by Jill Downey
“I get this damn cast off Monday and I’m heading in straight from the doctor’s appointment.”
Kyle ordered quickly, keeping an eye on Pete in the mirror behind the bar. Pete wasn’t shy about ogling Ella—Kyle wouldn’t have been at all surprised to see drool escape from his lips. Kyle turned with their drinks and Pete immediately lifted his gaze from her cleavage. Ella rolled her eyes to no one in particular.
Kyle was aware that he was with the most beautiful woman in the club. She had caught everyone’s interest, in part because she was a knockout, but also because she was new to the club and people were always curious about his love life. As everyone’s eyes kept straying to her, Pete seemed to become increasingly competitive for her attention. He reached out and ran his fingers down her slim arm as he complimented her on her outfit. “This dress looks like it was designed with you in mind.”
“There you are!” An irritated female voice interrupted Pete.
“Andrea, look who I ran into.”
“Kyle! So great to see you." Andrea stood on her tip toes to plant a light kiss on Kyle’s cheek.
“Andrea, you look stunning as usual. This is Ella.”
Andrea smiled warmly, “Hi, I’m with this guy,” nodding her head toward Pete. “Nice to meet you.”
“My pleasure.”
“I hope Pete isn’t being too naughty; since I’m the designated driver he’s been hitting the martinis since happy hour.” Pete looked annoyed but didn’t respond to her comment.
Ella looked relieved to have Andrea near. “It happens to the best of us.”
Kyle draped his arm across Ella’s shoulders and said, “Let’s go grab our table. I’m afraid I’ll get pulled into work if I hang around this guy any longer.”
“Sounds good to me, I’m famished.”
“See you Monday, Pete. Andrea, pleasure as always.”
“Kyle, can I have a minute before you go?” Peter asked. Kyle reluctantly agreed, stepping away from Ella.
“Did I call it or what? Spill it, I’ll give you one minute because I’m dying to get my date off in an intimate corner and have her all to myself.”
Ella missed the warmth of Kyle’s body next to hers. He appeared to be listening intently to Peter, but his eyes never strayed from Ella.
Catching her eye, he flashed a grin. She bit her bottom lip as her belly flip-flopped with excitement.
Andrea touched Ella’s arm grabbing her attention, “It’s so nice meeting you Ella. How long have you known Kyle?”
“Several months. I was his ICU nurse.”
Andrea glanced pointedly at Kyle, who was still watching Ella and said, “I think a certain someone is utterly captivated. I’ve never seen him so gaga.”
“Really? I’d have thought a bachelor in his position would be beating the beauties off with a club.”
“It’s a fact…but I’ve never seen him look at any of them the way he’s looking at you.”
Secretly thrilled, Ella played it cool, shrugging her shoulders she said, “New toy in the toybox.”
“I doubt it’s just that, but anyway, I’m certain I’ll see you around. We come here quite a bit.”
The men finished their discussion and Kyle appeared somewhat preoccupied as he led Ella back to the maître d’ who waited to seat them.
“Everything all right?” Ella asked.
“I’m sure it will be. Some disturbing things happening at the office. I’ll get to the bottom of them next week. Until then, I’m not wasting another second on anything but the sumptuous babe I’m lucky enough to have convinced to be my date.”
She rubbed her cheek against his shoulder and wove her fingers through his as they were led to their table. Large urns filled with fragrant flowers were scattered around along with hanging baskets of ferns. It was dusk and the tiki torches had already been lit, the white tablecloths adorned with fresh flowers and individual candles glowing within their hurricane lanterns. Kyle had reserved the table off by itself at the far end of the deck.
Ella inhaled the briny smell of the ocean air. The view of the marina was spectacular, the quiet occasionally ruffled by the low rumble of a yacht returning to dock, their colorful lights reflecting off the water. They could hear the piano chords drifting from the inside dining room. Perfect balmy weather, calm and pleasant. The night sky was clear and soon to be filled with twinkling stars. Ella sighed, enchanted with the restaurant, the marina, the ambience but mostly with the company.
