Indulgence

by Liz Crowe

  “Damn! Mate, settle down. I need that hand!” He pulled away and shook it, clearly in pain. I grinned happily.

  “Didn’t you date Aspen, Nate?” Dean asked, and I bristled, anger creeping up my spine.

  “Bloody hell, Dean! You have a piss-poor way of introducing friends. If I didn’t know any better, I’d suspect you were trying to get me killed!” Okay, so the man didn’t have shit for brains.

  “No bother. Aspen told me that you went on a couple dates, said you kissed somethin’ awful. She compared you to her brother.” I shivered and grimaced for fun.

  “Put a sock in it. That’s just bloody mean,” he grinned but I smacked him on the back to let him know we were good. Of course, I’d take every opportunity to insult the man’s romancing skills every chance I could today. Paybacks and all that.

  Just as I turned around to talk more shit to Dean, the door rang again. This time it was Mac. “Good to see ya, Mac! Always good to have another Texan in the house!”

  Mac was a large man, his Stetson firmly in place on his head, Cowboys jersey proudly displayed. He almost stood taller than me with his cowboy hat and boots. His brown eyes gleamed with mirth. “Nice digs, Boss.”

  “Ah shucks, Mac. You know these digs are my lady’s. Wait ‘til you see the media room. You ain’t never gonna want to leave!”

  We entered the room and Mac whistled. There were eight individual leather recliners in a deep brown. At the front was a matching dark leather couch. I suspected that’s where my girl laid down to watch movies. Entire room was painted red with gold girlie swirls and shit dangling here and there. The screen took up the entire far wall. It was as if we were in our own personal movie theater. Ma brought us popcorn and some snacks.

  “Gusto! Thanks for the beers, man.” He handed us chilled pints full of ice cold beer. “Want to join the game? Gustav looked at the guys and nodded. He sat in one of the chairs, and not too long after we were all screamin’ and laughing at the screen. The Cowboys and Jets were tied at halftime.

  The guys followed me into the kitchen where Ma was dishing out lunch. Gusto ran over to help.

  “I got this, Gusto.”

  “What is this?” he asked, his accent thick.

  “Pigs in a blanket, silly.” Ma handed him one and he ate it.

  His face screwed into what I think was pleasure. You could never really tell with the man. He always seemed pissed off.

  “You must teach me this!” he exclaimed, his tone serious.

  “Alright, but only if you teach me how to make those crepe thingies,” Ma offered.

  The rest of us guys loaded our plates with food, grabbed fresh brewskies, more chips and dip, then made our way onto the large outdoor balcony to grub. Dean broke out some cigars and we enjoyed them with our beers. The tobacco mixed with beer and guys made me feel right at home. I liked Dean and Nate, more than I thought I would. Dean was more quiet than I was used to, but when he spoke he had us all in stitches. The fella was funny.

  Nate was an interesting fella, as well. He talked a lot and had tons of useless knowledge about football. Though in England, it actually was soccer. Turned out he preferred soccer to football and it took us awhile to figure out he wasn’t referring to the NFL game we enjoyed. He even wore a European team jersey in a bright green with white and black wording and stripes. Some of the things he said were hard to figure out. He spoke English but used words I’d never heard before. After a few beers, it didn’t matter. When I didn’t understand him, I just shrugged and let Dean translate.

  Mac seemed to be having a good time. A couple times he’d leave the room to take a call on his cellphone. It was the off weekend so he spent a good deal of time on the phone with his wife. Lisa was great. She understood he had to work, but I could tell Mac missed her somethin’ awful.

  Seein’ him sore about not being with his wife and kids helped solidify the idea about expanding the business. I wasn’t ready to tell Aspen about the idea yet. We hadn’t talked about where this thing between us was going but one thing I knew for certain, I wanted to be where she was. Period.

  At the third quarter I asked Mac to follow me into Aspen’s study. He looked concerned when I leaned against the desk. Memories of what I did to my Angel last night were fresh and I smiled like an idiot.

  “What’s up man?” Mac asked.

  “What would you say if I told ya I was thinking ‘bout expanding Jensen Construction?”

  Mac’s eyes widened and a smile broke across his hairy face. The man didn’t shave on the weekends. Said if he wasn’t kissin’ his wife he could enjoy being a man. “I’d say it’s about damn time, boss!”

