Jordy’s car would be too cramped for four people so she hurried home to change it for her Mom’s Land Rover. She found her Dad on the back side of the house and asked if he would like to go with her. He said, “This is your project Jordy. I think your clients need to see with whom they are dealing.”
“Okay, Dad, but you are welcome to come along.”
“I know. Knock them dead, Darlin’ and let me know how it goes.”
“I will. And, I’ll call you too.” She flashed her most brilliant smile at him and headed back to the office.
She walked into the Investments and Trust Department five minutes before the appointed time. What they didn’t know was she had been in the lobby twenty minutes early. At the secretary's desk, she introduced herself and said she was Paul Merriam’s 1:00PM appointment. “He’s expecting you and asked that you come to the conference room. I’ll show you in.” She led Jordy to the conference room and introduced her to Paul Merriam.
“I’m delighted to meet you, Ms. Carlyle.” He then introduced the two engineers who would be accompanying them.
“Please, call me Jordan or Jordy. Would you like for me to orient you now or wait until we are on-site?”
“Why don’t you show us the layout? I’ve seen it, but our engineers have not.”
Jordy put the design and layout on the table. “Who did you use for your planning,” Merriam asked?
“I did this myself, but we will be bringing in other consults once we begin. I got input from one of my former professors in the engineering department at A&M.”
“So, you’re an Aggie?”
“I’m proud to say I come from a long line of Aggies. My grandfather and his father were both in the Corps.”
“Well, things are looking up,” one of the engineers said.
“I’m not sure I can deal with two Aggies,” the other engineer said.
They pulled off the road, and under the same tree Jordy had parked when she showed her idea to her parents. Using her iPad and Google Earth, she oriented them to their surroundings. One noted the elevation and observed there wouldn’t be a drainage problem with the Brazos so close.
““Do you have an option on the land, Jordan,” Merriam asked?
“That wasn’t and won’t be a problem, Paul.”
“Before we move toward a final decision we would have to see that completed.”
“As I said, that won’t be a problem. It’s owned by my grandfather, as well as a good bit beyond what I’ve shown here, allowing for the possibility of future expansion. Papaw said let him know when you needed a signature, and it will be done. Besides, I’m his only grandchild, and it will be mine someday.”
“Well, I guess that resolves that concern.”
“I have an attorney all set to get the necessary permits as well as the preparation of an environmental impact study which has been completed. Our lawyer says we should be able to get a tax abatement from the county also. I have a commitment from a MUD District to bring utilities to the property. I also have verbal commitments from four other construction companies to take 100 home sites each. Several others have asked to participate, but I want to hold the rest for myself.”
“Jordan, your thoroughness is impressive. I am prepared to take this to our executive committee this week and would expect approval to be forthcoming by the end of the month.”
“Mr. Merriam, um Paul, you should know, we have put this before other investment houses, but would prefer the prestige of First City. We are also prepared to underwrite this ourselves if no satisfactory options present themselves. Carlyle Estates will be a reality. It is just a matter of who our participating partners will be.”
“You have that kind of resources available, Jordan?”
“I do.”
“You came prepared to play hardball didn’t you?”
“Not necessarily, but a good business person must cover all of the bases and I think I am a good business person.”
“I would agree with you, Jordan. It has been my pleasure to meet you and I thank you for the opportunity.”
Jordan shook hands and said, “Thank you.” She shook hands with the engineer that had said he was from A&M and started to shake hands with the other. “I’ve never shaken the hand of anyone from Tech,” she said.
“Now how did you know I was a Red Raider?”
She laughed and said, “If you had been from UT, you would have said so and we had already established you weren’t an Aggie.”
He bowed at the waist, and said, “I applaud your logic, ma’am.” Everyone laughed.
* * *
Back at the office Jordy, called her father, “I promised to let you know how things went with First City. I think they are very interested and were impressed with what we’ve done thus far. It could not have been done better.”
“Well that’s good. I knew you could pull it off. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks Dad. I’ll see you in a little while. Bye.”
Michael called Jordy just after she and her parents finished dinner. After the small talk, he said, “You blew our team away today. I don’t know that I’ve ever seen Paul so impressed.”
“You talked with him after our meeting?”
“Yes, he came by my office after you dropped them off at the office. It’s going before our executive committee as soon as he completes his analysis of the project. That will probably happen Monday or Tuesday of next week.”
“Who is on the committee?”
“The VP of investments, our chief engineer, and several of the other VPs.”
“You’re on the committee?”
“I chair it.”
“Shit! Excuse me, Michael. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“Jordy, my decision on going forth will be purely a business decision based on what’s good for First City. If you like, I can recuse myself in which case the head of the investment department would lead it.”
“Michael, I’m just determined to do this on my own, that’s all.”
“I understand perfectly, and I’ll step aside. Now another subject. What are you doing tomorrow evening? Mom asked me to invite you to dinner.”
“That was nice of her. What time?”
