All You'll Ever Need (15 page)

Jada lowered her eyes and picked some invisible lint from the sleeve of her jacket. She wasn’t settling for less than she deserved and hoped when her mother met Zack, she’d see that. As a matter of fact, Zack was more than she could have ever hoped for.

“Aunt Kay.” Jada heard Christina’s voice heading in their direction. “I checked but I … uh,” she stuttered when she saw Jada, “Uh, I’m just going to…” She quickly turned to leave, but Kirsten’s firm voice halted her.

“No. You’re not going anywhere young lady. You’re going to stay right there and tell me why you lied to me.”

“Auntie—”

“She didn’t lie,” Jada said quickly. She couldn’t let her cousin get into trouble covering for her. “I
was
sick yesterday. Uh … when we were out last night, we ran into Zack and Craig. When Zack found out I wasn’t feeling well, he took me to his place since it was clos—”

“Save it, JJ.” Kirsten snatched a cardboard box sitting on the counter near the back door and brought it to the center island. “I wasted my time making this soup thinking you were sick and then missed an important meeting in order to bring it to you.” She placed a thick towel in the box before setting the large pot from the stove inside.

For the first time since walking into the kitchen, Jada noticed the familiar aroma.

“Mom,” Jada worked up the nerve to approach her mother, “I appreciate you making my favorite soup. Don’t take it back. I’ll eat it.”

Growing up, Jada couldn’t ask for a better mother. For Kirsten, her family came first and to this day, she still hadn’t stopped catering to their needs. Whether it was Jada’s father not being able to find something around the house or one of her brothers caught up in some mess, the problem didn’t matter. Kirsten always came to the rescue.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here when you arrived.” Jada looped her arm through her mother’s and rested her head against her shoulder. Something she often did as a kid knowing it would soften her mother’s wrath.

Kirsten sighed softly and kissed the top of her daughter’s head before stepping out of Jada’s grasp.

“I love you and dad so much. Personally I think you guys did a great job raising me.” Her mother rolled her eyes and took the pot back out of the box. Jada paced around the roomy kitchen trying to think of something to appease her mother.

Glancing toward the kitchen entrance, she saw that her cousin had disappeared from the room. Jada couldn’t much blame her.

“Jada, before you start trying to pull your little spiel together, don’t bother. You’re an adult capable of making your own decisions. But I wouldn’t be your mother if I didn’t tell you how I feel about this new development.” She poured the soup into a couple of smaller containers. “I don’t like the idea of you shacking up with some man.”

“His name is Zack.”

She stopped and glared at Jada. “I don’t care what his name is. He’s still a man that I don’t know and haven’t met.”

Jada couldn’t wait for her parents to meet Zack. Whether she moved in with him or not, Jada knew that she and Zack would be together and maybe even get married someday.

“Mom, I respect your opinion. I have never wanted to disappoint either of you, but this is a decision I have to make for myself. You don’t have to agree with what I decide, but I hope you’ll be able to respect my decision.”
And I hope that I don’t make the same mistakes that I made with Dion.

Chapter Twelve

Zack gazed out the car window, watching as they passed vehicles and buildings along the highway in a blur. He was on his way to pick up Jada from her house, well Christina’s house. Jada still hadn’t given him an answer about moving in with him, but he wouldn’t push. As long as they continued to spend as much time as possible together.

When Zack tried to pull his cell phone from his pocket, he winced and cursed under his breath. His bruised ribs from practice a couple of days earlier were still giving him problems. For the most part, he was fine, but every so often, he felt a twinge that reminded him that he wasn’t a hundred percent. Had Jada not been looking forward to their evening out, he would have suggested doing something at home so that he could rest up.

A smile spread across his lips. Jada had shocked him when she invited him out to dinner, as well as to see a Broadway show downtown. Never had a woman offered to treat him to dinner and a show. Definitely a first.

The driver pulled in front of the small bungalow and parked.

“I got this Frank,” he said to the driver, stopping him before he climbed out of the driver’s seat. “Be back in a minute.”

