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Authors: Cheris Hodges

BOOK: Betting On Love
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Maurice smiled and shrugged his shoulders. “Can you blame them? Make sure you tell them I'm completely off the market.”
“Shut the hell up,” James replied, with a smile.
“I'm just saying, women in Charlotte are always trying to get next to me for a shot at you. It's crazy, and the beautiful thing about Jade is that she doesn't seem to care who you are.”
“But you two are just hooking up here in Vegas. What happens when you get home?” Maurice asked as they headed for the elevator.
James shrugged again and fell silent. He knew that he'd never find a woman that could compare to Jade or that could turn him on with just a smile. Maurice was right, though. James had grown tired of meaningless sex and women who thought they were getting one step closer to landing a football player. “Who knows what the future holds,” he finally said as they walked into the casino's restaurant.
“I know I can't wait to get on that plane and go home to my wife,” Maurice said.
James lifted his arm and cracked a pretend whip.
Maurice elbowed his brother in his side. “I am not
that
whipped!” he protested as they approached the table and joined the rest of their friends.
“Bullshit,” Homer said. “All Kenya needs is a leash. That woman says, ‘Jump,' and you ask her, ‘How high?'”
“Well, gentlemen, one day you all will meet a woman who lights up your world,” Maurice informed them. “But until you do, stop hating on me and my wife for having a good marriage.”
Deion Richardson, an offensive lineman, nodded. “Mo is right. When you fall in love, you do what you have to do to keep that broad happy, because it's cheaper to keep her.”
The men at the table burst out laughing, and Maurice shook his head in annoyance. “Whatever, fools,” he said. “The love of a good woman has changed me for the better. If you all stop thinking with that small muscle in your pants, you might get a clue as to what the good life really is. Besides, Kenya didn't marry me for the money, and we won't be getting divorced for it, either.”
James couldn't help but take his brother's words to heart. Could Jade be the light he'd been looking for?
What the hell? I just met this woman, and I'm not going to delude myself into thinking it's more than what it is.
“What time do we get to take the rest of James's money?” Homer asked. “Matter of fact, I hope you bring your call girl with you.”
“Jade isn't a call girl, and she's coming, so I hope you're ready to lose,” James said.
“Whatever,” Homer said. “She's fine as hell. But everybody is fine in Vegas.”
“So what happened to you?” Maurice asked. “You look like the same ugly dude I see in Charlotte.”
Homer tossed a packet of sugar at his friend. “I'm not going to block for you the next time a pass is thrown across the middle and a DB is gunning for you.”
“And you will never go on another trip with me,” Maurice said.
James's cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled the phone out and saw that there was a text message from the realty office in Charlotte.
James, we just got a call about brokering a deal for a restaurant in the Cherry neighborhood. It's an investment group, but the place is already being sought by a chef from Atlanta. Call me when you get a chance.
James dialed the office and excused himself from the table. The last thing he wanted to do was enter a bidding war for a property. No one ever seemed to win those.
 
 
Jade didn't want to get out of bed when her wake-up call rang. She was enjoying her dream about James. A dream that she was going to need to come true. She wanted his lips on hers again, wanted to feel his body on top of hers, just as it had been in her dream and in the back of the limo. Just as she was about to ignore the wake-up call, she heard banging on her door. She didn't even have to look to know it was Serena.
Pulling herself out of bed, Jade bounded to the door and opened it.
“So, this is how you do business? Our meeting is in an hour, and you're still in the bed,” Serena said. “I have to ask if you're alone in there.”
“Aren't we meeting those investors downstairs?” Jade asked, rolling her eyes at her friend.
“So what? You should be showered and dressed. You do want your money back from that asshole, don't you?”
Jade sighed and picked up the phone to order some coffee. “You know I want to stop Stephen from opening that restaurant in Charlotte, which I would be paying for,” she said while she waited for room service to come on the line. “And for the record, I slept alone last night.”
Serena nodded. “Good. Kandace called a realty company in Charlotte to get a line on how much the property costs and to see if we can take it from Carter.”
Jade ordered the coffee and told Serena to tip the delivery guy or girl, because she was going to take a shower. Once she was alone in the bathroom, she thought about what James had said to her the first night that they met. Was Stephen really worth her energy?
This is more than revenge because he cheated on you. This man robbed you of the majority of your savings. He deserves whatever he gets.
Jade hopped in the shower, ready to stick it to Stephen.
CHAPTER 8
After eating breakfast, James decided that he needed to be alone for a while. He was sick and tired of hearing Mo and his friends talk about football. He didn't give a damn about a three-four defensive scheme or if the new quarterback was going to work out and develop the same chemistry with Maurice that the one the team had traded had. James, who wasn't much of a football player, had run track in high school and college. Sometimes he worked out with Maurice and some of the other Panthers' players to stay in shape. But he was far from a gym rat.
James went to his suite to change into his swimming trunks and grab a copy of
USA Today
to read while he lounged. As he changed his clothes, he wondered if Jade wore a two-piece bathing suit or a sexy one-piece with a cutout mid section exposing her stomach. Shaking his head, he tried to push thoughts of Jade out of his mind. But he couldn't, and quite frankly, that startled him. He knew they were sharing a fling, but there was something about her that made him think there could be more going on.
But this is Vegas, and everything that's flashy and shiny isn't really what I need,
he thought as he headed out the door.
James headed to the rooftop pool, picking a chaise lounge in the corner, away from the gathering crowd of morning swimmers. He leaned back and watched the people settling into their chairs and rubbing sunscreen on their skin. Most of the early morning swimmers were elderly people, who had probably been in bed, sleeping, while he and Jade were out in the limo. James began to read his paper, and his cell phone chimed again.
“This is James,” he said into the phone.
“I know you're on vacation, but that group called again and they want to set up a meeting next week,” said Amber Williams, the Brothers Realty office manager and James's assistant.
“All right. I'll meet with them, but let them know that we're not in the business of stealing property from underneath someone.”
“Okay. So, how's Vegas?”
James looked up and saw Jade, Serena, and two men walking toward the bar on the other side of the pool. “It's fine,” he said. “Something just came up. Let me give you a call back.” Snapping the phone shut, James watched intently as the foursome ordered breakfast. Were these men the reason why Serena and Alicia had shown up at his suite? What kind of games were these women playing?
Be cool,
he thought as he folded his paper and put it in his lap. Still, as he tried to calm himself, he wanted to go over there and find out who in the hell those men were. James knew he didn't have a claim on Jade and she was free to do whatever she wanted. That still didn't explain the intense jealousy building in the pit of his stomach.
 
