When Sparks Fly (34 page)

Renee shed the robe and stepped into the shower. The water felt so good that she stood there an extra few minutes. Her body felt like the water itself: serene, free flowing, warm.

A similar scene took place in Blake’s apartment. He stood under the shower head and let the heaving pelting water run down his back, stinging his skin as it hit.

Blake’s thoughts turned to Renee, how could they not after what he’d just experienced.

Renee’s body was perfect. It was beautiful, curvy in all the right places, and it fit Blake better than any woman ever had. That scared him. If this was how the first forty-eight hours were, what was the rest of time with her going to be like?

The only certain thing was that Blake didn’t want whatever this was to end. Not now, possibly not ever. He felt so comfortable with Renee, like they’d known each other forever. He’d never tell her that because she’d think he was crazy.

Truth be known, Blake probably was crazy for ever thinking he’d have a chance with Renee Manelli. Women like Renee didn’t go for guys like him.

*

When Blake and Renee left the building an hour later, they looked like a couple going to a photo shoot for a trendy magazine.

Blake paired an ecru short-sleeved shirt with jeans and brown Dockers. Renee was in a hot pink sundress and matching sandals, her hair loose, cascading over her shoulders. She had a straw handbag that was overflowing with papers.

“My car or yours?” Blake asked.

“You drive.”

Blake stole a kiss as he opened the passenger door, making sure she was belted in before getting behind the wheel.

They’d decided to make this a working lunch. Blake brought his notebook computer and Renee the music she’d been working on.

It was a very productive time. Each was proud they stayed on task, even though the distraction of one another sometimes took precedence.

“I called a couple venues while you were getting ready. They’re excited to meet you and hear what you’re made of.”

“I took that long getting ready?”

“No, it just doesn’t take me long. While I waited, I didn’t want to waste time. We’ll hit Dante’s first. It’s one of the hottest clubs in the area. Louie’s winery has local talent performing on the weekends. They’re interested in hearing you as well.”

“Sounds like you’re earning your keep, Mr. McIntyre. Glad to hear that.”

Blake recognized the familiar voice behind him. Frankie.

“Hey, Frankie! How much did you hear? Isn’t it wonderful? We’re going to Dante’s and then Louie’s Winery.”

The excitement in Renee’s voice was barely containable.

“I heard enough. Glad to see the two of you working on our little project.”

Frankie nodded her head in Renee’s direction and raised an eyebrow.

“I tried phoning you earlier this morning, Renee. You must have been in the shower.”

“Yes, probably. Did you need anything in particular?”

“I was going to see if you wanted to have lunch, but looks like Blake beat me to it.”

“Yes, ma’am. I had some ideas I wanted to discuss with Renee. We were going to head over to your office after lunch. Would you like to join us?”

Blake stood until the older woman joined them. He called the waiter over.

“That’s not necessary. Already ate. I was just on my way out and saw Renee and the back of your head. I was hoping it was you, Blake.”

Frankie, not missing a beat, turned her attention to Renee.

“You don’t have time to be involved with anyone right now, Renee. We have to focus on business and I expect you, Mr. McIntyre, to ensure that happens. Stop by the office if you think you need to, otherwise we’ll just go over things when you come in on Friday.”

‡
Chapter Six

The late afternoon sun felt good as it streamed through the windshield of Blake’s SUV. It was already the end of May and the spring flowers were showing the last of their blooms. Soon the early summer colors would reveal themselves.

Renee and Blake had been working feverishly to nail down a workable schedule. So far they’d been successful booking at least one gig every weekend through the end of June.

“Well, Dante’s is proving to be a hot spot for you, kiddo. Two performances a month. That’s really good.”

Blake brought Renee’s hand to his lips for a kiss. He was so proud of her, so proud of her accomplishments. Established venues were now requesting her to perform. It was a good feeling.

Renee smiled at the action of Blake kissing her hand. It amazed her that through all of the business end of things they’d remained friends, lovers. Was it crazy for her to think in terms of permanence?

“I’m thankful for all you’ve done, Blake, I truly am.”

“Stop, okay? I wouldn’t be doing anything if I didn’t believe in you.”

“Thank you.”

Blake rolled his eyes. He pulled his vehicle to a stop in the parking lot at the Wellman agency.

“Listen, Renee, this may not be the most opportune time to say what I’m going to say, but I’ll say it anyway. I don’t know how familiar you are with the Transformers, but the head guy was Optimus Prime. He said ‘The greatest weakness of most humans is their hesitancy to tell others that they love them while they’re alive.’

