Chapter Twenty Two
The men left the lobby and made their way into the ballroom. Chandeliers, upscale furnishings, and beautiful bouquets stretched around the room as far as the eye could see. The who’s who of Chicago was in the building including but not limited to, the Mayor, the Governor, city council members, actors, singers, authors and more. Every woman in the building had turned their total focus to the seven gorgeous men; no doubt hoping to be on one of their arms by the end of the night. Some women didn’t even wait for an invite. They made their approach with confidence in their strides.
Jonas surveyed the room with a strong sense of awareness. There was a huge crowd at the event, but it didn’t stop his eyes from landing on her, standing farther across the room than he would’ve like. Jonas hid his surprise behind his focused observation as he willed her to meet his stare.
Samiyah was on her second Mai Tai. “How many of those are you going to drink,” Claudia asked her.
“I’m sorry, are you my chaperone because the last time I checked, I’m an adult.”
“Since the moment you signed those papers you’ve been drinking.”
“Excuse me, but it’s not like I didn’t drink before.”
“Yeah, but it was like twice a year.”
“If you must know, this has nothing to do with David and everything to do with my nerves.”
“It’s okay girl, it’s just one date. You’re not an escort, and look on the bright side? This event not only helps a worthy cause that you feel strongly about, but it also gave us the opportunity to network. I already have a few respectable clients lined up from this event. I’m sure you do, too.”
It was true. Samiyah’s beauty struck any man that saw her coming to the extent that they went along with whatever she was saying. Some who already had financial advisors offered to use her services insisting they could always use a second opinion. Samiyah wasn’t new to flattery, but it still tickled her how some men fawned over her. In Samiyah’s mind, she was as regular as regular could be. Samiyah turned her back to the bar and sighed bringing her Mai Tai to her lips. With a sudden change of energy in the room, her eyes shifted to the double door entrance.
Immediately a heated flare welled from her feet rising through her legs, then thighs, wrapping around her midsection glazing its way to the crown of her head. An audible sound left her mouth at the sight of Jonas Alexander Rose. His steely gaze ripped through her, and Samiyah felt her breathing becoming erratic. The Mai Tai in her hand was forgotten as she watched his long strides bring him across the room. Like the sexiest marching band she’d ever seen, all six of his brothers followed him in a glorious sync that couldn’t be broken. It seemed like a lifetime for him to get to her, with women stepping into their path and men looking to hold a conversation; neither coming close to halting his advances.
Samiyah didn’t know when she put her drink down but it was no longer in her hand. Once Jonas was closer, Samiyah got a good look at the gorgeousness that was all male, and his splendor oozed masculinity. The all-black tailored suit fit his well-built, powerful frame in the finest fashion.
Now standing in front of Samiyah, Jonas reached out and bent slightly placing a warm kiss on the back of her hand. “Mademoiselle, you are… sublime,” he said; his voice thick and sexy. “I had no idea you’d be at this event.”
It took Samiyah a second to remember she was mad at him but when it came to her, she quickly removed her hand. “My intentions were to tell you a few weeks ago, but you were occupied.” She said.
“We should talk.”
“Now is not the time to discuss it, don’t you think?”
His eyes gleamed and sat low never leaving hers. His lips were moist and screaming to taste the details of hers and every nerve ending in Samiyah’s body was on edge. It took sheer willpower to cut her eyes from Jonas to the rest of the men occupying their space.
Good evening Jaden,” Samiyah acknowledged. Jaden was the only brother she’d been formally introduced to.
“Hello beautiful,” Jaden answered receiving a stern glare from Jonas.
“Excuse me, where are my manners, Samiyah these are my brothers, Jonathon, Julian, Jordan, Josiah, Jacob, and you’ve already met Jaden. Fellas this is Samiyah Manhattan, Co-owner of S & M Financial Advisors and this is…”
“Claudia Stevens, my business partner,” Samiyah said finishing his sentence. There are two other employees here with us Selena Strauss and Octavia Davenport, but they’re backstage getting ready for the auction.”
The men greeted the women and Claudia knew she was in male model heaven. With the men surrounding them, Samiyah and Claudia were envied by every woman in attendance, even those already partnered with dates. Jonas couldn’t pull his eyes away from Samiyah. The all white evening gown she wore fit every curve that she held. The dress gave Samiyah a mermaid fit at the top that sprouted into a small flare at her ankles.
