Breaking Elle

by Antoinette Candela

  “Hey, shark!” Reed interrupts, coming up behind Tyler and slapping him on the back. “Can I cut in, partner?”

  I hazard a small sigh of relief for Reed’s perfect timing. I’m saved from trying to explain something that I don’t have a clear, concise answer for, something that I’m still trying to figure out for myself.

  “Sure, man. Watch out though, this one has two left feet.” Tyler laughs, stepping away as I lunge at him, but Reed catches me mid-flight, and I’m okay with that because I like the feel of his arms around me. Tyler winks and heads back to his date.

  “I could kill him sometimes,” I mutter, smiling.

  “He’s a good guy. I like him.” He says, giving Tyler a nod as he retreats. “He’s a really good friend and very protective of you.”

  “Yes, I have to agree with you on that one, but he tends to get a little carried away with it.”

  “I’d love to help him with that. Looks like a job I’d be interested in taking.” He laughs and touches his finger to my nose.

  “I’m accepting applications,” I say, tilting my head. My body wants to melt, but my brain forces it maintain its composure. I need to act natural, but I haven’t been able to since I’ve met him. This feeling excites and scares me at the same time.

  “I’d be the perfect candidate. My resume doesn’t lie.” He takes a step closer to me. His heat, his scent hovers dangerously close, inciting intense desires that I’ve never felt for anyone.

  “Well, I guess I’ll be the judge of that.” I counter, looking up into his simmering blue eyes.

  “I promise. You will not be disappointed.”

  I don’t know what to say; from what I’ve seen so far tonight, I seriously believe him and I’m anxious for more.

  “So is it true about you and dancing?” I follow his gaze as he glances over at the DJ, giving him the thumbs up before I can answer. Instantly, the music changes from Pitbull to Lady Antebellum’s ‘Just a Kiss’. Shrugging his broad shoulders, he faces me with a playful look in his eye. “Well?”

  Why does he have to be so damn sexy?

  “I can hold my own. If you’re scared that I’m going to step on your toes, that won’t happen.”

  “Or I can just pick you up.” He bites his lower lip, causing my body to ache for his touch again.

  “May I have this dance?” He asks slipping his hand in mine. It feels so natural, like sliding on a pair of old shoes. Placing his hand on the small of my back, he draws me into him, his breath in my hair, and his heartbeat in rhythm with mine. “I’m glad you came.” He pulls me away, gazing down at me with those hypnotizing blue eyes.

  “You left me no choice.” I smile. “Remember?”

  “Yeah, I didn’t did I?” He chuckles. “I can be persistent when I really want something.” His hold tightens around me as the room suddenly gets dimmer, and I get lost in the moment while listening to the words of the song and wonder if he picked it for a reason.

  “Did you plan this one, too?” I whisper, bravely peeking through my long lashes, catching his smile.

  “Nope,” he murmurs, lowering his face to mine. “But I couldn’t have planned it any better myself.” His lips linger painfully over mine; my breath catches when he presses his mouth to mine. I shiver, wondering if this is all a dream but everything about this moment is so real. I’ve wanted this to happen, and it’s more than I could have ever imagined as I meet him with the same desire. My body feels his, my heart feverishly beats with the feel of his lips touching mine. He inhales deeply, a soft groan escaping as he places his hand behind my neck, pressing our mouths together fervently. I wilt just a little as his tongue teases mine, kissing me softly but urgently before he slowly pulls away, leaving me breathless.

  “Thank you, doll. That was the best gift ever,” he says softly in my ear, touching my cheek with his hand.

  “Happy birthday,” I whisper right before he kisses me again.

  I hang out with Tyler and his acquaintance, Phoebe, while Reed says goodbye to his last guests. I feel like the whole night was a dream, and I don’t want it to end. He strolls over wrapping his arm around my waist. I’m not quite sure what’s transpiring; everything is happening so fast. Tyler raises his eyebrows in surprise. I know he’s going to have questions for me like I have for him since he’s been missing most of the night.

