“You know it’s true,” Adeline said to Claudia.
“Ma, if he wasn’t the guy, then what? You would’ve embarrassed me.”
“But he is the guy, isn’t he?”
A small smile surfaced and Claudia shook her head. “Yes, ma,” Claudia gazed back at him, “he is the guy.”
Jaden was still stuck on the words Claudia had used. What if he wasn’t the guy? Who else is there? Jaden made a mental note to ask her this later. He was suddenly feeling possessive and the thought of Claudia spending time with another man didn’t sit well with him.
Adeline glanced back to Claudia. “How did you get me off the floor? I know I weigh a ton.”
“You most certainly do not,” Jaden spoke up.
Adeline arched an inquisitive brow. “And you would know this because?”
“He’s the one that got you to the hospital, ma. We’d still be in the bathroom waiting for an ambulance if I had to bring you myself.”
Adeline’s eyes roamed over Jaden’s muscular physique. The white t-shirt and blue denim jeans he wore sat comfortably against his toned waist. Claudia watched as her mom’s eyes rode up and down him again before her cheeks reddened.
“Mom,” she whispered.
“What?”
“You’re staring.”
“Well excuse me, but it’s not every day an old lady like me gets swept up in arms like those.”
Claudia was horrified, and her eyes popped as her mouth dropped. Jaden chuckled.
“If I need to pass out more often to be in those arms again I just might.” Adeline fell against her sheets pretending to fall out. Jaden’s chuckle turned into an all-out roar, and Claudia gasped covering her mouth. She couldn’t help it though. After several seconds of her mother continuing to lay there, Claudia found her laughter. She shook her head.
“Oh my goodness, I can’t even believe you right now.”
Adeline opened an eye at them then closed it as if they hadn’t seen her. Jaden moved to the other side of Adeline’s hospital bed and circled his manly arms around her. A smile surfaced on Adeline’s face, and she opened an eye again to peek over at Claudia sticking her tongue out. Claudia continued to laugh, and Jaden was happy that Claudia was back to her calm self.
“They’re keeping you overnight, Ma,” Claudia said, getting serious.
“I know.”
Jaden rose from his position.
“I keep telling them I’m fine. So I knocked myself out, big deal! I have a hard head. I’m okay.”
Claudia reached to rub Adeline’s forehead. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there. I will be next time.”
“Is he going to be there, too?”
“Mama, Jaden has a business to run. He can’t be around as much as you’d like.”
“I can adjust my schedule,” Jaden offered.
Claudia stared at him in shocked silence.
“See,” Adeline said. “He can adjust his schedule.” Adeline perked up even more.
Claudia didn’t know how to feel about what was happening. Was this getting out of hand? What should she make of this?
“Are you hungry, Ms. Stevens?”
“I could use a good meal, why, are you buying?”
“Yes, ma’am, I am.”
“As long as it’s not this hospital food because you know there’s no real chef in the kitchen.”
Jaden chuckled. “What would you like?”
“I’m fine with something from a burger joint.”
“Mama, maybe we should wait until the doctors tell us what your diet should be.”
Adeline reared back with a dismayed expression. “Diet!” She screeched. “I’m not on a diet, low salt, okay? That’s about it. Now, don’t start Claudia. You’re messing up my dinner, and this handsome fella hasn’t even gotten it for me yet.”
“Low salt, anything else, Ms. Stevens?”
Adeline smiled. “Na’ll that’ll be all. Thanks.”
“You’re most welcome.” Jaden turned his gaze to Claudia. “And you chérie, what would you like?”
“Cherie? Her name is Claudia. Now I don’t know what you—”
“Mom!” Claudia almost died. “Chérie is French for sweetheart,” she whispered sharply.
Adeline gasped and folded her arms. “Oooh, that’s so nice. I’m sorry, I don’t’ know anything about French. I thought you forgot my baby’s name.”
Claudia groaned. She could’ve slid to the floor and hid up under the bed. Jaden couldn’t stop laughing, “It’s quite alright. Trust me, I understand, but I could never forget Claudia’s name. She’s not one to easily be forgotten.”
