All You'll Ever Need (9 page)

After seeing Zack off, Jada walked into the house and closed the door. Placing her handbag on the table in the entryway, she kicked off her muddy tennis shoes. Relief flowed through her as she walked farther into the house with the pizza box, happy to be home.

Jada stopped short. “What?” Christina stood frozen in the middle of the hallway, staring at her.

“What happened to you?”

“What do you mean?” She glanced down at herself, knowing that her clothes were a little dirty, but the way Christina was looking at her one would think Jada had two heads.

Christina continued staring at her before she burst out laughing. “Are you serious? You come in here with a streak of dirt across your face, hair standing on top of your head, and filthy clothes and think nothing of it? What’s wrong with you and what have you done with my superficial, vain cousin?”

Anyone else would have taken offense to the insult, but not Jada. She was more concerned about what Christina saw when she looked at her.

Jada narrowed her eyes at her cousin and shoved the pizza box into her hands. She hurried into the half bath on the first floor, turned on the light and stood before the full-length mirror.

“Oh my God!” she screamed, her hands flying to her hair and then her face. “I look a hot mess!” Most of her hair had come out of her ponytail holder and looked as if birds had made a nest on top of her head. And the dirt that CJ had referred to was mud that had dried on her face. Not only had she ruined her tennis shoes, but the expensive yellow T-shirt might never come clean.

She stormed out of the bathroom and ran up the stairs, ignoring her hunger pains and CJ’s laughter that followed behind her. If Jada ever saw Zack again, she was going to ring his neck. How could he let her walk around looking like a crack head?

She hurried out of her clothes, leaving them by the door of the attached bathroom and stepped into the shower.

“Who takes a first date to a stupid farm?” Jada said as she lathered with her favorite lavender body wash. Even after a full day of hanging ductwork, she didn’t get this dirty.

She had a few hours to recharge and get ready for a real date with Marcus. At least with him she could dress up in her new dress and stilettos. And she was guaranteed a meal at a five-star restaurant.

Her thoughts went back to Zack, and a warm glow flew through her. She hated picking vegetables, but had to admit. If she were going to do something like gardening again with anyone, she would want it to be with him. In his element out there, he conquered weeds and protected her from worms and spiders. She didn’t miss how everyone gravitated to him, not because of him being a professional football player, but because he was a genuinely nice guy.

Five hours later, Jada felt like a new woman. If she thought Zack was a nice guy earlier, she now thought he was a real sweetheart. True to his word, her car had arrived within an hour, and the surprise showed up. Best gift ever – a masseuse to work out the kinks in her tired muscles. Jada pampered herself regularly but never had a massage left her so rejuvenated like the one that afternoon. The woman worked her magical fingers on Jada’s sore muscles, leaving her feeling refreshed and ready for anything.

Now she had a few minutes to finish getting ready for her date with Marcus. She strode into her walk-in closet and slipped into the purple matching bra and pantie set that she had purchased from La Perla. The items might have cost her a day’s wage, but would go perfect with her dress. From the moment she had hit puberty, she insisted that her underwear match whatever outfit she wore, driving her mother crazy.

She glanced at the clock.
Fifteen minutes
left.
Always prompt, Marcus would be ringing the doorbell at any minute. Hurrying, she stepped into the purple one-shoulder Ralph Lauren dress and smoothed her hands down the side of her body, loving the way the silky material hugged her figure. The color looked amazing against her brown skin and enhanced the sparkle of her dangling diamond earrings with the matching necklace.  

The doorbell rang.

“Right on time.” She slipped into her matching four-inch pumps to complete the outfit.

Jada took one last look in the mirror and grabbed her purse. Seconds later, she stood at the top of the stairs, waiting for Christina to call her down. Jada always liked to make an entrance for her dates, and since CJ didn’t seem to mind getting the door, Jada took advantage of the opportunity. Before she took a step, her cell phone chimed signaling a text message.

I HAD A GREAT TIME TODAY. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT TIME I SEE YOU. ZACK.

