Bianca
The morning sun is beating in my window, and normally this is when I would throw the pillow over my head and scold myself for not wanting curtains; but today is anything but a normal day. Today is the first day to a new beginning.
Rolling out of bed, I slide on my slippers, wrap my robe around my body and pad my way down the stairs.
“Morning!” I round the corner and stand at the counter, watching Ford move around the kitchen with ease.
“You back for second seconds?” He turns, bringing all his attention to me — something that once would have made me uncomfortable. However, after last night, attention from Ford Phillips isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
“Cocky much?” I let out a slight giggle, knowing it’s exactly what I want.
“Well, as a matter fact, I am.” He’s now standing in front of me. “But you know what else I am?”
“Annoying?”
He lifts me up and puts me on the counter, settling himself between my legs.
“Starved.”
“Oh!”
His lips land on my neck with a little lick and nip. “Morning. Did you sleep well?” He continues his slow attack.
“Uh-huh.” Tilting my head to the side I let myself enjoy his version of breakfast, moaning.
“Good.” His arms slide around my waist, hands palming my ass as he pulls me forward.
“I did too.” He grinds his hips, letting me feel exactly how much he enjoyed last night.
“Ford? You smell that?”
“So sweet.” He moves his way down from my neck, nipping each breast on his way down to his very own feast.
“No. Something’s burning.”
“Yeah, we are.” I know that if I let him continue, whatever is burning will just take over because Ford’s touch is hypnotizing.
“Food. Burning.” I push his head back, regretting it instantly.
“Oh, shit!” He’s up and over to the stove before I can register what is happening. “The pancakes.” He flips them into the trash.
He turns and gives me an apologetic look. “Looks like this batch is ruined. How about you come over and help me make the rest? You over there is too distracting.” He nods for me to join him.
“Sure.” I hop down. “But first…”
“Coffee?” he laughs.
“Exactly.”
After pouring me a cup, we spend the next couple hours in a pancake bake-off. Even though I’m the one with the design talents, his pancake art is pretty on point. Especially if it has to do with female anatomy.
“How about we take this upstairs? I don’t have to meet with the interior designer until later this afternoon.”
“I’m thinking that is your best idea yet.” My smile refuses to fade.
“Good.” He bends down and throws me over his shoulder.
“Ford! Put me down.” I try to wiggle away.
“Nuh-uh!” He smacks my ass and carries me the couple flights to the bedroom, only to pause when we get to the door. “Maybe next week we work on getting the elevator fixed.”
“Or we just work on your stamina.”
“I’m beginning to like the way you think. But first, I have a craving that has yet to be satisfied.” He takes me to the bed and lays me down, spreading me wide.
“Well, by all means. We wouldn’t want you to starve.” I open my legs a little wider. “Buffett now open.”
He stands there, just admiring me. “Thank God, because this man is starving.”
**********
Ford
“Hey Ford.” Celeste breezes through the door. “I was hoping you were going to call.”
I hated to call her, but her talents far exceed the bedroom or, well, in our case, the stock room.
“This project is going to be a little tricky.” I explain the situation, waiting to see if she is up for the game.
“Well, you are basically asking me to block off my schedule for a project that may or may not happen.” She turns in a circle, taking in the room. “I could lose potential clients.”
Here we go. The waiting game for this place is costing me more than I had originally planned. Why should this be any different?
“I’m totally digging this vibe, Ford.” She walks around, getting a feel for the space. “It’s different from the others, but I think by removing a wall and giving it more of an industrial feel that some of the other clubs around here have going on, this could be the next big spot.”
“Actually…” Bianca walks into the room. “No, that is totally wrong. You need to embrace the architectural design of this building. Expose the beams and enhance the woodwork. Use the metal you talk about only in the bar, with lighted glass and pops of color in the furniture.”
I knew B was talented, but hearing her talk shop about the design of my club, when she is still fighting for this building for her gallery, does something to me. “Bianca, that’s exactly the look I’m going for.”
Pointing in B’s direction, I look at Celeste. “Can you do exactly what she said?”
Rolling her eyes, she give me a wink. “I can do anything you ask, but how about you call me later, and we can hammer out the details?” She’s beside me, hand on my shoulder and a little too close for comfort, especially with B right there…tempting me with just her presence.
“Ford, if you want, I can sketch out some designs for you,” B speaks up. She walks toward me and stands on my other side, mimicking Celeste. Some would hate to be in this predicament, but having B turn possessive just means one thing. I’ve got to her.
“I would like that.” I brush Celeste’s arm off me and turn toward her while wrapping my arm around B’s shoulders. Leaning in to me, her hand goes to my chest, a fit so perfect and natural.
She was made for me.
“Celeste, thank you for coming out today and for fitting me into your busy schedule, but given the situation, I think I’m going to go another direction.”
“Seriously, Ford? You called me out here for this?” She eyes Bianca up and down. “If you end up changing your mind, I’ll get you worked in. In the meantime, good luck with this place. Looks like you’ll need it.” Her words mean so much more than it might seem.
“Thank you, but I happen to think this place is amazing.” I give B a little squeeze.
“Sorry,” Bianca says after Celeste finally leaves. “I didn’t mean to barge in here and take over, but she would have torn this place apart.”
“I just thought you were jealous,” I joke.
“Maybe just a tad.” She pinches her fingers together. “Like, maybe this much.”
“Well, I liked it.” I pull her in, taking possession of her mouth as she has taken over my mind.
Something about this girl drives me nuts. There was an instant attraction from the moment I walked through those doors, but last night, the way she looked at me, the way she hummed to my touch made me want to do things I never thought I wanted.
Being around her has me thinking of ways, maybe, we both can have our way — the club and the gallery — our dreams merging to become one reality.