Chapter 13

Taking his hand, she wordlessly did just that. It wasn't a very fancy room with its beige walls and taupe curtains. It lacked a lot of the personal touches that would give a hint of her personality. Clearly she hadn't done much to the rented space. The only part of the room that differed was the bed itself. Here Shane had let herself shine. The scarlet comforter shouted boldly to the blah room and the dozen or so pillows in shades of saffron, turmeric, and crimson should have clashed badly, but in an odd way they blended together to give the appearance of a sensuous bonfire.

He felt right at home because although only his mother knew it, his favorite color was red.

Shane had moved to the bed and was removing the pillows as he looked around. Seeing this, Clay quickly moved to help her. Once the comforter was also off the bed they shared a few more kisses before she reached up to slide the only suit coat that 'Tony' owned from his shoulders.

Clay returned that gesture by reaching around behind her and unzipping her dress. They continued to take turns helping the other until they faced each other naked.

As they moved together towards the bed, Clay asked, "Shane, do I need to use protection?"

Smiling at his thoughtfulness in not just assuming that the total responsibility was hers, she told him, "No, but thank you for thinking of it. I have that covered."

He returned her smile and followed her into bed.

They made love several times during the night and if Clay hadn't known she was the woman for him before then, that would have convinced him. Not the amount of sex they had but the eagerness she displayed each time he wanted to go again and the creativeness both of them had for different positions and the desire to explore their partner's body.

The next morning they woke in each others arms with a smile and then came the frantic scramble out of bed when they realized what time it was.

Shane would have enough time because it was her alarm that had gone off. But Clay needed to get back to his apartment for a change of clothes at the very least.

With a brief, but passionate kiss, he hurried out the door leaving her to head to the shower with a smile on her face. As he had run out she called after him that she would cover with Mama B for him if he wanted to take a shower as well.

Glancing at the cheap watch his cover demanded he decided he would have time for a fast shower if he passed on washing his thick wavy hair.

He arrived at the bakery only three minutes late. Shane looked up from the kneading she was doing when he rushed in and told him with a smile that Mama B had called to say her alarm hadn't gone off and she was terribly sorry but she would be fifteen minutes late.

A few minutes later Mama B bustled in offering repeated apologies. Shane and Clay tried their best to hide their amusement when they heard her story. "I have had that alarm clock for forty-three and a half years and just don't understand why it would choose to suddenly stop working!" she declared.

"Not many things last that long Mama B! At least you got your money's worth out of it," Clay sympathized.

"Oh, I didn't pay anything for it, my dear boy! It was a wedding gift when Luigi's father and I were married. Maybe I should write to the company and see if it had one of those 'life-time' guarantees that you hear about!" She walked to the front of the shop muttering to herself about what the letter should say, while her two employees with their laughter behind their hands.

The day seemed to fly by with Clay and Shane taking every chance they could to share a quick kiss or at the very least, a heated glance while Mama B's back was turned.

Over their lunch break, Clay suggested that they have dinner together, but added that it would have to be just dinner for him. When she inquired why that was, he explained that a friend of his was visiting from out of town and he had promised to have a drink with him. This wasn't a complete lie, because he and Chegwidden would probably go through a pot of coffee or more as they planned for the meeting that night.

Shane accepted his explication without protest and commented with a smile that there would always be tomorrow night. Clay smiled and agreed.

To be continued…