by AA Lee
“I like how you blush every time I touch you,” he smiled from where he knelt. Ella let out a breath as he stood up. He was deliberately provoking her and making her weak.
“Too bad you wanted to stop.” He looked her in the eyes and seduced her with his gaze. “Why are you sulking? The party is waiting.” He grabbed her hand. She did not miss the subtle accusation of his tone.
***
As they descended in the elevator, Angelo stayed quiet. Going to such a large event must have made him nervous. With danger lurking from so many different directions, it was hard to know who was safe or otherwise. Ella linked her hand through his arm and gently grasped the top, hoping to ease his nerves. At first, he tensed with the contact and frowned, but immediately afterward, she felt him take a breath. Angelo rubbed her arm as the door to floor two opened.
“You know the drill. Be cautious and remember you have a gun. If I’m not with you, only take drinks from the bartender. You never know what you are drinking if someone else gives it to you.”
They finally entered the banquet hall where music now masked any suspicious sounds that they would ordinarily hear. With the previous night’s attack at the beach, they definitely needed to keep their eyes open. Many guests stared at them as they walked into the room. Ella followed Angelo’s earlier warning and said as little as possible. While he spoke, she gave him support and scouted the room for shady activity. So far, nothing and no one in particular stood out—only employees and guests dressed for the occasion. Ella noticed several women glance at her with disgust. She figured they envied her, how Angelo escorted her through the room. She thought it was jealousy, but she could not be sure. Ella would keep a close eye on them too in case they intended harm.
After talking to a dozen people, Angelo brought her to the bar and ordered them both drinks. Then he glanced back at the banquet hall before resting his gaze on Ella. “Fake.” He took a drink and focused his attention on her. “There is nothing real about these people. Wild animals are less conniving than some of the people here.”
Ella turned around to keep a full view of the guests present when Angelo followed suit and placed his arm around her waist. “You see, that’s why I like you. You’re genuine and innocent. It’s like you don’t know any better.”
“What?” Her eyes shot to Angelo. She could not believe he had said that. “Is that a compliment or an insult?” Ella did not know whether to laugh at his audacity or frown when Angelo kissed her cheek.
“They must be worthy traits if I chose you.” He smiled.
“I suppose,” she said.
“Hey.” Angelo spotted a man and looked at Ella. “Stay here for a minute. I need to have a word with one of my members over there.”
“And you don’t want me to go with you?” she replied, wondering why he suddenly needed to speak in private. She was also surprised he would leave her by herself.
“No, there are some things too vulgar for your ears, but I will be right over there. Don’t go anywhere. I will only be a minute.” He slid his fingers against her cheek and walked away.
Ella watched him and waited. Before she could sip half of her drink, two women approached the bar. They were beautiful women, a few years older than Ella was and probably knew no other lifestyle. The first woman had loose blond curls and wore a gorgeous pink evening gown. The other woman had her brown hair wrapped in a jeweled bun, her black satin gown flowing to the floor. From their dresses to their makeup, Ella could not find a single flaw. She suddenly became conscious that her silky white dress was average. Then the two women subtly leaned against the bar next to her and spoke between themselves.
“There was no reason for Mr. Tomassi to bring a stray when he could have come with me,” said the woman who wore pink.
Ella ignored her and turned partially, hoping the woman would get the hint but the woman continued. “Maybe he will want to ditch her and come back to my room again. It was such a perfect night.” Ella’s mouth dropped as the woman in pink purposely boasted to her friend. That was rude of her to say.
“They probably have some sort of deal going on. Maybe she paid him. Mr. Tomassi never walks in with anyone,” the friend added.
Ella almost laughed. She could not believe the nonsense coming out of their mouths. This must have been one of those incidents that Angelo mentioned earlier; but even though it was not recent, it certainly did not seem like years ago either.
“Yes, that’s probably it. It’s all a guise for some business deal.”
