Colin stared at her for a moment before he continued. “You know, I used to sit in my office, and wonder what would happen if I called you. Telling you that it was by mistake, hoping you would say something clever. But I could never bring myself to do it. I was afraid that you would think I was out of line.” He paused for a second letting out a short chuckle. “That had never happened to me before. I always able to set apart my fears and go for what I want. With you it wasn’t like that.” He ran his hands over her shoulders then back down her chilly arms.
Covering her face with her still freezing hands, she let her warm tears run over them. Ella could no longer feel her body. She wasn’t sure if the cold had anything to do with it. How dare she do this to him? Leading him on for her own personal satisfaction. She felt as if she was going to lose it. He still loved Amy, it was so painfully obvious.
She suddenly felt strange; ugly. She wanted to run. This entire situation had become a nightmare.
Colin pulled her hands away from her face, bringing them to his chest. Lifting her chin, he removed a few pieces of curly hair that were clinging to her fallen tears. “I also have to tell you something.”
No she couldn’t let him say another word. “Colin I have to leave.” Pulling out of his grip, Ella made a mad dash back into the hotel room. She had lost complete control. Tears streamed down her face, as she made her way across the room. She found herself hating Amy for the first time in her life. She just couldn’t understand how her sister could be so ignorant to what was right in front of her.
Her stomach turned. She could hardly breathe as she made her way to the exit. She had to get away. She needed the space so she could think more clearly. As she reached for the door Colin’s voice boomed through the entire room.
“Ella, stop!”
Her mind had been racing so rapidly that she wasn’t sure if she had heard him right, or if her ears were playing some kind of cruel joke on her. “What did you call me?” She tried calming her body down to hear his response.
“Ella.” He replied with a calmer tone. He still stood on the balcony, with both hands in his pockets. Peering in at her, Colin kept a sober expression upon his face.
Ella didn’t know what to say. Breathing hard, she realized that her heart had begun beating wildly. “You knew it was me?” The question stumbled from her lips. “How…When?”
He walked slowly into the room, closing the doors behind him. Turning to her Collin ran his hands through his thick hair. “Last night in front of my home, I knew it was you.”
Her body began to shake in an entirely different way. “How did you know?”
“Amy non parla italiano.” Amy does not speak Italian. He cocked an eyebrow as he came closer. “She would not have understood what I had said; in fact she usually gets upset when I use it.” Shaking his head he continued. “But, you understood me. Your father told me you spoke Italian fluidly. Although, if I were to point out when you really gave yourself away, it would be at the exhibit. Even if Amy had studied the Egypt art for weeks she wouldn’t have known the details you did.”
Ella covered her mouth. She knew she couldn’t pull this off. “Oh.” She replied, still slightly holing her hand in front of her lips. Dropping her hand to her chest, her apology came without hesitation. “Colin, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean for this to go so far. I…”
“Stop. You don’t have to justify anything to me.” He interrupted while he came up close to her.
Confused Ella shook her head faintly. “What do you mean? I’ve deceived you.”
Colin took a deep breath as he took a hold of her hand. “No more than I have done to you.” His expression was mild, leaving her nothing to go off of. Raising an eyebrow, he continued. “I didn’t know why you switched with Amy, but what I did know was that from the moment I knew it was you, I didn’t want to let you go.”
Colin knew this whole time? Ella stood still as she tried to wrap her mind around the conversation. Everything from the necklace, to the gold feather, and every intimate kiss, was all for her, not Amy. Thinking over what he had said out on the balcony had her believing that her heart might just fly right out of her chest.
“So, what you said out there, just a moment ago…”
Playing with her fingers he kept his eyes fixed on her hand. “I know this is wrong. That this shouldn’t be happening this way.” His eyes lifted up locking with hers. In a voice barely above a whisper Colin demanded. “Tell me that this is wrong. Tell me to back off. Tell me I had my chance and no random phone call will change anything.”
Placing her free hand on his chest, she could feel his heart thumping greatly behind his ribs. She closed her eyes tightly allowing everything to filter out of her crazed mind. For the first time that night a faint glimpse of hope and reassurance swooped over her.
“That’s just it,” She begun. “I think a phone call would’ve changed everything.”
His expression went from lost to found.
Amy awoke with a start. Deliciously wonderful pain in certain areas of her body had her realizing instantly what had happened. Matt’s strong arms held her close to his very naked body, making escape nearly impossible. As she began to pull out of his grip he woke instantly.
“Hey, where are you going?” He chuckled.
“To the bathroom.” Jumping out of the bed she made a mad dash to the bathroom, closing the door to Matt and the mess she made.
Grabbing the robe from the hook on the back of the door, Amy covered her trembling body. How could she have let this happen? What in the hell had she been thinking?
She covered her face with both hands trying to suppress a scream from bubbling up. Had she been so hard up for attention that she once again stole something from Ella?
Everything had happened so fast. Amy had to force herself to concentrate on the past few hours to make sense of her irresponsible behavior. He had been so eager to learn the meal she was preparing for them. Joked about his own attempt at dinner, making it so easy to laugh and enjoy herself. Then the conversation turned romantic while they ate. He had wiped a spot off of her chin while she fed him a bite.
