One Hot Secret (Love on Fire)

The joy on Grace’s face is priceless. She’s been hiding her work away for years, and now she gets to show it to an industry professional.

“Do you have any more paintings?” he asks her.

“I do. I store them in my parents’ house,” Grace says and then looks at me sheepishly. “I’ve painted a lot over the years.”

“The reason I ask is that I’d love to put on a solo show for your work,” Greg says. “A few weeks from now.”

I’m thrilled. This is more than I was hoping for. I’d hoped he would take a painting or two and put them up in his gallery. See whether his customers will like them. A solo show!

“Oh, my goodness.” Grace covers her mouth with both hands. She looks so cute and innocent that Greg and I start laughing.

“I see that you gravitate to an ocean and beach theme. I love it,” Greg says. “Can you do a few more in the weeks before the show?”

“Yes,” Grace says enthusiastically. “I’ll work day and night if I have to.”

Greg laughs. “I love your attitude, but it won’t be necessary to work day and night. Just four more would be awesome.” He mentions a date, and Grace nods.

“That’s more than enough time to get the other paintings done,” Grace says.

I walk around admiring the paintings while they talk about the details of the show. I haven’t heard that kind of excitement in Greg’s voice in a long time. I’m happy for both of them. It’s a business relationship that will have a big impact on both their lives.

“I can’t tell you how excited I am by this partnership, Miss Hughes,” Greg says when we’re at the front door.

“Me too,” Grace says. “Please call me Grace.”

“I will,” he says.

We say goodbye, and he winks at me happily before he leaves. When the door shuts, Grace waits for a few minutes and then shrieks and jumps on me. I catch her, and she wraps her legs around my waist.

“I’m glad you’re here,” she says. “Else I wouldn’t believe that what happened just did. I’ve read about such things, but I never thought it would happen to me.”

“No one deserves it more than you do, Grace.” I kiss her lightly on her lips. I’m so happy to see her excited about her first solo show. I was worried that she would get cold feet. A solo show is a big deal, and I’m glad she’s taking it like a seasoned pro.

I walk as we talk. Grace only notices that we’re moving when we enter her bedroom.

“Where are we going?” she says.

“To celebrate,” I tell her and gently lower her on the bed.

“People celebrate by going for fancy meals,” she says with a giggle.

“Hey, we can go out for dinner and celebrate. I can get a reservation in any of the nice restaurants in town.”

She stuck her tongue out at him. “Show off, and no, I don’t want to go out for dinner. Everyone knows your face now. I was joking. I prefer this mode of celebration.”

I drape my body over hers and capture her lips with my mouth. I’m in no rush and want to make love to her slowly.

“I hope he doesn’t change his mind,” Grace says.

I look into her eyes. “I’ve known Greg for very many years, and he’s one of the most serious people I know. He doesn’t change his mind when he decides on something. He saw something special in your work just as I did.”

She smiles. “Thank you; that makes me feel better.”

I peel off her clothes slowly, kissing her exposed skin as I go along. By the time the last piece is off, all thoughts of the solo show are out of her mind. She moans and begs me to take her, but this time, I’m determined to take my time.

When we finally come together as one, it is erotic and sweet and more meaningful than any other time we’ve ever had sex.

As we’re relaxing in the afterglow, Grace softly strokes my chest.

“Can I ask you something?” she says.

“Sure.”

“How come you never talk about your family?”

I feel like someone has punched me in the belly. I hate talking about my family. “What do you want to know?”

“Everything,” she says. “Do you have siblings?”

“No. I’m an only child like you.” I sigh. “Unlike you, however, I’m not close with my parents. Actually, you could say that we are estranged.”

She gasps softly. “Why?”

“They sold me to the highest bidder,” I say, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice. “They continuously spread stories about me to the tabloids. Every visit home would result in pictures the following week. I could never tell them anything because whatever I said ended up in the tabloids.”

“That is horrible,” Grace exclaims, her hold on me tightening. “What was the money for?”