Fallen for Her: Book 2 (2 page)

~ Ella ~

“It was a beautiful day.” Ella said as she slipped into the Honda.

“I don’t want to go home.” Ray smiled.

“Me either.” Ella murmured glancing at him.  He had that little smirk again and she was beginning to like it.  His eyes sparkled with mischief. 

“I can’t stop smiling.” Ray said.  “This was just so fun and relaxing.  I’d love to rent this place for a fishing trip.  Would you consider that?” 

“Sure, we can talk about it.” Ella replied, wondering if he was really into fishing or if he was trying to come back for another reason.  She started the long drive back, glancing at the time.  It was almost Noon and she knew his train left sometime around 4:00 PM.  There would be no lingering on the way back.  Maybe a rest stop, or two, but quick ones.

She wondered if Ray was dreaming about her and the passionate kiss last night in the kitchen.  More than one kiss, really.  It was a series of kisses. He stirred something in her.  It was as if a shot of electricity ran though her fingertips when she touched his well-formed bicep.  She had never felt that with Bob.  She wanted Bob to kiss her like that so she would feel electricity.  But, Bob seemed to always be in a hurry.  Ray was laid back and was definitely a guy who took his time, paid attention to details.  She wondered if he was like that in the bedroom when making love.

There was something so masculine about Ray.  He wasn’t concerned about the latest suits or which power couple to latch onto.  His priorities seemed so different than Bob’s.  Everything she observed about Ray told her he was nothing like Bob.  Ray was manly, funny, sexy, and she couldn’t get the image of him out of her mind.  Although Ray probably didn’t know it, Ella was intrigued by her helpful attorney with gentlemanly ways.  She looked forward to getting to know him better on the long journey home.

Ray got into the front seat with her and held Boomer tenderly.  Ella watched him with the puppy; he embraced Boomer as if he wanted to keep him.

“What time does your train leave?” She asked.

“If I’m at the station at 4:15, I’ll make it.” Ray’s eyes met hers for a moment and she thought about how gallant he was to stop kissing her last night when she placed her hand upon his chest.  Most guys would have been more aggressive.  She had given him the opportunity, but he didn’t take it. 
That made her like him even more.  She knew she could trust him.  It was the ultimate test.

“I wish I could somehow miss that train.” Ray said softly.  “I’m in no rush to get back to the city.”

Ella smiled, “I don’t want to be responsible for you getting into trouble with your superiors at the firm.”

Driving home with Ray along the wilderness road was like taking a five-year-old to Disney World; he was in awe of everything and not afraid to ask questions or express his excitement.  He gasped with delight when he got a peek at a moose walking along the logging road before they got to the highway.  He seemed fascinated with the Osprey nests and caught sight of a magnificent bald eagle.

~ Ray ~

He was already confessing his deepest secrets to Ella.  He didn’t want to go back to the city.  Even though he knew it was necessary, he felt like a petulant child at the moment.  He wanted to be with Ella, meet her friends, and just stay with her.  Forever. 

“I suppose you want to know what the property is worth.” Ray said in his attorney’s voice. 

“I don’t really care,” Ella whispered. “I would never sell it.”

“I don’t blame you.  It’s a little slice of paradise, especially with you there.”  He let that slip out and noticed she didn’t respond right away. 
Idiot, why are you laying your cards on the table like this?  She has the ability to rip your heart out.

“I know.  You’re right.  It is paradise.  I will go there often.  It’s where I spent the most time with my father, often alone.  My mother didn’t like it.  Too rustic for her taste.  Her idea of camping is slow room service.”  Ella smiled.

Good, she didn’t seem to notice he was swooning over her, making a complete fool of himself.  But Ray had a surge of uncertainty run through him.  Most likely, Bob would not let her go easily.  He was rich, handsome, powerful, and now he had a beautiful heiress.  Why would any man in his right mind let her go?

