Shattered Heart (8 page)

Chapter 14

When Houston arrived later that evening, he had my laptop. “Oh thank goodness! Nash found it!” I threw my arms around him, giving him a thank you kiss that he won’t forget for some time. Using his special people reading talent, he could sense that I didn’t want to discuss the day’s events. He understood, I wanted to forget everything and simply relax.

We ordered delivery from a local Cuban restaurant. “While we’re waiting, let me show you my home, H., because it will take all of five seconds. You really don’t have to move from the sofa for the tour. Just turn your head.”

I stood up took five steps, “This is the kitchen, dining room/home office as you can tell by the mess.” I stepped off another five steps, opened a door, “bathroom,” three steps more “bedroom,” raising my eyes two or three times which made him laugh. “Finally, another five steps, I am back onto the sofa here beside you. See five seconds.” We both laugh as I sit down beside him.

“Charli, your place is great besides it isn’t the place I am here for,” as he arched his eyebrows and smiles.

“Oh really? You mean you aren’t here for the semi-hard couch and poor deck view?”

“If I am not here for those things then let’s see what I might be here for,” leaning in closer to my lips he whispers “it’s the executive level home office.” Laughing, I pick up a pillow and bop him in the chest with it just as the doorbell rings.

“Sit here beautiful, I’ll be right back. I’m just going to answer the door. Which I assuming it is the food unless you are expecting someone.”

“You most certainly will not! This is my home and you are my guest.”

Well, yes, this is your home but I am not a man that is in the habit of having my meals purchased by a woman, beautiful and pouty faced or not.”

“Houston Donovan, my guests do not pay for their meals, mister.” Throwing up his hands he agreed, “I give up, okay, okay. This one time.”

Since my dining room table is full of work, we sat on the sofa, eating out of carryout containers talking about the first time we each ate Cuban food. Agreeing that traditional Cuban coffee is either too strong or too sweet for us, we dug into the meal laughing and enjoying each other’s company. I am not sure which I enjoyed more, the food or knowing he seemed to be comfortable here in my home.
I was thoroughly embarrassed when I yawned once or twice.

“That is my signal, I better get going,” as Houston leaned over kissing my cheek. I turned to face him, prepared to ask him to stay with me in my humble abode as my eyes found pools of blue focused on my face. Houston’s lips met mine causing me to slide my arms around his neck. He pulled me closer but not stopping with me beside him but up onto his lap. I could feel his strong sculpted thighs underneath me. As our kiss deepened, the need for Houston to be inside me grew. Pulling away and leaning our foreheads together, “I really would like to stay but I have a conference call that I have to take from the office in approximately fifty minutes.”

“Oh, it seems sort of late but okay.”

“It isn’t late if the people on the other end are in Melbourne, Australia. There is a twelve hour time difference.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot you are Mr. Worldwide mogul, taking companies and making money.

Tilting his head as if he was thinking about that, “Hump, I suppose. Will I see you tomorrow?” “I would like that,” as I run my hand up his loosened silk tie, wrapping my left arm around his waste. “By the way before I go, I wanted to ask if you have had an opportunity to discuss the Black and Gold Gala with Lana?” Making a face, I shake my head. “No, but I will tomorrow. I promise.”

“OK, beautiful.”

“Not hardly.”

Charli, I don’t like it when you are negative about yourself. Yes you are, not up for discussion,” leaning down to give me one more kiss before he left. I melted into him as if he were the sun and I was an icicle.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

That smell what is it? It vaguely smells like hot metal. Why am I coughing? I hear something, its sounds like something popping. I try to shake my head so it will clear. Where am I? I raise my head just a little, open my eyes and look around. OH NO! OH NO!  Next thing I know it is black.

I sit straight up in my bed, jerk my head around and automatically know, it is the dream again. My heart is racing. I take deep breaths to try and slow it down. I lean toward the night stand, pick up my cell phone. It’s one in the morning I lay back down curling into a ball, afraid my real life nightmare will happen again.

Chapter 15

Hey Charli, want the usual?”

Nodding my head, “Sounds good to me Rose.” Looking around the Java Hut, I ask, “Hey where is everybody? It’s a little empty in here.” With a little shrug, Rose replied, “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth, sister. You’re a little later than normal. That off to work rush is over.” It’s been a couple of days since you have been in, “Where have you been? I’ve missed your commentary on customers.”

“I’ve been taking a different route to work.”

“By the looks of that smile, I’d say a certain friend of mine that might be named Charli is enjoying these different routes. How ya doing today? Nodding in agreement, “You know, I am in a really good mood today. Thanks for noticing.”

