Page 35 of Once Upon a Prince

Dax

“I couldn’t sleep. The room, the bed, everything seemed too big. It’s almost as if someone else should be in there with me,” Ella said from the doorway.

“El, Ella—” I stammered. I had been restless after the day and had poured myself a drink and was trying to figure out what to do with my evening when she had knocked on the door. It was as if she had read my mind because the only thing, I could think about doing, the only thing I wanted to do was spend more time with her.

She walked into my room as if she owned it. I slowly turned and watched her. She had changed into a pair of short shorts that barely covered her ass and a soft pink tank top. The top strap had fallen and I couldn’t decide if I wanted to reach over and slide it up or pull it down so the whole top came off.

“What are you saying? What do you want?” I asked her as I walked up to her.

“You,” she said and pulled me to her.

I woke up with a start and sat up in my bed. I looked around half expecting to see Ella there with me, but she wasn’t. Of course, she hadn’t come into my room even if that was exactly what I had wanted to happen. Frustrated with myself and how my mind was constantly on Ella, I got up and took a cold shower.

It had seemed like such a simple idea to have Ella come with me on the trip. She was an excellent assistant and would only make my work day go better and more efficiently. The days, and even nights, on work trips can be lonely and I wanted her company. I wanted to show her parts of a city that I loved almost as much as my own. I hadn’t counted on what it would be like being in such close quarters with her or how my need to be with her would almost consume me.

The week had gone by quickly and, as expected, Ella had been the perfect assistant and right-hand person. She kept me on-schedule, charmed everyone at our meetings, and was an excellent dinner companion. She was everything that I had wanted her to be. The trip had been successful, more so than I had hoped, and a big part of that was because of Ella.

I was thankful she was there but I was glad that the week was over. As nice as it had been to work with Ella, I was ready for the weekend to start. Beginning with the charity event that night. We had a few more meetings that morning and then we had the afternoon free. I had a little surprise for her to help her get ready for the evening. I wanted our first date to be as memorable as possible. I wanted her to have the best time and hopefully with what I had planned for her she would. But first, we had to get through the day.

When I got downstairs, Ella was already sitting at a table with a cup of coffee and a croissant in front of her. She looked rested and ready to face the day. She also looked incredibly beautiful in her silk pantsuit. She had acclimated to the climate and vibe of Buenos Aires like she belonged there. She seemed to enjoy the city and all that it had to offer, learning a bit about the culture and food so she could be knowledgeable with our clients. Watching her, seeing how she was in the city made me want her even more. I knew she had no idea the effect she had on me and as I walked up to join her, I was glad she didn’t.

“Good morning,” I said as I approached.

“Good morning,” she replied with a smile. “How’d you sleep?”

“Good. You?”

“It would be impossible for me to not sleep well in that room and that bed. I still can’t believe you gave it to me,” she said.

“It wasn’t my room, it was yours. I wanted you to have the best. I don’t need much. I’m glad that you like it.” I didn’t want to think about her sleeping in the bed and how I imagined myself in it with her.

“You’re too kind. It’s going to be hard going back to my own room in New York. I can’t believe the week is done,” she said.

“It went by quickly. Are you ready for tonight?” I asked.

A slow blush crept over her cheeks. “I’ve never been to a charity event. I’m not sure what to expect. I hope I brought the right outfit.”

“You don’t need to worry about that.” I gave Ella a mischievous smile and she tilted her head at me.

“What does that mean?”

“You should have a little surprise waiting for you when you get back to the room this afternoon.”

“What kind of surprise?” Ella asked.

“If I told you, it wouldn’t be a surprise now, would it? Are you ready to go?” I asked.

Ella didn’t answer me right away but took a sip of her coffee. I gave her a look that said I wasn’t going to answer her questions. She put the cup down, let out a sigh, and stood up.

When we got outside our car was waiting and we headed over to our first meeting. The morning passed in a blur of meetings, calls, and last-minute deals. As we finished the last meeting, I held open the door for Ella so we could leave the office. She smiled at me and kept her head down as we went to the elevator. I said good-bye to the office staff and walked into the elevator with Ella.

We stood facing the front but I could feel her presence next to me. With the work week over, all I could think about was that she was standing next to me and I wanted to pull her into my arms and kiss her.

“Thanks for all your help this week. You make it look effortless,” I said.

“You’re welcome. Just doing my job.” She didn’t look at me but I looked over at her. She blushed slightly under my scrutiny and it made me think that she had kept her professionalism but her mind had turned to other thoughts like mine had.

“We can head back to the hotel or if you want, we can do some sightseeing. There are some great parks and even a zoo nearby, we could check them out,” I suggested.