Ray continued interrogating Ella, as he slipped into lawyer-mode asking questions about how she met Bob.  But he noticed she answered each question without feeling.  Her tone was matter-of-fact.  She explained how her dad introduced them.  Bob was a member of the country club and golfed with John Wakefield.  Bob was ten years older than Ella and to hear her describe it, their courtship was brief but intense.  However, in Ray’s estimation, the guy hounded her until she gave in.  He sounded like a self-aggrandizing ass to him.  Especially when Ella mentioned Bob’s fishing trip with her father and how he suggested tearing down the place and building a new structure there.  Her tone let him know that she found that suggestion insensitive.

The most telling part of the conversation was when he asked Ella about her life with Bob.  Were they engaged? 
He felt he couldn’t stop himself, even if he wanted to
. 
Her answer about being engaged or contemplating marriage stunned him.  Ella talked about Bob more as if he was a roommate rather than a lover.  But, she did speak fondly of him. 
Maybe he had a chance
. 

Those words told Ray all he needed to know.  There were small cracks in the relationship.  It was just as he suspected, a one way relationship where Ella did most of the giving and Bob did most of the taking.  He suspected it was already over, but could sense she wasn’t convinced of that just yet. 

Ella drove straight through only stopping at a gas station to use the bathroom and let Boomer outside.  Ray went into the rest room, too.  As he washed his hands he looked at his blurry reflection in the fluorescent lighting.  He couldn’t imagine why she kissed him.  He was just an ordinary guy.  She could have anyone.  But he knew there was something there; call it a spark of raw desire.  He didn’t want to lose that spark.  He had just put Ella through the wringer with his probing questions and felt a bit guilty about that.  He stepped outside and she was pumping gas into the car.  He approached her and she smiled, “All set?”

“Ella, I’m sorry about all of the questions about Bob.  That is really none of my business.” Ray said sincerely.  He stooped down to pick up Boomer.  “I’m just concerned about your best interests.  No, that’s not the full truth.  I’m concerned about you and your peace of mind.”

She stopped and looked into his eyes for a long moment.  “I know you are, Ray.  I don’t mind your questions.  But, when we get back in the car, it’s my turn.”  She winked.  He breathed a sigh of relief.

~ Ella ~

“Two more hours of driving,” Ella laughed.  “Here’s a cold bottle of water.  I’m thirsty, you must be, too.”  She looked into Ray’s dark eyes and knew she didn’t want to drop him off at the train station.  She didn’t want him to go back to New York City any more than he did.  But, she couldn’t verbalize that.  It wouldn’t be appropriate.  But, he was still a man of mystery and Ella wanted to engage him in a personal conversation about his life.  As the Honda pulled onto the highway, Ella began her question and answer session with him.

“So, you live alone in New York?”  She started.  She knew she’d have to work to get bits of information.

“I hang out with some guys from law school.  Most of them are married.  We watch sports at a local bar sometimes.  I work at Tony’s on some Friday and Saturday nights as a bartender.  The regulars show up, but once in a while the night can get a bit wild in there.” Ray spoke candidly.  I have some long-time friends there, too.

“No girl friends?” Ella inquired. 

“There’s a few dates here and there, nothing serious.” Ray replied.

Ella tried to gauge the level of truth in that statement.  He seemed to be sending her a message without coming right out and saying it; he was lonely.  She found it hard to believe that he had no love life.  She imagined working in a bar where there were plenty of attractive women checking him out.  And, he was, after all, a good looking guy, in a rugged manly sort of way.  But it wasn’t just the outside that drew her to him.  There was an intensity inside, a core of strength wrapped in tenderness.  There was a loving heart inside this battered masculine guy that he allowed her to see this weekend.  She had a feeling not everyone saw this side of him. 

