Running Home (7 page)

“Well
, I guess I better get to cleaning myself up, and off to bed,” Sadie declared with a smile.

Shit
,
my mind screamed, as I tried to come up with a way to get her stay down here and talk with me. How is it that I’ve never had trouble talking with women before now, and I became a stumbling idiot when she was around? “Sweetheart, do you need any washing done before you leave? I’m about to throw in a couple loads, and I wouldn’t mind tossing yours in with the masses,” Aunt Patty asked as she finished putting away the last of the leftovers in the fridge.

“That would be amazing, but you don’t have to. I’m sure I can find a laundry mat somewhere on the road.”

“Nonsense; just run your little self-up those stairs, and grab what you need. Walker can show you the chute to send them down to the cellar,” Aunt Patty smirked.

I glanced over at my aunt, as she gave me a little wink. “Yep, it’s just right up the stairs and to the left.” I pointed at the staircase.

“Walker Mason, you go give that lady a hand
, you hear? You’re momma didn’t raise you to be improper now!” Aunt Patty scolded as she shook her head and walked over to the cellar door. 

“I almost thought your aunt was going to come over here with a wooden spoon and beat the living crap out of you
,” Sadie chuckled, as she headed up the stairs. 

Maybe I did need a good ass kicking;
I, apparently had lost all sense of my southern charm around this girl. It’s like she had casted a spell over me, and for some reason, I couldn’t seem to do anything right when she was in my presence.

“Sorry
, I don’t know what’s come over me; being around you makes me lose all of my proper upbringings,” I remarked, as I followed her into one of the guest rooms.

Sadie
abruptly stopped dead in her tracks, and her body tensed as she swirled around. Her face was laced with a questioning stare; one that took your breath away, and made your mind work overtime to remind your body to start breathing again.

“What are you talking about?”

“Sadie, you know exactly what I’m talking about. For some reason, I can’t shake you out of my head since meeting you on the side of the road this afternoon. Shit, I even got smacked on the head by an old lady, because I wouldn’t share my thoughts on you to her. Even though I know absolutely nothing about you, other than your name and the fact that you drive an old piece of shit Ford, I feel like if you were to drive away from this town tomorrow it would be one of the biggest mistakes in my entire life. Sadie, I know this sounds absolutely crazy and borders on the line of insanity, but I need you to stay. Please stay in town. I want the opportunity to get to know you. Scratch that, Sadie, I need to get to know you. Please, for the love of everything good stay.”

Sadie was
silent as she studied my face. I didn’t know if I was still breathing after that admission. My heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest, and my ears were waiting for any sort of sound to be uttered out of those luscious pink lips of hers. I know I sounded like a lunatic, but I never would have been given this chance to express my feelings to someone, if Carmen had not run out of my life and left my heart with a gigantic hole that I never would have thought could be filled, until Sadie came strolling into my world.

“I don’t know what to say,” she stammered
, as she gazed into my eyes. I know she had to feel this connection; hell, the electricity was evident in the room. I closed my eyes and let out a small sigh. Regretfully, I turned around and started to head back down the stairs.

“Walker wait,” she spoke as she rushed to the staircase.
My body immediately halted as I turned to look into those sparkling blue eyes. “I feel it too. Have lunch with me tomorrow……..that is, if you are not too busy?”

I
smiled and grabbed Sadie’s hand. Bringing it to my lips, I placed a soft kiss on her knuckles. “I actually know the perfect café we can eat at,” I said with a grin.

“Perfect, are you going to pick me up here
, Officer Mason, seeing as my car is out of commission for a little while?”

“I’ll take you anywhere you need to
go. I’m just glad you are giving me the opportunity to figure us out.” I dropped her hand and started back down the stairs, with the biggest shit eating grin possible.

“Hey
, Walker?” Sadie called out.

“Yeah?
” I turned at the bottom of the stairs, and smiled.

“You forgot to show me where the laundry
chute was.”

Sadie giggled
, and flashed me a grin that melted my heart on the spot. She was something else.

“It
’s Been Awhile” Staind

Carmen, December 2010

“Carmen! The limo is outside,” Cherri yelled from the kitchen of our loft style apartment.

I took one last glance in the mirror
, and smiled at what I saw. The tight red McCartney dress was like second skin on my tan body, and paired with my new black peep toe Louie’s; I was sure to please the client tonight. I grabbed a couple diamond bangles off my dresser, and tossed my perfectly curled hair to one side. Picking up my black clutch from the bed, I started to head down the spiral staircase into the great room.

“Damn
, girl, going all out tonight I see,” Cherri whistled, as she slipped on a pair of heels by the door.

I gave her a naughty smile
, as I walked to the front door. “Don’t wait up.”

Cherri laughed
, as I closed the door and headed to the elevator. I had a pretty important client tonight and that required nothing but the best. Of course, the agency always called me when they needed perfection; I was basically the best in this business now.

“Good evening, Miss. Westin,” our doorman Hank commented, as he held open the door for me to exit the building.