  I laughed. “So, I’m thinking about opening up an office here in New York City.”

  Mac’s smile slipped off his face. “Hank, I really don’t want to work for anyone else, but I can’t move my family to NYC. It’s not an option. Lisa would kill me for even suggestin’ such a thing … and I,” he started to make excuses but I shook my head.

  “I’m thinking about movin’ here and opening the office. Keeping the one back home and promoting someone to foreman and manager of the Texas branch. Know anyone who’d be good for it?” I grinned.

  Mac’s smile came back like a shot. “Shit Hank. You offerin’ me the opportunity to run the office back home?”

  “If I can get the capital together and set up shop here, yes, I reckon I am.”

  Mac took off his cowboy hat and ruffled his fingers through his hat hair. “Shoot, boss, I’d be honored and I wouldn’t let you down. You’re like a brother to me. And Lisa and the kids think you’re family. I’d be proud to do it.”

  “Alright then. I’ll let you know in the next couple weeks what the plan is. Don’t get too excited; nothin’ has happened yet, but I trust you and couldn’t do it if I didn’t have a good man on the ground in Texas.” I slapped him on the back as we made our way back to the game.

  There was a commotion in the kitchen and I ran over. Aspen and Oliver had made it back and were laughing at Gusto and Ma, who were having a flour fight.

  “Hey, hey, hey. What in God’s name are you two up to?” They both turned to the growing group of onlookers. Ma’s hair was white, flour coating the entire surface. Gusto was worse for the wear. He had flour and butter stuck all over his white jacket and a glob stuck to his cheek. His hair was also white from flour. Looks like Ma got some good shots in.

  “My goodness, Gustav, I’m shocked!” Aspen said and he looked down and shuffled his feet.

  “Oh, she’s just joshin’ ya, Gusto. Relax, Partner. You’re not in trouble. Looks like you and Ma got the best of each other.” We all laughed as the rest of the guys made their way into the kitchen.

  “Commercial break,” Dean said, and hooked a thumb over his shoulder at the media room. “The Jets got a field goal and its back to a tie game.”

  “Thanks for the update, Pal.” Aspen snuggled in and I tipped her face up with a finger under her chin. “Afternoon, Angel.” I pecked her on the lips. “How was work?”

  Oliver cringed and hugged Dean, rubbing his face into Dean’s chest. Dean wrapped his arms around the man, perfectly comfortable with being with Oliver in front of others. You didn’t see it a lot back home, but it didn’t bother me. You could tell that Dean felt very protective over Oliver. ‘Bout as much as I did for Aspen.

  “Ugh, don’t ask. Let’s just say I’m going to lose a couple hundred thousand dollars and potentially a half a million dollar campaign while the model detoxes for the next thirty days.”

  Nate jumped in. “Pen, you need me on this?”

  She nodded and sighed. “Yeah, she’s definitely in breach of her contract, but we’ll talk later. I want to know about the game and what you guys have been up to.”

  We all went back to enjoy the last quarter. Aspen really got into it. She voted for the Cowboys because she said her only preference was my happiness. If I didn’t love her before, I most certainly did at that moment. She was everything I never knew I wanted in
a woman. She was smart, distractingly beautiful, didn’t know how to cook, probably clean either. She was not domestic, wouldn’t make a good housewife in the ways Ma would want for me. And I could give two shits. I just wanted her, the workaholic debutante who rocked a men’s suit better than I did.

  She was all soft curves and luscious woman under those suits and my Angel was the perfect lady on the street and a freak in the bed. It was obvious to me and even my mother that she was it for me. There was never going to be another woman who could stand up to her. I was ready to tell her how I felt, but wanted to do it on my turf.

  As the Cowboys took the game into the winning field goal that broke the tie, I kissed my girl. She tasted of popcorn and beer and I ate it up. Before things got too heated, I pulled her chin up and searched her gaze. “Will you come home with me next weekend? Just a long weekend?”

  “Of course. Everything okay?” Her gaze held mine. Those blue eyes seemed deeper than the ocean and just as purdy. I could get lost in ‘em.

  “I want to show you the ranch. Have you meet my brother, his wife Jess, and the boys.”

  “I’d love to.” She smiled shyly.

