Indulgence

by Liz Crowe

  I looked at the clock on the microwave. “Shit, shit, shit!” It was already a quarter to nine. I told Lena to be at The Benedict hotel no later than nine and here I was, her boss, running late. It would take me fifteen minutes just to get downtown, if I was lucky. I had a quick meeting with J.J. Benedict to finalize a few things for the masquerade and the auction next week. All eyes were on me.

  Last year, Cecily and I did that event together and the year before that I was her personal assistant. I didn’t know why I was so nervous. The auction was the one I should’ve been worried about. Cassidy Charles, you got this! I texted my PA, Lena, to let her know I was on my way and to stall Cecily if she decided to show her face for the meeting. Cecily liked to show up to client meetings with no warning. Lena responded with a wink, symbolizing that we were in the clear. Love that girl!

  I grabbed my laptop bag, my purse, a garment bag holding my dress and my overnight bag. “Good Lord, what am I forgetting?” Keys and phone were in my jacket pocket, Chessa had been fed. “Well, it’s too late now. Wish me luck Chessa.” She responded with a purr and dove back onto the pile of boxes consuming my living room.

  *****

  I made it downtown in record time, listening to news radio. I took a mental note to find my iPod that weekend. Pulling into valet, Andy greeted me with a smile. He helped me out of my car while a bellboy rushed over to help with my bags.

  “Miss Charles is with B & C; she’s in charge of the masquerade tonight and the auction next week.” The bellboy acknowledged Andy, who was the head valet, before he drove off with my car. Andy was a good kid and had been extremely helpful over the previous few weeks. I insisted to the bellboy that I would carry my laptop and purse; I couldn’t afford to have them out of my sight.

  I rushed inside and hurried over to the desk to get my key. Mrs. Whitford had graciously provided me with a room for the night. I thanked the desk clerk, Sabrina, and turned away from the desk with my purse and laptop bag in hand. Lena was there with a smile on her face and she had a coffee in each hand.

  “Dammit, I forgot my coffee at home. You’re a life saver, Lena!” I took a swig of my peppermint mocha cappuccino as we headed toward the elevator.

  Lena responded with her usual, “No problem, boss!”

  “What floor, Miss Charles?” The bellboy had been patiently waiting for me to finish my business at the desk.

  I looked at the envelope holding my key card, “Looks like the twelfth floor, room 1204.”

  “Right away, ma’am.” I inwardly cringed at his use of ma’am and Lena and I shared a chuckle. I was not a ma’am, not yet! He pushed several buttons, more than normal, on the panel before the elevator began its climb.

  Lena and I started hammering out texts as the elevator made its ascent. No Cecily yet. As the elevator door opened I rushed out without looking where I was going, as usual, and walked right into a buff business suit. Klutzy Cassidy at her best. I really was a walking calamity. My cell and purse dropped to the floor with my purse contents scattering back on the elevator floor. I managed to save the business suit from my cappuccino.

  “Dammit. I’m so sorry, sir.” I dropped down and I saw large, tanned hands helping me pick up the contents of my purse. I was absolutely mortified as my birth control pills were handed back to me, along with some gloss and other miscellaneous items. Cheese and rice, Cassidy!

  “No worries, you should watch where you’re going, Cassidy.” That deep voice stirred my insides, but I couldn’t even look at him because I was so embarrassed. I was certain I was probably as red as my cranberry blouse.

  “I’m fine, again, I’m so sorry. Thank you for your help.” I gathered my items and rushed into the hall without even looking to see who it was I collided with and ran down the hall. Wait, he said my name. Oh God, he must have thought me the rudest person. I turned to see who it was but I was too far away and he was safely inside the elevator. Lena was staring into the elevator, gawking. What had I missed?

  The bellboy hurried out, stuffing something in his pocket and stuttering, “S-Sir, absolutely sir, will d-do, sir.”

  Lena pranced over to me with a huge grin on her face. She asked me, “Don’t you know who that was? He’s a dream.” She was over the moon.

