The Mistletoe Game

CHAPTER 2: Ellie

CHAPTER 2: Ellie

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Ellie sat at the bar, twirling her straw in her drink as she stared at the Christmas lights and tried not to cry. She couldn’t believe Marc was standing her up again, especially here. She hadn’t even wanted to come to this place, but once his friend Bruce had gotten them guest passes Marc had pestered her relentlessly. She’d finally agreed to meet him at La Petite Mort Club just to shut him up. Now, she was sitting alone at the bar in a s*x club and he didn’t even have the decency to show up. He’d call with some lame excuse about...

Her phone beeped. It was a message from Marc. Great. Here came the lame excuse. She tapped the screen and stared at the picture of Marc and...the other woman.

They were in Marc’s tiny office at the gym. The woman sat on the desk her legs wrapped around his hips as he f****d her. She held the phone over his shoulder and had smiled for the picture. Ellie should be furious but all she could think was she’s pretty. It wasn’t surprising. Marc wouldn’t waste his time with someone unattractive.

Her phone rang. It was her mom. She took a deep breath, wiping at her eyes. Everything would be okay. She had her family and her job. She didn’t need a man, especially one like Marc. “Hi, Mom. Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, honey.”

She smiled. Just hearing her mom’s voice made everything okay.

“I know you and Marc have a big night planned so I’ll make this quick.”

“It’s okay, Mom.” There was no reason to explain that her big plans were now going to the grocery store for some chocolate and then home to cry. She’d tell her family about the breakup tomorrow.

“No. You two need time alone. You work too much.”

“We spend time together.” This was not her fault, but that little voice whispered, Are you sure? All of your boyfriends have cheated on you. If it isn’t your fault, then whose fault is it?

“Will you two be staying over tomorrow night?” asked Mom.

“Dad would be okay with that?” Her father was not a fan of pre-marital s*x.

“Of course not but let me worry about him.” There was a smile in her mother’s tone that made Ellie want to cry. All she wanted was a relationship like her parents had. Yes, they’d gone through a rough patch a few years ago but they’d made it through, and they seemed happier than ever.

“Uhm. Yeah, I guess we might stay over.” She cleared her throat. It wasn’t really a lie. She’d spend the night tomorrow which would give Marc time to pack his stuff and be out of the apartment before she returned.

“That’s wonderful. I can’t wait to see you. Have fun tonight.”

“Thanks. Can’t wait to see you too.” She swallowed a lump in her throat. She wanted her mom’s hug. She needed it but she’d have to wait. She pressed the button ending the call. The picture of Marc and that woman stared up at her.

She closed the message app. The b***h was welcome to him because she wasn’t going through this again. She dialed his number. It went straight to voicemail. Good. She didn’t want to speak with the bastard anyway. “We’re done. I want you and your crap out of my apartment by the time I get home from my parents’ house tomorrow.”

She hung up and dropped her phone into her purse. She grabbed her vodka and grapefruit, taking a long drink, surprised that she didn’t feel anything. She should be angry, hurt, sad, something but she just felt numb. She’d wasted almost three years on the jerk and two on the cheating asshole before him. Her gut twisted with disgust but at herself not them. As of tonight, she was done with arrogant, alpha males, who moved from one woman to the next like they were nothing more than dishes on a buffet.

“Excuse me. May I buy you a drink?” asked a man with a voice like whiskey—rough and smooth at the same time.

“No. Tha...” Her breath caught in her chest. This guy was better than good looking. Tall. Dark hair. Sharp features, a sexy mouth and vibrant green eyes. Maybe she should reconsider her decision to avoid men like him but just for tonight. It’d been awhile since she’d had s*x and it was Christmas Eve. He’d make a delicious package to unwrap. She forced herself not to check out the yummy one between his legs.

“Are you waiting for someone? I’ll keep you company while you wait.” He waved the bartender over. “Another for the lady and myself.”

“I said no.” Nope, she was not reconsidering. She was done with the macho, alpha male types. She’d find herself a nice, sensitive teacher or accountant like her sister had done. No, not like Trevor. Tina’s fiancé was as far from macho as he could be, but he was still a jerk.

“Please, let me get you a drink. You seem sad and I’m a good listener.” He smiled.

She almost melted into a puddle on the chair. It should be illegal to be that good looking. “Right.” Men like him never listened; they hunted and conquered.

The bartender walked over and placed the drinks in front of them. He handed her some money before sitting on the chair next to Ellie. His gaze traveled down her body, resting a quick second on her cleavage. She breathed in his scent—subtle cologne and male. The place between her legs began to hum but she wasn’t doing this again. She was done jumping from one lousy, macho jerk to the next. She was twenty-six years old. It was time to change her type. She stood.

“Where are you going?” He seemed genuinely confused.

“I said no.”

“Come on. The drinks are here. You’re here. I’m here.” Again, his eyes dipped to her chest. “Shame to let something so delicious go to waste.”

“You’re all alike. Believing a smile and a drink will get you whatever you want. Well, it won’t work on me.” Not tonight anyway. Hopefully, never again.

“Hey.” He held up his hand. “I only meant to keep you company.”

“Really? My company. That’s all you wanted.”

“Yes.” One corner of his mouth turned up in a sexy smile. “At least to start.”

“Asshole.” She grabbed her drink and left.