  “So, what are we doing, Elle?” Tyler asks, gesturing towards the door. “You ready to go?”

  I glance up at Reed to get his reaction. He smiles, placing his arm over my shoulder. “I can walk her home. That’s if you want me to, doll.” He tilts his head, squeezing me to his body.

  Tyler shifts his weight, glancing over at me waiting for my answer as Phoebe grabs his arm to go. “You can go, Tyler. I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.” I reply, cautiously peering at him knowing what’s going through his mind.

  “Are you sure?” He adds eyeing me protectively.

  If he doesn’t cut the bodyguard shit he has going on, I’m going to kill him!

  I shoot him an ‘I’ll be fine look’ and he gradually eases up.

  “Relax bro. She’s in good hands with me.” Reed adds, catching our exchange.

  “Cool, man,” Tyler relaxes and steps up to leave with his arm candy.

  “So, I’ll give you call next week for a night of blackjack?” Reed asks.

  “Sure, I’m free any time after work. Let me know.” Tyler gives Reed a fist bump before he plants a kiss on my cheek. “Night, guys.”

  “Thanks for coming.” His silky drawl wraps around me like a warm blanket as I try to tame the butterflies flapping wildly in the pit of my stomach.

  “It was fun.” Great answer, Elle. So original. I face forward watching the moon float over the trees, and then look back at his handsome face illuminated by the pale glow. I admire his full lips and his dark locks of messy brown hair that sweep across his face. I have this urge to feel them. When he looks over at me, he steals my breath away.

  “There’s one little thing I want to ask of you before I take you home.” He smiles, raising his eyebrows as he pulls his cell phone out of his pocket. “Do you think I can have your number? I’d love to spend more time with you. I really enjoy your company.”

  I blush, thinking how things have changed in just over a week. It’s only been that long since Cane and I have broken up. Is this wrong? Am I being hasty? What am I waiting for and what am I afraid of? I have to get on with my life, and if this is the first step towards doing that, I don’t see a more perfect way.

  “Sure.” I smile, shrugging my shoulders and digging my phone out of my purse. “What’s your number so I can call you?” I ask, looking at him, watching as a small smile touches the corner of his lips. Exchanging numbers with another guy, I never thought I’d be doing this.

  “Good idea,” he says as he recites his number to me so I can punch it in my phone. A few seconds later, his phone rings and he smiles. He types something and puts his cell in his back pocket. “Thanks, doll. Now that’s the second best gift I’ve gotten all night. We both know what my first one was.” He winks.

  I take a deep, calming breath and put my phone back in my purse as we walk for a couple of minutes without speaking to each other. I’m so aware of his presence, the heat of his body close to mine. I silently wonder where this is all going, if we are going anywhere. And if we are, can we get there fast? The anticipation is killing me.

  “So, what are you doing tomorrow for the fourth?” I ask nonchalantly, silently praying that he may be free. When I look at him, his haunting blue eyes are on me with a smile that makes my heart flutter and my body combust. Looking away, I try to focus on anything, but the pull he has over me is intense and I find myself looking at him again.

  “No, plans as of yet,” he answers, tilting his head to the side. “You got something in mind?” He peeks out of the corner of his eye and smiles.

  “I’d like to be your tour guide, if you’re free, to make up for my failed attempt the first night we met.”
I blush remembering how flustered I felt around him that night, and the feeling hasn’t gone away. The only thing that has changed since then is that I’m not with Cane.

  “I would be a fool to pass up an invitation from a fine-looking woman like you,” he says, looking at me thoughtfully.

  “Then it’s a date,” I reply softly. “I promise I won’t disappoint you this time.” My thoughts drift to spending more time with him, and I smile feeling the summer air caress my skin.

  “I don’t ever remember you disappointing me.” He smiles warmly. I don’t think it’s possible for you to disappoint anyone.”

  I suddenly have this urge to kiss him. I inhale and exhale one deep breath, remembering his lips lingering over mine tonight. I’m struggling to control myself, falling into an endless abyss where I don’t want to leave. I don’t comprehend this effect he has on me, but I’m not sure I will ever get tired of it and that’s what scares me. We barely know each other and the attraction is more tangible, more alive now that there’s nothing or nobody holding us back from each other.