She hadn’t agreed to go out with him again, and if she did, the date would have to involve something less dirty. Yet, she had to admit that the gift of a massage would go down as one of the sweetest gifts ever. Now she understood how professional football players were able to recover so quickly after playing a hard game. She felt as if she could party all night.

Jada glided down the stairs slowly, to ensure that Marcus got a good look. Her gaze connected with Christina’s, who stood at the bottom of the stairs, prepared to holler her name again. Her cousin grinned and shook her head. She thought that Jada spent way too much money on clothes and shoes. Her cousin didn’t understand, that in order for Jada to attract the type of man she was looking to marry, she had to invest in clothes, shoes and handbags.

“Oh, here she is,” Christina said to Marcus and disappeared into the living room.

Marcus reached for her hand to help her down the last three steps. “I don’t know how it’s possible, but I think you get more beautiful every time I see you.”

Jada beamed. “You’re so sweet. Thank you.” She did a quick glance at his dark blue tailored suit with the small gray pinstripes, his gray shirt, and the designer tie. He looked every bit the banker. “You look pretty amazing yourself. Did you have to work today?”

“I did, but you know, I work pretty much every day.”

She remembered. The number of work hours he put in was probably the one thing she didn’t like about him. Cancelling a couple of dates with her because of work obligations didn’t go over well. She was all for a man making money, but she didn’t appreciate coming second to someone’s job.

“Shall we go?”

“I’m ready.” She slipped her arm through his bent arm, and he guided her to the door. “CJ, I’m gone. Don’t wait up.” She didn’t wait for a response, and they stepped out into the warm, fall night.

Two hours later, Jada sat across from Marcus sipping a glass of white wine, slouching in her seat. If he talked any more about bank stuff or how great he was on the golf course the day before she was going to throw a plate at him.

“Can I get the two of you anything else? Maybe dessert?” the server asked as she cleared away their dinner dishes.

“No, thanks. My dessert for the evening is sitting across from me,” Marcus said, flashing his beautiful smile. Too bad Jada wasn’t feeling him or his pretty white teeth. She couldn’t understand how a perfectly packaged man could be such a bore.

“Nothing for me, thank you,” Jada said sweetly.

Marcus caressed her hand, his touch more irritating than sensual. “Why don’t we go back to my penthouse for a nightcap … and dessert?”

She squeezed his hand before slipping hers from his grasp. Sitting back in her seat, she debated on how to play the next few minutes. She’d had dinner at his place a couple of times and loved being surrounded by such luxury. Before tonight, she thought Marcus was potential marriage material despite the twenty year age difference, but now, all she wanted to do was get away from him.

“You know what? Why don’t we call it a night? I’ve had a super long day and volunteering at the farm has worn me out.” Tonight she didn’t have to feign exhaustion. It had been a long day.

“Since when did you start volunteering anywhere, especially on a farm?” Marcus lifted the glass of Cognac to his lips and sipped. “Isn’t that a little beneath you? Especially since I remember you saying something about having an adverse reaction to dirt.”

Jada ignored the funky attitude behind his words. “Doing something to help those less fortunate is not beneath me. Granted I don’t like getting dirty, but I have to admit, it felt good to do something for someone else.” She thought about Zack and his reasons for volunteering on the farm. She wondered if she sounded as snobbish as Marcus did when she all but turned her nose up at the idea originally.

They left the restaurant and the more she talked about her time with Zack, the more she realized she actually had a good time.

“So what prompted you to volunteer?” Marcus merged onto I-275, which had more traffic than usual for that time of night. “I just can’t see you doing it willingly. With the wealth your family has, I’d think you’d just write a check.”

Did he really think that little of her? And her grandparents were wealthy. Heck, she barely had enough in her checking account to buy a sandwich. The conversation with Marcus tonight made her recognize just how little they knew about each other, but she could see how her usual attitude would warrant his questions.

“A friend of mine does a lot of volunteering and asked if I’d be interested in tagging along.”

He chuckled. “
You
have friends who do volunteer work? The way you talk, all you guys usually do is shop.”

Jada turned slightly in her seat. “If you think so little of me, why ask me out and send me gifts?”

