Take it Deep (Take 2) (16 page)

“I missed you calling me that,
” he chuckles. 

I always used to think he got a bit miffed when I called him a big lummox, so I was surprised he said that.  I was about to tell him that I’m always here for him when Jessie and Cindy returned to the table.
 

“Everything ok
ay?  Do you want us to leave you another five minutes?” 

Cindy looked concerned and I smiled at her.  “No,
it’s fine, we just had a little chat that’s all.  It’s all good now, isn’t it, Matthew?”  I look at him for reassurance and he nods his head smiling at Cindy.  She relaxes a little, but still looks worried.  I love the fact that she is so concerned over him.  She obviously loves him very much.  Matthew can decide what he wants to tell her later, but at least for now I’ve said my peace.  I’m happy to hear that Jake’s life will be made easier now with Matthew towing the line a bit.

We walk to the car park and I move in for a hug with Matthew.  “Thank you for coming out with me tonight and bringing Cindy with you.  She’s a lovely girl, Matthew.  Make sure you take care of her.” 

He tightens his hold.  “Don’t worry, I fully intend to.”
 

I pull away and look at him.  “You know, you’re welcome over at any time.  I miss you
, too and I want you to know that I’m just a phone call away, or a twenty minute drive if ever you need me.”  He nods his head and I pat his face.  I give Cindy a big hug and she eagerly hugs me back. 

I turn back to Matthew remembering his birthday. 
“Listen, I definitely want to see you on Thursday at some point.  I have a little something for your birthday.  Would it be possible if you can come round?” 

I hope he doesn’t ask for me to come to him as that would mean being in the same house as Jake
.  I certainly don’t need that now after the blunder I made earlier. 

“Sure
thing.  I can pop round about six, is that okay?” 

I smile, “Perfect.”

Chapter 15

I was so glad wh
en the following Saturday came around.  In the week leading up, I had done my graph and presentation, gave Matthew his presents—which he was thrilled about, and set about trying to avoid any situations which involved Jake and I being alone. 

All had gone quiet with Alan and I was starting to feel a little better about that.  Maybe he got bored and decided to leave me alone.  At least, that’s what I
had hoped. 

Michael did find a
lead to an apartment in Reston but by the time they got there, he was gone.  I think he knew people were onto him so decided to flee.  I should imagine he’s hiding now and that’s good for me because at least I’m being left alone.

My mu
m—or should I say auntie—paid me a surprise visit on Wednesday to let me know that she had been in touch with the father of her baby.  It turned out that he had been searching for her ever since, and was quite happy about the news that he was going to be a dad.  I was quite surprised at that.  It’s not the normal reaction when a woman turns up at your doorstep out of the blue, and announces that she’s carrying your child. 

She asked me how I was doing and t
hen got on the subject of Jake—which I felt very uncomfortable about.  She noticed of course and asked me if there was anything I should tell her, but I denied it.  There was no point now after what’s been going on, and I still had that raw memory of what she said to me that day in Jessie’s kitchen.  That was something I would find hard to ever forgive her for. 

The flowers and stars still kept coming for me
—much to Jessie’s annoyance.  I got some Forget-Me-Nots, which I think speak for themselves, some pink Geraniums, which mean comfort, Hyacinth’s, which mean sincerity and the last bunch I got yesterday were lilac syringa’s, which means first love.  That was a hard one to take. He was trying to tell me I was his first love and of course who wouldn’t be happy to know that?  I had star jewelry hanging from every nook and cranny on my body and I must admit, I loved his tenacity.

Jessie and I took the hour’s drive to Fredericksburg and I was pleasantly surprised with the hotel.  We got there earlier than everyone else just so Jessie could keep herself busy with the
organizing of it. It turned out that thirty-four people were due to come tonight, so I was highly impressed with Jessie’s powers of persuasion.  It would normally be very difficult to get people to drive all this way just for an event.  There seems to be a lot more males than females going, but I think it has something to do with the fact that Jessie managed to hire a couple of pole dancers for the evening.  I’m actually looking forward to them showing me some moves, and who knows, once I get some drinks down me and get brave, I may even try a little manoeuvre myself.

The hotel itself was very nice.  It didn’t look very old and you could tell the owner had put careful consideration into every single detail.  It looked modern and I always think modern looks clean and sleek.
 

When we got
to the counter to check-in my jaw nearly dropped at the sight of this gorgeous man in a very expensive black suit.  He had a crisp white shirt that hugged his beautiful masculine physique.  His hair was dark brown and slightly wavy.  He had stubble, but that only added to his charm.  His lips were pouty—in fact, I think they were wasted on him.  What a woman wouldn’t give to have pouty lips like that.  He had olive skin, which lead me to believe he was maybe Italian or Spanish descent.  I looked toward Jessie standing next to me and she mouthed the words, “Oh my fucking God.” 

I couldn’t help but chuckle and the noise alerted the sexy beast standing only a few feet away.  He smiled showing his beautiful white teeth and I think Jessie and I nearly fainted.  Wow, he was super hot.  His eyes were like
the color of caramel candy. 

The lady behind the desk smiled sweetly at the stranger and handed him his card.  “There you are Mr
Belatoni, you will be staying in the Presidential Suite, courtesy of Mr Davenport.  Is there anything else I can do for you today?” 

My goodness, the girl was pr
actically drooling the words, ‘Take me now’ to him.  I think I could safely say that I was right on the assumption that he is of Italian descent, although his accent was American. 

“No, that’s ok
ay.  Thank you.”  He turned his head toward us and put his two fingers up to his forehead to salute us.  “Ladies,” he practically purred, and off he went.

The receptionist was all in a fluster by the time she had to deal with us.

“Wow, who was Mr Sex on Legs there?” Jessie asked.

