Chapter 6
Ophelia
“Really? You think I should?” I ask my two best friends, who sit across the table from me at Cape Cod Cupcakery.
“Yes!” they both exclaim in unison.
“I mean, I guess I could. I don’t have any orders due at that time. Are you sure it isn’t absolutely batshit insane?”
“It’s wicked romantic. That’s what it is, Ophelia,” Ursula says dreamily.
Laughing, I shake my head while shrugging my shoulders. I mean, my first instinct was to tell him yes and jump into his arms, but I’m pretty sure that reaction would have landed me on the batshit insane spectrum.
“When was the last time you did something spontaneous like this?” Althea asks before biting into her salted caramel cupcake.
“Well, I raised two boys on my own. It’s not like I could go all wacky and wild the last couple of decades.”
“Your boys are grown-ass men now, so time to live your life, lady.”
Nodding at Althea, I know she’s right. My gut is still saying this may not be a social norm or typical, but I am meant to go on a wild adventure with this man.
This minotaur.
Standing in my Knoxville hotel room, I do a little happy dance, like the dork I am.
This trip was one of the best decisions I have made in the last few years.
Now I know why Straton and I had that crazy connection so quickly.
He and I are like two halves that fit together.
We have the same sense of humor, can talk about all sorts of things as the hours in his car have proven, and we are both beyond excited to visit Graceland today.
A light knock on my door interrupts my dork-dance. Opening it, I find a foxy minotaur holding a tray of coffees and a paper bag.
“You went out?”
“I woke up early. I’m a nerd and couldn’t sleep, knowing where we are going today. Went out and grabbed coffee and muffins. Looks like you’re ready, too?”
“I am. Let’s hit the road.”
Driving along I-40, blasting Elvis, we both sing at the top of our lungs. Our early start gets us to Graceland just around lunchtime, so we stop in an Elvis-themed diner before signing in for our tour.
As the tour guide leads our group around, I keep stealing glances at Straton.
He is absolutely enthralled with all the Presley and Graceland trivia being shared.
I know my mother would have reacted the same way, so not only do I feel a pull observing his verve for life, but I also feel closer to her as well because of it.
Entering the Jungle Room is the highlight of the tour for me. I remember laughing hysterically when my mother showed me a photo of it when I was younger. It’s just as gaudy and fun as I remember in the photo.
Reaching the meditation garden, a peace comes over our tour group.
I stroll around, but Straton remains in front of Elvis’s grave.
When I walk over to him, I gently touch his arm and a warm electricity runs through my entire body.
He looks down at me, a kind smile on his face, but also I swear I see a heat behind his eyes.
“Thank you for going on this adventure with me. I am loving my time with you.” He says, sending delighted tingles down to my pussy.
“Me too. I’m so glad I said yes.”
As soon as we pull into the Little Rock motel, the sky opens up over our heads.
We ate dinner on the road, so once we check in, we head to our adjoining rooms and say goodnight in the hallway.
I immediately hop into the shower, since this storm seems pretty bad.
Turning the water off, I step out to dry myself and am greeted by a loud clap of thunder overhead.
Holy shit, I have never heard thunder like that before. Not a fan.
I turn on the TV to drown out the storm.
Throwing on my pajamas, I crawl under the covers and watch a classic movie that’s playing.
The storm progressively gets worse outside.
The rain beats against the motel’s window and after a half hour it sounds as if World War 3 is happening above my head.
I don't know how I will sleep through this.
After a thunderclap basically rattles my brain, I hop out of bed, grab my keycard, and leave the room. Feeling like a child, but not wanting to be alone, I lightly knock on Straton’s door. He answers it in a pair of gray sweats.
And that’s it.
“Oh, hey, sorry. I was thinking you were motel staff or something. Come in. Are you okay?”
Following him in, I soak up his impressive back muscles before he unfortunately hides them under a t-shirt.
“Sorry, were you sleeping? This, uh, storm is freaking me out. I have never heard thunder like that before.”
“No, I was just responding to some client emails. You do look rattled. Here, want to sit with me for a bit?”
Straton sits on top of his made bed and, after slightly hesitating, I sit next to him.
Right then, the loudest thunderclap of the evening explodes over our heads, and my entire body tenses up.
The mighty minotaur scoops me into his brawny arms, resting my head against his firm chest. The familiar rush of warm electricity runs through my body from his touch, but also a new feeling.
A sense of safety. And a feeling of home.
He wraps both arms around me, giving me a securing pressure as the storm rages. We don’t talk, but instead lie on his bed in comfortable silence. And, even though the storm has not passed, I find my eyes getting heavier until I no longer can keep them open.