Love, Texas Style 01

When they broke their kiss, Terry gently stepped back holding her hands as he admired the young woman before him.

She was wearing a black and sexy bodycon mini dress, with lace long sleeves attached to a wide ring collar at the neck. Below the collar, the cutout revealed the top third of her cleavage. The back was full coverage and the skirt was mid-thigh. Black rhinestone strap heels. Her hair was styled in a messy ponytail and she pulled it off wonderfully. And her tan. Still dark, deep, and sexy. Her dark brown eyes sparkled. And her smile. Unique, he thought. He had never seen someone smile so wide and cheerfully... Happily.

"Do you like my new dress?" she asked, as she twirled around.

"Yes, Ma'am. It's beautiful, along with the woman inside."

"You're scoring points, Terry," she giggled. "How about my new car? Daddy bought it for me."

"I'm sorry, Amy. I didn't notice the car because of the woman driving it. She was an obvious distraction," he mused.

"Oh, my, Terry," she whispered, as she drew him into a firm hug. She whispered into his ear. "You're scoring points fast, Sir. Handsome, strong, confident, and now, charming. You may keep it up the remainder of the night, Terry... The charming part." Her last words offered with a bit of sassitude.

She drilled her tongue through his lips and extracted a tonsil.

"You know," she began, as she stepped back to admire her lover... with a sassy hand on her hip. "There is nothing sexier than a man in a suit. You are... Whew!" She began fanning her face and neck with the palm of her hand. "I'm going to have to fight off the ladies where we're going."

She grasped his neck, stood on her toes, and pulled him into another kiss.

"I love it," she groaned, as she broke the kiss. "I love kissing you." She converted her smile into a sultry expression. He gulped.

After loading his bags into the rear luggage compartment of the new Corvette and offering her door to the driver's seat, Terry relaxed in the passenger side of the speedy 'Vette. When he turned to his young lady, she leaned over and kissed his lips. A quick peck.

As she pulled out of the FBO driveway onto Lemmon Avenue, she spoke...

"Daddy said he's going to work my ass off for this car. It's a 3LT, the most expensive and detailed. It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"It is. It's the new mid-engine style, isn't it? I love the bright red color and the black leather interior with red accents. It suits you," he chuckled. "Work your ass off, eh? Doing what?"

"Real estate," she replied, as she turned left onto Mockingbird Lane. "My Daddy is the largest real estate broker in the seven county DFW area. I work for him in the summers. I show houses when other agents are busy. Daddy splits the commission with me if I sell the property for the agent. I have my real estate broker's license."

"Impressive... Your father... Hmm... Is he Leon Masters?"

"Yes! Do you know him?" she cried, with genuine surprise.

"I do. Your father and I have closed on several properties over the years. I haven't seen him in about two years, though. I do like working with him."

Amy smiled widely at his comment, while she negotiated the heavy Mockingbird Lane traffic.

"So, where are we going pretty lady? Still can't tell me?"

Amy smiled a sly smile, glanced at her lover, then glanced back to the traffic.

"The country club." She paused to let him comment.

"Mockingbird Lane," he offered, with thoughts racing through is mind. "The Dallas Country Club?"

Amy nodded her head as she kept her eyes on the road.

Chapter 21

As Amy and Terry entered the country club, Amy stepped forward and stopped him.

"There's some things I need to tell you before we get started. Drinks in the lounge, then dinner. After dinner... dancing. A seven piece band is scheduled tonight." She paused and smiled widely to him and he was smiling in return.

"Everything tonight is on my Daddy. He's a member and he and Mommy are here. You are his guest... My guest." She paused to gauge his reaction. He nodded with a smile. "You and I are working on the friends part, along with the benefits," she giggled. "I certainly don't mind sharing you with other members if they want to dance with you, which likely will happen. I like dancing with some of the members, too. Sorta like the dance in Brenham." She leaned in and pulled his neck down for a whisper. "But when the evening is over, you go to the hotel with me. No one else, OK?"

Still in her clutches, he whispered, "I came here to see you, Amy... No one else."

She released him, smiled, took his arm, and began leading him to the lounge.

As they entered the lounge, Terry heard some feminine gasps and an "Oh, my," or two... whispered. He turned to find every eye in the lounge was on Amy and himself.

"Amy!"

"Mommy!" Amy replied, as she released Terry and took her mother into her arms a few steps away. They broke their embrace and kissed each other on the cheek. "Mommy, this is my guest this evening... Terry Woods."

As Terry stepped forward to greet Amy's mother, he sized her up. A near identical copy of Amy. Same height. Same weight. Same figure. He thought she couldn't be more than 40 years old. Nearly black hair, dark eyes, light olive skin which seemed natural and not tanned. She also was wearing a black cocktail dress, sleeveless, but full coverage, front and back, and a longer skirt to the knees.

His curiosity was stimulated knowing Leon Masters had to be close to 60 years old by now and with Amy at least 21, Mrs. Masters was 18 or 19 years old when Amy was born.

"Olivia Masters," Amy's mother began, as she extended her petite and feminine hand. "May I call you, Terry?"

"Of course. It's a pleasure to meet you, Olivia. I now know where Amy gets her beauty. You look lovely this evening."

"Thank you. I must say, you are everything Amy described," she mused.

"Thank you. And thank you, Amy," he replied, as he turned to Amy with a smile. Returning to Olivia, "I found out, on the way here... just a few minutes ago. I have done business with your husband in the past. Several times."