  My cell started buzzing again and I rolled my eyes at her. “Come on, Lena, we have work to do.” I was sure the caterer, Francis, would be in touch any moment with the most recent catering disaster. I continued walking toward my room and began to wonder if I was on the wrong floor, not seeing any other entry doors.

  “Are you sure we’re on the right floor?” I asked the bellboy.

  “Down on the left, ma’am. May I?” He asked for my key and hurried ahead of us, opening a door at the end of the hall.

  Lena strolled in after the bellboy and I followed. “Holy hell, Cassidy!”

  I walked into the room and couldn’t believe my eyes. It couldn’t be the right room. I looked to the bellboy and he nodded, confirming we were in the right room. I stepped back in the hall, and sure enough it had a plaque with 1-2-0-4 engraved on it hanging by the door.

  “Holy hell is right! This can’t be right.” The bellboy assured me again we were in the correct room. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but I didn’t have time to investigate. Mrs. Whitford was way too generous. I rummaged through my purse for some bills for the bellboy.

  “Already taken care of, ma’am.” He finished placing my items on the couch and pranced out the door with a smirk on his face before I could object.

  Shrugging my shoulders, I let out a squeal as the door closed. Placing my purse on the entry table along with my hotel key, I did a slow spin and took in my surroundings. The suite was decorated impeccably; granite and marble greeted me everywhere. This was unbelievable. I’d never stayed anywhere so fancy. There was a fully functioning kitchen with black cabinets, stainless steel appliances and white granite countertops. I ran my hand along the counter, admiring the glints of silver in it. It was a small kitchen, but no expense had been spared. A Keurig coffee maker was on the counter and next to it was a stand full of every flavor of coffee imaginable along with a bowl of apples, bananas and oranges. I grabbed a banana, knowing I probably wouldn’t eat again until later that night. The living room had a deep blue suede couch and two matching oversized chairs facing each other, separated by a very ornate coffee table. The entire right side of the room was glass from ceiling to floor, overlooking the river; the view was breathtaking.

  “HOLY SHIT, Cass, come here!”

  I heard Lena yelling from what I assumed to be the master suite. I walked in chewing on my banana and gasped in awe. The bedroom was incredible. The king size bed was covered in a silver satin quilt and pillows to match. The headboard was black wrought iron designed like a trellis; it was stunning to look at. I was afraid to even touch it. I walked toward the bathroom to discover a large walk-in closet separating the bathroom from the bedroom.

  The bathroom itself was a dream. There was a double headed shower with at least four body sprayers and a rainfall showerhead on the ceiling. You could fit half a dozen people in there! Next to it was a huge sunken tub for two. There was a huge vanity, at least six feet long, spanning the opposite wall with a toilet and bidet at the end.

  “Cassidy, I think we’re in one of the junior penthouse suites.” I nodded my head in agreement. No detail had been missed. Hopefully that was the same with the decorations in the ballroom.

  The Benedict hotel had been all over the news in the previous weeks. The hotel had their grand opening the night before last. Unfortunately, I was too busy to make it, swamped with final prep for the masquerade. We were both startled back to reality when our cells started chirping and vibrating in unison.

  “Alright, let’s get to it! I have a meeting with J.J. Benedict about tonight and next week’s auction and then I’ll meet you in the ballroom. Please finalize the auction menu and then confirm everything with Francis for tonight.” I threw my peel away and we headed down to the main fl
oor, responding to texts as we went.

  *****

  I made my way across the street and checked in with the security desk. After they confirmed my appointment I headed to the elevators and made my way up. I entered the reception area through the glass double doors and realized the office was eerily empty. I rang the bell that had been left on the counter, noticing hallways leading to my left and right and I looked around hesitantly.

  “Hello?”

  “I’m in the office, Miss Charles.”

  I followed the sound of the voice coming from my right and made my way toward French doors. As I walked into the office, I noticed a credenza on the back wall with bookcases on each end and a desk in front. There was a large man standing with his back to me as he shuffled through some papers.