  “Then it’s settled. I’ll book some tickets.”

  “No need.” She tapped Oliver on the shoulder. He was busy in a liplock with Dean. It was strange seeing two men kiss and carry on, but it really was no different than me groping and lovin’ on my girl. “Ollie, can you reserve my jet for this coming weekend. Hank and I are going to accompany his mother home and stay for a weekend. Plan for us to come back on Monday or Tuesday depending on my schedule.” Oliver puffed out his bottom lip. “What, honey?” she asked.

  “I wanna go, too.” He continued to pout and then she turned her face to me, matching pout in place. Her glistening pink lip puffed out ready for me to bite it, so I did. She deepened the kiss. Oh boy, I was in trouble with these two. One had my girl by the hair; my girl had me by the nuts. Not a good combination.

  “Oliver, Dean, would you like to come to Texas? There’s plenty of room at the ranch,” I asked them. Oliver smiled like it was his birthday and he’d just been given the one present he’d always wanted.

  “Could you get the time, baby?” Oliver asked Dean, practically jumping up and down.

  “Well, technically I do have a million hours of vacation time since your boss is a slave driver and never lets you have time off,” he said dryly, his eyes squinted at Aspen. We both knew by now that he was playing. Aspen rolled her eyes but pretended to look hurt.

  “Oh, this is going to be so fun! Pen, I have to get us cowboy boots and sexy hot jeans … oooh oooh and that new Ralph Lauren line has those fitted plaid shirts.” The man squealed like a little girl.

  “You’ve made him so happy, Stud,” Aspen whispered in my ear. “You know that means I’m going to be extra nice to you tonight,” she promised with a flick of her tongue at the tender cartilage of my ear.

  “Alright, alright you crazy kids. Gusto and I have made a feast!” Ma called from the doorway. The entire group shuffled out.

  The display of food was staggering. There was homemade chili beans, corn on the cob, Ma’s famous fried chicken, ribs, roasted veggies, and a ton of other fixins. We chowed down, barely a peep between us until the first round of drinks and food were taken care of. Then the smack talkin’ started flying again about Cowboys kicking the Jets asses. Really the game was so close it could have ended in a tie, but that didn’t stop me from shoving our win in their Jets’ pansy-ass faces.

  Aspen followed along, her bare feet with perfect pink toes in my lap. I rubbed her feet as we drank and enjoyed our time with friends. This time next week I’d be home telling my Angel exactly how I felt about her, as well as my plans for moving to the city. My only hope was that I wasn’t wrong and she felt the same way.

  Chapter Fourteen

  The week flew by. Dealing with a high-profile, detoxing model, along with the Bright Magazine building addition, had its challenges. I was ready for a long weekend in the country. At least I thought I was. Oliver had laid out a ton of clothes he’d secured for the trip. I’d never seen so much plaid, paisley or denim in my life. This was definitely going to be an interesting weekend at least style-wise. I fingered the opalescent button on one of the shirts.

  “Ollie, are you sure about this stuff? This is not our normal wear,” I called out to him. He was pulling stuff out of my closet at an alarming rate.

  “Of course I’m sure, Princess. How are you going to look like a cowgirl without it?”

  “I’m not trying to look like a cowgirl. Hank likes me the way I am.” At least I was pretty sure he did.

  The past two weeks with Hank had been right out of a fairytale. He was attentive emotionally and physically. We shared a living space as if we’d always lived together. It was relatively easy. Even Butch and his sloppy morning wakeup kisses were becoming the norm, something I now attributed to the comfort of being home.

  Thinking about Hank and being at home with him was very dangerous territory—eventually he would go back to Texas. Pushing the thoughts from my mind, I filled my suitcase full of a few of the items Ollie had purchased and a few more things that were more my taste.

  Oliver cringed as I placed dress slacks into the suitcase. “Seriously, Pen? When are you going to wear those?”

  “I have no idea, but I want to be prepared just in case. I didn’t get to where I am today by second-guessing myself. Now please, grab a silk blouse and a blazer to go with the trousers.”

  “Fine,” he huffed.

  Together we knocked out my packing in record time, which was a good thing since we’d waited until the last minute to get started.

