Indulgence

by Liz Crowe

We finished our shower in almost complete silence. When we were done toweling off and dressing, she looked to the clock and cursed. “I have to go.” She looked to me and I already knew her question.

  “Give me five minutes. I’ll drive you there.” She nodded without question and then I heard her running down the stairs. When I got down there she was pacing by the front door sipping on her coffee. “You should eat something.”

  “I can’t exactly eat and carry all this on the back of a bike.” She pointed to a small duffel bag, laptop bag and her purse and I started laughing. “What’s so funny?”

  “Look outside, Cassidy.” She opened the door and saw that the Rover was there. She turned to me, asking how, and I told her, “Smith made the trade last night. You should eat something. Go grab a banana.” She returned from the kitchen with two bananas and smiled as I gathered up her bags and we headed to the hotel.

  ~ CASSIDY ~

  The final preparation for the auction went off without a problem. I used the hotel key James gave me and headed up to his suite to get ready. “Hello, James.” I didn’t get a response and knew he must not be there.

  As I took in my surroundings, I noticed several picture frames on a side table. As I examined them, I saw Mrs. Whitford, her husband, Jane and some other women in one frame. Why does he have a picture of Mrs. Whitford’s family? There was a picture, front and center, of a lovely older woman. Her coloring was similar to James and I wondered if it was his mother.

  Grabbing a bottle of water out of the fridge I then headed upstairs to get ready. I found my dress lying on his bed with my shoes and another small box. I picked up the box I didn’t recognize and taped on the outside was a small card.

  You’ll do wonderful tonight.

  I’ll see you at dinner.

  ~XO J

  I opened the box and inside I found a beautiful pair of drop earrings. A black gem graced the top of each with another larger black gem hanging on the end. The gems were connected by a strand of diamonds. They were stunning and I was speechless.

  I got undressed and grabbed some fresh undergarments before heading into the bathroom with my duffel bag. I laid out my makeup and plugged in my curling iron before I pulled up my hair and hopped in the shower to rinse off. After I was dry I meticulously tended to my hair and makeup, like Lena had showed me last week, and after close to an hour I was dressed and ready, earrings and all.

  I made my way to the ballroom and everything was perfect. It wasn’t long before I was escorting guests to their tables and fielding any questions they may have had about the auction. Spotting Mrs. Whitford and Jane, I made my way over to them.

  Jane and I were exchanging pleasantries when a big smile took over her features. Before I had a chance to see who she was smiling at I was suddenly assaulted from behind.

  “Kudos, Cass, this looks great!”

  “Calvin! Put me down.” He released his arms from around my waist and set me back down. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” I hit his shoulder while we both laughed. “You look great. I’m so glad you could make it!” He deserved a night out and I was dying to see what, if anything, was happening with him and Jane.

  “Well, don’t keep us waiting in suspense, Cassidy, introduce us!” Mrs. Whitford was eyeing my brother like he was prime rib.

  I chuckled and introduced Mrs. Whitford and Cal to each other.

  “Are you single, Calvin? Janey here could use a hunk like you in her life.”

  Calvin laughed nervously and responded ‘yes’ as Jane scolded her mother and apologized to Calvin for her mother’s rude behavior. I noticed Cal wink at Jane as I spotted Lena rushing to me.

  She had panic written all over her face as she pulled me aside, “Cassidy, we’re down a bachelor. Cecily is going on and on about how there must be ten, there are always ten!”

  I stood there for a moment, racking my brain for a solution. Cal came over and asked me if everything was alright. “Yes, Cal. Everything is perfect. I need you to come with me.” I winked at Lena as I pulled Cal away from Jane and we headed toward Cecily.

  ~ JAMES ~

  “Aunt Bev, you’re sure you got this?”

  “Don’t patronize me, child. My handiwork is well evident. Ask half the couples in this room and they’ll agree that I played a part,” she chastised me, hitting me across the chest with her auction program.

