Page 9 of Rousing Renee

“Did you need anything more to eat before they close down the kitchen?” she asked.

“Chocolate cake,” I blurted.

Renee giggled. “Coming right up. Would you like ice cream with it?”

“Butter pecan?”

“I’ll see. If not, I know we have vanilla and a caramel swirl.”

“Vanilla.”

Renee snickered and disappeared.

What’s funny?

When she returned, I was licking my fingers clean from the wings and fries I’d finished.

“Chocolate cake and butter pecan ice cream.” She placed the bowl in front of me, and I groaned in approval.

I took the first bite, and I didn’t regret ordering it at all.

“What have you been up to?” she asked.

“I’m a Realtor.”

“I know the last time I talked to Tammy, the two of you were dating.” She shifted from one foot to the other.

“Not anymore,” I replied gruffly.

“Sorry about that.”

“I’m not.” I finished the last of my drink and ordered another.

“Are you sure?” she asked. “I don’t want you to fall trying to get back to wherever you need to go.”

“I have an apartment here. I’ll be fine.” And I would.

“All right, but last drink.”

She wagged her finger, and I wanted to bite it.

Renee… I remembered having the biggest crush on her. She’d never given me the time of day. It was weird running into her here of all places. As far as I knew, BDSM wasn’t her thing. I’d never heard about her from any of the boys in high school which meant she’d been either really good at picking out the good ones or she’d stayed away from them for the most part.

What was she like now?

And that thought stuck with me until she returned.

CHAPTER 2

Renee

That man was even more attractive now than he’d been as a teenager. He’d aged well, and he was solid from what I could tell. His red polo shirt did little to hide the guns he called arms. Sheesh!

His eyes were naturally sad, even when he smiled. Every time I looked into them, I wanted to hug him tight and tell him everything was going to be okay. He reminded me of a wounded bear that needed somebody to sit on his lap and wrap their arms around him. His hair was cut short on the sides, tapered so low it was barely there. On top, it was a bit longer, thick, and with deep waves. Like his hair, his beard and mustache were well-groomed and matched the same thickness and care regime.

I wonder what he smells like.

Between all the bar food and the bourbon coming from his pores, I wasn’t sure. I cleared my throat as I thought about him in ways I shouldn’t. His ex used to be my best friend and just because we weren’t friends anymore, it didn’t give me the right to be lusting after him. I’d heard he was a generous lover, though. It made my curiosity perform all kinds of tricks inside my head.

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