Sexting My Ex’s Dad (Forbidden Silver Foxes)

16. Stella

16

STELLA

P aul is coming tonight?!

I reread the message over and over again.

I’m coming to see you tonight.

At first, I’d wondered how he even knew where I worked, but I’m sure Anastasia had told him.

Still though, I feel more nervous than I ever have in my life. Even more nervous than when I was getting ready for my first date with Owen.

I hope you’re wearing something just for me.

What would he think of the maid outfit I have on? I bite my bottom lip…he’d like it. I haven’t met a man yet who hasn’t. Or would he think I was some kind of slut for working here? It’s not that I felt ashamed about my job; it makes me good money and prevents me from having to work two jobs to make ends meet. Still, even I know that it isn’t the most ‘conventional’ job.

I glance around Regency’s bustling dining room; we’ve had a very busy night so far. Tucking my phone back into my apron pocket, I turn my attention to the table of four I’ve been serving throughout the evening.

Two of the men at the table are regulars who are known to tip extremely well, so I make sure I’m constantly checking on them in case they need anything. Every cent counts.

“Everything good here?” I ask.

“Perfect, mistress,” one of them replies, raising his glass in thanks.

Another man just stares at me. “Yeah, looking at you has made our night.”

I’ve gotten used to comments like this, so it’s easy for me to just smile and fill up his sweet tea before moving on to check on other tables.

“Welcome to Regency, masters,” I greet the new guests entering the establishment, smiling as I lead them to their table. I give them menus, as they settle in.

And one of the men whistles at me. “Tell me you’re going to be waiting on us.”

I shake my head. “I’m sorry, but Mistress Becca is great.”

“She can’t have as nice of tits as you.”

It’s a vulgar comment that usually would make me frown, but I’m able to hold it back. Getting mad doesn’t do anything…except make me lose out on potential tips. He could say whatever he wanted; he’d never get to touch. “I’ll let you be the judge.”

I turn away, only to freeze in shock. Is that…? No way. Elio Lombardi.

He’s standing by himself, waiting to be seated. A moment of surprise washes over me, leaving me momentarily breathless. What could he possibly be doing here? Don’t tell me that he’s here…for me? Don’t be so stupid. He doesn’t even know me.

“Stella.” Elio’s deep voice is like music to my eyes, his piercing blue eyes locking onto me. “It’s nice to see you again.”

They’re just words…casual words…yet I feel a shiver down my spine.

I can’t stop thinking about the last time the two of us had seen each other…the way he’d grabbed me, pressed me against the wall…the way that I’d wished he would have kept going…

Stop it! You’re waiting for Paul.

“Mr. Lombardi,” I greet him, trying to maintain an air of professionalism despite my racing heart. “Welcome to Regency.”

He looks at me strangely before bending down to whisper in my ear. “We’re well past a last name basis, don’t you think?”

His words shouldn’t have this kind of effect on me, but I can feel my entire body warming up. Elio Lombardi is a special kind of man — the kind of man who only needs to whisper in a girl’s ear to get her wet.

“Let me take you to your room,” I say, leading him to one of the private rooms he’d requested. All the while, my mind races with questions. What are the odds of Elio showing up here tonight, of all nights?

Does this have something to do with the fact that he’d tried to schedule a meeting with me, and I’d ignored him? Maybe I really am the reason he came to Regency. How did he even know I worked here?

He’s a billionaire…I guess he can find out anything he wants. That thought is a bit alarming.

I place a menu in front of him. “Someone will be here to take your order shortly.” Before the words are even fully out of my mouth, I’m leaving the room, trying to control my racing heart.

Where is Paul? He should be here by now.

I swipe a quick glance at my phone – nothing.

There’s no way that I can serve Elio – not with the way he makes me feel.

I navigate the busy dining room. Desperate for some semblance of control, I spot Isobel across the room and make a beeline for her.

“Hey,” I breathe, gripping her arm tightly. “I need a favor.”

“Sure, what’s up?” she asks, already on high alert, as if she’s prepared to smack someone…knowing her, she totally would.

“Can you please take over Elio Lombardi’s table for me?” I plead, attempting to keep the desperation from my voice.

“Elio Lombardi?” she frowns slightly, and I grab her arm, pulling her to his room and gesturing for her to look through the little peephole at the top. Marnie said that it was for ‘safety precautions’ but I’m not one hundred percent sure that I believe that.

“Whoa, seriously?” Isobel grins, her excitement palpable. “He’s like the definition of hot, isn’t he?”

“Yes.” I feel a bit embarrassed by my answer, but I shouldn’t. It’s the truth.