“What I feel for you isn’t the type of love in that quote. It’s much more. I don’t want to be like most humans, Renee. I’ve fallen head over heels in love with you. It scares me shitless that it’s happened in such a short time.

“I can’t imagine what it would be like without you in my life. I think about you every waking moment. You haunt my dreams when we aren’t together. I want us to be together all the time…either you move in with me or I move in with you, or we get a totally different place. I don’t care.

“I want to wake up with you. I want to hold you to sleep. I want to bury my face in your hair, make love to you slowly until you scream for more. I do all of this now and my heart breaks when you leave my space.”

Tears rolled down Renee’s eyes. She was in love with Blake, too. From the very first early morning kiss she knew Blake was the only man for her.

Love at first sight does happen. I love that Blake shared his wussy, unmanly feelings with me. We’re proof of that two people really can fall in love after only one date, sort of…it isn’t just a passing fancy.

Renee reached over the console to hug Blake.

“I’m hopelessly, completely, totally in love with you, Blake McIntyre. You had me from the first kiss.”

Blake’s lips found Renee’s. The soft, passionate kiss left both of them light headed.

“We need to tell Frankie.”

“NO!”

“Honey, she needs to know. Frankie’s very observant. She’s already picked up on what’s going on with us, Renee. She did that several weeks ago. I don’t want to keep hiding how I feel about you.”

Renee sat back in her seat and dried her tears. She knew Blake was right. She also knew if Frankie knew what was going on, her parents knew, too. If that was the case, she’d be hit with the twenty question firing squad any minute.

“I don’t want to hide anything. I haven’t had a chance to tell my parents even.”

“I say we form a united front. We walk into Frankie’s office, hand in hand, and lay it all on the line.”

Renee sighed. Again, Blake was right. As much as she wanted to deny it, she couldn’t.

Blake opened her door and helped her out. He grabbed her hand and before she could protest, he sealed his feelings with another very passionate kiss.

Alright already…hand in hand…united front…we can do this. No, I can’t…yes I can. I can do this. It’s all going to be good. Blake promised. I trust Blake…

The elevator stopped on the fifth floor and Blake held the door so Renee could exit. Hand in hand they walked down the hall to Suite 5B.

Alice was the first person to see them. A huge grin made her cheeks cover the bottom parts of her eyes. She chuckled and shook her head.

“Hello, you two.”

“Hey, Alice. Hope you’re doing well,” Blake greeted.

“Yes, I am. Looks like the two of you are fabulous as well, eh?”

Blake gave Renee’s hand a reassuring squeeze.

“Dragon Lady in her lair?”

“She’s out at the moment. She had an errand to run, but will be back soon. So, what’s going on with you two?”

“Alice…”

Renee interrupted Blake.

“Well, we’re exploring a relationship outside of being business associates.”

“Renee, we decided we weren’t going to keep anything from anyone. That includes Alice.”

Renee tried to pull her hand out of Blake’s. She shot him an icy glare. How dare he? She wanted to be the one to tell them. After all, they were her friends first.

Blake put an arm around Renee’s waist and she immediately melted into him. He kissed the top of her head.

All Renee could hear in her head was Blake’s words. “Trust me. It’s going to be okay.” It sure didn’t feel okay at the moment. It felt like she was on show, like she had to prove something and she didn’t like it. She didn’t like it one little bit.

Blake led them to the waiting area.

“Honey, you need to chill. It’s all good.”

“I feel like I’m prancing in front of a judgmental board who have my life in their hands.”

“No one is judging you, darling. It isn’t wrong to love someone. It isn’t wrong to fall in love and be happy.”

Blake’s words resonated with her soul. No, it wasn’t wrong. She would be fine as soon as her parents knew. She didn’t want Frankie telling them.

“Blake, can you handle this PR stuff with Frankie alone? I need to go.”

“Renee, we came in my vehicle. Yes, I can handle it alone, but we agreed to tell Frankie together that we love each other and that it wouldn’t change our working relationship.”

“I can’t do that right now. I need to tell Mom and Dad. I don’t want Frankie telling them. They’ll be really hurt if they don’t know first.”

“Then we come back tomorrow and discuss things with Frankie.”

Blake pulled Renee up and put her hand in his.

“Alice, something’s come up. Could you tell Frankie we’ll be in tomorrow morning? Contingent on her having time…”

Alice checked Frankie’s schedule and penciled the couple in at 10 am.

“Not a word of this to her, please,” Blake cautioned.

“Don’t have to worry about me, I see nothing.”

Alice’s chuckle could be heard as far as the elevators.

‡
Chapter Seven