Me And Mrs Jones

by Marie Rochelle

  Moving over to the railing surrounding the patio, Renee glanced down to the water below. She loved being outside with the sounds of the world around her. She couldn’t have planned a better first date with Travis if she planned it herself.

  Tonight was turning out pretty good and she hadn’t even sat down to dinner yet. What else did the night have prepared for her? Could it possibly get any better than this?

  “What are you doing way over here away from me?” Travis asked as he came to stand next to her.

  Renee turned so she was facing Travis. “I was only thinking.”

  “Want to share what it was about?” His eyes were gentle and understanding as he watched her.

  Smiling, Renee placed her hand in the middle of Travis’ chest. She was done allowing her doubts to spoil this beautiful night. “It wasn’t anything important. How about we head over to that delicious smelling food?”

  “Only on one condition,” Travis told her.

  “What condition would that be Mr. Cole?”

  “You’ll dance with me.”

  Renee didn’t have a problem with that at all. In fact, she really liked anytime she got a chance to be in Travis’ strong arms. She had never felt more secure or sexy than when she was against him. Which completely surprised her since Travis was so new in her life.

  Were endorphins taking so much that she couldn’t control her reactions?

  “How can I turn down such a wonderful suggestion?”

  Chapter Twelve

  Wiping her mouth, Renee placed the napkin down on her empty plate. She couldn’t eat another bite. “Travis, you have to tell me where you found Chef Antonio because his Tarragon Chicken was out of this world. I loved it.”

  Travis he poured them some more wine and grinned at her. “I’ll pass on your compliment. We went to college together. I was there for art and as you call tell, Antonio was there for food. He’s about to go overseas in a few months to finish studying in Paris. He did this dinner tonight as a favor for me. Antonio was there for me through a rough patch I was having back then.”

  Renee noticed the far away look that came into Travis’ eyes as he placed the wine bottle back into the bucket. “Do you want to talk about it?” she asked, reaching across the table to touch his hand.

  He blinked a couple of times before his full attention got focused back on her. “No, I don’t right now but maybe later. I’d rather learn more about you,” Travis answered.

  “Like what?” Renee reached for her wine glass and took a sip then placed it back.

  “Have you always lived here? I know that you have an ex-husband, but do you have any children? How did you get involved in the art world?”

  Question after question was rattled off so fast that Renee didn’t think she would have enough time to answer them all. She couldn’t let this night turn out to be totally about her. Not when she wanted to know so much more about Travis.

  “Okay...I’ll answer these questions if you answer some of mine after I’m finished.”

  “Deal,” Travis agreed without even thinking about it.

  Renee got more comfortable in her chair trying to decide how she wanted to tell Travis about herself. Most of her adult life unfortunately involved being in a loveless and stressful marriage to Robert. She truly didn’t find happiness until the final divorce papers were signed.

  “I was married to Robert for almost ten years. I can’t say it was the best marriage in the world, so to get my mind off of it I started going to art galleries back in my home town. Slowly, I began to realize the passion I had for the industry and got more involved which guided to me deciding to start my own gallery.

  “Robert hated it which added more tension to our already crumbling marriage. He detested not being the center of attention, so he got a transfer out here for his job in hopes I would give up my dream for his. When I didn’t do this, he started cheating on me and I divorced him. Which was the best decision of my life; honestly, I despised that I didn’t do it sooner,” Renee admitted.

  “I wish I could say I’m sorry things didn’t work out between you and your husband, but I can’t. Because if they had I wouldn’t be here with you right now,” Travis said.

  The more time she spent around Travis the more Renee liked what she saw and heard. He was very honest and direct, two qualities she found very attractive in a man.

  “I kept up my end of the bargain. Are you ready for yours?” she asked.

  “Ask away and I’ll answer each and every question to the best of my ability, but at least allow me one pass. I’m not saying I won’t answer it in the future just not tonight.”

  Renee couldn’t argue with Travis’ request. He had a right not to tell her everything about him on the first date, besides everything up to now had been pretty damn good. Which meant she really had nothing to complain about at all and she wasn’t going to look for anything either.

  “Why did you decide to become an artist? What is one thing you haven’t painted yet? Have you ever had your heart broken by a girlfriend? Is your family supportive of your career choice?” Renee stopped with her questions deciding she had given Travis enough to answer for one night.

  Leaning back in his chair, Travis folded one leg over the other like he was trying to get more comfortable. “Ever since I was around two years old I’ve loved to paint and draw, it’s just a part of me like my hair and eyes. Yet, I never envisioned myself doing anything else ever in my life. I think when I’m old and gray I’ll die with a paintbrush in my hand.”

  “Sounds like you’ve always know what you’ve wanted to do with your life,” Renee said.

  “Yes and my parents have always been supportive of anything I wanted to do. They even bought me an apartment with a huge studio inside so I could display my work. It was a graduation present for me. However I think I spend more time camping out in the woods than I do there.”

  Renee wondered why Travis spent so much time in the woods instead of his home. Did he get more clarity out in the wilderness? “Is there a reason you like being out in nature when you paint?”

