A Winter Awakening (15 page)

"Where am I?" she said out loud to no one in particular.

"You are okay. You have a nasty bump on your head, but you should be fine."

Ellie was able to focus in on Nick's face.

"Jesus," she proclaimed. She looked around as she realized Nick was carrying her down the hotel hallway. 

"No," Nick retorted. "It is me. A friend. Or, maybe even a knight in shining armor. Though I am a fan of Jesus.”  He smiled at his attempt at a joke as he pushed the elevator button. The door opened immediately. 

"Put me down," Ellie said, as Nick stepped into the elevator. She tried to lift herself up, but flinched with pain.

"We will have you taken care of soon enough," Nick tried to be reassuring.

Ellie closed her eyes and tried to imagine floating away from her body, away from the pain. It didn't work. "Maybe we should go to the hospital?" she suggested.

Nick skillfully opened the room door, put her down on the bed, then stalked over to the phone on the desk. He mumbled something into the receiver.

Moment later, the door opened.

No knock,
Ellie noted. 

She could hardly keep her eyes open at this point, but a familiar voice gave her the energy to pry open one eye and see Henry walking through the door along with...

Is that a doctor? Holy Crap! How did he do that?
she wondered as she
drifted off to sleep.

Sarina sat outside the hotel in her rental car, trying to get a clear shot of the couple seated by the window in the restaurant.

Sarina took note of Ellie's attire.

Ellie wanted to look nice for him,
Sarina mused.

She scrolled back through her camera looking at the shots she had managed to take. 

Damn, I need to get closer,
she thought.
These won't work.

With a sigh, Sarina got out of the car, pulled her hat down further onto her forehead and went inside. She knew she had some time before they left the table as the food had not arrived. Instead of heading directly to the restaurant, Sarina tucked her camera into her purse and approached the front desk.

"I would like a room, please. I will be paying cash," she said.

"Of course. One night? I'll just need a piece of ID," said the man behind the counter.

Sarina leaned forward being sure her cleavage was visible. 

"Oh no," she cooed. "Silly me. I forgot my ID at home." Sarina peered at him through her lowered lashes.

The man looked around the room, then back to Sarina. 

"I guess I can make an exception." He winked. "May I have your name?"

"Ellie. Ellie Sanderson," she said.

As he typed in her information, Sarina fidgeted with her bra strap. 

After what felt like hours, he finally asked, "Would you like a receipt?" 

"Yes, I most definitely would," replied Sarina. 

When he slid it across the counter, along with her room key, she placed both carefully into her purse and set her mind to the next task at hand; getting some nice photos of Platinum and Mr. Sexy. 

Sarina walked down the hall toward the restaurant, and to her astonishment, Mr. Sexy was rushing out of the door carrying Platinum in his arms. Her head was resting against his shoulders and her eyes were closed. The way her arms dangled from her sides told Sarina that she must be unconscious.

Oh my God. Did he drug her?
Sarina wondered.

 
Sarina followed them down the hall and ducked into a doorway entrance when he stopped at the elevator and punched the up button.

The moment the elevator door closed, Sarina dashed for the stairs. She poked her head out the door at the second floor.  No sign of them.

She continued up to the third floor.

This time, she saw them, about eight doors down. Mr. Sexy still held Platinum. The hand that was nearest to Sarina, the one holding Ellie's legs also held his room key. He was trying to shift Ellie's weight and reach the door to insert the key. This lifted her head up just enough that Sarina could see it clearly through her lens. Click. Click. Click. 

Sarina was glad her camera was silent, and that Mr. Sexy was occupied juggling Platinum and getting the door open.  

Sarina went unnoticed.

He got the door open, and carried Platinum inside. Sarina sat down on the floor and scrolled back through her camera. 

With a smile she placed it back into her purse. 

With a little cropping, some of these images may do the trick,
she thought. 

She returned to her car, determined to try and gather additional 'evidence.' The steaming coffee, the cream cheese bagel, the next phase of her plan, and her dreams of Jacob occupied her thoughts for the remainder of the day.

The next time Ellie came to, the room was dim. She couldn't see anyone from her vantage point, but she was afraid to move. The last time she attempted that, the pain was excruciating. After a few moments, however she figured she couldn't just stay in that bed forever. 

First straighten a leg,
she thought to herself.

She slowly straightened her left leg, and appreciated the motion of her muscles. No pain. 

Now the other leg,
she willed herself.
Yes, that's good too.

Ellie began to move her arms next, still being careful not to move her head. 

All is good, head next? Wait a minute...

Ellie spread her fingers out and rubbed her open hand across the sheet. By this point, she was flat on her back. She spread her legs out, then back in. She moved her arms up, and back down, like she was making a snow angel in the bed. 

Sheets. Not Clothes. I feel sheets!
Ellie lifted the top of the covers up so she could peek down at her body.  Underwear. Nothing else.

