by J. M. Witt
“Jane, really, it’s too much.” Cassidy opened the bag and pulled out three bottles of the champagne from the masquerade.
“Mother said that you really liked it.” She was speechless. “Open the box!”
“Yeah, Cass, open the box.” Cal was eyeing the large box suspiciously.
She gasped, “Holy sh... crap…Jane! It’s amazing.”
I just shrugged my shoulders. “Please, mom can afford it. It’s nothing. Get good use out of it!”
“What the hell is it?” Cal looked at it mystified. I couldn’t suppress the laugh that came out of my mouth and Cassidy joined me. She explained to him that it was Keurig coffee maker. “That’s too fancy for me. I’ll stick with my black coffee, 3 sugars.”
Cassidy ran over to me and surprised me with a hug and thanked me again. We served ourselves some Chinese and decided to pop one of the bottles of champagne. Cassidy poured each of us a glass before we headed to the living room. We chatted, ate and drank a little too much, except for Cal who only indulged in one glass. I was surprised by how comfortable I was around them both and I was immediately rooting for James and Cassidy. She would be so good for him, and the change of pace he needed.
“Jane you’ll be at the auction on Friday, right?” I wasn’t sure what she was getting at, but Cal’s head immediately turned to mine waiting for my response.
“Oh yeah, can’t get out of that one. What about you, Cal?”
“Yup, I’ll be there; looking forward to it.” Cassidy snickered and Cal threw her a dirty look.
“Oh, how quickly we change our stripes!” Cassidy was laughing good and hard when he tossed a pillow at her. I felt myself blush. It’d been so long since I’d been affected by a man flirting with me, and he was a good looking one at that. Alarms were blaring in my head as I tried to ignore them. His dimples alone were swoon worthy.
I was about to tell Cassidy I needed to head home when her cell started ringing. Crash into Me by DMB started playing. Cassidy asked us both, “Is that your phone?” Cal and I both shook our heads. We all began looking to see where the music was coming from.
“Found it.” Cal pulled a phone off the kitchen counter asking, “Who’s James?” He was holding the phone out of Cassidy’s reach and waggling his eyebrows at her. I smiled, knowing that if James was calling her, things must’ve gone well for them last night.
“Knock it off, Cal. Give me the phone.” She was urgently trying to get the phone from him as he held the phone even higher. Cassidy pinched his nipple and twisted, which immediately caused him to drop his arm as she snatched the phone out of his hand.
“Dammit, Cass, that hurt.” I couldn’t help but laugh at them.
“Good!” Cassidy rushed out the front door leaving Cal and I alone.
He was still rubbing his chest from where Cassidy pinched him. I smiled nervously while wringing my hands. Why was I so nervous? This was ridiculous! I started cleaning up some of the mess we made and he followed suit. He remained silent but continued smiling brightly at me as we put dishes in the sink, leftovers in the fridge and threw away the garbage. I felt like a girl again and I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not.
He was standing next to me, closer than necessary when Cassidy came bursting through the door and looked completely flustered. “Somebody’s blushing.” I stated the obvious as she shrugged her shoulders and then hiccupped.
“You’re supposed to be on my side!”
“I should get going. It’s getting late,” I winked at her knowingly.
“How are you going to get home?”
“Oh, yeah.” Pulling out my cell, “I’ll just call a cab. No biggie.”
“I can take you.” Cal’s words completely surprised me. My stomach did a flip and my mouth went dry.
“Now who’s blushing?” Cassidy was clearly in a great mood and possibly tipsy. She stuck her tongue out at Cal and I.
“Who’s James?” he asked her again. I averted my eyes since I agreed to stay hush about it. Though I didn’t like that Cassidy didn’t know I was related to James.
“Ask Jane. I have a feeling she knows him better than I do.” Cal looked to me and I just said he was a friend. Cassidy faked a yawn and ushered us out the door as fast as she could. Cal walked me to his truck and opened the door for me.
Chapter Five
~ CALVIN ~
“Where to Jane?” I buckled up and pulled onto the street.
