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Jaden fancied them with a sexy grin. “Let me work out the details, you just do your part.” His voice was stern as he watched Desiree. Jaden and his brother’s intoxicating stares were enough to make a woman do whatever they wanted. Desiree was sure she hadn’t agreed to something so quickly without putting up a fight before. She could see why Claudia was so taken by Jaden and why she’d seemed depressed lately with him not around.
“Well alright,” Adeline said. “Have fun and bring me back a souvenir.”
“Will do,” Jaden rose to his feet. “I’ll see myself out.”
“No, no!” Claudia swatted her steering wheel. “Come on Betsy don’t fail me now!”
The Toyota Camry stuttered, and smoke billowed from the engine. Claudia let out a series of harsh expletives as she pulled the car to the side of the highway. With the steering wheel clutched in both her hands she shook it, and her head fell into the horn. It blared, and she jumped.
“Shit,” she swore.
Claudia pulled her cell phone out and went through her contacts. “David, Gerald, Paul,” she muttered going through the choices of men that could possibly come and help her. When she came to Jaden’s name, she paused with her finger hovering over the call button. Samiyah had given her sound advice, but Claudia was still hesitant on whether to take it. To reveal the way she felt to him was scary in more ways than one.
There was a sharp knock on her window and Claudia jumped as she glanced up.
“Need help?” The stranger asked.
Claudia opened her door and stepped out with her hair swaying with the wind. “Yeah, my engines busted I believe. I just need to call triple A.”
The young fare skinned brother smiled and pointed behind her. Claudia glanced around to see a tow truck.
“I’m not triple A, but I think I can get the job done.”
Claudia grinned. “Oh my luck is never this good. How much?”
“Fifty.”
“You got it, let’s go!”
“Grab whatever you need out of your vehicle, and you can sit in mine while I get your Toyota hooked up.”
Claudia did take note of the way the man’s gaze landed on every part of her. “What did you say your name was again?” she asked.
“Marcus.” He held his hand out for a shake. “And you are?”
“Claudia, nice to meet you, Marcus.”
“Very nice indeed,” Marcus stated.
An hour later, Claudia’s Toyota was with her friendly neighborhood mechanic. She’d went to pay Marcus for the tow, but instead of payment, he’d asked for her number. When she declined, he’d given her his. That gave Claudia a chuckle.
“You’re not used to taking no for an answer, huh?”
“Not when I’m determined.”
“I would rather pay you. I don’t want to give you an impression that I’ll be calling you.”
“Why,” he glanced to her ring finger. “Are you married?”
“Um, no.”
“Long term relationship?”
“You don’t have to keep guessing. I’m single but not looking.”
“Unless the right man comes along,” he said.
Claudia smirked. “And I guess you’re the right man, then?”