Page 71 of Enough

“The seats may be safe, but the sofa…” Claudia tilted her head as if to say, ‘I can’t help you there.’

“Wow.”

“Oh, girl when you get a hunk of a man, trust me, he’ll have you upside down in your office, too. Just make sure it’s lunch time and were closed.”

Octavia gasped her hand flying over her chest. Claudia waved her off. “Don’t be such a prude; you know you’d like it.”

Octavia opened her mouth then closed it.

“That’s what I thought,” Claudia said.

Later that night Claudia stretched out in her bed. One leg was thrown off the side. It was after midnight, and she hadn’t heard a peep from Jaden. Unfortunately for her, thoughts of him were perpetual, and she’d wondered about his whereabouts all day. Every time she went to call she would back out, reasoning that if he could spare the time, he’d call. Right?

But the incessant voice in the back of her head reminded Claudia of Jaden’s lifestyle and his promiscuous ways. She’d waved the thoughts off, but they would come back to haunt her the longer the day went on with no sign of him. They had a wonderful weekend in Vegas and going into it, Claudia told herself not to get wrapped up in his charm. But, Claudia did, and she hoped it wasn’t a mistake.

“I’m bugging,” she said to herself, “It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours. A dry laugh left her, and she was determined to put her mind to rest and sleep, but she continued to toss and turn throughout the night with sleep evading her.

The next day, Claudia received an email from the Mayor of Chicago. At first glance, she thought it was a mistake, but a closer look at the correspondence revealed it was truly the Mayor with his official logo attached at the bottom. It appeared he received some information about her nonprofit organization and wanted to attend her benefit with a few friends. Claudia’s eyes widened. There was no way he’d found out about Caregivers Organization through her efforts. Claudia knew her reach didn’t range that far. But Jaden? That was an entirely different story in itself.

“Of course,” she’d said to herself as she squealed.

Having the mayor attend her event with a few friends could mean one thousand people give or take. This was big news. Claudia squealed again and hit reply just as her phone rang. Jaden was calling.

“Good morning.” The smile on her face could be heard in her voice.

“The morning would’ve been better with you by my side. But I’ll take what I can get, for now.”

Claudia’s smile grew brighter. All those thoughts that haunted her last night went out the window.

“I missed you yesterday,” she said trying not to sound too desperate.

“Did you?”

Claudia scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Of course.”

Jaden chuckled. “I missed you as well, chérie.”

Claudia’s stomach was in knots. Just the sound of his warm, inviting voice would soak her panties. It was amazing that he didn’t even have to try to get her wound up.

“Did you get my text message yesterday afternoon?”

“I did, and unfortunately, I was on my phone most of the day with one conference call after another.”

Claudia understood. Jaden worked with investments and people always needed to be reassured that their money was in the right hands.

“Well, what do you think about lunch, today?”

“I’m game if you are.”

“How about I pick you up for lunch,” Claudia said.

A deep laugh rumbled from him. “I don’t think so. What kind of man do you take me for?”

“The traditional one, it seems.”

“You would be right, chérie. I’ll pick you up.”

“Fine, I guess.”

---