Anything For Your Love (15 page)

The grand ballroom was resplendent. There were at least five champagne fountains, seven bars, and several crudités and desert tables. There were random clusters of tables, a dance floor, and a roped off VIP section. Regular people were always allowed to purchase a select number of tickets and some were released for promotional purposes, so the VIP section really worked well for the A list stars that were in the house. Ami preferred to sit amongst her fans as much as possible. The music was jumping and it was obvious it was not a dinner party. Several of Hollywood’s power house people were in attendance and circulating.

“Now, this is a party!” Ty said to Chris, who shook his head in agreement. “Let’s get a drink. Do you guys want something?” He asked Ami and Alex.

“No, thanks,” Alex said.

“Me either,” Ami replied. “The night’s too young and I may need to find a date tonight.”

Ty rolled his eyes. “Come on, Chris. Let’s check this place out.” “Bet,” Chris said.
Moments later, Maddy, Sean, and David approached them.

“Hey, girl!” Maddy said to Ami as they exchanged light cheek kisses. “Your dress is fierce!”

Ami gave a feminine turn. “Thank you, thank you. Girl, and that suit on you is perfect!”

Maddy wore a cream colored tailored pantsuit with black, patent leather, and open toe high heeled sandals. She wore a black sequined bustier top and looked like a supermodel with that gorgeous hair flowing around her shoulders.

“Did Dad see you in that top?” Alex asked his sister with a smile.

“Please, Daddy would faint and I’m wearing a jacket. Anyway, Alex, I’m here to have a good time, and going to a party with Ami means dressing the part,” Maddy countered.

“That’s right, girl!” Ami chimed in as they slapped a high five and giggled.

Alex leaned over to Reed. “Keep an eye on both of them tonight, please?”

“You got it, Alex.” Reed smiled.

A waiter came by with a tray of champagne glasses. They each took one, except Reed who never drank while working with Ami. They all were laughing and talking to each other as Alex began to scan the room for Jada. The room was dark, but he was sure he would find her. Then, he did and his libido kicked up more than a few notches. He thought to himself that he had to remember to breathe.

Jada stood talking to another film producer who was telling her about an upcoming project. She wore a red satin bustier top with a sweet heart neck line. The back dipped low and exposed a perfect caramel colored well toned back. The front was detailed with sequins that caught the light as she breathed. Her skirt was a matching red satin, pencil skirt that snuggly hugged her hips and behind. It continued to be form fitting until it stopped just below her knee and showcased a dangerous split up the back. Her shoes were red satin, point toe, very high heeled sling backs that seemed to have the exact pattern as her top. Her hair was pulled high atop her head in a severe bun. Not one hair was out of place and her make up was perfection. Her body seemed to have a slight sparkle that caught the attention of quite a few men in the building. She looked every bit the part of the Hollywood executive.

Jada felt eyes on her back. She was used to men looking at her at those types of events, but something was very different about the feeling that washed over her
.
Ale
x
, She thought with a grin. She gave a slight turn in the direction of her suspicions, caught his eye, and slightly nodded in acknowledgment of him. She smiled a slow, seductive smile and slightly shifted her weight.

My God
!
Alex thought when Jada turned to look at him. He couldn’t breathe and felt the tightening in his chest. She was talking to two men, one of which seemed a little too familiar and he didn’t like it one bit. He had placed his hand briefly at her waist and Alex felt a pang of jealously. It was definitely a foreign emotion for him. He had become possessive over her and couldn’t imagine anyone else’s hands where his alone should be. He excused himself from his family and made his way toward her.

Jada knew he was coming, although her back was still toward him. Alex walked with purpose and confidence. He wore an expensive tailored black suit with a matching black dress shirt and tie. His black dress shoes were extravagant, yet, not flashy, with alligator trimming. He was a quiet force, but a force to be reckoned with, nonetheless. His hair was freshly cut and he was impeccable. She picked up his scent as if he were the only male in the room. She felt the now familiar tremors in her stomach as he approached.