“I’m staying with my parents over on Belmont Street, north side.”
“Ok.” Good Lord, she was from money. I didn’t stand a chance in hell being a cop, making a cops wage. I was way out of my league here.
“So you’re a cop?”
“Yup. I work the midnight shift. What about you?”
“I’m a Neonatal Intensive Care RN.” I looked at her like she was speaking in tongues and she laughed. “That look on your face tells me you don’t understand?” I nodded in agreement. “I help take care of babies after they’re born, but my passion is the premature babies.”
“Wow. That must be scary.”
“It can be, but it’s very rewarding too. I’m still looking for a job here. I actually have a second interview on Thursday with Children’s Hospital.”
“That’s great. Good luck.” I nervously tugged at the collar on my t-shirt.
“Cal, you can relax. I know you know I come from money. Sensed it from you the second I told you where I lived. I know that it can be intimidating. But that’s not what’s important to me. It has its perks, but please don’t let it cloud your judgment when it comes to me.” She placed her hand on my forearm.
“You really just throw it out there don’t you? I like that!” I placed my other hand on top of hers. We drove along for a few more minutes and the conversation flowed easily between us. “I forgot to ask. What do you know about this James guy?”
“Don’t worry about James, Calvin. He cares about her and I’ve known him my whole life. He’s a good man.”
“He better be.” I let out a deep sigh as I pulled up her drive. Jesus, the place was huge.
“So you’ll be at the auction then? I’ll look forward to seeing you in a suit.” She leaned in and kissed my cheek, completely catching me off guard. She was already opening the truck door before I had a chance to throw it in park.
“I’ll be looking forward to getting it off.” She turned to me and her eyes got big for a moment and she started laughing. Realizing what I’d just said, “That’s not what I meant.”
“Maybe that can be arranged.” She winked at me, hopped out and slammed the door shut. I watched her as she ran up the drive and waved before she disappeared inside. Hot damn! The auction just turned into an event I was looking forward to attending.
~ JANE ~
Whizzing in the door I ran up to my room. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face and knew if I ran into mom it would turn into the grand inquisition. Walking into my bathroom I looked at myself in the mirror. What the hell was I doing? I was openly flirting with him. The smile on my face looked foreign, but felt so good. I was scared to death about the thought of a relationship, but nobody said I couldn’t have some fun. And Cal, he looked like fun, lots of fun!
~<>~<>~<>~
The week had crawled by. My interview on Thursday at the hospital went really well, but they said they wouldn’t have an answer for me until next week. Now all my thoughts were focused on the auction and seeing Calvin again tonight. I did another once over in the mirror before grabbing my purse and heading down the stairs.
“There you are. Marcus is waiting.” Mom couldn’t get me out the door, and into the limo, fast enough. Marcus, mom’s driver, winked at me before shutting the door and making his way to the driver’s seat.
When we got to The Benedict Hotel, James’s newest real estate venture, there were photographers everywhere. I did my best to hide my face, hating the publicity. It’s not like I was famous. It was my name that was famous, and we were just famous in a small town.
Relie
ved once inside the ballroom; I looked around and took in the majesty of the space. It was bright and shiny as opposed to last week for the masquerade when it was dark and elegant. Mom and I spotted Cassidy as she made her way over to us. We were making small talk when I noticed Calvin walking into the ballroom. His eyes locked with mine and he brought his finger to his lips and I knew he wanted to surprise Cassidy, who had her back to him.
He looked edible in that tuxedo. It couldn’t have been a rental, it fit him too well. He was in all black except for the blue tie that matched his eyes. As he made his way up behind Cassidy, his grin grew bigger and bigger. She squealed as he wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up off the floor.
“Kudos, Cass, this looks great!”
“Calvin! Put me down.” Mom and I couldn’t help but chuckle at them. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” Cassidy punched him in the shoulder while admiring him, “You look great. I’m so glad you could make it!” I seconded her observation but didn’t vocalize it.
