A High Heels Haunting by Gemma Halliday

with, I realized as I search that cobweb ridden section of my brain, was the rebound guy after Ex.  He’d been living with his mom at the time so we’d had to do it in the back of his car.  Something I hadn’t done since I was sixteen.  And it hadn’t gotten any more comfortable with age, let me tell you.
    But I had a feeling tonight would be different.
    By the time Bake turned off into a tree lined street just south of the City, the anticipation was so high I was fairly floating off my seat.  And, man, did I have to pee.  Nerves did that to me.  I pulled in behind him in front of a one story bungalow on a modest sized lot.  It was a nice neighborhood, set up on a hill, obviously well cared for.  Cosmopolitan without being too flashy.  It suited him.  The house was all glass on one side, capitalizing on the view of the valley.  And probably the swimming pool.
    I shoved that thought to the back of my brain as Blake got out of his car and walked over to open my door.
    “Home sweet home,” he said, gesturing to the place.
    “It’s nice.”
    “Thanks.  I like it here.”
    He led me inside where simple, tasteful furnishings filled the modest space.  Wood and leather dominated, with small glass accents here and there.  Overall, a peaceful, homey feeling.  Beyond the living area sat a kitchen fitted with stainless appliances and pale, smooth cabinets.  A pair of glass doors led out to a backyard  where a small stretch of patio surrounding a brilliant blue swimming pool that overlooked the valley.  I quickly turned my gaze away, my skin shuddering as if I could almost feel that cold water washing over me.
    “Mind if I use your restroom?” I asked.
    “First door on the left.” 
    “Thanks,” I called over my shoulder. 
    Once I’d tinkled in an amazingly clean bathroom for a bachelor, I walked out to find Blake in the kitchen.       
    “Would you like something to drink?” he asked, pulling a bottle of wine from a wrought iron rack on the counter.
    I nodded.  If I didn’t watch it, I was going to become a lush.
    “Merlot alright?”
    “Fine.”
    “Good.  This is from a new winery up the coast I’ve been meaning to try.  I think you’ll like it .  I t’s a little more mellow than most.  Could you hand me a couple of glasses?” Blake asked, his back to me as he rummaged in a drawer for a corkscrew.  
    I pulled open the cupboard on my right and grabbed a pair of long stemmed, blue glasses.
    “They’re in the first cupboard down the…”  He trailed off, turning around to give me an odd look. 
    I looked at the glasses.  “What?”
    “How did you know where they were?”
    I blinked, looking from the glasses to the cupboard I’d just pulled them from.  I shrugged.  “Lucky guess?”
    Blake gave a little shake of his head.  “Very.”  He poured merlot for us both, then corked the bottle and set it on the counter.
    “You live here alone?” I asked.
    “Yep, just me and Rufus.”
    “Rufus?”
    He shot me a grin over his glass.  “My dog.  He’s next door with the neighbors.  He hates being alone too long, so they watch him if I’m going to be out all day.  They’ve got three kids and Rufus just loves them.”
    “So, you’re a dog person?”
    “Yeah.  Why?”  He paused.  “Oh no.  Don’t tell me you’re a cat person?”
    I nodded.  “Tabby.  An orange striped monster that doubles as my therapist.”
    Blake made a tisking sound as he sipped his drink.  “That’s it, this is never going to work then,” he said, a teasing glint in his eyes.
    I couldn’t help the corners of my mouth jerking up.  “No?”
    He set his glass down.  Then slowly advanced on me until his lips were inches from mine.  “Nope,” he whispered.  Then he kissed me.  Softly.  Tenderly.  I responded instantly, my body going loose, my lips parting to meet his until our movements escalated into hot and needy.  His hands snaked up my back, my arms went around his neck ,