Over the next few days, Claudia and Jaden had their hands full of each other. Literally, going from one tantalizing show to another. On the gondola ride at the Venetian Shoppes, Claudia had once again fallen asleep in Jaden’s arms. She’d seen ten minutes of the scenery before her eyes closed and she was off in dreamland.

When it was over, Jaden woke her with a smooth kiss to her lips. Claudia had never felt better. Minutes later, they made it to The Dream live show. Claudia was in awe of the talented actors. They’d put on a wistful presentation of choreography with fire and ice, high dives, and underwater tangos. That part specifically had drawn in Claudia’s attention, and she’d caught Jaden staring at her with a smirk and a wink.

“I know those hips of yours can tango like that,” he’d whispered in her ear. “I’ve seen first-hand so don’t you dare deny it.”

Claudia giggled to the moon and back and Jaden had sent nibbles down her earlobe and neck. He was driving her insane and every moment being with him was like living a dream.

Their days had been filled with so much sexual chemistry and fun, sometimes they forgot to eat. As they lay on the blanket stretched across the green grass at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, the stars shone brightly overhead. Claudia took up space in the place she’d come to love which was right on Jaden’s chest. Reaching over, she plucked a grape out of the bowl she’d packed for their picnic, and turned to lean into him, feeding Jaden the sweet treat. With pleasure, Jaden opened to receive the fruit.

“This could be my life,” he said.

“What, me feeding you grapes?”

“Yes ma’am,” he said.

Claudia snickered. “Mine, too.”

She rolled back to her back and sighed, knowing their time in Vegas had come to an end. Tomorrow morning, they were set to go back to the reality of Chicago, where her business, and family awaited. It wasn’t as if she didn’t want to get back to those things. She did, but there was always something that needed immediate attention, especially the benefit she was putting together.

“What’s on your mind, chérie?”

Claudia glanced at him then back to the starlit sky. “I went to the bank for a loan for my benefit I’m putting together.”

“Oh yeah, how’d that go?”

“They denied me.”

Jaden frowned. “What was their reason for denying you?”

“It seems I don’t have the assets to gain a substantial loan from them. However, they told me I could use my part of S&M financial advisory as collateral, but I would never do that. So, they told me I was on my own. It’s a real shame, too. There are so many caregivers in the city of Chicago alone that go without the resources they need.”

Claudia frowned. “I almost told the bank manager to kiss my ass.”

This brought on a heavy chortle from Jaden. Claudia looked at him. “I did.” She shrugged.

“Don’t worry about it, chérie, I’d be more than happy to help you out.”

Claudia’s eyes bugged, and she rose to her elbows. “How could you? You don’t even know how much I need to make this thing come to fruition.”

“Whatever it is, I’ve got you.”

“Why because I put it on you like this?” Claudia did a little wiggle with her hips.

Jaden rolled to the side and howled. Claudia laughed as she continued to shake her hips. Jaden’s laughter slowly subsided, and he threw his arms around her.

“That’s not the reason,” he said with humor still in his voice.

“Mmhmm, then what’s the reason?”

Jaden’s hold tightened. “Because you’re a beautiful person. Here…” he pointed to her heart. “Inside and out. I’ve watched you handle your business, care for your mother, help out others, all while neglecting yourself. Even now, this benefit you’re putting together is selfless. So I’m taking a page from your book. My selfless act, giving you the funds needed to secure the spot for your benefit and anything else. I also have a few clients to reach out to that wouldn’t mind donating. It would be my honor to help you, chérie. If you’ll allow it.”

“Under one condition,” she said giggling at the wry look on his face. “You’ll let me pay you back.”

“No.”

Claudia gasped. “What do you mean no? That’s the terms or all bets are off.”

Jaden held her with a pensive stare.

“What?” she said.

“You’re not paying me back, AND, you’re taking my money. Now hush woman. I’ll hear nothing else about it.”

“I don’t feel comfortable taking your money, Jaden.”

Jaden was almost at a loss for words. “I think that’s the first time I’ve heard that coming from a woman.”

Claudia snickered. “Well I’m sure I’m not the type of woman you’re accustomed to.”

That much was true, he thought.

“I can’t take your money. We’re friends, and friends pay each other back.”

“What if we were more than friends, then would you need to pay me back?”

Claudia peered at him her heart racing. “We’re not, so what’s the point in imagining?”

“Chérie,” Jaden gave her complete eye contact. “We are more than friends.”

Claudia’s gaze fell from his eyes to his moist lips and back up again.

“I’m making you my girlfriend. Now you can’t give the money back.”

Claudia gasped a sultry laughing escaping her. “Excuse me,” she feigned offense. “You can’t just make me your girlfriend. You have to ask, and besides, who says I’m not seeing someone already?”

Jaden’s jaw clenched, and his pupils darkened. Surely, she wouldn’t be in a relationship with someone the way they’d made love the last few days. Images of Claudia with someone else attacked Jaden’s mind and steam poured from his ears. Claudia watched him intently, and if she didn’t know any better, she would’ve sworn she’d seen him transform right in front of her eyes.

