Indulgence (201 page)

“Yes.”

His orgasm had subsided but he continued massaging my clit
with his cock. The heat emanating from him was overwhelming and he was gentle
yet tenacious. Leaning over me while nuzzling my belly, I grabbed his hair as a
second orgasm swallowed me up.

“James, please, stop.” Panting and pushing against his head,
“I won’t be able to walk.” My whole body was convulsing and the room was
spinning. Encouraging me on, my hearing was momentarily distorted, like I was
under water, due to the power of my orgasm.

“I’ll carry you.” He put in another stroke for good measure
and I smacked at him. “Are you well and satisfied, lady? We’re good and late.”
He sounded annoyed.

I jerked my eyes to his and he was smirking at me as my
breathing was still quite erratic.

“You ass! It’s your fault. You make me this way.” He offered
up his hand and I took it as he pulled me to my feet, kissing me long and hard.
“Thank you, sir. I’m well and satisfied.” He smiled at me as my legs were still
shaky but I managed to hold my own.

We cleaned ourselves up and put our discarded clothes back
on. I ran upstairs for a new top and opted for a short sleeve sweater. We were
out the door and there was no sign of any reporters as we hopped in the Rover
and headed to his parents’ house.

~ JAMES ~

We pulled through the gates and I glanced over at her. Her
eyes were big and she was speechless. “Cassidy, it’s just a house.”

“That’s not a house, it’s a mansion.” I squeezed her thigh
as she grabbed my hand. “You grew up here?”

“I did.” I recognized Cal's truck, noticed another Ford
truck and assumed it was her father’s.

“Wow.”

“I take it your dad drives a Ford, too?”

“He’s a Ford retiree. He’ll
love
your Rover.” I noted
her sarcasm as she smiled.

“What did he do?”

“He started on the line right out of high school. He
eventually finished his engineering degree when I was little. He retired a
couple years ago and now works as a consultant.”

“And your mom? I know you said she’s been gone a long time.
Were they divorced?”

She exhaled, “Not exactly.” She looked at me knowing I
wanted more info. “James, she’s dead. It’s a long, horrible story for another
time.”

Why didn’t I know this? I mean, I knew her mom was deceased,
but a long horrible story? Maybe she was exaggerating. “Cassidy, I’m sorry, I
didn’t know.”

Smiling she said, “It’s ok. Lisa, his fiancé, and Dad have been
together for several years. They’re actually getting married the weekend of
Thanksgiving.” She looked to the door and we both spotted Cal and Jane waving
at us before they disappeared inside. “We should go in, we’re being rude.”

“Okay. Hey, relax. My parents will love you.” I gave her a
quick peck before we went inside.

Introductions

~ CASSIDY ~

The house was huge. Good grief. My childhood home could fit
inside it times five. He was holding my hand and I was sure I was squeezing the
life out of it. We walked through a few different rooms with Cal and Jane
trailing behind.

“Cal, where’s Dad?”

“I haven’t seen him yet. He’s here somewhere.”

I nodded at his response as James pulled me along. Familiar
voices started to travel down the hall. We entered a room that looked like any
other normal family room, but bigger. My Dad and Mr. Benedict were standing by
the fireplace and Lisa and another woman, who had to be Mrs. Benedict, were on
the couch.

“Ah, there’s the birthday girl.” Always having been a
Daddy’s girl, even more so since Mom died, he walked over to me and gave me a
big hug before kissing my cheek.

“Hey, Dad, how are you?”

He pulled away and eyed James from head to toe. “I’m great.
You must be James. I would say I’ve heard a lot about you, but I’d be lying.”

I rolled my eyes as they shook hands and exchanged smiles.

“Mr. Charles, it’s a pleasure to meet you. You have a
wonderful daughter.”

“Please, call me Dave. Indeed she is.” He moved over to Cal
and Jane. “And who might this lovely creature be?”

“Hey, Dad, this is Jane. She and James are actually
cousins.” Jane offered her hand and my Dad embraced her instead. “I warned you,
we’re huggers,” Cal was laughing as Jane was pulled into a hug without warning.

“Jane, you’ve eased my mind. I was beginning to worry the
boy would be alone forever.” Jane and I cracked up as Cal frowned.

