by Nicki Night
Cadence happened to look down at the warped clay that Blake was molding and burst out laughing. Hers was perfect. His, on the other hand, looked like a three-year-old had been at the wheel.
“Hey! Don’t laugh at me,” Blake said, laughing himself.
“You have to do it like this,” Cadence said, sliding her hands up and down the clay the way Beth had showed her. Blake stretched his eyes at the motion of her hands, and when Cadence looked down, she realized how suggestive her movements were. Laughing hysterically, Cadence absentmindedly covered her mouth to stifle her laugh and ended up getting clay on her face. Imagining how ridiculous she must have looked, she laughed even harder. Blake joined in and Cadence reached over and wiped some of the clay across his nose.
“Now stop laughing at me!”
“Are we being naughty?” Beth appeared with her hands on her hips and her lips pursed before laughing herself. “I see we are getting acquainted with the clay.”
Everyone laughed at that.
“Okay. Let’s move on so you can have a great piece of pottery to take home with you.”
Cadence got serious. She was looking forward to making something beautiful to commemorate this night. Beth worked with her to mold and bake a lovely vase that she eventually painted yellow, her favorite color. She was proud of her accomplishment.
Blake hadn’t improved. At one point, he got frustrated and squeezed his clay a little too hard, sending chucks of it around the room. Most of it landed on him and a little on Cadence and Beth. Cadence was doubled over laughing as he tried to peel the chunks off his shirt and add them back to the clay still spinning on the wheel. The shape he created was unidentifiable, but he painted it anyway.
After letting them dry for a while, Beth bagged their creations up and Blake thanked her for extending herself beyond her normal studio hours. With dried clay clinging to their shirts and their masterpieces in hand, they snaked their way through the tons of people still walking the city streets after dark. Blake reached for Cadence’s hand. She didn’t pull back. Hand in hand, they took their time getting to the parking garage.
Drained from the intensity of the evening’s activities, Cadence fell asleep on the ride back home. When she finally opened her eyes, they were sitting in front of her house.
“I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you,” she said, stretching and yawning.
“No problem. You were sleeping so good, I didn’t want to wake you. So I just sat here and watched you.”
Cadence blushed, but to Blake she said, “That’s creepy,” and laughed. “Well,” she started and paused. “I guess this is it.” As tired as she was, she still didn’t want this night to end. She wanted to invite him in but decided against it. He couldn’t think she was easy prey. She also reminded herself that she didn’t have the mental or emotional capacity to add dating to her plate. This would have to be it for them.
“Well,” Blake said, falling silent as she had just a moment before.
“Thank you for a wonderful night.” she said, taking note of the disappointment in his eyes.
Blake smiled. “You are most certainly welcome.”
“Good night,” she said, but hadn’t gotten out of the car. Wanting to take her time, she let another beat pass before resting her hand on the car door handle. “I guess I should go now.”
Blake raised his brows but didn’t utter a word. Reluctantly, Cadence pushed the door open and got out.
“Let me walk you to your door.” Blake exited, rounded the car, took the bag she was holding with her pottery and walked her to her door.
Even though they took measured steps, they reached the door too fast. Turning to face each other, Cadence thanked him one last time and reached for her package. Blake’s eyes burned with desire, stirring her sensibilities once again. Instead of handing Cadence the vase, he gently placed it down on the porch. When he stood, he captured her with his heated gaze once again. Then without warning, he cupped her face in his hands, pulled her to him and covered her mouth with his. Cadence melted under his touch. Her knees grew weak. Longing ignited in her belly like fireworks.
The intensity of their kiss increased quickly and they devoured each other’s lips. Pulling away only for the sake of breathing, Blake held her face in his hands, leaning his forehead against hers. Together they panted, gasping for air.
Without another word, Blake bent over, picked up her vase and waited for her to open her door. She walked in slowly. When she had made it inside, he handed her the vase, winked, and pulled the door closed. Cadence knew how long it took him to get to the car, how long he sat inside without moving and exactly what time he finally pulled off—all because she was watching from her window.
No, she couldn’t continue this...this thing with Blake. He was too much. He’d have her living on the edge, breaking her own rules. She wouldn’t be able to concentrate.
She touched her lips, still feeling his against hers. No. She couldn’t put herself in a position to get hurt again. Cadence put her vase down, pulled out her cell phone and deleted his contact information.
Chapter 13
Cadence reached her hand toward the nightstand and fumbled for her cell phone. Dragging it to her ear, she hadn’t even bothered to look to see who was calling.
“Hello,” she croaked, cleared her throat and repeated it again. “Hello.”
“Still in bed, huh? How’s my baby girl?”
“Hey, Dad,” Cadence sat up, pushing aside the damp sheets that clung to her legs. She hadn’t turned on the air-conditioning last night before falling asleep, and with the amount of heat her memory foam mattress held, she felt as if she’d slept in a sauna. “How’s it going?” She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stretched.
“Well, you know,” he said, referring to his duties as senator. “More of this and more of that. You wouldn’t believe the amount of crap your president has to deal with in these meetings.” Her father’s exaggerated exhale filled the line with his unspoken frustrations. “I didn’t call to talk about work. I just wanted to check in on you. How’s it going?”