“Thank
you Hank. Enjoy your evening,” I replied with a smile, while walking over to the waiting limo parked on the street.

“Miss. Westin
, I presume?” The driver asked, as I approached the back door.

“Correct.”

“Mr. Harding is awaiting your presence,” he replied, and opened the door to the sleek black limo.

I carefully tucked myself into the car
, and straightened out my dress as I turned to look at the client.

“Welcome
, Miss. Westin. Can I interest you in a drink?” Mr. Hardy asked,  his eyes raking over my attire.

“Thank you
, Mr. Harding; and its Carmen. Whiskey on the rocks, please?” I mentioned, while I suggestively licked my lips and let my legs part ever so slightly. I noticed his eyes automatically drifted to the hem of my dress; I knew what this man wanted tonight, and I was sure to give him a good time.

“So
, Carmen, we have dinner reservations at Teo with some investors. I’m sure you can play the perfect date during the meal. I did ask for the best tonight.” His voice purred, as he let my name roll off his lips.

“Of course
, Mr. Harding. Would you like me to stay silent during the meal or engage in conversation?”

“Oh
, darling, of course you can speak; you seem to be able to handle yourself quiet well,” he added with a wink.

I wasn’t a dumb blonde like some of the escorts in the
business; I could charm the pants off even the stuffiest of business men. I tossed a flirty smile at him, as I took a small sip of my whiskey, letting the cool liquid grace my lips and slowly burn as it traveled down my throat. Tonight was going to be easy, and if I played my cards right he would be asking for me from now on. Fucking simple is what it was, I thought to myself as I played with the moisture on the outside of my glass.

“Carmen
, you were absolutely charming at dinner tonight,” Mr. Harding gushed as we got settled in the limo. I played with a curl in my hair, as I scooted closer to him on the bench seat. I wasn’t attracted to him, physically, but he held a lot of connections that could help me in this industry. Plus, a good tip at the end of the night wouldn’t hurt either.

“Well
, Mr. Harding, I’m hoping I did you justice with your colleagues; I tried my best at being the perfect date.”

“Oh
, sweetheart, you were amazing! Would you be interested in having a night cap back at my hotel?”

“Of course;
I hoped the evening wasn’t over,” I whispered in his ear as I slid my hand down the side of his leg, resting it just inches from his zipper. A low groan escaped from his lips, as he let his head fall back on the seat and slowly closed his eyes.

“Let me ta
ke care of you tonight, Mr. Harding. I’m sure, with your busy schedule and all, you could use some pampering,” I breathed into his ear, lightly tapping my fingers on the zipper. He licked his lips as he grabbed my hand, cupping it around his dick. I felt the hardness growing in mere seconds. I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh; this was going to be easier than I thought.

“Good morning
, Miss. Westin,” Hank said, as I slinked back to my loft in the early morning hour.

“Good morning to you
, too Hank,” I replied with a smile, and a slight yawn.

I needed a good twelve hours of sleep after last
night who knew Mr. Harding had so much spunk and energy in the sack. My thought of an easy in and out last night was a big mistake, as that man had been up and down all night and early morning. I finally found myself begging for him to get tired and finish; I could only play pretend for so long, as I made all his wildest dreams come true.

I should have known I was in for a long night, when the moment he slid his key card in the door I was being pulled into the room and slammed against the wall, dress immediately being ripped off and my legs being wrapped around his waist as he walked us to the bedroom.

I hit the elevator button and slinked into the car, resting my head against the cool metal of the walls as I waited for the doors to close. I glided my hand down
my legs to pull off the heels that were killing my feet. The cool tile under my bare feet felt like heaven. Who knew the old man had a shoe fetish thus rocking these super cute but painful bad boys all night long. The doors opened, and I had to push myself to walk over to the door. All I wanted was a shower and bed, and it had to come in that order. I had bodily fluids on every inch of my skin, and as much as I loved the very large tip I was given it still didn’t take the yuck factor away from my job.

I noticed Cherri’s door was close
d when I strolled into the loft must have been a late night for her if she is still sleeping. That girl was up at the crack of dawn every morning, working out; something that I really should start doing, but can’t seem to make myself do. Tossing my shoes and clutch on the bar, I unzip the back of my dress, letting it fall off my body as I walked over to the staircase.

I fl
ipped on the light and quickly turned the knob on the shower, letting the steam fill the small glass area with a dense fog. I peeled the bangles off my arms and undid the large diamond studs from my ears, as I grabbed a towel and laid it over the rack. Stepping into the shower, I ducked my head into the hot water and let it rain down upon me, easing my muscles, and erasing the memories from last night. The only thing left in my mind, now, was climbing into my nice comfy bed and sleeping the day away; I didn’t have anywhere to be tonight, and I was going to take full advantage of not working.

“Carmen
, the phone; get the damn phone!” Cherri yelled from the bottom of the stairs. I slowly started to register that our landline was ringing, as I rolled over in my cozy bed and flopped my arm around until I managed to grab the phone. 

“Hello?” I croaked out, flopping
on my back.

