Love On The Brazos

by Carlton, Susan Leigh

  The waitperson left. “Now where were we?”

  “You were trying to decide whether you love me or not.”

  “Jordy, “ he said, taking her hand. We haven’t known each other a long time. In that time, you’ve come to mean a great deal to me. I think about you when we aren’t together. I could have throttled Merriam the other day for the way he treated you. I just want to protect you. I know; I know you don’t want to be protected, but that’s the way I feel.”

  “Michael, I told Mom after the day we went to Galveston you could be the one. I still feel that way, but you have to understand me. You’ve been wealthy all of your life. I didn’t know we were until three weeks ago. I’m still working on accepting it. I don’t want you or anyone else for that matter to care for me because we’re well off. I want to be loved for me. Jordan Carlyle, the girl from Sugar Land, the Texas Aggie trying to make her way in a man’s world. I don’t want to have anything to do with anyone that can’t accept me for what I am, not who I am. Speech over. We should look at the menus. Our server is getting antsy.”

  Michael signaled the waiter and he took their orders. They were alone again

  “Michael, I’m not ready to fall in love. I was hurt badly when my fiancé reacted the way he did. He wouldn’t even come with me to Houston when we didn’t know whether Dad would live or die. When I went back to get some more clothes, he didn’t even have the time or grace to pick me up at the airport. I had to take a cab to our apartment. This man that I was sharing a bed with and was going to marry didn’t have time to pick me up at the airport. Before I let myself care for someone, I have to be sure I’m the most important thing in their life. If I’m not, then I want no part of him or his life. I’ll die an old maid before I let myself get hurt that way again. I may have to sit on my front porch in a swing and dip my snuff and swig my Mogen Michael alone, but I will not be hurt that way again.”

  “It would be a real waste of a lot of woman for that to happen. Are we okay?”

  “I think so. I want us to be.”

  What about Belize? You had said you wanted to go. What about now?”

  “I would still like to go, but I can’t until this whole thing is resolved.”

  “So, that’s simple. Let’s just resolve it.”

  “Actually, it isn’t that simple. I don't have the authority to do that. Grandpa is chairman of the board, and Dad is CEO. We’ve retained Baker and Chatsworth for help in deciding. I can decide about the project, but that’s the limit of my authority. Carlyle is much better organized, and I’m sure we’ll be better off for it.”

  “You probably will. Inefficiency never pays well. Now that we’re finished eating, what would you like to do?”

  “I would like to be with you,” she said.

  Leaving the restaurant, Michael drove to his town home and pulled the car into the garage. As the door closed behind them, they entered the kitchen. Michael started a pot of coffee brewing. As he turned, Jordy came into his arms and tilted her face upward wanting to be kissed. Michael obliged with a kiss that was surprisingly gentle, yet it sent shivers through Jordy’s body. Parting her lips, she raised herself, waiting with an increasing desire for his kiss. He took her hand and led her into the bedroom. As she stood facing him in the bedroom, she felt her knees weaken as he pulled her closer. As her passion increased with each touch of his lips and the feel of his hands upon her smooth flawless skin, she could feel his passion rise through his trousers and her dress.

  Gently, he turned her around and unbuttoned her dress. She shrugged, and it slid to the floor. He undid her bra. Another shrug and it fell to the floor. Her swollen breasts came loose and into his cupped hands as he reached around her and nuzzled her neck. Gently he massaged them moving slowly to the nipples. As he rolled the pebbly, hard flesh between his fingers, she moaned, and turned to face him. She unbuttoned his shirt and slid her hands onto his chest. Removing his unbuttoned shirt, he then undid his belt and let the trousers fall and stepped out of them. He did the same with his boxer shorts.

  Freed, his member was fully erect. As it touched her thigh, she took it in her hand and moved it back and forth as it became hard as tempered steel. She slowly dropped to her knees, kissing his belly and moving downward. She touched the tip with her tongue as he groaned louder. She moved her tongue the length of this symbol of his manhood and back to the tip. She took him into her soft mouth and using the muscles of her cheeks and lips pulled him in deeper.

