Indulgence (190 page)

“Morning, Jennifer. I just want to check on a few things
before I leave. The jet’s on standby.” She nodded in understanding. “If Miss
Charles from B & C calls this week please get her anything she needs.”

“Yes, Miss Charles. She’s a lovely girl! No problem, James.”
She headed to her desk just outside my office and got to work.

I set my automatic reply in my email before I shut down my
computer and packed up my laptop. As I walked out of my office I set a box down
on Jennifer’s desk. “Please see this is delivered by courier today. See you
next week.”

“Sure thing, James. Give your mother my love.”

I nodded as I headed to the elevators. The doors opened and
Calvin was standing there in his uniform screaming into his phone. He flew
right by me and headed to Jennifer’s desk. “I’d like to see Mr. Benedict.” He
put the cell phone in his pocket.

“I’m sorry, sir, is there a problem?” Jennifer was looking
at me, expecting me to make my escape or to intervene. Calvin was looking all
around, completely oblivious that
I
was who he was looking for.

“Officer Charles, I believe you’re looking for me.”

He turned and glared at me, unaware he had just walked by
me. “Mr. Benedict. Yes, a moment of your time, if you don’t mind.”

“Jennifer, call Smith and let him know I’ll be down
shortly.” I walked back into my office as Calvin followed and I motioned him to
sit on the couch, then shut the door behind him.

“This won’t take long.” I set my briefcase down and turned
to him. He had closed the distance between us and was pointing his finger in my
face. “Stay the hell away from my sister.”

I moved away and sat down on the other couch across from where
he stood and ripped my hands through my hair. “Calvin, if you’d calm down and
give me a moment to explain; I think I deserve at least that.”

He was battling with himself as he took a few strides before
sitting down across from me. There really wasn’t much of a family resemblance
except for their eye color. “Talk.”

“Officer Charles, or can I call you Calvin?” I was goading
him when I knew I shouldn’t. If I had a sister I would have been fuming mad
about her dating me, too.

“Officer Charles will do. What the hell were you doing at my
sister’s place?”

I raised my eyebrows at him. I knew he didn’t really want
the answer to that question.

“Dammit, that’s not what I meant. Stay away from her.”

“Officer Charles, calm down. I know what you must think.” I
let out a deep sigh. “I’m not who you think I am. I care deeply for Cassidy.
There are some things you should know.”

~ CASSIDY ~

“God dammit, Cal. CAL?!”
Shit.
I couldn’t believe
what he was doing. I was on my way to my office and had to pull over. I tried
dialing James but he didn’t answer, so I called Lena who answered immediately.

“Lena, can you get me the number to Benedict Holdings, I
can’t find it in my phone. No, not the hotel, ok thanks.” Once the text came
through I dialed the number and headed back into traffic.

“Benedict Holdings, Jennifer speaking.”

“Jennifer, its Cassidy Charles. Yes, I know, ok, that’s not
why I’m calling.”
Shut up lady!
“Did a tall blonde cop just walk in, by
chance? Yes, shit, ok. Umm, no I’m on my way.” I disconnected the call and
threw my phone down on the passenger seat. I started hitting my steering wheel
while shouting, “Shit, shit, shit! Damn you, Cal, you overbearing ass.”

I pulled up to the office building almost twenty minutes
later in sheer panic. I had no idea where to park, forgetting about the
underground garage. I hoped and prayed they both still had their teeth. I
glanced across the street and saw Andy doing valet at the hotel. I squealed my
tires as I did a U-turn and pulled into the valet at the hotel.

“Miss Charles, nice to see you.” I threw him the keys
without a word and dodged a few cars while I ran across the street.

I was greeted by the security desk and a man in uniform I
didn’t recognize. I asked to see Mr. Benedict and in return got a suspicious
look at my request. “Jennifer is expecting me.” He got on his phone and pressed
a couple of buttons. A short moment later he hung up the phone and pointed to
the elevator while he mentioned I needed to go to the 23
^rd
floor,
unaware that I already knew that. I could only imagine what threats Cal used to
get past the security desk.