Shocked she said, "Who undressed me?" not expecting an answer.

"I did."

Nick's voice.
"Shit."

He chuckled.

"You say that a lot."

"Only around you," she replied.

"You've had some pain medication. Is it working? Sit up and see how it feels."

Ellie pulled the sheets up to her shoulders and slid to a seated position. 

"A dull throb, but okay." 

She moved her head to one side, then the other. It felt good to move. She reached up with one hand to feel the top of her head. Her fingers located the goose egg, and she flinched in pain. 

"As long as I don't touch that spot," she added. 

She looked around the room trying not to give away what she was searching for. It didn't work.

"I have a change of clothes for you in the bathroom. Would you like to shower and go have a bite to eat?" Ellie could hear the amusement in Nick's voice as he spoke.

"I am hungry," she replied.

"Good," he said. "I'll be back for you in an hour. Will you be okay alone until then?"

Ellie rolled her eyes at him. 

"I am a big girl," she said.

With that, Nick rose from his spot next to the window and walked out the door. Ellie listened closely for the sound of the door latching closed. She strained her ears to try and listen for his footsteps receding down the hall, but she could hear nothing.

For a few minutes, she remained in her spot, just to be sure he didn't come back. Once she was satisfied that he would indeed be staying away for an hour, she ventured into the bathroom.

The shower felt amazing. The hot water helped her orient herself to the current situation.

I need to convince Nick to stay on and help me run the business.

I need to not end up naked in a hotel room with him.

I need to not let on that my marriage is struggling.

How long have I been out?

Ellie repeated these points over and over as she let the hot water wash away the tension from her muscles.

As Ellie dried herself off, she noticed clothing neatly folded on a chair in the corner of the room.

Where did he find these, on such short notice? I've never seen them before, and they certainly can't be purchased in Logan.

Once dressed, Ellie admired herself in the mirror. The outfit was simple, so comfortable she almost felt naked, and yet elegant enough that she could wear it to any restaurant in Logan, not that that was saying much. The beige tank top and long flowing cotton skirt were accentuated with a beautiful ring and elaborate, colorful beaded necklace. The orange beads in the jewelry matched the stripes in her skirt. 

Ellie was twisting her hair into a messy bun just as she heard the door open. 

She slid her sandals on, and walked out to the main portion of the hotel room. Nick was standing near the door.

Ellie could feel Nick taking her in.

"You are beautiful," he said, his eyes smoldered under his calm expression. He held his arm out to her. Ellie remembered the last time she was on his arm. She had needed his assistance so that she wouldn't fall on her face. Her face warmed as she also remembered the sexual tension between the two of them while she had been in Phoenix.

Ellie still felt it.

"I can walk this time," she tried to suppress her grin.

"You took quite the blow to your head. I'd rather be safe, so I won't take no for an answer," he said.

Nick moved closer to her and placed his elbow in front of her arm.

Ellie sighed, and took his arm. He led her to the hotel dining room and helped her into her seat. The waiter lit the candle at their table, and tried to give them a wine list, but Nick already knew what he wanted. He ordered the bottle of his choice, and turned his attention to Ellie.

She missed his wine order, because she was busy mentally reciting Miss Sensibility's list of rules.

Don't tell him about trouble with Jacob.

Don't look at his eyes.

Don't look at his abs.

Don't look at his butt.

Don't, under any circumstance, touch him again. Just the walk down here almost did you in. 

Remember. You are married. You love Jacob. Things will work out.

Ellie actually had to cut her off. She was more concerned with putting her plan in motion to keep the business and convince Nick to say on as CEO.

"And, she is doing it again," Nick said to no one in particular.

"She is tuning me out." Nick chuckled as he took a sip of his wine.

Ellie blushed. 

"Hardly," she said. 

"You, I... can't seem to concentrate around you," she stammered.

Then, she realized what she was saying. "Anyway, that isn't why we are here. You've already been here an entire day, and we haven't had a chance to discuss my uncle's holdings. I am so sorry to have wasted your time today." 

Ellie took his lead and had a sip of her wine. 

Ellie had the sense that Nick was laughing at an inside joke.

"It was hardly a waste," he replied.

Ellie did her best to ignore his inference, whatever the hell he might be alluding to, and veered the conversation back to the business. She sat up straight and cleared her throat.

"Mr. Bennett, I asked you here because I have made a decision to keep the business, and I would like to retain you as my CEO." She avoided looking him as she spoke. She didn't want to lose her nerve.

Just then, the waiter returned to take their order. Ellie realized she hadn't even looked at the menu. 

"Uhh, I'm so sorry. Would you give us a few more minutes?"

Nick cut her off.

"We are ready," he said. "I will have the prime rib, and my companion will have the shrimp scampi." 

He gave the waiter a nod, and turned to Ellie. "I hope that is okay. I know you like scampi."