“Why don’t I pick you up at 6:30 since Mom likes to eat at 7:00?
“Sounds great. I’ve been looking forward to meeting your dad.”
“You’ve met Mom, but Dad can be a challenge.”
“That will be fun. I like a challenge,” she said with a laugh.
Jordy picked out a simple sundress that was a pale blue with a scooped neck. The length was just above the knee. Her hair was in the usual page boy style. She put a little blush on her cheeks and a peach colored lipstick. Looking at the reflected image in the mirror, she was satisfied with what she saw.
* * *
Michael reintroduced Jordy to his mother, whom she hugged and thanked for the invitation. Then, he turned to his father and said, “Jordy, this is my father, Steve. Dad, Jordan Carlyle.”
She extended her hand, flashed a brilliant smile and said, “Everyone calls me Jordy. I am pleased to meet you. Michael has told me so much about you.”
“Jordy, welcome to our home. I have a tip for you. You can’t believe everything Michael says. He’s been devious since he was a little boy.”
Mrs. Simms said, “Would you care for something to drink? We have tea, wine, and soft drinks. Dinner will be ready in 15 minutes.”
“May I help with anything, Mrs? Simms.”
“No, no, why don’t you visit with the men folks.”
“I heard about your meeting with Paul Merriam today. He was certainly taken with you. That doesn’t happen very often.”
“I guess my excitement about Carlyle Estates comes out. I can hardly wait to get started. My only regret is Dad won’t be as involved as much as I would like.”
“How is your Dad,” asked Mr. Simms? I haven’t seen much of him in the past two years.”
“Since his stroke, he isn’t able to
come to the office as much as he would like. He has turned most of the day to day things over to me. It’s kind of sad because my dream was always to work with him.”
“I guess we’re fortunate in that Michael, and I can work together now since I’m at the bank most of the time.”
“Michael didn’t tell me you were at the bank. I thought you were in oil.”
“I was; I am, but my father is in such good health, I’m not needed there as much as I am at the bank.”
“I see what you mean about Michael’s being sly. I’ll bet you’re in the investment department aren’t you?”
“Jordy, Dad is president of the Investments Division and chairs the executive committee at times.” He had the sheepish grin of someone who knows he’s been caught.
“I see. Now what do I do Michael?”
“Just go on gracefully and chase your dream. You’ll get there.”
“Mr. Simms, Michael offered his help in my project, and I refused. It’s a dream that I wanted to do myself to prove to people I am more than a girl. When he was outed today, he offered to step aside and let his boss take his place in the executive committee. Now, I guess I have to give in.
“Michael, you remember I told you I never get mad, but I always get even? You had better watch out. You’ve got one coming,” she said with an evil looking grin on her face.”
“Son, you’ve got your hands full with this one. I think you may have met your match this time.”
“Dinner is served, guys,” Mrs. Simms said.
Dinner was in the large beautifully decorated formal dining room. There were framed paintings on the walls, a breakfront against one wall. The table was set with elegant china and silverware. It appeared to have had a leaf removed to make for a more intimate seating. Mr. Simms was sitting at the head of the table. Michael was seated next to Jordy and his mother at the end. It was quite beautiful, and Jordy told Mrs. Simms so. “We don’t use the dining room much anymore, but I like to use it for special occasions.”
“Why thank you, Mrs. Simms. I’m flattered and appreciative.”
There was quiet small talk as the dinner progressed. Jordy asked about Michael’s childhood, his likes and dislikes, his escapades and his friends.
“Michael was a good boy. He always made good grades and never got into any trouble. He just never could be persuaded to go into the family business though. Oil had no interest for him.”
“I’ve always been interested in working with Dad since I was about six. I went to the job sites I guess I scared him a lot of times climbing around on the ladders and framework. He was about his father’s business the way Michael is about oil. Papaw was in oil until he retired, but Dad wanted no part of it. I guess the insecurity of wild catting held no appeal. Papaw would talk about bringing a well in while Dad wanted to talk about completing a big project. Different strokes, I guess.”
“Jordy, what about you, do you want to have a family,” Mrs. Simms asked?
Michael choked as if he had swallowed a fish bone. “Mom!”
“It’s a simple question, Michael,” she said.
“Yes I do, Mrs. Simms. I’d like to settle down and have children, but more than one, I’d like at least two. There are some things I want to do first. Grandmama keeps reminding me my clock is ticking, and she wants grandbabies. My dad was an only child too.”
His mother cast Michael a meaningful glance as if to say, “It’s your ball, Michael. Take it and run with it.”
After dinner, they went into the family room and talked for the next hour. Michael stood and said, “I’d better get Jordy home. She’s a working girl. She’ll be in her office by 7:00 o’clock.”
Everyone stood. Jordan thanked Mrs. Simms effusively, and was going to shake his Dad’s hand but hugged him instead. “I’m going to remember what you told me about Michael,” she said. “Thanks for the warnings. I’ll put them to good use. Thank you both for a lovely evening. I enjoyed it.”
