“Go on. I know there’s more that you aren’t telling me.”
Shit! Sometimes Renee hated how nosy her friends could be. What if she wanted to keep this to herself? Dana was bad enough, but then when Cruz was added into the mix, it grew ten times worst.
“There isn’t anything else.” She wasn’t about to tell Cruz how Travis hinted about asking her out on a date. She did have to keep something to herself.
“I know you’re lying to me, but I’ll leave it alone. I need to move the new painting to the front wall before I leave,” Cruz said as he got up from his seat. “All I have to say is there isn’t anything wrong with your interest in Travis. Just let it happen naturally.”
Renee thought about what Cruz told her as he headed to the back room to get the painting that arrived last night during the gallery opening. She loved that her friends wanted her to get back out on the dating scene, but she didn’t think her first date should be with a guy so much younger than her.
Why was she even allowing this to take up such space in her head? She could be worrying about nothing. Travis might have been only flirting with her because he wanted her to put his work in her gallery.
After the way Robert had treated her, she had to make sure not to get led astray by a few compliments and a handsome face. Her resolve was so much stronger now and she was going to keep it like that. Renee loved the new woman she had turned into and nothing or no one was going to send her back to her old ways.
Chapter Eight
A week later, Travis stood outside the doors of Divine Design with several of his paintings. Since his meeting with Renee at Dana’s café, he had been painting like a mad man only taking breaks to eat and sleep in hopes he could get at least three more paintings done to bring to the gallery.
For some odd reason impressing Renee with his work was very important to him. He wanted her to see his excitement for art within each and every brush stroke on the canvas. During their conversation, he saw in her eyes the love she had for the most creative expression that a person could be gifted with. The look made him wonder what other things Renee could be just as passionate about in her life.
“Travis, what are you doing here?”
Spinning around, Travis looked at Renee coming towards him in a cute black dress carrying a container of coffee from the shop at the corner.
Renee came up to him staring at the canvas he had placed against the building. “Did we have a meeting and I forgot about it? I know it’s been a while since we talked at Dana’s café and I’ve been swamped trying to get this show together.”
“No, I just thought I would stop by. Didn’t you say at the café that you wanted to see some of my work?” Travis asked wondering now, from Renee’s reaction, if he’d made a mistake showing up unannounced.
“Wonderful.” She smiled. “I’ve been thinking about you. I was kicking myself the other day for not getting your number. I was hoping you would bring something by for me to look at. I have several empty spaces on my walls that I’m looking to fill.”
Travis loved how Renee’s smile brought her entire face alive. At first, he thought he might have imagined his fascination for the stunning woman in front of him. However, now Travis saw he was even more drawn to her. He only had to think of way to ask her out on a date.
“I hope I have something here that will make you want to hang them in the gallery. I don’t show my work to a lot of people,” Travis said, picking up the paintings.
“Let me get the door unlocked and you can show me what you have.” Renee brushed past him and the tempting scent of her perfume tickled his nose. He watched in silence as she unlocked the door and waved him inside.
“Go on in,” she said, pointing inside the gallery.
Travis went past Renee and stopped in his tracks when he got inside. He had no clue that Divine Design looked this professional and well thought out on the inside. Why hadn’t he found a way in here sooner than this?
“Your gallery is incredible. How long have you owned it?” Travis asked.
“Close to five years now,” Renee answered, walking around him. “I started working on it during my divorce. This place kept me sane during a very difficult time in my life.”
Going over to a table near the wall, Renee placed her coffee container to the side and waved him over. “Bring your paintings over here and let me take a look at them. The lighting is better over here.”
A wave of apprehension swept through Travis’ entire body. This would be his first time showing his work to a trained gallery owner. Over the years, he had gotten compliments about his work from friends and family. Yet, Renee had an expert eye and she wasn’t going to stroke his ego. If his work wasn’t excellent or good enough to hang on her gallery walls then she would tell him.
“I brought you mostly nature paintings today. For the past few weeks, I’ve been camping out and the beauty of the scenery is breathtaking. The way the sun hits the water every morning is captivating. I couldn’t wait until I got up every morning to capture the exact moment I wanted.”
“Nature paintings are one of my top five favorites,” Renee admitted. “When I had my gallery opening earlier in the week they were the first thing that sold out in thirty minutes. I only have one artist who does them and several of my clients have requested more. Hopefully, you’ve painted what I’m searching for.”
Oh, I have what you need, Travis thought as he stared at Renee’s hot body, but he was positive he wasn’t thinking about the same thing as her.
“Renee, I think I might what have you looking for,” Travis answered, moving across the room towards her. He saw how her eyes traveled over his body and he was flattered by the interest he noticed in them.
His implication of what Renee’s opinion was going to be about his work sent waves of excitement through him. As he got closer the air around them seemed to be electrified. Renee’s love for art was a definite turn-on. Stopping next to Renee, he placed the paintings down on the table.