"I'm not accustomed to someone ordering from me, but yes, that will do. How did you know that anyway? Never mind. I don't want to know. Can we please return to the topic at hand?"  Ellie realized she hadn't even stopped to take a breath, and blushed at her babble.

"The business? No. Not yet. Don't you know it is rude to discuss business before exploring small talk topics first?"  Nick grinned.

All Ellie could do was blink at him. 

"Right, so, for example,” he continued, "when you were sleeping in my hotel bed, you were mumbling something about 'Jacob' and 'Don't trust the bitch.' What is that all about?"  Nick took another drink of his wine, and waited for her to respond.

Don't let on that you have fantasized about him.

Don't drink another drop of alcohol.

Don't talk about your marriage trouble.

Don't ask him how he knows I love shrimp scampi.

Ellie took a long sip of wine. 

"How do you know I love shrimp scampi?" She took another large sip. 

Shit.

Rule Breaker!
clucked Miss Sensibility.

Nick opened his mouth to answer, but she continued before he could make a sound.

"You will have to pardon me, Mr. Bennett. I am awful at small talk. Can we please just move on to our business discussions?" 

Ellie's draw on the wine glass this time could be categorized as more of a gulp than a sip. Nick replenished her glass.

"I accept."

The waiter returned to the table with plates of food.

"You accept... what? My suggestion that we skip the small talk?" Ellie guessed.

"No. I accept your offer for the position of CEO. After all, if you are going to keep the business, you will need me."

Ellie tried to ignore his jab at her capabilities and focus on the good news, but he continued, "But, uhh..."  Nick hesitated as he took a drink. 

"There is something else you should know before we get too far along in this process."

Ellie tensed at this. "Trouble already?" she asked.

"No, not exactly. It is just that you need to be fully informed about the businesses," replied Nick.

"I have received all the documents. Henry has been sending me all the information I need," Ellie replied.

Nick laughed at this. Ellie did her best to ignore him.

Finally, he said, "Henry didn't send you everything, but it is too much to go into today. We can meet again tomorrow to discuss the details." Nick glanced around the restaurant. 

"Now, can we please move to more pleasant topics?"

"Not so fast," Ellie replied. "I have a condition of my own."

Atta girl,
said Inner Diva.
Don't lose your nerve now.

Ellie took another drink of wine. She studies his face as she took a deep breathe.

"You don't get to boss me around."

Nick didn't say anything. He only looked at her.

She continued, "When I was in Phoenix, you were bossy.  You tried to make my decisions for me. You don't get to do that," she said.

Now it was Nick's turn to take a drink. 

"You do know what a CEO does, right?" he replied.

Ellie couldn't help it. She laughed.

"Well, I guess the CEO is the boss," she said.

"Yes. And I will be your CEO. But sometimes that means I will be bossy," he said.

"Nick, I am speechless. Really? You believe I can keep it? And, you will stay?" She relaxed into the back of her chair. 

Nick wasn't going to spend his time reassuring her.

"Now, this sleepy town of yours, Logan, is it? Is there any draw to keep you in this town, or will you be making a move to your penthouse in Phoenix?" Nick held his gaze steady to hers as he brought a bite of prime rib to his lips.

Heat radiated from the core of Ellie's body as she watched him take a bite. She closed her eyes and imagined his lips on her body. She knew instantly that she needed to get out of that restaurant, as her resolve to stay away from Nick was melting fast. 

She took another long draw of liquid courage, then asked something that had been plaguing her ever since the Great Elevator Debacle.

"Nick, I have one more question."

He leaned close to her, his intense gaze melting her very core.

"In Phoenix... in the elevator... did you..." her voice trailed off, unsure of how to complete the question.

"Enjoy the view?" he asked.

"No! That isn't my question." She blushed.

"Did you... Well, I felt a... I felt something and I was wondering if you..." She blushed again. She couldn't bring herself to ask this man if he had intentionally pinched her.

Realizing how far across the line she was, she made her excuses, including promising to show him around Logan tomorrow, and pushed her chair back so she could make her get away. 

Nick also stood up, and walked around to her side of the table, assisting her with a lace shawl she used to complete the outfit. Just as she was turning to leave, he leaned into her and whispered in her ear, "I know you feel it too."

Ellie closed her eyes and swore she felt his lips brush against her temple. She turned to face him, not letting any air into her lungs as she strained to feel his breath on her skin.  There was only one place this could lead, and Ellie wasn't ready for that. She loved Jacob, she knew he could make her feel this way too, and she wasn't giving up on her marriage. She turned on her heel and dashed out the door.

As she sped through the streets of Logan, she suddenly realized that she hadn't spoken with Jacob all day. Would he be worried? Was he ready to make up?

Lord knows, make-up sex could come in handy right about now,
chimed Inner Diva. But, she arrived home to a cold empty house.