Ruin Her

Ellie was too busy trying to keep up in her heels to notice. They were let through the door into the sensually lit nightclub. This one was more expensive than the place where he’d met Ellie. Also, it had a nice VIP area, which he took her to.

Date night was going to be good for her. He was determined to make her happy, no matter the cost.

Chapter Five

Ellie sat down in the booth that Antonio had booked for them. She noticed how tense he was and didn’t understand it. Why take her out if he wasn’t happy about it? She didn’t need to be impressed. Ordering a pizza, curling up on the sofa, watching some movies, those were awesome and she loved it. His tastes weren’t the same as hers. He also liked hot chocolate, she knew she’d surprised him with her drink, one she really enjoyed.

The waitress came to take their orders and she noticed the woman’s hand was shaking. Antonio unnerved a lot of people.

Glancing at her date, she saw he was checking the place out.

“Is this because of your job?” she asked. “Always making sure everywhere is safe?”

“Exactly.” He took her hand, kissing her knuckles.

Pleasure shot through her body and she leaned forward. The privacy of the booth offered them that. Cupping his cheek, she noticed he pulled her hand away, kissing the inside of her wrist, directly over her rose tattoo.

He’d been surprised about the ink she’d gotten when she left the system. A rose surrounded by thorns. A constant reminder never to trust.

“I had no idea you’d be coming here, Antonio,” a man said, stopping by their table.

Ellie pulled away as Antonio stood. “Raphael, it’s good to see you.”

She watched the two men shake hands. Sitting back, she felt a twisted feeling in the pit of her stomach but didn’t say a word. The waitress came back, drinks in hand, and put them down on the table. Even though Raphael had a woman on his arm, he still pulled the waitress into his arms, gripping her ass and ordering drinks.

Ellie didn’t like it and tensed up.

“And who is this you’re with.”

Standing up, she went to Antonio’s side and held his hand. She noticed he didn’t hold hers back.

This was all a little confusing. To anyone looking on, she’d appear to be the one pulling on his arm or hanging off his side. She would never be the kind of woman who stuck around with a man who didn’t want her touch.

Pulling away from him, she offered a smile. “Ellie.”

“Ah, Ellie Taylor. It is a pleasure to meet you. My good friend here has told me so much about you.”

“Really, he hasn’t said a word about you.”

“Raphael Giavanni.”

She recognized the name from the nightclub and the apartment building. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She shook his hand and pulled away the moment he tried to kiss her knuckles. “If you’ll excuse me.” She stepped away from the table and made her way out of the VIP section.

Ellie stopped one of the waitresses to ask where the bathroom was.

It was rare for a women’s bathroom to be empty, but as she stepped in, she found it was.

At the sink, she turned the water to cold and splashed some on her face and neck.

Closing her eyes, she wouldn’t even dare look at her reflection as she knew without a doubt she would hate what she saw. This wasn’t her. This was far from her, and she hated it. Opening her eyes, she finally looked at herself, and yes, the plunging dress. At least there was no makeup. He hadn’t changed that part about her.

Staring at her reflection, she felt the tears prick her eyes.

“Why did you walk away?” Antonio said, walking into the bathroom.

“This is the ladies’ room. You can’t be in here.”

“I think I’ve proven time and again, I don’t follow bullshit protocol.”

“No, you do what you want when you want.” She glared at him. “If you can’t stand to be seen with me, why didn’t you let us stay at the apartment? Why bring me to a place your friends are going to be when you don’t want them to know you’ve gone to the gutter with me?” She no longer looked in the mirror but glared right back at him, needing him to see the pain he’d caused her by what he’d done, or not done.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“I don’t want to do this. I’m going home.” She took a step toward him but he wouldn’t move. “I’m done.”

“No, you’re not going anywhere.”

“Antonio, I’m not taking your bullshit now.”

“I don’t want him to know how important you are to me,” he said.

“Oh, don’t worry. He got the message I’m just a girl to fuck!” she yelled at him, angry at herself for falling for all of this. For believing that for even a moment she could matter. It was crazy.