The Garden restaurant held one of Chicago’s most expensive upscale dining experiences. With its crafted rose bushes that decorated the walkway, to its handpicked seafood that arrived daily, fresh, and ready to be grilled. Claudia sauntered through the open entrance, scanning the fine drapery and luxurious surroundings with her dark brown eyes.
With her tresses freshly washed and conditioned, and her foundation bringing out the depth in her potent features, Claudia was feeling herself. Never mind the dress she wore was thin and framed to every curve she owned.
“Welcome to the Garden,” a hostess approached. “Can I help you to a seat, madam?”
“I’m with someone, Jaden Alexander Rose?”
The hostess’ eyes stretched in surprise. It was no doubt she knew who Jaden was, everyone in Chicago did. But before the hostess could respond, a flash of lights behind Claudia caught her attention along with everyone else’s. Turning toward the commotion revealed a black Lamborghini Huracan Coupe with chrome wheels. The sports car had barely spun to a stop before bulbs popped from nearby paparazzi that lie in wait for a celebrity appearance. The driver side door rose slowly, and Jaden stepped out, fastening a lone button on his suit jacket. Claudia watched in mesmerized adoration as he strolled toward her moving with methodical strides as the bulbs continued to flash. The jacket did nothing to hide his muscular physique, and Claudia’s eyes roamed from his Brioni shoes up his tailored suit to the robust column of his neck. Jaden’s smooth movements brought him through the open doors to stand firmly before Claudia, and he had no idea of the dangerous beat of her pulse upon his nearness.
“Mi Amor, I’m sorry for the tardiness. If it is your wish to leave, I’ll understand, but I hope like hell you stay.” His fathomless golden-brown eyes dug a hole into her, beckoning Claudia to succumb to his plea.
Claudia swallowed back the swelling in her throat and silently shook herself. “I just arrived, so you’re okay. Let’s find a seat.”
Jaden offered her a charming smile and spoke to the hostess. “We have reservations, Rose.”
“I have your reservations here, sir, if you’ll follow me.”
Claudia turned and Jaden placed his hand at the small of her back as they meandered through the restaurant. At their table, Jaden pulled her seat and allowed her to sit before claiming his chair.
“I apologize for the paparazzi.”
Claudia shrugged. “Comes with the territory, right?”
“Unfortunately.”
A waitress strutted forward handing them menus.
“Give us a minute,” Jaden said.
“Yes sir,” the waitress walked away.
Jaden’s gaze followed the outline of Claudia’s soft face. “Mi Amor, you’re absolutely beautiful tonight.” He reached out to touch her chin. “I can never keep my hands to myself around you.” He pulled his bottom lip between his teeth before releasing it. “I wonder why that is.”
The throbbing sex between Claudia’s thighs caused her to squeeze her legs tight. She would have to be careful with Jaden, or he would make her fall head over heels in love, and that would be a disaster.
“I’m not sure, Jaden, but when you find out, I’m intrigued to know the details.”
Jaden’s lips spread into a vibrant smile.
“Thanks for dinner. I wasn’t expecting the lovely bouquet of roses. They have my office smelling like a spring garden.”
Jaden rubbed his chin offering up a lazy grin. “I’ve been trying to come up with a way to ask you out. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not something I often do.”
Claudia’s brows rose. “No?”
“Afraid not.”
“Hmmm, why now?”
“I enjoy spending time with you, Claudia, and I hope you don’t mind if I bother you more often.”
She surely didn’t mind. Not one iota.
“I’m having fun with you also, Jaden, but you don’t have to showcase me to get into my bed. Neither do you have to send me roses to get my attention. We’ve already been there. Just call, I know this is not your thing.”
Jaden sat back in the seat, his vision never leaving Claudia. The intensity of his gaze usually warmed her from head to toe, but now it only ruffled her feathers.
“I think you have me mistaken, chérie. I’m not doing this to get you into bed at all.”
“No?”
“No.”
“Then why are you doing it?”
When he didn’t respond fast enough Claudia went on. “Did you not hope the evening would end with a night cap?”
“Not necessarily—”
“Do you not want to feel yourself thrusting into me like when we were in Puerto Rico? Have you not had thoughts about us and wanted to revisit the pleasure we both experienced with one another?”