After being seated and placing their drink and appetizer orders, Ella slipped off her shoes and hooked a foot around Kyle’s lower leg rubbing her toes against him. He inhaled sharply, eyes smoldering with desire. He reached across the table and took her hand in his, rubbing his thumb against the inside of her wrist. She couldn’t look away. Her pulse skittered as she unconsciously licked her lips.
“Oh baby, don’t look at me like that or we might not make it through dinner,” Kyle said softly.
“Kyle…”
“Ella…” He was interrupted by the waiter.
“Good evening Mr. Bennett, I’m sure the maître d’ told you about our specials this evening, do you have any questions about the menu?”
“No, I think we’re ready to order. Do you mind me ordering for you?” Kyle asked.
“No please do.”
“We’ll both have a cup of the she-crab soup, followed by catch of the day, flounder I believe, with the lobster risotto and asparagus.”
Taking their menus, the waiter said, “Very good sir,” and left them alone again.
“Talk to me. I feel like I know you and yet I don’t know that much about you. You mentioned being a foster kid, what was that like?” Kyle said.
“Pretty awful, until I ended up with the family that later adopted me.”
“So you lost your parents when you were four, just like Finn.”
“Yes, except they weren’t ill. They died in a plane crash.”
“Wow! Commercial or private?”
“Commercial. Coming back from a business trip. Mom happened to go along with my dad that time, and the plane went down in bad weather.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t imagine, that must have been really tough on a four-year-old child.”
“Yes, because there wasn’t any close family to take me in. I was staying with my mom’s second cousin while they traveled, she definitely couldn’t take me on, so I was put into the foster system almost immediately.”
“Orphaned and in shock, I’m sure.”
“I don’t remember a whole lot about that first year. I remember snippets of my mom, her perfume, her holding me, singing to me at night…reading me stories.”
Kyle put his hand to his chest and said, “That hurts my heart.”
“It was a long time ago. I’m all grown up now.”
“And yet our experiences become part of who we are. They never really leave us,” he said quietly.
Sadness clouded her features, “After five years of being shuffled around from foster to foster, I landed with an older couple, he was the pastor of a church. They had already raised a family and wanted to give something back. They met me during my week at their summer church camp. They inquired about me and my circumstances and ended up taking me on. It wasn’t meant to be permanent, but they fell in love with me and I with them.”
“You were lucky you found each other. Fate is a funny thing.”
“Fate, is that what you think it was?”
“What else?”
“Coincidence?”
“I thought I was supposed to be the cynical one,” Kyle said lightly.
“Not cynical, just realistic. When your parents fall out of the sky you tend to stop believing in miracles and mysticism.”
“And yet your adoptive father was a minister.”
“Yep ironic isn’t it? I’m not saying I have no faith, but I stopped believing in happily-ever-after a long time ago. Life is cruel and not discerning about who it crushes. Kids, rich, poor, no one is immune.”
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br /> “Yes, I can personally attest to that.”
The waiter arrived with a breadbasket and poured some olive oil on a plate, shaving some fresh parmesan cheese and ground fresh pepper on top. “I’ll be back momentarily with your soup.”
“Thanks.”
The warm bread smelled yeasty and delicious and Ella wasted no time grabbing a piece and dipping it in the oil concoction. Rolling her eyes heavenward she moaned, “Hmm, so good.”
Kyle’s eyes crinkled as he smiled warmly at Ella. Tearing a slice in half he dabbed his own bread, turning it over to coat both sides and stuck the whole thing in his mouth. “Oh yeah, that’s what I’m talking about,” he said while chewing.
“Your soup. Please enjoy,” the waiter refilled their wine goblets and motioned to a young staffer to top off their water glasses.
Kyle leaned back in his seat and studied Ella. She was beautiful, yes, but beyond that she had depth and a keen intelligence. She was interesting, exciting, warm, and fully engaged with life. Rather than break her, her difficult childhood had made her grab life by the balls and go for what she wanted. He admired her resiliency and that her humor had stayed intact.
