The Desire to Touch (12 page)

“No Ellie you
need
to come here.”

I huff and pulling my robe tightly around me walk to the door and slip my right hand up the sleeve to hide my scar, on the very rare occasion anyone has accidentally seen it I see the look of pity cross their face like a flash.

“What’s up?”

“Well one of the bell boy’s is here asking for you personally.” She looks at me puzzled.

I open the door wide so both Meagan and I are in the doorway, I look to see one of the younger weekend staff standing with a note in his hand.

“You all right?” I can’t help but notice the poor sod is bright red and puffing.

“Hi Ellie, a message for you.” He puffs handing me the envelope.

“Couldn’t you have phoned this up?” I look at Meagan equally puzzled.

“No,” he swallows, “It was specifically requested that it was hand delivered with the utmost urgency.”

“Oh,” I’m intrigued
. I look at Meagan and she is trying to muster up some sort of super power and burn her eyes through the envelope. The poor thing is waiting for a tip and I have nothing on me, I look at Meagan and with a tut she digs deep in her pocket, then hands him a couple of dollars.

I walk back into the room and Meagan closes the door.

“Come on open it, open it!” The squealer is back.

“Alright, give me a chance.”

I look down at the envelope in perfect hand writing is written:

Miss E Jones

“Definitely for me then.”

“Ellie stop messing please just open it, it just
has
to be from him!”

I roll my eyes and slowly open the edges of the glued seal, every centimeter I move, I can see the excitement growing on her face and to be honest I’m finding the torture quite fun.

“Just hurry up!”

I laugh and pull out the piece of paper
noting that it is hotel headed. I look at Meagan who is about fit to burst, I look down and read:

Dinner tonight 1 hour,

Car will be waiting outside

Trey x

Well, isn’t he one little demanding git? The tight-arse sending me notes, using hotel issue paper and envelopes - he really doesn’t impress me at the moment.

Devil girl has her thigh-high boots on and whip in hand at the ready, Angel girl is trying to weigh up the consequences of going or not. Hang on a minute. She was the one talking me out of it earlier and now she’s changing her mind? People wonder why I’m always second-guessing myself. I look at the clock on the wall, its 8:15pm I can assume the car will be downstairs at 9pm. I look at Meagan mortified.

“Well? What is
it? Don’t keep me in suspense, woman!”

I pass her the note and she reads it eyes wide and mouth aghast, without a word being said she grabs my arm and drags me into the bedroom.

I am dropped in front of my wardrobe but I really don’t feel comfortable about any of this. I won’t be anywhere I know and I will have no one to run too, plus how will Brendan feel about me going out?

“Stop over-thinking things!” Meagan shouts as she pulls the contents of my wardrobe out onto my bed.

“But I don’t know where I’ll be going and…”

“Just stop! Listen, you live in this hotel, you work in this hotel and God knows you play here too. You are over 3000 miles away from him and you are safe.” She orders, grabbing me by the shoulders and gently trying to shake sense into me.

She’s right, I need to let go and have fun. Just as I start to relax Devil girl throws the name Delaney Green into the air and that brings me back down to earth with a hammering pain in my gut.

“He’s dating someone.”

“Is he? I didn’t know that.” Meagan’s head is still in my wardrobe she pulls out a black dress that I don’t think I’ve worn yet, “Perfect!”

“Delaney Green?”

Meagan stops and ponders for a second, “Ah wait, I think I do remember reading or seeing something but hey who cares.”

“I do!”

“Seriously if he was in a full-on relationship with someone, do you think he would’ve so openly sat with you in a restaurant?”

“Maybe?”

“Just stop and get dressed.”

“I have nothing to wear and I feel like a beached whale, I’m not going!” I flump onto the bed and bury my face into the piles of clothes strewn across it.

“You’re doing it again, quit toying with the voices in your head because I will work my magic and you will look beautiful!”

“In 30 minutes?” I lift my head from the bed

“Yes, now the black dress or the blue one you wore last night? I’m sure we can steam out the creases quickly,” she laughs

“Well, whatever, I had a bath earlier I don’t have time to go again.” I know I’m being obstinate but I’m in an awkward mood now.

“Did you tidy up…you know,” she points down to my private area.

“Yesterday but I’m certainly not going to be offering that up.”

“Don’t be so pissy! It’s best to be prepared though, nothing worse than letting the dog see the rabbit and finding out the rabbit is a rabid wild hare!”

This conjures up images in my mind that bring nervous giggles up from my stomach and make me laugh.

“Right get dressed and then I shall work my magic on your hair and makeup.” Meagan ushers me into the bathroom and thrusts the black dress into my arms.

After a rush job of dressing, hair and makeup I stand in front of the mirror while Meagan stands behind me admiring her handy work.

“Well, Cinderella you will go to the ball,” Meagan say
’s, pleased with her efforts.

I can’t quite believe it - I’m pretty stunned at the reflection looking back at me, I’m wearing a sleeveless black shift dress, black high heels and silver drop earrings.

“Let’s not forget the final piece,” Meagan reaches into my top drawer and pulls out a thick silver geometrically shaped bangle and passes it to me to slip on.

I slip it on then play with my hair
, admiring what she has done. Just a simple side- parted messy bun with a few loose ends hanging down all complimented by the understated nude makeup, with minimal eyeliner.

“Wow.” I feel so grown up and I look my age!

“You like? Well even if you don’t it’s tough. I love it, its 8:55 so you’d best get going.” Meagan grabs my black military jacket off the bed.

I groan as my stomach starts doing summersaults, “Do you really think this is a good idea?”

