Chirp(81)
Blaze
The next morning, Blaze opened her eyes and stared at her husband-to-be. Before she met him, the men in her fantasies didn’t look like Rance. They’d been smaller, prettier, sophisticated. But here she was, hopelessly in love with a hard-living, nasty-talking hulk of a man who made her quiver at the sight of him. In spite of her quirks, he claimed to feel the same. And she believed him.
Offering half of the company had been a test, and even now, she wondered what she would have done if he’d accepted. Send him away? No. Not in a million years. She loved him too much. But he was right. Everyone would think he was after her money. Why else would he marry her? Well, she didn’t care what people thought. She slipped out of bed, made a trip to the bathroom, took care of business, brushed her teeth, and slid in next to him again.
He rolled to face her. “Haven’t changed your mind, have you?”
“About what?”
“Marrying me.”
“Why would I?”
“Thought once you slept on it, you might have reconsidered.”
“Never. Now go brush your teeth because I want to have sex.”
He chuckled.
“Why is that funny?”
“You’re so direct.”
“Is that bad? If it is, tell me how you want me to say it, and I will.”
“No, baby. I like it, but you can send me the same message without saying anything.” He took her hand and moved it south. “French kiss me or touch me right here, and it’ll be pretty clear what you want. But the direct approach works. I need a shower. Come with me.”
While the water warmed, Chirp sat on the edge of the tub, and Rance brushed his teeth. When he finished, he stepped into the spray and pulled her in with him.
She ran her fingers over his lips. “Mine?”
“Yeah.”
Hungry for him, she trailed her hot breath across his chest, scraping her teeth over his nipples, then wrapped her fingers around his erection. “All mine?”
“Forever.” Then he kissed her hard. Licked her throat. Bit her shoulder. His words echoed in her head. And she got lost in the passion. In him. Because he belonged to her.
He slid his hand down her belly, then lower, where he pushed his finger inside her and stroked.
“Oh. Don’t stop,” she begged. And he didn’t. He knew what to do. Where to go. And after the first orgasm, he didn’t waste time. He spread her legs wider and gave her all he had.
Water pelted. Steam swirled. Mist shrouded. Two bodies slick with need and desire moving as one. Oh God. There it was again. Like riding a roller coaster. Climb. Climb. Climb. Her body jerked, and she went mindless.
He buried his face in the crook of her neck and gasped, “Sweet Jesus. Just when I think it can’t get any better, it does.”
An hour later Blaze held Rance’s hand as they walked across the courtyard. After what they’d done in the shower, the simple gesture shouldn’t be so intimate, but it was.
Odette’s eyes widened as she opened the door. “Come in, chérie.” She zeroed in on Rance and took him in from top to bottom, hesitating at his crotch. She smiled and lifted her gaze to his face. “Encore plus délicieux en personne.”
Rance looked at Blaze and raised a brow.
“Even more delicious in person,” she translated.
“You speak French?”
“Yes. Rance, this is Odette Fontaine.”
“Nice to meet you.”
She latched on to his hand until Blaze gave her the evil eye. “I came to tell you I’m leaving.”
“No! You must not leave me.”
“I’m sorry, but I have things to take care of. I promise I’ll return in a few weeks and go public with my art.”
“So you and Rance have reconciled, oui?”
Rance slipped his arm around Blaze’s waist. “We have, and I’ll make sure she comes back.”
“Oh, chérie. I will miss you so much.”
“I’m sorry.”
Odette threw her arms around Blaze. “Very well. If you must.”
When Blaze and Rance got back to the apartment, he helped gather her things. With so little to pack, it didn’t take long. She laughed when he shoved his portrait under the bed.
“You don’t think Odette will take this to the gallery while you’re gone, do you?”
“No.”
He shook his head. “I hope to hell you’re right. Hey, I came to Austin on my bike, but I rented a car, so we’ll drive it home. I can return it in Danvers, but I’ll need to arrange storage for the Harley.”
“Let’s ride it.”
“You serious?”
“I’ve never ridden a motorcycle. It’ll be fun.”
“Are you sure? It’s a long trip for a first timer.”
Perfect. He wouldn’t be able to talk, and that should give her enough time to figure out a way to convince him to live in Houston.
37
Wren
Relief washed over Blaze when the county clerk didn’t recognize the name Wren Montgomery. Rance had been right. A missing heiress was old news, and no one remembered. She gazed at the signed marriage license. Blaze Bledsoe had served her purpose and no longer existed.