  “I try,” I say, battling with the countless feelings and emotions for this man walking next to me that only a few short weeks ago did not even exist for me.

  “Do I make you nervous or something?” He asks, glancing down at me as he combs his fingers through his hair. The simple motion pulls the fabric of his t-shirt taut so I can see the definition of his abs and his broad chest flex enticingly. It makes me want to rip his shirt off with my teeth.

  “No.” I lie, looking away to shake the pleasant thought out of my head.

  “Good, I don’t want you to be.” He looks at me, an anxious smile spreading across his face as his eyes caress me.

  “What?” I reply, blushing. Did I just have a wardrobe malfunction? I inspect myself and confirm that everything’s in place.

  “Oh, relax. It’s not you.” He laughs softly. “Actually, it is you.” A small smile reappears on his lips making him hard to resist.

  “Me? What? I’m confused.” I reply.

  “You, you make Reed Austin nervous.” He studies me with those amazing blue eyes.

  “That’s funny.” I laugh softly. Oh my. The tingle that rushes through my body hurts so bad that I have to stop to catch my breath. I’m afraid of not taking this chance, of letting whatever I’m feeling slip away because of my past, my insecurities.

  “No, really,” he stops walking and turns to look at me, grabbing both of my hands in his. “Seriously.” His touch is so magnetic, and I want to fall into him. His eyes are so mesmerizing that I get lost in them.

  “So, you’re not as tough as you pretend to be?” I try not to crumble in front of him.

  “Oh, I’m tough,” he smirks, “but I don’t want to be tough with you.”

  I’m melting.

  “I’ve wanted nothing but to get to know you since I met you.” He takes my hands and brings them to his lips. “You do something to me, Elle. I wish I could explain it.”

  I lift my eyes, knowing he’d opened the door for me and I wasn’t just going to walk through, I was going to run and never look back. Everything that I’ve been fighting and feeling has come down to this moment. Both of us stand here emotionally naked and vulnerable, both unsure of what each of us we have been feeling until now.

  “I think I know what you’re feeling,” I step closer to him, “and I’m scared.”

  “Don’t be.” He hesitates, placing my face between his hands, caressing both of my cheeks with his thumbs. “I want to know what this is about. Don’t you?” He questions.

  “Yes.”

  “I’m going to kiss you again,” he whispers, his eyes caressing me with crazy want. He brings his arms firmly around my waist, softly pressing his lips to mine

  This is different now that we know how we feel about each other. My heart hammers inside my chest when his lips feast on mine. His lips part and his tongue brushes mine as I allow him to explore my mouth. I lock my fingers in his hair, losing myself in his powerful kiss. My body aches so badly for him as his hands travel up my back where his fingers tenderly tug my hair. I nearly come undone. We pull away breathless, our lips, our bodies wanting so much more. All I see is his deep blue eyes and his smile that I’m falling in love with. I don’t want it to end.

  “Doll, you could be my kryptonite,” he says, brushing my hair off my neck. He gently nuzzles my neck with his nose. “Never thought I’d see the day,” he whispers.

  Emotion locks up my throat and I close my eyes, giving myself a minute to absorb everything. I open my eyes as his hands caress my arms. I wrap my arms around his waist; I want to hold on to this feeling, trap it. I’ve wanted to be here for weeks. I’ve wanted to know what this was all about and here I am. Dangerous or not, this is heaven.

  My thoughts drown out the radio playing in the background. I stare out my bedroom window and think about last night, how I finally got to kiss her. I felt her curvy little body pressed up against mine when my arms wrapped around her. I remember her heart beating so fast against me. I think about all of the things that I want to do to her, imagine what her body looks and feels like under her clothes. It was more than what I’ve ever expected. Fuck, she felt perfect. I knew she would the first time I saw her. I had no doubts. Now, all I need to do is not fuck up. It’s simple if I put my mind to it, and I know I can. For her, I will. I need more of her.

