Page 85 of Sexting My Ex's Dad
I’d been trying to amend the relationship between my son and I for years… a relationship that would be unrepairable if he thought that I’d stolen his girl.
The silence hangs heavy between us, a weight pressing down on my chest as I struggle to process the implications of Owen’s return. Stella’s hazel eyes search mine for answers, her delicate fingers playing nervously with the hem of her shirt. I can’t help but admire her strength and resilience in the face of this unexpected revelation.
“Elio, it really isn’t a big deal,” she says softly.
But it is. It really is.
“Look, I’m sorry,” I mutter, pulling my arm away from her gentle grip. “I just need some time to think.” I can’t stand the hurt that flickers across her face. But I can’t stay here, not when every fiber of my being is screaming for space to breathe.
I turn and walk out of the apartment, ignoring her soft pleas from behind me and shutting the door.
I need to think.
50
STELLA
Iwake up to the relentless buzzing of my phone, jolting me from a restless sleep. The bright screen displays yet another message from Owen, followed by a missed call. I’d hoped that this morning would be different – that it would have been messages and calls from my boyfriend.
That’s what I get for hoping.Can I even call him my boyfriend anymore?
I thought it was weird when he just up and left my apartment the other day – I thought he may have been mad because I didn’t tell him about Owen, but this is getting ridiculous. It’s been over a week of me blowing his phone up, and he hasn’t answered any of my calls or messages.
And while I’ve been blowing his phone up, Owen has been blowing mine up. And it’s starting to get annoying. He’d meant it when he said he wanted me back and clearly couldn’t take a hint that I wouldn’t take him back if he were the last person on this earth.
“Enough,” I mutter under my breath, frustration simmering inside me. My fingers tap furiously on the screen as I send a curt response to Owen.
Setting the phone aside, I force myself out of bed and into the shower, the warm water doing little to ease the tension in my muscles. As I lather my body with soap, my thoughts drift to Elio – those eyes I can’t get enough of, that mouth of his that’s made me feel pleasure like never before. Not to mention how tightly he’d held me as if he was scared I would float away. I can’t help but feel betrayed. I’m done with this avoiding game that he’s playing.
Honestly, I’m sick of all of these games. He’s so hot and cold with me, and it isn’t fair.
Wrapping a towel around my body, I stare at my reflection in the foggy mirror. My hazel eyes are resolute, my wavy brown hair damp against my neck. Today is my day off, and I refuse to waste it wallowing in uncertainty.
He’s going to give me some answers.
Once I’m dressed, I grab my purse and keys, making my way to my car. I drive, navigating the familiar roads toward TerraVolt, Elio’s renewable energy empire.
As the towering building comes into view, I steel myself for the confrontation ahead. Elio may be powerful and charismatic, but I won’t let him intimidate me. He’s my boyfriend, after all. He can’t treat me like this! I deserve more for him.
The chemistry between Elio and I may be better, but at least Owen never left me high and dry.Well, except for the time he broke up with me.
A gust of wind tousles my hair as I step into TerraVolt’s pristine lobby, my heels clicking against the polished marble floor. The receptionist barely looks up from her computer as she greets me with a forced smile.
“Good morning. How can I help you?”
“I need to see Elio Lombardi. It’s urgent,” I declare.
“Mr. Lombardi isn’t taking visitors right now, unfortunately. He’s preparing for a meeting, but if you’d like to leave me your name and the message, I can make sure that I get that over to him.”
Something within me refuses to accept this runaround. I’m not one of his work colleagues. “I don’t have time for this.” I stride past the receptionist towards the elevators. She calls after me, but I ignore her, pressing the button for Elio’s floor.
The elevator stops at Elio’s floor, and I step out, searching for his office. I finally locate Elio’s office, and I can hear him and another man talking inside, however I don’t let it stop me. The door is slightly ajar, and with bated breath, I push it open.
“Stella... What are you doing here?” Elio asks, his voice laced with surprise.
But before I can respond, my attention is drawn to a dark, cold-looking man seated on the other side of Elio’s desk. His eyes bore into mine, and he stands up. “Miss, you can’t be here without authorization.”
“I just need to speak with Elio,” I state.