The women chuckled at their conspiracy theory with Ella shaking her head at their stupidity. Then the woman in pink walked over to Angelo several feet away, interrupting and completely disregarding the conversation between him and his member.
“Mr. Tomassi.” The woman touched his arm, which he seemed to ignore. He was either preoccupied with his discussion or hoped she would go away.
“Mr. Tomassi,” she said again.
“Yes?” he answered, barely glancing her way.
“It’s so nice to see you again. I was wondering if you wanted to join me later for a drink, after you have finished making appearances.”
“No,” he replied. “Thank you, but I am with my girlfriend tonight.” Angelo pointed toward Ella. The woman had already seen her, so what was she trying to pull with Angelo? Ella’s hands tightened as her anger started to build. She had never experienced anyone who was quite so disrespectful.
“You have a girlfriend?” The woman sounded shocked and looked back at Ella. Ella understood her scowl in an instant, reciprocating the woman’s dislike for her.
“Yes, I do. Now if you will excuse me, I am in the middle of an important discussion.” Angelo looked away from her and continued as though she was invisible.
The woman glared with fury and marched back to her friend, fuming over the rejection. “How could he dismiss me like that? I am ten times better than this nobody.” She suddenly turned her attention on Ella. “You are making Mr. Tomassi look bad.”
“Excuse me?” Ella asked incredulously.
“You heard me. You don’t belong with a man like him, and he will realize it soon. He will come to his senses.”
“It looks like he already did. That’s why he didn’t want to talk to you.” Ella smirked, casually taking another sip of her drink. She could not help what she had said. The woman had opened herself up to the insult.
“Women like you disgust me, thinking you can take any man you want, not caring that you will ruin their reputation.”
“Oh,” Ella returned. “At least I’m not flaunting myself like some jealous halfwit throwing a fit. Look at the way you’re acting. I imagine if you were with a man like Mr. Tomassi, you would define embarrassment. I would be embarrassed for him.”
The woman started to grab Ella’s arm and Ella went into an instant defensive mode. It suddenly did not matter what the situation was. This woman simply lacked manners. Ella looked over to Angelo for help, but he was still unaware of her situation with the woman.
Ella’s expression turned sour. She burned fire on the woman with her eyes and lowered her voice to avoid disturbing the other guests. “What is it with you women that you want to fight me because you’re angry over some man? First, I deal with an angry date and now my boyfriend’s one-night stand. If that night meant anything to him, he would have, let us say called you or saw you or contacted you somehow. There is so much more to him than just being the owner—things that you will never know anything about.”
The woman did not come to her senses; instead, her eyes knit together as she raised her hand at Ella. She never saw Angelo start to walk back over. As the woman swung, her hand slapped Angelo straight in the mouth. Angelo crossed his arms and stared at her.
“If you ever talk to me or my girlfriend again, I will see that you never set another foot inside this hotel. Leave now, before I find someone to escort you out of the room.”
“Mr. Tomassi, I’m so sorry,” the woman cringed.
“I said leave,
or I will tell my girlfriend to shoot you.” He lightly patted the gun on Ella’s hip.
“Oh my god.” Ella closed her eyes as the women left. “I have a gun because somebody could be a threat, not to scare off a couple of stupid women.”
“And that’s why I drink. The stupidity around this place is easier to tolerate when I do.”
Ella gave a disheartened sigh. “And that’s exactly why those women approached in the first place.”
“Forget about them. Rafa will be here soon, so our shift is almost finished.” Angelo chuckled and finished the drink in front of him. “So who was the angry date?”
“Oh.” Ella bit her lip and sipped her drink.
He raised his eye. “Angie, by chance?”
“Yes,” Ella admitted.
“I already knew anyway. Brett was excited to obsess over your ability to give a punch. I understand you knocked her flat to the floor. Rafa and Brett were viewing the cameras that night.”
“Of course they were,” Ella uttered in response. “I’m always being watched.”