  “Don’t exaggerate. It doesn’t suit you.” She looked like she might strike again and I quickly made my exit after kissing her cheek just as Cassidy spotted me. The MC came overhead and requested that the bachelors make their way backstage; the bachelor auction would begin in five minutes. I threw Cassidy a smile and made my exit.

  ~ CASSIDY ~

  I was scanning the room looking for him. He had been eye fucking me all night in his usual fashion, but had yet to approach me. His hair was down and I was itching to run my fingers through it. We were not seated at the same table for dinner and honestly, I was frustrated because I didn’t get to enjoy dinner at all; I was too busy putting out fires.

  There he was, chatting with Mrs. Whitford again, and the minute he saw that I was heading his was he ran off. Chicken-shit! What the hell was he playing at? The rest of the men in the room took their leave as well. It was a long standing tradition that the married couples, or at least the married men, left at this point in the evening. I would have to wait until after to catch up with him.

  As I made my way to Mrs. Whitford she smiled brightly and said, “Cassidy, just who I was looking for. Please join me and Jane so we can enjoy the bachelors.”

  Before I could even respond, she was dragging me toward the stage and Jane was just smiling sweetly. We were in the second row of tables, center stage. I tried to get Jane’s attention but she was busy talking to another woman.

  “Mrs. Whitford, how do you know James?”

  “James? Such a lovely man. You fancy him? The feeling is mutual, take my word.” The woman wouldn’t let me get a word in edgewise and she was avoiding the real question. She knew more than she was letting on and it was making me crazy.

  “Cassidy, I’m so excited. I can’t believe you’re throwing Cal to the wolves! Do you know who the other bachelors are? Cecily wouldn’t tell me! This is going to be great!” Lena was overjoyed and took the seat next to me.

  You could feel the estrogen clogging the air. Lena knew as much about the bachelors up for auction as I did. The MC—a local news reporter—had made her announcement that the bachelor auction was ready to begin.

  The lights got turned down and spotlights hit the stage and it suddenly sounded like a pack of hyenas had been released into the wild. I snagged a roll from a bread basket before the wait staff cleared it away and I started to feel sorry for Cal, just a little. It’s Raining Men by The Weather Girls started playing overhead and I had to admit, I was bummed that I didn’t have money to bid—James wouldn’t like that very much—unless of course he was up for bid.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Bachelor

  ~ JAMES ~

  “I’m never going to forgive my sister for this.” Cal was checking his tie and running his hand through his short hair.

  Six bachelors had already been purchased, with number seven on the stage. Cal was number nine and I was lucky number ten. I think that was the loudest I remembered the crowd ever being. I felt my cell buzz, alerting me of a text.

  All set ~Aunt B

  “Calvin, how are you?” We shook hands.

  “Good, man, and you? Cassidy know you’re one of the bachelors?”

  “Not yet. Does Jane know you’re up for grabs?” He shook his head ‘no’ and we had a few laughs. I assured him that the ladies would be all over him, especially Jane.

  “Cassidy told you about Jane?”

  “She did. You should know one more thing.” He looked at me intently. “Jane and I are cousins. She’s been through a lot in the last year. Don’t hurt her.”

  He scoffed and said he could say the same to me. “Cassidy’s
really done a great job with tonight’s events.” He changed the subject as bachelor eight was welcomed to the stage.

  “Yes. She’s excellent at what she does.” He looked at me as if he knew I wasn’t just referring to her job.

  “Have you told her yet, James? I really think she’ll take it better than you think she will.”

  “Soon.” He nodded and the backstage attendant ran over and escorted Cal to the side of the stage; he was almost up. I waved to him, “We’ll catch up later. They’ll love you.”