“Baby…”

“Are you seeing anyone, Claudia?”

A few seconds ticked by. “I have other male friends, but no, I’m not seeing anyone exclusively.”

“We’ll you are now, and we’ll make sure to get rid of those friends.”

Claudia’s eyes widened, at the same time her heart soared. Before she could respond Jaden spoke again. “Will you be my girlfriend, Claudia?”

Claudia folded her arms regardless of the fact she was secretly in love with him. She needed to put up a tough front. If there was anything she learned growing up in Chicago, it was not to give in too quickly.

“You look like you want to put up a fight,” Jaden said. “Maybe I should rephrase my words. Would you be interested in being in a relationship with me, chérie?”

Claudia’s heart warmed, and she forced herself not to shout hell yeah. Instead, she thought about her life and still considered herself a nobody when compared to the women he’d dated before.

“Are you serious?”

“Of course, I am.” He pulled her closer. “I want to be with you. Tell me you want to be with me, too.”

Claudia was apprehensive. Things like this didn’t happen to her. She wasn’t the girl that got the guy at the end of the day. She held back from pinching herself to save herself the embarrassment.

Her unresponsiveness twisted Jaden’s gut. “There’s someone else, isn’t there?”

“No,” she quickly spoke up. “It’s not that.”

“Then what is it?”

A smile crossed her lips, “Nothing,” she dipped her head low then looked back into his eyes. “I’d love to be your,” she paused, “girlfriend, Jaden.”

His eyes twinkled, and a smile laced with mischief graced his masculine face. “You know what that means, don’t you?”

“No, what?”

“We have to celebrate.” He drew her in. His gruff voice whispered, “All… night… long…”

 

When Jaden and Claudia made it back to Chicago, Claudia had him drop her off at S&M Financial Advisory.

“Can I bother you for lunch?” he asked.

“Of course.”

Jaden leaned in for a kiss and Claudia met him halfway.

“Your lips are always a delicious treat for me,” he said.

Claudia blushed. “That’s good to know,” she winked.

His cell phone buzzed, and they both glanced down to the middle console where it sat. Cassie’s face covered the screen, and Jaden silenced the phone.

“Do you need to get that?”

“It’s not important.”

“Okay, I’ll see you at one, then.”

Jaden exited his vehicle, and Claudia watched his long strides carry him around to the passenger door. Upon opening, he held out his hand, and she delightfully took it. “I’ll see you at one, chérie.”

He left a kiss on her cheek and waited until she disappeared inside the building before reclaiming his seat and pulling away.

Claudia was on cloud nine. She pretty much skipped her way inside the building. The way she was feeling, Claudia could’ve taken the stairs two at a time. But she waited patiently with a smile on her face for the elevator doors to open.

It was nine a.m., and Claudia had gotten a little nap on their flight from Vegas to Chicago. When the doors opened, she stepped in.

“Hold the doors, please!”

Octavia ran down the hallway and glided into the elevator just as the doors shut. “Right on time,” Claudia said.

Octavia blew out a breath. “Barely. It seemed as if it was one thing after another this morning.”

“What happened?”

“For starters, my toilet clogged and it wasn’t something I could fix with a simple plunger. I had to call a plumber. What’s worst is, you know that early morning pee is a must, girl I had to run to my neighbor’s house. You should’ve seen the way she scowled at me when I asked to use her bathroom. Like I’d woke her up… standing there with rollers in her head and a crooked nightgown. Maybe if she got a job like regular folks, she wouldn’t be so bothered with getting up so early.”

Claudia laughed.

“I’m standing there bouncing up and down. Damn near had piss running down my leg.”

“Oh my God! That’s too much information!”

“Well,” Octavia said shrugging, “It might be, but I had to give you that tidbit so you could feel my whole story.”

The elevator doors dinged and parted. The ladies strutted into the office building headed straight for the café machine.

“That ain’t even the half of it; then my car didn’t start,” Octavia shook her head. “I had to take an Uber to work. That’s why I’m running through the doors late.”

“Hey, I know something about that,” Claudia added. “My car is in the shop right now, but I need to go pick it up. Should be fixed by now, but the mechanic hasn’t called.”

“Maybe someone could call if you’d had your phone on,” came a voice behind Claudia.

A smile fell across her face as she turned to Samiyah.

“But I’m not mad at you though, we all can’t be out falling in love like somebody I know.”

Claudia tossed her head back and laughed. “Maybe that’s because you’ve already done that.”

Samiyah pursed her lips with hands on her hips. “Okay, you got me there.”

“Un huh, I know I do!”

The girls laughed.

“So that’s where you’ve been,” Octavia swooned.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Claudia sipped her café.

“Right, I don’t know why you insist on keeping your adventures with prince charming to yourself.”

Claudia smirked. “Some things a girl must hold on to.”

Samiyah was shaking her head. “Don’t even think about it.”

“What?”

“You know what, spill it!”