Jaden was slow with his words when he spoke.
“That is not the purpose of this date.”
Claudia peered at him. Why else would he be engaging her if not to get back in her bed?
“You don’t have to lie to me, Jaden, its fine. Let’s just skip the ‘date’. Claudia said it like it was fictional. “And go straight to a hotel. I won’t feel slighted, I promise.”
Claudia rose to her feet and Jaden reached forward, his hand covering hers. “Please,” he said, “sit.”
They considered each other for a long drawn out moment before Claudia sat slowly in her seat.
“Is there a problem?” she asked.
Disconcerted, Jaden spoke. “Is that how you want things to be between us, Claudia?”
Claudia wouldn’t dare tell him her dreams of them together in a budding relationship; of them making love and having babies; of them as husband and wife. Silly thoughts like that permeated her mind daily, but they were only for her.
“What else is there?”
The waitress bounced back to their table, interrupting their awkward conversation.
“Are you ready to order?”
“Yes,” Claudia said. “I’ll have whatever he’s having.” She looked to him expectantly. But Jaden was still trying to figure her out.
“We’ll have your shrimp and parmesan steak entrée.”
“Anything to drink?”
“Water for me,” Claudia injected.
“Water for us both,” Jaden confirmed.
“Right away,” the waitress said.
“I apologize if I’ve come off as if all I want from you is sex. You need to know, what we had in Puerto Rico wasn’t just sex. The connection we share is eternal. It goes beyond something so fleeting as mindless sex. I want to know you, Claudia, in every way imaginable.”
Claudia was stomped. Although she heard his words, they rattled around her brain loosely, and she was having a hard time trying to understand his meaning. If the sudden squeeze of her brows was any indicator of this, he didn’t say. Instead, he let her mull it over.
Jaden was not a man to play tedious games. He’d been raised by a firm but loving father, and although he was young when his mother passed, whenever his father would reference his mother, Jaden could sense the love they shared. Never would he contemplate mistreating women. It would be an embarrassment to the Rose name and his integrity.
“I see,” Claudia said finally.
“Do you?”
She smiled coquettishly. “Yes, I think I’ve embarrassed myself.”
A chuckled left him. “Don’t be, it’s quite alright. With everything, I’m sure you’ve seen in the papers and on TV, it would be easy to comprehend your misunderstanding.”
Claudia breathed a sigh of relief. “So we’re still friends then?”
“For now.”
They watched each other, silently dissecting the conversation they had. Could it be possible, Claudia wondered, that he would be interested in a relationship? She shook the thoughts. That was the last thing she needed; to distract herself with thoughts of happily ever after. Those things don’t happen to women like her.
She would be good to win a ticket with a lucky lottery scratch off, let alone be in a relationship with one of the Rose men. Comfortable that she’d shed some light on that train of thought, Claudia could bunker down and ride this wave of situationship until the very end. She was sure when looking back, it would be a mark in her history books she would never forget. And from here on out, she wouldn’t ruin it by speaking too fast. She’d just let it play out.
Across the table, Jaden sat with his own thoughts. He was under the impression that his simple caresses and show of affection had given Claudia the notion he only wanted to be physical with her. Nothing could be further from the truth. Now he was making it his mission to show her otherwise. No matter how hard it would be to keep his hands to himself. It was true, Claudia was a sexy siren if he’d ever known one and he didn’t think she knew it.
But if it was one thing Jaden was raised well on, it was showing a woman her worth. Claudia Stevens would know it after he was done and she would never forget it. Jaden pondered on his reasons for pursuing Claudia so intensely. He still wasn’t sure. The attraction between them was compelling, and whenever she wasn’t around, he found himself daydreaming about her.
It was almost psychotic. He may have to have a conversation with his father about that later. Jaden wasn’t crazy nor did he have a need to be monogamous, but being around Claudia stirred his soul, and he needed to know why. Her silent behavior spoke as if she felt the same way, but her words went another direction. For now, Jaden would enjoy his time with Claudia and work out the kinks later. But first, he was set on showing her the time of her life. An idea came to mind, and a smile spread across his masculine face.
“Mmmm, what’s that smile all about, Mr. Rose?” Claudia asked.
“By chance, do you like to dance, Claudia?”