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LaRue’s was one of The Taylor Hotel’s three fine dining establishments. Ellia’s menu approval process didn’t extend to LaRue’s however. The place had a theme all its own. It catered to lovers and those in love with its seductive, soft-jazz pieces from the live bands lucky enough to impress the Exodus talent scouts when they made their yearly jaunts during the off season in search of fresh entertainment.
The dining selections ran to French cuisine with culinary delights Ellia was quite familiar with. Still, the place catered to lovers and those in love. For that reason, El tended to avoid it unless she was meeting with the establishment’s creator LaRue Wells.
The closest El ever came to the eatery was when an evening walk took her past the long, wide boardwalk. The L-shaped structure was restricted to the Exodus side of the island and protruded over the cliffs for a stunning look upon a treacherous area that would’ve otherwise been off limits. That portion of the construction ran along the entire rear expanse of the hotel, island shops and eateries. It right angled into a long pier behind LaRue’s.
By early evening, the pier was lit by an array of spotlights. By nightfall, it seemed as though the lights were leading the way into an elusive, bewitching void. El found the effect a stunning one and made a point of strolling the spot often.
She never dined there, though. Yet she chose not to make an issue of it when Ted gave her the particulars of her meeting with Frayzer for that night. Truth was, she was too curious not to see him again whatever the venue.
Curious? Oh yes, but curiosity was only one of the emotions fueling her motivation to see him again. She could admit that to herself at least.
Still, her curiosity ran heavy. She’d found herself rehashing what he’d said about his cousins since his visit to her office that morning. Now, as she made her way across the sumptuous hotel lobby; en route to the restaurant on the other side, she was fixed once again on that segment of their conversation.
He was working on finally getting his cousins out of the business. ‘Finally’ indicated the desire wasn’t a new one, but perhaps one he’d been working on for some time.
‘Zy and War are my family’, he’d said. How far back did those feelings go and could they go all the way back to the night 16 years ago? Longer? They’d all grown up around each other and there had never been any overwhelming adoration between Fray and his cousins Russ, Sco, Jock and Keene. After that night...she just assumed they had all been a unit. It had sure seemed that way once they’d reached the clearing-
El gave herself a mental shake, effectively clipping the memory. She took brief refuge in a service corridor off from the lobby. When she was certain her mask was in place, she continued her journey toward LaRue’s and mulling over this new and unexpected path things had taken.
Fray had apologized that morning. He’d even acknowledged that he knew she deserved many more apologies.
After that night- that long ago night- she hadn’t seen him again. Bronson Guthrie V had met with a fatal accident shortly after, though no one had ever really believed it was an accident.
El learned that Bin had made a big fuss about wanting all the boys aged 12-19 to finish their schooling off the island. By the time El was back on her feet, Fray was gone. She hadn’t even gotten a goodbye much less an apology.
Now, she’d secured her apology with promises for more. All this, from an utterly devastating man who had the unforgettable eyes of the boy she’d known.
The LaRue’s host made a striking image from his spot behind the podium. El sent him a wave and brilliant smile while extending her hands and waiting as he moved from behind the tall, black marble stand.
“Sometimes I really love my job,” Orrin Vincent’s tone of voice was as flattering as his expression when he drew Ellia’s hand across the crook of his arm. He gave whispered instructions to the servers also manning the area and then proceeded to lead El into the candlelit depths of the restaurant.
Walking into LaRue’s was like walking into a sunset-that golden time of day when the atmosphere seemed softer and more welcoming. Tall, fat candles in wide glass vases occupied the center of every intimate table. Wall sconces glowed golden against mocha walls. The furnishings, chairs with high rounded backs and seats, draped in thick cream linen identical to the tablecloths. They gave diners the impression of eating on a cloud.
The place exuded warmth while maintaining an airy appeal. Orrin led El into the dining room and hesitated there at the entrance to take in the elegance greeting them.
“Don’t be upset if everyone makes a point of stopping by your table tonight,” Orrin gave her a sidelong look that hummed with flattery. “It’s not every day the big boss graces us with her presence and never while she’s looking like a treat from the dessert cart.”
Ellia’s laughter rang out. Orrin Vincent was a consummate Casanova who no one took seriously- least of all Orrin himself. Still, his charm was undeniable and kept his social calendar filled when he wasn’t seeing to his duties as LaRue’s Reservations Manager and Lead Host.
