“That sounds fascinating.” Lisa looked at the canapé spoons filled with a sauce and topped with octopus and a sprinkle of paprika powder. “Wow. Is this for us?”
“Just a little amuse-bouche while you wait for the party to arrive.” Zoe smiled and even managed to acknowledge Marcy’s presence with a subtle nod. She was clearly on her best behaviour today. Dressed immaculately in a white short-sleeved chef’s jacket and a white headband pushing her dark bob back, she looked spotless, like she’d just walked in. “It’s octopus stew. Traditional for the region.”
“I love this, I’ve had it before.” Lisa ate the spoonful and moaned. “Mmm… That’s really good.”
“Yes. It’s delicious,” Marcy begrudgingly admitted, avoiding her gaze.
“Excellent. Let’s hope the others like it too.” Zoe looked Marcy over. “Well, don’t you scrub up nicely?” Then she took the empty spoons, turned and headed back to the kitchen.
“Am I going mad or was that a compliment?” Marcy stared after her until she disappeared out of sight.
“It sure sounded like one.” Lisa was baffled too; it was the first time she’d heard Zoe say anything to Marcy that wasn’t insulting or cynical. “Maybe she secretly fancies you.”
“That’s ridiculous.” Marcy rolled her eyes. “That girl’s not even gay.”
“I’m not so sure about that. She was wearing a vest top from a pride event under her chef’s jacket the other day; I saw it when she unbuttoned it before she left. She also has a rainbow key ring attached to her locker key,” Lisa added. “That doesn’t necessarily mean she’s gay, of course, and I didn’t ask, but there have been other clues too. Just passing comments about cute actresses and stuff like that.”
“Well, shoot me.” Marcy looked puzzled. “I thought my gaydar was flawless but clearly I was wrong.” She took a long drink of her champagne and held it out for Lisa to refill. “Well, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t make her any less of a downer.”
“Not tonight, you promised.” Lisa shot her a warming look.
“Okay, okay. Let’s change the subject. Are the guests staying over?” Marcy asked.
“I don’t think so, but we do have the rooms ready for them in case they change their minds. You know how it goes… dinner, drinks, then probably more drinks. I’d be surprised if at least not some of them want a room.”
“Yes. I expect it to be a late one; it’s not my first rodeo with the Calvo Group. Diego’s quite close to my father; he’s hired our company for overhauls several times now.” She looked over her shoulder when she heard voices by the reception desk. “Oh, there they are.” She straightened her shirt and put on her most charming smile. “How do I look?”
“You look very nice. And very formal,” Lisa joked. She got up and headed for the door to greet Diego and his business partners. “Hello, everyone, welcome to El Escondite.”
74
“How did it go?” Stella yawned and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.
“It went really, really well.” Lisa got into bed and turned to her. She’d just had a shower and smelled like coconut and lime. “They were still there when I left. One of the waiters volunteered to stay on, the general manager is with them, and Zoe is coming in tomorrow morning to make breakfast, so they really didn’t need me there.” She smiled and cupped Stella’s face. “And I got some good news tonight.”
“More good news? Is that hostel in Sitges going ahead?”
“Yes.” Lisa grinned from ear to ear. “And not only that. They’ve offered me a contract.”
“Really?” Stella sat up and stared at her, her heart suddenly racing.
“Yes. It’s only a year contract for now, but if they keep expanding, they’ll extend it, possibly to an indefinite one.”
Stella suppressed a gasp, then let out a cry of joy. She suddenly felt wide awake as adrenaline rushed through her veins. Her love would stay and that was more than she could have ever hoped for. “Lisa, that’s…” She shook her head and laughed, wiping away the tear that rolled down her cheek. “Sorry, I’m feeling a little emotional right now. Please pinch me; I’m not dreaming, am I?”
“Baby, are you crying?” Caressing her cheeks, Lisa kissed her temple and her forehead, softly stroking her hair. When their eyes met, Stella saw she was teary too.
“I’m just so happy, I can’t believe it.”
Lisa smiled and rolled on top of her. “Does this feel like a dream?” She pushed her hips into Stella’s and kissed her hard.
“No…” Stella moaned and wrapped her arms around Lisa, then laced her fingers through her long hair. She loved her hair, she loved everything about Lisa, but right now, she especially liked her naked body draped over hers and knowing she’d be able to feel this for a very, very long time to come. The way she grinded into her—her body rolling so sensually—was making her crazy and she cupped Lisa’s behind and pulled her hips towards her. “Come here. I want to taste you.”
“Oh, yeah?” Lisa’s eyes darkened with desire, and her breathing became ragged as she shifted up, steadying herself over Stella with her knees to either side of her shoulders.
Stella groaned at the sight of her wet and swollen centre, and overcome with lust, she tugged her down and started feasting on her.
“Oh, God!” Lisa held onto the headboard, her hips jerking with each stroke of Stella’s tongue. “You always know exactly what to—” Her words faded into sounds of pleasure when Stella’s tongue darted inside her. Moving faster, Lisa’s moans turned louder, her back arching as her head fell back.
