Claudia Stevens rose to her feet and tapped the sterling silverware against the champagne flute. “Can I have everyone’s attention please?”

In a room filled with curious stares and elated smiles, Claudia gathered the courage to speak from her heart. She turned slightly to her right and offered a grin to her best friend and business partner, Samiyah Manhattan and her dazzling groom, Jonas Alexander Rose.

“I’d like to make a toast to the bride and groom.”

Hands holding champagne flutes went up in the air.

“Samiyah, you deserve everything life has to offer you especially the man of your dreams.” Samiyah’s beam grew across her face. “With him, I do believe you two will have your happily ever after and most likely a football field of children.”

Snickers went throughout the room, and someone said, “You can say that again!” More laughter trickled about as everyone turned to Christopher Lee Rose, father of the groom.

“I love you girl; may the joys of your heart remain everlasting.”

“Here! Here!” Someone yelled.

“I’m not done,” Claudia said lifting a finger. More snickers. “To my new best friend, Jonas, thank you for showing my girl what true love is. Continue that tradition… or I’m coming for you.” More laughter danced about, and Claudia was happy for the interruption. It gave her time to concentrate her next words to the happy couple without focusing on the ripple of heat that flowed across the room in waves. Claudia shifted her weight; her short bob style hair swaying just below her ears. With controlled purpose, Claudia coached herself into not meeting the gaze of the six-foot two-inch specimen that had haunted her dreams every night for the last six months. Feeling ruffled, Claudia took her fingers through her straight mane and quickly down her neck.

“You have nothing to fear,” Jonas replied to her as more snickers sounded throughout the room.

“I’m just checking,” Claudia responded. “I wish you both prosperity, peace, and love in all of your endeavors. Congratulations! You two are truly meant for each other.”

Glasses clinked, and everyone sipped their champagne. Unable to help herself, Claudia stole a glance in his direction and was caught up in the undertow of his dark stare. Her belly flipped, and she watched as his tongue snaked out of his mouth and slid across his divine lips. Heat suffused her cheeks, neck, and breasts causing her nipples to grow hard instantaneously. His gaze was unwavering and potent; making no mistake of his intentions to seduce her from across the expensively decorated room.

Claudia lifted the flute to her lips and took down the rest of the sweet bubbly liquid. She turned and fled her seat making sure to grab another flute off the tray of a nearby server on her way outside the extravagant tent that had been set up for the wedding party. Stepping into the sand, Claudia reached down, quickly removing the five-inch Christian Louboutins that adorned her feet.

The mild wind that ran across her shoulders was a sweet relief on the warmth of her skin. He always did that to her. Jaden Alexander Rose had been a distraction ever since she’d met him. Of course, upon meeting Jaden months ago, Claudia welcomed that interference. She was over the same type of men. The ones that pretended to be interested but just wanted sexual favors. The men who were attentive but had a wife and kids at home. The kind who simply didn’t know how to treat a woman right. Her life had been riddled with those types and Claudia longed for someone to call her own and vice versa. However, that someone hadn’t come along until she met Jaden Alexander Rose.

They were both attending the March of Dimes gala event, and Claudia was being auctioned off for a date in exchange for a hefty donation. She wasn’t alone. Samiyah, and their co-workers Selena Strauss and Octavia Davenport were also a part of the event when seven of the sexiest men, elite in stature, strolled in their direction. Claudia had almost choked on her alcoholic beverage. When the seven gentleman surrounded her and Samiyah, Claudia’s eyes never left Jaden. As ridiculously gorgeous as the men were, Jaden stuck out like a sore thumb with his broad shoulders, golden brown eyes, goatee and fresh white smile. His hair was cut and cropped to the shape of his face. Samiyah introduced her to Jonas and Jonas in return introduced Claudia to his brothers. Claudia’s hearing had eluded her after he said Jaden’s name. Besides being his brother, Jaden was also Jonas’s business partner at Rose Bank and Trust Credit Union.