  Jordy stood slowly, her breasts touching his belly and chest as she rose to her full height. Michael put his hand behind her head and pulled her to him and put his lips upon hers, now parted and aching for the contact. She felt the fiery passion within her grow, he kissed her as her senses reeled as if short circuited. “Now, Michael, make love to me now,” her low, throaty voice filled with desire.

  There were no preliminaries, nor was there any need, the moisture of her juices flowed, leaving her completely wet as he guided himself into her. She arched her back, rising in a demand for all of him. She climaxed after only a few strokes. She continued to undulate her hips and climaxed again. Still and receptive as he slowly thrust himself in and out, she slowly moved to meet his throbbing need. She could feel the tension in his body so she increased the speed of her hips, arching her back so it seemed as if her head and heels were the only part of her that contacted the bed. Michael’s strokes became harder, faster, and deeper, suddenly with a loud moan, he reached the apex, just as Jordy began a faster rhythm accompanied by low moans as they both reached the summit together.

  As they lay spent in each other’s arms, Michael rolled onto his back, taking Jordy with him. He looked into her hooded blue eyes, and said, “I think I’m in love with you, Jordy Carlyle.” Her answer was to slide her hand to the less firm member and hold it in as she began rising and falling motion of her hips. Then she removed her hand as there was no longer any need to hold it in as she massaged him with the muscles of her inner core. He began rising to meet her at a slow pace that was timed so each got the maximum benefit of the motion. Gradually Jordy increased the speed of her movements. Michael matched the movements with upward thrusts of his own. Jordy’s urgency increased, Her skin gleamed with the perspiration of her efforts. Suddenly with a deep shudder, she was there, thrusting down onto the shaft as Michael climbed the mountain of passion with her. At once, they were together, him pumping as she eagerly accepted his juices. Then it was over and she lay atop him, kissing his neck and murmuring his name.

  “That was fantastic,” she said. “What a ride.”

  “I had a good time too,” he said.

  They fell asleep in each other’s arms, each content and sated with sex well performed.

  . . .

  Jordy came awake slowly. Sighing contentedly, she stretched her arm across the bed. It was empty. She sat up and was alone in the bedroom. She went into the large bathroom and cleaned herself. She took a quick shower, ran her comb through her hair and touched up her makeup. She dressed and went into the kitchen. She found Michael scrambling eggs and frying bacon. “I thought perhaps you might need refueling,” he said with a grin.

  “I definitely do,” she said as she poured herself a steaming cup of coffee.

  Michael turned from the stove and said, “Things happened so fast in there; I didn’t have time to use any protection.”

  “That’s okay. I went back on the pill after the first time. “You know, I need to get my own place now that Dad is doing better and out of danger. Then one of us wouldn’t have to go home” I’m going to check that next week.”

  “You could just move in here,” Michael said with a smile.

  “I could, but I think that’s moving a little too far too fast.”

  “Okay. Whatever, we’ll work it out.”

  Chapter 11 The Decision

  Jordy and her dad felt as if they had been bored to death by professionals. After they and their new chief financial officer, Connie Perrone, formerly with Baker and Chatsworth,
had met with representatives of three different banks, and sat through mind numbing PowerPoint presentations they felt they were ready to make a decision. They were unanimous in the decision. They would stay with First City; however, there were a couple of concessions they wanted. First City would need to appoint a person as a designated point of contact with the responsibility of managing the Carlyle interests. The individual would need to schedule a monthly meeting with Jordy and Connie Perrone to discuss the current status of Carlyle Enterprises holdings. Any changes proposed in the portfolio of Carlyle would need prior approval of Connie. Carlyle Estates would be considered apart from Carlyle Enterprises.

  * * *

  Michael’s secretary relayed a message to him asking him to call Jordy.

  He punched in her direct line number which he used during business hours. It was answered on the second ring with what had become his favorite voice, “Hello, this is Jordy. How may I help you?”

  “Jordy this is Michael. You called?”