“No way will you get me to believe that everyone who makes their way past my table tonight is coming by just to take a look at my dress,” laughter held Ellia’s opinion.
Orrin sniffed with indignance. “I’ll have you know my colleagues and I are way too fabulous to be so obvious. Besides,” he nudged her arm cradled against his, “we all got our looks at him long before you got here. Talk about delicious.”
Orrin gave a nod that had El following the line of his gaze and there was no denying the accuracy of his opinion. From a table that offered a prime view of the dining room and stage, Frayzer sat with his focus directed beyond the plate windows. They showcased the night and the stunning gold lit pier cutting into it. As darkly elusive as the night he observed, Fray caught the eye of passing servers and diners alike.
Some things never changed, El thought, recalling his ability to tune out distractions with ease. Another thing that hadn’t changed was his apparent distaste for proper posture. Somehow, he managed to pull off looking wholly relaxed yet undeniably commanding from his recline against the chair. A gorgeous, dark 3 piece emphasized the athletic allure of his muscular frame and added an additional layer of potency to the commanding demeanor.
“I’m thinking we’re good enough friends for me to ask if that’s just business.”
El was prepared with a prompt response to Orrin’s query. Aside from island parties, to which she always arrived alone, she wasn’t known to have a dating life to speak of.
“What else could it be besides business, Orry?” She managed finally, only to earn the man’s sly grin.
“Babydoll, if you gotta ask...” Sighing, Orrin prepared to continue the journey into the dining room when Ellia’s name rang out. More laughter erupted when El and Orrin saw the restaurant’s namesake approaching them.
“Girl, you do know how to clean up,” LaRue Wells’ cocoa gaze warmed with erotic promise as she studied Ellia. “We’re gonna have to find more occasions to get you out on the town.”
“Mmm hmm...” The tall blonde next to LaRue, agreed.
Meanwhile, Frayzer had pulled his attention from the outdoor view to scan the dining room. He found El in no time. She and the dress she wore ignited an immediate reaction. Apparently, her three friends thought so too. He watched her holding the arm of the man at her side. The two women nearby were clearly the touchy feely type as well, he guessed. Both were exceptionally tall, one almost as dark as he was. Her hands smoothed over the tight sleeves of the rose-blush dress El wore. The blonde seemed taken by the back of the frock-what there was of it.
It dipped to the small of her back, leaving everything else beautifully bare. The tone of the material emphasized the healthy lustre of her mocha skin partially hidden by her long hair. She wore it loose that night with a riot of pitch curls held away from her face by an array of sparkling clips.
Fray flexed his hand, feeling the limb tingle with a need to toy with her hair and graze her back like the blonde was doing.
The chummy conversation was ending before he’d gotten too far gone and the women were escorting El to his table. Fray stood, not bothering to at all hide his approval of the dress or her in it. The flirty style was just right for the restaurant and he was very pleased to see that she hadn’t lost her flair for dressing for an occasion. Even though they were kids when he first noticed her talent for choosing the right thing to wear, it was an ability he had always admired.
“Elli.”
His quiet tone caused a delightful twinge to curl inside her body. The ragged octave, enveloped in warmth, soothed and pleasured at once.
“Fray,” El managed a quiet greeting of her own before turning to her escorts. “Frayzer Guthrie this is LaRue Wells and Vixen Breen. This place is LaRue’s brainchild.”
“Ladies,” Fray extended a hand to both women.
LaRue held on when it was her turn to shake. “Mr. Guthrie we see far too little of your family inside my place. I hope you’ll help change that,” she slid another suggestive glance toward Ellia. “Especially if it means getting our friend in here more often.”
“So she’s not a regular?” Fray commenced a suggestive appraisal of his own. His dark eyes roamed Ellia with unmasked heat.
LaRue caught the look at seemed to approve. “No she’s not. If I could have you both for dinner one night, I’d love to tell you all about it.”
“Sounds good,” With obvious effort, Fray turned his gaze back to LaRue. “I’ll let you set the time.”
A look of heightened intrigue sharpened LaRue’s lovely features. “Will you be staying on the island long?”
The question had Fray looking to El again. “As long as it takes,” he said.
Approval heightening then along with her intrigue, LaRue gave a gracious nod. “We’ll leave you two to enjoy your time here then.” She linked arms with Vixen Breen.