“Miss Westin, there is a delivery of flowers for you down stairs. Should I send them up?” Henry asked.

“Yeah, that’s fine. Thank you Henry.”

I slam
med the receiver back on the cradle and glanced over at the clock shit it was already a little after four in the afternoon. Groaning, I tossed my white feather down comforter off my body and rolled myself to the edge of the bed. Slowly, I hauled my lazy ass over to my closet and grabbed a pair of shorts and a tank top, tossing them on as I threw my hair up in a messy bun. I refused to put myself together tonight; I didn’t work and I wanted to just order out and sit in front of the TV , catching up on all my recorded shows that I had missed during the week.

“What in the world did you do to deserve these?” Cherri shriek
ed, as she closed the front door and walked over to set the large floral arrangement on the bar. I shrugged my shoulders as I winded down the staircase, wondering who the hell these would have come from.

“
Carmen, thanks for being a wonderful host. We value your loyalty to our business very much; please join me for drinks, on us tonight, at ROAR. Thanks, Roger,” Cherri read in a dark seductive voice. I shook my head as I went into the kitchen for a glass of water. I must have made a great impression on good old Mr. Harding last night. I smiled as I gulped down the cool liquid, while Cherri slammed the card next to the large vase.

“Seriously
, I never get the good clients like that,” she pouted, and hiked herself up on the counter. “Whatever Cherri, you know it’s just the luck of the draw,” I snorted, flopping down in a dining room chair. I knew I got the better clients. I would do just about anything to keep the clients happy. Keep them happy and they always came back for more, and going that little extra mile didn’t hurt either.

“So
, you going for drinks tonight, then?”

“I don’t know
, I had planned on staying home tonight.”

“You can’t pass up an opportunity to get drinks with the boss; he is the one who gave you this job
, remember?” Cherri questioned as she started to kick her legs back and forth on the counter.

Yes
, he did pull me from the world of adult videos, and escorting was way easier and better pay then getting rammed by some douche yelling ‘give it to me baby’. But hanging out with the boss was always a tricky thing. I was a master at turning myself into the woman that whomever I was out with wanted; basically no one knew the real Carmen. Actually, I had no clue who the real Carmen was anymore, either maybe I really was this confident, illusive, charming, and sexy as hell girl that needed no one.

“You want to tag along
?” I asked Cherr,i as I stood from the table.

“Hell yeah, I don’t think I’m working tonight
,” she responded quickly.

I just laughed
, and walked over to the couch to turn on the TV. At least I could get a couple shows in, before I had to ‘get dolled up’ for drinks with the president. I do believe re-runs of Shark Week are saved on my beloved DVR. I couldn’t imagine how anyone back in that small dusty town I grew up in did without cable. Shit if Grams thought I was a sinner, thank the seven gods she didn’t have a television to turn on. I’m sure an exorcism would have been performed on me, had she watched a single episode of MTV’s “The Real World”.

Walking up to the ropes at ROAR
was a ridiculously buff dude holding a small clipboard, and I couldn’t help but snicker as his body looked way too big for his head. Steroids were the immediate thought when I looked at him, and the second thing to cross my mind was I wonder how small his dick was because of the drugs.

“What are you laughing at?” Cherri asked in a hushed tone
, as we approached the steroid infused guy. I just shook my head and flashed the man a smile.

“Carmen Westin,
I should be on the list,” I said in a low provocative voice.

Small head glanced down on the list and gave
it a once over, his eyes then raked over my body and glanced at Cherri standing next to me. I bit the side of my lip and lowered my eyes, I knew my name was on that list, but it was always fun to watch a grown man stir. He quickly lowered his clipboard and reached down to unhook the clasp on the gate.

“Thanks,” I whispered in hi
s ear as my hand grazed his arm
yep, rock solid meat head,
I thought silently. I tossed a wink at Cherri as she tried to stifle a giggle, as we headed to the large black doors.

Inside
, the music was pumping, the lights low, and scandalously clad woman wandered about. Basically your typical Hollywood hot spot, even complete with some stalking paparazzi outside. I stepped over to the slim podium, where a tall blonde stood wearing an extremely short black skirt, and form fitting blazer to match.

“Vanity Affair
’s party please,” I casually mentioned, as the girl barely raised an eyebrow in my direction. She pointed her long scrawny finger to the back of the place and went back to whatever she was doing. I’m guessing it was practicing writing her name, since I’m betting she went without oxygen when they went and filled her fun bags. Anyone who got their tits bigger than their head had serious problems, and hers were the size of large over grown watermelons.

“Did you see her boobs?” Cherri shouted over the music
, as we wandered to the back of the club to the reserved booths. “Yep, I’m guessing that if it ever flooded she has her own personal floatation devises,” I laughed, as I caught the eye of Mr. President and offered him a slight finger wiggle, complete with a naughty smile.

“Carmen
, Baby, so nice of you to join us!” Roger remarked as he motioned for us to take a seat next to him in the booth that was already packed with two other business men in suits sucking down what I expected was high dollar vodka by the looks of it.