  “Yes I did. We are ready to announce our decision and would like to schedule a meeting with Dad, Connie and me for tomorrow morning at ten unless that is too soon for you. We would like for you, your father and anyone else you deem appropriate to attend.”

  “I’ll have to check with Dad on his calendar, but I think it will be okay. By the way, who is Connie?”

  “Connie is Constance Perrone, our new chief financial officer.”

  “Oh, okay, I wasn’t aware you had named one.”

  “I don’t tell you everything, Michael, just things I want you to know,” she said with a hint of laughter in her voice.

  “We’ll be there unless I get back to you otherwise. What are you doing tonight?”

  “I have to get my hair done, and I need a manicure. My claws have dulled.”

  Suggestively he said, “I can tell you based on recent experience they’re still pretty sharp.”

  “You’d know wouldn’t you?”

  “Are you going to give me a hint about the meeting?”

  Allowing sorrow to creep into her voice, she said, “I don’t think that would be appropriate.”

  “You’re getting good at this, you know. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

  “Goodbye, Michael.” She disconnected and prepared to call her Dad to tell him about the meeting. He had been a part of the decision as had his father.

  * * *

  It is late spring in the greater Houston area (Which includes Sugar Land.) The trees are fully leafed out. Temperatures are in the mid to upper 80's, and there is a bit more humidity in the air. To make herself comfortable, Jordy has taken to wearing sleeveless blouses or dresses to work when the occasion permits. Today is a dress type of day. She has a meeting with the financial investments people from First City scheduled for 10:00.

  She stopped at the bakery and bought some cookies for the meeting. Her secretary would have the coffee. She was ready and anxious to get on with business as 10:00 approached. Michael and his father had arrived at 9:45. Her father had shown up at 9:00 so he could catch up on office goings on. Jordy called the meeting to order at 10:00.

  “Gentlemen and lady,” she nodded and smiled at Connie as she started. I think everyone knows everyone else except for the new chief financial officer of Carlyle Enterprises, Ms. Constance Perrone. We all call her Connie. She joins us from Baker and Chatsworth and is well versed in Carlyle. Connie, this is Michael Simms, Vice President of Investments at First City, and this is Steve Simms, President of Investments. We called you here today to inform you of our decision as to continuing our business relationship with First City.

  We have decided to maintain the relationship with First City with a couple of conditions. First off, Carlyle Estates is not part of the decision and will not be using First City.

  As for the major part of the decision our requirements are:

  First City would need to appoint a person as a designated point of contact with the responsibility of managing the Carlyle interests. The individual would need to schedule a monthly meeting with Connie and me to discuss the current status of Carlyle Enterprises.

  And secondly, any changes proposed in the portfolio of Carlyle would need prior approval of Connie.

  If First City agrees to these terms, then we can have a contract drawn up for signature. Are there any questions?”

  “If I may ask,” Steve Simms said, “Why did you choose to exclude Carlyle Estates? From any agreement?”

  Jordy blushed, “That would be because of the developing relationship between Michael and me. Carlyle Estates is my baby, and I don’t want Michael messing with it unless I ask, and that will be on a personal basis. It may not be professional, but I feel strongly that way. Incidentally, this is the first Michael has heard of any of the decisions.

  “How much time will First City need before their decision on our terms?”

  “I think we can give you a decision in the next day or so,” Steve said.

  “Well, that’s all I have today. Thank you for coming.”

  “Now that the meeting is over, is there anything either of you would care to say about this relationship?”

  “No sir. That is personal.”

  “I defer to the young lady’s decision,” said Michael.

  “Wise move, son,” said Steve. “Yes sir. I have learned she has a fiery temper when she’s mad.” His dad wandered off to talk to Connie.

  “So I have a fiery temper when I’m mad?”

  “I almost said when you were aroused and caught myself.”

  “If you had, you would have seen an example,” she said. “What did you think of the decision?”

  “I thought it was fair and a smart business decision, especially the point of contact.”

  “Then you think it will be accepted?”

  “I do. Now, what do you mean our ‘developing’ relationship?”