Marcus shrugged. “Honestly?” He glanced at her and returned his attention back to the road. “You’re a beautiful woman. With the type of people I associate with, and the connections I’m trying to make, I need a woman who looks good on my arm. Besides, we’ve been having a good time or at least I have. I even figured after tonight that we’d take our relationship to the next level.”

“And what exactly is the next level?”

“Well, my plan was for us to have a nice dinner, and then hang out at my place. We’d listen to a little jazz, have a nightcap, and maybe see where the evening goes from there.” He smiled, and the twinkle in his eyes making it clear what else he had in mind.

The more time Jada spent with him, the more disinterested she became. They’d gone out maybe six or seven times and as far as she was concerned, she hadn’t thought too much about going to the next level. Yes, he was handsome, wealthy, and had amazing taste in jewelry, but outside of that – nothing. She felt absolutely nothing. There were no unique outings, no entertaining conversations, and no lustful thoughts, stirring in her gut.

Not like with Zack
.

Before today, that might’ve been okay, but spending only a few hours with Zack made her see how much she enjoyed good conversation with a man.

They pulled up to Jada’s place, and she couldn’t get away from Marcus fast enough. She just hated she had wasted so much time with him.

Marcus parked, and Jada stopped him before he opened his door.

“You know what? Why don’t we say goodnight here.” She touched his arm. “Thanks for dinner.” Not bothering to wait for a response, Jada hurried out of the car and didn’t look back as she made her way up the walkway to the house.

“Wow, you’re home early,” Christina said from the stairs when Jada walked in and closed the door. “What happen with Mr. Money Bags? By the looks of him, he seemed to fit your usual requirements: tall, dark, and perfect white teeth. And I see you arrived home hair intact and no mud on your face.”

“Ha, ha, ha, I see you have jokes.” Jada passed Christina on the stairs. They turned the corner and walked toward Jada’s room. “He fits some of my requirements, but he’s a little too self-centered for my taste.”

“Yeah, I guess two self-centered people aren’t a good match.” Sarcasm dripped from Christina’s words. “If he’s talking about himself all night, that means he didn’t give you a chance to talk about yourself.”

“Whatever.” Jada had to admit Christina was right. Normally guys wanted to hear all about her and talk about how good she looked. She had never thought much of it, but wondered if some of her dates felt like she did tonight.

“You didn’t tell me much about your date with Zack Anderson. Do you think you’ll go out with him again?”

“Ha! Not if I have to dig in dirt.”

“What made him think you’d be up to something like that? He had to know by looking at you that you don’t do much manual labor – except for at work. And even that’s questionable.”

Jada shot her cousin an evil glare. Even if she were telling the truth, Jada didn’t appreciate the dig. She stepped into the walk-in closet and slipped out of her dress, replacing the garment with a satin robe that stopped at her knees. Exiting the closet, she thought about the little white lie she’d told Zack while they’d danced, the white lie that had come back to bite her in the butt. “I might have led him to believe that I do volunteer work and enjoy the outdoors.”

Christina stared at her for a moment and then burst out laughing. “Why in the world would you say something like that? If it weren’t for your shopping addiction, you wouldn’t even go to work. And don’t get me started on how gramma has to practically beg you to help in her garden. Maybe I need to set Zack straight about you.”

“Nope. You stay away from him.”

“So are you planning to see him again?”

Jada zoned in on the small hamper holding her dirty clothes. Zack wasn’t the type of man she’d normally be attracted to, but she had to admit she’d enjoyed spending time with him. She typically gravitated to the CEOs, and wealthy entrepreneurs, but after dating Marcus, she now wondered if she could enjoy a rich life without passion.

Plopping down on the bed next to Christina, she said, “To answer your question, I’m not sure … but maybe.”

Chapter Seven

Zack embraced the tranquility surrounding him, as well as the beautiful woman in his arms. Peace settled in his soul, and he exhaled a long sigh, glad he was able to convince Jada to go out again.

She relaxed against him as they lounged on a blanket, staring out over the water. They had arrived at the nature preserve a half an hour before the sun rose, and Zack couldn’t ever remember experiencing such a peaceful moment with anyone before.