Embracing Ellie: Chapter 11

Eleven at night, and Danny’s eyes were glued to the ceiling, mind racing with the day’s adventures and some tantalizing possibilities that lay ahead. But only if he had the guts. And only if he read Elena right.

He could do something so crazy that it paid off, or he could insult his most precious love and maybe even hurt her feelings. The only way to pull it off would be to go big. Unsubtle. But doing something of that nature that then failed would be a lofty height from which to fall and thus more likely to cause injury. Fortune favors the bold. But sometimes it didn’t.

But he wanted it. He wanted it so badly it hurt.

Desire had never seized him this hard before in his life.

It sprung from a burning desire for more than just the thrills they’d shared so far. A lot more.

Ellie’s back rose and fell as she slept on her front, head turned away, her breathing deep and even. An angel. Flawless skin, narrow waist, and her swelling hips were all on display in the soft moonlight filtering through the window. He gently slipped the sheet down, revealing more, and admired the way her delicate shoulder blade moved with each breath she took.

He didn’t want to wake her, but what he was imagining was too much to resist. He wanted more for her, something far out of the ordinary, something they wouldn’t do at home. His restraint was key. Too much sex would flood the system and take away its drive. He squeezed his erection through his pajama bottoms and flexed his stomach, the strongest sex drive he’d ever felt in his life powering through him, trying to twist his frame and break him.

Ellie would like it. They would both like it.

But he couldn’t rush things. He wanted to savor the moments, enjoy the anticipation. But Ellie would have no anticipation. The anticipation was for him; the celebration was for Ellie.

He leaned in and gently kissed the bare shoulder above her tank-top strap, warm against his lips. She stirred slightly, but didn’t wake.

They’d had the most incredible adventures so far in New Zealand. The bungee jumping, the hiking, the rafting. It had all been exciting, but it was nothing compared to the adventure he was imagining now. It was a risk, but sometimes the biggest risks led to the biggest rewards.

More ceiling staring. More sleeplessness. He reached for his phone on the table and woke it. A text had come in.

Then he was sneaking out of bed, the front of his pajama bottoms tented out by his aching hard on, and he snuck out of the room, dick wagging, point dragging on cotton, trotting out into the chalet’s living space. His fingers traced the screen of his phone, illuminating the dark room with a faint glow.

The text was from Hemi.

Hemi: We’re on for an adventure, mate! Just like you asked. Ellie’s gonna love it. What a surprise for her! Sorry, couldn’t make it happen today, but this one’ll be much better, I promise you, mate. This one’s a biggy.

Then there was a link. He clicked it and smiled and already his brain was in planning mode, jumping from one possibility to the other. Yes, it certainly was a surprise, and it could be so much more if he could muster the courage to ask for it.

The original plan had been for Hemi to prepare something special, but when it didn’t materialize today, he’d thought Hemi had forgotten or thought Danny was asking too much. All he’d wanted was a big surprise that would take Ellie out of her comfort zone. Spring it on her the way he’d sprung the bungee jump. Looks like maybe Hemi just couldn’t come through with something in time, not that Danny was asking too much.

His thumbs hovered over the keyboard, hesitating for a moment before he typed out his response.

Danny: Sounds great, Hemi. Thanks so much. I think Ellie will be really excited. Do you think we could add a little something extra to the surprise? I wanted to make it a special day for her.

He hit send, heart pounding in his chest as he waited for Hemi’s reply. The dots danced and at last the message came. His eyes widened as he read the words.

Hemi: Absolutely, mate! What did ya have in mind?

#

The next afternoon, they ended up at the Peak Chic Boutique. It had been an amazing morning. Danny woke up and was what she could only describe as ‘exuberant.’ The exuberance had been unexpected because the weather was dull and dreary with capricious misty-rain bouts. Shopping hadn’t even been her suggestion. It was Danny saying it was a perfect day for them to go shopping. And he hadn’t done his long-suffering act while shopping with her, traipsing around and acting like his head was becoming too heavy for his neck to support. No, he’d been happy and cooperative.

They’d gone into town after skipping breakfast and went to a bistro for brunch. A nice and cozy place without a spectacular view, but the bistro burned a real fire in a real fireplace, and she and Danny had sat by that fire eating croissants with butter and jam and then Eggs Benedict. After, they poked around the shops, and she found a few things for her sister and for her mom and dad, and Danny found a T-shirt with a kiwi on it for his brother (who’d asked Danny to find a T-shirt with a kiwi on it). They packed their purchased goods in their Land Rover and continued on shopping only for themselves (really, only for her) thankful they weren’t back in San Diego where they’d likely return to their vehicle to find all the lovely gifts liberated from the vehicle and the windows smashed and maybe the wheels gone.