  “I’ll tell you tomorrow. I’m going to College Station tomorrow, and I want to get an early start.”

  “Okay. See you about six.”

  “I’m looking forward to it.”

  Chapter 12 The Accident

  Jordy finished her work with her mentor by 1:00, then had a light lunch and headed for home. She left College Station, traveling on Texas SH6. She then merged onto US290 South. Just before the exit to Prairie View, she met face to face a car headed the wrong direction. There was no room to her left so she swerved to the right sharply, left the pavement and flipped. The car rolled over four times coming to rest on its wheels. The airbags deployed and held her upright in her seat, with the seat belt fastened. The top of her hardtop BMW was mashed level with the windows. The windshield was smashed in. Mercifully, Jordy was unconscious. Cars stopped to render aid, but the doors were jammed shut. Several drivers brought fire extinguishers in case a fire broke out.

  The vehicle she nearly hit continued northbound on the wrong side of the road and soon after, had a head-on collision with another car fatally injuring both occupants of the southbound car. The drunken driver was barely scratched.

  A Prairie View EMT vehicle arrived with a Prairie View fire truck. They quickly decided it would be necessary to use the Jaws of Life in order to free Jordy. She was bleeding from a head injury and, she had numerous cuts from the flying glass. They put in a request for Life Flight from Houston. The firemen asked for additional assistance and began cutting the wrecked BMW apart in order to free her. Once free, she was placed on a stretcher and moved away from the car as a precaution against fire. The Life Flight helicopter was still 10 minutes out as the EMT’s began treating Jordy. They found she suffered a skull fracture, a broken right arm and possible internal injuries. There was no question about it. The airbags saved her life as did her quick reaction in avoiding the head-on collision.

  Life Flite from Memorial Hermann Hospital of Houston arrived. There was a Life Flite Nurse and a Paramedic aboard the chopper. The EMT’s from Prairie View had stabilized her head with a hard cervical collar. They had treated the visible cuts and
bruises and splinted her arm. Enroute to Memorial Hermann, the Flite Nurse and paramedic took vital signs and transmitted them ahead to the Hermann Trauma Center, along with an ETA. They also transmitted her identity and blood type as determined by her driver’s license. The paramedic started a saline drip in her arm. When they arrived at the heliport atop Memorial Hermann, they were met by doctors and nurses from the trauma center. She was rushed directly into the Emergency room where the need for X-Rays was determined. It had been 37 minutes from the time the call went out for Life Flite and the entry into the ER. In the ER, X-Rays were taken of the skull and her torso. Her vital signs were weak but stable. There was no indication of a compressed skull fracture. By palpating, the doctors determined she had several fractured ribs, raising a risk of a punctured lung. She was rushed to the operating room

  One of the nurses, armed with Jordy’s purse, and cell phone called the home number from the phone. They reached Marian Carlyle, Jordy’s mother. They informed her of the accident and Jordy’s whereabouts. The nurse would only say she was in surgery and suggested they come to the hospital.

  Torn between telling her husband about the accident or not, she chose to tell him. He was a stroke victim, still with some paralysis on one side, but Jordy was his pride and joy. He would not have forgiven her had she kept the news from him. It is 25 miles from Sugar Land to the Texas Medical Center and is generally plagued by heavy traffic on the busy Southwest Freeway. They were blessed by an accident free highway. Forty minutes after the call, Marian Carlyle turned her keys over to the valet and they rushed into the Emergency Room. They were provided directions to the surgery waiting area where they checked in with the desk staff. The desk staff checked with the circulating nurse in the surgical unit, and they were told someone would be out to see them shortly. In less than 10 minutes, a nurse came out; her mask lowered from her mouth, and stethoscope around her neck met them.

  “She is being treated by the surgeons as we speak. Her vital signs are stable, and she is in no immediate danger. She is anesthetized and is in no pain. The doctor will be out to see you as soon as he is finished. In the meantime, please, have a seat. Our surgeons are second to none. She is getting the best treatment she could get.