His smooth tone sent an undulation of heat through Claudia’s nervous system. With their gazes locked, Jaden spoke to Claudia. “What would you like to eat, chérie?”
“I’ll take anything you bring back.”
“I’ll return shortly then.” Jaden circled the bed and pulled Claudia into an embrace placing a soft kiss against her temple. He released her and left the room.
Adeline looked to her daughter. “That is one fine ass man.” Adeline shook her head slowly. “His daddy still alive?”
Three hours later
Desiree rushed through the double doors of Mercy Hospital and Medical Center emergency room and ran to the front desk.
“I’m looking for my mother, Adeline Stevens. She was rushed here unconscious.”
Desiree’s nails raked across the desk as she waited impatiently for the nurse to look up the information. Frantic Desiree yelled, “Could you hurry it up!”
The clerk’s eyes shot up bewildered. “She’s in room 2107. It’s through these doors, down the hall to the very end, then to the right.”
Desiree shot down the hall, moving past other doctors and nurses coming out of patient’s rooms.
“Ma’am you can’t run down this hall!” A nurse yelled, but Desiree ignored her and continued her race to 2107. She was almost out of breath when she stumbled upon the room. Entering quickly, Desiree came to a sudden halt at what was before her. Her mother, Adeline, sat perched on the hospital bed with two men; each one on each side giving them goofy grins.
Desiree couldn’t get her argument out quick enough when her eyes drifted to their God given form. Both men were dressed casually in jeans and a t-shirt, but the tone in their muscular arms, flat abs, and firm thighs said they were regulars at the gym. Besides that, she’d never seen men so flawlessly beautiful. Creamy smooth skin, one dark brown the other light brown like the sun had barely kissed his skin. Desiree was thinking of ways she could kiss his skin, and her body traitorously yearned for the one on the left. “Jesus,” she whispered.
Adeline glanced up with a fork halfway to her mouth.
“Hey baby, come in!” Adeline lit up. The two men looked to Desiree and Desiree knew that God had no doubt created them to perfection. Damn.
“Hello,” the one on the right said. “I’m Jaden, this is my brother, Julian.”
Julian fixed Desiree with a devastatingly handsome gaze and rose to his feet. “Greetings, would you like to sit here next to your mom?”
His voice ricocheted off her ear drums causing the beat in her heart to surge. Desiree went to respond when the bathroom door opened and out walked Claudia. The sisters came face to face for the first time in six months.
“Desiree,” Claudia said with an air of surprise in her voice.
“Claudia,” Desiree retorted. “You seemed surprised. You did remember I was coming, didn’t you?”
Claudia closed the bathroom door. “How could I forget?”
Three pairs of eyes were on them as they both held back what was on their minds in front of their mother. Jaden noticed the change of emotion that ran across Claudia’s face and the substantial need to hold her tugged at his spirit.
“Come over and give your mother a hug or are you going to stand there staring at your sister,” Adeline spoke to Desiree.
Desiree strutted over to her mom passing Julian on her way. She glanced at him and
couldn’t help but get a sniff of his all male scent. Her belly rumbled, and Desiree wasn’t in need of food. Thrown off her game, she turned from him and threw her arms around Adeline.
“Hey, mama.” Desiree caressed the side of Adeline’s face. “How are you, I was so worried when Claudia told me you were unconscious.”
“Yeah, just a slip and fall. But my handsome hero over here came to my rescue, so I’m fine now.” Adeline shrugged like it was nothing.
Desiree’s brow raised. “Your handsome hero?”
“Yeah, Jaden,” Adeline pointed to him and Jaden smirked waving a hand in Desiree’s direction.
“And would you know, he has a brother. Multiple brothers.”
Desiree took her gaze back to Julian who was still standing idly beside her. “So he does,” Desiree said. She took a hand down her hair, self-consciously checking her appearance. “I guess these are Claudia’s friends.”
“They’re my friends now. I mean… too, they’re my friends, too,” Adeline corrected. Julian and Jaden held amused smiles.
“Maybe you could get to know Julian better. Claudia’s already got dibs on Jaden.”
