The Cornish Hotel by the Sea

by Karen King

  For a moment she let herself be comforted in his embrace, sank into the warmth of his body, allowed the feel of being loved to wash over her. Then she realised what she was doing and pulled away. His arms were still wrapped around her waist as he scrutinised her face and she swore that was love shining out of his eyes.

  “Ellie?”

  She nodded, the words forming a lump in her throat.

  “Say it. I need to hear you say it.”

  How could she lie when it must be written all over her face? “I love you … but,” the ‘but’ was lost as his face broadened into a huge grin and his lips silenced hers in a deep, passionate kiss.

  “Permesso, per favore.”

  They were blocking the doorway. “Mi scusi!“ Reece said, easing Ellie over to the left so the man could walk out. He smiled at them and nodded, “Ah, amore!”

  “When are you due to fly home?” Reece asked tenderly.

  “Tomorrow,” she told him. “How about you?”

  “This evening.” He tilted her chin up with his finger and gazed into her eyes. “Let’s spend the afternoon together. I’ve missed you so much.”

  She nodded wordlessly, feeling out of her depth but longing to spend some time with him.

  He looked down at his suit. “I’d like to change into something more casual first and I guess you would too? Where are you staying?”

  She told him the name of her hotel. “That’s only around the corner from mine.”

  As they walked along hand in hand Ellie’s mind was racing. So they’d admitted they loved each other. What happened next?

  She loved him. The words kept going around in Reece’s head as he changed out of his suit, showered and put on some light chinos and a short sleeved shirt. He hadn’t meant to tell Ellie he loved her, he’d simply wanted to explain things to her so that she stopped thinking he’d been lying to her. That she saw he was telling the truth. And yes, he’d hoped that once she realised that, she’d agree to keep seeing him. That they could meet up now and again, see where their relationship took them. But when he’d seen her, the words spilled out before he could stop them.

  He rubbed his hair dry. He’d never told anyone he’d loved them before.

  Love wasn’t in his vocabulary. Loving someone meant giving someone the power to hurt you, like his mum had done to his dad. He didn’t want to give anyone that power over him.

  Yet he knew he wanted Ellie in his life. That he couldn’t bear not to see her anymore, not to hear her laugh, to feel her lips on his, her body against his.

  So where did he go from here?

  As soon as he was ready he set off for the hotel Ellie was staying at. As he walked into the foyer he saw her coming down the staircase towards him, looking a total knockout in white cropped trousers and an emerald short sleeved top. She smiled and gave a little finger wave when she saw him.

  Reece took a deep breath. What was she expecting to happen now?

  Ellie walked over the marble floor towards Reece hoping that she didn’t look as nervous as she felt. She was thrilled to see him again, to know that he hadn’t been using her. That he loved her. She wanted to be with him. Her entire body screamed out to be touched by him but she was scared. Scared of them both realising that actually what they felt was infatuation not love. Like she’d felt for Lee.

  And even more scared that it was love.

  Her feelings for Lee had been nothing like this.

  Her heart was fluttering as Reece approached, joy mixed with panic.

  Panic because if she and Reece actually did love each other she would have to make a commitment and she didn’t do commitment.

  Not even for Reece.

  There was too much she wanted to see, to do, to tie herself down just yet.

  Don’t get ahead of yourself. He said he loves you, not that he wants to marry you.

  She’d almost reached him now. Reece stretched out his hand, grasped hers and gently pulled her to him, enfolding her in a deep embrace.

  “You look gorgeous.”

  “So do you,” she said with a smile.

  “Fancy a bit of sightseeing?”

  She nodded her agreement and they walked out hand in hand into the sunshine.

  “Have you been to Rome before?” Reece asked.

  “No. I’ve been to Italy a few times - Naples, Florence and Venice but not Rome. Have you?”

  “Yes, a few years ago, but I’ve never really looked around. Is there anything in particular you’d like to see?”