  ~ CASSIDY ~

  This drama was crazy. Grown women were spending thousands of dollars fighting over one date. Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy by Big & Rich was now playing and I knew I shouldn’t complain. The more they spent, the more money I raised for the hospital. Cal was then called to the stage and looked nervous as hell. Lena and I couldn’t help but giggle and Jane immediately perked up, and she wasn’t the only one. She looked at me questioningly and I just shrugged my shoulders and winked. This was going to be interesting. Mrs. Whitford, on the other hand, hadn’t stopped smiling since the guys started coming on stage. Horny old bag!

  “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…..”

  Lena was squeezing my forearm and I was shocked; Calvin was a natural. He removed his jacket, threw it over his shoulder and started strutting across the stage. Oh dear Lord. He removed his tie and then threw it at me. I was humiliated, a little disgusted and laughing my ass off at the same time.

  I mouthed at him to ‘stop’. He shook his head and started unbuttoning his shirt and his bid jumped even higher.

  “$3000!”

  I looked over to see who had jumped the bid and it was Jane! She was in a battle with some cougar in the back. I looked back and forth between her, Cal and Jane and Cal was eating it up. The bid was currently Jane’s and she had him for $3750.

  “Once, twice, sold! Congrats to the lovely lady in red! I believe the lucky lady is Miss Jane Whitford. Congrats to Jane and welcome home.”

  Mrs. Whitford was ecstatic as Jane rolled her eyes at her mom. She won him just in time to save my eyes; his shirt was unbuttoned and he was in the process of removing it. Jane walked to the side of the stage and Cal descended as he took her hand and they walked to the back of the ballroom. Go Cal!

  “Now for the top prize of the night. Get out your credit cards, ladies. Back by popular demand, ladies, he’s finally returned to us. The one, the only, Jackson James Benedict III, better known as JB3!”

  What the FUCK? No wonder he was avoiding me all evening. My heart immediately sank and I was pissed off as the cheers and whistles became ear piercing, a reminder of his popularity with the ladies. I looked back to the stage and saw James walking out.

  “Fucking hell!” Lena and I said it at the same time. I was glaring at him and he had the nerve to smile at me.

  “Cassidy...”

  “Lena, I love you, but shut up!”

  Jackson James Benedict III, lady-killer, playboy extraordinaire, JB3 and my lover. What had I gotten myself into?

  “6’4.5” former West Point Academy star football player. He enjoys concerts, rides through the country and traveling to exotic lands. Are there any exotic ladies in the house?” The MC was clearly a fan and continued taking liberties. The list went on and on, though she forgot one; he was an incredible fuck. I chastised myself for my thoughts, discovering he was built like a football player because he was one, though I missed where he went to school. This couldn’t be happening. He was eye-fucking me in front of everyone causing me to blush in response as the bidding began at $5000. There was no way…

  “$5000!”

  It came screeching from behind and reached $10,000 in seconds. These bitches were out of their minds. $10,000 for one date? Before I was even aware of what was happening, Mrs. Whitford joined in on the bidding. He was still eye-fucking me. What the hell was going on? Did he expect me to do something? I’m broke. I was so muddled I felt my head begin to ache and noticed Lena’s mouth was hanging open in disbelief.

  “$25,000!”

  “$30,000!”

  “$35,000!”

  Soon the bid was at $50,000 and it was down to some waif of a brunette side stage, some lady in back and Mrs. Whitford. The brunette was glaring at me and I pointed to Mrs. Whitford.

  “$50,000!” The MC had ceased speaking as numbers were being thrown out without hesitation.

  The brunette yelled, “$60,000.”

  The room dropped to a quiet hum and the MC chimed in about making history, and JB3 beating his previous bids. James looked away from me for a split second, nodded at Mrs. Whitford who was sitting right next to me.

  “$100,000!” Dead silence.

  I swear I saw James’s eyes bulge for a millisecond. Everyone was staring between Mrs. Whitford and the brunette and I looked back at James.

  The MC asked Mrs. Whitford if she was sure and she yelled back, “I made the bid didn’t I?” A light chuckle broke through the room.

  “Going once…” Everyone was staring at the brunette now.

  “Going twice…” The brunette threw her hands up in disgust.

