All You'll Ever Need (18 page)

Zack smiled. He recognized the similarities early on. Their love for family being the first thing he noticed. Over the past few months, he also noticed they both enjoyed shopping, eating out, and throwing parties.

“Haverty is very special to me. If he has to leave the country then I’d have to visit him all the time, and I don’t want to do that. I’m hoping for some grandkids in the near future, so I need to stay close to Cincinnati, or wherever you and Jada will be.” She winked.

“Mom, your
fiancé
looks like he’s
really
having a good time with that champagne fountain.” Shane smirked, his long blond hair falling in his face, over his left eye. Zack’s oldest brother made it clear earlier when they received the news that he hated the idea of their mother remarrying.

Carol shook her head. “Gee, thanks, son.” She swatted Shane’s arm on her way out of the room.

“Happy birthday, little brother. You’re doing it big this year.” He nodded toward the glass wall, where they both could see into the kitchen and through to the family room. “There’s a lot of folks here.”

“Yeah, I know. I have Mom and Jada to thank for this,” he said dryly. “What’s up with you? How’s the new job?”

“It’s a job.” He took a swig of his beer. “It’s only been a month and already my boss is starting to act like an ass. I need to just go ahead and get my own thing going.”

His brother had been in and out of work for the past three years. Zack was pretty sure his inability to hold onto a job had more to do with his brother’s negative attitude more so than anything.

“Well, it’s only been a month. Give it a chance.”

“I guess. So um …” Shane looked down at his shoes before returning his attention to Zack, “I was wondering if I can use one of your spare rooms for a few weeks.”

“What’s wrong with your place? Why do you need to stay here?”

“Does it matter? You have more than enough space. I asked you for a place to stay, shouldn’t your response be, sure, no problem?”

Zack folded his arms across his chest and studied his brother. Twice in the last eight months, Shane had moved into one of Zack’s spare rooms, staying for a couple of months each time. Zack was okay helping his brother out occasionally, but lately Shane had been asking to borrow money, begging for football tickets, and borrowing his vehicles. Yet, he gave nothing in return. He never paid the money back, never offered to replace the gas he used, and he walked in tonight with only a
happy birthday
. Now that Zack had asked Jada to move in, if she agreed, his brother would have to find someone else to mooch off of.

“Let me think about it.”

His brother stiffened as if Zack had hit him. “Think about it? What the hell? Why you gotta think about it?”

Zack’s attention immediately shifted to Jada, who walked into the kitchen and headed in his direction. His gaze traveled the length of her body. He still couldn’t get over how
hot
she looked. Her dark gray, one shoulder dress that wrapped around her luscious curves did wicked things to his libido. Yet, it was her shoes that caused his mouth to drop open earlier. The matching stilettos with the rhinestone straps around her ankles were the sexiest shoes he’d ever seen on a woman.

“Shane, I’ll think about it and get back to you.”

“Zack—”

“Hey sweetheart,” Zack said when Jada walked into the room. He ignored Shane’s low growl as his brother stormed out without acknowledging Jada.

“I don’t think he likes me.” She stepped into Zack’s waiting arms. “Every time he looks at me, I feel like running for cover.”

“Forget him.” Zack placed a lingering kiss on her cheek. “All that matters is that I love you.”

She batted those long eyelashes and flashed that smile that always made him feel like the luckiest man alive.

“You’re right, but I want your family to like me.”

“My family does like you.” He caressed her cheek, sensing that their acceptance of her was important. “My mother is already envisioning you as the mother of her future grandchildren. My sister considers you her sister from another mother, and my youngest brother wants to know if he can clone you.”

She rewarded Zack with a smile. “That’s sweet. I think they’re pretty amazing too, but Shane—”

“It doesn’t matter what he says or thinks. My heart belongs to you.”

“Aw, Zack. You always know the right thing to say.” When her soft lips touched his, it was as if everything else disappeared. The phrase – she completes me – floated to the forefront of his mind. This amazing woman brought a level of peace in his life that he never knew he was missing.

Jada’s small hands framed his face, bringing him back to the present when she ended their kiss. “Though I would love to keep kissing you, it’s time to cut your cake.”

