When Sparks Fly (33 page)

“Really? Well, thanks. Whatever you want to make is good. I’ll be over after I put things away. Give me just a couple minutes, okay?”

Renee put her guitar in its case, gathered the music she’d just written, and put it in the file on her desk. She took stock in her appearance as she passed by the hallway mirrors. She was a mess.

Well, I guess Blake’s seen me at my worst. I’m not going to change.

Renee took the scrunchie from her hair and ran a brush through it, hoping it would look a little more kept than a few minutes ago. She pumped a generous amount of lotion into the palm of her hand, slathered her face and neck, and made her way across the hall.

A magnificent aroma hit Renee’s nostrils the moment she opened her apartment door. Whatever Blake was cooking was making her salivary glands work overtime. She clinked the brass knocker on the half open door.

“You don’t have to knock, just come in.”

Blake greeted Renee and closed the door behind her. He tossed the dishtowel over his shoulder.

“Whatever you’re creating smells divine.”

“Just omelets.”

Blake had chopped up tomatoes, green onion, mushrooms, and parsley. He’d tossed in a couple different kinds of cheese then added it to the eggs before pouring it into the pan. When it had bubbled just enough, he flipped the egg mixture. He reached into the oven for the plate of toast and motioned for Renee to come to the island counter in the kitchen.

Their apartments were mirror of each other. Blake sure didn’t have Renee’s finesse with decorating, but it was home.

“Sit. How ’bout some tea?”

He’s a tea drinker? Interesting.

Blake set a steaming mug of apple cinnamon tea in front of her along with a fork, the plate of toast, and her omelet.

“Eat while I make mine. There’s nothing worse than cold eggs.”

“I’m glad you liked the song I played for you.”

Blake took his plate to the counter. Instead of sitting on the stool next to Renee, he thought he’d be safer on the other side of the bar. He ate a few bites before answering.

“Renee, you’re good. No, you’re damn good. If I can ever get some sleep, I’ll put a plan on paper for us to go over. I have some ideas that I’ll run by Frankie first before I pitch them to you. You have final say, you know that.”

Blake scooped up a portion of the omelet and put it on his toast before taking a bite.

“Tell me about that song, Renee.”

“I don’t mean to wake you up. It’s just when the words and the music hit my head, I have to get them down on paper. I have to work it through, you know?” Renee paused for a sip of tea.

“That song is something that’s been rolling around in my mind for a while. Then after word of Allison’s death, I knew I had to finish it.”

“Who’s Allison?”

Renee proceeded to tell him about her volunteer work and the little girl that had captured her heart.

Blake nodded and finished the food on his plate. He wasn’t sure how to respond. He was very hesitant to talk more about a business plan at this point with nothing on paper. His past experience taught him that when it’s written out and there’s a plan it’s more successful than when it’s just in his head.

He cleared the counter and rinsed off the dishes. Blake sighed. He was trying not to be too pushy with Renee. He didn’t want to screw up the work thing, but he also wanted there to be more than the work thing. Sparks were flying between them, that was for sure. He hoped she felt as attracted to him as he was to her.

“Let’s sit in the den by the fireplace.”

Renee carried her mug of tea and followed Blake down the hall to the den. The glow from the fireplace made the room come alive. She could tell this room was where Blake spent the majority of his time.

A huge flat-screen TV took up one wall. There were photos of horses and Western memorabilia scattered around the room. The furniture was simple: a mahogany leather couch, matching chair and ottoman, a couple lamps on end tables, and other miscellaneous things. There were blankets on the couch and chair.

Renee could understand why there were blankets everywhere. Blake either hadn’t paid his heating bill or he liked to run his apartment on the cool side.

“You okay?”

Blake asked after noticing Renee rubbing her arms. She was shivering.

“Yeah, just a bit cold.”

“Here.”

Blake held out a blanket in front of the fireplace then wrapped it around her back. His hands lingered on her shoulders longer than he’d intended.

What’d I tell you? McIntyre, don’t do things like this, man. You know what happens when you do.

Blake was fully aware of what usually happened. He wasn’t paying attention to that voice in his head at the moment. The smell of Renee’s hair was as intoxicating as her eyes and lips were earlier.

Surprisingly, Renee didn’t move. She turned around to face Blake, whose back was to the fireplace. She just had to see his eyes again, those incredible midnight blue eyes.

Blake moved his left hand to the side of Renee’s face, his forefinger caressed her cheek. Slowly, deliberately he covered her lips with his own. A sweet, tender first kiss.

Renee wrapped her blanket covered arms around Blake’s waist and returned his kiss.

“I probably shouldn’t have done that,” Blake admitted as he wrapped his arms around Renee, pulling her closer to him.

“You’re right.”

Blake possessed Renee’s lips again, only this time there was heat behind his kiss. She tasted sweet, like the apple cinnamon tea. He traced her lips with his tongue. He couldn’t seem to get enough of her.

In Blake’s mind, rapid fire warning bells were going off. He knew he was already in over his head at this point and there was no turning back. He deepened their kiss, fueling the combustion in his own body.

Renee pulled away from Blake, her breathing labored. Her head was spinning and there was this warm fuzzy inner heat she hadn’t felt for a very long time.

This is crazy! We’ve only know each other two days and odd hours.