“Come on.” He brushed off her remark. “Let me talk to a few more clients; then we can get out of here and enjoy some quiet time to ourselves.”
CHAPTER 34
A suit jacket and tie flew to one of the chairs before discarded black leather shoes hit the floor. “Finally alone again,” Angelo announced after the door to the room shut behind.
“Are you more comfortable?” Ella asked, slipping out of her heels.
“Much,” he responded before hitting the liquor table, “but I still need a drink.” Angelo picked up the bottle and showed it to Ella.
“Wine would be nice, thank you,” she said, answering his gesture.
“I can’t believe they brought the exact vintage of Merlot I requested.” He screwed in the wine key and popped the cork. Before he poured both glasses, he tasted a small amount of the wine. “Yes, it’s perfect,” he said and then he poured Ella a glass and handed it to her. “You taste and see if I’m right.”
She sipped and grinned. “It is very good. This is…let me guess.” Ella put a finger on her chin and smiled. “1987.”
“Close, but wrong. However, that was also a good year. This is 1985.” Angelo looked at the bottle and then at Ella. “So you can guess the year of a bottle of wine but probably can’t name a single TV show.”
Ella frowned at his teasing and countered, “My father had very particular tastes. He believed in a strict education, gun handling, and fine liquors and wines. That was how he raised me. Television cannot corrupt everyone.”
Angelo chuckled and seductively stepped toward her while sliding off his shirt. “Not to worry…I will gladly take on the challenge.” He set down his wine and started to unzip her dress. “And I have all night to do so.”
“Oh!” He set Ella’s skin on fire; her cheeks glowed as her dress hit the floor. Angelo coolly backed her to the bed and retrieved her glass at the same time. When she started to speak, he shook his head slowly while removing the satin support around her breasts.
“Being with you once was not enough for me. Be quiet, and let me make love to you.”
As soon as his lips touched hers, Ella melted, falling helpless to his touch. All thoughts of protest vanished as she found herself at his command.
“Angelo,” she moaned as he laid her on the bed.
“I know your body wants me, Ella,” he said and unbuckled the belt on his slacks. “I know you like being under my control.” Ella gasped as he moved his mouth to that sensitive area that writhed under the soft caresses of his tongue. “Your body is begging for me.”
Ella could not speak or think, proving she was weak to his touch. Angelo moved his mouth from between her tingling thighs to her neck and gently lingered. Her head instantly fell to the side, wanting to feel more of his lips when he pinned her arms above.
“I want to fill every inch of you.” She started to open her mouth when he slipped his tongue inside instead. “No talking,” he breathed and kicked off his pants. “Just take what I give you.”
Angelo lowered his hips and used his own knees to spread hers apart. He was magnificent, hard. He gently persuaded her body to allow for his size. Her breathing quickened. As her eyes shut, Ella panted heavily, making her breasts touch his chest with every gasp she took. She could hardly contain her satisfaction at feeling him this way as he whispered in her ear.
“Do I make you feel good, Ella?” He slid his arms below her shoulders.
When she opened her eyes again, he was gazing at her, waiting to see her disoriented expression. “So good,” she muttered. She could feel her nails claw through the skin of his back as she squeezed her knees against his hips.
“Wrap your feet around me, Ella. Cross your legs around my waist and hold onto my neck.” She hesitated, feeling embarrassed when Angelo moved her feet behind. “I am going to make you completely forget where you are,” he said. His tone was sensual and sure. Angelo buried himself inside, nearly making her scream in ecstasy. Her cries only made him go deeper, faster until her body trembled beneath.
“Christ, you feel so fucking good,” he said, pulling her waist against him and rocking her further, pleasing her in a way she was sure he did with no one else. Then he moved his hands underneath, lifting her hips to give even more.
“Angelo…”
“Shhh, you can handle me.”