Michael walked her to his car and held the door for her. She said, “I’ll just step aside, Jordy. I understand, Jordy. I’ll just let Dad run the committee, Jordy.” She was not mad; Michael could tell by the smile playing about her tempting peach colored lips. He leaned over and gently touched the lips with his and then pulled back and closed the door.
"I did have a wonderful evening, Michael. I hate for it to end.”
“Would you like to see my townhouse, Jordy,” he asked?
“It’s early, I would,” she replied.
Chapter 8 A Love Story and a Blow Up
Michael lived in a patio home in the upscale Riverstone Complex. It was a large unit, three bedrooms, three baths all tastefully decorated. As she walked into the foyer, Jordy looked around and found a family area to the left and a dining area. She presumed the bedrooms were in the back. “Let me show you around,” Michael said. “As you can see, this is the family area, where I mostly watch TV. Behind you is the unused dining area and I have a breakfast area, where I do most of my eating except for when I eat while I watch TV. I eat out a lot, including all breakfasts, and lunches. The kitchen is completely equipped, but I don’t do much cooking. He moved on to the sleeping areas. Each bedroom has its own bath. I’ve turned this bedroom into an office.” He showed her a room that was paneled with a cherry wood paneling on the walls with tasteful prints on the walls. There was a PC with a wide screen monitor.
Next up, he said, “This is the master bedroom”. The master bedroom was furnished with a king sized bed with nightstands on either side. There was a large dresser with a beveled glass mirror. As in the other parts of the house the walls were tastefully decorated. He also showed the master bath. It contained two walk-in closets, marble countertops on the vanities. In the closets were built in shelves and drawers.
“Michael, it is beautiful. Who did the decorating?”
“That would be my ex-girlfriend before she decided she couldn’t live in this uncivilized world.”
“Well, she had excellent taste if you ask me.”
“Would you like a glass of wine,” he asked?
“Why yes, a glass of white zin would go well, thank you.”
He took two glasses of white Zinfandel and two coasters in, and gave one of each to Jordy. “This is good, Michael,” she said as he sat beside her on the sofa.
“Would you like the TV on or music?
“Music would be nice.”
Michael had a remote and clicked, and some the rich sounds of classical music filled the room. He adjusted the volume and said, “How is that.”
“Nice,” she said and scooted over closer to him. He set his glass on the coffee table, took her glass and did the same. He took her in his arms, his large soft hands on both cheeks, softly caressing them. The touch sent shivers of excitement racing through her body. She locked herself in his embrace. His kiss was soft and gentle and began raising levels of desire she hadn’t felt in over two years. His tongue explored her lips, now parted, permitting him entry. When his tongue touched hers, she moaned softly. He removed one hand and slid it past the neckline of the dress and onto the soft warm skin of her breast. She trembled as it touched the firm nipple and began to massage it.
He began to kiss her more forcefully now, his tongue explored the inner contours of her mouth and tongue. He withdrew, and kissed her chin and the tender parts of her neck. She was throbbing with desire. She could tell he was aroused as she felt his swollen tool against her thigh. She moved her hand down and began to stroke it. Michael began to moan, he said, “You had better stop that.”
She laughed and continued to massage. “Michael?”
“Uuuhhhmmm?”
“Make love to me.”
He stood, effortlessly picked her up and carried her into the bedroom. She asked, “May I use the bathroom?”
“Certainly,” his voice vibrant with passion.
She went into the bathroom, removed her clothes and placed them neatly in a stack on the counter. She returned to the bedroom in all of her naked splen
dor.
Michael was on the bed in his boxers and tee shirt. “Wait,” he said. I want to drink in this vision. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.”
She stood in front of him, her perky breasts jutting out, the nipples fully erect. She turned slowly in front of him. She said, “Now you stand. She slowly lowered his shorts to below the knees and down to the floor. Her forearm intentionally brushed his member. It swung back and forth until he took her into his arms, her breasts crushed against his chest. An electrical shock coursed through her body causing her to arch her back.
He gently laid her on the bed and lay beside her on his elbow. Leaning over, he kissed her throat and chest. He kissed her breast, sending more electrical sparks through her body, straight to the essence of her being. She felt herself becoming more excited. He took her nipple in his mouth, rolling his tongue around the pebbly edges of it. Slowly down her stomach, tracing the outline of her innie navel. He moved on down until he reached the entrance to her tunnel of joy. She arched her back even more and cried out in ecstasy. His tongue found her swollen clitoris and circled it. “Come for me Jordy. Come for me.” He took it into his mouth and began to pull on it while his thumb massaged in back. Her groaning began, slowly, mounting in volume and intensity as he continued. “Come for me Jordy,” he murmured. Her moaning grew louder and more frequent. She arched her back more, touching the bed with only her head and heels. She began thrusting, groaning, thrusting, continuing until she was spent. Breathlessly, “That was unlike anything I have ever experienced. It was indescribable.”
Love On The Brazos Page 6