The realization of what was really happening hit her in that moment. She was giving her husband, her way of life, everything to Ella. Although, Ella deserved it all, Amy suddenly felt lost and that’s when she threw caution to the wind and let him love her.
Now she didn’t know what to do. There was no way to fix this. As soon as Matt realized who he had slept with, her whole plan would go up in flames. How in the hell did I let this happen?
A soft knock on the bathroom door had Amy grabbing two fistfuls of hair. “Open the door, sweetheart.” Matt’s strong voice was clear as he knocked again.
Oh, no. She thought as she glanced over the bathroom. Her brain rushed over what to say. “Just give me a minute.”
“I know last night kinda came out of know where…but…” His voice trailed off while he waited on the other side of the door.
But, what? She wanted to ask though she didn’t dare. He was to leave tomorrow for a new job assignment. Maybe she could hold him off until then. It would by her some time to figure out what to do from there.
“Will you please open the door?” Matt asked giving the door another soft rap.
Squaring her shoulders Amy took a deep breath as she slowly opened the door. There on the other side was Matt standing with his forearm resting on the door frame. She smiled politely as he lifted a folder up for her to see.
“What’s that?” She asked eyeing the folder carefully.
Matt stood up straight as he opened the folder and pulled out some official looking papers. “I was going to wait until I came back from this job…thing.” Giving her a quick glance he continued slowly. “But after last night I knew it couldn’t wait any longer.”
Amy said nothing for a moment as he flipped to a marked paged then handed it over to her. Nearly losing her balance it took her a few heart beats to realize what he had given her. “Divorce papers!!” Sh
e yelled. “You want a divorce?”
He had the audacity to smile. “Yes. I know she does too. I’m not stupid, Amy. I’ve known since the day we got married she had feelings for Colin. I just didn’t want that bastard to have everything. Unfortunately, I see the way she looks at him and well…”
“What?!” She gasped.
“When I realized it was you and that Ella went to him,” Lifting one shoulder, Matt looked right at her. “I knew he had one more thing I could never have.”
“You knew it was me and yet you still slept with me?” She knew the question was bogus she was just as guilty as he was when it came to the night before. Luckily he made no comment. His eyes stayed trained on her as she walked over to the bed and took a seat on the edge.
“First off,” Amy started. “I want you to know Ella didn’t want to go through with it, not at first. But you’re right Ella does have feelings for Colin. I knew getting them together would destroy my marriage and yours. I want to say I’m sorry, but by the look of things this was over before I even got started.” She said while she lifted the papers up for him to take.
Taking the papers he sat down next to her. “Now what?”
Amy shook her head. “We wait and see.”
It was close to noon be the time Ella pride her eyes opened. She could feel Colin’s strong arm delicately holding her to him while his lips barely touched the back of her neck. An uncontrollable smile came across her face while lingering thoughts of the night before rolled through her head. A part of her still had a hard time believing that it even happened.
They had moved slowly at first. Removing each other’s cloths they kissed pieces of flesh as it was revealed to them. They knew they had the whole night to themselves, using various areas of the room to show the passion that had been stirring between them. Giving complete pleasure to each other in ways that seemed to move the entire room.
They had, somehow, in the middle of it all made it to the bed. Even though they had tossed the sheets around into a tangled mess beneath them, Colin had kissed her lips tenderly, making sure she was completely pleasured.
Trying not to wake him, she pulled slowly away from his hold. She grabbed her robe from the chair that had been knocked over. Ella laughed quietly as she glanced over the room. The place was a wreck. Lamps had been knocked over, furniture tipped unto their sides, clothes strung all over the floor. It looked as if a small tornado had torn through there. She remembered parts of the night that could have very well been described as one.
Leaving the room Ella walked over to the table where she saw the lilies Colin had brought for her. Picking the flowers up she noticed a yellow tint had begun to form on the once peach colored petals. She sat down slowly into the chair where she had sat the night before. Placing the flowers in her lap she took a deep breath.
Where was this going to lead to? This was definitely not what she had expected. Last night took her into a totally different direction. She thought that they would be heading home, not spontaneously destroying a hotel room.
Last night was the most amazing night of her life. But at what cost? Morally and ethnically last night should have never happened. What would happen with Matt or her sister? How will Amy react to all of this?
Ella shook the painful thoughts and questions from her head as she heard the bedroom door open. Turning in her chair she watched as Colin made his way over to the table. She remained silent as he took a seat at the head of the massive dinning peace.
“Good morning.” He smiled softly.
Returning his greeting she glanced down at the flowers. She didn’t know where to go from this point, and as she glanced back up she saw something in his eyes she had never seen before; uncertainty.
Wanting everything to be okay with them she lifted the flowers. “I should’ve put them in water.” She giggled nervously. “They’re looking kind of sad.”
“I will buy you some more.” His voice sounded off, but as she looked into his eyes she saw what she had been hoping for.