  There were a few people about but the streets weren’t packed. Not like in St Ives or Newquay in the summer where you had no chance of walking with someone hand in hand and could often only shuffle rather than walk, single file through the crowds.

  “Trevi Fountain,” Ellie told him. “I want to throw a coin in it. And the Altare della Patria – Altar of the Nations I think it’s called - and the Colosseum. Have you been to all of those?”

  “No, when I come over here it’s usually for business.” His face crinkled into a grin. “You always seem to have to introduce the fun side of things to me.” He took out his phone, punched in some letters and brought up a map of the city. “We’re in walking distance of all of those, if you don’t mind a walk?”

  “Of course not. It’s a lovely day.” She couldn’t think of anything she’d like more than to wander around this beautiful romantic city with Reece, holding his hand, enjoying just being with him.

  “Then let’s go to the Colosseum first, that’s the nearest. Then the Altare della Patria and we can finish off at Trevi Fountain. How does that sound?”

  “That sounds good to me.” Elle said, smiling at him.

  They held hands, enjoying the closeness of each other, as they walked through the streets, stopping to look every now and again in the shop windows.

  When Ellie spotted the huge amphitheatre of stone on the other side of the road, she caught her breath. The Colosseum. It was stunning.

  “Magnificent, isn’t it? And to think it’s over 2,000 years old.” Reece gazed over at it. “Want a closer look? We can take a tour inside if you like.”

  “We don’t really have much time for that. But a closer look would be good,” Ellie told him.

  They crossed the road and gazed up at the historic monument. .Ellie did a quick internet search on her phone. “According to this app, the Colosseum seated 60,000 people with room for another 10,000 standing.” she said.

  “Impressive – and bloodthirsty. They all came to watch gladiators fight to the death, after all.”

  “I’d fight to the death for you,” Reece said, winding his arm around her wait.

  “I can just imagine you dressed up as a gladiator,” Ellie teased.

  Reece grinned. “Whatever turns you on!” He kissed her on the mouth, a gentle wisp of a kiss. Ellie returned the kiss then pulled away as it got deeper remembering they were in a public place. “Where to next?”

  “Altere della Patria. It’s in Venice Square.”

  It felt so right being with Reece, as if they belonged together, Ellie thought. Just as it had in Cornwall. She felt so at ease, as if she’d known him all her life.

  Was that part of being in love?

  They stopped for an ice cream, topped with a flake and chocolate sauce for Ellie, then continued their walk. It only seemed a few minutes before the elaborate white marble building stood in front of them. Ellie gazed up at the rows of columns, the bronze horse-drawn chariots on the porticos, the imposing staircase, the numerous statues that adorned it. “It’s breath-taking,” she breathed. She selected the camera on her phone and clicked away.

  “Stand by the steps and I’ll take one of you,” offered Reece.

  Ellie handed him her camera and stood with her back to the building.

  “Would you like me to take a picture of you both?” a woman asked in perfect English tinged with an Italian accent.

  Ellie hesitated, thinking of all the warnings she’d read not to give your camera or phone to people abr
oad as some were tricksters and would run off with it. This elegant woman looked like she could be trusted though so she smiled. “Thank you.” It was a lovely photo, Reece had his arm around Ellie’s shoulder and she was resting her head lightly on his.

  “Can you send it to me,” Reece asked when she showed it to him. So she did.

  She didn’t want the afternoon to end. It was such a magical time, simply enjoying each other’s company.

  Reece evidently felt the same way because he hugged her close and nuzzled into her neck saying “I wish we didn’t have to go home. I wish we were here on holiday together.”

  “Me too,” she said.

  “Hey, maybe we can do that. Let’s come back on a holiday.”

  It sounded wonderful.

  Finally they were at Trevi Fountain and it was just as magical as Ellie had imagined.

  “According to legend you have to throw a coin over your shoulder into the fountain and make a wish that you’ll return again. Then you will,” Ellie said.

  “Let’s do that. We’ll wish that we return together,” Reece suggested.

