The Wreight Series Box Set, page 4
part #1 of Wreight Series
After several spins and a lot of laughter, it was Lance's turn. He spun the bottle and waited. Renee had closed her eyes saying another prayer, and then she heard Rhonda's singing voice. "Lance and Renee sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G."
Renee's eyes popped open as Lance advanced. Before she had a chance to think of a way out of it, he cupped her face with both hands and touched his lips to hers. First, he nibbled on her lower lip, tasting the remnants of the cherry flavored gloss and tequila that clung to her mouth. She sighed and relaxed as he kissed her a little deeper, licking her lips.
Renee couldn't breathe. His mouth was hot and electrifying. What the hell, she thought, after all, it was her birthday. She parted her lips and gently bit his lower lip, sucking it into her mouth; he moaned and explored her mouth with his tongue. The kiss deepened as Renee drew his tongue into her mouth and allowed him to do the same. His tongue slid against hers in a playful and seductive motion causing the hair on the back of Renee's neck to rise. Goosebumps rose on her skin. Her nipples stood at attention begging to be touched. He was a great kisser. Heat surged through her body, settling at the center of the junction of her thighs. She felt dizzy, disoriented and delectable.
She didn't know how long the kiss lasted, but it was apparently long enough to elicit some comments from the rest of the party. As Rhonda whooped and Eddie whistled, Lance pulled back and looked directly into Renee's eyes. His eyes had changed from a light ocean blue to a deep dark blue. Renee felt like she was sinking into their depths. Just breathe, she told herself. They played another round, in which Renee was lucky to escape another kiss from Lance, or was it unlucky.
Ricky turned up the music, and everyone began to dance and mingle throughout various parts of the house. Renee needed some air, but first, she found her purse and retrieved a cigarette. Renee slipped out the back door, crossing the patio and going into the unattached garage, using the side door, hoping that no one would miss her for a few minutes. She lit her cigarette and took a deep draw on it, savored it and then exhaled. Renee had all but quit this horrible habit, but she needed something to calm her nerves. She tossed the cigarette to the ground, smashing the hot end with the toe of her stiletto heels.
She was about to return to the party when she felt a firm hand on her arm spin her around and press her to the wall beside the door. As soon as she felt the heat from his body, she knew it was Lance. He didn’t touch her for a few seconds, savoring the erotic feeling of catching her by surprise.
Had he been there the whole time? He traced her lower lip with his thumb. "A beautiful mouth such as yours, wasn't made for smoking. It was made for kissing." She couldn’t stand this waiting. She tried to resist the magnetic force that pulled her mouth closer to his lips. She didn't want to surrender to the passion that was igniting between them, but she couldn't help herself. A surge of longing engulfed her, and she kissed him passionately. Before she realized what she had done, her hands had seized the blonde curls that had tempted her all night.
He knew that she was losing the fight to control the underlying passion that she felt, almost as hard as he had been fighting it when he saw her enter the garage a few minutes after him. He had come outside to pull himself together after their kiss.
He hadn't intended to kiss her like that during the game, but when his lips touched hers, some primal urge took over, and he couldn't stop himself. Much like he felt now, he thought as he slid his hands down her lush curves, brushing the sides of her full breasts with his palms. He paused there enjoying the fullness of them against his hands before they continued their journey to pull her hips close to him, leaving no doubt in her mind that he wanted her.
He removed his mouth from hers and left a trail of soft kisses down her face and the column of her throat. A pleasing sound erupted from deep in her soul. What was she doing out there in the garage making out like some over-sexed teenager?
Lance nipped at her shoulder, playfully using his teeth. He loved the way she felt in his arms, the way she responded to him, the way her skin tasted. It was like having a taste of the world's best chocolate. A sample wasn’t enough. He would crave the taste of her until the end of his days.
Renee's heart was beating wildly in her chest. If this is what heaven felt like, then she wouldn't fight death. He kissed her mouth again, savagely. His hands tumbled through the soft, silky strands of her hair.