James placed his hand on the small of my back and guided me
to the woman on the couch. “Cassidy, I’d like you to meet my mom, Eva.” I
turned my attention away from my father to James’s mother. She was quite lovely
and as tall as me, if not taller, and I noticed they had the same dark hair,
olive skin tone and eyes.

“Cassidy, it’s an honor to meet you. James has told us so
much about you.” She stood and kissed my cheek as I looked at James who just
shrugged his shoulders. “All good things, I promise.”

His dad then came over and we exchanged greetings. “A
pleasure to see you again, Cassidy.” The last time I saw James’s dad was for
business and I knew him as J.J. Benedict; it was a pleasant change of pace.

After everyone was properly introduced, we were escorted to
a large dining room. I went to sit at the end of the table furthest from his
parents and James interceded. “Cassidy, please sit here.”

His father was at the head of the table and his mother to
his left. I was placed next to her, with James to my left. My father sat at the
other end, with Lisa across from James, Cal across from me and Jane was sitting
across from Eva, and next to J.J.

“Aunt Eva, how are you feeling? You look good.” Jane looked
thoroughly concerned.

“I’m well, honey. No need for concern.”

Sensing the tension in the air, I wondered if she was not
being entirely truthful. I looked to James, but he was deep in conversation
with my father and my attention was pulled back to Eva.

“So, Cassidy, I hear you’re quite the event planner.”

“Yes, I work for B & C.”

“Yes, Cecily. How is she?”

The question threw me off a little, “She’s good, as far as I
know.” Eva nodded as I took a sip of my water.

“So, James and Jane, which one of you will give this old man
kids to spoil first? I’m partial to grandkids, but grandnieces and nephews will
do, too.”

I inhaled my water and started choking while Eva began
thumping my back as I looked at the other dinner guests. Lisa was dumbstruck
while Cal tugged on the collar of his shirt. Jane wasn't fazed and James, well,
I couldn’t bear to look at him or my father.

“For God’s sake, Dad,” James sounded annoyed.

“Jackson, ease up. In all seriousness though, when?” Eva was
smiling from ear to ear and my Dad started cracking up.

“You two are incorrigible.” James leaned in and asked if I
was okay. I nodded, but still couldn’t face him and he put his hand on my leg
and gave me a reassuring squeeze.

“I think they’re worse than Mother.” Jane leaned in and
kissed Cal on the cheek. “Relax, it’s their game.” Cal visibly eased, a little.

“I’m an old man and James needs an heir. Better get the show
on the road, Son.” His dad was relentless.

“You forgot to preface
male
heir.” I was stunned. My
dad was playing along now and Cal was laughing. “I don’t know what
you’re
laughing at, Calvin.
Your
clock is ticking, too.” Cal paled and now it
was my turn to laugh as the jokes and jabs continued through our late lunch.

Once the meal was over, we headed back to the living room.
We were all sitting down when Lisa asked the inevitable, “So, how did you all
meet? It can’t be a coincidence, the two of you dating cousins and all.”

All eyes fell to me and almost everyone in the room seemed
uncomfortable except for my dad and Lisa. Did his parents know the truth of it
all? I wanted to crawl into a hole and felt myself pale as James took my hand,
but Cal took the lead.

“Jane and I both paid Cass an unexpected visit and we hit it
off.”

“How romantic. Cassidy, what about you two?”

Someone shut her up.
I didn’t want to rehash all the
nasty details.

“I met Cassidy a few months ago. She wouldn’t give me the
time of day. I’ve been wooing her ever since.”

I exhaled at his words—he was amazing—so cool, calm and
collected. I didn’t even think about what we’d tell them if they’d asked.

“Smart girl.” Jackson was smiling as Eva smacked his leg.

Smiling at them, it was obvious they were still in love
after all this time. His dad was more relaxed than I remembered him being at
our meeting last month when we met to discuss auction details. It was evident
he was a man with a heart of gold, like his son.

“Cassidy, dear. We wanted to get you a little something.”

Eva stood and caught me off guard as she handed me an
envelope. The gift was totally unexpected. “You shouldn’t have. Thank you.”

“Go ahead, open it.”

I nodded and opened it up finding a gift certificate for a
massage, mani, pedi, cut and color and a facial. It was too much.

“James told us how busy you’ve been. We figured you deserved
a day of pampering.”

