Free Fallen for Her: Book 2 by Ava Armstrong Page A

into the office and paid for his room and pocketed the key.  Driving around to the back of the motel, he noticed Ella’s Honda parked in front of her room.  He pulled the Cadillac into the spot for Room #111.  The restaurant he researched was intimate and romantic; he had made the reservation to dine there with Ella for 7:00 PM.  The Black Pearl had the perfect atmosphere for the quiet private conversation he wanted to have with her. 
     
    Feeling like a teenager about to ask a girl out for the first time, Ray knocked softly on the door to Ella’s motel room.  She opened it and his heart raced.  The moment her eyes met his, he became mute momentarily.  But, finally the laughter of the other two girls brought him out of his reverie with Ella.
     
    “Hi, how are you?” He imagined he sounded so proper, so lame.
     
    Two girls pushed Ella aside, “Hi, I’m Cassie.” She had multi-colored hair.  Then the other one wiggled through, “Hi, I’m Paige.”  An attractive blonde, Paige smiled welcoming him.  They were a bit on the boisterous side and much more forward than Ella.  He could tell just by their body language. 
     
    Ella invited him in and he noticed clothing unpacked on the beds and snacks on the table.  The room looked like a slumber party in progress.
     
    “How have you been, Ray?” Ella asked politely.
     
    “Great.  Hey, can I steal you away for dinner?  I have some paperwork in the car.  Would one of you girls witness Ella’s signature for me?”  Ray asked nervously. 
     
    “Sure,” Cassie announced.  “Get the paperwork, I’ll sign it.”
     
    Ray disappeared, retrieved the documents and brought them inside Ella’s motel room.  The girls gathered around the small laminate table.  He reviewed everything with Ella and Cassie signed in the appropriate spaces.  The whole procedure took about thirty minutes and the girls were getting bored.  That much he knew.  They were fidgeting with their hair and drinking too much caffeine for one thing.  And, they talked loudly and laughed a lot.
     
    “That’s it, we’re done with that.  Now, how about dinner?” Ray looked into Ella’s lovely green eyes.
     
    “Can you give me a few minutes to freshen up?  Where are we going?” Ella asked.
     
    “I made a reservation at The Black Pearl,” Ray answered.
     
    “Oh, gosh, I love that place!” Ella exclaimed, “How did you know?” 
     
    “Just looked good to me.” Ray murmured as his eyes took her in.  Her hair was messy and lipstick faded, but she looked good to him; too good. 
     
    “I’ll just go to my room.  Tap on my door when you’re ready.” Ray said.  “Thank you, ladies.  Enjoy your shopping trip.”  He exited the room.  Within five minutes he was in the hot pulsing shower in his own room and could hear the girls giggling and fooling around.  The walls were definitely not soundproof in this place.  He toweled off and shaved.  Then put on a few drops of the cologne that would supposedly drive women wild.  So, he hoped .  A kiss:  that was what he wanted.  He could care less about dinner.  He wanted to devour Ella’s lips and tell her his most private thoughts.  He couldn’t wait to get her into the Cadillac with him. 
     
    When he heard her knock on his door, he opened it and Ella was standing there looking like the woman of his dreams.  He smiled but couldn’t seem to speak for a moment.  He inhaled slowly as he felt every nerve cell in his body come alive.
     
    “Are you ready to go?” Ella asked.
     
    “Yes, let me grab my jacket, I’m sorry….” Ray stammered.  She looked stunning in the soft green cashmere sweater and he was embarrassed to stare at her like that. 
     
    “Hey, is this the car you sent me a photo of on Facebook?” Ella turned in the doorway gesturing toward the Cadillac.
     
    “Yes, sweet, isn’t it?” Ray stepped outside, closed the motel door and locked it.  “My grandfather gave it to