“Mama!” Claudia blushed mortified. Could her mother be more embarrassing? “I don’t have dibs on anyone. Oh my God.” Claudia tried to wipe the humiliation from her face. “We’re going to step out for a minute.” Claudia pivoted on her heels clutching Jaden’s hand in hers.
“I should probably step out, too,” Julian reached over and shook Adeline’s hand. “It was nice to meet you, mom.” He turned his attention to Desiree. “It was nice to meet you, albeit briefly.”
Julian’s thick brows strong nose and moist lips sent Desiree’s nerves into a frenzy.
“Maybe one day we can become more acquainted.” Julian finished.
“Maybe,” Desiree heard herself saying.
Julian offered her a charismatic grin that budded her areolas.
“I’ll hold you to it.” Julian winked and strolled to the door. Desiree and Adeline looked after him. His strut was confident and strong; looked like he had a nice ass too. Desiree had a brief picture of him thrusting inside her, and she gasped and shut her eyes.
“Honey, I need to meet Christopher,” Adeline said.
“Who’s Christopher? Another brother?”
“No, their father, chile.”
Desiree shook her head. “Mama!”
“What? Shoot, I asked Jaden about him, and he says Christopher is single. Has been for years since their mother’s passing. It’s a touching story, and I’d be willing to touch Christopher all the way through a retelling of it.”
“Mama!”
“What!”
“That is just a little too far! I am your child.”
“And how do you think you got here child?”
Desiree scoffed. “Jesus! What will I do with you?”
“You’ll love me until you can’t no more and get yourself hooked up with that fine man. They own their own businesses. You better snatch that other one up before he’s off the market.”
“That’s not how love works, mama.”
“Shit, you’ll learn to love each other later.”
Desiree giggled and shook my head. “Here I am thinking you’ve got one foot in the dream world and one foot in the real world and you up in the hospital gawking after gorgeous men.”
Adeline wiggled her eyebrows. “It’s fantastic, right? I told Jaden I should pass out more often.”
Desiree pursed her lips and sauntered off.
“Um excuse me, ma’am, where are you going,” Adeline asked.
“To talk to your daughter.”
“You mean your sister.”
“Yeah, that one.”
“Hey,” Adeline said.
“Give her a break; she’s been doing a good job taking care of me.”
“Yeah, looks like she’s been doing a fantastic job,” Desiree said as she strolled through the door in search of Claudia.
Chapter Twelve
Desiree found Claudia outside against a Jeep Cherokee. “Can I speak to my sister for a minute, please?” Desiree’s tone was curt and straight to the point.
Jaden removed his arms. “Julian’s getting ready to head overseas for another photo shoot. I’m going to the airport to see him off. Tell me what you need so I can get it for you.”
“I don’t need anything, and you don’t have to come back, Jaden. You’ve done enough. It’s late, you should head home and get some R & R.”
“How about, you let me worry about R & R. It’s you that’s my concern right now.”
Claudia smiled. “Text me first.”
Jaden leaned in laying an ultrasensitive kiss on Claudia’s face, he turned to Desiree and inclined his head. “Have a good night.”
Desiree didn’t respond; instead, she twisted her lips at Claudia.
“What the actual hell, Claudia.”
“Can you wait until he’s out of earshot before you jump down my throat please?”
Desiree inhaled and exhaled deeply, and they moved away watching the men crawl into the Jeep. Jaden and Julian waved, smiled, and winked at the women before pulling out of the parking lot.
“So this is what you’ve been up to,” Desiree said flatly.
Claudia inhaled a deep breath. “Listen, Jaden and I are just friends. Nothing more.”
Desiree smirked. “Does he know that?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Come on Claudia, Jaden is all over you. I’ve been here all of thirty minutes and I can tell he has the hots for you.” Desiree twisted her lips at the puzzled look on Claudia’s face. “You’re trying to tell me you honestly don’t know?”
“I know he likes me, but I like him, too.”
Desiree scrutinized her sister carefully. “Like, huh?”
Claudia folded her arms.