  They spotted a tour guide and asked him to take a photo of them both, standing side by side with their back to the fountain, throwing the coins over their shoulder into the water. And again Ellie sent that to Reece.

  All too soon it was time to go. Reece signalled one of the white city taxis and they both got in. Ellie sat down beside him, feeling a little awkward. What happens next? Was Reece expecting her to go to the airport with him to see him off?

  “Do you want to be dropped off at your hotel first?” Reece asked her. “I’ll get my things then come and say goodbye.”

  Goodbye. It sounded so final. Reece was flying back to London this evening, she was flying back to the Midlands tomorrow. He said he wanted to see her again but he hadn’t said when. And on what terms.

  Kate would tell her to take the imitative and suggest a date for meeting up but Ellie had no intention of doing the running. If Reece wanted to see her, as he said he did, then he could make the first move.

  “Okay,” she agreed. “I’ll have a coffee in the foyer and wait for you there.”

  “I’ll be about half an hour,” Reece told her as the taxi pulled up outside her hotel. He leaned over and kissed Ellie, sending her pulse racing.

  She bought a latté and sat by the window, gazing out in the street, trying to come to terms with today’s events. She could hardly believe that Reece loved her, as she loved him.

  “Ah, Signorina Truman. Just the person I wanted to see.” It was Signore Abrahmi from a major leather supplier. “Your presentation was impressive. Very impressive. I’d like to book a consultation with you for early next month.”

  Ellie instantly switched into business mode, took her notebook out of her bag and jotted down details.

  * * *

  Reece searched the foyer for Ellie, then spotted her sitting over by the window talking to a silver-haired, rather distinguished looking Italian man. He recognised him from the conference this afternoon. Obviously she was talking business, but he couldn’t go without saying goodbye.

  He walked over and as if sensing his presence, Ellie glanced up. “Reece! Is it that time already?” She looked at her watch, then at the man sitting beside her. “I’m afraid I have a prior engagement, Signore. Could we continue with this meeting later this evening? Say about seven? I could meet you here.”

  “Of course, Signorina Truman,” the Italian got to his feet. “We will meet at seven.”

  Ellie stoop up. “Do you want me to come to the airport with you?” she asked Reece.

  “That would be nice but I’m afraid you won’t get back for your meeting.” He put his bag down and pulled her into his arms. “I love you, Ellie.”

  “I love you too,” she whispered.

  “I’ll call you. We’ll meet up as soon as we can,” he promised. A long, lingering kiss and then he was gone.

  How was this going to work, Ellie thought, sitting back down again? How could they have any kind of relationship when they lived so far apart?

  Was love enough?

  Chapter Thirty Two

  Good morning, Gorgeous. Safe journey.

  Ellie smiled at the text message from Reece.

  All night she’d thought of him, wished she’d not arranged the meeting with Signore Abrahami and gone to the airport to say goodbye to Reece instead. Wished she’d spent another precious hour with him.

  She’d received a message from Reece late last night to say he’d landed safely and they’d exchanged texts for a while. Then she’d woken up to this text this morning.

  “Good morning. Wish you were still here,” she texted back.

  “We’ll meet soon,” came his reply followed by a row of kisses.

  Ellie re-read all his texts, a warm glow running through her. So this is what it was like to be in love.

  She shook herself and got out of bed. She had to be at the airport in just under two hours. Time to get a move on.

  She was travelling with Danny, who worked in the PR department too. He was waiting in the foyer when she came down with her case.

  “I was about to call you. The taxi’s due in a few minutes,” he told her. “How did the meeting with Signore Abrahami go?”

  “Good. He’s booked a few training sessions for next month.”

  “What, back here in Rome?”

  Ellie nodded. “I’ll be here for a week.”

  “Wow, lucky you!”

  “I know. Martin is chuffed.”

  “And what about your mystery guy? Has he gone home too?”

  “Mystery guy?” She repeated, puzzled. Did he mean Reece? Had he seen them together?

