Page 60 of Sexting My Ex's Dad
I’d love to see her scramble for words while I whispered in her ear all the ways I planned on punishing her.
If it were any other woman I wouldn’t care — but this kind of feels like I’d been dumped. And Elio Lombardi doesn’t get dumped.
“Have you considered the environmental impact?” I ask, grasping for any thread of relevance to stay engaged in the discussion although in reality I’m just waiting for the meeting to be over.
“Of course, Elio,” another partner replies. “We’ve been looking into ways to mitigate any potential risks.”
“Good, good,” I murmur, but my attention falters again. Stella occupies every corner of my mind, her presence like a siren song, luring me away from the business at hand. It’s maddening, this relentless tug-of-war between what I should be focusing on and the woman who has inexplicably stolen my thoughts.
She’s going to pay for this.
They keep talking, but I know I’m not going to be able to make any decisions like this so why waste my time.
“Let’s set up a meeting next week to discuss this further,” I propose, attempting to regain control over my wandering thoughts.
They seem shocked by my abruptness, and why wouldn’t they? I’m not the type of man to put off tomorrow what I can do today; however, today, I’ll have to make an exception.
“Sounds like a plan,” says one partner, as others nod in agreement.
This is different for me. Business has always come first.
But right now I have a certain woman to deal with.
When I look up towards her table, she’s gone.
34
STELLA
The night air brushes against my skin, cool and refreshing, as I stand at my apartment door, Paul standing beside me.
“Stella,” Paul says softly, pulling me into a gentle hug, “are you sure Elio is the one for you? You know I’m rich too, right?” He tries to joke, but there’s an earnestness in his eyes that tugs at my heart.
Paul is the kind of man that would give me the world if I let him…I wish I could just let him. I wish that, for once, I would put myself on the winning side.
Any other man, and I’d snap at him for trying to say it’s all about the money however I know Paul doesn’t mean it that way. He’s trying to be sweet – trying to win me over, and if I hadn’t already gotten a taste of the dark desires that Elio had introduced me too – I’d oblige.
I pull back from him, looking straight into those brown eyes, feeling bad that I have to reject him. I never should have agreedto this date because I won’t be able to feel for him, or any other man, the way I do for Elio. He’s ruined me.
“Paul, it’s not about the money,” I admit, feeling my cheeks flush. “Elio... he’s just gotten under my skin.”
“Isn’t it a bit taboo to date your ex’s dad?” he teases, trying to lighten the mood. But I know he doesn’t mean it. He really isn’t the kind of guy to judge me. A smile pulls at the corners of my lips, and I lean in to press a soft kiss on his cheek.
“Good luck with that argument,” I say, stepping back. Paul turns to walk away, but my voice stops him. “Promise me you won’t tell Anastasia?”
He hesitates, then nods. “Alright, but you’ll have to fess up at some point.” His voice holds a note of warning, but also understanding.
“Thank you, Paul,” I whisper, watching as he disappears down the hallway, leaving me alone with my swirling thoughts.
With a sigh, I unlock my apartment door and step inside, letting the familiar surroundings envelop me like a comforting embrace. My mind, however, refuses to settle, still consumed by thoughts of Elio and our complicated ‘relationship’ – if I can even call it that.
First a shower and then bed.
I slipbetween the cool sheets, shivering slightly as they brush against my freshly showered skin. My body craves rest, but my mind refuses to cooperate, thoughts of Elio consuming me likewildfire. I close my eyes and take a deep breath, willing myself to focus on anything else – the soft hum of the air conditioner, the faint glow of streetlights filtering through my curtains, the distant sound of traffic. Yet, despite my efforts, images of him continue to flicker behind my eyelids, taunting me with memories of his touch.
Should I text him…? Maybe, I need to explain what he’d seen today although, by the lack of interest on his face, at the restaurant he wouldn’t care. Is this thing between us over already?
I just need to shut up and go to sleep. Everything else can wait until tomorrow.