"Oh? Leon will be pleased to see you then. And speaking of the devil, there he is," she mused, as she gestured with her eyes past his shoulders.

Before Terry could turn, Amy zipped past him and took her father into her arms. "I love you, Daddy."

"I love you, Amy," Leon replied, as he held his daughter with closed eyes. Drinking in the love of his daughter. "More than you know."

It had been at least two years since Terry had seen Leon. Five feet five inches, not a slender man, but not fat either. All white hair from aging and thinning had begun. His light olive colored skin was wrinkled with age and his dark eyes were intense, even when he smiled and laughed. He was wearing a light gray business suit, white shirt and red tie.

"Daddy, this is my guest tonight, Terry Woods," Amy announced proudly, as the father and daughter broke their embrace.

"Terry Woods... Welcome... I didn't know you knew our daughter," Leon said, with surprise in his tone, as the two men shook hands.

"Thank you, Leon. I didn't expect to see you either. Amy told me after I arrived at the airport that you were her father. I met your daughter two weekends ago," Terry offered, as they broke their grips. "Amy is the roommate of Mary's niece, Maggie. They came to my home in Brenham to study for finals and to enjoy the new swimming pool I installed last month."

"Maggie is your niece? I love that girl. Pretty... Strong willed... Sharp as a tack... I offered her a job this summer, but she turned me down. She told me she was working for her uncle. I had no idea it may have been you."

Terry chuckled and nodded his head. "Maggie's been telling me since she was 12 years old, that she was going to work for me. And, she is. Maggie and I are flying to Kansas City on Monday. She starts her internship there this summer."

"Excellent. It's good to you see again, Terry. And YOU, young lady," Leon groaned, as he turned to his daughter and pointed his index finger at her. "Full disclosure for now on when you bring a guest to the club. You have brought one of the wealthiest men in the country to be my guest." Turning to Terry, "How about a drink? I know you're a one drink man. Bourbon and water with ice, if I remember correctly."

"Thank you, Leon."

Chapter 22

Dinner was over and Terry found himself between Amy and Leon, with Olivia across from him. During dinner, Amy and Terry exchanged glances as Leon and Olivia dominated the dinner conversation. They occasionally touched and held hands under the table.

Earlier, while socializing with Amy and her parents, word soon spread that Terry Woods was in the lounge. Terry, Amy, and her parents endured endless interruptions from other members to have a word with Terry... One of the wealthiest businessmen in the county. The world, actually. Several women stepped into Terry's personal space, making eye contact and touching his arm. All to the chagrin of Amy, who enjoyed Terry being a little uncomfortable by the unexpected attention, especially from the married women. Amy soon found herself the attention of several young men whom she knew from the club for many years.

As they were sipping the last of their wine, Leon spoke.

"Terry, I may have some prospects for you, if you're interested. Some commercial properties, along with a subdivision demolition and re-development. Many of the homes will be in excess of $2 million and the developers are looking for investors. Leon Masters Realtors will be the exclusive seller."

Terry nodded as he set his iced tea down.

"Leon, I'm always looking for good opportunities. Give me your card. I'll call my real estate expert, Lorenzo Torres, on Monday. He specializes in Texas real estate opportunities and manages my Texas properties. You'll like him. You'll find out quickly he knows real estate and he will be easy to work with. But I warn you now. He has orders to get the very best price and return on investment, or to pass on it. My orders. I have clients' interests at stake."

"I wouldn't expected it any other way from you, Terry. Thank you. I look forward to meeting Mr. Torres."

"You're welcome." With that, he turned to Amy. She was smiling as wide as the table, showing her brilliant white teeth. She reached under the table and squeezed his hand.

A few moments later, Amy and her mother excused themselves to the ladies room.

As the two men returned to their seats after the ladies left, Leon spoke.

"Terry, I know you. Honorable... Fair... Strong and tough... Can we talk about Amy?"

"Absolutely," Terry affirmed, as he turned in his chair to face his host more directly.

"I know my Amy. She's a free spirit. She's brought many men to the club and to our home. Since she was sixteen." He paused to gauge Terry's reaction. "Not boys... Men." He paused again to gauge Terry's reaction.

Terry nodded. "Continue, Leon."

"I trust Amy. She's smart like me. She's had many lovers in the past and I suspect you are one as well. I know she's careful. She's told me so." He paused to read Terry's face. He received a head tilt. "This is the first time I've seen her with a man your age. Again, I trust Amy and her emotions. But, just in case. Will you be careful with her feelings? Please?"

"I will do my best, Leon. But I admit. My emotions are fragile, too. I've had a very hard time, emotionally, because of Mary. Amy has redirected my feelings. Along with encouragement from my sister in law, Mary's sister, I am beginning the journey to move on with my emotional life since Mary's death. Amy has been the kick start, so to speak. Amy has promised me an opportunity of friendship. And, with the prospect of being her occasional lover. For now, Amy is a stepping stone in my life. To break out of the protective shell I built around myself when Mary died. Your daughter is helping me tear down those walls. Our relationship is just beginning and I have no idea where it will be a year from now. Or, a month from now. I'm taking it one day at a time with Amy, and, I intend to engage Amy often in conversation with my emotions and to seek an understanding of her emotions."

Leon nodded with an approving smile.

"I've never seen her like this around a man. You're obviously special.