 
“Well, Ms. Christian, your business plan is exceptional,” said Christopher McAlster, president of Nevada State Bank.
“Is it exceptional enough for you to invest in my restaurant?” Jade asked, with a smile on her face.
“The market is so fickle right now. But from what you've shown me about Charlotte, North Carolina, this might be a good investment,” Christopher replied.
Serena looked from Christopher to his second in command, Richard Habersham. It seemed as if they were going to be shot down by the bank. Richard's face was emotionless and stoic.
“
Might
be a good investment?” Jade repeated. “Mr. McAlster, this is the best investment opportunity that will come your way this year.”
Christopher looked at Richard, who gave him a slight nod.
“We're willing to take a chance on your restaurant,” Richard said. “But here are the terms of our investment.” He reached into his briefcase and pulled out a contract.
“Let me see this,” Serena said as she took the contract from Richard's hands. Silently, she read over it. “This reads more like a loan document. We're not looking for a loan. Charlotte is the number two banking center in the country. I'm sure we can get loans there with lower interest rates.”
Christopher cleared his throat, then said, “Well, the restaurant business is risky, and I can't in good conscience allow the bank to just hand over money and not know when we're going to see a profit. It would be different if the restaurant was going to be here in Las Vegas.”
Jade squared her jaw. “Serena, let me see those papers.”
“I tell you what,” Serena said as she handed the contract to Jade. “This interest rate is way too high. The monthly payments are a little more than we are willing to pay and ...”
Jade flipped through the papers and then asked, “Where do I sign?”
Serena flashed her friend a look that said, “Have you lost your damned mind?”
Christopher smiled and pulled a pen from his slacks' pocket. Jade took the pen from his hand and then turned to Serena. “We need this, and we're going to pay this loan back. This restaurant is important to us, and it will be a success.”
“I tell you what,” Christopher said. “Let's order breakfast, and I'll see what I can do about this interest rate. Ms. Christian, I like your spunk, and I do believe your business is going to be a smashing success.”
Jade smiled and shook hands with him. Richard cleared his throat, then said, “I'm going back to the office, Mr. McAlster, unless you need me for something else.”
“No, Richard, that's all,” Christopher said.
Serena and Richard rose to their feet at the same time. Serena turned to Jade and whispered, “Make sure you get a lower interest rate. This loan is one step below highway robbery.”
Jade nodded and pinched her friend on the arm as she took her leave. Once Christopher and Jade were alone, his true colors began to shine through.
“You know you're a beautiful woman,” he said after ordering two mimosas and eggs Benedict and bacon for both of them.
“Thank you, but what does that have to do with you lowering my interest on this loan?” Jade asked, smiling at him again.
Christopher placed his hand on top of her knee and stroked it. “That's all up to you.”
She pushed his hand away. No matter how much she needed the money, she wasn't going to let this sleazy old man try to get her into bed. “I don't think I like the way you do business, Mr. McAlster.”
“Please, call me Christopher. You know, I keep a suite in this casino hotel. Penthouse suite, actually. It's private, even the balcony. Have you ever made love on a balcony with the sun's rays caressing you like a lover's kiss?”
The bartender set their drinks in front of them, and Jade picked hers up, holding it tightly in her hand. “No, I haven't, and if you were the last man on earth, I wouldn't touch you with a ten-foot pole and a vibrating sex toy.”
Christopher smiled. “I don't have to approve this loan.”
“Then don't. Because if you think I'm going to hop into bed with you for money, you're a damned fool. That's not how I do business.”
He ran his index finger down her arm. “You'd love it. I know how to make a woman scream.”
Without giving it a second thought, Jade tossed her drink in his lecherous face. “You bastard! You can take this loan and stick it up your flabby ass.”
“Is there a problem over here?” a voice asked from behind Jade. She turned around and was happy to see James standing there.
“No,” Christopher said, rising to his feet. Though he tried to stand toe-to-toe with James, he was about three inches shorter than James.
“Well, it looks as if the lady doesn't want to be bothered,” James said gruffly.
“What business is it of yours?” Christopher demanded hotly as he wiped his dripping face with his hand.
“Leave her alone, or you're going to give the word
swimsuit
a new meaning,” James said.
Jade smiled as she watched the scene unfold. She hadn't even known James was at the pool, but she was happy that he was there.
“Are you threatening me? Do you know who I am?” Christopher said, his voice rising with indignation.
“Do I look like I give a damn who you are?” James snapped as he took a step closer to the man. Jade grabbed James's arm.
“He's not even worth it,” she said.
Christopher grabbed the loan papers and ripped them in half. “Good luck finding the funding you need now, you bitch.”
Without hesitation or a second thought, James balled his fist and punched Christopher, knocking him to the ground. “Didn't your mother teach you that it's not polite to call a woman out of her name?” Turning to Jade, James asked her if she was all right.
Sighing, thinking that she'd been so close to having the money that she needed to finally give Stephen what he deserved, she said, “Can we get out of here?”
The few people who were at the bar, munching on breakfast and sipping mimosas, were watching intently. James nodded. “Let's go.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and didn't even look back to see if Christopher had gotten up. Once they were inside the hotel and on the elevator, James asked, “Who was that guy?”
“A banker,” she replied. “Serena found him, and we should've left when his assistant pulled out loan papers instead of an investment agreement.”
“I hope I didn't overstep my boundaries, but when I saw you toss your drink in his face, I had no idea how he would react, and I didn't want to see him put his hands on you.”
Jade hugged James tightly. “You know, I'm really glad you were there. He was a total sleaze. Sometimes I have to wonder where Serena finds these people.”
James held his tongue. He hadn't told Jade about the visit her friends had paid him. At least he knew that Jade wouldn't do
anything
for money. That made him smile.
 
