All You'll Ever Need (2 page)

Normally Jada would revolt against a man who openly gawked at her. Instead, she had the urge to stand perfectly still until he was done.
Damn, something is definitely wrong with me for enjoying the way he’s sexing me up with his eyes.

“Excuse me.” Steven Jenkins, Jada’s grandfather and the patriarch of the family jarred Jada out of her trance. He gave a quick nod to Zack before turning to her. “Your Highness, you’re the only one of my granddaughters I haven’t danced with yet. What do you say about cutting a rug with your old grandfather?”

“Oh, Grampa, there is nothing old about you and we don’t say cutting a rug anymore. We just say dance.” Jada grinned up at the man who had first given her the nickname Your Highness and the only man who had ever made her feel as if she were the most precious gift he’d ever received. Jada looped her arm through her grandfather’s bent arm. “Stick with me. I’ll keep you in the know.”

He threw his head back and released a hearty laugh. “I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.”

Jada turned to Zack, still intrigued by the blue-eyed-dimpled god. “Grampa, I don’t know if you’ve met Craig’s friend Zack Anderson.”

“Zack Anderson,” Steven Jenkins repeated and extended his hand to Zack. “We haven’t officially met, but of course, I know you’re one of the league’s top-scoring running backs. I’m a big fan. Nice to meet you, I’m Steven Jenkins.”

“It’s a pleasure, sir.” Zack shook his hand. “Craig mentions you and your family often in conversation. I’m glad to meet you and the other members of your family,” he said to Mr. Jenkins, but his potent gaze wandered to Jada.

“Well, a friend of Craig’s is a friend of ours. Whenever the Cougars have a bye week, make sure you have Craig bring you to the house for Sunday brunch. We’d love to have you.”

“I’d be honored.” He bowed his head slightly and diverted his attention back to Jada.

She ignored the giddiness fluttering inside her stomach. “It was nice meeting you,” she said, still awed by the dimples that winked at her each time he flashed his million-dollar smile. “Hopefully we’ll get a chance to chat before the reception ends.” She cast a gracious smile and batted her eyes knowing the combination of the two always got her what she wanted. And she definitely wanted to get to know Zachery Anderson better.

“It looks as if you have another admirer,” Jada’s grandfather commented as they danced to John Legend’s latest release. “He’s a hell of a football player, and he seems like a nice young man.”

Jada glanced over her grandfather’s shoulder at Zack whose enticing gaze held hers captive. “Yes he does seem like a nice young man, doesn’t he?”

***

Zack stared at Jada and her grandfather as they twirled around the dance floor in perfect sync. Intoxicating brown eyes that hinted of mischief and lips that were designed for kissing had left him mesmerized.

He first spotted her at the church and immediately found her captivating. At five-feet-five with full breasts, curvy hips, and long toned legs, most men in attendance couldn’t take their gaze off of her. The gracefulness of her stroll down the aisle and the gentle sway of her hips in the fitted bridesmaid dress were hypnotic. Thankfully the Cougars were playing in town this weekend; otherwise he would have missed the wedding altogether. Craig had mentioned the Jenkins family, and the granddaughters who oversaw the day-to-day operations of Jenkins & Sons Construction, but he was going to have to talk to his long-time friend. The way Craig described the stunning Jenkins women hadn’t done Jada justice.

Zack watched as the elder Jenkins moved his granddaughter smoothly across the dance floor as if dancing was something they did together all the time.

“She’s way out of your league man. Besides, I can look at her and tell she’s high maintenance and everyone knows how you feel about high maintenance women,” Donny Caldron, a friend of Zack and Craig’s from the old neighborhood said, and lifted his glass to his lips.

“Nah, I don’t think she’s high maintenance.” Zack continued to observe her on the dance floor. He smiled to himself. She seemed to put a little extra hip action in her moves each time her grandfather released her hand. “She definitely has some sass, but I bet she’s a real sweetheart once you get to know her, which I plan to do.”

“Okay, so which one is she anyway? The carpenter? The electrician?”

“That’s Jada. Can you believe she’s a sheet metal worker?”