“Really, it’s too much. Thank you so much.” I got up to give
her a hug and spotted James grinning from ear to ear. “I can’t wait to use it!”

I went to sit back down and Dad handed me an envelope before
I managed it. “While you’re up.” He winked at me.

“Dad, you shouldn’t have. With the wedding and all...” He
waved me off.

Inside the envelope was a pair of concert tickets. I blushed
and immediately stuffed the tickets back in the envelope. “Thank you, Dad.”

“I heard he was coming and I remembered how you used to
blare his music in high school. I figured you’re old enough to go to one of his
concerts.” My dad prided himself on knowing all our likes and dislikes when Cal
and I were growing up. Cool as he was though, he didn’t allow me to go to many
concerts unless Cal was willing to escort me.

“Who are they for?” James was curious.

“Yeah, Cassidy, tell him who your high school obsession
was!” I threw Cal a threatening look and he tried to subdue his laughter.

“I’ll tell you later. Thank you, Dad!” Dad and Cal were
having a great laugh at my expense. James seemed to have dropped the subject
but was eyeing me suspiciously.

Suddenly, all attention was on Eva. She had dropped herself
to the couch and was holding her head in her hands. “Mom!” James, J.J., and
Jane were fretting around her immediately.

“Eva, are you okay?” J.J. was crouched down in front of his
wife.

“I’m fine. I just got a little dizzy.”

“Mom, you need to rest.”

Jane was holding Eva’s wrist loosely and I could see her
eyeing her watch. “Your pulse is fine. I think James is right. You just need to
get some rest, Aunt Eva.”

Eva nodded as James and J.J. got her to her feet. They
escorted her out of the room, leaving my Dad, Lisa, Cal and I to wonder what
was going on.

“I hope she’s okay,” Lisa stated the obvious.

We weren’t left waiting long before Jane returned and
assured us everything was ok. “Cal, we should probably head out.” Cal agreed.
“Cassidy, James asked if we could drop you off at home. He said he’d call you
later.”

“You said everything was okay. I’d like to wait for him if I
can.” Jane looked a little perplexed, but she wouldn’t elaborate.

“Cassidy, it’s no problem, there’s room in the truck.”

“I’m waiting.” I wasn’t sure why I was being so stubborn,
but something told me to stay.

Cal and Jane didn’t offer again and Jane mentioned that she
understood. We all said our goodbyes to Dad and Lisa before I sat down on the
couch and picked up a magazine off the end table.

~ JAMES ~

We got Mom to her room, Jane helped her in the bathroom and
then we got her in bed. I was making my leave when she called me back to her.

I asked, “Jane, can you and Cal take Cassidy home?”

“Are you sure? I’m sure she’d prefer to wait for you.”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“I’m not going to force her, James.”

I nodded as she headed back to the living room and made my
way over to the bed.

“Jimmy, she’s a wonderful girl. I’m thrilled for you.” I was
sitting on the side of the bed holding her hand.

“She
is
wonderful. I feel like she’s breathed life
back into me.” She squeezed my hand. “You should rest, Mom.”

“She’s strong but very sensitive. I already sense that in
her. She’s the one for you, Jimmy, if you let her be. Don’t push her away, now
or when I’m gone”

“Mom, please don’t talk that way. Get some rest. I love
you.” I kissed her cheek and stepped into the hall, leaving Dad with her. She
had always been extremely inquisitive. I shouldn’t have asked Jane to take
Cassidy home, and as I was walking back to the living room, Dad caught up to
me.

“Jimmy, are you okay?” Dad looked genuinely concerned.

“Should I be?” I pulled my hands through my hair violently,
not knowing how to even begin processing the loss of Mom. I knew it was coming,
but I couldn’t bear the thought of it.

“Son, you have to find a way to deal with this.” Looking at
my father I could see the tears welling in his eyes. “Does Cassidy even know?”
I shook my head. “You need to tell her, which will be a start. Let her take
this journey with you, it’ll help.” He put his hands on my shoulders before hugging
me.

“I’ll try, Dad.”

“Son, I promise you’ll come out the other end stronger as a
person and as a couple if you let her in. Shut her out and you’ll regret it. I
know from experience. Especially if she’s someone you’re serious about.” He
slapped my back and squeezed my shoulder.