  I head out into the living room that is trashed from last night’s party with empty beer cans, crushed red cups and my half-eaten birthday cake which is now hard and crusty sits on the card table. It was a good night for playing blackjack. Elle may be my good luck charm after all I think as I pick up the loose cards from the table and put them back in the box. That’s about all the cleaning I’m going to do. I’ve got a date with a gorgeous girl today.

  My phone rings as I’m getting out of the shower. I automatically know it’s Elle since I programmed my favorite song as the ringtone for her number. I don’t want to miss her calls. I wrap a towel around my waist, cross the hallway to my bedroom, and snatch the phone from my bedside table.

  Elle: RU ready?

  Reed: Ready when ur.

  Elle: Perfect. Meet me at the track 4pm. Don’t b late.

  Reed: I’ll b there.

  It takes me ten minutes to get ready. I throw on a pair of blue jeans and a white t-shirt and I’m ready to go. I’m always fairly punctual, but I had to leave my messy apartment early because I was wearing a path in the floors. I keep trying to figure out exactly what the hell this girl does to me and now I am pacing back and forth on the grass. Oh fuck! I see her from across the track. Watching her, I hold my breath. She’s wearing a short red dress today. God, I love the fourth of July. Red, white, blue, and Elle. I don’t know what I’m doing, but I’m going to take this chance.

  “Hi. Sorry I’m late.” She smiles shyly pulling her hair off to the side. She has no idea what she’s doing to me right now, and it makes me want her even more.

  “Five minutes is not late.” I smile, flicking my eyes to her lips when she pulls her bottom lip between her teeth. I want to be a gentleman even though I clearly have other ideas. I decide to give her a kiss on the cheek even though we shared more than that last night. Damn, she smells good. Sweet, like vanilla. What the hell? I’ve never acted this way before. “You look great today,” I say, watching her cheeks get a little red. I love red, especially on her.

  “Thank you, so do you.” Her hazel eyes sparkle when she smiles. I can’t take my eyes off her lips. I kind of wish I had kissed her there instead.

  “So, where is my tour guide taking me today?” I step toward her extending my arm so she can loop hers through mine. When she does, my heart rate goes through the roof. Just a little. Kinda. I can’t quite explain it. I just know that it feels good.

  “Well, you haven’t truly experienced Boston without enduring the public transportation system.” She pauses and grins. “Have you been?” She points down the street to where a green train is pulling up
and a large crowd of people begins boarding.

  “No, ma’am.” I smile down at her. “No trains to speak of in Texas. Just horses and cows.” I wink.

  She laughs. “Good, because you’re in for a wild ride.” She takes my hand, and we run towards the first stop on what I think is going to be a killer tour with the hottest tour guide I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.

  The weather in Boston is hot and humid, but I am prepared with plenty of water and sun block. We manage to secure a spot under a tree to set up our blanket and then walk the path beside the Charles River before the fireworks show begins. The setting sun reflects off the river, coloring the sky in varying hues of pink, and a soft breeze drifts over the water. I try not to think of the last time Cane and I were here to watch fireworks. I knew this was going to be tough.

  I point out some of the landmarks along the way like the Salt and Pepper Bridge and the Museum of Science, but Reed doesn’t seem to be paying much attention. Every time I look over, his eyes remain glued on me, causing me to lose focus and stumble over my words.

  My eyes connect with Cane’s across the path. He is walking in the opposite direction with a girl with long brown hair pulled back in a ponytail. He smiles, running his fingers through his hair, then frowns when he notices that I’m walking with Reed. This was bound to happen, but I didn’t want it to be today while I was with Reed. I wish I were alone; better yet, I wish I wasn’t here at all.

  I’m unable to find my voice, not sure how to react, feeling so many emotions running through me. I want to cry. I want to hide. I’m pissed that he’s already spending time with another girl. I’m out with Reed, but I didn’t cheat and break his heart. Shouldn’t he be suffering a little more for his sins? I wonder if all the words he said that night meant anything at all, if I really meant anything to him.