Page 36 of His Sacrifice

This was different with Jada, and I liked it.

It wasn’t long before we arrived at our destination – an elegant rooftop restaurant with stunning city skyline views.

“This is beautiful,” she whispered as we stepped out onto the rooftop. “I’ve never heard of this place before.”

“I hadn’t either, but Apollo suggested it. I thought you’d like it,” I said, leading her to a table set up near the edge, offering the best view.

The maître d’ greeted us and gave us a rundown of the specials. The evening was perfect, the air warm and filled with the soft hum of the city below.

As amazing as the view was, I couldn’t take my eyes off of Jada. The soft lighting playing off her features made her look even more stunning.

“Stop staring at me, Creed,” she whispered.

I leaned back but kept my eyes on her. “I can’t help it.”

She took a sip of her wine and turned to the sunset.

The waiter brought out a bread-and-butter basket, and Jada busied herself with a piece.

“How was the rest of your day?” I asked.

“Uh, it actually picked up. And I also had a visitor.”

I tipped my head to the side. “Was it…?” We had agreed that she would tell me the instant Candace contacted her, so I hoped like hell she wasn’t about to tell me Candace had come into the store.

Jada shook her head, frustration evident in her eyes. “No, it wasn’t her. It was Jax.” She eyed me closely, clearly looking for an explanation.

I might have forgotten to mention to Jada that if I weren’t around, Jax would be.

“You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?” she asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and annoyance.

I reached for a piece of bread, but Jada snatched it from me and handed me the piece she had buttered instead. “I don’t want you to be alone. If I can’t be with you, then one of my men will be. More than likely, it will be Jax.”

“Don’t you think that was something you should have told me so I didn’t look like an idiot when Jax walked in? I thought it was a crazy coincidence that he was there until he informed me he was tasked to keep me safe for the rest of the day.”

“He’s doing his job, Jada,” I replied, trying to keep my voice calm.

“I just would like to be told when I become someone’s job,” she reasoned, her eyes softening.

I nodded, conceding her point. “Noted, gorgeous,” I said. “My main focus was keeping you safe when I can’t be with you.”

She smiled softly, a small victory in her eyes. “Noted, handsome.”

We continued eating, and the conversation flowed effortlessly. There wasn’t an awkward silence or an uncomfortable moment. It felt natural and easy, and I found myself enjoying every minute of it.

As we finished our meal, a small band set up by the bar, and the soft sounds of a familiar song began to play. I stood and held my hand out to Jada. “Dance with me.”

She looked at my hand and then up at me, a mix of surprise and hesitation in her eyes. “Is this...”

I stepped toward her and grabbed her hand gently. “It’s real, Jada. Now stop thinking and just dance with me.”

I led her over to the small dance floor, the band playing a slow, melodic tune. As we began to sway to the music, I pulled her close, feeling her body press against mine. My hands caressed her back, and I could feel the warmth of her skin through the thin fabric of her dress.

I moved her hair to the side, exposing her neck, and trailed soft kisses from her jawline down to the curve of her shoulder. She shivered in my arms, her breath hitching.

“Creed,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the music.

“Mmm,” I hummed, lost in the sensation of her body against mine.

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