  I was instantly aware that the man couldn’t be J.J. Benedict. J.J. was older, and this man was, well, not old. He was tall and I noticed dark hair, not grey hair, pulled back and he wore a tailored grey suit.

  “I’m supposed to be meeting Mr. J.J. Benedict. I apologize for my tardiness. Did I miss him?”

  He turned around with a killer smile on his face and recognition slammed into me like a freight train. “Hello, Blackbird.”

  Chapter Three

  Redemption

  ~ CASSIDY ~

  I tensed up as memories flooded through me like a dam had broken. I suddenly felt transported to another time. I was with Holly and we were laughing and getting ready for another night out. We were walking through the bar to find someplace to sit. Then we were chatting before I was distracted by the image of a beast of a man. He had his back to me before he turned and smiled. Those eyes, that smile…the bathroom, Holly, Dan, Sam; it all came back. You should watch where you’re going…POP, POP, POP…screams, blood, black bags, lights and sirens.

  The wind was knocked right out of me. It was him, James. Why was he here? He looked completely transformed in that suit. His hair was pulled back and he was sporting several days of growth on his jaw. I felt like a cornered animal looking for a way out of there. The room began to spin and I couldn’t make heads or tails of where the exit was.

  It was too much all at once. I couldn’t breathe and I quickly felt overheated. He glided to me, cupped my face and tilted my eyes up to his. God, I’d missed looking at him. His eyes somehow breathed life back into my lungs. “James?” Tears filled my eyes as a barrage of emotions flowed through me. Love, loss, fear, regret, anger, relief; the list went on and on.

  He whispered, “Please don’t cry. I saw enough tears fall from your eyes that night to last me a lifetime.” He attempted to pull me into an embrace. It then dawned on me that James was arrested for the events that happened that night and I pulled away. “Don’t run.” I was in complete panic mode, not knowing what to do. He hesitated before letting go.

  Get it together, Cassidy. “There must be some kind of mistake. I’m supposed to be meeting Mr. Benedict.” My words were barely audible.

  The smile returned to his face. “You’ve found him. I’m Jackson James Benedict III, J.J.’s son.”

  I took a deep breath as I put some distance between us and smoothed my hands down the front of my black pin stripe pants. I had to get it together. I felt like someone just threw me off a carousel at warp speed. J.J.’s son? I looked at him in disbelief.

  “Cassidy, I have so much to tell you.”

  “It’s Miss Charles. I think it would be best if I finalize the details of the auction with Mr. Benedict, your father. I can wait for him to return or reschedule.” Ugh, I was never going to be able to look at J.J. the same way again. His son was the devastatingly handsome bar owning drug user? This just didn’t seem right.

  “I apologize, Miss Charles. Actually, the auction is my baby this year since it’s being held in my hotel. Father met with you previously because I was busy with other business affairs. You’ll be dealing with me from now on.”

  Smug bastard. “I apologize, I was unaware.” I was feeling thrilled and worried all at once.

  “Please, sit down. Have you had breakfast? I’ll make it quick.” He motioned me toward a small table as he pulled a chair out for me. There was a tray of bagels, fresh fruit and a carafe of orange juice with some dishes and cups.

  I took my seat, not quite knowing what to do, and he sat in the seat across from me. I could feel his eyes devouring me. I started rattling off details concerning the auction and some items that needed refining. He poured himself some orange juice and was chewing on a bagel. I tried to avoid looking at him as I shuffled through my stack of notes.

  “How are you doing?” The question was one full of concern and I wasn’t sure how to answer.

  “I’m fine. How are you?” I tried to answer with as little emotion in my voice as possible. I had to keep this professional. I picked up my cappuccino and took a sip. He leaned back in his chair with his legs crossed. I couldn’t help but take in his physique from the tips of his toes, up his outstretched legs to his groin. I was vaguely aware that I was biting my lip.

  “I’m better now that you’re here.” That got my attention and my eyes removed themselves from his crotch and found his eyes. That smile was my undoing.