 
Jade was silent as she and James entered his suite. Her hopes of getting her money back from Stephen were dwindling like a campfire in a typhoon. The only thing she could do now was pray that the realty company Kandace had contacted would start a bidding war for the property that Stephen wanted. One way or another, Jade wanted him to pay for what he had done to her. But was it worth it?
She was tired of meeting with shady investors and of sleepless nights because her mind was filled with schemes to bring Stephen down. But being with James for the past few days had really set her mind at ease. She had no problem sleeping because she looked forward to dreaming about him. And he made her feel safe. That was important to her because she had always had to take care of herself. Her mother and father had spent the majority of their time working on riverboats, and Jade had had to fend for herself from an early age. Sometimes she'd been dropped off at her mother's parents. But living with them had been like being in boot camp. She'd been expected to cook, clean, and still pull down As and Bs in school. Her grandfather had been a borderline alcoholic, and no one had known what to expect whenever he walked into the house. Jade had always envied people who had normal parents and a family life that offered safety and security. All she remembered of her childhood was constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop.
College had been a time of change for Jade. She had had her first real taste of freedom, and she'd loved it. Kandace had been her roommate at Spelman College in Atlanta. By chance, they'd met and clicked with their neighbors, Serena and Alicia. Their friendship had been the best thing that had ever happened to her. Around the Atlanta University Center, they'd been known as the Four Musketeers. They had had each other's backs when they were college students and still did as adults.
Still, Jade wondered if this was something they should let go. Maybe she should just sue Stephen and forget trying to ruin him. Karma would get him in the end, wouldn't it?
“Are you all right?” James asked.
“What? Oh, yes, I'm fine.”
“Uh-huh, I'm really convinced,” James said as he led Jade to the sofa. “What was that guy talking about? What do you need funding for?”
“There's a property that we want to buy. It's no big deal. I know my business plan is well written,” Jade said. “We'll find legitimate investors.”
“I hope things work out for you guys. Your friends seem very protective of you,” he said.
“It's just because of the Stephen thing. I'm not fragile,” Jade said as she sat on the sofa. “But we do look out for each other.”
“Oh, I believe that, but there's nothing wrong with that,” he said.
“They have a name for men like you,” Jade said, with a smile on her lips.
James released a low chuckle. “Do I want to know what it is?”
“Amazing,” she said. James took a seat beside her.
“I can say the same about you,” he said as he took her hand in his.

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