“That was our highly regard
ed VIP client.  He’s staying here on business with the owner, but I always find it so difficult to deal with him because he’s so hot.”  Her face flushed and she smiled at us in embarrassment.  “Sorry, that was unprofessional of me.” 

Jessie waved her hand.  “You’re only telling the truth girl, don’t be sorry about that.  He w
as damn fine.”  We all start giggling like teenage girls, as the Receptionist tried her best to check us in.

Once Jessie and I found our rooms, we parted ways so that
Jessie could get on with doing what she does best.  The room was very spacious for a hotel and decorated in creams and silvers.  The sheets were soft and the towels thick and fluffy.  I sat, mind wandering for a moment about what it would be like to have Jake staying here with me.  I think we would end up waking up the whole hotel, which would never be a good thing.  I’m not normally very vocal in bed, but Jake has me practically screaming his name whenever he’s inside me.  The thought made my toes curl in anticipation.  I had to snap out of this and fast.  I still had a few hours to go until the event, so I decided to take a walk around the hotel and check out the facilities. 

I got down the Reception when I noticed Michael checking in. 
“Hey, Michael, nice to see you.”  I came up close to him and kissed him on the cheek. 

“Hi
, Ana, I’ve just finished checking in.  Do you want to meet me in the bar in five minutes and I’ll buy you a drink?” 

I was suddenly glad of the company.
  I don’t relish my own for very long, so I was happy that Michael was here to talk to. 

“Yes, that would be great.  I’ll see you in five.”

I took the five minutes to look around the hotel a little.  I noticed that there was an indoor pool and Jacuzzi which both looked inviting.  A flash of Jake and I in the Jacuzzi sent my heart racing.  How far things have come from that point in time.  I was so blissfully happy then, thinking of what our futures held together.  I felt a little knot in my stomach and realized it was because I missed him so much.  The pain of not having him near me at times was unbearable, and this was one of those times.  I must have been in my own little world as the voice behind startled me. 

“Senorita, why so sad?”
 

I jumped and swung roun
d to find a half naked Italian God in front of me.  Jesus, he was even sexier in the flesh. 

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.  You just looked so unhappy.” 

I smiled and he showed me those perfect white teeth of his.  “That’s okay, thank you.  I’m just a mess at the moment with a bad break-up.  I’m hoping my birthday bash later will cheer me up a little.” 

He throws his towel over his shoulder and it is very hard to know where to look.
 

“Happy B
irthday.  I hope you enjoy it, and I’m sorry to hear about your break-up.  I personally think the man’s a fool.” 

Wow, if there had been no Jake in my life, this guy would have been getting my number
for sure.  I couldn’t believe my own voice in my head.  I’m not like that and never had been.

“Thank you.  It was actually my
birthday a couple of weeks ago, but my friend wanted to organize this get together here.  It was the perfect time for a lot of people to attend you see.” 

He nods for a minute deep in thought.
  “Well, I happen to know the owner personally and I’m sure you will have a great night.” 

He puts his hand out to me
to shake.  “I’m Luca Belatoni, by the way.” 

I take his hand
and shake it noticing his lovely firm grip.  “Ana Sinclair.  Nice to meet you.” 

He motions to the swimming pool, “Well, I better get some lengths in.  I have some boring meetings to attend to later
, so a good swim beforehand is just the thing I need to help me think.  I hope you have a great evening.” 

I nod my head and back away.  “Thank you and enjoy your swim.”  I turn away and head toward the bar are
a before my feet decide to jump in that pool after him.  Wow, he was hot.

Michael was already
sitting at the bar waiting for me when I walked in.  I didn’t realize I had been away that long. 

“Sorry
, Michael.  Have you been waiting a long time?  I took a little stroll around the hotel and I must have lost track of the time.”  I take a seat opposite him and smile apologetically. 

“It’s ok
ay, Ana.  I just got here.” 

A waiter decides to approach our table and asked us what we wou
ld like to drink.  Michael chooses a beer and I went for an orange juice.  I didn’t want to be drinking so soon yet.  I was planning on saving that for later. 

“So, how have you been
, Ana?  I haven’t seen much of you lately.” 

“I’ve been keeping myself busy.  I’ve been running a lot with my
neighbour, Brian and having lots of girly nights in with Jessie.  That’s about it really in a nutshell.  How about you?  What have you been up to?”

A smile
is raised to his lips.  “I met a girl actually.  She will be here later.” 

I suddenly felt elated by
this news.  I didn’t like the thought of Michael—as handsome as he is—being alone.  “Michael, that’s brilliant news, what's her name?” 

The drinks are provided swiftly and I take a sip of my juice. 

“Her name is Lisa.  She lives only a couple of doors away from me.  We always say hello to each other and make small talk.  I didn’t even realize that she liked me until last week when we said our normal greetings, and she stopped me so that we could talk.  She told me that she had been trying to pluck up the courage for ages to ask me out, but that she had hoped I would do it first.  I was quite shocked, but of course I felt flattered, as she is rather beautiful.” 

I frowned, “Well, why didn’t you make the first move?” 

He takes a swig of his beer and sets it down.  “I don’t like to admit it, Ana, but I’m shy.  It’s hard for me to approach women just in case I get knocked back.  When I was in school, I was kind of dorky.  I had braces very young and didn’t mix well with people.  I tried asking a girl out once and she laughed at me.  I think it left a scar, as I’ve never been able to ask a girl out properly since then from fear of rejection.” 

That story sounded awful.  Whoever this girl was, she needed a good kick in the ass.  Michael was beautiful inside and out.  He should never have to worry about asking a woman out.  It makes me sad to think of all the missed opportunities he’s had over the years if this is how he felt.  Some people are so cruel and I bet she didn’t care to
realize that what she did was the catalyst that started his romantic life from that moment on.  What a bitch.