“I don’t like looking at the artist’s work while he’s standing next to me,” Renee said, glancing at him. “It’s just a thing I have. Why don’t you walk around? I’ll call you back over when I’m done.”
Travis would let Renee have her space this time, but he wasn’t going to do it again. She wasn’t requesting space because she wanted to study at his work. He wasn’t so much younger than her that he didn’t see what she was trying to do.
His eyes traveled over her face and searched her eyes then it all of a sudden dawned on him. Renee was nervous of him. So, he would do as she requested. He hadn’t come here today to scare Renee away before he even got a chance to get to know her.
Baby steps...he had to take baby steps.
Renee was coming off a bad divorce. He really needed to move slowly with her, if he was going to get anywhere. Renee might not understand that he wanted more than a business relationship with her, but before he left here today he would find a way to show her.
“Okay, I’ll look around and you just can call me when you’re ready to talk about my work,” Travis said then walked away.
****
Renee watched as Travis sauntered away from her with a confident swagger that only a guy still in his twenties possessed. She wanted to look away but her eyes were captivated by how the white shirt hugged his body. When Travis was standing shoulder to shoulder with her, she found his nearness disturbing and yet exciting at the same time.
She tried her best to focus her attention on the paintings Travis had brought to her, but she couldn’t take her eyes off him. He was one good-looking young man. Why couldn’t he just be about ten years older? She wouldn’t have a problem dating a thirty-seven year old man, but twenty-nine was just too young for her.
Seeing Travis outside her gallery this morning had been a complete and pleasant surprise. He had been a permanent fixture in her mind since their first meeting. As much as she’d tried to forget about him and keep her concentration on finding new artists for her gallery, it
was hard to do since every night her dreams were filled with hot images of Travis in her bed.
Slowly, she dragged her eyes away from the way the blue jeans were cupping Travis tight, firm ass and gave her concentration back to the paintings laid out in front of her. At first glance, Renee saw that Travis was very talented with a paint brush.
Travis’ bold choice in paint colors took his images to the next level along with his keen eye for excellent details in each stroke made on the canvas. He showed his love for Impressionism and any true gallery owner worth a grain of salt could see it without being told.
His outdoor scenes with their vivid waterfalls, trees and wildflowers almost looked like the paint had a shimmering gloss to it. Everything about Travis’ work was very beautiful and captivating without him trying too hard to make it look like it.
Without a doubt, Renee wanted Travis’ masterpieces on her walls. She already had a brilliant way to promote them. Now, all that had to be figured out was what kind of deal could be worked out between the two of them.
“Travis, I’m ready to discuss your work,” Renee said, drawing his attention away from a Realism painting on the wall done by a local young woman.
“Alright,” he answered. Coming back over to her Travis stood next to her towering over her five feet seven inches with his six feet four. “What did you think?”
“I would like to show your work in my gallery in a couple of weeks. I was hoping that we could work something out. My cut is fifteen percent and the artist gets the rest. If that doesn’t work for you we might be able to work the numbers a little. I want to help you get your talent out to the public.”
“Renee, I think what you’re offering is great.” Travis smiled. “However, I won’t be able to accept unless you take me up on this offer.”
“What else do you want? What do I have to agree to so you’ll let me display your work in my gallery?” Mixed feelings surged through her at what Travis could want.
“Have dinner with me tonight,” Travis answered, shocking her.
Renee couldn’t believe her ears. Sure, she knew Travis had teased her back at Dana’s café about asking her out on a date, but he had actually done it. Her mind whirled at his comment. She tried to get her emotions in order but she wasn’t having any luck.
It was hard to be coherent when Travis was this close to her. She was unnerved by the sudden change in conversation. Since her divorce, she was more of a self-confident woman...a woman who knew what she wanted and didn’t have a problem going after it. However, she wasn’t quite sure if she was ready for Travis.
“Hmmm...I’m not sure about us going out on a date. I like to keep things very professional with my artists.”
Wrapping his hands around her wrist, Travis pulled her close enough to him so she could feel his body heart but not too close that they were touching each other. “Renee, I’m not those other artists. I am me and I want to go out on a date with you. Are you really that nervous about going out with me?”
“No, I’m not nervous about going out with you,” Renee answered a little too quickly.
“I wish I could believe you, but I don’t.” Travis tugged her against his body. “I know you’re trying to fight it, but you feel this electricity between us too. Why try to smother it when we could fan the flames and make it even hotter?”
Being near Travis like this Renee could feel the sexual magnetism that made him so self-confident and appealing. She saw how he was looking over her seductively trying to draw her into agreeing to a date with him.
Every time his stunning blue eyes met hers, her heart turned over and her pulse raced like a young girl out on a date with her first crush. Could she really do this? In all of the years of her marriage to Robert, he never once had made her feel so alive and wanted.
There was an air of efficiency about Travis that fascinated her and made her want to know more. The idea of being able to kiss his full lips sent her body and mind soaring like a kite in the sky on a warm summer day.
