"Oh, yeah?" He asked.
"Yeah we could watch something, or just hang out?" she suggested.
"It's eleven at night is anything good on?" He asked.
"I was going to watch Sabrina on AMC but if you want we could watch something else."
"No, Sabrina is fine, besides you are the patient." He commented. He started to fuss with a pillow to elevate her ankle. Once he was happy with the results of his task, he took residence on the other side of the bed.
"Do you have something against movies made in the last fifty years?" Will asked after a few minutes of peaceful silence.
"Not particularly, I just like what I like. I think my favorite movie ever is Pretty Woman." She replied.
"Mine is Young Guns."
"Really? I took you for a Doctor Zhivago kind of guy." She gave him an eyebrow raise.
"Oh please, and you are a Gone with the Wind kind of girl then." He teased.
"No, I cry every time I watch it. I love the movie and I know it has to end like that, but every time he says he doesn't give a damn my heart just shatters." She said with misty eyes.
"Yes well if you had reviewed it maybe Margaret Mitchell would have considered a rewrite."
"What are you trying to say?" she asked in mock annoyance. He leaned in challenging her.
"Nothing other than you are feared among authors for your fearless disparagement of their work."
She leaned in so close that they were nearly nose to nose. "Are you afraid?" she asked voice full of desire. In answer, he pressed his lips to hers. It was exactly the answer she was looking for, like lighting in a bottle. They next thing either knew shirts were flying and hands were clamoring to claim as of yet untouched territory. There were no more words. Lust had won the battle. The only thing in either mind was take and give pleasure. It was magic.
Will awoke and smiled. He looked over at Ellie hair curled around her face, arm thrown over her head. She was even more beautiful today than last night, but as his thoughts continued they became suffocating. What if she was just another parasite looking for a meal ticket? What if this was just a one night stand for her? What if? The choice only got worse from there. Last night, though, last night was a mistake. Hell, this whole weekend was a mistake. He was falling fast. He was scared. For the first time since the death of his father he was scared shitless. He could already see that he was in too deep. He was drowning in the say emotion that had almost caused his ruin more than a decade in the past.
He glanced at the clock. 5:58, he had always been an early riser. He gathered his clothes as quickly as possible and headed back the main house. Maybe if he didn't mention it she wouldn't either and they could part as indifferent acquaintances.
She felt a shift in the bed. The night came rushing back to her. Visions of yielding flesh and hard muscles filled her mind. She tried to giving the impression she was still asleep. This was the moment. If he left that was it. If he stayed, she was dying for him to stay. What she had realized the night before was that she was falling in love. The problem was they had never talked about what last night would mean. Now he was making a choice. She waited, trying to keep her breath regular.
When she heard the outside door close she knew he was gone. Clearly last night was nothing to him. This whole weekend had been a cheap thrill, and she fell for it hook, line and sinker. She tried not to let it get to her. She pulled the covers up to her chin and channel surfed for something to distract her. After several minutes of searching she gave up and decided to throw herself into her work. She found the book about zombies and dove into the carnage.
It was one in the afternoon when Jane came looking for Ellie. She found Ellie at the desk in the office typing furiously.
"Don't you think morally repugnant is a little strong, Ellie?" Jane asked.
"You obviously didn't read it!" Ellie returned.
"All righty then, I just came to see what you were up too, and ask you if you were coming in for lunch." Jane decided not to poke a snarling bear.
"If going inside means coming within 50 yards of that jerk, I would rather starve." She declared and returned to banging on her keyboard.
"I assume your referring to Will." Jane half asked. Ellie huffed indignantly. Jane saw she wasn't going to get anywhere so she gave her sister a kiss on the head and returned to Charlie. They had a big day of board games planned. She had already beaten him at Scrabble and Life, now it was on to Monopoly. She was a little worried about her sister but Jane knew Ellie would find her when she was ready to talk about whatever had upset her.
Meanwhile, Will paced his room. He had told Caroline that he had some work to do, but really he was just hiding out. She had caught him at breakfast and cornered him into watching a movie with her. Sadly for will that meant two hours of him trying to avoid getting felt up. He felt dirty, and not just from Caroline's wondering hands. He was regretting leaving Ellie this morning with each passing minute. It didn't help when Jane returned from the office without Ellie. She shrugged explained that Ellie was buried in work and would be in for dinner. Will didn't want to be conceited and think that her absence had everything to do with him. Only, he felt he should have at least stayed and had sure she was okay. He wasn't a one night stand kind of guy. Finally, he concluded that he would just explain to her when she came in for dinner.