“Very nice,” the blonde murmured to Ellia before she and her partner moved on through the restaurant.
Fray watched the women only a second longer, before he took a chance that El wouldn’t shy away from the closeness needed for him to help her to her seat. She didn’t object when his hand brushed her waist. Everything inside him urged him to take it a step further than holding her chair. Alas, he didn’t, not sure if anything more wouldn’t involve him taking her out of the body hugging dress she wore. Decided, he accepted the brush of her curls across the back of his hand as his reward.
“Nice place,” he said when they were both seated. “Everyone with a hand in it, should approve.”
“Thank you. We do.” El smiled as she took in the establishment’s high ceiling warmed by the understated brilliance of the chandelier lighting. “It’s a shame we have to close for three months. Business here would boom year round.”
It was true. Travelers to Exodus often said as much. Though closing was for their safety, given the storm season that descended annually like clockwork. During that time, employees and members of the six founding families were all who were allowed on New Island. It was a time for celebration and homecoming that captured media attention and had tourists clamoring to take part in the festivities regardless of the stormy terrain.
The server arrived for drink orders and left the diners with their menus.
“LaRue seems nice,” Fray faked interest in his menu while diving into the topic he was most curious about then. El’s laughter roused his humor and a questioning look.
“She’s very nice,” El confirmed
“And Vixen is her...assistant?”
“That too,” Ellia felt her amusement swell. The sensation was unexpected yet too enjoyable to dismiss. LaRue and Vixen had clearly taken him off guard and she found his reaction priceless.
Fray resumed his casual recline in the chair and indulged in a slow, probing scan across the bodice of Ellia’s dress. The shirt collar style provided an appealing glimpse of full bosom and he took his time savoring the sight. “They seem to love you,” he noted after a moment.
El debated over sharing the next tidbit. Her hesitation lasted but a moment. She was enjoying the unexpected lightness a little too much to resist embracing more.
“They’d love me more if I accepted their offer to join in on a threesome.”
“Oh yeah?” Sleek, onyx brows lifted over a gaze the same color while a smile curved Fray’s mouth.
“And I’ve got no more details to share,” she reached for her water glass and sipped.
“I wish you’d reconsider,” Fray toyed with the base of his glass but didn’t lift it. “I’d been led to believe your life was pretty...routine. What I’m seeing tonight is nowhere near routine.” He helped himself to another delightful trek across her dress.
Deciding that one good turn deserved another, El fixed her date with a leering glare of her own. “And where do you keep your proxy papers in that suit, Mr. Guthrie?”
“I owe you more than talk about business you’ve got no interest in.”
The response had some of her lightness dimming. “I thought we already talked.”
“We haven't Elli and you know it. It’s been sixteen years.”
“I know that, Fray-”
“Why aren’t you married? Attached?”
“Why aren’t you?”
“Who says I’m not?”
“Bin.”
Mutual laughter followed brief silence.
“I’m happy you didn’t cancel out on me tonight,” he said.
Again, El looked around the restaurant. “I never come here.”
“That’s a shame.”
“Not from my point of view,” her chin lifted a bit in defiance. “What do you want from me Fray? My forgiveness?”
“I don’t deserve it.”
“You apologized.”
“Yet. I don’t deserve it yet.”
Ellia relaxed against the richly lined chair, curiosity outweighing her uncertainty. “What exactly do you feel you have to do to deserve it- besides apologizing?”
“When I can look at you and not see your fear for me,” his reply came without hesitation. “When you let me touch you-really touch you,” gently he skirted his fingertips against hers where they lay near her water goblet. His gaze lingered there.
“When I can tell you I love you and never stopped and I get to hear you tell me the same...” he raised a shoulder and met her gaze. “Then I’ll apologize again and expect to hear you say you forgive me.”
The carefree lightness she’d hoped to keep hold of, made a quick exit following his words.
“Apologies for my tardiness Ms. Taylor, Mr. Guthrie,” the server returned with drinks and slightly out of breath.
“No problem,” Fray’s gaze was still fixed on El’s unreadable face. “But I’m not sure Ms. Taylor’s gonna be staying with us.” He left the observation hanging a moment before prodding for her decision. “How ‘bout it El? Are you gonna leave me tonight?”
A wisp of lightness returned and El grasped it with both hands. “Not until you feed me.”
Grinning, Fray favored the waiter with a wink. “I think we’re ready to order.”