She glanced up and caught him staring, “What?”
“Just admiring the view.”
“Do I have oil on my face?” she said self-consciously wiping her chin with her napkin.
He chuckled, “No nothing like that.”
“Well, I’m full already.”
“You’d better jump up and down to make room then, you don’t want to miss out on their daily catch. It’s always amazing.”
As if he had conjured it up, their meals arrived. He was right—it was scrumptious, and Ella practically licked her plate clean. Her cheeks were flushed from the wine and her eyes were bright with happiness.
“That was phenomenal. Thank you, Kyle.” He nodded his head in response.
“Let’s blow this joint,” he said. “We can walk around the marina and I can show you my boat.” He slipped several large bills into the leather folder and stood up.
“Are you sure you’re up for it?”
“I’m sure.” He stood and waited while she slipped her pumps back on.
“My feet aren’t too happy. The minute we get out of here its barefoot for the rest of the evening.”
Kyle rested his warm hand at the small of her back as they left the club and headed toward the docks where the vessels were moored.
“Here she is,” Kyle said as they approached.
“What a beauty! She’s huge.”
“Not really, a forty-footer is relatively modest for a yacht, but don’t let that fool you, she has plenty of amenities. Good for day trips, cruising, fishing, it has sleeping quarters. We use it to butter up clients and for personal pleasure. It’s manageable for two people which makes it perfect in my opinion. I don’t want to always have to rely on my captain to take out my own fucking boat.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“We’ll take her out soon. You, me and Finn.”
“I’d love that.”
Kyle leaned down and gave Ella a soft lingering kiss, smiling against her lips as he felt her breath quicken. He lifted his head and was stirred by the hunger in her eyes.
“I want you Ella, as much as I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. I’d like to pick you up and carry you onto my boat, but I’m afraid my body has a different agenda. I think we’d better head back, my leg is starting to ache.”
Her brows drew together with concern, “This is the most you’ve done outside of your physical therapy since your accident. I’m not surprised you’re tired.”
“It catches me off guard. It doesn’t seem like it takes much to exhaust me.”
“You’re doing great, think of how far you’ve come!”
“My impatience rearing its head again,” he said. “I’m just glad to be here, enjoying this night with you.”
Ella carried her shoes and clutch in one hand and held Kyles hand in the other. The stars were now out in full display and the water lapping at the hull of the boats was at once both comforting and peaceful. Perfect evening.
18
The limo door had barely shut when Kyle pulled her against him and kissed her neck. Whispering in her ear as he held her against him, he said, “I want to kiss every inch of your body. I want to please you.”
Ella looked up at him as Kyle traced the curve of her cheeks then ran the pad of his thumb over her lips. Her breasts pressed against him and he hooked his finger under her strap pulling it down… slowly… while planting a trail of kisses across her neck and shoulder. So soft. Ella’s skin was like silk and Kyle finally got to kiss the tiny mole that had been driving him crazy for weeks. He pushed her bodice aside and her breasts spilled out full and ripe. He circled her large pink nipple with his tongue before drawing it into his mouth and suckling. She vibrated under his expertise.
He lifted her skirt, stroking her inner thigh all the way to her hot pulsing center. He slipped his fingers under the silk panties to touch her moist labia. Ella was already wet and throbbing. He pressed his thumb against her sweet spot. Ella convulsed with passion as he inserted his finger inside her and moved it in and out while using his thumb to stimulate her further. She spread her legs wider as she thrust herself against his hand, eyes glazed, head thrown back in abandon.
Kyle wanted to satisfy her and bring her to a climax right here and now. Continuing his attentiveness to her breasts he began tugging, nipping, suckling like he was drinking of her nectar, long hard pulls…driving her to the brink of ecstasy. She began to buck wildly against him and called out his name as she climaxed.