“Anytime my friend. Hey, you like basketball, don’t you,” Rose asks as she is returning to the counter with my coffee.

“I love it why? I played in high school and some intermural games at college.”

“I’ve got a n extra ticket for Thursday’s game. My neighbor was going with me. He called me a few minutes ago telling me he can’t make it.”

“I would love to go, if you are asking.”

“Course they are in the nose bleed section but hey it’s a game.”

“I’ll have to tell my brothers and do the sisterly thing. Rub it in.”

Shaking her head as if she was in amazement, “My brother could care less. He is a big old football fan. Yuck!” Putting her hand on her chin as if she was doing some type of intense concentration. “I do have to admit, I like the way those football uniforms fit those bodies,” winking at me. We could make it a girl’s night. I usually go to some type of after party, so don’t come in jeans and a t-shirt.”

Laughing, “Glad you told me about the party. I would have come in jeans. You obviously know me.”

“Tipoff, is seven. Meet me outside the arena at 6:30ish.” Turning to walk out the door, “Sounds good. See ya then.” The week moves by swiftly which surprised me. Usually, when I have some plans for the end of the week it drags on. These couple of days went just the opposite

Arriving at the arena before Rose, I was enjoying people watching. I had seen quite a few stretch limos pulling into what looked like a private entrance. Maybe, the celebrities will be in attendance tonight. I suppose it depends on what is happening in South Beach. I hear Rose before I see her.

“Look out boys, the girl’s hot tonight.” Turning just a little to my right, I see Rose. Before I can say a word, she is talking. “Charli, WOW. That’s about all I can say.”

Smiling at her with a sheepish grin, “You said no jeans but I thought these white denim might be ok.”

“Might be ok? Are you kidding? Girl, you have classy sexy written all over you.”

“Ah, Rose did you see yourself before you walked out of your place? You are looking pretty H-O-T yourself.”

“Charli, are those pumps Boutins?”

Laughing, I nod yes. “They cost me a fortune but I love the color. It isn’t a true black but it’s not an off black either.” Let’s head on in.

As we were making our way to our seats, which weren’t really that bad, I was probably handed ten cards with names/street address/phone numbers on them. I was having to really work at remaining calm. Elbowing Rose, “What is up with men? I keep getting these cards with a name, address and phone number.”

Laughing, “Charli, those are your tickets into after parties.”

More than once during the game, the fan cam showed us on the scoreboard. It was fun. We laughed.  The game was close but at halftime we were ahead by nine but in professional basketball that is nothing. Standing up to stretch, Rose and I were turned around chatting with the people behind us. When all of a sudden, I saw a familiar face moving toward me.  Not meaning to be rude but I continued my conversation. The next thing I knew, Nash was standing beside me.

“Ms. Jensen, he would like to see you.”

“Well, for him. Just because we had
some moments
that doesn’t mean I am at his beck and call.”

“No Mam it doesn’t.”

“The game is getting ready to resume, I don’t know what you are going to do but I am going to sit down, right here beside my friend.” I looked over at Rose and I thought I might have to scrape her off the floor because she melting as her eyes absorbed Nash.               Smiling, I looked at both of them, “Rose, this is Nash ah?”

“Nash will do Mam.”

“Ok, Rose this is Nash. Nash this is one of my best friends, Rose.”

Giving her a I’m strong but am gentle in bed look. “Mam.”

“Oh, please call me Rose.”

Just about that time the buzzer sounded. The third quarter was underway.

“Well, thanks for stopping by Nash. Be sure to deliver my message.”

“Mam, be sure to check your phone.”

We sat down just as the away team hit a three point shot. The game was tied at the final buzzer of regulation play. We were going into overtime. Rose and I had compared our entry tickets (cards) that we had. Some were the same, some not. Mapping out a plan of where we were going for the after party, the OT began. I was engrossed in the play on the court when Rose elbowed me.

“Ah, Charli, you need to report to the scorer’s table immediately.

“What?” The next thing I know during a timeout, I heard over the sound system, “May I have your attention please. A Charli Jensen is needed at the scorer’s table immediately. Charli Jensen immediately report to the scorer’s table.” I sunk down into my seat, bending my head, trying to cover my embarrassment.

“Hey, you need to go to the scorer’s table,” one of the guys from behind told me. Asking Rose, “How does he know my name?” Her reply came with a pointing at the scoreboard, “Oh crap, Charli everybody knows who you are.”

