Chapter Three: Ellie

Chapter Three: Ellie

“I can show you,” he offers with a joking sort of sincerity that should be odd, but works for him...... and me....

“Nice try, shoog, but I’m afraid I’m no fun at all.” I giggle a bit, keeping it light out loud at least. “I’m a serious stick in the mud and a terrible lay to boot.”

“I like to form my own opinions,” smoother than silk no doubt, with a boyish grin and still the rest….. Well, that’s all man.

“I’d say I’m a pretty fair judge, but you can always ask my ex who left me for a legal but teenage child if you’d like.” Well, so much for light conversation.

“How old was he?”

“Thirty six,” I say simply and dryly, without humor. “Beer gut and a bald spot as proof.”

“Well, I’d say you have a Daddy complex, or he’s just a douche’ who doesn’t know how to please a real woman, but going from twenty-two to eighteen isn’t that big a leap.”

“Well aren’t you sweet,” I can’t control the scoffing laugh at him calling me twenty-something. “But douche’ seems to be the general consensus.”

“I was trying to give you a bit of credit due to the poor lighting, but sorry hun you don’t look a day over twenty. It’s not so big of a stretch.”

“Brownie for you, good sir.” I smile even wider, feeling my cheeks flush. Had it really been this long since I smiled so much? It wasn’t supposed to hurt. The thought played in my mind.

“I’m not catching your drift, Dove.” It’s the first show of hesitance or break in his deeper voice, and I twist my lips before answering the non question.

“You don’t need to, just keep making me smile and look pretty,” I continue the breathless and amused tone, while I turn to accept our food.

I know it’s ridiculous that I still bow my head to say grace. I’m in no way religious anymore, but gratitude was instilled in all of us. I open my eyes to his wider and disbelieving ones.

“You pray at a hede resort?”

“I pray before every meal,” I defend. “I was raised baptist and happen to be a goodie two shoes. I just also happened to put myself through school on tips working at nudist resorts.” I pointed my fork at him as if I were lecturing instead of trying to contain my laughter.

“Well you are something of a conundrum aren’t you,” he decides, unable to keep the smile off of his face either when I salute and click my tongue in confirmation.

“And the fat kid living in my tummy is not a patient one.” The comment has him choking on the beer he just took a sip of. Poor man still managed to turn away from the table and our food before it shot out of his nose though.

His snort was all I needed to choke on my first bite of chicken. “None of that. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, not my last in a lifetime. Thank you, good sir.” I say with as much embarrassment as I do humor.

Remembering just how awkward I am at dating and or social situations.

“Do you have a name or a warning label?” The still Italian Stallion with no name asks, after cleaning his mouth and chin with the surprisingly linen napkin in sand filled dining.

My retort is cut off by him stripping the plain tee that didn’t disguise his figure, but was even more drool worthy than my imagination.“Sorry, you were flexing, I mean saying?”

I lean in, putting my chin on my hand to openly stare at him. Letting myself flirt. Letting myself. My real self talk. Realizing how silly it was to believe that not knowing anyone would hinder the experience.

If anything, it gives me more huspa to just be me.

“Okay Dove, look all you want, but touching is off limits,” the wonder of a male specimen winks again, starting in on his own plate of food.

“Just my speed,” I run my eyes over him with no boundaries and full appreciation, before exaggerantly biting my lip.

“I’m DJ,” he takes advantage of the former segway.

“Nice to meet you, DJ.” I reached my hand across the table to shake his playfully.

While I know I don’t really have to worry about it, I’m not fond of giving out my personal information. Not at these places anyways. Most people stuck to first names only, and usually those were fake.

“Going to make me work for it,” he raised a thick brow at me again. They were clean and expressive versus bushy. It's clear he takes care of himself and has pride in his appearance.

“I happen to like Dove. Let’s stick with that,” I finish a few more bites of the tender chicken and perfectly al dente pasta with whatever garlic cream sauce heaven they sloshed it in, before returning to my water.

Seems like DJ is enjoying his meal too, and neither of us spare one another those little sounds of appreciation for the chef’s work.

By the time I’m finished, I have to stop myself from licking the bowl. It’s that delicious. I also note that unlike most guys, he didn’t seem put off or offended by the large and frequent bites I shoved into my mouth.

I am a fast eater. Always have been. I don’t drop to the floor and do push-ups after my meals any more though.

I went through a had to be in the military phase and trained myself accordingly. I wanted to be a hero, but mostly just wanted to be a badass like my dad.

“Dove it is then,” Dj decides after finishing his own meal and generously tipping the waiter when he returned for our plates and dessert order. I went with the chocolate cake, couldn’t help myself.

“So what is it you do that affords to feed your fat guy?” Less smooth. He was trying harder to be more light and casual than the start. His eyes focused on my mouth and my fork when I finally open mine to pay attention.

Of course, I blush, unable to keep up the too cool for school act. I swallow my piece and confess. “I’m a kindergarten teacher.”

“Okay, Dove makes more sense now. A teacher at a hede resort is a bit taboo.” It’s clear he’s considering my comment on being here on business before he asks the question. “How does a teacher have business in the keys?”

“I work with family doing real estate excursions during the summer months. My brother slash boss wants to expand to the Keys and I couldn’t get a room otherwise, so a friend scored me a ticket. Kind of a forget the asshole gift.”

“My mom did the same for me,” he shrugs a bit, but this time it’s my turn to be shocked and amazed.

“Your MOM?” I think my eyes popped out of my head despite being attached to it.

“Not like the whole island is a hede resort," he shrugs. "What happens behind closed doors has never been up for discussion, but none of us are stupid.

Our night life has never crossed with our wholesome daytime family outings. Besides, I'm finalizing a rather messy divorce myself.”

“Gold digging lying cheating bitch syndrome?”

“Ding ding we have a winner.”

“And what is my prize?”

“A dance. This is a good song.” I can’t argue, and it did give me an excuse to get close to feel his hard body......