  Hank rushed into the bedroom, his mother hot on his heels. “You ready, Angel?” He smiled when he saw my suitcase zipped up tight and ready to be hauled off. He pulled me against him and laid a wet kiss on my lips. “I can’t wait to get you home.” His accompanying smile was beautiful, but added to the pit that was building in my stomach. Home for Hank was his ranch, not the penthouse.

  I sucked in a deep breath, locking my fears away. “Me, too.” It was only a small lie but Hank’s eyes searched mine. The man could read me too well. “Really, let’s go.“

  Hank’s gaze held mine for a moment then he grabbed my luggage with his good arm and we were off. Julia about had a heart attack when she realized we were taking a private jet. She hopped from foot to foot with excitement as the plane sat on the tarmac.

  “Oh, Punky, isn’t this great!” Her hands were clasped together in front of her chest. Excitement buzzed in the air around her as she stared at my jet. AIR Bright Enterprises firmly emblazoned on the tail of the plane.

  Hank and I both smiled. The stewards secured all of our bags from the limo and we loaded the plane.

  “Welcome aboard Ms. Reynolds. It’s lovely to see you again.” The captain kissed my cheek. Hank’s arm came around my waist and he tugged me to his side. Caveman.

  “Hank, this is Captain Kirk.”

  Hank’s eyes widened and he started laughing and slapped at his knee. “Captain Kirk? For real?”

  “What’s the matter with you? Yes, this is our Captain.”

  The Captain just stood there, a knowing smile on his thin lips. He had graying hair but was all together nice enough to look at. Had to be in his early forties. Hank slowly calmed down enough to shake the man’s hand.

  “I’m sorry, Partner, but I wasn’t expecting that.”

  “I don’t get it? What’s so funny?” I looked between the two men. Captain Kirk just shook his head. Hank tried to control his sniggering.

  “Oh Darlin’, don’t tell me you’ve never seen Star Trek?”

  “Uh, no. Is this a movie or something?”

  “It’s a very popular TV show then later there were movies. Anyhoo, it’s good to meet ya Captain. Sorry about that.”

  “It’s quite alright, Hank. It happens a lot.” Mr. Kirk was being gracious and kind. I on the other hand was still a little peeved at
Hank’s lack of consideration.

  Several hours and a catnap later, we landed in Texas. We all hustled into the limo for the two hour drive to Hank’s ranch. As the limo sped down the freeway the view turned from concrete and cinderblock to serene rolling green landscapes. The road changed from pristine asphalt to chunky unattended roads with potholes, right down to pure dirt and gravel. Hank refused to leave Butch with Gustav. Was convinced he’d be too lonely so we brought him with.

  Butch happily enjoyed biting at the wind, head stuck completely out the window, jowls flapping. Eventually the limo turned off the dirt road and made its way through a tree lined smaller path. At the end was a circular gravel driveway with a large, two story house. It was painted white with horizontal wooden slats across its face. Dark blue shutters hugged each window’s side. There was an enticing wraparound porch that faced a wide expanse of luscious green land.

  Butch practically jumped out the window in his haste to leave the car. Once we opened the door he shot off like an arrow, his target a gaggle of geese in the distance. Hank laughed as we exited. The air around us smelled fresh with a hint of spring flowers. I heard a babbling brook or creek not far in the distance. It was incredible and I stared in wonder at the large ranch home.

  “Hank … this is, wow. It’s stunning.”

  He pulled his hands around my waist from behind and snuggled his chin into the crook of my neck. “Welcome to your home away from home, Angel. Come. I want to show you around.”

  He led me up the wooden stairs that creaked upon receiving our weight. Everyone followed us up the steps and into the home. The inside was dark and Hank’s Mother rushed over to open the curtains letting in the light.

  “I asked that boy to come over and open them windows to let some air run through. Must’ve forgot.” Julia shook her head and pulled open the windows letting the summer breeze snake through the room.

  It was a large living room with old furniture and throw blankets everywhere. One wall was packed floor to ceiling with bookcases. I was surprised to see so many books gracing the shelves. I knew Hank liked to read by the amount of paperbacks he had stacked on dresser in the spare room back home. This though was half a room filled with different colored spines of books that looked to be well-loved. Julia followed where I was looking. “My Hank here loves to read. Used to want to be a writer. He wrote the best detective novels as a youngster.”