Looking up, there I was, which actually was no big deal, my picture had been on there a couple of times tonight but this time my name was underneath it. Standing up, I began walking. The timeout was over and the game was being played. When I reached the security officer that was guarding the entrance I shut my eyes. Standing there wasn’t Nash but Houston. He was laughing with everybody around him. As our eyes met, he smiled and I snarled. He laughed as he walked over taking me by the hand and led me to a front row seat.  As he hugged me, I gritted my teeth and managed to say, “Really? Little extreme don’t you think?”

Through those sensual smiling lips came, “Next time come with Nash.” There is an empty seat beside Houston. I sit down, trying my very best to look pleasant. After that embarrassing experience, I might pop up on the fan cam at any moment. I feel my phone vibrate. Pulling it out, Houston looks over at me with a raised eyebrow. “Ahh, now you check your phone.” When I look down, I have 4 missed texts. Two from Houston, one from a number I don’t recognize and Rose. I open Rose’s       
OH MY GOD! Who is that?     
I close my eyes, and count to five. I hear the buzzer going off. The game is over.               I am being helped up by a laughing Houston, when I hear “Damn man! You having to track’em down? Heard what you did, when you were suppose to be watching my fine skills on the floor.” Houston leaned into this man that some call a basketball god and made a comment that caused them to laugh and slap each other on the back.

Houston, held his arm out to me, pulling me into his side and introduced me.  The ball player looked down at me saying, “Here’s the thing. If you get tired of this piece of work (nodding toward Houston) you just look me up. I stood there saying nothing just nodding.              

My phone rang, I looked at it. Oh darn, it’s Rose. I didn’t text her back. Turing around, I look up to where we were sitting. She’s standing there, waiting for me to pick up. Sheepishly, I say “Hello.”

“You have got to tell me who he is. Have you known him long? Why haven’t I heard about him?” Turning away from Houston, I talk into the phone. “Houston is his name. I haven’t known him long. The man I introduced you to earlier is his driver.”

“You mean they come in sets? Oh sweet me, Charli. You have been holding out. Listen don’t worry about the after party because looks like you’re going to have your own. I text a couple of people that I usually go with to see if they are here. They are, so I am all good. Now, listen to me, Go take care of that fine piece standing beside you.”

“I don’t know what I am doing, Rose. Obviously, this wasn’t in my plan. I’m sorry.” Pretending to fan my face, “He is fine isn’t he?”

“You have to ask? Don’t be sorry. If I had that standing beside me, girl I’d be dragging him out of here.”

I smiled, and waved. “Talk to you later.”

Turning around, Houston was talking to a gentleman that I recognized as the owner of the team. They were engaged in what looked to be a serious conversation. I seized the opportunity, took a selfie and sent it to my brothers. Feeling pretty smug, I waited for responses. Neither came, but after I looked at the time I understood why. It was late by most people’s standards. Deciding they were probably asleep, I put my phone into my bag. Houston wrapped up his conversation and away we went out some private exit.

“Where’s Nash?” I ask as we were exiting the arena.

“He left just before the overtime began. Gone home, I suppose. Why? Do you need something?”

“I was just wondering. He’s always with you besides I don’t think he has the thing I need.  Well I suppose he has one but it isn’t the one I need.”

Leaning down sideways, he said, “He better not have the thing you need. I don’t share. Believe it or not, I have a driver’s license. I don’t need Nash for everything.”

“Oh really? Couldn’t prove it by me.”

Putting his arm around my shoulder, he pulled me into him. With what most would call, a bedroom voice he said, “Baby, I’ll be more than happy to demonstrate my skills.”

Stopping and taking a step away from me, his eyes slowly traveled down my body with a passion that left me feeling scorched from his gaze. Smiling semi-wickedly, he moved his hand down to a very low spot on my back as we walked. He must have unlocked the car using his free hand. A sexy sleek sports car directly in front of us beeped. Opening the door for me, he lightly caressed the spot where his hand touched my skin. This seemingly small gesture, became one of the sexiest actions I’ve experienced.

As we roared away from the arena, I realized this felt right. Me being with Houston. I didn’t need to ask where we were headed. It really didn’t matter. I hadn’t felt this way in a very long time, if ever really. I decided to just sit back and enjoy the ride. He pushed some buttons, and the crooning voice of Old Blue Eyes himself began. That’s when I knew this was going to be some kind of night. Suddenly, I ached for the firmness of him. I reached out, placing my hand on his thigh. This touch soothed my need. His hand covered mine as we sat quietly enjoying this
sensual touch.
We remained this way until we pulled into the garage at Dade 303. When I tried to pull my hand back, Houston’s hand clamped down on mine.  We sat like that for just a second enjoying this simple yet complex connection.