It seemed like forever before the doors opened to the floor
I sought. I rushed out and saw a desk with a woman in her fifties sitting
behind it. “You must be Miss Charles?” I nodded as I recognized her voice. I
started looking around in a panic. “Dear, you look like you’ve seen a ghost,
are you ok?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Is James still here?” She waved toward his
office doors, doors that were closed. For the first time I noticed his name on
the door. Jackson James Benedict III, God that was a mouthful. I looked back to
Jennifer who motioned me in. Hesitantly I pushed on the door. The scene that
greeted me had my stomach turning. What the hell was going on?

They were both sitting forward, opposite each other,
laughing. Cal spotted me first and jumped to his feet. “That’s my cue. James,
it was a pleasure.” James stood and they shook hands. “I’ll see you on Friday.”

I was dumbfounded. What had just happened? Cal kissed my
cheek and whispered, “He’s one hell of a guy, sis.” I was left staring after
him as he left.

“Morning, Cassidy.” I turned to James who was smiling like
he knew the best kept secret in town and was waiting to see what I would offer
to find out what it was.

He gathered up some papers from the coffee table and put
them in his briefcase before he turned back to me. My hands were on my hips and
I was utterly baffled.

“What the hell is going on?” I was genuinely concerned and
he just shrugged his shoulders and strode over to me.

“Your brother likes me. He’s a smart guy.” He pulled my
hands off my waist and brought them to his lips. He kissed each in turn.
“Cassidy, you’re going to be late for work.”

“I’m already late. I thought for sure I’d walk in to a
brawl. What did you say to him?”

He pulled me close and kissed my nose. “I told him the
truth.”

“Which is?”

“The truth.”

“For the love. You seem quite pleased with yourself.” He
kissed me chastely. “I thought you were going out of town?”

“Smith is waiting for me downstairs.” Our hands were
entwined as he held them behind my back, leaning into me seductively. “Did you
sleep well?”

I blushed immediately and smiled. “You know I did. When did
you leave?”

“Late. Let me walk you out.” We headed out of his office and
past Jennifer after he grabbed his briefcase. Her head was buried in her work
as we entered the elevator. He pulled me tight against him. “You in an elevator
with me, tsk, tsk, tsk.” He bit my ear and I giggled as I grabbed onto his suit
jacket. “I can’t get enough of you, lady.”

“Good, that means you’ll keep coming back for more.”

He jerked back and looked at me, “Always!” The doors opened
and he was all business again as we walked out the front doors. “Where’s your
car?” I pointed across the street. He laughed as I explained my parking dilemma.
He waved to Andy who responded by hopping in my car and driving it over. “I
don’t want to jeopardize your job. I’ll be in touch.” He embraced me and kissed
me deeply.

I was vaguely aware of Andy’s reaction after he pulled my
car up. When James was done kissing me, Andy acted like he hadn’t seen a thing.
I then saw James’s Rover pulled up behind my car and a man in black shades was
standing by the driver’s side door. He simply nodded to me.

“That’s Smith.” I mouthed ‘oh’ as James shuffled me into my
car. He leaned down, “Think of me.” He kissed me again as he ran his hand up my
leg before buckling me in. He cupped me gently and I clenched my thighs around
his hand before he quickly pulled away.

“You’re the devil,” I glared at him. He smiled, closed my
door and I drove off once I’d regained my composure. It was going to be a long
lonely week. Thank God work would keep me busy.

~ JAMES ~

I watched her drive off and then climbed in next to Smith
before he headed to the airport. Calvin was more than receptive to what I had
told him, more than I thought he would’ve been. He was a little shocked and
told me that Cassidy should know, but he would let me handle that. It couldn’t
have gone any better, really. It was going to be a long week. Friday couldn’t
get here soon enough.

Revealed

~ CASSIDY ~

I walked into work thirty minutes late. Lena rushed into my
office asking, “Everything ok?” She handed me my coffee.

“All good. It’s still warm.”

“I ran it through the microwave.”

“Thank you, Lena. Is she here?”

“Not yet, you’re in the clear.” I plopped into my chair,
relieved by her words. Though Cecily was late to work on numerous occasions,
she didn’t appreciate tardiness from her employees, and she always seemed to be
on time on the days we were late. The joys of being the boss.