“Nope, but I can’t believe any of them work construction. They make me want to tear down a house just so I can have them build it back up, brick by tantalizing brick.”

Zack chuckled. While growing up, Donny was always the one who kept everyone laughing. With his laid-back attitude, many people would be surprised to know that he was the CEO for one of the city’s largest pharmaceutical companies.

Zack shoved his hands into his pants pockets and rocked on the balls of his feet. “Well, I don’t plan on tearing anything down. All I need is one date with her and she’ll be mine.”

Donny fell out laughing. “I think you’ve had one too many knocks upside the head out there on that football field because you’re definitely talking crazy. That woman is not going out with your country ass,” he joked. “Besides, I thought that since you’re looking to retire next year you wanted to meet someone to settle down with. If that’s still the case, you need to look elsewhere. She’s not the one.”

Donny always called him country despite the fact that they all grew up in Columbus, Ohio. “I’m no more country than you are and why do you think she’s not the one for me? I beg to differ. Since she’s a sheet metal worker, she clearly doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty. I bet she’s the outdoorsy type and enjoys hiking, biking and probably even fishing. Hell, she’s exactly the type of woman I’ve been looking for - someone who’s not too prissy to wear an old pair of jeans and a T-shirt, but someone who cleans up well and is classy enough to wow my family and friends.”

Donny’s brows drew together as he shook his head. “Apparently we’re looking at two different women. I would bet my paycheck that the woman you just described is nowhere near the woman we’re watching dance with the old dude. I don’t care how many women have told you how
fine
you are or how many cater to your every desire once they find out how much you’re worth. You don’t stand a chance with her. She’s too much woman for you.”

“Whatever, dude.” Zack nudged him in the shoulder. “Why don’t we put a wager on whether or not she’ll go out with me?” He removed a wad of money from his front pocket and started counting off bills.

“Man, you know I hate taking your money.” Donny smirked. “But if you insist. I bet you a thousand bucks she turns your ass down cold.”

“Yeah, we’ll see about that.”

***

“Grampa I’m impressed,” Jada said. “You still have some moves. You’re putting these young dudes to shame.”

“Hey, I have to be able to keep up with all you kids.” He spun her around and then pulled her back into his arms. “Your grandmother and I haven’t seen you lately. What have you been up to?”

“Working. Grampa, I know you put Peyton in charge for a reason, but that girl has been working me like a slave.” Her cousin Peyton Jenkins (PJ) was an electrician by trade and the senior construction manager for Jenkins & Sons Construction. “Do you know how many times I had to get my manicure touched up this week? Three times,” Jada said without giving him a chance to respond. “I am so ready to find a wealthy husband, quit my job, and live happily-ever-after.”

“Sweetheart, are you sure you’re ready for marriage?”

She leaned away from her grandfather and frowned. “You know I am. I’m sick of working and don’t get me started on taking out trash and making repairs around the house. I’m tired of doing everything for myself, and more importantly, I’m sick of the dating scene. I want to marry someone who is crazy in love with me and enjoys taking me out on the town. And Grampa, did you see this scar on my face?” She slowed her steps and pointed to the one-inch scratch under her jaw, near her chin. “I can’t afford to get any more marks on my body from lugging sheet metal around all day.”

Her grandfather hesitated and Jada groaned. She dropped her head on his shoulder, regretting all that she had shared, knowing she had just earned herself one of his famous lectures. Before she could retract her statement, he spoke.

“Your Highness, I know we have spoiled you and led you to believe that the world revolves around you, but let me explain something.” He spun her around and then pulled her back into his arms. “It’s not all about you. When some lucky young man finds
you
, and not the other way around, your main goal should be making sure that he’s the man you want to spend the rest of your life with. Not the man who can buy you the latest Hermès Birkin handbag.”

“I know Grampa,” Jada responded, not surprised her grandfather knew anything about Hermès since it was one of her grandmother’s favorite designers.

“Do you?” He slowed his steps and pulled back. His eyes narrowed and his gaze bored into her. “Because what I’m hearing from you is a lot of me, me, me, but sweetheart marriage takes work. Your parents and your grandmother and I might make marriage look easy, but we work hard to make our relationship work. Life, and marriage for that matter are not like Burger King. You can’t always have it your way.”