It was, therefore, unlucky that Charlie planned a special night out for everyone as they would be heading home tomorrow. Charlie had invited some of the people from the neighboring town over for a night of dinner and dancing. He had also ordered a string quartet and as the big night cap fireworks.
Charlie told Jane about his plans after lunch so Monopoly was replaced with a quick trip to town to get something appropriate to wear. The options in the small town were limited but she found an outfit for both her and her sister. They returned home and steeled themselves to inform everyone of this evenings plans. Charlie knew Caroline wouldn't be happy about mixes with people she found inferior but figured she would enjoy showing off. Will would be unhappy but bear it stoically. Jane was worried that Ellie would simply refuse to join them, but she had a secret weapon if Ellie didn't go willingly.
Everyone reacted to the news exactly as Jane and Charlie had predicted. Caroline ruffled but then dashed off to find something fabulous to wear. Will rolled his eyes and returned to the library to enjoy the quiet before the storm. Ellie flat out refused to attend; even with the bag of peanut butter M&Ms Jane had brought her as an inducement. Jane whined and cajoled but still not an inch was gained by either side. Finally she brought out the big guns.
"You know when mom asked you to be a bride's maid at her last wedding and you told her you were stuck in an airport in Budapest, but really you were playing craps in Las Vegas." Jane reminded.
"You wouldn't…" Ellie replied in a threatening tone.
"I would and I will." She answered not at all worried. She was almost to the door when she added, "Laid out something lovely on your bed, dear."
Ellie ignored her sister's exit. It was some time later that she glanced at the clock. She had just enough time to show Will exactly what he was missing. She quickly headed for the shower. Then to inspect what Jane had picked up for her. It was a knee length deep red halter dress with empire waist. It was perfect. Ellie headed to Jane's room to finish getting ready.
She twisted her hair into an elegant updo and added a smoky eye and bomb shell red lipstick. Jane wore a knee length sapphire one shoulder dress, which fit her like a glove. Her hair was wavy and framing her face just the way he loved. She wore minimal makeup which only highlighted her natural beauty. In direct opposition Ellie was a seductress. Charlie whistled when he came in to his room to find Jane and Ellie adding the finishing touches to their outfits.
"Jane you look beautiful." He beamed. "Ellie I am afraid you may cause a heart attack." Then he offered both women his arms and led them to the great room where guests were already mingling. Ellie immediately started making friends. She chanted with the local bakery owner about an idea for a fluffer nutter brownie, the principal of the local school about an article on a multilingual learning, and finally spent a good amount of time with a young woman, Alex, who worked for the town newspaper.
Soon dinner was called and everyone ate happily. The chef had out done himself with a choice of beautiful roast duck with saffron scented rice or filet mignon with blue cheese risotto with a port wine reduction. It was enjoyed by everyone except Caroline, of course. As soon as they were done eating the quartet struck up and Charlie led Jane in the first dance. Almost immediately other couples took to the dance floor and the room was filled with a joyful carefree spirit.
Will stood aloof in a corner, checking his blackberry every time someone tried to start a conversation. Caroline circled the room winking at him every once in a while. Charlie, ever the social butterfly, mingled through the crowd Jane on his arm like a crown jewel. They had danced together a number of times, not to mention joined some of the guests a few turns around the floor. Ellie and Alex were having a great time. Alex knew practically everyone in town and introduced Ellie enthusiastically. Ellie had barely missed a dance with all the new people she was meeting.
Will had been watching Ellie work the room all night and all he wanted to do was throw her over his shoulder and repeat last night's activities. She was absolutely stunning. Red was most defiantly her color. Again his eye was draw to the ink adorning her shoulder. The night before after she had fallen asleep he had been able to ascertain that it was a tattoo of a flower with five petals and on each a letter, J,E,M,K,L.. It was odd and yet possible the sexiest thing about her. He was finished watching from the sidelines however. Now was a time to be a man.
Ellie was chatting with an investment banker when Will approached her for a dance and said yes out of pure shock that he asked. Will quickly pulled her on to the floor for a waltz. Ellie noticed his perfect form, not to mention exceptional dance skills, not for the first time. She was lulled into a false sense of security by the comfort of his arms, but it couldn't last.
"About this morning," Will began.
"I'm surprised at the turn out this evening for such a spur of the moment event." Ellie deflected.
"I just wanted to let you know," Will pressed
"You know the weather today was exceedingly hot." Ellie again cut in.
"Can I just," Will tried one more time.
"This room was easily transitioned into a make shift ballroom. I think it's the vaulted ceilings. Gives a sense of space." She commented blandly. Will got the message they were not going to talk about it fine. He would just enjoy the last time Ellie might ever be in his arms.