  “Yes, the one who couldn’t keep his eyes off you at the conference? I saw you kissing him in reception later. I presume you already knew him?”

  “Er, yes, he’s an old friend.”

  “Looked like you were more than friends to me.”

  Ellie was saved from replying by the arrival of the taxi. As they journeyed to the airport she thought about her meeting with Signore Abrahame last night. She’d be back in Rome for a whole week next month.

  Well at least it looked like part of her wish at Trevi Fountain had been granted. If only Reece could be there too.

  “Please, fasten your seatbelts for landing.”

  Ellie placed her bag under the seat in front and fastened her belt. It had been a smooth, pleasant journey. One which she’d spent snoozing as she hadn’t slept much last night. Too busy thinking about Reece. When would she see him again?

  Was he planning on asking her to come down to London to see him? Or on coming to the Midlands to see her. She thought of the little flat that she shared with Kate. She loved it but it wasn’t big enough for three of them, although Kate often stayed over at her boyfriend’s flat at the weekend.

  With only hand luggage she was soon through customs, and her heart flipped when she saw Reece waiting for her in the arrival lounge.

  “Reece!” She flung her arms around his neck. “What a lovely surprise. “I thought you’d be in London.”

  “I came to meet you.” He looked down at her tenderly. “I was hoping you would come to London with me? Spend the weekend at my flat?”

  “I’d love too.” She hugged him tight. “Why didn’t you mention it yesterday? Or text me? I was thinking we wouldn’t be able to see each other for ages.”

  “Because I needed to settle a deal first, make sure I was free for the weekend.” He kissed her on the tip of her nose. “I know it’s very short notice and you might have plans so if you can’t make it, that’s fine. I just want to spend every moment with you that I can.” His lips found hers and none of them spoke for a while.

  “Me too. It’s a lovely idea,” she said when she finally came up for air. “Only I need to go back to my flat first and grab some clean clothes.”

  “Sure. I can drive you there. If you want me to?”

  “What do you think?” She smiled up at hi
m.

  How could you be happy and scared at the same time? Ellie thought as she and Reece shared a candlelit dinner in a London restaurant that night. She was happy she was with Reece, but scared that things were going too fast. She was enjoying her new job and the travel opportunities it was providing for her. She loved Reece. But she loved her freedom too.

  Later that night, as they lay wrapped up in each other’s arms, Reece whispered to her. “I never thought I’d trust anyone enough to want to share my life with them. Not until I met you.”

  Panic welled up inside her. Share his life with her? Surely he wasn’t going to propose!

  Don’t be stupid. Of course he isn’t. Calm down.

  “You never got serious before then?” she asked.

  “Nope. I made a vow when my Mum walked out on my Dad that I’d never be stupid enough to love anyone. I’d never give anyone the power to hurt me.”

  Ellie hugged him and listened as he told her about his lonely childhood. How he’d been nothing but an inconvenience to both his parents and had been determined to make a success of his life so that they’d be proud of him.

  “That’s awful,” she said softly, thinking how lucky she was to have had two parents who loved each other and loved her too. “I’m sure they regret it and are proud of you now.”

  Reece’s hand moved up and down the top of her arm, caressing it lightly. “They’re still the same, couldn’t care less. Too busy with their own lives. The difference is that I’ve stopped trying to make them proud, and part of that is because of you.”

  “Me?” That surprised her. What had she done?

  “Yes you. Your love for your parents, how close you are to your mum. How helping her was more important to you than your own career.” He glanced at her and squeezed her shoulder.

  “I don’t understand…”

  “You were so ‘can do’, so determined to do whatever you could to help your mother. Yes, I planned on giving Sue a good price for the hotel but it was your determination, your grit that made me want to get Gwel Teg back on its feet, your love for your mum that made me want to keep her on as manager. Your kind, caring attitude that made me realise success isn’t everything. And that made me fall in love with you. Thanks to you I became a kinder, caring person.”