Neither of them wanted this time to end, but Renee knew that it had to. It had to stop now before it went too far, before she went too far. She shoved him as hard as she could to put some space between them, disappearing through the door leading to the patio.
She passed Rhonda and Eddie as she entered the kitchen. They walked towards the back door, probably to enjoy the beautiful night from the patio. Renee prayed that Lance didn’t come in right away. She didn’t want Rhonda and Eddie to think that they had been out there together. Renee found the bottle of Tequila and a shot glass and took two shots back to back.
**
Later Renee sat in the kitchen with Celia, who had just finished cleaning up. Her buzz was wearing off, and she was ready to go home. She and Celia went outside to join the others, “Where’s Rhonda?” Renee asked when she didn’t see her among the others.
“She and Eddie went for a walk,” Ricky said smiling to himself as Celia sat in his lap.
“How long ago did they leave?”
“Not long. If you want to go home, I’ll take you.” Ricky volunteered.
“No, that's not necessary.” She said trying not to look at the figure moving towards her from the shadows.
“I’m leaving now,” he said looking directly at her, “I can take you, that way Rhonda and Eddie's fun isn’t spoiled.”
Renee wanted to argue, but she didn’t want to make anyone suspicious. She went inside and found her purse. Lance was waiting at the front door with Celia. “Thanks for inviting me. I had a great time.” He said watching Renee coming towards them, trying not to stare at her legs as the skirt swished when she walked. She seemed to be moving in slow motion. She hugged Celia and followed him to his car, where he stood holding the door for her.
Renee gave him directions to her apartment while pretending to look out the window at the passing scenery, trying to concentrate on the soft sounds of Barry White coming from the CD player. This heavy silence was getting to Lance, but he didn't know what to say to her. He wanted to hear her voice. Even if she were arguing with him, it would have to be better than this damned silence. What he wanted to do was pull the car over and take her in his arms, but after that kiss in the garage, he knew that if he touched her, he wouldn't be able to let her go until they were both exhausted from the passion that would seize them.
"You can pull into any of the spaces in front of the building there," Renee said pointing towards her car as they entered the parking lot of her complex. Lance parked in the space next to her car. Renee was out of the car and striding to her front door before Lance had turned the motor off. He wasn't going to let her get away this time. He got out and followed quickly.
It was very dark, and she couldn't find the keyhole. She felt Lance's warm hand cover her own taking the key from her. She quickly stepped aside letting go of the key as if burned by his touch. He unlocked the door handing the keys to her. "Thanks." She said stepping through the threshold.
He grasped her hand. She dropped her purse and keys as he entered the apartment, pulling her into his arms. "If you want me to go, say the word and I'll leave."
Renee knew she should tell him to go but couldn't form the words. She wanted to kiss him senseless. Lance watched as the tip of her tongue darted out between her full, tempting lips to moisten them. That was enough to make him lower his mouth to hers. He pushed the door closed with his foot and reached behind him with one hand locking the door. Her mouth was so soft and inviting. She didn't try to move out of his embrace. Instead, she kissed him back, delighting in the playful way that he seemed to be devouring her.
Renee could feel his strong hands as they caressed her back. She arched into him, pressing close. She couldn't get close enough to him. His lips teased her senses. She wanted to eat his mouth. The taste of him was so enjoyable and addictive that Renee savored the pink flesh for as long as possible. Her head was spinning. She felt like she was on a merry go round that would not stop.
Lance eased his mouth from hers and continued to place kisses on the side of her jawline. He began to nibble the lobe of her ear as he heard her sigh. Her fingers raked his scalp, and she shivered as Lance ran the tip of his tongue down the side of her neck. He wanted to trace her entire body with his tongue, slowly directing his attention to the sweetest most secret parts of her.
Renee's stomach quivered as if full of butterflies, and she felt so hot. She licked her lips, then pushed Lance away and ran down the short hall to her bathroom. She couldn't believe it. There she was with an incredibly handsome and sexy man, making out in her living room and she had to vomit. Why did this have to happen to her? She threw the lid up and hung her head over the bowl.