“Look, I don’t want to jump down your throat all the time. But you’re my kid sister, and I feel like you don’t take life seriously sometimes. It’s time to grow up Claudia. You’re taking care of our mother. Now when do you plan to get your head on straight?”
Claudia’s head fell back, and she shut her eyes tight then reopened them and glared at her sister. “You’re a liar and a hypocrite.”
Desiree was insulted. Her eyes rising in surprise.
“Yes, I said it. Every chance you get to criticize me, you do. I never hear you say, thank you, Claudia for stepping up to take care of our mother. Or, you don’t ever call to check on my well-being, see how I’m handling doing all of this alone. I mean for God’s sake, Desiree. I co-own a business. I’m trying to plan a fundraiser, and yes, I am lonely. All the time. I would love to have a man like Jaden! But I’m not stupid. I know Jaden could never be with a girl like me. His reputation would probably be ruined! But I can enjoy the time I spend with him, can’t I? I can pretend to have some sort of life! Oh no, but as soon as I go and do that something happens, or nothing happens, and I still get criticized!”
Claudia wiped the tears that threatened to fall. “Shit,” she groaned. “I don’t need this from you, Desiree, since you think you’re so perfect. Why don’t you do it yourself?”
“I never said I was perfect,” Desiree retorted.
“Yeah, you don’t have to. Just continue shaming me for everything I don’t get right.” Claudia moved past Desiree marching into the hospital.
“We’re not done!”
“I am!”
“Claudia, let me talk to you!”
But Claudia disappeared into the hospital’s entrance.
Over the next few days, Jaden reached out to Claudia but received minimal conversation. He was aware that the stress of her sister being around and Adeline’s recent hospitalization had something to do with. He reasoned she was busy, but that didn’t stop him from wanting to check on her. In any case, Jaden would give her the space she required, for now. Strolling into Rose Bank and Trust Credit Union, Jaden spoke and nodded to fellow employees. Jaden’s presence was an
nounced when his leather oxford shoes tapped against the marble floor. He checked his Rolex and waited patiently for the elevator doors to open.
“Sir,” A young intern spoke.
Jaden turned to him. “Good morning, Dominique. How’s everything going?
“Going good, sir, I’ve got the newspaper for you.” Dominique handed over the paper with a fresh cup of coffee. “Black no milk, like you prefer it.”
Jaden grinned at the enthusiastic intern, eager to please. “Thank you Dominique, but you shouldn’t have. We’re not paying you as it is. Did you use the company card to make these purchases?”
Dominique shook his head no. “It’s just coffee and a newspaper. I’ve got a little savings.”
“Next time use the company card, it’s no problem.”
“Yes, sir.”
The elevator doors dinged, and a group of people exited. Jaden stood to the side until the last one was off then slid into the elevator just as the doors began to close. Arriving at the floor that held his headquarters, Jaden made his way through the office building.
“Mr. Rose,” his assistant cooed. “You have a visitor. I didn’t see any appointments, but she said it was last minute, so I hope you don’t mind me letting her sit inside your office.”
Jaden leaned to look through his office doors opening.
“Next time, give me a call, Samantha and I may have you reschedule. I have a conference call in 30 minutes.”
“I’m sorry, sir. I can reschedule an appointment for her now.”
“Next time.”
Jaden proceeded into his office his confident strides taking him around his desk. He sat the cup of coffee on the mahogany surface, his eyes connecting with his guest.
Sitting with her legs crossed bouncing slightly, Cassie offered Jaden a sensual smile. “Good morning, Mr. Rose.”
The fact that his name didn’t sound nearly as befitting as it did when Claudia said it was all the more reason for Jaden to want to end this meeting before it started.
“What can I do for you this morning Cassie?”
Her eyes fell to his lips then back to his honey brown eyes.
“I was wondering if you could help me out. I’m offering free dance classes to inner city kids and am in need of a partner. So far, I’ve got one hundred and fifty kids who’ve signed up, so I’ll be teaching classes throughout the week, sometimes five a day.” Cassie shifted in her seat. “I know you’re a busy man Mr. Rose—”
Enough (Falling For A Rose Book 2) Page 8