“Well, don’t keep us waiting in suspense, Cassidy, introduce us!” My mom was devouring Cal with her eyes. I didn’t know how my dad put up with her flirtatious ways. Cassidy seemed amused at my mother’s reaction to her brother and made introductions.
“Are you single, Calvin? Janey here could use a hunk like you in her life.”
Calvin laughed nervously and responded ‘yes’ as I scolded mother and apologized to Calvin. He just winked at me as Cassidy was pulled away by a young girl who I assumed must work with her.
We stood there for a few moments. I was paralyzed with nerves and couldn’t get myself to say two words to him. What is wrong with me? After a moment Cal excused himself and headed toward Cassidy and the young woman. The other woman raked her eyes all up and down his body and I suddenly felt jealous. I need a drink.
The night flew by. We all sat at the same table together, though Cassidy wasn’t able to sit with us for more than five minutes at a time. My mom wouldn’t stop talking Calvin’s ear off, so I wasn’t able to get two words in edgewise. At one point James elbowed me asking if I was ok.
“Me? Yea, I’m good.”
“He’s a good guy.”
I balked at James. Was I being that obvious? I couldn’t believe I was even remotely interested in a man at all, let alone this soon.
“Don’t sweat it, cuz. Your secret is safe with me!” He winked at me and left the table as the MC announced that the Bachelor portion of the night would begin soon.
I ran to the bathroom and when I made my way back into the ballroom all the men were gone. I spotted mom and joined her just before Cassidy came over to us.
“Cassidy; just who I was looking for. Please join me and Jane so we can enjoy the bachelors.”
Before Cassidy even had a chance to respond, mom was dragging us both toward the stage. Cassidy looked to me with a question in her eyes and I just smiled back at her. We were in the second row of tables, center stage. A friend of mothers sat down next to me and kept poking and prodding me for information on my life and Derek. I put on my best smile and responded sweetly to her questions without giving away details I didn’t want her, or the whole city, to know. She was a terrible gossip and I didn’t need any of that right now. I decided the auction would be a great distraction and just what I needed. Hopefully there was some good man candy, though I didn’t plan on bidding on anyone.
Chapter Six
~ CALVIN ~
“I’m never going to forgive my sister for this.” I checked my tie and hair in the mirror backstage. Why the hell did I let her talk me into coming to this stupid event? I wasn’t even sure how many bachelors there were and where I was in the lineup. I spotted James checking his cell phone. Once he put the phone away he headed my way.
“Calvin, how are you?” We shook hands.
“Good, man, and you? Cass know you’re one of the bachelors?”
“Not yet. Does Jane know you’re up for grabs?” I shook my head and we had a few laughs. James told me that the ladies would be all over me, especially Jane. This just started to sound a little better.
“Cass told you about Jane?” I couldn’t help but wonder what gave me away.
“She did. You should know one more thing.” I looked at James interested in what he had to say. “Jane and I are cousins. She’s been through a lot in the last year. Don’t hurt her.”
My jaw clenched at the news. They were cousins? Why was it a secret? I scoffed and told him that I could say the same to him before changing the subject. “Cassidy’s really done a great job with tonight’s events.”
“Yes. She’s excellent at what she does.”
My ears started burning as I caught his innuendo. Gross! “Have you told her yet, James? I really think she’ll take it better than you think she will.” James had done so much for Cass these past few months and she was clueless about it. Then there was Dan. I couldn’t even think about that fuck-wad without wanting to hunt him down and kill him. I had confronted James on Monday morning, after spotting his motorcycle parked at my sisters. Yes, I ran the plates. I was convinced he was all wrong for my baby sister. After confronting him and hearing him out, I had decided that I liked the guy.
“Soon.” James nodded as the backstage attendant ran over and pulled me to the side of the stage. I must be up. James waved his hand at me saying, “We’ll catch up later. They’ll love you.”
I didn’t care if they loved me. I said a silent prayer that Jane was still here and prayed she’d save me from these cougars. The backstage attendant pushed me onto the stage as the MC began describing me. I’m sure I had Cassidy to thank for the nonsense and the exaggeration of my stats.
