Star of His Heart - Brenda Jackson [38]
Rainey chuckled. “I’m so excited about tomorrow night I can’t stand it. Just to think movie actors Sterling Hamilton and Diamond Swain Madaris are going to be here.”
Netherland nodded. Sterling Hamilton and Diamond Swain Madaris would be serving as MCs for the charity event, which according to ticket sales would be a huge success. In fact it was already sold out. Sisters would definitely have a packed house tomorrow night. “You’re still planning on bidding for Alex Maxwell?”
Rainey smiled. “Yes. He’s the only one I would be interested in, but I don’t intend to let my interest in him get me into the poorhouse. There’s only so much of my money that I’ve set aside to use; after that he can go to the highest bidder with my blessings.” She chuckled. “Now Ashton is another matter. I would gladly break the piggy bank for him if I thought it wouldn’t test our friendship overly much.”
“You can bid on Ashton if you want. This is a free country.”
“Yeah, right. I’ll pass. You’re going to have enough trouble keeping Angela away from him.”
Netherland lifted a dark brow. “I don’t plan on keeping anyone away from Ashton. Any woman who wants him can bid for him.”
“And you still don’t plan to bid?”
“No.”
“I think you’d be making a mistake. I’d love to see someone knock Angela off her high horse.”
“What do you mean?”
“She’s been going around bragging all week about the weekend she plans to have with Ashton after she wins. It appears she’s no longer a man-hater where Ashton is concerned, but has turned into a number-one nymphomaniac. From what I hear she intends to get her money’s worth out of him.”
Netherland fought back the spark of jealousy that raced through her and said, “Then I’m happy for Angela.”
Rainey shook her head and gazed thoughtfully at Netherland. “I hope you don’t live to regret what you’re saying, Nettie.”
Netherland took a deep breath. She didn’t want to tell Rainey but a part of her hoped so, too.
Rome stood just inside the door to Jada’s apartment and stared at it in mute admiration. Although the furnishings were sparse, it was a neat, tidy place. They had known each other for almost a week. He had taken her out on two separate occasions, and this was the first time she had taken the initiative to invite him inside.
“Thanks again for bringing me home, Rome,” Jada was saying as she walked nervously to the other side of the room. She cleared her throat. “You did say you wanted something to drink, right?”
Rome nodded as he came into the apartment and closed the door behind him. “Yes, I’d love a Coke or Pepsi if you have one.”
“Yes, I do. I’ll be right back.”
Rome watched as she quickly left him to go into the kitchen. She shot one quick glance back at him before leaving the room. He pondered her actions for a minute. If he didn’t know better, he would think she was afraid of him for some reason.
He studied her intently when she returned and handed him the ice-cold can of Pepsi. He found her even more beautiful than the first time he’d laid eyes on her. Her shoulder-length hair cascaded around her face like a halo, and her lips were firm and full. But it was her eyes that always managed to take his breath away. They were the most gorgeous set of brown eyes he had ever seen on a woman. “Thanks. Do you mind if I sit down?”
Jada’s face tinted with embarrassment. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t think to ask you to have a seat. How stupid of me, and—”
“That’s okay, Jada.” Rome reached out to place a reassuring hand on her shoulders and immediately she recoiled from his touch and took a step away from him. He lifted a brow. “Jada? What is it? Why are you afraid of me?”
She dropped her gaze from his. “My inviting you here was a mistake, Rome. I think I shouldn’t have begun seeing you in the first place.”
“Why?”
She met his gaze again. “I have issues.”
Rome chuckled. “Don’t we all?”
“But mine