  “Sold for $100,000 to Mrs. Whitford. I hope you’re not spending $100,000 just to spend time with your own nephew!”

  Nephew?! Mrs. Whitford yanked me to my feet and hollered, “He’s not for me, and she’s the lucky lady!”

  OH. MY. GOD.

  It dawned on me then that they were cohorts. I looked to the brunette who was glaring at me like I just pissed all over her cookies. The MC concluded the auction and asked the bachelors and their winning bidders to head to the dance floor. My head was still spinning as James made his way over to the three of us. Giving Mrs. Whitford—HIS AUNT—a kiss on the cheek, he thanked her before looking at me.

  She returned the kiss, “Anytime, James.”

  Lena’s poor jaw was going to be aching if she didn’t pick it up off the floor. James took my hand and escorted me to the dance floor as words finally made their long anticipated appearance on my lips.

  “When were you going to tell me that you’re Mrs. Whitford’s nephew?” He merely chuckled and took us to the center of the dance floor.

  He grabbed my hand and pulled me tight against him with his other hand on the naked flesh of my back. I did my best to hide the shiver than ran straight to the apex of thighs. I started to speak when I met his eyes, and instantly his lips were on mine and my entire body melted into his.

  The kiss was over far too soon and he whispered, “You look amazing in that dress, but I can’t wait to get you out of it.”

  The music finally began, Wild Horses by The Sundays, and he took the lead and started moving us slowly to the beat. I was dazed and moved along to the command of his body, noticing the lights were still so low that I could barely make out the faces of those around me. It was the perfect setting for seduction and the song was fitting. Wild horses couldn’t drag me away from him.

  I gently placed my cheek against his shoulder and indulged my senses. James smelled how I thought a man should; all sex and power and fresh laundry with a little musk. I was still trying to put all the pieces together. That meant Jane was his cousin. How had I missed that? I wondered if Cal knew, but I was captivated by the song and sighed in resignation. Closing my eyes, I let James and the song carry me away, losing track of time and space while floating in his arms.

  Suddenly aware of all the people staring at us, I looked around and realized the song had long ended and we were still in our embrace. “James, please.” My voice was barely above a whisper as my eyes plead with him to let me go. He released me as I looked for the nearest ex
it, uncomfortable with all the prying eyes.

  Spotting the exit to the gardens, I started to head that way, knowing some fresh air would help, but I never made it outside. I was bombarded by inquiries—some genuine and some about James and I—before Cecily found me and hugged me. She had never hugged me before.

  “Amazing work, my girl. Well done! Take Monday off and enjoy your birthday weekend. You deserve it.”

  I thanked her as I was shocked by her generosity. She walked away with a gentleman I didn’t recognize as I looked for James again, but didn’t see him.

  *****

  It was just past midnight. I had sent Lena home almost an hour ago when Cal congratulated me and inquired about James.

  “It’s a long story for another night. Jane?”

  He just waggled his eyebrows at me and I smacked his shoulder. He gave me a quick hug, kissed the top of my head and took his leave. I noticed Jane waiting for him in the hall and smiled to myself as they walked away hand in hand.

  Besides a few hotel staff, I was the only one left in the ballroom. It no longer resembled the glorious space from several hours ago. The months of hard work had paid off. We raised more money than ever before—thanks to James and Mrs. Whitford—though I was still upset that he hadn’t told me. I decided to make my way to the terrace to get that breath of fresh air I so desperately needed.

  As I turned, I ran into the brunette who was bidding on James. Oh crap. “Sorry about that. Excuse me.” I tried to walk around her and she blocked my path. “Can I help you?”

  She was glaring at me and I noticed she was a little shorter than me, thinner—maybe too thin—long dark hair, blue eyes, and fabulous tits.

  “Cassidy is it?” I nodded. “Stay away from him. He’s spoken for.” She was standing there all erect and prissy.

  “Excuse me; I don’t think we’ve met?”