“Have we collected all the auction items for Friday?” Lena
sat down at the other side of my desk as we dug into work.

A couple hours later, we were both on calls; Lena was on her
cell and I was on my desk phone when Linda came in. She dropped a package on my
desk, and behind her, a pair of legs carrying a massive bouquet of peonies
walked in. I ended the phone call and couldn’t help the smile that spread
across my face.

“Flowers for Miss Charles.” The delivery man poked his head
from behind the floral arrangement.

“That’s her!” Lena chirped as the flowers were placed on my
side console. I came out from around my desk and signed for them. “They’re
beautiful. Who are they from, Cassidy?”

“Thank you.” The delivery man made his way out, followed by
Linda who was scowling at me.
The old bag needed to get laid
, I thought
as I opened the card.

Blackbird,

I’ll never forget our firsts.

Miss me.

XO ~J

“Well?”

Blushing, I examined the peonies closer. The bouquet was a
mixture of purple, pink, red and blood red peonies with some greenery. They
were stunning. I closed my office door before taking my seat. “Lena, this has
to stay between you and me.” I’m not sure why I even bothered to preface the
conversation with that statement. One great thing about Lena was her ability to
keep a secret.

She was squealing with delight. “I couldn’t believe it when
I saw you in his office with him. O.M.G. Cassidy. He’s a big fucking deal! A
big fucking
hot
deal!” Her enthusiasm was contagious and I started laughing
with her. “Does Cecily know?”

“She saw us dancing at the masquerade on Friday and said we
needed to talk. So I’m not really sure.”

At that same moment, Anthony barreled through my door and
threw a newspaper down on my desk. Anthony was Cecily’s PA, gay, black and
wonderful. He and Lena were the closest people to me since I lost Holly.

I didn’t normally pay attention to the papers, especially
the society pages. Anthony
lived
off them. I picked up the paper and
examined the picture.

“What the fuck?” It was a picture of James and me at the
ball. We both had our masks on, but the caption read: JB3 MYSTERY WOMAN! “JB3?”

Lena and Anthony both said in unison, “Jackson James
Benedict the third; JB3!”

Realization hit me like a tidal wave.
James was JB3?
That was bad. “Oh, holy hell.” I may not have paid attention to
all
the
society pages, but I knew who JB3 was. Millionaire playboy, new girl every
week, bachelor extraordinaire. I heard Lena and Anthony talking about him all
the time. I really knew how to pick them.

“Holy hell is right, girlfriend. If the picture was in black
and white no one would know it was you, but in color, giiirrrl. You can’t hide
that mane of red hair. And since when are you and JB3 a thing?” He spotted the
bouquet and read the card. “XO, J? Giiirrrl! Caught you a big fish with that
one.”

My head was in my hands and I could feel the headache coming
on. “Fucking hell.”

“Mmmhmmm, hell fucking him, I bet it’s more like heaven.”
Lena immediately started cracking up as I turned fifty shades of red. “NOOO? I
was kidding. You’re sleeping with him? Honey, do tell! It’s time for lunch
anyway. Let’s go!”

Anthony was right, it was time for lunch. I grabbed my bag
as Lena, Anthony and I headed to the Coney Island down the street. I filled
them both in on the way.

By the time our lunch arrived I had spilled the beans
including our run-ins at the Blue Horse from the summer. I spared no detail
except for some of the intimate ones.

“What am I going to do? He’s JB3. I don’t know if I can
handle this.”

Anthony was fanning himself. “Honey, if you don’t want to
handle that, I will!” We all started laughing. “Please tell me he’s got a
little dick. I don’t think I can bare it knowing he’s that good looking and
hung.”

My face gave me away without any hesitation. I hated that I
so easily blushed.

“Damn. Giiirrrl, you hold onto that with both hands,
literally.” Then he winked.

We went back to eating as I pondered all the thoughts
running through my head. He could have any girl he wanted, he was so far out of
my league. Anthony asked me what was wrong. “Um, I’m me and he’s, well, JB3!
I’m from a blue collar family and he’s not. He’s high society. This is a
disaster waiting to happen.”

Anthony grabbed my hand. “Girl, you a catch. You’re real,
not some fake society bimbo. Has he given you any reason to doubt him?”