She reached into her jacket pocket and slid it through the card reader. Wes pulled the door open, and they walked into the lobby of the building. Two security providers sat at a desk in front of the doors to the first-floor apartments and the elevators and stairs to the second floor. “I’m upstairs.”
“I’ll walk you to your door.” He moved to walk around the desk to the elevator.
“Excuse me, may I see some identification please?” one of the providers asked. The second provider looked as if he swallowed his teeth.
The new employee examined the ID Wes pulled from his wallet. “Mr. Crockett, I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you,” he said.
“And if you did, would you do anything differently?” Wes asked.
“No, sir, but I would’ve been less of an idiot.”
“Fair enough. I’m escorting Ms. West to her apartment. I’ll be down in a few.” He pressed the up button, and the doors opened, revealing the presence of Aaron Bain; Riley Armstrong, a nurse practitioner with a Texas twang from the new health clinic; Addy Ratliff, an equine therapist; and Desi Barrett, a PA; all ready to exit.
“Hey, Ellie, where are you coming from?” Desi asked, her brow arched into a perfect vee.
“Working,” Ellie said.
“We’re heading up to the cafeteria to grab a snack. Want to come?” Riley asked, seeming unconcerned that Wes was with her. She and the nurse had grown to become friends during the six-week orientation in the DC offices.
“I’m good. Heading in for the night,” Ellie said.
Wes held the doors for her to enter the car. “Goodnight, all.”
As the doors closed, he heard Desi or Addy say, “What would he want with her?”
Another female voice said, “With her size, she probably gives good head.”
The doors closed before he could stop them. One look at Eleanor’s face and he saw she heard it too—more bothersome: it appeared she believed it.
The doors opened onto the second floor. She picked up her pace as she headed to her apartment. When she unlocked the door and tried to get inside, alone, he jammed his foot in the door. “Stop. Let me come inside for a few minutes. I need to tell you something. If you want, keep the door open, or we can go downstairs and sit on the bench outside,” he pleaded.
She started to retreat inside herself. Eleanor threw open the door and let him inside. She tried to create distance between them, her shoulders slumping, her face pale.
He took in the apartment. It was the first time he’d seen what each place held. The loveseat and chairs were upholstered in a navy-on-navy stripe. The cabinets, kitchen table, chairs, coffee table, and woodwork were a light cherry. A half wall with built-in shelves separated the sleeping area from the living area. Two doors were visible in the sleeping area; one he surmised was a closet, and the other was the bathroom.
She wrapped her arms around herself. “Please, Wes, you should just go. I’m naïve and inexperienced about relationships, but I am not stupid.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. He was furious. Not at her, but that so-called adults could be so cruel. “Ellie, I don’t know what changed between us from when we left my home and arrived here. Do I strike you as a liar?”
“No.” She shook her head, her eyes pointed to the floor.
“Good. I am forty years old. I know what I need and what I want in life. When I told you I like you, I meant it. I mean it. You are beautiful and desirable.” Her curves… her full breasts, her belly, her full bottom and those strong muscular thighs filled him with primal need.
“I hear you, but I’m unsure,” she whispered.
“Do you buy into those evil words? I’ll be happy to explain to them how I feel is none of their business.”
“Yes…a little. But. There’s more. I’m thirty years old, and I’ve never…been with a man other than as a patient or colleague. When you kissed me today, it was the first and second time I’ve ever been kissed. When you hold me in your arms, it’s wonderful. Part of me wants to run away, and part of me wants to run toward you. I’ve been body-shamed my entire life. I’m afraid.” When she looked up at him, her eyes, dampened by tears, glowed.
Wes walked toward her and opened his arms. “Ellie.” He waited. His heart pounded in his chest like the first time he kissed a girl playing spin the bottle in his church’s basement during a party.
Ellie took one unsure step, followed by another until his arms could wrap around her. “Wes.” She shivered.
“Shh. It’s okay to be scared.” He pressed his lips to the top of her head. “Curly, we will take things slow. You are worth waiting for.” He pressed her back, and with a gentle hand, lifted her chin. His lips caressed hers. “No more worries tonight. Sleep. Tomorrow we will sort more of your feelings out.” She nodded. “Lock the door.”
Wes stood in the hall until he heard the lock engage. His anger grew more with each step. By the time he reached his home, he was ready to pound nails with his fists.
Troy was watching an old episode ofThat 70’s Show. He looked up and immediately turned off the television. “What’s wrong?”