“I wonder if he’ll get any dances because that’s one man that I’d let ride this ride.”

Her words make me narrow my eyes slightly before I make my face passive again. Was that jealousy? Just because he’s my ex’s boyfriend…and we’d almost kissed…doesn’t mean that I have some kind of claim over him. He can do whatever he wants with whoever he wants – including Isobel.

“Maybe,” I shrug, trying to appear nonchalant despite the turmoil inside me. “But right now, I just need him off my hands.”

“Fine by me,” Isobel agrees eagerly, her smile wide as she strides confidently in Elio’s room.

With a sigh of relief, I turn my back to them, something vile rising in my throat at the thought of her flirting with him.

But I push it aside and get back to work.

“Stella,” Isobel calls out breathlessly, approaching me with an apologetic smile.

I frown. Has Elio done something to her? “Is everything okay?”

She sighs. “It would be if Elio would give me the time of day, but he, well…he only wants you.”

“Me?” My heart skips a beat, and I can feel my pulse quicken. “Why?”

“I don’t know,” she shrugs, her eyes wide with curiosity. “But he seems determined to talk to you. Trust me, I tried to get his mind off of you, but he’s not budging. There’s only so much that I can do.”

“Fine.” The word comes out more sharply than I intended, but I can’t help it. “Thanks for trying, Isobel.”

She just smiles at me before going to another one of her rooms while I steel myself with a deep breath and head towards Elio’s private room.

I wouldn’t know when Paul got here — but I’m sure he’d wait up for me. And I’d have to try to explain this really weird situation with Elio. It would all workout. It had to.

I stand in front of the door, for a moment, my hand hovering over the doorknob. The last time that I’d seen this man I’d been demanding money out of his pocket. I can’t imagine what he thinks about me.

And I don’t have a clue why his thoughts matter so much to me.

I push open the door, and my gaze immediately falls on him.

Elio is sitting in the deep red chair closer to the corner of the room, his feet planted squarely. He isn’t smiling, but honestly he doesn’t have to — he’s still captivating. His jaw is clenched slightly, with his salt and pepper hair brushed to the back, exposing his mesmerizing bright, blue eyes that I feel like I could look into forever without getting tired.

He’s wearing a suit, much like the first time that we’d met, but this one is lighter. This man could get any woman he wanted, so what is he doing in a place like Regency?

“Mr. Lombardi,” I begin, my voice firm despite the unease swirling in my chest. “I understand you wanted to see me specially? Why is that?”

“Ah, Stella,” he greets me, his eyes locked on mine like a predator sizing up its prey. “Yes, I did. Please, have a seat.” He gestures to the couch beside him.

“Actually,” I reply, folding my arms across my chest, “I’d prefer to stand. Now, what do you want with me?”

Elio raises an eyebrow, clearly surprised by my assertiveness. But his surprise doesn’t last long. Instead, his lips curve into a knowing smirk, and I can feel the heat pooling in between my legs.

It’s not fair for a single man to be this…tantalizing.

“Such fire,” he comments, his voice a low purr that somehow manages to be both infuriating and alluring. “I appreciate that in a woman. But let’s not be coy. You know exactly what I’m here for.”

I frown. So he wants the special service? “Why couldn’t you just ask Isobel? She’s more than capable of handling any requests you might have.”

“Because Isobel’s body isn’t the one that I’ve been imagining.” His answer is blunt and shoots straight through to my core.

“Mr. Lombardi…”

“Elio,” he corrects me.

“I don’t think that would be appropriate.”

He raises an eyebrow at me. “No, I doubt it is, but you’re the one that started it by sending me that picture, Stella. I gave you the chance to backout, and you didn’t. Now, I plan to be the one to finish it.”

I frown, confused. “What are you talking about?” Why do his words sound eerily familiar?

“Don’t play, coy, it makes every woman ugly.” Elio reaches into his suit jacket and pulls out his phone before scrolling down to a message sent a few days ago…a very familiar message. “You’re the one who wanted to meet, baby girl. Well, now I’m here.”

My eyes widen in pure horror, as I look at the messages…they’re sexts… my sexts.

But how…?

The room seems to spin around me as I realize the horrifying truth. Paul isn’t coming.

All this time, I’d been sexting Elio, not Paul. My heart pounds wildly against my chest, and I struggle to draw breath.

I must have confused their numbers, but how did I do something so stupid?

The night that I was drunk?! I had both of their numbers in my pocket. I had to have grabbed the wrong one and texted Elio.

But the most surprising thing is…he’d actually texted me back.

My ex’s dad sexted me back.

He wanted me just as much as I wanted him.