She did want this date as much or even more than Travis. So, why was she agonizing over it? Some of her apprehension evaporated leaving only curiosity about what her date with Travis would bring to the table.
“Alright, I’ll go out with you,” Renee finally agreed. “Where do you want me to meet you?”
“You aren’t going to meet me again,” Travis said clearly shocked by her suggestion. “I’m going to pick you up for our date. Just give me your address and I’ll be there by seven o’clock. I’m going to make this a night you’ll never forget.”
A night she will never forget? Renee didn’t think Travis had the means to do that for her, but she wasn’t going to say anything to bring him down. She knew he was a struggling artist, so anything he could provide for her she would take great enjoyment in.
Hell, if she’d allowed Robert to give her countless lazy assed dinners while they were married, she would be able to handle anything Travis tossed her away. He was too damn cute for her to get mad at over a less than expensive dinner.
“Let me write down my address for you.” Renee tried to move out of Travis’ arms, but he wouldn’t let her go.
“Not so fast,” he whispered. “I think we should have a kiss to close the deal, don’t you?”
“A kiss....right now?”
Renee didn’t know if she should stay or run. Travis wanted to kiss her. God, would she be able to handle it? Just the thought of his firm mouth on hers was already sending her body into overdrive.
“Sure. I don’t think a kiss—” The rest of the sentence was cut off when Travis captured her mouth with his.
She felt his tongue tracing the side of her mouth coaxing her to relax and let him in. The taste of tea and mint mesmerized her senses as Renee slowly opened her lips and Travis’ thick tongue slipped its way inside.
His hand wrapped around her waist hugged her against him like he thought she might try to sneak away, but that was the furthest thought from her mind. She was too caught up in how her nipples were rock hard against the front of her dress.
Renee felt the passion igniting in her body as Travis’ hand left her waist and inched its way down her back until he was cupping her ass in his palms. He held her against his throbbing erection making her get familiar with the size.
Wrapping her hands around his wide shoulders, she held tight urging him to give her more and more. She couldn’t recall the last time her mind and body had been this consumed with a man.
Their tongues danced in the ancient art of foreplay giving little hints of what was to come later if they got the chance to be with each other. Renee could smell the scent of Travis’ cologne as he grabbed her by the thighs lifting her up, so she could wrap her legs around his waist.
He made love to her with his mouth while a pool of moisture soaked her already damp panties. She moaned in the back of her throat when Travis’ hand eased underneath her short black dress and cupped her ass.
“Baby, you feel so fucking good,” he whispered against the side of her mouth. “Renee, I want you so badly.”
The sound of Travis’ voice pushed Renee back from the web of desire she was caught up on. Slowly, her eyes connected and she saw the wanting in the dark blue depths, but she couldn’t act on it here. What if Cruz had come in today or what if it had been a customer. Either one of them could have found them wrapped up in each other’s arms like this.
“Please put me down,” Renee whispered, removing her arms from around Travis’ neck.
Instead of doing as she asked, Travis slid his hand through her hair and rained kisses down the side of her neck. “Don’t try to back away from what happened here. I wanted this as much as you did.” He moved back and held her eyes with his again. “Do you believe me?”
Renee thought about it for a few minutes before she nodded her head. “Yes, I believe you.” She knew there was no way Travis could have just faked what occurred between them. He was truly attracted to her.
“Good,” Travis answered and then sli
d her back down his body until her feet hit the floor.
Taking a few steps back, Renee fixed her dress hoping that everything was back in place. She couldn’t have anyone coming in and finding her disheveled in her own place of business. There sure would be questions.
“You look beautiful. You don’t have to fix a thing.” Travis reached out and tugged a strand of her hair behind her ear. “How about you give me your address so I can leave and get our first date set up?”
Touching Travis’ hand, she removed it away from her face and then walked the short distance over to her desk. Renee quickly scribbled her information down on a note pad. She spun back around and found Travis standing right behind her.
“Here you go,” she said, handing him the slip of paper.
“Thank you, Renee. Remember to be ready by seven o’clock.” Travis reached out to touch her again, but dropped his hand before it made contact. He gave her a smile and then turned around and headed for the door.
Renee stood still watching Travis until he went out the door of the gallery and got inside his truck then drove off. Then it suddenly hit her like a ton of bricks what she had done. She agreed to go out on a date with her hunky new client.
Was she out of her mind? Or was she about to have the time of her life?
Chapter Nine
“I can’t believe you’re going out with Travis on a date,” Dana said sitting on the end of Renee’s bed watching as she got ready for her first date in over a year.
“Do you think I should have told him no when he called me at work? I mean I haven’t been out with a man in so long and never with a younger guy.” Renee turned away from the mirror and looked at her best friend waiting for an answer. Half the time she would jump into anything with her eyes wide open and not care what people thought, but this was different.
She really wanted this date with Travis. He had grabbed her attention like no other man had in a while. She was craving to find out more about him and his life; however, taking the steps to get there were a little intimidating.
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