Tears formed in Jada’s eyes. Her heart swelled at the sincerity and agony of his words. “I love you too and I’m ready to talk, but not until you get some rest. Let me help you into bed.”
***
Hours later Zack opened his eyes to find Jada sitting up in bed next to him, flipping through a magazine. He turned onto his side. Facing her, glad his back spasms were more like a dull ache than a knife slicing through his spine.
“Hi.” She tossed the magazine to the other side of the bed and scooted down next to him. “I was starting to wonder if you were going to sleep the day away.”
“I feel like I could.” His voice raspy. “I haven’t slept that sound since you left me.”
She visibly swallowed and looked away. Zack was done playing games. He’d given her space to work out whatever was going on with her, but today he wasn’t leaving until they hashed out their differences.
“I’m sorry I left the way I did, but I had to get away.” Her hand rested against his bare chest. Before climbing into bed earlier, she had helped him strip out of his clothes. The pain that wracked his body then, made him almost consider her offer of going to the hospital. “I was caught off guard by the things Shane said about me.”
Zack wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer and ignoring the twinge in his shoulder. “Sweetheart, I’m so sorry you had to hear or see any of that. But after all the time we’ve spent together, you have to know how much you mean to me. How much I love you. Don’t you?” He lifted her chin so that their eyes could meet. “You do know that I would give up everything I owned to be with you, right?”
She nodded. “I know. But at the time, I couldn’t see past the hurt, the ache in my heart. It did get me to thinking, however. I have had time to reevaluate my life, and there are some things you should know.”
Zack braced himself. It would kill him if she decided that they couldn’t be together.
“Unlike some people who work their butts off in high school in order to get into a great college and then get that dream job, that wasn’t me. All of my life my thoughts and actions have always been about me. What’s in it for me?” She blew out a noisy sigh. “My lifelong goal has been to find and marry a rich man. Falling in love was not part of the plan. I just wanted to hook up with someone who could wine and dine me, as well as support my expensive tastes.”
Zack didn’t speak. He didn’t move. In fact, he was barely breathing. When he said they needed to talk, he had no idea the conversation would go in this direction.
“I didn’t know I would fall in love with you.” She raised up on her elbow and stared down at him. “When I went home after our first date, filthy, exhausted, dehydrated, and in a pair of expensive tennis shoes that were ruined, I hadn’t planned on there being a second date. But your kindness, thoughtfulness and compassion had me curious. You were so different than anyone I’ve ever dated.”
If she started talking about her exes, Zack would have to end the conversation. The thought of her with someone else sparked something territorial within him. He didn’t even want to think about her in another man’s arms.
“The more time I spent with you, the more time I wanted to spend with you. Not because of your amazing home or the fancy cars you drive, and not even because of the new wardrobe you gave me, but because you made me feel special.” Her soft hand caressed his face, and Zack swallowed the lump in his throat. “But when Shane said that I was a gold-digger and wasn’t good enough for you, I agreed.”
“Whoa, Jada.” Zack tried to raise up, but she stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
“Zack let me finish. I started thinking about all that you have accomplished in your life, and how successful you are, and how you have your whole life planned. Then I realized I had nothing to show for my twenty plus years, except expensive clothes, shoes, and overdue credit cards. Baby, I have nothing to contribute to our relationship. I have nothing to offer you.”
“Okay, that’s enough.” Zack sat up, ignoring the popping of his bones and the ache throughout his whole body. “I can’t listen to this anymore.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll understand if you want nothing else to do with me.” Tears filled her pretty brown eyes, and she moved away from him. “But please know that I love you.”
“Wait.” He gently grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her back. “We’re not done here. First of all, you have no reason to be sorry. So what if you have always dreamed of having the finer things in life. Most of us have. As for the expensive clothes and credit card debt, I happen to like you in your expensive clothes, especially your sexy underwear.” He wiggled his eyebrows, and she laughed. “Don’t worry about the credit cards, we’ll take care of them … and then cut them up.” He turned serious and framed her face in his hands, forcing her to look into his eyes. “I need you to listen to what I’m about to say. Don’t ever think that you’re not good enough for me. Sweetheart, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I wake up in the morning thinking of you and go to bed wishing you were there with me. I wasn’t kidding this morning when I said that I couldn’t keep living like this. I can’t live without you. I will not live without you!”
He reached for his pants at the foot of the bed and dug through the pockets. Pulling out a small velvet box that he had been carrying around for weeks, he opened it. “I would get down on my knees for this, but please don’t make me.”
Jada laughed. Tears streamed down her cheeks faster than she could wipe them away.
“Your Highness, I promise to treat you like the queen that you are. I will keep your closet and drawers full of sexy clothes and underwear. And I will love you until the day I die if you agree to marry me.”
“Oh my God, yes. I’ll marry you,” she cried. Her arms draped around his neck as she peppered his face with kisses. “I love you so much.”
Epilogue
Two months later.
“Ohhh, he’s so cute.”
“Move, I can’t see him.”
“Let me hold him.”
