Chapter Two: Ellie

Chapter Two: Ellie

It took a little longer to settle in than I’d expected, and by the time Anton and Annette were satisfied I had everything I needed, it was well after sunset.

IE time to play for them.

I wasn’t really ready for club life tonight. Just wanting a good meal and an evening to sort my own thoughts.

Why not dinner on the beach? I’m part Irish and definitely pasty pale, but without the beating sun, there’s no risk of my enjoying a beachside meal turning me into a lobster.

After two years of sex once every two to three months, and becoming my own master as far as sourcing adult toys and my own orgasms for the last nine months, I deserve a little wining and dining.

Well, I don’t drink alcohol, but still. Between the waves, soft R&B, and the moon coming up over the dark rolling waters, I feel like I’m treating myself.

Well, more Anton and Annette are treating me, as all my food and beverages are included with the room. Romance party of one, is well under way with me out on the sand waiting for a pasta dish I can’t pronounce the name of.

I know it will be awhile. It’s a little too brisk out here in the evening air, with the breeze picking up for the nudies. Inside with the heaters, on the other hand, is packed, but I’m in no real rush to be done with an otherwise rom-com worthy view and evening.

“Is this seat taken?” A rich voice coming from my left removes me from my thoughts, but not my silly grin.

“Yep, it’s for the man of my dreams, though he is terribly late.” I chuckle, finding that the smoothness of the voice comes with an equally easy to look at man. Italian for sure.

My weakness.

Silky black hair, nice scruff of a beard on his face more than a shadow less than a full-grown, small nose, full lips and deep honey brown eyes. Matched with the golden olive skin tone, large muscled frame. Oh yeah, Italian Stallion all the way.

I laugh again just because it feels good.

I’m having fun now, but I also know how brutal my head can be when left on its own too long. With most food venues packed with couples or groups, it’s good manners to allow fellow singles to sit, rather than making them wait on a table.

Good etiquette. That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it with the naturally tan, tall and ripped man returns a smile, joining me.

“Well, hello. I apologize for my tardiness.” Once seated, he waggles his thick dark brows, falling into my offbeat humor. “So, what are we having?” I blush a bit, taking a sip of water, while he flips through the tabs of the menu.

“What are you in the mood for?” It really was innocent and inquisitive.

“Room service,” even I get how it sounded with a little more heat in my voice having shamelessly checked him out.

“Smooth,” I tilt my head to him.

“Come on, Dove, it was the perfect opening.” The stranger’s wink is every bit as dazzling as his smile, and I’m only able to hide my heart skipping a beat with the waiter’s opportuned timing to take the Stallion’s order.

After selecting a stout beer and a shrimp plate, the waiter clarifies if this will be for here or to go on both our items, and so much for not turning a lobsteresque shade of red without the sun.

I’m so embarrassed that I can’t even answer. The smooth Italian, on the other hand, is nowhere near as….well, whatever I am.

Innocent is not a word I’d choose, nor is shy…. Well, when I know and am comfortable with people, at least. “Beach side it is,” his boyish grin comes with the subtle flex of all the delicious muscle on the definitely younger man.

When I fail to break the silence or my almost stutter, again he manages. “So, are you a regular here?”

“Heavens no, way too rich for my blood.” I bawk a bit, trying to focus on the natural view rather than the can of Italian man, that’s gobbling up every spare iota of my attention.

“So, you here on business or pleasure?” He makes casual conversation so easy. How do people do that?

“Work actually, well, work and get away combined I suppose.” I pulled my legs to my chest after facing my chair to the ocean. “Yourself?”

“All pleasure.” Well, at least he’s honest, but who isn’t at places like this.

Oh, what did you get yourself into, Ellie? Stop staring! Just because you hate him is no excuse for you to get even by robbing the cradle same as him.

He’s so yummy, though.

You are an excellent lover and you don’t need any complications.

My inner tongue lashing continues, likely making me seem like an idiot for not responding or asking for any further detail on his comment.

I am not and never have been the one-night stand type of girl. I tried it once and still talk to the guy on Holidays and whenever we feel like checking in on each other ten years later.

Casual is not my thing. The one friends with benefits thing I tried also turned into a serious relationship. The relationship thing turned into friends, and when I combined the two, finally, in my last attempt, the fucker left me for a toddler with her binki still in hand.

Every sexual partner I’ve had has been long term and all of those, save Corey, took me months to pluck up the courage to go there. Even then, it’s three to six months before the deed is done.

Still, every single one of them turn out to be liars, cheaters, and users. The only person that wasn’t the case with is gone.

“Must be nice,” I finally find my tongue again, and return to the one I’m supposed to be having rather than the same old, same old back and forth of my brain.

“I can show you,” he offers with a joking sort of sincerity that should be odd, but works for him...... and me....