“Well, you were a perfect gentleman all weekend,” Ella said, “And, I am glad you stayed an extra night to go through father’s estate.  You made a difficult situation comfortable.  I feel like I’ve known you for a long time. And you found Boomer.”  She felt she might start crying unexpectedly again.  They were getting close to the train station now.  She was envisioning shaking Ray’s hand and saying goodbye to this stranger who had been so empathetic with her during one of the worst times of her life.  She swallowed hard.  For a moment she didn’t want to think about saying goodbye to Ray.

A million things were going through her mind.  Bob would be back tomorrow.  There’d be an argument about the puppy.  But, he would be in a good mood about the new client he picked up.  And, he’d probably want to go to dinner at the country club. 

“A penny for your thoughts,” Ray whispered, bringing her back to the moment.

“Oh, just thinking about Bob coming home from his trip,” Ella stated, “Sometimes he’s in a good mood if he’s landed a new client.  But, he’ll be upset when he finds out about Boomer.  I was just wondering how this will play out.  I never know what mood he will be in.”

“How could anyone be in a bad mood with you?” Ray asked half-joking.  Ella felt him staring at her in disbelief.  “I’m sorry, Ella, but you’re a wonderful person.  I can’t imagine coming home to you and letting anything put me in a bad mood.”

Ella felt her face heating up and she knew she was blushing.  Not from the kind words Ray showered upon her but it was the heat of a long simmering anger.  She knew he was right.  She shouldn’t have to tip-toe around Bob’s moods.  Walking on eggshells was getting on her nerves sometimes.  But, then once in a while, Bob could be considerate and sweet.  It’s just that the pendulum swung both ways and she couldn’t predict what was coming. 

“Thanks, Ray.” She muttered. 

She pulled into the train station at Portland and Ray took his gear out of the Honda.  Ella slipped the leash on Boomer.  The puppy was happy to be outside again.

“I’ll walk into the station with you and wait for the train.” She offered.

~ Ray ~

As they stood on the platform waiting for the train, Ray focused on Ella as she held Boomer in her arms.  He wanted to remember the image and didn’t know if she’d be comfortable if he took a photo with his phone.  But then he figured:  nothing ventured, nothing gained. 

“Would you mind if I took a photo of you with Boomer?” Ray asked, trying not to sound like he was crazy about her.

Ella was gracious in her response.  “Sure you can, Ray.  He is, after all, your namesake!” 

Ray snapped a couple of photos with his iPhone.  Then he got creative and set up his iPad with the timer and took a photo of the three of them sitting on the bench outside the train station.  Ella probably had no idea how much he would treasure these.

“Thanks,” Ray looked into her beautiful hazel-green eyes in the waning sunlight.  “You are so beautiful, Ella.”  He slipped.  He let her know.  But, he made a quick recovery, “I’ll send these to you on Facebook.”

She didn’t respond for a moment, unless you count blushing as a response.  “Thanks, Ray.” 

He wanted more than anything to kiss her.  She was standing so close, holding Boomer in her arms, and he was rubbing the puppy’s ears.  He could smell her scent.  It wasn’t perfume, but the scent of a woman, raw and sexy.  No man-made perfume could match that.  But instead of kissing her, he extended his hand.  The train was pulling into the station.  Ella’s warm hand in his felt wonderful and he held hers way too long.  When her eyes met his it was as if she was pleading with him to stay.  He knew there was something there, but she would not communicate it to him.  Not verbally, anyway. 

He walked to the train and found a window seat.  Ella remained standing with Boomer in her arms.  It was exactly 4:15 and the train began moving.  He waved to her from the window.  She waved back and was smiling.  Within a minute she was just a blur on the horizon.  And the train picked up speed and hurtled toward New York.  Oh, the thought of going back to his mundane life after meeting Ella did not appeal to him.  He knew he could draw this estate paperwork out longer and planned to do so.  He would find another excuse to come to Maine to meet with her.  He tapped the iPad and looked at the photos.  They had only been taken ten minutes ago, but already caused his heart to ache as he gazed upon them.