Pearl studs bejeweled her ears, and Samiyah’s hair sat up in the tightest bun on her head. It showcased her neckline that was covered with a white pearl necklace. There was no doubt that she was the most stunning woman in the building tonight and Jonas didn’t need to case the place to come to that conclusion.
A man stepped to the podium and cleared his throat. It was only then that Jonas looked away.
“May I have your attention, please. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen for attending this March of Dimes auction. I hope you brought your wallets because tonight we have a beautiful array of lovely ladies who are helping us raise money for this wonderful charity. So, without further ado, let’s get started.”
Applause rose around the room, and Jonas glanced back toward Samiyah, but she was gone.
Backstage Samiyah got her nerves together. Jonas had thrown her entire equilibrium off.
“Girl those men are built for the Gods, honey,” Claudia said. “When you stood up to leave I thought you would have to pull me kicking and screaming for a minute.” She gave Samiyah a serious look. “And Jaden…” she kissed the tip of her fingers and shook her head. “Girl, there are no words to describe him.”
“There are no words needed; I was there remember?”
Samiyah and Claudia stood behind three other women in a line that lingered through the dressing room. When one woman left the stage, another entered. Slowly but surely, they were making their way to the front. Amanda stood behind Claudia dressed down in a beige sequined evening gown that hung just to her knees. No doubt she was trying to impress Jonas. Her matching accessories sparkled, and she wore a dark red lipstick.
“Good luck, ladies,” Amanda spoke to Samiyah and Claudia. Samiyah dipped her head, “Same to you,” she responded out of courtesy.
“I’m sure I’ll have a pleasant evening; you ladies make sure you do the same. I hear there are six other brothers to choose from.”
Claudia felt a strange vibe coming from Amanda but decided not to explore it. Samiyah gave a phony smile. “So there is,” she said.
Now at the top of the line, the woman coming off the stage was squealing with delight having received the highest bid.
“Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, can you believe it!” She danced past the women all too happy to get to her date.
When the auctioneer called Samiyah’s name, she stepped from behind the curtain and glided gracefully to the center of the stage. The spotlight held on her illuminating everything she wore.
“We’ll start the bidding at thirty thousand dollars.”
Without hesitation men started bidding on her, more than Samiyah had anticipated. Her eyes scanned the room for Jonas but didn’t find him.
“Sixty-five thousand,” a man said.
“Seventy-five,” said another.
“Eighty-five,” came another.
“One hundred thousand.”
Samiyah followed the familiar voice, her eyes landing on Dr. Blake Sanchez.”
She couldn’t help but smirk. The doctor was just as insistent as someone else she knew, but at least if he won the bid she would be on a date with someone she recognized, and his money would go to a good cause. Another guy chimed in.
“One hundred and fifty thousand.” Came a voice from a prominent surgeon from an opposing hospital.
The boys went back and forth challenging each other until the bid had reached, Three hundred forty thousand dollars.
The surgeon bidding against Dr. Blake Sanchez paused and stole another look at Samiyah. She gave a fleeting smile, and the surgeon placed another bid.
“Four hundred thousand.”
All attention went back to Dr. Sanchez, and he didn’t bat an eye. “Five hundred thousand,” the doctor said setting his sights on Samiyah. He offered her a small smile. Sanchez knew the surgeon wouldn’t bid behind that.
“Five hundred thousand going once, twice…”
“One million dollars.”
The audience sharp gasps could be heard around the room as all in attendance were stunned by the enormous generosity of the bid. Samiyah, equally stunned covered a hand over her chest as everyone in the room turned to the voice that spoke out. Jonas stepped out of the darkness with purpose in his eyes that lured Samiyah in and took her breath away.
“One million dollars going once, twice…” The auctioneer dropped his gavel and yelled, “Sold!”
A thunderous round of applause drummed throughout the ballroom as Jonas made his way to the stage. Instead of waiting for her to join him, he went to claim Samiyah holding her in a spellbinding gaze as his stride brought him to her. Jonas was done holding back, and Samiyah would know for sure it was her that he wanted. When his fingers grazed her chin, Samiyah shivered, and Jonas never hesitated to bring his lips down on hers into a steamy, exotic kiss. Samiyah stood cemented where she was taking in every bit of his fiery passion. They never noticed the flashes from the cameras, and the whistles from the men, and frankly, they didn’t care.