinned, replaying some of the scenes from the night before in his mind. If he had any doubt that he and Jada were compatible in every area, that doubt was wiped away the day before. They hashed out their miscommunication and shared their bodies with each other proving again, how well they fit.

“So what do you think about us staying in bed for the rest of the day?”

She glanced up at him. “I would love to, but I have a ton of things to do, including laundry. So I’m going to need to get home soon.”

“Speaking of home. Tell me about your living arrangement.”

“My living arrangement?” she asked confused.

“Yeah, why are you living with Christina?” He readjusted them, so they were both laying on their sides facing each other, his hand resting on her hip.

Jada thought about his question, debating on how to answer. Only Christina knew what type of debt she had accumulated and Jada planned to keep that secret to herself. But she didn’t want to lie to Zack anymore.

“For a while I was renting a condo.” She rubbed her hand slowly against his chest, enjoying the way his muscles contracted under her touch. “When I decided that I wanted to purchase one in the Hyde Park area, I mentioned it to CJ. Seeing that it was taking me a while to save up the cash, she offered to let me move in with her until I had enough money to purchase one.” Jada stopped moving her hand and met his gaze. “Let’s just say that I’m still saving.”

“How much more do you need?”

Jada narrowed her eyes at him. “Why?”

“Because I can help you with the rest.” His hand caressed her cheek, and she struggled to keep her eyes open due to how good he was making her feel. Each time he touched her, desire shot through her body wanting him to touch her in other places.

“I couldn’t take that type of money from you.”
Whoa! Did that just come out of my mouth?

Jada shook her head slightly and lowered her gaze. She had changed. He might’ve been good husband material, but she wouldn’t treat this relationship as she did others. No, Zack meant way more to her than using him for his money.

Zack’s fingers sifted through her hair. “I’ll admit that I’ve been burned a few times. People used me for my money. But you and I, this feels different. You’re very important to me, Jada. So know that I wouldn’t offer you something that I couldn’t deliver on.”

Jada’s gaze had zoned in on his lips before her eyes met his intense ones. “I’m sure you could deliver on whatever you offer me, but money is not what I want from you.”

“Hmm, is that right?” He cupped one of her breasts, squeezing gently as he ran his thumb across her perky nipple. Jolts of pleasure shot through her body to the tips of her toes. “Then what do you want from me?” He lowered his head to her breast and took her nipple into his mouth. Teasing. Licking. Sucking.

Everything within Jada turned to mush, and she knew she couldn’t handle much more of his sweet torture. Bracing her hands on the side of his face, she tugged on him, forcing him to meet her eyes. She pulled him closer until their mouths were only an inch apart.

“All I want is you.”

“That’s good, because I’m all you’ll ever need.” He kissed her lips, and Jada could feel his love pouring through his touch as he stared into her eyes. “Move in with me,” he said out of nowhere.

“What?”

“I want you to move in with me. I have plenty of space.” He pushed her thick hair away from her face. “You already have a dressing room here. You might as well move in.”

Jada leaned back and stared up at him, her mouth slightly open. When he didn’t say more, she said, “Are you serious?”

“Yeah, I am.”

“We don’t even know each other that well.”

“I know everything I need to know about you.” He moved on top of her, careful not to put his full weight on her, placing a kiss on her forehead. “I’m looking for long term here, Jada, and I want that with you. Besides, you love me, and I love you. Why not take what we have to the next level. Move in with me.” He captured her lips and kissed her passionately, taking her breath away.

Jada didn’t think she’d ever get tired of the way he worshiped her mouth. Taking what he wanted, yet giving her everything she needed.

“And while you’re thinking about it, why don’t I show you what you can expect every morning.”

“Hmm,” she moaned when he nudged her thighs apart and settled between her legs, “yes, why don’t you.”

***

Jada walked into Christina’s house feeling like a new woman. Decked out in a Valentino pants suit with boots to match, she still had a hard time believing that Zack had surprised her with a new wardrobe. As a person used to receiving gifts from men, she could easily admit that yesterday’s gift from him was the best by far. Yet, the thought of moving in with him had her reeling. She couldn’t wait to tell Christina.

She followed the bumping noises coming from the kitchen.    

“Christina I’m home! You are not going to believe this, but Zack asked me to move in with him!” She rounded the corner and stopped in her tracks.

Oh crap!

“Mom! What are you doing here? Where’s CJ?”

“Actually I came to check on you.” Kirsten Jenkins slammed the refrigerator door and turned to face Jada. “When I called yesterday, CJ told me you weren’t feeling well. Imagine my surprise when I get here this morning and not only are you not here, but you didn’t come home last night.
And
now I hear that you’re planning to move in with some guy. Some guy your father and I haven’t met, I might add.”

“I didn’t say I was moving in with him. I said he
asked
me to move in with him.” She wanted to kick herself for shouting out her news before actually seeing Christina. Their family didn’t stop by a lot but often enough that she should’ve known that she and CJ might not be alone.

“Did he also ask you to marry him? Because I know you are not thinking about moving in with someone without being married to him. And I know this because that’s how your father and I raised you.”

“But Toni—”

“Toni is not my child.” Her mother’s eyes were ablaze, and her hands propped on her hip. Jada knew Kirsten Jenkins was just getting warmed up. “We’re talking about you! How could you consider moving in with someone before you’re married?”

“Mom.”

“Don’t you mom me.” She seemed to get madder by the minute. “Jada I’ll admit we probably spoiled you giving you everything you wanted, but I know I can’t stand by and let you do something like this. You’re a beautiful, intelligent woman who deserves so much more. You don’t have to settle for less than what I know you deserve.”

They stood in silence for a minute. Jada tried to think of something that would diffuse the tension in the room. She and her mother were more similar than not with their style of dress, their personality, and their love for family. Their only difference was how they viewed life. Jada was a fly-by-the-seat of her pants person. Her mother planned everything. By the time Kirsten attended middle school, she had known what college she would attend, when she’d get married, how many children she would have, and when she would have them. Jada’s original life plan was to find a wealthy man and live happily-ever-after shopping.