Page 23

Chapter Eight
The door swung open revealing a pair of bare pearl legs. The thin nighty fell over Cassie’s shoulders, but opened; exposing her bare stomach and see through lingerie bra and panties set.
Jaden had done exactly what she wanted, come to the lair. His eyes roved down to her bare pedicured feet, back up to her small pointy breasts. He tossed her key up, and she caught it as it neared.
“Sorry for the interruption,” he said. “I would’ve been here sooner, but I had to take care of something first.”
Cassie shrugged. “No need for the apology. I’m grateful you came all this way to return my key.”
Jaden rubbed his jaw. “Yeah, about that.” He placed his hands in his pocket. “You can be truthful with me Cassie, did you leave your key on purpose?”
Cassie gasped and covered her chest. “Why Jaden, are you asking if I set you up so I could get you over here and seduce you?”
Jaden thought better of her. “Never mind, forget I asked. Have a good night.” He inclined his head and turned to take his leave.
“Wait!”
Jaden paused and looked back over his shoulder.
“Why don’t you come in for a minute?”
Slowly turning full circle, Jaden kept his hands in his pockets as he spoke. “Now, why would I do that?” His voice was smoothed and unbothered.
“We’re friends, right? It’s been a long time. Let’s catch up.”
Jaden was starting to rethink taking back the ill intent thoughts before. He flipped his wrist and glanced at his watch. “It’s late. I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”
“Why is that? You have someone to go home to?”
No, he didn’t, but he was working on it. After that thought crossed his mind, Jaden frowned. When exactly had he decided he was working on it?
“Let’s be honest, Cassie. Nothing can come of us catching up, except for…”
A smile lingered at the corner of Cassie’s pink lips; a gleam in her eye.
“Listen,” Jaden spoke, “I appreciate you for opening your studio tonight. I owe you one. Have a good night.”
He turned to walk away, and Cassie watched him go. If it was the chase Jaden wanted, it was what he’d get she surmised.
The next day Claudia walked into the doors of Morgan’s on Fulton. A Caucasian male dressed down in a button-down shirt, black slacks and tie approached her.
“Can I help you with something?”
Claudia took a quick eye over the place. She’d scoured the internet for the perfect venue, and this seemed to be what she was searching for.
“I’m looking to rent your establishment for a fundraising benefit and would like to get a personal tour of the place.”
“Tell me more about your event.”
“I’ve started a nonprofit Caregivers Organization. The mission is to give back and be a light house, so to speak, for families who have full time or part time caregivers in the home. Caregivers Organization will be a resource for families, offering support groups, individual living assessments, training on medications and more. But I’m just starting up, so for now, I need a venue to help me get the ball rolling.
“I completely understand, and that sounds like a great nonprofit. How did you come up with the idea?”
“I happen to be a full-time caregiver myself, and in the beginning, I felt alone trying to find the resources I needed. Now I want to make sure no one within my reach feels the same way.”
The man smiled. “Excellent, just excellent. Follow me, let me show you around.”
They strolled through three large rooms; some with a lounge area holding sofa’s, a bar, and floor to ceiling windows. Claudia’s phone vibrated as they reached the last room and she frowned at the unknown number on her screen.