“Please welcome Calvin Charles to the stage. Calvin is 6’3” likes long rides on his Harley, camping, and enjoying the more natural things in life. Laid back and easy going, he prefers a night in rather than a night out. You can tell by how well he wears that suit that he’s a fitness buff. He’s also an elite member of our police squad and an Army Vet. Ladies let’s hear it for Cal! Let’s start the bidding at $1000…yes, do I hear $1500, $1750…”
~ JANE ~
Cal walked on stage and I almost began hyperventilating. He seemed out of his element at first, but as the ladies started cheering for him he loosened up. Removing his jacket, before throwing it over his shoulder, he started strutting across the stage. Before I knew it he had removed his tie and threw it at Cassidy. She was appalled and laughing at the same time. My eyes went back to Calvin. He started unbuttoning his shirt and before I could stop myself I yelled out, “$3000!”
Now in a bidding war with some cougar in the back I was determined that there was no way she was getting him. He was mine. Whoa Crazy, tone it down! Cal was smiling at me enthusiastically as he continued to strut his stuff. The bidding continued to climb and at the moment Calvin was mine for $3750.
“Once, twice, sold! Congrats to the lovely lady in red! I believe the lucky lady is Miss Jane Whitford. Congrats Jane, and welcome home.”
Mom was clapping like a giddy schoolgirl, but I couldn’t be bothered with her right now. I headed over to the side of the stage as Cal walked down the stairs. He took my hand and led me to the back of the ballroom. Oh shit, oh shit. What did I just do?
“Looks like your mom’s money just came in handy and man, am I ever thankful! Who knows who I could’ve ended up with.” He was grinning from ear to ear and dropped my hand to put his jacket back on.
Knowing that he was teasing me I smiled at him, aware that my pulse was throbbing everywhere. We both turned our heads to the stage as James was welcomed out. I should’ve known he was up to something. Cassidy was probably pissed. We watched the spectacle that James and my mother put on. After the bidding was over and James was given to Cassidy, the MC announced all the couples to the dance floor.
I was about to tell Cal we could skip it when he placed his hand on the small of my back. “May I have this dance Jane?”
How could I possibly tell him no? Nerv
ous beyond belief, I turned to face him once we were on the dance floor. I hadn’t danced with anyone in, well, I didn’t know how long. I smiled broadly so he wasn’t aware of how uncomfortable I was. He wrapped one arm around me as the other held my hand and brought it to his chest. He placed my hand right over his heart, covering my hand with his. Placing my free arm on his upper arm, I took a deep breath. He smells so good.
The Sundays Wild Horses began playing overhead. From the corner of my eye I spotted James and Cassidy kissing. It warmed my heart. James had never been one for public displays, so this was huge. Calvin pulled me closer and I could feel his warm breath on the top of my head. His hand travelled up and down my back until he found the edge of the dress on my upper back. His fingers snuck under the fabric and lightly caressed my skin. A shudder ran through me that I couldn’t subside, but if Cal noticed, he didn’t let on.
Once the song was over I gently pulled away and looked up at him. Before I could thank him for the dance, he grabbed my hand again and pulled me out of the ballroom. In the lobby was a photo booth, and he was headed straight for it.
“Oh, no!”
He looked back at me and said, “Oh, yes!”
I tried to resist but I was no match for him. I hated getting my picture taken. He sat down and his muscled body took up almost the entire booth.
“See, no room!”
He yanked me onto his lap while saying, “There’s plenty of room.” He pulled me close and my body stiffened and lit on fire at the same time. His arm snaked around my waist as he placed it on my thigh. I was tucked into his side as I viciously pinned my thighs together. They were between his and my panties grew wetter by the second as my clit pulsed over and over again.
“Smile!”
The pictures started snapping and I was surprised by the flash. After it was over he pulled the pictures out as we examined them. I groaned at the look of shock and awe on my face.