Page 5 of Yours for the Taking (Falling For A Rose)

“Is that a good time for you, Carla?”

“Um.” Carla knew going out to the club tonight would make for a late night.Damn it.“Lunch should be okay.”

“Are you sure?”

She hesitated and considered dinner.

“I’m sure.”

“All right. I look forward to seeing you.”

“You as well. Talk to you soon.”

“Carla.”

“Yes.”

“I still have your address from the time you gave it to me at the Rooftop Connection Initiative.”

The Rooftop Connection Initiative was a non-profit organization founded by friend and real estate mogul Derek James Clark and Jacob six years ago when their need to do something about Chicago’s homeless hit close to their hearts. Together, they made a plan that included gathering volunteers and, once a year, restructuring, designing, and filling a home with a family chosen by DFCS who’d fallen on hard times and were left with no choice except living on the streets.

Carla volunteered during their third year of the foundation’s charity giveaway. It was when Jacob announced the names of people who would attend that Carla approached him.

“At this time,for those who were chosen, please make a line here at the table stationed against the wall and receive your T-shirt,” his deep voice beat. “If your name has not been called for inclusion, then I regret to inform you that our spaces are filled at this time.”

“Aww…” A few people whined in the background, and the crowd began to disperse.

“Excuse me, sir,” a soft feminine voice purred. Jacob glanced to his side, his gaze darkening as heat scurried around his skin. Brown feline eyes scoped the outline of his delicious mouth just as a hand landed on his arm. A smile tugged at Jacob’s lips.

“How can I help you, Ms. Carla Jones?”

“I’m not sure whether my name was called,” she pouted, her lashes fluttering and mouth parting slightly as her eyes lifted to his gaze, then dropped to his goatee before darting up his strong structured profile—manly nose and over his dark fade. “Could you recheck your list to make sure my name was added?” Her voice was eliciting a tingling cacophony of chills over his skin.

“Ms. Carla Jones, I’m pretty sure you made the list.” His gaze dropped to her lips as her mouth turned upward, a smile exalting her eyes.

“Oh, how nice.” Carla suddenly squeezed his arm, and Jacob flexed a muscle, making her gasp with a jingling laugh. “What time should I arrive tomorrow?”

“If you don’t mind, I can pick you up. I’d be more than happy to give you a ride.”

Carla rattled off her address before Jacob could take his next breath. He chuckled and repeated her information in a low whisper that grooved across her skin. Carla’s pussy clenched, and her nipples tightened, almost making her moan.

“I’m coming—I mean, I’ll come out.” Carla paused and inhaled a slow breath as Jacob’s nostrils flared, his gaze staring her down. “You have my number. When you arrive, I’ll come outside,” she said, reorganizing her words.

“Seven a.m.,” his deep voice grooved. Carla winked, and Jacob returned her gesture, watching her walk away with a sprout of chills encasing his molasses skin.

Jacob’s sister, Eden, stepped to her brother’s side.

“Don’t let my friend seduce you,” she teased.

Jacob’s eye continued to follow Carla’s sexy saunter. “It’s not me you should worry about, sis. It’s your friend,” he said, resigned in his promise.

Surprised that he remembered,Carla’s brows rose. “You still have my address?”

He chuckled. “Yes. Do you mind if I use it to pick you up for our date?”

Another layer of heat crawled down her skin.

“Oh, yes, well, that’s not necessary. I can drive. It’ll save time.”

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