“When do you start at your dad’s company?” I switched to a safe topic of conversation. I wasn’t ready to talk about the relationship with Ella and I just yet. I didn’t want to jinx it.
“I’ve got two weeks to party hard before he ropes me in.”
“It’s about time, you lazy bum. You’ve lived the rich kid’s life for far too long, spending your father’s fortune and charming the ladies.”
“Haha, funny guy. You’re just relieved I’ll be too busy to steal your girl.”
“Keep dreaming you reprobate; she’s mine.”
After breakfast, Fabio and I headed our separate ways. I called Ella when I got home.
“Hi, beautiful. Wanna go for a drive?” I asked when she answered.
“Hey, handsome. Are your intentions honorable?”
“Hell no! Get ready and I’ll fetch you in fifteen.”
Her laughter was infectious. “Ready when you are.”
I hung up, grabbed my car keys, and headed for the door. The butterflies in my stomach were more like hornets. Toughen up you big girl! You’ve been in love before. Was that what was happening? Could I possibly be in love so soon? It wouldn’t surprise me if I were. Ella was something else.
ELEANORA
I was dancing on air. The sound of Joe’s voice sent a charge down my thighs. I hoped I wasn’t being too easy. For once, my hardass approach had deserted me, left me stranded with nothing but googly eyes and a throbbing desire.
The doorbell rang and I galloped down the stairs like a gazelle escaping a hunter. I opened the door to the most handsome creature that ever walked the face of the earth—to me anyway.
“Hi, gorgeous girl. You look stunning, as always.” He smiled at me, his eyes wandering up and down my body. My sex clenched and blood raced to my breasts.
“Well, well, if it isn’t Aquaman. Do I need my swimsuit?”
He chuckled as he grabbed me around my waist and planted a dizzying kiss on my lips.
“Better we get out of here before I ravage you in the doorway.”
He took my hand as we walked to his red Ferrari, a babe magnet for sure.
“Where are you taking me, handsome?”
“It’s a surprise. Just sit back and enjoy the wind in your hair.” He smiled at me and put his hand on my thigh. We pulled up into the car park of the botanical gardens. Joe opened the trunk of the car and took out a basket.
“How about a picnic among the flowers, my flower?”
“And to think that I was convinced that you weren't cheesy” I laughed.
“Ouch! That hurt. Wait ‘til I get you onto the picnic blanket, young lady.”
The gardens were magnificent. I was blown away that Joe would bring me to such a lovely place.
“So, you do pay attention when a girl talks” I said.
“You’re not just any girl, now, are you, my gorgeous?” He put down the basket and opened the blanket. “Have a seat, princess. Would you like a glass of Franciacorta?”
“Seduction and bubbles, goody. Yes, please. What else do you have hidden in that basket, Mr. Wolf?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know, Red?”
He pulled out two crystal glasses and a tray filled with cheese, Felino, pickles, and biscuits. This guy was a keeper.
“If your plan is to win me over with food and bubbly, you’re in luck. I happen to love food.”
“Perhaps you can cook for me sometime? It’s a requirement if you want to be my girlfriend.”
“You chauvinist!” I laughed as I threw a biscuit at him. “This is the 70s—you should be cooking for me.”
He ate the biscuit and grinned.
“Your girlfriend, hey?” I asked, as he propped himself up on his one arm.
“If you ask me nicely, I’ll let you be my girlfriend.”
“If you ask me nicely, I’ll say yes.”
He moved closer to me, sat on his knees, and said “Ella, my beautiful flower, would you be my girlfriend . . . please?”
“Are you interviewing me for the chef’s position?” I smiled at him.
“Two birds, one stone . . .” He giggled.
“Well, in that case, yes. I’d love to be your chef.”
“Oh, yay, a chef with benefits!” Joe reached out and touched my cheek with his strong hand. He moved closer and kissed me softly on my lips. That’s it . . . if I die now, I die a happy woman.
JOE
My nerves were shot by the time she’d said yes to being my girlfriend. The idea of her turning me down had me sweating bullets. The picnic was amazing. Ella was her usual witty, jolly self. The girl drove me nuts.
After lunch, we drove up to the mountains for a walk. Monte Pellegrino was almost as breathtakingly beautiful as my Ella. The view of the Mediterranean sea from the path we were hiking along was spectacular. We walked along the trail to the top of the peak. Ella turned to me, and with her cobalt eyes, stared into my soul. She wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me on my lips. I melted as her hips pressed into me.
There was no point in trying to hide my arousal. In fact, I was proud of the way my body reacted to her touch. She was mine and I was hers. We celebrated our love on the mountain, losing ourselves in each other’s embrace. Her body was heavenly, and her eyes captivated my soul. Ella was the one—I knew it.
After a few weeks of blissful lovemaking and stimulating conversation, Ella invited me to dinner to meet her parents. It was a big deal so I was nervous. I arrived at their front door with flowers for her mother and a bottle of whiskey for her father. Ella