“Yes! Now come on, I’ll walk down with you so you can’t back out.” Meagan rushes into the spare room to collect her bag and then meets me by the door.

We travel down in the lift together and the whole time she is going over and over things I must and mustn’t do.

“Please Ellie, just tonight let go, act at being the old you if only for a little while.”

“Will you please stop making me nervous then, please.”

As my nerves start getting stronger the duo reappear, Devil girl is dressed up as the hot dominatrix and Angel girl is wearing a beautiful white maxi dress – note to self - get one, it looks good on her.

We leave the lift and we
walk through the lobby as Earl passes. He nods in acknowledgment then double takes and stops, “Off somewhere nice?”

I smile back curtly.

“Well he’s a very lucky guy, does your uncle know you’re off out?”

I freeze and my face drops then Meagan jumps in,

“I will let dad know, it’s fine, I will pick her up.” Turning away from Earl she drags me to the entrance.

“He’s so nosey
, it really winds me up.”

“It’s only because he cares Meagan, look I don’t think I’m ready for this
. I am way to nervous and what if...”

“Look,” Meagan grabs me by the shoulders, “I told you just stop over thinking things and for god
’s sake stop playing with that bangle!” She swipes my hand away from being able to touch it.

“I have my phone and I will come and get you whenever, wherever you need me to ok?”

I nod, that reassures me and I feel slightly better. We walk out of the front door and the Midnight blue Bentley is waiting.

“Nice car!” Meagan whispers in awe.

We slowly walk down the steps towards the car, I look around and no one seems to be in it waiting. We turn around and see Trey talking to Frank the doorman, Trey smiles and walks over towards us – I change my mind, I want to go back, I want to go back.

I subconsciously go to take a step back but Meagan is behind me holding me in place and foiling any plan I had to run.

“Ellie,” he pauses, “You look beautiful.” He walks towards me, looking so amazingly handsome, turning me weak at the knees. Trey is wearing a thin white jumper and jeans, his hair is gelled into a messy style and all the stubble he had last night has gone. His jaw is so soft looking I could quite happily bite along it, whilst his blue eyes sparkle in the night light.

I’m speechless again, then I feel Meagan’s elbow in my back prompting me,

“Thank you,” I smile.

Meagan jumps in offering her hand for Trey to shake.

“Hey,” she’s all flustered trying to act cool, “I’m Meagan, we met last night, thought I’d introduce myself now I’m sober,” She ends it with a little laugh, desperately playing aloof.

Treys eyes are locked on mine and he doesn’t seem to want to release me to greet Meagan. Finally he moves his attentio
n to Meagan and shakes her hand. I hear the little giggle of ‘Oh my God’ come from deep behind her big all American smile.

Meagan turns to me and leans in to hug me and whispers in my ear, “Old Ellie, just for tonight.”

I hug her back, “Keep your phone on loud then.”

“Shall we?” Trey holds out his hand for me and, taking a deep breath, I take it. That feeling is there again sending the butterflies mental inside my belly.

We walk towards the car and I turn to smile at Meagan as Frank runs down to open my door. Trey releases my hand and goes around the other side and gets in. Frank holds my door open and I slide into the car; the seats are amazingly comfy and the interior is gorgeous. As Frank closes
the door I look up to Meagan, who gives me a wink and a thumbs up whilst waving her phone at me, so I nod in return.

“You ready?” Trey asks.

I take the biggest breath in, one that makes my chest heave – ‘Be old Ellie’. I turn to him and smile, “Yes.”

Trey starts the engine and we glide away so silently, I instinctively start fiddling with my bracelet – I can’t stand the silence but I don’t know what to say. This is almost painful!

“Music?”

I say a little prayer heavenwards – ‘Thank you!’

“Yes please.” I smile.

“Anything in particular?”

“As long as it’s not death metal we’re good.”

He chuckles, “Shame
, I like a bit of throat screaming.”

I look at him shocked - he does not look the type, oh crap
! great way to start the evening Ellie, foot in mouth yet again.

“Sorry, whatever you like.”

“Relax, I’m joking,” he smiles an amazingly beautiful smile.

My phone buzzes I reach into my bag and get it out,

“Your cousin checking that I haven’t tied you up?”

Oh Christ, I swallo
w loudly, “More than you know.” I glance out of the window looking at the streetlights flying past as we glide along the highway, I close my eyes and take a steadying breath then return to my phone.

Meagan xx

17 Sep 2012  21:14

Relax Dad is fine with u out, pls relax & have

an amazing time – leave the bracelet! ;) xx

I put my phone back in the bag and stare out of the window as we
glide over Williamsburg Bridge. I am so thick - I haven’t even asked where we are actually going!

‘Old Ellie, old Ellie’ I chant under my breath.

“Where are we going?” my voice is surprisingly calm and not mousey or shy – my Angel and my Devil are applauding me. Yay, go me!

Trey looks at me briefly, “My house.”

Overdressed! I am definitely overdressed, argh!

“Oh, where is your house?”

“Long Island, told you I lived close.” He grins like a child.

“An hour away? That’s close enough” I can’t help but laugh, more for the fact I am so close to home, I can escape should I need to.

I feel so much more comfortable now; I just sit back in the chair, making sure I sit ladylike. I look up at the dark sky and drift away while Trey flicks through music to play. He skips past one and without thinking I say, “I like this one,” Again I shock myself at how calm I am.

“This one it is.” He laughs putting it back on.

Annie Lennox singing ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ fills the car and I return to drifting back off and admiring the skyline from the car window.