brownstone in Harlem is strictly an investment property. The one in Jersey is where I’ll live.”
“You plan to commute into New York every day? The traffic is horrific.”
“Naw, I have enough stress to deal with at work. I’ll be using mass transit.”
Blake nodded. “Good move.”
“What’s going on with you?”
“Just landed a major development deal.”
“Yeah, which one?” He angled his body on the stool toward Blake.
“Can’t really talk about it right now. The ink is still drying. But I will say that it will put me on the map for good.”
Mac slapped him on the back. “I always knew you would hit the big-time.”
“That’s what Savannah and I are celebrating tonight.” He brought his glass to his mouth and took a slow swallow.
“It’ll be good to see Savannah again. We all have to get together sometime. You and Savannah and me and whomever I’m so inclined to be with at the moment.” He chuckled.
Blake shook his head. “One of these days the right woman is gonna come along and you will be toast.”
“Like you were toast…” Savannah whispered in Blake’s ear. She pecked him on the cheek. “Sorry I’m late.”
Blake swiveled around on the stool and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Hey, baby.” His gaze danced over her face still amazed that this woman was all his. He tenderly kissed her mouth.
“Hey, get a room,” Mac jokingly cut in.
“Don’t hate,” Savannah teased, stepping out of her husband’s arms. She came around her husband and hugged Mac. “Good to see you.” She patted his arm. “Still on the prowl?” she asked, referring to his notorious womanizing.
“Like the old saying goes, can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”
Blake slid off the stool and turned to Mac. “Let’s get together soon. It’s been a long time.”
Mac stuck out his hand which Blake shook. “Definitely. Give me a call anytime. All of my numbers are the same.”
“I will,” Blake said.
“Good seeing you, Savannah,” Mac said.
“You, too,” Savannah replied.
Blake slid his arm around her waist. “Our table is waiting. Let me tell the hostess you’re here.”
They walked to the front of the restaurant. The hostess approached.
“My party has arrived,” Blake said.
“Great. Right this way.” She took two menus from the holder and led them to their table. “Your server will be with you shortly. Can I get you something to drink in the meantime?”
Blake held up his glass. “I’m good.” He turned to Savannah.
“Hmm, I’ll have a diet cola with a twist of lemon.”
“Your server will be right here with your drink and to take your orders. Have a good evening.”
Blake turned his full attention to his wife. “You have that gleam in your eyes. Something exciting happen at work or at your meeting?”
Savannah inwardly flinched. “Nothing out of the ordinary. I’m buzzed about you!” She reached across the table and squeezed his hand. “Tell me everything—or at least as much as you can,” she said.
“Well, all systems are go on the development. The entire project has been kept under wraps for months, as you know. There’s been so much speculation about who was going to get the contract, if all the money would come through in time and if the City Council would approve it.” He blew out a breath. “It’s been an uphill battle the entire time. The surrounding community has been against it from the beginning.” The light in his eyes slowly dimmed. He looked at his wife. “Some folks are going to lose their homes.”
Savannah heard the sadness in his voice. “But when the project is done, it will be better than before,” she said, hoping to lift some of the weight off his shoulders. “And this project is going to provide jobs for thousands, especially minorities.”
The corner of his lush mouth curved up in a grin. “You sound like the Mayor’s press secretary.”
She waved off his comment with a light chuckle. “I don’t mean to sound like the poster child for redevelopment, but it will ultimately improve the area, bring in jobs and housing. Isn’t the city planning to provide relocation support to anyone who becomes displaced?”
“That’s what we’ve been told.”
“Then stop worrying. Enjoy your fifteen minutes of fame and put up the best damned development that this town has seen in decades.”
“That’s why I love you.”
She lowered her lids and looked at him coyly. “And why is that?”
“’Cause you always know how to make me feel good in and out of bed,” he said.
Her voice dropped to a husky whisper. “We all have our skills.” She puckered her lips and blew him a kiss.
“Are you ready to order?”
Two pairs of eyes rose to meet those of the waitress.
“We’re not hungry,” they said in unison.
Blake sliced a look at his wife. “You can bring the check for the drinks.”
Blake and Savannah tumbled through the door of their Harlem town house, giggling and groping like teenagers. The entire drive home Blake had kept one hand on the wheel and the other buried between his wife’s thighs. If there weren’t so many bright street lights on their block they would have made love right there in the front seat of the car. But being the respectable couple that they thought themselves to be, it wouldn’t look good to get caught by one of the members of the block patrol.
Savannah kicked the door shut and tugged at Blake’s shirt. Two white buttons went dancing across the sparkling hardwood floor. His tie dangled at an angle from around his neck. Blake grabbed the hem of her skirt and hitched it up around her hips. Mouths and tongues sought out any inch of exposed flesh as they tore off clothes en route to the bedroom.
Savannah and Blake tumbled onto the king-size bed, she pinned snuggly beneath his hard body.
“This is all I could think about all day,” he murmured in her ear before nibbling her lobe.
“Show me exactly what you were thinking about,” she whispered back.
The sublime pleasure that Blake evoked in her body hadn’t waned a bit in the years of their marriage. If anything her lust and passion for him seemed