They’d been in the Peak Chic Boutique for more than an hour now, and Danny’s sanguine expression amused her and puzzled her. No questions would be asked because she would take this blessing as a gift, and you didn’t look a gift horse in the mouth.

The boutique took up three storefronts on the main drag; a huge shop with pass-throughs and two floors in each of the buildings. The insides were timber-framed, and alpine-inspired, fresh-cut flowers in vases at the sales desks, and so far they’d only been to one side of the street-level floor. The weather had made the store busy, and the staff were run off their feet. She didn’t need anyone’s help, anyway, experienced shopper that she was.

Daniel lingered close by, a playful smile on his face as he admired the luxurious surroundings and spied on her. Always smiling. Or on his phone.

She wandered deeper into the store, Daniel following, making their way from casual clothing into evening wear. There were beautiful sparkling gowns, elegant black ones. She found an Oscar de la Renta in vibrant lapis lazuli. “Look at this,” she called out to Daniel, wandering on the other side of the rack, holding up the shimmering fabric against her body. “I’d wear this to something like our anniversary dinner. Do you like it?”

Danny put his phone away, came around, and checked it out. “You’d look incredible in that,” he said, his gaze lingering on her face rather than on the dress. “I’d definitely take you out.”

“Where are you taking me?”

“I’m not telling,” he said.

She clipped the dress back on the rack, saying, “You and your surprises.”

His face went sullen, and she asked him what was wrong.

“Hand bags,” he said. “Lots of them.”

She turned and followed his line of sight, then laughed, seeing at the back of this section there were shelves with beautiful backlit bags. But she said, “I need a new bag like I need another bungee jump.”

“But you liked the bungee jump,” he said, walking with her, arm slunk around her shoulders.

She held his hand. “I would be interested, but we can’t bring much back with us.”

“Great point,” he said, nudging his hand ahead and to the left. “We should get you stuff you can wear when you’re here.”

“Like what?”

“Sportswear, swimwear.”

“It’s a little cold for swimming.”

“Let’s poke around,” Danny said.

Poke around? Danny? “What are you doing on your phone all the time? What’re you up to?”

“Planning our anniversary,” he said, smiling.

“Ah, right. Five months away, you gotta get right on that.”

Danny’s arm moved from her neck, and he took a step ahead, saying, “Here, come on, let’s look at a new swimsuit for you.”

She followed, still eyeing him suspiciously. “Where are you taking me? Is it warm?”

He turned, and she saw in a brief and amazing moment the exact playful teen she’d fallen in love with. Daniel Torres still loved mischief. Still retained that roguish sort of charm he’d had when he was a straight-faced but fun and confident boy, tall and gawky but so so darn cute. She’d lucked out, falling in love with her best friend.

“Come on,” he urged, motioning toward the brightly colored displays that filled an alcove corner of the boutique. “Let’s find you something.”

Danny riffled through the racks until he snatched out a bikini so small her cheeks flushed in automatic horror. It looked more like a tangle of colorful blue rope than anything suitable for public wear.

“What do you think?”

She smirked and shook her head. “That’s way too small for me. I’d like to see you in it.”

He grinned wider, unfazed by her snark. “I would ruin it. And it’s not my color. But you, you could wear it on private occasions,” he said.

She kept her cool, knowing by his huskier voice they were talking about sex stuff, and they had the best sex day ever yesterday, and they were still going. She was game.

“Private occasions?”

“Absolutely,” he insisted, wagging the bikini again. “Just think about it—private beach picnic or just a lazy afternoon at the chalet. Or…who knows?” He leaned closer, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. “I’d love to see you in it.”

She bit her lip, like she was considering it, knowing no one would catch her dead in a bikini like that.

Who wore a bikini like that?

“Go try it on,” Danny encouraged, nudging her toward the fitting room.

She resisted for just a moment longer before taking the bikini from him and staring him down, like this was a challenge. And it was. It was clear that it was.

“You want to see me in this so bad?”

“Yeah,” he said. “I do.”

She looked at the bikini again. “It’s smaller than my underwear.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means if I try it on, you’ll see my underwear.”

Danny frowned, confused. “Why would you still wear your underwear?”

“I’m not trying something on without my underwear.”

“It’s got the plastic at the crotch.”

“Yeah, but you’re supposed to still wear your underwear.”

“Supposed to? You don’t always do what you’re supposed to.”

“Yeah, I usually do. Danny, I’m not wearing these without my underwear.”

“It’s just you in there, Ellie—who’s going to know?”