  “Yes, it relaxes me. I can hear myself think when I camp out underneath the stars. I love my apartment but sometimes the four walls close in on me and I can’t take it. All of my creative juices leave my head and sometimes I don’t ever get the idea back which pisses me off.”

  “Travis, you’ve been very open with me, but you didn’t answer one of my questions,” Renee said, wondering if Travis was going to avoid the subject again. Or was he going to give her an answer. She truly wanted to know if his heart had been broken before.

  “I know what question you wanted answered,” he said. “I haven’t talked about my last relationship with too many people. Let’s just say I was in love with someone, but she didn’t feel the same way about me. I thought I had everything and then I found out I wasn’t what she was looking for.”

  Immediately, Renee experienced more of a connection with Travis. She knew how it felt to want someone and then realize in the end they weren’t ever actually into you.

  “I’m sorry she broke your heart, but things will get better,” Renee told Travis. She wanted him to see life could go on after a bad relationship.

  “I never thought it could, but after tonight I’m beginning to believe things might.” Standing up, Travis held out his hand as the sounds of the water and the trees blowing lightly in the wind surrounded them.

  “Would you like to dance with me?” he asked.

  “Yes, I would.” Placing her hand in his, Renee allowed Travis to pull her up from her seat and into his waiting arms.

  While the music played around them drawing them into their own private world, and as Travis pulled her against him, Renee allowed herself to finally relax. The way his body swayed to the love song made Renee wonder if Travis was this good at everything he put his mind towards.

  Her dinner tonight with Travis was one of the best she ever had in her life. He knew how to make it romantic without going over the top. He asked
just the right amount of questions without being too nosy. Not once did Renee think about the age difference between them. He proved that being romantic and mature didn’t necessarily come with age, but with the man.

  As Travis turned her around the pretend dance floor and then back into his arms, Renee wondered when their next date would be. She wasn’t worried there wouldn’t be another one. She was just thinking about how in the world Travis could top himself after this.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Travis, I really did have a wonderful time tonight. You made it very special for me. I never thought my first date after my divorce would be so perfect.” Renee placed the cup of coffee down on the table in front of the couch and then took a seat next to Travis.

  At the last minute, she’d decided to invite Travis in for coffee so they could finish off the dessert left over from their dinner. She loved carrot cake and Chef Antonio’s was the best she’d ever tasted next to her mother’s recipe.

  “I’m very pleased you did. I wanted to make this night all about you.” Travis placed his arm on the back of the couch and slid closer to her. “All while I was driving us back to your house I couldn’t get the thought of kissing you out of my mind. You have the most perfect lips.”

  Renee’s face warmed at the compliment. “Thank you.”

  She knew what was going to happen the second Travis began to lower his head and she secretly wondered what had taken him so long to kiss her again. Kissing him was fast becoming an addiction to her and Renee wasn’t worried about it in the least.

  He nibbled at the side of her mouth drawing a low moan from somewhere deep inside of her body. Slowly, Travis pulled away leaving her wanting more and then he licked at the seam of her swollen lips asking for entrance inside.

  Without even giving it thought, Renee opened her lips giving Travis what both of them craved. His tongue played with hers then he ran the tip along the tops of her teeth before seeking out her warm willing tongue again.

  “Oh my God,” Renee mumbled against Travis’ firm lips.

  Travis pulled away from her and smiled down at her. “Renee, you taste so appetizing. I could make out with you for the rest of the night, but I don’t want to move too fast for you. Do you want me to leave?”

  Leave! Was Travis out of his mind? She wanted him to kiss her some more.

  “No, you can stay for a little longer. I liked what we were doing,” she answered honestly.

  “Me too, baby,” Travis said before he picked her up and straddled her legs over his hard thighs.

  The feel of his hard, long, thick cock between her thighs had Renee squirming around until Travis grabbed her by the waist. “Sweetheart, if you don’t stop we’ll go much further than I had planned for us on our first date.”

  Instantly, Renee stopped moving and locked eyes with Travis. “Sorry, you just feel so hard and good.”

  His deep chuckle echoed in her living room sending tiny shivers over her skin. “Sweetheart, you feel unbelievable too.” Travis ran his hands down the sides of her arms. “I could touch you for the rest of the night and never get tired.”

  Titling her head to the side, Travis ran his tongue over her neck drawing the tender skin between his teeth. Not enough to hurt....but just enough to feel enjoyable. He released her neck and then inched his way back down towards her mouth until he was kissing her again.

  Slow, wet kisses were delivered until Renee was leaning against Travis making him support all of her weight. Grabbing her by the hips, Travis held her against him as he rubbed his warm cock against her soaked underwear.

  “Renee, I want you so much. This morning, I woke up with a hard-on the size of Texas after dreaming about you my arms like this, but I can’t let this happen.” He groaned against her swollen lips then eased her away from him. “Not on our first date. We have to stop.”

  Renee wanted to argue with Travis, but she knew he was right. No matter how much her body wanted him to continue loving her, her mind knew that he was making the right decision. It was way too soon in their relationship for them to be making love.