Jaden, being at the top of his game, was named on Forbes 30 under 30 finance list as one of the youngest traders, bankers, and dealmakers. Currently running his own $730 million-dollar hedge fund at Rose Bank and Trust Credit Union, Jaden traded oil after the devastation of hurricane Gustav and Ike. His accolades didn’t end there. The list went on and on, and Jaden continued to be one of Chicago’s most notorious movers and shakers.

With Jaden being so influential and always turning heads whenever he was around, Claudia only mused over a possible relationship with him in her own head. She would never elude to this out loud because the possibility of a man like Jaden being with an ‘around the way girl’ like Claudia seemed unrealistic if spoken.

Claudia grew up in the hood of Chicago, attended public schools and took out financial aid for college tuition. Her father disappeared when she was twelve-years-old, leaving her mother, Adeline Stevens to raise Claudia and her older sister, Desiree. Their household was as unstable as Hurricane Ike. Claudia quickly got into trouble after her father’s departure; skipping classes to smoke marijuana behind the stands by the racetrack.

Claudia and Desiree were two peas in a pod until Claudia’s behavior became reckless, landing them both in juvenile for forgery. Claudia had asked Desiree to sign their mother’s signature on what was supposed to be a Jr High school progress report. But in turn, it was an application for a small loan at a local mom and pops bank. The incident caused a rift in the sister’s relationship, and Desiree had been skeptical of Claudia’s motives since then. Never mind that the incident occurred over a decade ago. Since that time, Claudia provided everything their mother required over the last five years since she needed full-time care after her stroke.

Claudia’s toes sank into the brown grains of sand as she placed one foot in front of the other with her shoes clutched in her palms. Claudia and Jaden had flirted countless times and had intense and sensual conversations. She’d even met his father, brothers, and sisters, but that seemed to be the gist of it. Where it appeared they were easily connected, Jaden had taken multiple business trips without as much as a phone call. And in Claudia’s mind, Jaden had more important things to do and could have any woman at his disposal. For this reason, she rationalized that the chemistry between she and Jaden was all primal and silly thoughts of being in love with him was absurd.

So unfortunately for Claudia, she would have to keep an eye out for her mister right no matter how bad she didn’t want to look past Jaden.

A soft wind fell over her, and Claudia’s hair lifted in its current. She stopped walking to take in the sights of the midnight waves rushing the shoreline. The cool water crowded her feet; washing up to her ankles. Claudia threw her arms around herself and closed her eyes, inhaling the ocean’s natural sea salt scent.

“If this was your attempt to hide from me, you’re not doing a very good job at it.”

A rush of warmth covered Claudia. Chills caused the fine hair on her mocha chocolate skin to rise. Her dark brown eyes opened, and her breath was caught in her throat. Trying with desperation to regain her sense of control, Claudia couldn’t help but be taken by the dark beat in his tone.

She turned slowly; the wind pulling her tresses away from her slanted eyes. “Why would I need to hide from you?” Claudia’s eyebrows rose.

“The jury is still out on that, but I’m going to find out. So, tell me, Claudia,” her name sounded like silk on his tongue, “what brings you out to the shore alone after giving such a humorous toast?”

Claudia smirked. “Humorous? You find me funny, Mr. Rose?”

Jaden tisked, “Now you’re deflecting.” Claudia blushed but kept her comments to herself.

“You didn’t think I’d notice,” he asked.

“I’m not. I just asked a question. But since you’re bent on my answering yours, I’ll be honest with you,” Claudia said. “I needed to get some fresh air. This seemed to be the best place for it.”

A mischievous smiled scurried across his features, and Jaden took in a deep breath, moving a step closer to her. “Is that all?”

His voice rumbled, and now her skin felt like scales as the chills deepened on her flesh. Claudia’s hands absentmindedly rubbed her shoulders.

Mistaking her shivers for coolness, Jaden removed the expensive casual shirt he’d changed into after the ceremony and covered her so quickly Claudia didn’t have a chance to refuse him. The masculine scent of his body glazed her in a layer of perpetual allure.