He smothered her lips with his own, kissing her wildly, as if he could devour her, all the while her body shuddered in orgasm. Her fingers tangled in his hair as she held his lips to hers. Their tongues explored and pulsated in an erotic rhythm causing Kyle’s tight rein on his dick to unravel.
“Babe, touch me,” he murmured against her lips.
Ella reached for his belt and quickly unbuckled it then pulled his zipper down. Straining against the last barrier between them, his cock sprang from the confines of his pants. She lowered his slacks and touched him, exhilarated by her power as he desperately called out her name. He jerked like he was being tortured. She gripped him then slid her hand up and down his length, slowly until he was bucking with the need for release. She ran her other hand up his shirt stroking his defined muscles, loving the contrast of firm and soft under her fingertips. She continued to arouse him taking him into her mouth as his body trembled. He suddenly stiffened then let out a long shuddering breath and climaxed.
After the earthquake subsided, they continued to lay sprawled out together, both languid and satiated. Kyle had his arm around Ella while she snuggled her face against his chest.
Giggling, Ella said, “Are you sure this thing is soundproof?’
“Soundproof? I didn’t say it was soundproof.”
Her eyes went wide then she glared at him, playfully swatting his leg. “You are so bad.”
“And you, are so damn good.”
Ella suddenly bashful, buried her face against his chest.
“Are you blushing?” he said teasingly.
She nodded into his shirt. Her voice muffled she said, “I hate it.”
Kyle tilted her head up with his knuckles then kissed the tip of her nose. “You’re adorable.”
Her nose crinkled, “I’m glad you think so.”
Smiling he said, “Its sexy as hell when you blush, and you wear it well.”
The limo slowed down then came to a stop. “Looks like we’re home, we’d better make ourselves decent,” Ella said. She pulled up her straps and covered her breasts before attending to Kyle’s pants. As her hands brushed against his belly, she felt his immediate response. Laughing she said, “Down boy,” and zipped him up quickly. Lastly, she slipped her pumps back on and combed her fingers through her wild tangled hair and pulled her dress back down around her thighs.
“You should see yourself. You’re not in much better shape.”
With a lopsided grin, Kyle raked his hand through his own hair, “Fortunately, all of my staff are discreet. Don’t worry about it, my beautiful Femme Fatale.”
As they walked toward the house, she noticed that he was leaning pretty heavily on his cane. Probably overdid it. Ella hoped that it didn’t set him back. He had been progressing in leaps and bounds.
“Dessert?”
“Didn’t we already have that?” Ella teased.
They wound up in the kitchen, their shoes came off first, followed by Kyle’s shirt, belt and tie. He felt an overwhelming need to please her, to be enough. Like the lyrics from an old Rolling Stones tune, was he smart enough, rich enough, sexy enough? He wanted to be all of that for her. He saw her eyes darken as they sized each other up, almost like circling their prey. He saw lust there but something else as well, he couldn’t quite put his finger on. Doubt…need…longing?
One strap fell down around her arm, tempting him to kiss and lick her bare neck and shoulder. As if her eyes drew him in, he found himself moving toward her. He brushed her hair away from her creamy neck, leaned down and kissed her there. All feminine, soft curves, strong yet fragile… Nipping her skin with his teeth he licked her, tasting salt, and as her womanly scent assailed his nostrils, he understood he would never get enough of her. Her arms wrapped around his waist pulling his hips against hers. He ran his hand down the length of her back and cupped her buttocks. Kyle flinched then shifted to his uninjured leg. As Ella pulled away, he missed her warmth.
“You need to rest you’ve been on your feet too long. Sit at the counter and I’ll dish out some ice cream.”
“I guess I can’t argue with my nurse, I’ll have one scoop of vanilla and one of chocolate.”
Licking her spoon a few minutes later, eyes narrowed, she asked, “What comes next?”
“Next?”
“You know, next, as in you’re not in need of my nursing services any longer, especially after your cast comes off, you’re heading back to work on Monday, you’re interviewing nannies all day tomorrow…where do we go from here?”