“Renee….I…”

Renee put her head on Blake’s chest. His heart was pounding as fast as hers. Her arms tightened around him. They stood in silence.

“Renee, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…”

Renee placed two fingers on his lips to quiet him. She wrapped her other hand behind his neck and pulled his head to hers until their lips met.

This time she kissed Blake. Renee showed him the fire burning within her that he’d ignited. She tasted him, savored him, and teased his lips with her tongue. One hand rubbed the small of his back while the other caressed the nape of his neck where her fingers entwined his hair.

God have mercy! Don’t ever let this moment end, please don’t let it end.

Blake lost all sense of time and space. He was spiraling out of control holding onto the only thing that seemed to mean anything to him at this moment…the beautiful Renee Manelli.

Renee pushed Blake’s robe off his shoulders and trailed sweet, nipping kisses down his neck to his bicep. Her lips found the toned muscles of his chest and savored each inch.

Blake inhaled sharply. He slowly undressed her with his eyes. His hands found the firm mounds of her breasts. His thumbs teased her nipples as his mouth caught her sigh.

“My God, Renee, I want you. I want…”

Their lips met in torrid passion once again. Blake swept Renee off her feet and carried her to the couch. As he removed each article of her clothing, his fingers trailed over her silky skin. His lips kissing the hollow of her neck, between her breasts, her navel. He ran his fingers gently down each thigh, etching her shape in his mind.

Renee’s hair fell over the arm of the couch as she arched into his touch. She shivered as he kissed the top of her core and again between her legs. Each kiss brought new delight and more fire to her soul.

Blake lightly circled her navel with his tongue.

At that point Renee had had enough of the play. She was wet and wanted the real thing. She placed her hands on each side of Blake’s head and guided him back up her body.

The weight of Blake over her and the warmth of his breath on her skin was enough to make her orgasm. She wanted to feel him inside her. She wanted to feel his strength. Her breathing was more shallow and rapid.

“Blake, for God sake, I can’t wait any longer.”

Blake let out a deep, throaty laugh as he did what she’d instructed him to do. His fingers caught hers and he held them above her head as he entered her blissful warmth. He moved slowly, methodically feeling her writhing under him. His lips teased the tender pink nub of one breast then the other.

“Blake!”

With one final thrust, Blake sent them reeling into an orbit filled with blinding stars. He slowed his pace and tried to breathe normal. His body was engulfed with passion. He wanted to stay connected to Renee for as long as he could. He kissed her then laid his head between her breasts. Her heart beat matched his to perfection.

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Chapter Five

Spooning naked was Blake’s favorite way of waking up. His top leg was over Renee and his arm around her waist. He smiled, pulled her tighter to him, and buried his nose in her hair. So much was going through his mind.

So, where do we go from here?

Renee took a deep breath, stretched, and snuggled into Blake. She opened her eyes, her brain in a sleepy fog. She felt so incredibly satisfied. At that moment, panic stricken, she realized where she was and what had happened in the wee hours of the morning.

Oh God!

Part of Renee felt remorse and guilt while the other part was delightfully content. She had no clue what she would say to this man once the fog cleared and conversation happened.

Blake had given her all he had and then some. They’d enjoyed each other completely more than once: each explored new heights, each soared to places they’d not been.

“Good morning, beautiful.”

Blake pushed Renee’s hair from her face and kissed her ear. His arms completely surrounded her, his hands cupping her breasts.

Renee’s sultry reply awakened all of Blake’s senses and once again in unison they fell from the peak of ecstasy.

“You know, we aren’t getting much done on getting my name out there.”

Blake’s hearty chuckle made Renee giggle.

“No, we aren’t. We are, however, strengthening the bonds of collaborative relations.”

Blake stood up and Renee noticed his lean body.

Holy shit! This man is a god and for the moment he’s all mine.

“So, since it’s nearly eleven o’clock, I suppose we should shower and find some food, huh?”

Blake pulled an unwilling-to-move Renee into a standing position. His arms lingered around her. He hugged her to him and kissed the top of her head, where he rested his chin momentarily.

“Blake, I…ummm…”

“Shhh. Don’t. We both know we shouldn’t have, but we did. I’m not sorry, either Renee, you’re beautiful. What happened was beautiful. I have no regrets.”

“I don’t either, Blake, but I don’t want this to affect our working together.”

“Just trust me. It won’t. I promise.”

Blake didn’t know how he was going to keep that promise. He was involved with her now, and not just professionally. It was personal. He liked it. He liked what happened between them. He liked how they fit.

“You mentioned showering. I think I’m going to go back to my place since all my things are there. Give me an hour?”

“Take as long as you want, I’m going nowhere.”

Blake wrapped his robe around her, handed her clothes to her, and kissed her squarely on the mouth.

Renee put her fingers to her lips. She noticed upon opening Blake’s apartment door that her apartment door stood wide open. She was in such a rush earlier that she didn’t shut it. Thankfully it was a secure building with pass codes for each floor.

Once in her apartment, Renee closed and locked the door behind her. She pulled Blake’s robe to her nose, inhaling deeply his scent. It was spicy and clean. She smiled broadly then sighed a sigh of total contentment.

Blake McIntyre, you’re an excellent lover and I can’t wait to come together with you again…and again…and again.