“Work was crazy this week, but I don’t want to talk about that now. I’ll let you in on the details when you get back.” Cadence looked at the clock, noticing it was just past ten in the morning. She’d slept much later than normal and had even missed her Saturday-morning meet up with her running group. “When do you get back?”
“I’ll be home Wednesday.”
“Okay.” Her mouth spread into a yawn before she knew it. “Oh goodness! Excuse me, Dad!”
Senator Payne chuckled. “No problem, sweetie. I’m getting off this phone anyway. Go on and get your rest. Don’t make any plans for Wednesday evening. I plan on taking you to dinner.”
“Looking forward to it,” she said, suppressing another yawn.
Cadence ended the call, replaced the phone on the nightstand and fell back on the bed. She hadn’t slept this late in a while. A smile spread across her face when she remembered why. Her date with Blake had been amazing.
As if on cue, her cell phone rang again. This time it was Alana.
“Tell me all about it,” Alana said, nearly cutting off Cadence’s greeting.
“Jeez! Can I finish saying hello?”
“Yeah. Hi! Whatever! Now tell me. How did it go?”
The blush warmed Cadence’s cheek. She would never admit it, but just thinking about the night she shared with Blake perked her up. She proceeded to give her best friend a play-by-play, being careful not to leave out any important details. Alana wouldn’t have had it any other way.
“Oh! That sounds so sexy! That Blake! I tell you!” Alana hooted. “I just love the fact that he didn’t take you on a regular ole dinner-and-a-movie kind of date. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Girl, he’s worth keeping. He gets ten points for originality.”
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Cadence laughed.
“And wait. What was the name of that place again? Sexy Table?”
Cadence could hear Alana rummaging around, possibly looking for a pen to write down the name of the restaurant.
“Sex on the Palate.”
“I need to make a note of that. I’ve never heard of aphrodisiac cooking before. I’ve got to check this place out when I find a new man.” Alana laughed. “So, when are you going out again?”
“I don’t know.” Knowing that wasn’t enough of an answer for Alana, she said it anyway, hoping to buy some time.
“You haven’t decided.”
“Not exactly.”
“Wait a minute!” Alana said. Cadence knew that she was reading into her resistance. “Don’t tell me you’re trying to give Blake the brush-off.”
“Not exactly,” Cadence repeated.
“This is me you’re talking to. What’s the problem, Cay? I don’t understand.”
“It’s just that...the timing isn’t quite right.”
“Are you kidding me? It’s summer. Love is in the air. Give me one good reason why you shouldn’t continue seeing him.”
“Work...”
“Bull crap!” Alana interjected.
“Alana!”
“Cadence! Work is not an excuse to avoid dating a fine, brilliant, creative man like Blake. Why are you afraid?”
Cadence was silent, afraid to voice her fears. They were real enough as it was. Besides, she knew Alana would shoot them down as if they didn’t matter. They did matter—to her.
Alana released a heavy sigh. “Cay. You have to let go of the past and get back in the game. You’re depriving yourself of potential happiness. Work will always be there, and most important, he’s not Kenny!”
Maybe it was time to move on. Kenny certainly had. She wasn’t shocked to see him on that new reality show with his new wife. He was finally in the spotlight. Cadence sincerely hoped he was happy. Cadence flopped back on the bed and crossed her feet on the headboard.
“Look at how much fun you had last night. You really enjoyed yourself. I could hear it in your voice. You can’t let fear of getting hurt keep you from living,” Alana pleaded.
Cadence wanted to get off the phone. She didn’t feel like being preached to right now. Didn’t Alana think that she knew these things? Knowing them and acting on them were two different things. Cadence had gotten used to her safe, solemn existence and she was fine with it.
“What’s up for today?” Alana asked.
Cadence was thankful that her friend knew when to change the subject. “Nothing much other than to try to figure out what I’m going to do about my job.”
“Find another firm and leave!”
Cadence rolled her eyes. “You’re the second person who told me to leave. It’s not that easy.”
“Yes it is. You can even just start your own practice,” Alana encouraged.
Cadence felt as if this was déjà vu. “Blake said the same thing.”
“So what’s stopping you? There are dozens of firms out there. Girl!” Alana sucked her teeth. “Step out on faith. You can call your firm Payne and Associates.”
Despite her resistance, Cadence did like the sound of that.
“Just because those crabs don’t want you to be successful, that doesn’t mean you won’t become successful. Start your firm and whup their butts in court. They’ll wish they had never overlooked you,” Alana said.
That put a smile on Cadence’s face. “That’s true. I’ll start looking into it. I’ll give myself a while to get things in motion.”
“That’s my girl! All you—”
“Oh!” Cadence interrupted, “Hold on, I’m getting another call.” Cadence looked at her phone but didn’t recognize the number. She had already spoken to her father, so she wondered who else would be calling her on a Saturday morning. “One sec, Alana. Let me see who this is.” Cadence swiped the other call in. “Hello,” she answered in her professional tone.
