“Angela?”
Her eyes lifted to Haven’s. “Yes, do you need anything?”
“How are you?”
“Coping. Trying to get through the day.”
Haven nodded. “That’s a tall order for all of us. I thought Ellis gave everyone the rest of this week off?”
“He did. But, I’ve worked for the McKenna’s for the past twenty years. I was here when his parent’s died, when his grandfather died, and now his grandmother. Ellis might seem like he’s not about to fall apart, but I’ve known that young man since he was sixteen. I won’t leave him alone.”
Haven’s eyes watered. “Right.” Her throat was thick. “Can you do me a favor?”
“Sure.”
“I’m going back to my apartment for a couple of hours. Can you call me if anything changes with him before I get back?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you.”
She started to walk away, but Angela called out to her. “Haven?”
She turned. “Yes?”
“Bertha loved you very much. She knew she could leave Ellis in your care and that he would be just fine.”
Her smile was shaky. “Thank you for that.” Angela returned her smile with a sad one of her own and then she continued to go about her usual daily activities.
Haven could only hope to have people in her life that loyal and love her the way they did Bertha McKenna.
Several hours later, she returned, but Ellis had already left. Haven didn’t make it back in time.
*****
Ellis was freshly shaven and had put on one of his grandmother’s favorite suit. He dressed as if she were still alive. The maître d sat him at their usual table at her favorite restaurant, Sonny’s.
The opposite chair was reserved for her, and it sat empty. This was the first time he’d dined on Valentine’s Day without his grandmother in the past ten years. Even last year, he spent the evening on the phone with her.
He wasn’t sure if he would make it past the waitress taking his drink order. The pain in his chest was so big, Ellis thought he would drown in it.
A soft hand touched his shoulder. He looked up to stare into a pair of soft brown eyes. They were glassy like his. “I know your rule about taking anyone but your grandmother out for Valentine’s Day. So, I figured I’d make a reservation for myself. My table is right behind yours. I’ll sit right there behind you. I won’t say a word, and I won’t leave you here alone.”
Slowly, he nodded, and Haven took her seat. Then after a few moments, Ellis stood and took a couple of steps to stand directly in front of her. He stretched out his hand, she placed hers in it and stood.
Without saying a word, Ellis pulled Haven along. They walked out into the lobby where Ellis went up to the front desk. “I’d like one of your VIP suites.” He passed the front desk clerk a unique card reserved for special clients like him, and after a few clicks on the computer, Ellis was given a keycard.
He turned to Haven. His gaze was intense. “I need you.”
Haven’s breath was caught in her throat. She couldn’t speak, so she just nodded. She was willing to give Ellis everything.
This was one of the most turbulent times in her life, and in this moment she realized, she was falling in love with him.
Haven let him guide her to the elevator.
Once inside, they used the keycard to gain access to the Presidential floors and the rooms there. Ellis didn’t try to kiss her once while they were in the elevator. He only continued to hold her hand.
When they reached their floor, the ‘ding’ was especially loud because they were so quiet. After it opened, he moved to the side and allowed Haven to get off first, then walked out behind her.
Haven’s heart was beating a mile a minute because she knew this time there weren’t going to be any interruptions.
They finally made it to their room, and Ellis used his special key to open the door. The moment it closed behind them, he had Haven up against the door capturing her mouth in a fiery kiss. It was filled with pent up desire, pain, grief, and so much more.
His hands were all over her. Even though she basked in his touch, Haven remembered this feeling well after the loss of her child—only Dylan wasn’t there for her.
She knew Ellis’ raw need to feel connected, to feel alive. Haven had wanted their first time to be different, but at this moment, she didn’t care. Haven only wanted to soothe his soul and hers. She was also saddened by the loss of Ms. McKenna.
Ellis grabbed the hem of her dress and Haven lifted her arms so that he could pull it up and over her head. He tossed it somewhere across the room.
She stood in only a lace bra and panty.
Ellis backed up to let his eyes feast on her for a moment. As his hot gaze traveled her body, he spoke as if talking to himself. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” Their eyes locked when he brought them back to hers.
He reached for her and Haven came willingly into his arms. As if she were the most precious thing in the world, Ellis laid her gently onto the center of the bed. Then, he took off his clothes.
Haven swallowed at the sight of a completely naked Ellis McKenna. His entire body was chiseled. There literally wasn’t an ounce of fat on the man.
