Chapter 41
Forty-One
VIOLET
It's been a few days since what I believe was an unproductive conversation about our relationship changes.
What I hoped would be a talk about boundaries and rules, like deciding how much time to spend together in a week, when to have sex, when to kiss, etcetera, ended up being an agreement to date each other.
I've been trying to calm my questions and keep them to myself to try this whole "let's let it all happen naturally" thing, but it's hard. The flashes of insecurity and jealousy that jolt me out of our group chat bother me.
I'd love for this to feel completely equal between the four of us, but it doesn't. Maybe that's because I'm subconsciously holding back, while Jamie seems to just take the flirting in stride and give as good as he gets.
Now don't get me wrong, I'm a very sexual person, but this is completely new territory for me. I think I've done decently well in keeping my concerns to myself even though we agree communication is key.
Sometimes I just need time to figure things out on my own, so I'm not that worried. Part of figuring things out is following their lead.
Which is why I'm clicking through photos on my camera at the nightclub I take images for while waiting for Ellis. He texted me separately yesterday asking if I was free. I wasn't. At the time, I was at the hair salon accepting apologies from the manager for her teasing remarks a few weeks ago.
I had some edits to do and emails to catch up on, so Ellis had to wait for our date. Which is why he’s meeting me at the club for a drink and a chat after work.
Date. I can't believe after all these years I'm finally going on a date with Ellis Perry.
Work has helped keep my mind off of some stuff, like wondering if Jamie has people watching me. I should feel weird about that, and I do, but I have to admit it makes me feel safer when I walk from my car to my destination. I wonder if I'll get to thank Bash someday.
Too many things...
I'm so darn nervous my knee hasn't stopped bouncing.
The bartender gave me a water and a lemon drop to calm my nerves, which I appreciate.
He's handsome, and I may have given him the time of day if Jamie hadn't made it clear last year that I was his and no bartender was allowed to bother me for my cell number.
I was pissed for a while after that because who the hell was Jamie to decide who I spent my time with? Of course, I got over it because the thought of undoing the claim he forced on me here made me feel sad.
So I left it, and the sexy bartenders have left me be. My artistic focus tonight has been on the wall of liquor and neon lights, so I've carved out my small corner. Now I'm waiting.
It's an awesome club, but it's nowhere near as kick ass as the club my mama works at. She mainly manages security for the young bartenders now because that place has only skyrocketed in popularity.
"I'm surprised you aren't surrounded." Ellis' voice warms me before his heat does. Behind me, his chest presses against my back, and his arms bracket me as his hands land on the counter outside of mine.
Turning toward him so he can hear me over the thumping music, I explain. "Jamie's fault. I'm not to be approached when I'm working."
Ellis' laughter in my ear makes me shiver delightfully. He presses a light kiss to the side of my neck and shifts to sit on the stool next to me. "I'll thank him for that later," he teases with a wink.
The reminder of his own relationship with Jamie sends an uncomfortable feeling through me for a second before it's gone. "Jamie and I actually met right here." I tap my finger on the bar.
"No way, really? So he was one in a long line of men who tried to get your attention?" Ellis looks genuinely interested in this story, so I tell him about how Jamie spilt his drink close to my camera and apologized profusely, then proved himself to me with the highest orgasm count in one night.
"Three doesn't sound like a lot, but it is for me." Blushing, I scold myself for sharing that piece of information.
Ellis leans closer to me and kisses the side of my neck again. His rumbly whisper in my ear makes me melt. "Challenge accepted, angel."
Rapidly shaking my head, I deny his claim. "I'm not an angel. Don't call me that."
Ignoring my protest, Ellis looks down at my camera. "Tell me about this beauty."
His question lights me up from the inside out. "Oh! I love her so much. She does all my work. Very dynamic and flexible with my needs. I don't need other lenses on my hikes since I prefer to use my feet to get closer to the view and vision I want to capture."
Ellis watches me gush over my camera like he's mesmerized. "What do you like most about it?"
"This style fits my minimalistic needs. I don't want a flashy camera that takes extra time to set up. Enjoying my job is my main goal, and this one helps me do that."
Ellis nods, seeming to really soak in my words. I appreciate his curiosity about my camera. I've always been passionate about creating content, and he knows that. The fact that he wants to know more about how I adapted to my hangups means the world to me.
"What kind of pictures do you take on your hikes?" He hasn't even motioned for a drink. Ellis is completely locked in on me, making me feel special and important.
Excited to tell him without showing him, I dive into my love of thrill. "Cliffs are my favorite, but from the top. I lie on my stomach and capture the image from the top. Sometimes I can get a really trippy depth that makes the viewer feel like they're falling."
"Have you?!" Ellis sounds a bit mad. "Have you ever fucking fallen? V, that's dangerous."
I shrug, acknowledging his worry. It's the same fear Jamie has, so I'm used to this kind of response. That's the actual reason I've never shown Jamie the pictures from my hikes. Some of those were really risky.
"No, I've never fallen, Ellis. It's okay. That's why my camera is small and easy to travel with. There was a close call with a waterfall once, but I caught myself on a vine."
"A close call with a waterfall," he repeats slowly. "Violet, you can't—"
"Careful." I smirk and kiss his cheek. "Jamie tried to tell me I couldn't do those anymore, and that didn't work out well for him."
"Fuck," he curses and finally motions for a bartender. "Just promise me you'll text and call as much as possible when you're on your trips so I know you're safe."
Beaming at his perfect response, I nod. "Promise."
"Or better yet, I'll come with and tether you to me so I know you're safe the entire time." He's grumbling, but his warm hand on my upper thigh is gentle.
"Maybe some day but I really enjoy going on my own. It's therapeutic being out there by myself and finding my own way. I'm good at it, but I promise I'll keep you updated on my safety," I offer, trying to diminish the sting of my rejection.
It's not that I don't want to go on a trip with the guys. It's just that it’s my thing. The road and endless hiking opportunities were my constant for a long, long time.
"Alright, Sugarbloom," Ellis relents and kisses my cheek.
Laughter bursts from me as my head furiously whips back and forth. "NO. Not Sugarbloom!"
"Hmm. Someday I'll find the perfect one for my perfect woman."
He spends the rest of our date making me feel special and wanted. I'm not perfect, but maybe I can accept that he believes I'm perfect for him.