  She knew it was going to happen, but not tonight.

  “You’re right,” she finally agreed.

  “I know I am, but it doesn’t mean I like it.” Picking her up by the waist, Travis placed her back on the couch next to him.

  The big bulge in the front of his tan slacks didn’t go unnoticed by her. She wondered what it looked like. Did Travis have more staying power than Robert? Or would he be in and out in a matter of seconds?

  “You have nothing to worry about Renee. I can promise you that I’ll be able to please you well into the morning,” Travis said, shocking her that she had spoken the words out loud and not in her head.

  “Oh God, I can’t believe I said that out loud.”

  “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. I like that you were wondering about me. It’s a turn-on.” Travis gave her another quick kiss on the mouth and then got up from the couch. “I better go or I won’t be able to leave you looking so damn tempting in that dress. You knew better than to wear something so enticing on a first date, but I’m sure in the hell glad you did for me.”

  Renee reluctantly got up from the couch and followed Travis to the front door. She took a quick deep breath hoping to get herself back under control. Travis had her body in overdrive from a few kisses and wandering touches. He knew how to use his hands for more than painting.

  “Are you sure you can’t stay any longer?” she asked. “We don’t have to kiss or anything. We can cuddle on the couch and just watch television.” Renee had such a good time tonight that she wasn’t ready for the date to end.

  Spinning away from the door Travis gently pulled her into his arms. “Sweetheart, I would love to stay longer with you, but if I go back over to that couch with you I can promise you that we will be doing more than cuddling. I really need to go.”

  Placing her hands in the center of Travis’ hard chest, Renee stared up into his eyes. Wasn’t she supposed to be the more level headed one since she was older? However, Travis was right. He couldn’t stay any longer. It was time for him to leave. At least, she would have her dreams to keep her company tonight since there wouldn’t be another warm body in her bed.

  “Alright, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow. Just call me when you can. I’ll be at work for most of the day,” she told Travis.

  “You better get ready to see me tomorrow. I’ll be at the gallery around twelve to treat you to lunch. I wanted to take you to that new sandwich shop down from Dana’s Café called Big Boys.”

  Renee was beyond excited. She seldom left the gallery for lunch. Usually Cruz would go and grab them something to eat while they worked at the gallery. Having lunch with Travis might turn out to be a better experience than dinner was tonight. She would just have to wait and find out.

  “You have a deal.” She smiled. “I haven’t eaten lunch away from my work desk for months. A change of scenery might be nice and get my juices flowing.”

  Travis touched her on the arm and brought her body back to his. “I know several different and very pleasing ways to get your juices going if you invite me to stay again.” His lips brushed against hers as he spoke.

  The caress of his lips on her mouth sent a heady sensation shooting through her body. He moved his mouth over hers, devouring its softness. Wrapping her arms around Travis’ neck she eased him closer and was surprised by the urgency in her kiss.

  Raising his mouth from hers, he gazed into her eyes. “Renee, I have to stop. I need to leave before this goes any further. I do want us to have something to do after our date tomorrow night.” Travis gently removed her arms from around his neck and then took a step away.

  Closing her eyes, Renee blew out a huge breath then ran her fingers through her hair. She slowly opened them and found Travis staring at her. “You’re right. We shouldn’t have started something up again that we aren’t able to finish.”

  “It’s okay, baby. We’ll be together sooner than
later,” Travis promised. Opening her front door, he went out and then glanced back over his shoulder. “Our date tonight was amazing. I’m really glad that you said yes.”

  “I am too,” Renee admitted as she joined Travis at the door. “Can’t wait to see what else you have planned for me.”

  “I can’t give away all of my secrets but I think it’s pretty good. You’ll just have to wait and see.” Spinning around, Travis walked off her porch and Renee followed behind him.

  Renee relaxed in the doorway of her front door watching as Travis walked down her pathway, got inside his Jeep then drove off. She didn’t think she would have liked riding in a Jeep, but it wasn’t that bad.

  If she could get used to riding in a Jeep with Travis what else could she tolerate for Travis? Time would only tell, but she was more than ready to find out.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “You know that we aren’t going away anytime soon until you tell us how your date went with that super hunky Travis,” Cruz said as he followed Renee around the gallery with Dana hot at their heels.

  “There isn’t anything to tell,” Renee answered as she added the name plates to Travis’ paintings. Cruz had stayed late last night and gotten them organized with the other paintings and drawings for the show.

  Interested clients were already peeking their heads in when the word got around she had three paintings by Travis Cole in her gallery. He was the hottest upcoming artist in town and anyone who got their hands on one of his pieces would have a collection piece to brag about to their friends.

  “Don’t you lie to us,” Dana said, coming up to her. “I called you several times last night and didn’t get an answer. You always call me before you go to bed, but you seemed to have forgotten all about it last night. Care to share why?”

  Renee stopped in her tracks. Twirling around, she found her two best friends standing there with these huge grins on their faces. She wouldn’t be able to get anything done if she didn’t give the two of them something and then send the two busybodies on their way.