“Angelo,” she choked, her climax unexpectedly coursing through her veins when he raised her feet to his neck. “Angelo, please…” He ignored her cries and pumped into her more, feeling her body shake without control.
“Take it all, Ella,” he whispered quietly until he brought her to orgasm again. “Don’t be embarrassed. Enjoy me.”
“Angelo,” she cried when he folded her knees to her chest and wiped the tears from her eyes.
“You have nothing to be ashamed of with me.”
“You will think I’m a sexual deviant.”
“I will think you are my beautiful girlfriend who enjoys her time alone with me. And I don’t want you to ever hold back.” He lowered her legs to the bed and flipped her over, raising her hips to his.
“Oh my god,” she cried again, feeling him thrust deep from behind; every inch of him entered her now. Ella squeezed the pillow to her mouth, muffling the screams that filled the room. She never knew he could feel this way. His length almost hurt but the pleasure made her crazy with desire. A need she never knew she had until him.
“God almighty, Ella,” He squeezed her breasts from behind. “The more of you I have, the more I want to take!” Low growls escaped his throat as he thoroughly ravished her form. “I have never felt this way about anyone,” he admitted and paused his rhythm to flip her back over.
“Open your eyes,” he said and grabbed his shaft, centering it to her sex again. Angelo slammed her hard, never letting up. His lips crashed onto hers, and she kissed him willingly. Her lips moved to his faster than her mind could keep up with her need. Their bodies became slick. Her moans became faint. It seemed as though he waited to appease her desire of him. Then he drove fast and rigid, his length convulsing with the tight walls of her core. Angelo released with pleasured satisfaction; his body fell heavily on top of her.
“I love you,” she whispered in his shoulder and closed her eyes. Angelo lifted his weight slightly, but left one leg over the top of hers. She did not know if he loved her, but she did feel like he could. She did not want to think of it, though. Ella simply enjoyed being held in his arms.
CHAPTER 35
Ella woke and felt Angelo’s fingers gently tracing through her hair. She had fallen asleep the night before with half her body against his chest. As Angelo started to sit, she smiled but did not open her eyes.
“Five more minutes,” she whispered and snuggled into his warmth. His arms held her closer and she enjoyed the sounds of his strong heartbeat; then he moved from underneath and slid to the edge of the bed, leaving her to curl in the vacant spot.
“W
here are you going?” she asked and squinted with the sun shining through the window.
“To take a shower, like I do nearly every morning.”
She sulked but continued to watch him search for clothes until he turned his head. “You could shower with me.” Ella blushed as soon as he said it. “You don’t have to worry. I would be easy on you today.”
“What? I wasn’t even…. That’s not…” She did not know how to defend herself.
Angelo smirked at her loss for words. “That’s fine. Twice in one night is bound to make you sore. I’ll be out in a minute.” Ella cupped her hands over her cheeks, feeling flushed. Why must he embarrass her so early in the morning?
She rose to make coffee but then realized the truth of his words. She ached—a lot. So much so, that it was uncomfortable to walk. Ella had not noticed how rough he must have been until just now. Yet he was so amazing last night that she could not get enough. She grinned while reminiscing about the previous evening and slipped into a robe.
While she did, a plain white envelope slid underneath the door. Ella presumed it was a summary of charges and curiously went to see what the penthouse suite cost per day. The same types of envelopes were always placed under the door in the morning when she stayed during her father’s trips.
Ella unfolded the white sheet of paper. As soon as she did, all color drained from her face. She stood in shocked terror. Her body immediately trembled as she rushed to open the door. However, it would not budge. “Damn these coded doors!” she mumbled to herself and rushed to the glass door of the balcony. In her haste, Ella could not get out of it either, but she remembered that she needed to unlatch the corner; then she darted out and looked all around the beach. There was nobody—nobody at all this early in the morning. Ella crumpled the note and stretched her arm back. As she started to throw it at whoever had scribbled the words, a hand grabbed the wadded ball and placed an arm around her waist.