  The same flutters from months ago were there and I was getting nervous. I decided to pick up a bagel and started grinding on a piece. We sat there for several minutes exchanging glances. He just watched me intently and I pretended to be oblivious to it, to him. When I finished half of my bagel I set the remainder down, “If that’s all you need, I think I’ll be going.” I stood abruptly.

  He was at my side immediately as I tried to place the chair back. “Let me help you.” He placed his hand on top of mine and instantly I was aware of the warmth moving through my hand and up my arm. I wanted to run away and jump his bones all at the same time. I yanked it away, repositioned my bag and rushed past him.

  Before I knew it, I was face first on the floor, nose to nose with the plush cream carpet. Please tell me I hadn’t just fallen to the floor in front of him! The tears were welling in my eyes from pure embarrassment. I didn’t even know what I’d tripped on, probably my own feet. I felt his hand on my elbow trying to help me up.

  “Are you ok? You should watch where you’re going, Blackbird.” His words, his voice, traveled through me and I realized he was the one I barreled into coming out of the elevator earlier that morning and it was also what he had said when I ran into him after leaving the bathroom that night at the bar.

  “Stop calling me that. I’m fine.” I bit out as I swatted his hand away. I felt a tear roll down my cheek as I stood.

  “Cassidy.” He held my shoulders and shook me gently to get my attention. I looked up at him and then placed my face in my hands. He pulled me to him and the flood gates opened. Attempting to calm me, he shushed me and stroked my back.

  I could’ve stayed in those arms forever. “This is so messed up. I should go.” I tried to push out of his arms, but he refused to release me. His hands were circling my upper arms and he just looked at me utterly disappointed. “Let me go!”

  “I WILL NOT!” I jumped in alarm. He looked like he was ready to spit nails. “I apologize, I didn’t mean to yell. Cassidy, I don’t know what you think of me, but clearly you have the wrong idea. I need to explain.”

  “Explain what? That your drug habit got my best friend killed and your daddy’s money got you off?” I shrieked at him as I shoved against his chest.

  He was clearly baffled at my retaliation. His voice dropped to a whisper and he started rubbing my arms. “Cassidy, I swear to you, I had nothing to do with what happened that night. The charges were dropped and not because of my money. The only connection is the fact that I own the Blue Horse. I despise drugs and the havoc they wreak.” He released my arms, visibly shaken. He headed to the couch and dropped down, looking defeated.

  I didn’t know why I hadn’t rushed out the door. My intuition was telling me he was honest. I owed it to him to hear him out. Cal had said the charges were dropped. I set my p
urse and laptop bag down on the couch across from him and placed my coffee and cell on the table separating us. “Mr. Benedict, I’m sorry. Talking about that night is still very hard for me. Can we start this meeting over?”

  He looked up with a glimmer of a smile. “Are you okay? That was quite a tumble.”

  I started laughing. “I’m the worst klutz, ever. It’s a serious problem.” We were both laughing then. He smiled at me as we sat in silence for several moments. I had to keep this professional; he seemed to read my thoughts.

  “So, the auction?”

  He pulled me back to reality as I grabbed my notes back out of my bag. “Lena is at the hotel finalizing the time frame and food selections. Everything seems to be in order except one thing that Cecily wanted me to check on.” His brow furrowed in question. “The check that we submitted for the ballroom rental was never processed. We can issue a new check if need be…”

  “There’s no need to issue a new check, Miss Charles.”

  “Okay, great. I’ll let Cecily know it will be processed any day then?”

  “Let Cecily know that the ballroom rental fee has been waived. Cecily can give the money to the charity if she likes.”

  “I’m sorry?”

  “We won’t be accepting the room rental fee. Consider it our contribution.”

  I was shocked. “Mr. Benedict, this isn’t necessary.”

  “Please, call me James.”

  “James, this isn’t necessary.”

  “I know it’s not necessary and I don’t want to discuss it further.”

  Well, I wasn’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth. “Thank you very much, it’s very generous. Unless there’s anything else, I should get back to the hotel. The florist will be there soon.”