Then Danny guided her into the change room area, a short hallway lined with doors on both sides, stone and timber, rustic and elegant—but busy. The boutique was bustling with customers seeking refuge from the gray weather outside. Only one change room was available, and a harried sales associate was juggling multiple dresses over an arm amongst husbands and other shopping companions waiting for their friends. The situation was far from ideal, but she sensed Danny’s urgency and playful intentions. He wanted her to change into the bikini in this public setting, making it a daring game.

There were risks. She knew Danny well enough to trust him, but the thought of completely undressing in such a bustling place made her both nervous and excited. But she’d play along and embrace Danny’s mischief.

Danny gave her a reassuring smile. “I’ll be right outside,” he said, eyes sparkling with anticipation, and bouncing his eyebrows.

She stepped into the dressing room and closed the door behind her. The doors were similar to those found in public restrooms, not reaching the floor, leaving a gap that showed her feet to anyone nearby. The space was small but luxurious, with plush carpeting and full-length mirrors that reflected the bright lights overhead. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves as she looked around. The thought of undressing completely in such a public place made her feel vulnerable—but there was also a thrill at the prospect of doing something so daring.

Off came her top, her fingers trembling as she unbuttoned it and let it slide off her shoulders. She hesitated for a moment, then quickly unfastened her jeans and stepped out of them, leaving her standing in just a bra and panties. Other customers chatted and laughed outside the dressing room. She slipped off the bra and panties, a strange vulnerability exhilarating her as she stood completely naked in the brightly lit dressing room, people so nearby. She took a deep breath and looked at herself in the mirror, trying to see herself through Danny’s eyes. Or Hemi’s eyes.

She had always been fit and athletic, but she had never really thought of herself as sexy before. But as she looked at her naked body in the mirror, pride and confidence glimmered. Her breasts were full and firm, her stomach flat, her waist narrow and her legs long and shapely. She smiled a little, feeling a sense of satisfaction at the thought of Danny seeing her like this. Or Hemi. A smirk tugged a little smile in her reflection.

She quickly slipped on the bikini, the bottoms first, adjusting the straps and tying them securely behind her neck and back. The fabric was soft and stretchy, hugging her body in all the right places. But the bottoms were a thong back and her cheeks were totally bared. She turned to the side, checking out her reflection from different angles. Wow, it actually looked pretty damn good.

From beyond the door, Danny asked her, “How does it look?”

She swished in place, eyes staying on the mirror. “It’s, uh…yeah, it’s…I’m not getting it, Danny, it’s too tiny.” It really was.

“Can I see it?”

“No,” she said.

The door handle swiveled and Danny stepped in and her automatic reaction was to cover up—not from Danny, but from anyone in that hallway who would get a free chance to see way too much of her. She skedaddled to the change room’s far corner. “Danny, you can’t be in here. We’re going to get kicked out.”

Danny didn’t respond, his gaze slowly traveling down her body, taking in the sight of her in the tiny bikini and her covering up like she was totally naked. The intensity in his eyes made her feel both self-conscious and unambiguous exhilaration. Yet, she said, “Danny, I’m serious. You need to leave.”

He finally spoke, voice low and husky. “You look incredible, Ellie. I had to see for myself. Why would you hide this from me?”

A flush crept up her neck. “Danny, please. We can’t do this here.”

He took a step closer, hand reaching to brush the hair away from her face. “I know, I know. But just let me have a moment, okay?”

She hesitated, torn between the desire to give in to the temptation and the fear of getting caught. But as she looked into Danny’s eyes, she saw the love and desire there, and she couldn’t resist. She let her arms fall to her sides, allowing him to see her fully.

He let out a low whistle, his hand moving to trace the edge of the bikini top. “I can’t believe how amazing you look in this.”

A shiver ran down her spine at his touch, her breath catching in her throat. “Danny, we can’t...not here.”

“Turn around and let me see the back,” he said.

She hesitated for a moment, then said, “No, I’m kind of…it’s too revealing.” She folded her hands behind her back and looked at herself in the mirror. She stood pigeon-toed, her toes gripping the fitting room’s plush rug.

“I can see your butt in the mirror already,” Daniel said.

She groaned and laughed at the same time. “Well then, why do I have to turn around?”

“Will you just do it already?” he said, sounding impatient.

She took a preparatory breath and slowly turned away, letting him see her from the cheekiest angle.

Danny groaned, a low, lascivious sound that spiked her heart rate. “Wow, Ellie,” he said. “You look like the best thing I’ve ever seen.”

She blushed and smiled, feeling a little more confident now, but still a little squirmy. “Thanks, Danny,” she said. “I’m glad you like it.”

Then she heard the unwelcome sound of an iPhone’s camera shutter. She whipped around to see Daniel holding his phone up, a mischievous grin on his face.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“I just wanted to know what Hemi thought,” Daniel said, his thumbs flying across the screen of his phone as he typed out a message. “Don’t you want a second opinion?”