“I would like that, very much.” She smiled as the relief swept through her.
Holding out his hand Colin waited for her to take a hold before he tugged lightly. “Come here.”
She slowly got up from the chair, placing the flowers on top of the table as she did so. Climbing right into his lap Ella allowed him to bring her knees up and over the arm of the chair. He cradled her like a baby as she snuggled deep within his arms. Nuzzling her face into the hollow of his neck she confessed. “Last night was incredible. No one has ever made love to me like that before.”
“Well, that’s because they didn’t know what they had. Or they did and got scared, most men don’t know how to handle angels. In fact a lot of men miss use them. They hide them away tapering their magnificent wings.” Colin stated mindfully.
His flattery made her blush as she felt his hand creep into the fold of her robe and up her bare thigh. “I feel like this is some kind of wonderful dream. I don’t want to go back.”
Colin’s embrace tightened around her although he didn’t say anything for a long moment. His silence made her nervous, which caused an unsettling pinch in her stomach. Maybe she had said too much. Taking a deep breath she made a move to get off of his lap. He stopped her before she could get too far.
“I’m in love with you, Ella.” His confession rolled off his tongue as if he had rehearsed it. “I have been for a long time. I don’t want you to go back. I want you to stay with me.” He was looking straight into her eyes, with a sober expression upon his face.
Ella’s heart nearly stopped short. Without saying a word she took his face into her hands and kissed him harder than she had ever kissed anyone in her life. While they continued to kiss Colin lifted her up and placed her onto the table. She gasped for air as he kissed down her neck. “Colin… I love you.”
Kissing the side of her head Colin gazed deep into her eyes. “Will you stay with me?” His voice shook as the words tripped out from his lips. “I will buy you everything your heart desires. You’ll never have to go without. I will—”
“I’m in love with you not your money. My heart only desires you, even if we’re living in a cardboard box.” Ella’s reassurance brought an enormous grin to his face.
“Say it again.”
“I don’t want your money.”
“No, the part before that.”
Ella released a smile almost too big for her mouth to take. “Oh, you mean when I said I was in love with you?”
“Yeah that part I like that part.”
Now
Amy sat in the large booth playing nervously with the cloth napkin. She had been the first to arrive at the dinner, which was strange. It seemed like another life time ago when she would be the fashionably late one.
Letting out a small chuckle she realized being first wasn’t the only thing that had changed over the year. A year ago everyone was stuck. Back then, Madeline was going to marry the wrong twin, Amelia hid behind plants to admire her boss, Sophia thought John was the only man she was ever going to marry, Alethea lived in her sister’s shadow, Leya loved Jasper from a far, and Ella was married to the wrong man.
Now, everyone was insanely happy living their new lives with their new men. Even Mary Young, the friend who had inadvertently got the ball rolling, was living an exciting life in Maui with her new lover. Everyone was living the life they wanted.
Everyone… except her. Her entire life had turned upside down. From fine dining, shopping sprees, and world travel, to moving back home with her parents. Not that she would ever trade it back, that life belong to Ella; now and forever.
She had asked for nothing in the divorce and threatened Matt to do the same, even though Ella had pretty much left him everything. Which was to be expected, nothing about her life with Matt needed to be kept. Colin gave her more than she needed in a home, and a life.
A knot began to form in the back of her throat as she thought of Ella and Colin. She knew they would be happy together. Hell, th
ey couldn’t keep their hands off of each other at Maddie’s or Amelia’s weddings. Colin wasn’t like that when they were together. The thought should have ripped her heart out, although it didn’t. He had never been hers. She was wrong to even think he ever could be.
She had thought that she had set things right, that all had been forgiven. Ella had even asked her to be her maid of honor when they had decided to have a quick, intimate wedding. Amy had been ecstatic to stand by her sister’s side. She had invited all of their friends, and their new husbands to attend. Everyone had laughed and enjoyed themselves at the tiny gathering.
Amy really believed that everything was going to be okay between her and Ella, until she and Colin had left for Egypt. No one had heard from them since. Sure she had called their parents, but as for Amy or any of their friends; not a word.
Six months without a word from her twin had her wondering if she had really been forgiven for her unorthodox method of cleaning the mess she had made.
“If you get any deeper into thought you’ll rip that napkin in two.” A deep male’s voice grabbed Amy’s attention.
Glancing up, Amy smiled politely at Mike Anderson. Mike was a young lawyer who worked at her father’s firm. Who, according to all the women who worked with him, was a real catch. She would agree with them if her heart was in it. Unfortunately, after the year she had she was more worried about her and Ella’s relationship, than finding a new man.
“Hello. Are you just grabbing some lunch before heading back to the firm?” She asked casually, not really interested in his answer.
Without answering he eyed the large booth she was sitting in. “Are you waiting for someone?”
“Yes. I’m meeting my friends. We meet here once a month.” Taking a quick look at the empty seats, she wondered if Ella would be joining them this time.
“Do you always concentrate that hard before meeting with your friends?” He asked with one eyebrow cocked slightly.
Then & Now Page 28