“Instead of cake, I’d rather have you.” Between the sexy outfit and her tantalizing scent, he was about ready to kick everybody out of his house, carry her upstairs, and have his way with her.

Zack planted soft kisses along her jaw and worked his way down her long, graceful neck. “You already have me,” she said on a moan. He made it to her shoulder, but she stopped him. “If you can make it through another hour or two, I’ll let you see my new underwear.” She wiggled her eyebrows and eased out of his grasp.

He couldn’t help but laugh. “What color are they?” He followed behind her like a puppy being promised a treat. “Are they see through, lace, what? You gotta give me something here.”

“Oh, I have something for you alright, but not now. Later.”

She pulled him into the huge dining room where many of his guests had piled into, while the rest spilled over into the attached formal living room.

“Well, it’s about time,” one of his teammates said.

Before he could respond with a smart remark, everyone started singing happy birthday. Zack appreciated Jada’s and his mother’s efforts, but he didn’t like being the center of attention.

“Make a wish, baby.” Jada nudged him closer to the table.

He snaked his arm around her narrow waist. “My wish has already come true.” He kissed her as the women in the room released collective sighs, and the men groaned.

“He’s a goner,” someone behind him called out.

Zack blew out the candles to a round of applause. Still holding Jada close, he thanked everyone for coming and for celebrating with him. Maybe he didn’t enjoy being the center of attention, but he did enjoy having his family and friends near.

Zack roamed around greeting people he hadn’t yet spoken to and tried not to think about the birthday gifts that Jada had been promising him all evening. Since his team had a bye week, giving him four consecutive days off, he wanted to spend every one of them with Jada. He had tried talking her into going away for the weekend, but she and his mother had already planned his party.

He walked down to the lower level of his home where he had a theater, game room, and a lounge. Combined it was the man cave he’d always wanted. Surprised that there weren’t as many people down there, he waltzed toward the door leading into the theater.

“Zack, look who just showed up.”

Zack turned to the sound of Donny’s voice and a grin spread across Zack’s face.

“What’s up, old dude?” Luke Hayden one of Zack’s best friends from college shook his hand and pulled him in for a one-arm hug. “How’s it feel to be a year older?”

Zack laughed. “I’m just glad to see another year, man. I wasn’t expecting you in town for another couple of weeks. What’s up with that?”

“I have an interview with a downtown law firm later this week.”

“I can’t believe you’re thinking about leaving New York.” Donny grabbed a hors d’ oeuvre from a passing waiter and plopped it into his mouth. “How you gon’ leave the big city of dreams?”

Luke chuckled and shrugged. “It’s time.”

Luke, an attorney, moved to New York right after college. Recently he had told Zack that with all of the loss that he had experienced in his life over the past few years, he was ready for a change and ready to leave New York. Leaving his fast-paced life for something quieter was all Luke talked about lately.

“I’m glad I was able to come to town a little early. Otherwise, I would’ve missed this big shindig you’re having.” He waved his hand around at the eloquent decorations. “Looks like you’re finally spending some of that money you have stored away.”

“Actually, my mother and Jada are spending it.” They all laughed, and Zack was a little surprised that Donny hadn’t made a crack about Jada since he thought she was high maintenance.

“So when am I going to meet this woman of yours? As much as you talk about her, I feel like I already know her.”

Zack glanced around wondering where Jada had disappeared. “She’s around here somewhere. Hey Craig, have you seen Jada?”

Craig walked toward them shaking his head. “Not for a while. What’s up, Luke? I haven’t seen you in over a year.” They shook hands.

“I had to come and celebrate with this old guy.” He nudged Zack. “But I hear congratulations are in order. Heard you got married.”

Craig nodded. “Yep, Toni and I were married almost four months ago. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“Sounds like you and Zack have both lucked out. I’ve known this guy,” he pointed to Zack, “for years and have heard more about Jada than any other woman he’s ever dated. I need to meet the person who has turned him into a big marshmallow.”

“A marshmallow?” Zack punched him in the arm. “Really? Of all the things you could call me, that’s all you could come up with?”

