Page 81 of Enough

Jaden hadn’t taken his gaze off of Claudia. “Indeed, Mr. Mayor, Indeed.”

An attendee approached the Mayor pulling him off to the side.

“Excuse me.”

Claudia turned to the familiar voice. “Marcus?”

Marcus smiled and held out his hand for a shake. “You remembered my name.”

“Yeah, I’m good with those. How did you hear about this event?”

Marcus’ smile held steady. “Through the grapevine. I couldn’t hear it from you since you never gave me that call to let me know how your car repairs went.”

Claudia laughed. Marcus dressed up nicely, considering the last time she saw him, he was in overalls that he’d been working in all day. The guy standing before her was well groomed, dressed in a Tom Ford suit and suede shoes.

“That’s probably because Claudia only has time for one man in her life,” Jaden challenged with hostility and rancor oozing from his persona.

Marcus glanced from Jaden to Claudia. “And here I thought you weren’t looking for a man.”

Jaden interrupted Marcus again. “No, she wasn’t looking for you.” Jaden took a step forward, and Claudia placed her hands on his broad chest successfully halting his advance.

“Hey, look at me,” she said staring into his eyes. Jaden dropped his gaze to Claudia and softened immediately. “He heard you.”

“Yeah, but did you hear me, chérie?”

Claudia drew in a quick breath. “I couldn’t miss it.” A small smile danced at the corners of her mouth, and she turned back to Marcus.

“Thanks, Marcus but I’m okay. My cars fine, I’ve been,” she looked back at Jaden, “tied up.”

Jaden slowly pulled his gaze away from Claudia back to Marcus. “Step off,” he growled.

Marcus made himself scarce, and Claudia smirked up at Jaden.

“Let me find out, you’ve got a little hood in you.

A devilish smile curved his moist mouth. “We’ve all got a little hood in us,” he winked, “chérie.”

A blush fell over Claudia. “Hmmm, I think I like that.”

“Do you now?”

“Yes, I do.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, but first, when did your car have repairs?”

“Oh, I um, it’s embarrassing. Unfortunately, ole Betsy broke down on the side of the highway and Marcus is a tow truck driver.” She glanced over to him in his Tom Ford suit knowing the ensemble could easily cost a few thousand. “Well at least that’s what he was at the time. He towed Betsy to my mechanic’s shop.”

“And what else?”

Claudia was taken slightly aback by Jaden’s questioning.

She folded her arms. “He gave me his number and asked me out, but as you’ve witnessed, I told him I wasn’t looking for a man. Why do you care, Jaden?”

Jaden tensed, and his nostrils flared. He took a step closer further closing the small gap between them.

“You should know, that nothing is going to stop me from having you as my woman.” His eyes roamed across the features of her face. “Nothing, chérie. I am as invested in making you understand that we belong together as I am invested in making you scream my name when you come.”

A set of chills fled down Claudia’s spine, and she shifted her weight from one foot to the other.

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