When Sparks Fly (41 page)

Blake was awake. He wasn’t sure why, since they hadn’t gone to bed until well after 2 am, their magic hour. He looked at the clock and stifled a yawn, not wanting his movement to wake Renee.

How did I get so damn lucky?

The thought of having someone in his life scared Blake shitless. He’d had several other girlfriends, well, more like females with benefits. None were ever serious, nor did they shed tears when it was time to end things. This was different.

Renee was so much a part of Blake. In his mind, they were meant to be together. It wasn’t only the incredible sex that brought him to unchartered emotional heights, it was also just her…just Renee. She was sexy, loving, kind, sweet, humorous, and filled the huge void in his life.

Blake enjoyed having his arms wrapped around Renee, more importantly, he loved how she fit him in every way. He smiled and gently kissed her forehead. Closing his eyes, he drifted into a relaxed dream-like state. Before long, he was sound asleep.

When Renee awakened she moved her body, as much as she could, and stretched her back muscles. She couldn’t really move because Blake’s arms completely surrounded her. One arm was under her head and the other at her waist. She traced her index finger across his cheekbone.

The sharply chiseled features of Blake’s face had an unnatural softness to them as he slept. Renee’s fingers continued their journey down his jawline to his chin, etching every bit of bristly morning stubble in her mind.

Renee liked what she saw. Actually, the right word was love. She loved what she saw. She loved every inch of this man who’d stolen her heart the moment they’d met.

“Good morning, sweetheart.”

Blake’s deep, sleepy voice was barely a whisper, yet so inviting. He kissed Renee’s soft lips. These kisses always led to sweet loving.

Their bodies came together as they always did in the sultry fragrance of daybreak…caressing, savoring, and appreciating every moment.

Renee rested her head on Blake’s chest. Listening to his rapid heartbeat resume a normal rhythm brought an element of satisfaction to her. She loved being able to rev his engine.

Today was a day of rest, the morning, anyway. So much needed to be completed for the concert at the park, but there was no need to hurry. What needed doing could be done later…a couple hours and all would be good. Renee burrowed deeper under the covers and into Blake.

If you only knew how much I love you, Blake McIntyre.

“I suppose we should get started, honey.”

The voice of reason speaks yet again.

Renee knew he was right but she wanted to stay in Blake’s embrace.

“A few more minutes, then we can.”

“We have a lot to do today, you know?”

“I know, and we’re going to Mom’s and Dad’s for dinner. She said something about inviting Frankie and Don as well as your folks.”

“Seriously?” Blake raised himself enough to rest his head in his hand, his elbow by Renee’s head.

“Yeah. Not sure what Mom’s got in mind, and maybe nothing, but I know that woman. I know her all too well.”

Blake tossed the covers off of them. His sharp intake of breath indicated his delight at the sight of his naked bed partner.

“Damn, honey. You are one gorgeous woman.”

Renee felt a warm blush tinge her cheeks. She’d never thought of herself as gorgeous. Truthfully, she’d never given much thought to herself at all.

Blake stood beside Renee and extended his hand to help her up from the bed. He twirled them toward the bathroom.

Focus, Manelli, focus.

Renee’s lightheaded giddiness over took her. As she lathered Blake’s body, her hands found his hardness. She teased and played until he entered her again, giving in to what she wanted.

“We aren’t getting anything done, honey.”

“Oh, I think we’re accomplishing a lot.”

Blake ran his hands over her slickened skin. His hands kneaded her firm, round ass and he pulled her as close to him as possible. He nibbled from her ear down her neck to the sweet spot in the hollow of her collarbone.

“Blake…”

“Yes…”

“Blake…I…”

“What? What honey?”

“Oh, Blake, I want you so much.”

The water temperature soon was too cold to stay in the shower. For the third time Blake and Renee rinsed their bodies.

“You know there isn’t much time before we leave for Mom’s and Dad’s.”

“Who needs food when there’s you?”

Renee’s wet towel made direct contact with Blake’s wiggling eyebrows.

“I do love you.”

Blake walked into the bedroom.

“Hey, hon, your phone’s ringing. Want me to get it?”

“Yeah.”

Blake swiped the answer prompt.

“Hey, Frankie. What’s up?”

“Well, hello there. Reason you’re answering Renee’s phone?”

“She’s getting ready for the dinner party and I was closer. Want her to call you when she’s free?”

“No, that’s fine. Was just wondering how things are going for tomorrow, that’s all.”

“Stop worrying. Everything’s good. Yeah, good.”

“What aren’t you telling me, Mr. McIntyre? You’ve been evasive every time we talk. What trouble is brewing?”

“Stop being such a naysaying bitch, Frankie. You hired me to do a job. Let me do my job. I haven’t disappointed you yet, have I?”

“That’s not the point. Things have to be perfect for tomorrow’s concert. I need you to make sure of that. There’s a lot riding on this, Blake.”

Blake was tired of Frankie’s condescending manner toward him. Everything for the concert was fine. There were things no one else knew about that would blow open Renee’s career. Those would be revealed tomorrow after the concert, or maybe even during the concert. Hell, he couldn’t decide. The only thing he knew for sure was that Renee was the center of his world and no one, not even Frankie, was going to make this day less than what he had planned.