“Hey, I call it like I see it. She must be a helluva woman to have you going on and on about her over the last few months.”

“I’m surprised you didn’t see her when you first came in,” Craig said. “She and Toni were standing near the front door a few minutes ago.”

“I saw her in the kitchen talking with the caterer right before I came downstairs,” Donny added.

“Don’t worry, you’ll meet her,” Zack said to Luke. “Then you’ll see why I’ve been going on and on about her. Mom,” Zack spotted his mother across the room, “can you find Jada for me?” She nodded and disappeared into the crowd.

“If you’re free tomorrow, have Zack bring you over to the Jenkins’ for Sunday brunch,” Craig said. “There’s a couple of Jenkins’ here tonight, but tomorrow you’ll be able to meet all of the
female
cousins who work for Jenkins & Sons Construction.”

Donny gripped Luke’s shoulder. “And you’ve never seen a bunch of
fine
ass women until you’ve seen them. Man, I’m talking downright gorgeous.”

“So we have Craig, who’s married to one of them. Zack is crazy in love with another one. What about you?” Luke directed his attention to Donny. “Are you involved or interested in either of them?”

Donny shook his head. “Nah man, I’m a one woman man and Sabrina has my heart.”

Zack caught sight of Jada and Christina coming down the stairs. He wondered if years from now if his heart would still beat double time whenever she walked into the room like it was doing right then.
Damn I love this woman
. She still hadn’t agreed to move in with him, but at least he got to see her practically every day.

“Hey ladies, I want to introduce you to a good friend,” Zack said. He wrapped his arm around Jada’s shoulder. “Sweetheart this is Luke Hayden, a friend of mine from college who is visiting right now, but might be moving here in the near future.”

“Nice to meet you.” Jada shook his hand. “And this is my cousin, Christina.”

Zack tried to hide his smile when he noticed his friend thoroughly checking Christina out. They shook hands, but Luke still hadn’t released hers. Zack couldn’t blame the guy. Jada had had the same effect on him months ago, and since then he hadn’t been the same.

“Well, I’m going to find my beautiful wife so that we can head out,” Craig said, bumping fists with Zack. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.”

“Wait up, Craig. I’m heading out too.” Donny gave Zack a fist bump and hugged Jada. He waved at Luke and Christina, who were already deep in conversation.

“Come with me.” Zack pulled Jada toward the bathroom, ignoring her protests. Once inside he closed and locked the door. “Okay, I’m ready for one of my birthday presents.”

“Here? Right now?” Jada laughed as he backed her up against the door. “By the way, how do you know you have more than one gift?”

“Because you said presents with a ‘s’.”

She smirked. “Figures you’d catch that.” She moaned and held onto to his biceps when he nuzzled the sensitive spot behind her ear and placed kisses down her neck. “If I give you one of your gifts now, then you’ll probably kick everyone out before they’re ready to leave. And
then
you’ll insist on your other presents. So, I think not.” She weakly pushed against him.

“Ah, so there
is
more than one present,” he mumbled against her shoulder blade, his hands moving slowly down her body until he reached the hidden snap keeping her dress closed. Lifting his head, Zack took a small step back and unwrapped the present he knew would be his favorite. He opened her wrap dress. His breath hitched and his heart hammered against his chest when his gaze traveled down the length of her luscious body.
Good Lord
. Her perky breasts were bare and the only garment she had on underneath was the sexiest garter belt he’d ever seen holding up her thigh-high nylons.

Happy birthday to me
.

Jada pouted, her hands on her hips forced her breasts to jut out more. “You’ve just ruined one of your birthday surprises.”

He could barely speak from the dryness in his mouth. “How do you figure that?” He dug a condom out of his wallet, unable to peel his gaze from her curvy body. She had no idea how hard she was making him. “You’ve been walking around this party with nothing on but a garter belt and nylons. Damn, baby. You are the best birthday present I’ve ever received. Had I known you were hiding all of this, we would’ve been in here hours ago.”

Jada rolled her eyes, but he wasn’t fooled by her mock disappointment. She wanted this impromptu tryst as much as he did. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be still standing there with her goodies on display.