Jada shook her head and laughed. “I know Grampa. Don’t worry I get what you’re saying.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and placed a kiss on his cheek. “When my Mr. Right comes along, I’ll remember not to make everything all about me.”

It was then she noticed Zack heading her way and her breath caught at his confident gait.
Mercy, this man personifies sexy
.

“Excuse me. May I cut in?”

Chapter Two

Jada slowed as her grandfather glanced over his shoulder before he stopped completely. “I guess that depends on my granddaughter, young man.” He returned his attention to Jada, and she gave a slight nod, her pulse inching up in speed. “She’s all yours.”

Zack reached for her hand and gently pulled her to him. Jada’s heart beat double time. There was something about the ruggedly, handsome man that sent her senses out of control. When he wrapped his strong arm around her waist, and held her close, a lust-filled shudder gripped her body. 
Good, Lord, he’s all muscle
.

“I’ve been admiring you from across the room and couldn’t let the evening pass without dancing with you.”

He moved with such fluidity. Jada felt as if she were floating on a cloud, her feet barely touching the floor. She didn’t know much about football, but she remembered her grandfather mentioning that Zack was a star running back. Apparently, his graceful moves served him well on the football field, as well as on the dance floor.

“I still can’t get over you being a sheet metal worker. You definitely don’t look like one.” Zack pulled back slightly to look at her, and his piercing eyes made her miss a step. She loved dancing. Missing a step was unheard of. There was no way she was going to let the mere presence of a man rattle her.

She took a cleansing breath, pasted her most seductive smile on her lips, and glanced up at Zack. Her breath caught, and again her heart pounded uncontrollably when she met his gaze.

Oh, this is ridiculous
.
He’s just a man, dammit
.

Her usual self-talk wasn’t working tonight, and she couldn’t understand why. Sure he had the bluest eyes she’d ever stared into. Not that she had ever stared into the eyes of a blue-eyed hottie before, but his were mesmerizing. And it didn’t help that the feel of his hard body rubbed up against hers had the throbbing pulse between her thighs beating a cadence she hadn’t experienced in months. 
Hell, it’s no wonder I can’t get myself together
. 
The man is like an electric shock to the senses. Forget getting to know him.
 
I need to get away from him
.

His grip tightened around her waist, preventing her planned retreat.

“So tell me about yourself. What do you do when you’re not carrying duct work around?”

Jada blew out a breath. The anxiety consuming her was an unfamiliar feeling, her nerves raw and unprotected. Yet, on second thought, there was no way she would let nervousness get the best of her. It was time she poured on the old JJ charm.

“I stay busy.” She loosened up, her fingers caressing the back of his neck and she put a little more hip motion in her moves as they slow danced to one of Alicia Keys’ songs. “I play an intricate role in our family business, so that keeps me pretty busy. When I’m not working, or helping my mother and grandmother in their gardens, I do volunteer work around the city, helping those less fortunate.” She shrugged, playing down her little white lies.

“That’s cool. We have something in common. I like anything involving….”

Jada and Zack turned when loud laughter erupted from behind them, jarring them from their conversation.

Returning her gaze to Zack, Jada said, “I’m sure you’ve noticed that we have a large, close-knit family. They’re a bit loud, overprotective at times and,” she scrunched up her nose, “a little nosey.”

His laugh rippled through the air. “I did notice. Uh, I mean I noticed how close everyone seems.” Jada smiled at the way he tried to clean up his comment. “Considering how many families don’t get along, it’s nice to see that yours does. You and your cousins seem especially close.”

Jada thought about Toni, Christina, Martina, and Peyton. She couldn’t imagine her life without them. She and her cousins were closer than most sisters.

 “Yeah, we’re close. We hang out a lot. They often pull me into their shenanigans.” She immediately thought back on the time when Craig caught her and Toni hiding a drunk man in her grandparent’s bathroom. Jada smiled at the memory.

When she glanced up, Zack flashed her a smile and a warm sensation embraced her like a fox fur coat on a cold winter’s night. She lowered her eyes to keep from being caught up in those dimples of his that kept making an appearance and screwing with her senses.