Lance was stunned at first, and then he heard the sounds coming from down the hall and was relieved. Relieved that she hadn't been running from the passion between them. He followed the sounds, flipping the switch to bathe the small room in a bright glow. She sat on the edge of the bathtub and looked helpless and childlike. He grabbed a washcloth from the rack by the sink, wet it and squatted to wipe her forehead.
How could he come in there and be so sweet, she thought as he pushed the hair out of her face and dabbed at her skin. When she was sure that she wouldn't be sick again, she reached over the bowl and flushed the toilet trying to avoid his eyes. He handed her a bottle of mouthwash that sat next to the sink. She took it from him willingly, wanting to remove the horrible taste from her mouth. He knew from his own experiences that she was weak and tired, so he helped her up and led her out of the bathroom into the hallway.
"Is this your bedroom?" He asked reaching through the door adjacent to the bathroom to find the light switch. She nodded, too embarrassed to speak. He led her to the bed, "Lay down." He said helping her as she wobbled. She wanted to argue, but she was too tired and humiliated. She sat down and slowly rolled over into the center of the bed. By the time he had removed her shoes, she was fast asleep. Lance looked around the room and found a blanket thrown over a chair. He covered her and kissed her cheek.
Chapter Six
Lance could tell that Renee was going to wake up at any moment. It was the third time in the space of a few minutes that she had moved restlessly in the bed. First, she arched her back pushing her hips against him causing his desire for her to renew itself. Then she had caught hold of his left hand which had been resting on her side and moved it to cup her breast. She slowly turned over so that she was lying on her left side facing him. Lance watched her angelic face as her breath found its way to the opening of his shirt and caressed his throat. Her left eye was partially covered by the pillow where she rested her head. He waited, would she continue to sleep.
Renee had the most beautiful dream; she thought as she threw her arm over and squeezed closer to her what she assumed was one of the many pillows on her bed.
She moved her right leg over his, stopping at the innermost part of him. She could smell Lance's manly scent as she wiggled to get comfortable. She imagined his hand was gently running the length of her exposed thigh. It felt so warm and sensual, almost real. Too real she thought as she slowly opened her right eye to see Lance watching her.
She was mortified. She moved her head back to see him fully. "Good morning." He said in a deep, sleep graveled voice. Renee removed her arm from his side and attempted to move away, but he held her close to him. Then her phone rang.
Lance loosened his hold on her but didn't completely let go. Renee pushed up on one arm almost laying on Lance to grab it quickly to avoid any more pain from the shrill sound. "Hello." She said.
"Good Morning." It was Mark. She had forgotten all about him last night. "Don't tell me you're still in the bed."
"I was just getting up." She replied.
Lance took advantage of the situation placing soft kisses along her throat as she continued to lean over him. Renee bit her bottom lip, closing her eyes. Lance wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as she tried to move away from him.
"I called because I can't see you today." Renee inhaled sharply as Lance bit the sensitive flesh at the base of her neck. "I know you're disappointed, but this can't be helped."
Lance began to caress the round curve of her bottom. Renee tried to keep her composure, "That's okay. I understand. I'll talk to you later, bye." She said hanging up the phone. Before she could protest, Lance captured her mouth with his. Renee tried to resist but couldn't stop herself from kissing him back. She barely got the phone back in the cradle.
Laying with him felt right, but it was wrong. Renee tried to pull free again, and this time he let her go. She eased out of bed thankful that they were both fully dressed.
She walked to the bathroom, closed the door, turned on the cold water and splashed her face. "Great." She whispered to her reflection in the mirror as she realized how she looked. Her hair was flat on one side and stuck out in various other places, and her eyes were puffy. She reached for her toothbrush thinking that maybe she shouldn't brush her teeth yet. Maybe if he could smell her morning breath, he wouldn’t try to kiss her again. She ran her fingers through her hair trying to look a little less horrifying.