Zack eased out of the vehicle, adjusted his bowtie, and fastened the single button of his black Armani suit. It had been awhile since he had dressed up. Something he didn’t enjoy, but tonight Jada was calling the shots. Since she wanted him dressy, he would give her dressy.

He rang the doorbell and seconds later, the door opened. His breath caught in his throat as his gaze traveled the length of her body. He took in her long thick hair, curled at the ends, and hanging just past her shoulders. The sleek red dress that wrapped around her luscious curves and stopped a few inches above her knees screamed ‘take me now’. Jada JJ Jenkins was one of the most beautiful women he’d ever met, but tonight the sexy vixen had the blood in his head flowing south at record speed.

Zack released a long, piercing whistle between his lips before he could stop himself. Words escaped him. Watching the way her gaze took in his apparel, appreciation glittering in her eyes was enough to make him want to take her right then, and there.

“Wow!” she finally said and stepped closer. Her hands did a slow glide up his chest, sending his libido into overdrive. Zack knew that if they didn’t leave for the restaurant immediately they weren’t going. Instead, he was going to lift her in his arms and carry her to the nearest bedroom.

“Jada,” he said tightly, warning in his voice.

Ignoring his tone, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Mr. Anderson, I must say, you clean up
very
nicely. I hope you’re ready for a night you’ll never forget.”

Loving her boldness, he snaked his arms around her tiny waist, pulling her close, wanting her to relish the effect she was having on him. He rubbed his pelvis against her softness. “Any time with you is unforgettable.”

He lowered his head and his mouth covered hers, devouring the tenderness of her lips. A jolt of desire shot through him like a seventy-mile-per-hour tornado taking out everything in its wake. How could one kiss rock his world the way this one was rocking him? The feel of her lips against his felt like home.

His hands had a mind of their own as they slowly glided over her hips and landed on her firm butt. A moan pierced the air and Zack didn’t know if the throaty sigh came from her or him and at the moment, he didn’t care. All he knew was that the combustible yearning roaring through his body bordered on unbearable.

“Uh, you guys need to either bring that inside or take it outside. But whatever you do, close my door,” Christina said from some place nearby. Zack wasn’t sure since he wasn’t ready to end the intense lip-lock. “You’re letting the heat out!”

Both were slow to respond to Christina’s reprimand. Jada eased her grip from around his neck, and he moved his hands up to her waist. “I’m not ready to let you go,” Zack mumbled against her lips.

“And I’m not ready for you to let me go.” She gave him one last kiss before stepping away, giving him a firsthand view of her backless dress and perfectly round ass.

Good Lord!

Jada grabbed her handbag and a Kate Spade jacket from a small table in the foyer. “Maybe we can pick this up in the car or after dinner. Or better yet, why don’t we have a little dinner, go to the theater, and then finish this up at your place tonight.”

He tugged on the handle of her bag, forcing her to him then lowered his head to her ear and whispered. “How is that better? Why don’t we just skip dinner and the theater and just head straight to my place?”

She leaned back, placed her hand on her hip, and batted her long eyelashes. “Sorry, babe, but this dress,” her hand slid from the side of her breast down past her hip, “is meant to be seen.” Flashing a wicked smile that only made Zack more aroused, she looped her arm through his and pulled him out the door.

How in hell was he supposed to sit through dinner and a show with her in that dress and knowing she had big plans for him once they made it back to his place?

Frank stood on the passenger side with the back door of the vehicle opened.

“Thank you.” Jada climbed into the town car. Zack didn’t miss the way her short dress rode up her leg showing off her tempting thighs. If the tightness behind his pant zipper was any indication, it was going to be a long night.

Jada gave the driver the name of the restaurant and Zack settled in for the twenty-minute ride downtown.

“Getting a car and driver was a nice touch.” She snuggled closer to him, and he groaned from the pain in his side, but wrapped his arm around her shoulder. He placed a kiss near her temple.

“I forgot about your ribs.” Jada pulled away, but he tugged her back. “Are you sure you’re up for having dinner and going to a show tonight? We can do this some other time.”

He shook his head. “Sweetheart tonight is all about you. I’m used to the aches and pains.”

“What about the plans I have for you later?” She played with the buttons on his shirt. Even in the semi-dark interior of the car, he could see the wicked gleam in her eyes. “Are you gonna be able to hang?”