“Jada,” Alex said low and husky, almost as a seduction in her ear.

“Alex,” She whispered just before she turned. Her smile made his heart jump and his libido kick into overdrive. He leaned down and placed a lingering kiss on her cheek as he gently and possessively pulled her body into his. He soaked in her scent and everything woman about her.

“James. Cord. This is Alexander Love, a good friend of mine. Ami Love’s cousin,” Jada introduced. Alex shook each man’s hand.

“Nice to meet you,” Alex said to James, yet, something in James’ smile didn’t reach his eyes. He was the one whose touch Alex didn’t like. Alex slipped his hand around Jada’s waist. “Jada, come dance with me,” He said, clearly focused on her and wanting to get her away from the hungry look in this man’s eyes.

She smiled. “Excuse me, gentlemen. It seems my dance card has received its first request.” Jada and Alex left the small group to head toward the dance floor. James was not happy at all. He had rearranged his entire schedule to get next to her in Philadelphia.

Alex led Jada to the dance floor to wher
e
The Closer I Get To Yo
u
by Roberta Flack was playing through hidden speakers around the room. He was unable to keep his eyes off of her and her scent was making him lose both focus and balance. He wrapped his hand around her waist and pulled her close before he started his gentle sway to the music.

Jada melted into Alex’s embrace. She loved not only the feel of him, but how safe she felt in his arms. She smiled at the fact that she could scarcely wrap her hand around his upper arm. She fell in step with his lead and everyone else in the room faded to black. That moment, right there, was perfect.

“You are breathtaking this evening, Jada,” He whispered, his velvet voice covering her like a blanket. “When can we leave?”

Jada’s head snapped up and she saw the amusement in his eyes. “I’m working here, sir. This is my business. You know, how I support myself.” She giggled.

“Yeah? James over there looks to be a little more interested in you than business.”

Jada glanced over to see James watching her dance with Alex. Intensity and determination shown unconsciously in his eyes. He suddenly seemed to realize she was looking at him. He smiled politely, turned, and resumed his conversation with Cord and a pretty young blonde. “James is just someone I work with. He is an excellent director, you know.”

Alex turned Jada in his dance to remove her from James’ line of vision. “Mmmm, hmmm. James needs to keep it professional then,” He said casually.

She smiled up at him. “Are you jealous, Alexander?”

Jeez, he hated when she called his name like that. It sent heat flooding to his groin. She was definitely making it hard for him not to drag her out of that ballroom and to the nearest hotel. Finding his voice and clearing his head from her web of seduction, he answered, “Not jealous, Jada. Every man in here can’t keep their eyes off of you. That doesn’t bother me at all as long as they just look and don’t touch. That particular gentleman, though, is different. I don’t like the look in his eyes. So, just a fair warning, if he touches you again like he did earlier, I’ll break his fingers.”

His voice was so calm and light that Jada actually chuckled at the statement. That was until she looked up again into his clear exotic eyes and all the former amusement was gone. He was serious. “I’m going to tell you like I told Ami. James is harmless.”

“Mmmm, hmmm,” He responded. Then, he smiled. “Enough about him. I need to focus on the most beautiful woman in the room.” His smile melted any uneasy feelings she had concerning him and James.

“Well, it seems my big brother wasted no time in his search and destroy mission,” Maddy said to Ami.

Ami turned toward the direction Maddy was looking. “Good. I was wondering how long it would take for him to find her. He was starting to get on my nerves.”

The fellas had scattered about the party and commenced to having a good time. Ami and Maddy were sitting at a small table talking with a few executives and actors. The party was in full swing.

Ty and Chris were at one of the many bars talking to two women. One was an architect and the other was police S.W.A.T. Ty was totally captivated by the semi-local architect. She and her friend were attending the party as guests of her friend’s brother whom was a film writer. The foursome had been briefly talking and laughing over drinks when Ty glanced around the room. He did a double take when he saw a woman standing near a bar, talking to a well built man. His grey eyes seemed to sparkle as he spoke to her and her smile was wicked.