Jaden moved to cover her further with his strong arms embracing her snugly; her face now resting against his bare chest. Claudia’s breathing became abnormal. At least to her. Being in such close proximity to Jaden was causing her body to run haywire; every nerve, ready and able to jump off a cliff. It wasn’t beneath Claudia to turn her nose into the crook of his neck, so she did; resting her lips against his bobbing apple.

Although they’d had many conversations in the past, this is the closest the two had physically come in contact with each other. For heaven’s sake, Claudia wasn’t aloof to his seductive charm, but she’d kept her distance in hopes that she wouldn’t make a fool of herself when her body betrayed her and pounced on him. Yet, here he was with his arms around her, cuddling her so close that if he decided to take her here and now she would give herself up to him.

As if he’d read her thoughts, Jaden pulled back, his face hovering above hers. His eyes roamed across her appearance, taken in slanted eyes, full pouty lips, tipped nose and soft smooth skin. Claudia held her breath even though she didn’t think herself worthy of him; she would let this moment linger and go wherever he wanted it to.

“You have the most beautiful eyes Claudia, and I’ve spent many nights dreaming of your lips.” Inch by inch he moved his face closer to hers. “It’s been hell trying to be a gentleman around you.”

“Why?”

“There’s this thing that happens when we inhabit the same space. I’d like to hope that you’re aware since you tend to disappear soon after.”

Claudia was stuck in his gaze, dark and penetrating; his lips mere inches from hers. So what was she waiting on? Why hadn’t she lunged like she’d imagined herself doing so many times before? Suddenly, Claudia moved; but it wasn’t the foreseen movement she’d imagined it to be. Slowly, she wiggled out of his embrace, her eyes downcast. She took a hand over the back of her neck then cranked her face up to meet his questionable stare.

“Did I say something wrong?”

There was a moment of silence. “No, of course not.” She reached to squeeze her neck again then smoothed her hands down his shirt to her waist. Jaden reached out lifting her chin with his finger.

“Tell me what’s wrong.”

The silence grew around them again. Jaden took a step towards her, and Claudia took a step back.

Jaden lifted his hands in surrender. “I don’t mean any harm, baby girl.”

Claudia turned her back to him and rolled her eyes. She was being ridiculous, all because her insecurities were hitting her hard. Claudia had no business being with a man like Jaden Rose even if they were based solely on carnal feelings. Claudia felt him move closer, now standing to the side of her back.

“Would it help if I kept my hands to myself,” he asked.

No, Claudia thought. It would be better if you’d have your way with me. A smile tugged at her lips. “You’re fine,” she said finally. “I’m all inside my head. I think this wedding is doing something to me.”

“I’m glad I’m not the only one.”

Claudia’s smile grew.

“Would I be intruding to ask you about those thoughts?” Jaden proposed.

“Yes, you would be.”

“I hope you don’t mind too much if I ask anyway.”

Quiet laughter left her. “Very funny, Mr. Rose.” Claudia ran an eye over the length of him. “Why do you care what my thoughts are?”

“I don’t know,” Jaden considered. “Must be that thing I spoke of earlier. When I’m around you, I want to know everything.”

“What about when you’re not around me?”

Jaden reached out to cup her chin. His thumb circled her lips, his eyes blazing into hers.

Laughter from afar pulled Claudia’s attention. The wedding party was on full blast, and it was an opportune time for Claudia to flee. She grabbed for his hand pulling it from her face, their fingers threaded and Jaden squeezed.

“Maybe we should get back to the party. You are the best man and I the maid of honor; we should be in attendance.”

“The wedding is over; no one needs us.”

“You can’t be sure of that,” Claudia responded.

She side stepped him. Before walking away, she removed his shirt and handed it back to him managing to get another glimpse of his washboard abs and broad shoulders before completely sauntering off. Her steps had taken her three strides when he called out.

“Claudia.”

Her footsteps slowed, and she cast a glance over her shoulder.

“You can run, but you can’t hide.”