As she exited the bathroom, she glanced into the bedroom to see the empty bed, but his shoes sat next to hers at the foot of it. She could hear her cabinets opening and closing. He must be in the kitchen. She paused in the center of the living room as she noticed her purse and keys sitting on the end table between the door and picture window. She felt flush as she remembered the intensity of their kisses.
Renee eased around the corner to the opening of the kitchen. Lance had his back to her looking through the cabinets near the sink. "Feeling better?" He asked as he glanced at her over his left shoulder.
Like a fool is what she wanted to say. "Okay," she paused. "Why did you stay?"
"Because I'm no good without a cup of coffee." He said as he found the filters for the coffee maker.
"That's not what I meant." She said to him as she passed him to get the coffee from the cabinet. "Why did you stay last night?"
"You were sick, and I wanted to be here in case you needed … someone." In case you needed me, is what he wanted to say.
Her heart filled with emotion. She didn't want to admit it, but Lance was right. She had needed someone last night. Renee had needed him. It was because of that need the night before that she hadn't been able to stop herself from indulging in the liquid spirits. She wanted someone to care for her, and that's what he had done. She took the coffeepot from his hand as he turned on the water. "You sit down. I'll do it."
He was surprised. He thought Renee was going to make him leave. He could tell she was nervous with his presence, so he walked into the living room. Her living room extended the invitation to comfort. He passed the treadmill in the center of the room to examine the pictures and knick-knacks that sat on the tall bookshelf adjoining the wall with the picture window. She had lots of little ceramic figurines, mostly wedding couples. They represented various cultural styles of the ceremony. She also had several of couples engaged in kissing.
He guessed that the pictures were of her family and friends. There were a few of her at a younger age, probably from high school. There were pictures of her in plays and of her in her cap and gown. Even though she had a big smile on her face, he could see the sadness in her eyes. He picked up a picture that he was sure would be his favorite out of all those on the shelf. It was a picture of her blowing a kiss to the camera. She must have been about ten years old. She had long pigtails and chubby cheeks. The expressed look of adoration in her eyes tugged at his heart. Would she ever look at him like that?
She was glad that he hadn't sat down at the dining room table. She couldn't be more nervous, than right now. Having this man in her personal space was a bewildering experience for her. She very rarely let anyone into her home, except her family and close friends. She partly wanted him to go away, but she also wanted him to stay. She was confused. "How do you like your coffee? She asked him, trying to forget what she was thinking.
"Hot, black and strong," he answered. Like you, he added to himself as he put the picture back in its place. There was another smaller bookshelf next to the tall one. It held a lot of books. He read some of the titles. Almost all of them were torrid romances, but she also liked sci-fi. On the top shelf was a Lucille Ball Barbie doll dressed from the Vitameatavegamin episode of the "I Love Lucy" show. Above that on the wall was a framed still of Lucille Ball. The picture was of her portraying Lucy Ricardo taking a spoonful of the Vitameatavegamin solution, and there was a computer mouse pad with the same photo next to it.
He sat on the end of the couch closest to the bookshelves as he felt her approaching. She handed him the cup and sat her mug on the coffee table. She went to the window, sweeping the curtains aside to let in the mid-morning sun.
He noticed the television in the corner by the window and saw that she had tons of DVD's stashed underneath. He liked her home. The bookcases and entertainment stand as well and the desk was all white, while the white couch had oversized pillows with light green stripes. The coffee table, end tables, and dining table all matched. They were constructed of a rosy-colored, thick wrought iron frame with glass tops. She must have gone to a lot of trouble to find the matching iron lamps. Her coffee table consisted of candles of different scents. Pictures adorned almost every wall, and they all contained various kinds of flowers in colors of pink and green. One wall in the dining room held a large mirror in a pink frame with green leaves in the corners. To the left of it stood a six-foot Fichus tree in a white wicker basket. He envisioned himself in various places in her home kissing her, touching her, and loving her.