“Frankie, we’ll discuss this more when we see you, I’m sure. Gotta run.”

Renee walked out of the bathroom, the towel wrapped around her. Her hair was dried and gathered loosely on one side of her head with a copper hairclip. The curled tendrils fell over her bare shoulder.

“Who was that?”

“Frankie. She’s miffed that she can’t micromanage tomorrow’s events. I tried reassuring her things were set, but she’d have no part of it. I finally just told her we’d talk later.”

Blake walked over to Renee and put his arms around her. He kissed the top of her head.

“Things are okay, right? I mean things for tomorrow are all good, there’s nothing I need to be aware of that’s changed, right?”

“Honey, stop worrying. This concert will be epic…truly epic. You’ll be the awesome ending to a great day and usher in the fireworks with a bang…pun intended.”

They both laughed and continued dressing for the dinner at Renee’s parents.

Tony Manelli greeted Blake and Renee at the door. He was like a kid in a candy story whenever company came for dinner. His constant pacing and window watching set his wife in a frenzy.

Daddy, you’ll never change.

Renee embraced her father and kissed his cheek.

“Hi, Dad. Where’s Mom?”

“In the kitchen, where else?”

Renee walked toward the kitchen and left Blake with her dad.

“Can I get you a glass of wine, Blake? Or maybe something else?”

Blake gave the older man an affirmative nod and within seconds of leaving, Tony was back with a glass of Chardonnay for each of them.

“How are things going for tomorrow? Ann and I are so excited. We can hardly wait to see our baby girl on stage.”

The pride oozed from Tony Manelli so much so that Blake stifled a chuckle.

How awesome he feels this way about his daughter.

“You won’t be disappointed, I promise. I have some surprises in store for Renee, and even Frankie doesn’t know about them.”

The two men continued talking as they made their way out to the patio where Frankie, Don, and the McIntyres waited.

Tony motioned for Blake to sit by his folks, but Frankie intercepted Blake before he sat down.

“Blake, we need to talk.”

Frankie’s forceful hand on Blake’s shoulder was almost painful. She ushered them to the far corner of the yard.

“I want to know what’s going on and I want to know right now, Blake McIntyre. I don’t pay you to keep things from me. I pay you to make sure things go well, and you’re hiding something. I’ve been in this business long enough to know when secrets are kept. Now, spill it.”

Blake rolled his eyes. He was perturbed with the attitude from Frankie. The thought that she didn’t trust him at this stage in the game really pissed him off.

“Frankie, how dare you insinuate there’s anything going on. I’ve been your dutiful employee, have I not? Have I not done everything you asked me to do? Have I not been successful in booking gigs for Renee? Well, haven’t I?”

Frankie began to speak but Blake continued.

“I don’t appreciate you thinking I’m keeping things from you. If you want to finish this job on your own, then by all means, I’ll turn the reins over to you right now. Otherwise, leave me the hell alone and let me do my job.”

“I know you’re up to something, Blake McIntyre, and I don’t have a good feeling about it.”

“You need to just stop, Frankie. Just stop. I know what I’m doing, here, okay? Just stop.”

“Mark my words, Blake McIntyre, if something with this concert fucks up because of you, I will see to it you never work again in this state. Do you understand?”

“It’s already certain, Dragon Lady, I will never work for you again that’s for sure.”

Blake turned and saw Renee standing just behind him. The look of horror on her face clouded his thoughts.

“Renee, wait,” Frankie called after her.

Renee ran toward the house to get away from Blake.

“Renee, honey, wait.”

Blake followed after her but by the time he got to her she’d already locked herself in the bathroom.

“Renee, open this door and talk to me.”

“What’s the point? Frankie thinks you’re hiding things. Are you?”

“Honey, stop being so unreasonable. Open the door.”

“No, Blake, no. Just leave me the hell alone, okay? Just go.”

“Honey…”

“I mean it, Blake…just go.”

Blake walked out of the Manelli house to his vehicle and sped away from the driveway. Maybe distance at this point is what they both needed. What they all needed.

“Frankie, what the hell did you say to Blake?” Don inquired of his wife.

“I know that sonofabitch is hiding something from me and I don’t like it. Hell, with the money we pay him, he can’t afford covering up mistakes. That’s what it is…he’s made a huge mistake and he’s covering it up. What else could it be?”

“Your vivid, know-it-all imagination. Why do you always do this to clients? You wonder why we lose business, this is why, Francis, this is why.”

Don never called his wife Francis unless he was angry. He seldom ever had reason to be angry with her. This, warranted it.

Don bid a thankful goodbye to his host and hostess. He grabbed Frankie by the arm and pointed her toward the driveway.

“Well, that was interesting,” Senator McIntyre stated.

“Please, don’t tell me you and Sandy are leaving, too?” Ann asked.

“No, none of this concerns either of us. Besides, I want at that lovely spread you have on that table over there.”

The two couples chuckled.

Ann Manelli handed plates to her guests and told them to dish up the food and to not be sparing with any of it.

In her mother’s heart, Ann Manelli wanted desperately to find out what was upsetting her daughter, but in reality knew she needed to just leave it all alone.

Tony put his arm around his wife and gently kissed her.

Things always have a way of working out, especially where love is concerned.

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Chapter Fifteen