2
Josh
"Stay at my place tonight," I said when we got back into the car after our meal. "I'd come to yours, but my neck gets cricked when we sleep on your bed."
"We've spent almost every night since we meet at your place," Ella said with a coy smile. "I'm paying good money for my place in Chelsea. If I stay at your place every night, I'm throwing my money away."
"You could always move in with me.” I kissed her knuckles.
That didn't seem to please her as much as it did me.
She shook her head. "I love my place," she said softly.
"I understand.” I knew that it was too soon to invite her to live with me, but it just slipped out. "Just stay with me at my place tonight. We can stop by your place and pick up a change of clothes if that's what worries you."
She nodded and glanced away. I kicked myself for making the offer but for some reason, the words just flowed so easily off my brain and into my mouth.
Move in with me.
I didn't know why but living with Ella felt natural to me. Like we fit together perfectly.
We drove to her place and she got out and went upstairs while I waited in the car. I didn't want to move too fast with Ella, despite feeling completely certain that I wanted her in my life.
In my bed. Every night.
She was still hesitant, and I understood why. Both of us had been burned by our previous relationships. While I was ready to jump right back in and give it another good try, she was still burned by her experience.
I had to be patient.
Luckily, patience was one of my virtues. I could wait her out. I'd just have to give her the room and time to figure it out for herself.
As I was sitting there, I noticed a man in a doorway in the building next to Ella's. He wore a dark raincoat and a black fedora with a feather in the brim. The hat and that feather made me think about my father, and a wave of nostalgia passed through me.
I wished he were still alive and was here to talk to me when I needed advice about the business or on personal issues. I would have loved if he could meet Ella and know that things were good for me on that front again. I knew he would have liked Ella and found her lovely and charming as I did.
Ella came out with a small overnight bag and jumped back into the car, smiling at me. I took her hand and we drove off back towards Mid-Town, the man in the black fedora forgotten. We parked in the parking garage and walked hand-in-hand to the entrance. The sky was dark, the air was cool, and the crowds on the street had thinned quite a bit.
"Would my lady like a nice horse and carriage ride around Central Park one of these fine nights?" I asked, when I saw one of the carriages drive by.
"That would be fun," she said. "But I hope it's not like the trip that took place on Seinfeld..."
I laughed at that, remembering the episode in question. "I'll make sure that the horse is fed oats and not Beef-O-Reeno."
"It's a deal," she replied.
We went up to my apartment and removed our coats and shoes.
"Would you like a glass of wine or something to drink?" I went to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator.
"I'm good," she said and yawned, stretching her arms over her head. "I have an early day tomorrow. Better not have anything to drink."
I went back to her and pulled her into my arms.
"So do I.” I bent down to kiss her, pressing my body against hers. Just the feel of her soft curves against me made me instantly hard, and I kissed her deeply, impatient to have her in my bed, naked. She responded, her arms tightening around my neck, her kiss just as passionate.
I carried her to my bedroom and we undressed each other, both of us eager to see each other naked, and to enjoy each other as quickly as we could.
The first time was fast for us both and was a blur of mouths and tongues and passion. We lay in each other's arms afterwards, her head on my shoulder, her fingers playing with the hairs on my chest.