“I have no doubt. Even busted up all over, my body would still respond to your sensuous touch.” He lowered his head to her ear inhaling her intoxicating scent. He placed tiny kisses along her neck, deciding to mark his territory. Her moans only encouraged him to proceed. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get enough of you,” he mumbled against her neck.

“Zack.” She squirmed but didn’t pull away. “You’re making it very hard to resist you.”

He chuckled. “Good. My plan is working.”

“Well, you need to save your plan for later. We’re almost at the restaurant.” She pressed her hands against his chest. “So behave.”

Stealing another kiss, he leaned back in his seat thinking he couldn’t wait to get her home. He grabbed hold of her hand, not able to stop himself from touching her in some way. When she turned slightly, the moonlight shone through the windows bestowing an angelic glow around her.

“God you’re beautiful.” He hadn’t planned to say it yet again, but the words just tumbled out of his mouth.

“Thank you.” She smiled and squeezed his hand. “Tell me you haven’t seen Wicked yet.”

He released her hand and put his arm around her neck. His fingers sifted through the length of her soft hair hanging down her back. Donny had once told him that a black woman’s hair was off limits, but Jada didn’t seem to mind him playing in hers.

“I haven’t seen the show yet. Actually, I can’t remember the last time I’ve gone to the theater.” The moment the words left his mouth, the memory of him and Leslie leaving a Broadway show in New York popped into his head. That weekend was when she had asked to borrow some money for her brother Caleb, who was trying to start a limousine service business. Zack and Leslie had been arguing more and more, and red flags regarding their relationship were starting to pop up. He wasn’t giving her brother a dime. From the moment, Zack had met him he knew he was a hustler trying to make a quick buck. And when the bank contacted him about the check Leslie was trying to cash, he knew he was done with her.

“Zack?” Jada squeezed his thigh. When he looked at her, he noticed the concern in her, brown eyes. “You okay?”

He ran the back of his fingers down her cheek. The tenderness in her eyes made him want to say the hell with dinner, but he couldn’t do that to her. Not after the funky dates he’d taken her on over the past couple of months.

“As long as I’m with you, I’m perfectly fine.” He nibbled on her lower lip, then her top one. He could spend the rest of his life kissing her and be perfectly content.

“Hmm, pouring on the charm are we.”

He grinned and kissed her again. His hand rested on her thigh, loving the feel of her silky, soft skin beneath his touch. Trying not to think about all the wicked things he planned to do to her back at his place was going to be nearly impossible.

They neared the downtown restaurant and nightclub, Zydeco, Cincinnati’s new hotspot. His driver fell in line behind other cars as the valets hustled from one vehicle to the next. Zack mentally prepared himself for the onslaught of people as small groups were gathered at the door. He assumed people were waiting to be seated in the restaurant considering the club didn’t open until ten. He hated crowds almost as much as he hated wearing a stuffy suit and tie. But seeing Jada’s excited face, he’d suck it up for her. Tonight was all about what she wanted.

“I made reservations,” Jada pulled out a mirror and finger combed her hair before stuffing the mirror back into her handbag. “By the looks of that line, I hope we don’t have to wait.”

“Whose name did you put the reservation under?” he asked, glancing out the window. Already he was having second thoughts about this particular restaurant, knowing that it had been in the news recently for the crowds getting out of control. Several of his teammates had had their share of trouble hanging out at other nightclubs, and Zack wasn’t trying to be added to that list.

“I put the reservation in your name.”

“Good. We won’t have to wait.”

She narrowed her eyes at him, a half smile on her lips. “Oh, so what, you being a famous football player in this town carries that much weight?” Humor laced her words. “How do you know we won’t have to wait?”

“Because I know the owner.” He smiled and wiggled his eyebrows, eliciting a burst of laughter from her.

Frank opened the back door, and Zack stepped out, ignoring the burning of his ribs. He reached back for Jada’s hand to help her out of the car and informed their driver that he would text him when they were ready to leave.

“Isn’t that the football player who’s in those car commercials all the time?” Someone to the side of them whispered.