Rhonda.

Ty’s demeanor suddenly changed as an uneasy feeling settled over him. Her being there could only mean one thing and that was big trouble. Chris immediately caught the change. “Ty, what is it?” Chris asked.
“Ladies, it was very nice meeting and talking with you, but we need to step away for a moment,” Ty addressed the two young ladies. “Chris, we need to talk.”

As they moved away, Ty discreetly pointed out Rhonda and her gentleman friend talking across the room. “Damn,” Chris said through gritted teeth. “This is not going to be pretty.”

“I know,” Ty agreed. “We have got to find Alex.”

Rhonda and Hawk had finally met face to face at a remotely located bar in the corner of the grand ballroom. Her smile was mirthless as she extended her manicured hand and said, “It’s nice to finally meet you, Hawk. You are a cutie.”

“You as well, beautiful lady,” Hawk replied, taking Rhonda’s offered hand and kissing the back. “You certainly are a vision.”

“Well, a girl has got to use what she has to get what she wants.” “Is that so?”
“In my world? Absolutely.”
Hawk grabbed two champagne flutes from a waiter passing by.

“So, is your man here tonight?”
“He most certainly is. We are meeting here. He came with his

family. He is definitely leaving with me, though. How about you? Are you here with someone?”

“No, but like you, I intend to leave with a very beautiful woman, but she doesn’t know it yet.”

Rhonda smiled again. “Looks like we have something in common. My man doesn’t know it yet, either.” Rhonda raised her glass and touched it to Hawk’s. “To new acquisitions before dawn.”

Hawk’s eyes glistened. “New acquisitions. I like that.”

Alex and Jada had made their way over to Ami and Maddy after dancing intimately for nearly thirty minutes. They were talking and laughing. He possessively held her hand, simply enjoying the warmth the simple gesture sent up his arm.

“Listen, guys. I need to go do what I do. This may be a party for you all, but I’m working,” Jada announced at the table. Alex moved to go with her, but caught the sight of Ty and Chris headed toward the table. Neither looked happy.

Jada was picking up her purse when the brothers arrived at the table. “Hey, guys,” Chris spoke first.

“Hey. What’s wrong?” Ami asked. Everyone looked at Ty and Chris.

“Uh, nothing much,” Ty said, trying to sound casual. “Alex, can we speak to you for a minute? Over here.”

Alex looked at his brothers and knew immediately they were very serious. He turned to Jada. “Don’t go far.”

Jada smiled sexily. “Don’t worry, Alex. It’s just work.”

Alex had planned to tell Jada he loved her that night. He couldn’t fight it any longer, nor did he want to. He needed her in every way. He turned and stepped away with Ty and Chris.

“Where are Sean and Dave?” Ty asked.

“I don’t know, around here somewhere. What’s going on?” Alex asked, becoming tense.

“Rhonda is here,” Chris cut to the chase.

“Stop playing.” Alex smiled and made a move to go back to the table.

“We are not playing!” Ty said, catching Alex’s arm. His tone was dead serious.

“She’s at the far end of the room. Last bar. Talking to some guy,” Chris said.

Alex turned in that direction. He didn’t see her, so he scanned the room in search of her. There! She was walking toward the table were Ami and Maddy were sitting. He caught Reed’s eye and gave him a something-is-going-down look. Reed got the message and took an inconspicuous step toward the table to be closer to Ami and Maddy. The three men headed back toward the table, reaching it the same time as Rhonda.

Rhonda slid into a seat next to Ami. Reed made a move to remove her, but Ami stopped him by placing a hand on his forearm.

“Oh, Ami. He’s sexy. Can I have him?” Rhonda purred, looking up at Reed.

“I’m sorry, Rhonda. Reed and I plan to be together a long time,” Ami retorted.

“Pity.” She turned her attention to Alex. “Alex, how are you?” “What do you want, Rhonda?” Alex asked, his eyes frigid.
“I’m here to have a good time, like everyone else. Anyway,