Everyone spoke at once, as they crowded in Toni’s hospital room, welcoming Craig Junior into the world. Jada didn’t know who was happier for the newest Jenkins addition, the parents or the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. The hospital staff had warned them they couldn’t all be in the room at the same time, but saying no to Katherine Jenkins wasn’t easy. Her gramma sweetly asked that her family be allowed fifteen minutes in the room to see the baby and pray together as a family. The hospital agreed to seven minutes.
“All right everyone. Time to go,” the nurse said. “I can allow one or two of you in here at a time, but the rest of you must head to the waiting room.”
“Congratulations, girl,” Jada said, hugging Toni. “I’m so happy for you and Craig. Little Craig is absolutely beautiful.”
“Thank you guys.” Toni accepted a hug from Zack. “Thanks for coming. I’m so glad to see the two of you together. All of this,” she waved her hand, “will be you one day.”
Zack wrapped his arm around Jada’s shoulder and placed a kiss against her temple. “Definitely.” Zack beamed. They had talked about having two or three children, but not until they were married a year and did some traveling.
They left the room followed by the rest of the Jenkins clan, and Jada’s heart felt as if it would explode with excitement. She couldn’t ever remember being as happy as she’d been lately. The last couple of months with Zack had been like a dream come true. They were getting into a daily rhythm. He had officially retired from the NFL and spent much of his time volunteering at a local Boys and Girls Club. Jada hadn’t moved in with him, but considering how often she was at his house, she might as well have. The long drive to work bugged her, but most days Zack drove her and then picked her up.
When the whole family was back in the waiting room, Jada and Zack said their goodbyes before leaving the hospital. They were scheduled to visit a few potential wedding venues that afternoon, as well as a bakery for cake tasting. Jada had dreame
d about her ideal wedding for so long. Now that she was getting what she wanted, it didn’t seem real.
“Hey, you guys, wait up.” Christina chased after them. “Can you drop me off at the airport?”
“Yeah, sure.” Zack opened the front and back passenger doors, before rounding the truck and climbing into the driver’s seat. “So where are you off to this weekend?”
“She’s going to see Luke,” Jada said in a sing-song voice, giggling when her cousin popped her in the back of the head. Her cousin’s secret life was also taking her to New York more often, and seeing Luke was working in her favor when it came to not telling the family what she was really up to. Jada would never betray her cousin’s confidence, but she hoped Christina came clean soon with the family. In the meantime, Jada would play along. “I don’t know why you’re keeping things hush, hush about Luke. We all know you two are an item.”
The three of them kept a steady stream of conversation going until Zack dropped Christina at the airport. Two hours later, he pulled his Land Rover onto the Ravenwood Castle property. Jada had heard about the estate but wasn’t prepared for the majestic surroundings and the medieval flair of the buildings.
“This is … wow,” were the only words she could form to describe their surroundings.
Zack shut off the vehicle, undid his seat belt, and turned to her. “What’s on your mind?” He reached for her hand and kissed the back of it. “You’ve barely said two words since we dropped off CJ. You make me nervous when you get quiet.”
Jada smiled and undid her seat belt. “I’ve been thinking.”
“Oh boy. Every time you start thinking—”
“Zack!” She punched him in the arm, and he rubbed the offended appendage in mock pain. “I’m serious.”
Laughing he said, “Okay, sweetheart. I’m sorry.” He pulled her to him for a kiss, his hand at the back of her neck. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”
“I’m thinking about going back to school.”
“Really? What will you major in?”
“I’m thinking either fashion or business. I’d like to be a buyer, a fashion buyer someday. What do you think?”
He massaged the back of her neck, something she was quickly growing accustomed to and loving every minute of his gentle caress.
“I think it’s a great idea as long as you’re going back to school because you want to, not because you think me or anyone else expects you to continue your education.” He continued to study her. “I have a feeling there’s something else on your mind. What is it? What’s bothering you?”
She smiled and shook her head. It was getting to the point that she couldn’t hide anything from him, but she had no complaints. She loved that he was so in tuned with her.
“How would you feel if we didn’t get married in a church or a castle?” She glanced at the main building, loving how authentic it looked despite not being a real hundred-year-old castle.
“Hold up.” Zack leaned back, his dark eyebrows slanted in a frown. “Is this a trick question? Some of my married friends warned me that you might throw out trick questions occasionally. Like, do these jeans make me look fat? Or are my hips too big?”
Jada threw her head back and burst out laughing. She could just picture Craig or one of Zack’s former teammates telling him that. “No, I’m serious. I’ve been thinking about all of the wedding planning lately. The decisions that have to be made, the cost, just … all of it. What do you think about us eloping?”
“Sweetheart, I will marry you anytime and anywhere, but I want to make sure you have the type of wedding day you’ve been dreaming of. You know you don’t have to worry about the money, and you don’t have to plan everything yourself. That’s what wedding planners or mothers are for. But most importantly, what about the fantasy? I thought you wanted the long flowing dress and wanted to get married in a castle?”
