Della
The rest of the week Woods brought me to work and sat at an empty table while I worked. When my shift was over he asked me to tell him something I’d always wanted to do but hadn’t gotten the chance. Every day he made it happen. We had gone boating, taken a helicopter ride, gone parasailing, and eaten raw oysters. He rarely left my side. The sex was amazing and it just seemed to be getting better and more intense. I wasn’t having night terrors anymore either. I slept deeply and woke up relaxed and rested the next day.
Tonight was the staff’s bonfire and I was expected to be there. I still wasn’t sure taking Woods was a good idea. Other than Bethy and Jimmy no one knew we were dating. I hadn’t run into anyone else on our dates. I had dressed in my bikini and put a matching sundress over it. I wasn’t sure I was brave enough to swim but Bethy had said everyone at least got their feet wet. I was prepared for that and more.
Woods parked his truck and came around to get me because he was determined I shouldn’t open a car door by myself. It was cute really.
His hand slipped into mine and he held it. This was it. If any staff member was curious about the two of us, Woods was about to make it very clear.
“Sure you don’t want to turn and run?” I asked, smiling up at him.
“Nope.”
“They may treat me differently,” I replied, thinking it could cause some hard feelings with other workers.
“I’ll fire them.”
I stopped and looked up at him. He was grinning. I slapped his arm. “That wasn’t funny.”
“Yeah, it was. Besides, if they upset you I will fire them.”
Mental note: don’t tell him if anyone upsets me.
The smell of burning wood and the sound of music filled the air as we walked into the gathering of people. Some were dancing. Others were roasting something over the fire and then a few were playing volleyball in the moonlight.
“Thirsty?” Woods asked, leading me over to the keg that was sitting up on blocks.
“I don’t much like beer from a keg. I had it once and got sick,” I told him.
He frowned. “How much did you drink?”
“I funneled it actually so I’m not sure.”
Woods’ eyebrows shot up. “You funneled beer?”
It had been one of the items on my checklist of things to do. ‘Go to a party and drink lots of beer.’ I hadn’t known about funneling but it hadn’t been hard to get me to try it. Braden had warned me I’d get sick but I’d tried it anyway.
“Yeah. Dumb decision. Frat party,” I explained. It had been at that party I’d met the guy I’d given my virginity to. Three dates later he’d talked me into sex. I’d been so naive and stupid.
“You’re here,” Bethy said, smiling as she walked up with a large red solo cup in her hand. “Drink up. The beer’s free.”
I shook my head.
“Della doesn’t drink beer from kegs. Anything else to drink around here?” Woods asked.
Bethy nodded and walked over to a cooler and threw me a bottle of water. Perfect.
“Thank you,” I told her and she saluted me before walking back over to the people dancing and Jace stepped out and wrapped his arms around her.
“Are you against me drinking beer from a keg?” Woods asked.
I shook my head and took a sip of my water.
“Good, I need something.” He walked over there and I stayed where I was. I couldn’t follow him everywhere he went. I was becoming too needy where he was concerned. I didn’t want to be codependent. My psychiatrist had talked to me about that. She said I needed to work hard to be independent and that it could be hard for me after the life I’d lived.
“Hey, Della, right?” a guy I didn’t recognize said with a slight slur.
I nodded. I wasn’t sure who he was or how he knew my name.
“Nelton, I’m the tennis pro at the club,” he said with a wink.
I nodded and glanced over to see Harold from the kitchen talking to Woods.
“Nice to meet you,” I replied.
“I’ve been watching you. Wasn’t sure if you were available or not.” He took a step closer and I managed to move to the right without looking like I was trying to get away from him.
“Oh,” was all I said. I wasn’t sure I needed to announce that I was in a relationship with Woods or not.
“You a friend of Mr. Kerrington’s? I saw you show up with him.”
“Can I help you Nelton?” Woods said just before he moved in behind me. I let out the sigh of relief. I hadn’t wanted to answer that.