Elena #2
“There you are. I’m going to meet Antonio now. You can head back to the hotel if you want, I’ll meet you there later.”
“No freaking way Ellie, I’m not leaving you alone with this man. We don’t know anything about him. What if he kidnaps you and makes you his sex slave?”
I turn to look out the shop and I see Antonio leaning against a black Escalade, legs crossed at the ankle and arms crossed against his massive broad chest.
“Mmmmm, not going to lie Evie, that doesn’t sound too bad.”
“Urgh! You’re right, especially since you’re on the rebound.”
“Rebound? Matt and I haven’t even broken up yet.”
“Oooooh, I like it, you cheat on his miserable ass with chunky monkey here first – then you break up with him. Take pics please. We both need to remember this after five years of you shagging that incompetent knob.”
“Evie! I’m not sleeping with him. I’m just going to hear what he has to say and then I never have to see him again. I owe him that much after I accused him of holding women against their will.”
“Fine! You sure you’ll be, ok?”
“I’m sure, but I’ll text you every thirty minutes just so you know I’m fine.”
“Thirty minutes? What happened to five minutes?”
“I have a feeling this meeting is going to take much longer than five minutes.”
“Okay, every thirty minutes it is.”
I hug Evie and make my way outside towards God’s beautiful creation. He’s wearing dark glasses, looking all mafia boss like and I know he’s staring at me. I can feel it. I can’t help but blush as I approach. He doesn’t move a muscle. Well, this is awkward. Why am I suddenly shy?
“Hi!” I mutter
“Hi!” He offers back. “Would you like a coffee? Perhaps lunch?”
“Coffee is fine. Thank you.” He tilts his head as if thinking.
“Have you eaten today, Bella?” I blush again. Who is this man? Why is he so interested in my eating habits?
“Uhm yes, I ate breakfast this morning.” He looks at the watch on his wrist and frowns.
“It’s almost 2pm. You should have something to eat.
Come, I know a place.” Before I can even respond, his hand is on my back guiding me towards the car.
He opens the front passenger side for me and ushers me inside.
As I make myself comfortable, his huge frame crosses me as he reaches for the seatbelt and fastens it into place.
I hear the click of the buckle locking in place and Antonio slowly backs out of the car.
When I look at him, I am certain disbelief and shock is clearly plastered on my face, but all he does is wink and smile.
He pulls on the seatbelt once to make sure it’s secure before he shuts the door for me.
What century am I in? Surely this is not how the modern-day man behaves? All chivalrous and gentlemanly?
Antonio walks around the front of the car to the drivers’ side and gets in. I watch in pure fascination as he relaxes in his seat and makes the necessary adjustments before starting the car.
“I could have done that myself you know.”
“Done what?”
“I am perfectly capable of securing my own seatbelt.” He lets out a low chuckle that sends a symphony of beautiful notes to my chest. Could this man be any more perfect?
“I am aware Bellissima. It is a man’s job to take care of his woman or any woman for that matter. I know you are strong and independent, but that does not mean you shouldn’t be taken care of. Si?” Sweet Jesus, he’s going to have to scoop me off of this seat for the puddle that I am.
“Si. – I mean yes, no,” I let out a frustrated breath. “Who on God’s green earth are you?” Another low chuckle and I roll my eyes at him.
“Where are we going?”
“There is a lovely little café just down the road from here. They serve the best coffee and the blueberry muffins are to die for.”
“Sounds great.”
“It is.” He winks at me again and starts to pull out of the parking lot, using only the heel of his palm to turn the wheel, easing out of the parking bay. Fuck that’s hot.
“You, okay?”
“Huh?”
“You look a bit flushed, should I turn on the AC?”
“Oh no, no, I’m fine.” I gulp. “Just when you did that thing, uhm, you know?”
“That thing?” He asks with a raised eyebrow and a smirk on his annoyingly gorgeous face.
“You know, the thing, the Dean Winchester thing.”
He looks legit confused now. I should shut up. Please shut me up.
“Dean Winchester? Am I supposed to know who that is?”
“No! Forget I said anything, let’s just go.” By the grace of God, he drops the subject.
We enter a cute little café; the smell of freshly brewed coffee assaults my senses. I can smell the freshly baked muffins he mentioned and my stomach rumbles in response. Ever the gentleman, he guides me towards a table in the far corner of the café.
“Is there anything in particular you would like or would you allow me the honour?” Swoon
“You need to stop that.”
“I must apologise if ordering for you came across as rude. I assure you; I meant no offense.”
“You didn’t offend me. It’s just, I mean why do you talk like that?
All proper and charming. Your manners are impeccable, driving skills sexy as hell and you’re the perfect gentleman.
I’m starting to believe you may be related to the Bridgerton’s.
” It’s the first time I’ve heard it but the man lets out a full-blown laugh and it’s delightful.
“Glad I could be of amusement to you Mr. Marino.” I roll my eyes and cross my arms.
“I apologize, but you are really quite something yourself Ms. Reeves. My parents raised both my brother and I to be gentlemen. My dad always pulled out the chair for my mother, opened the car door for her, made sure she was seated at the table first before he sat down himself. He would stand up when a woman entered the room. It’s been ingrained in us.
Contrary to what you may believe after our less-than-ideal meeting, we are decent men.
My brother is a bit rough around the edges, he’s more serious, to the point and more reserved than I am but he has the same values as I do. ”
“Well then, I must commend your parents on a job well done. If you are all that you say you are then you and your brother may just be the only decent men left in this country.”
“I find that hard to believe Bellissima, perhaps you have not been meeting the right men? Maybe that will change after we talk, si?”
Why did that sound like he was flirting with me?
“Speaking of which, why am I here?”
“First, would you like to order?”
“You may have the honour besides you know this place better than I do so I’ll trust your judgement.”
“Of course, Bellissima.” He places our orders with the waitress and then he reaches into his jacket and pulls out an envelope which he then hands over to me.
“Open it.”