“Well.” She stared down at their joined hands, remembering their first date and how much she’d grown since then. Gazing into his crystal blue eyes, she felt that she had everything she’d ever wanted. “Zack,” she cupped his cheek, loving the feel of the scruff along his jawline. “I have plenty of long flowing dresses and your home is like a castle. Most importantly, I’m engaged to the man of my dreams. Technically, the fantasy has almost been fulfilled. Once we say ‘I do’,” she shrugged, “my fantasy will be a reality.”
“Well, damn, when you put it that way. Where do you want to go? Hawaii? Bali? Tahiti? Name it, and I will make the arrangements today. We can be out of here first thing in the morning.”
Jada laughed. “Wow, you’re not wasting any time. I didn’t mean we had to leave like … now!”
He stared lovingly into her eyes. “Sweetheart, I have waited a lifetime for you. I don’t want to wait any longer.” He kissed her forehead, and then her nose, and finally, he settled against her mouth, kissing her as if his life depended on making her happy. The slow, drugging kiss was like none they had ever shared before. Her pulse pounded, and desire roared through her body, igniting the passion waiting to be released. Oh yeah, this was what she wanted to look forward to for the rest of her life.
Breathing heavy she gripped his face. “Okay, okay, uh, how about Vegas?”
The End
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About the Author
Bestselling author, Sharon C. Cooper, spent 10 years as a sheet metal worker. And while enjoying that unique line of work, she attended college in the evening and obtained her B.A. from Concordia University in Business Management with an emphasis in Communication. Sharon is a romance-a-holic - loving anything that involves romance with a happily-ever-after, whether in books, movies or real life. She writes contemporary romance, as well as romantic suspense and enjoys rainy days, carpet picnics, and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. When Sharon is not writing or working, she’s hanging out with her amazing husband, doing volunteer work or reading a good book (a romance of course). To read more about Sharon and her novels, visit www.sharoncooper.net
Other Titles by Sharon C. Cooper:
Jenkins Family Series (Contemporary Romance)
Best Woman for the Job (Short Story Prequel)
Still the Best Woman for the Job (book 1)
All You’ll Ever Need (book 2)
Tempting the Artist (book 3) – Coming Soon
Negotiating for Love – (book 4) – Coming Soon
Seducing the Boss Lady – (book 5) – Coming Soon
Reunited Series (Romantic Suspense)
Blue Roses (book 1)
Secret Rendezvous (Prequel to Rendezvous with Danger)
Rendezvous with Danger (book 2)
Truth or Consequences (book 3)
Stand Alones
Something New (“Edgy” Sweet Romance)
Legal Seduction (Harlequin Kimani – Contemporary Romance)
Sin City Temptation (Harlequin Kimani – Contemporary Romance) – coming March 2015
Connect with Sharon Online:
Website: http://sharoncooper.net
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorSharonCCooper21?ref=hl
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Sharon_Cooper1
Subscribe to her blog: http://sharonccooper.wordpress.com/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5823574.Sharon_C_Cooper
Turn the page for an excerpt of Still the Best Woman for the Job (Toni -TJ- Jenkins Story) book 1 of the Jenkins Family Series
Excerpt From:
STILL THE BEST WOMAN FOR THE JOB (Toni & Craig’s story)
“Would you come on,” Toni Jenkins gasped for air. “Put your back into it, Jada. How can you lug sheet metal around all day and can’t help drag a sloppy drunk to the bathroom?”
Jada’s chest heaved and her long, dark hair whipped across her face. She glared around Ronald’s body at Toni. “Say one more thing and I will drop his heavy ass
right here in the middle of the hallway. Then see how far you get in hiding him. Grampa’s going to kill you when he finds out you’re hanging out with drunks and that you brought one of them to his birthday party!”
Toni clamped her mouth shut and pulled the hem of her short dress down with one hand while she held onto her date, Ronald, with her other. She needed Jada’s help. The last thing she wanted is for her grandmother to find out Ronald barfed on an eight-foot Golden Cane Palm Tree, one of her prize possessions. No, she couldn’t handle a lecture tonight, but if her grandfather got wind of the night’s events, that’s exactly what she would get. Character is built by the choices we make, her grandfather’s familiar words taunted.
“Wha … what are yo … you doin’ to me,” Ronald slurred before his head dipped to the side and a low snore rumbled against Toni’s ear.
“Oh, shut up,” she mumbled under her breath.
What did her recent dating choices say about her character? Ronald might have been tall, good-looking and possessed a body women fantasized about, but he wasn’t the brightest bulb on the Christmas tree. If she were honest with herself, she’d have to admit that she’d dated her share of losers since breaking up with Craig.
Argh! Why can’t I stop thinking about him?
As soon as the question leaped into her mind, so did the answer. She was still in love with Craig Logan … and she hated it. Okay, stop thinking about him. Don’t think about him, don’t think about— “Oh crap.” Toni grabbed hold of the nearby wall when her foot slipped and she lost her grip on Ronald.
Her cousin glared at her. “If you don’t…” she started but didn’t finish when Toni regained her footing and grasped the back of Ronald’s shirt, bringing him upright again. Thankfully, the bathroom was in sight and none of the party guest had found their way to the back of the house. The area was empty and quiet, perfect for hiding a body.
All You'll Ever Need Page 19
