Chapter Nine
Ella
Iblink a few times. What’s in front of me doesn’t change.
I step back and check the room number.
Moving inside slowly, I take it all in.
Gigantic bouquets of flowers fill the room. Every surface is covered.
Wow.
There’s only one person who would have done this.
Most men would play it safe with classic red or pink roses. That’s foolproof. Expected, even.
Not him.
What I find instead are some of the most stunning lilies I’ve ever seen. A smile tugs at my lips as I move closer, unable to resist.
One vase holds spectacular, rare Blue Heart lilies. I’ve only ever seen pictures of them before, blue buds unfurling into white petals veined with the faintest hint of blue. They remind me of a summer ocean, warm and endless.
The other bouquets are just as breathtaking. Every variety of lily imaginable, bursting with color and scent, turning the room into something unreal.
Still half-stunned, I search for a card.
‘Ella, I hope you had a wonderful day exploring this great island I call home. I’m looking forward to our dinner tonight. Tiero.’
Tiero.
It sounds happier and less intimidating than Gualtiero. And it rolls off the tongue more easily.
I like it. I like it a lot.
The interconnecting door opens and Rhia walks in. She’s about to speak, but freezes when she sees the flowers.
“Wow,” she says, her mouth falling open. “Just… wow.”
“I know, right?”
“I’ve never seen so many flowers in one place. Did he rob a flower shop?” She steps beside me and takes the note from my hand.
“He really has it bad for you, El.”
We stand there for a moment in silence, taking it all in.
“How does he know lilies are your favorite flower? Did you tell him?”
I shake my head. “When would I have done that?”
Taking the card from Rhia again, I tap it against my palm.
“What are the chances of this being a lucky guess? Especially with the Blue Heart lilies?”
“Where did he even find those? Aren’t they as rare as rocking horse shit?”
“Yep,” I say, still staring. “I’ve never seen one in real life.”
“And how did he get them into your room?”
“The hotel staff?”
Rhia shrugs. “I suppose. It doesn’t really matter. What matters is that he’s wooing you.”
“Hey girls, do you think these shoes go with this dress? I’m not sure if…” Zoe walks into the room and stops abruptly.
Her eyes widen as she takes in the sea of flowers.
“Oh my god. This is insane. I really can kiss my foursome fantasy goodbye.”
“You were serious about that?” I ask.
Why am I surprised? This is Zoe we’re talking about.
“Hell yes, I was. If I’m missing out on this Black Sheet party, this would have been the next best thing.”
“How do you even figure out the logistics with three guys?” I ask, genuinely baffled.
“Oh, my innocent friend.” Zoe pats me on the shoulder. “You have three holes. Why not fill them all?”
A shudder runs through me, and not a pleasant one. I have trouble focusing on one lover at the best of times while chasing my big O. Throw two more men into the mix, or even just one, and I’d be completely overwhelmed.
“How could that possibly be enjoyable? There’d be too many hands groping.” I glance at Rhia.
“Don’t look at me for answers. I’ve never had a threesome. Lex entered the scene before I could tick that one off my bucket list.”
“Well, let me enlighten you both. Double penetration is frickin’ amazing. There’s nothing like it.”
“Now that part is true.” Rhia smirks. “But you don’t need a second man for that. There are plenty of other ways.”
“That’s hardly the same. Being wedged between two hunks, with two sets of hands on you and two cocks inside, it’s just so… so… God, I can’t even describe how orgasmic that is.”
“Well, I’m more than satisfied with the way things are. Lex is all I want.”
Rhia grins at her sister, who stomps back to her room, muttering, “You two are so boring. The flowers are cool, though.”
The room falls quiet again, the scent of lilies hanging thick in the air.
Rhia pulls out her phone to take pictures, then checks the time.
“Oh, damn. El, we better get ready. This flower surprise has slowed us down.”
She takes my hand and drags me into her bathroom, where she’s already laid out all her makeup.
Grinning, she says, “Let’s beautify.”
My hands shake as I apply mascara. At this rate, I might stab myself in the eye.
Is it too late to cancel dinner?
I’m a nervous wreck.
Once our makeup is done, we change. I keep glancing at Zoe’s closed door. She hasn’t come out since she stomped off.
“I’m a little worried about what your sister will wear tonight,” I admit, biting my lip, then quickly releasing it. I don’t want lipstick on my teeth.
“With her single-minded aim to seduce, it will be provocative,” Rhia agrees.
My eyes drift to the clock again, and the queasiness in my stomach ramps up. The urge to regurgitate the linguini I had for lunch is strong.
Crap. It’s almost seven.
My heart flutters unnervingly, doing absolutely nothing to calm me down.
I smooth the front of my coral-red dress to occupy my hands and watch Rhia as she applies her lipstick.
She’s stunning in a simple emerald-green dress with spaghetti straps.
It flows over her flat stomach and curves, ending just above her knees.
The jewel tone against her fiery-red hair is a match made in heaven.
She looks vibrant and full of life. While I, on the other hand, feel more petrified than alive, my stomach still doing nauseating somersaults.
“Remember, you are Opposite Ella tonight.” Rhia looks sternly at me. “Don’t be intimidated, El. He’s just a man. He’ll be at your mercy.”
I scoff. Yeah, right.
“Seriously, Ella. You are stunning.” She pulls me in front of the full-length mirror. “You have the face of an angel. Innocent, yet alluring. Your skin is flawless, soft. And your hair… angelic.”
I roll my eyes.
“Will you stop rolling your eyes at me?” Rhia elbows me in the ribs.
“I’m sorry. I can’t help myself. You’re being ridiculous,” I tease.
“You know, if I was Christian Grey, you’d have spankings coming your way all day, every day. Your butt would be permanently red.” She tries to sound stern but fails miserably, making me laugh.
“I mean it, El. You are angelic with your golden-blonde hair,” she insists. “Especially standing next to me. With my red locks, I’m like the devil. Minus the horns and a lot more attractive,” she winks.
“And then you top it off with your eyes. One gaze into those ocean-blue depths and the man is a goner. He doesn’t stand a chance.”
She smiles at me softly. “Actually, he’s a goner already. The flowers are proof.”
Tiero’s penetrating eyes drift into my mind, and I blush at the memory.
Maybe it’s me who’s already a goner.
The joy wafting off Rhia is contagious, and I marvel at her easygoing nature. She lives in the moment, unafraid to go after what she wants.
She crosses to the mini-fridge and retrieves the bottle of champagne we bought earlier.
“A glass of bubbly will help settle your nerves,” she says, pouring the sparkling liquid into the tea mugs provided by the hotel.
“Very stylish,” I say as I take mine from her.
“Here’s to our first dinner with the Italian gods.” She raises her mug and clinks it against mine.
“As opposed to the Last Supper,” I add, and we burst out laughing.
“We really should see that painting one day. For now, though, let’s hope this won’t be our last supper. I have plans for Lex when I finally talk to him,” Rhia says just as the dreaded knock sounds on the door.
They’re here.