Yes, I’d been compensated well for my time, but respect was a different issue entirely.
“I’m going to enjoy my time in Mexico and Colombia,” I told my sister.
“Good. And you better bring me back some of that Colombian coffee,” she insisted. “And make sure you bring enough for Boris. His behind is always drinking up the last of my coffee,” she complained about her husband, but I heard the softness in her voice.
“I want something, too,” Christopher said in the background.
“Boy, if you don’t go finish that hot dog,” Sharise said. “Hurry before your sisters wake up,” she rushed him.
Overhead, I heard a last call and my heart hammered in my chest when I realized it was my name being called over the speaker.
“Shit,” I yelped and rose to my feet. “I’m late again. I gotta go.”
“Don’t miss this flight. Love you, bye. Call me when you get in.”
“Bye.” Hanging up, I silently scolded myself for getting so wrapped up in my conversation with Sharise I almost missed this flight, too.
“I’m here!” I called to the airline attendant right before I made it to the door. “Thank you.”
I sighed as I stepped onto the walkway that led to the plane. Though rushed, a calmness fell over me. Sharise was right. This trip was for me. I earned it, and I damn sure deserved it. My former job wouldn’t get another speck of attention from me. I was on to bigger and better things.
* * *
Brutus
I hated talkingto most people. It was part of what made me so damned good at my job. People didn’t expect to speak to security. My responsibility was to be as discreet as possible, and yeah, even at my size, I blended in well. The number of times people had passed right by me and didn’t notice until I struck was countless. If I had a dollar for every time that happened, I’d have enough to retire.
Actually, I already had well beyond the amount I’d need for a hell of a retirement. To the Townsends, protecting their family and assets was the highest priority, and they spared no expense. As a result, I’d never want for another material possession in my life.
While I always chose to wear and look my best, I wasn’t flashy. I didn’t need to stick out or flaunt what I had. But I did seek out comfort. Thus, the extra leg room and larger seating were why I always chose the first-class ticket when I flew alone.
I’d spent enough of my life packed into spaces and places while in the military. Now, I wanted to be comfortable.
When I peered to my left and saw the empty seat, a satisfied parting of my lips occurred. It looked like I wouldn’t have to share the row with anyone since we were nearing the last passenger boarding the plane. Everyone in first class had already boarded.
Yet, as I closed my eyes and leaned back in my seat, a woman’s voice at the front of the plane drew my attention. My eyes popped open, and they zeroed in onher.
“Thank God, I didn’t miss this one,” she said, her voice carrying over to me.
Something tickled up my spine at the sound of the breathlessness in her words. The flight attendant said something to her, making the woman laugh, and the melodic sound traveled to my ears and eased over every cell of my body. Without thought, a tension I hadn’t even been aware of eased.
“Excuse me,” she said, approaching me.
I didn’t realize she’d grown so close. As I looked up at her standing over me, a pair of hickory brown eyes peered down at me. This time I noted the flecks of gold in them. Her eyes were a few shades darker than the brown coloring of her skin. Her smile was wide and bright enough to light up the entire 747 we were on.
I panned down, letting my eyes linger on body. She wasn’t tiny by any means, and I liked that. Probably too much.
“Excuse me.” She pointed to the chair next to me. “That’s my seat.”
I reoriented myself, recognizing that she was asking me to get my big ass out of the way so she could take her seat. Moments earlier I was relived at the prospect of not having to share this row with another passenger. Yet, finding out that she would be my row partner didn’t bring on my typical bout of irritation of having to share space with someone else.
I stood to allow her in. Without being asked, I easily lifted the light blue carry-on she had and placed it in the overhead compartment directly above us.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she said. “But thank you so much. I sometimes have trouble getting my bag into those things.”
Looking her up and down, I agreed. She was short as hell. Probably five-four without the three-inch heels she wore. She was short but not petite. Her body was lush all over. Her thighs, hips, and breasts were enough for my larger-than-average hands to fill. And my fingers did something strange.
They started itching.