“Hey, beautiful.” A tiny shudder sparked in her gut and radiated outward at the sound of Blake’s voice.
“Hey.” She remembered that she had deleted him from her contacts. “What’s up?”
“I hope I didn’t scare you off after last night. I just wanted to make sure our first night together was memorable.”
“Oh.” Cadence sucked her teeth and waved her hand dismissively as she lied through those same teeth. “Not at all.” The truth was, he did scare her—in many ways. Her defenses were waning due to him, and it wasn’t just because of the aphrodisiacs they’d feasted on. Then she remembered the kiss. Cadence didn’t think she could let herself become vulnerable to a man as risqué as Blake. Surely she’d end up with a broken heart.
“Got plans today?”
“No.” Cadence scrunched her face and tightened her fist, scolding herself for answering so fast. No woman ever wanted to seem as if they were always readily available. “Actually, I planned to stay at home today and take care of a few things and get some much-needed rest. I’ve been working a lot of long hours lately.”
“How about you relax tomorrow?”
Cadence lifted a single brow. “You can be bossy sometimes, you know.”
Blake laughed and Cadence practically melted right there in her bed. “It’s not a matter of being bossy. When I know what I want, I go after it.”
If the sound of his laughter didn’t make her entire being go limp, that last comment almost did. He wanted her and he was making no bones about it. “Okay,” she said, stretching out the word. The phone beeped, indicating that she was getting another call. She remembered that she had Alana on the other line and gasped. “Oh no! Hold on, Blake, please.” Swiping in the other call, Cadence said, “Alana, I’m so sorry.”
“Did you forget about me? That better be that fine-ass Blake on the other end. That’s the only acceptable excuse for leaving me hanging.”
Cadence chuckled and then blushed again. “As a matter of fact, it is. He was asking what I was doing today.”
“And...?”
“I’ve got a lot to do around here, so—”
“Didn’t you say you had fun last night?” Alana interrupted her again.
“Yes, but—”
“But nothing! Forget about sitting around the house. Go out and have some more fun. If it works out, then that’s great. If it doesn’t, then move on. In the meantime, ride that sucker until the wheels blow out like cheap tires on a road trip! Go on and talk to that man.” Alana chuckled. “Call me later.”
Alana hung right up. Cadence swiped the screen on her cell phone to return to Blake’s call.
“Sorry about that,” she said and pushed herself up from the bed. She paced the floor.
“No problem. Now, back to us. Are you going to hang out with me today?”
Cadence groaned. Should she go or not? She thought about what Alana had just said. If it works out, then that’s great. If it doesn’t, then move on. In the meantime, ride that sucker... She chuckled at Alana’s funny twist to the old cliché. At least you’ll have fun in the process.
“Well?” Blake interrupted her personal debating session.
“What the hell! There’s always tomorrow.” Cadence pushed her doubts aside. Being with Blake felt good. It heightened her senses. Besides, she wasn’t looking to fall in love with the guy. “What time should I expect you?”
“I’ll be there by one,” Blake said.
Cadence looked at the time on her phone. It was almost noon. “That doesn’t give me much time!” She panicked.
“You don’t need much time.”
That made her smile. “How should I dress?”
“Comfortably.”
“Okay. See you at one!” she said, containing her excitement.
Cadence blushed and ended the call without saying goodbye. She ran into the bathroom for a quick shower, and returned to her closet to assess her wardrobe as she brushed her teeth. Pulling out a couple of maxi dresses, she laid them on her bed and put her free hand on her hip while she decided on what to wear. Finally, she selected a green multicolored strapless number that cinched at the waist and flowed gracefully to the heels of her feet. It was as beautiful as it was comfortable. Matching it with yellow flats, her favorite diamond stud earrings and a thin chain with a studded cross, she managed a casual feel.
Time got away from her and before she knew it, Blake was knocking at her door. She still hadn’t eaten breakfast, so she grabbed her purse and a banana from the fruit bowl she kept on her kitchen table before heading out the door.
Like a gentleman, Blake took her by the hand and led her down the few steps. Once they made it to the bottom, he spun her around, admiring the look she’d put together.
“Mmm. Beautiful!” Blake said, and when his full lips parted into that sexy smile, Cadence couldn’t help being drawn in.
“Thanks,” she said, smiling.
Blake continued holding her hand as he led her to the truck and helped her in.
“Let’s go,” Blake said once he was in his seat. His eyes washed over her from head to waist and then he sighed and shook his head before starting the truck. The oversize vehicle roared to life.
Cadence pretended not to be moved by the attention he showered on her. Again she recalled Alana’s words. “Have fun” and “ride this...” No pressure, Cadence. She peeled her banana and sat back so she could enjoy the “ride.”
Chapter 14
If Cadence knew what she was doing to Blake by sitting there eating that banana, she would have stopped. Blake was sure of that. He could barely stay within the lines on the road, thinking about all of the things that a simple bite of a banana suggested. He remembered their kiss and the plump softness of her lips from the night before and adjusted himself in his seat.