🔥 Chapter 17 —“A Touch Too Deep”
1762 Words
The city was alive, buzzing with the golden light of early evening as Michael and Ella walked side by side, hands brushing, then finally entwining without ceremony. Laughter floated between them, light, free, careless, as if the world had melted away to just the two of them.
They stopped by a small café tucked in a quiet street. Michael leaned close across the table, his hand brushing against hers, sending shivers up her arm. Ella’s cheeks burned, a warmth that had nothing to do with the weather.
Night fell, and the streets shimmered with streetlights. They walked along the river, her head occasionally brushing against his shoulder. At the bridge, he kissed her softly, then deeper, teeth catching her lower lip just enough to make her gasp. She pulled back slightly, eyes wide, and he grinned, teasing.
“You’re lucky I’m a gentleman,” he murmured.
“Lucky?” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Or cursed?”
He shrugged, hands slipping to her waist, pulling her close, kissing her again. This time, it was urgent, hungry, but tender all at once.
---
The next morning, sunlight spilled across the room as Ella woke in his arms, a soft warmth cocooning her. She blinked, noticing him already awake, his dark eyes fixed on her.
He smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Good morning, sleeping beauty,” he murmured, sniffing her hair and pressing soft kisses along her forehead, her cheek.
The morning became late morning, the city calling them eventually to work.
---
Michael didn’t hide their relationship. He held her hand while passing her desk, leaned close to whisper something that made her laugh, blush, and roll her eyes all at once.
Everyone’s eyes were on them when they entered the office.
Alina was there too — but it didn’t stop her flirting with him.
Again… hovering, laughing a little too loud, brushing against him, leaning in as if the world revolved around her.
Ella saw it all. Every small gesture. Every sly smile.
Michael came to Ella’s desk.
“Jealous?” he asked softly, noticing her tense jaw.
Ella glared at Alina, whispering, “She’s always flirting with you. Always.”
Michael chuckled, tilting her chin up. “And you still won’t let me fire her. I don’t flirt — I step away. You want me to prove it?”
Ella huffed, but a small smirk betrayed her.
---
Later, Mia pulled her quietly to the break room.
“Spill… You’re officially together, and I am happy for you. Actually, I’m your fan from now on,” she laughed.
“Thank you, dear. I’m happy too. But one thing destroys me inside.”
“What? No… yes… I know what you’re talking about. Alina, right? You have to let him fire her.”
“Mia… I can’t,” she confessed, voice low. “It wouldn’t be fair. She’s… annoying, but it’s not her fault Michael didn’t trust me.”
“Right. You want him to trust you, not punish someone else.”
Ella bit her lip, nodding. “Exactly. I don’t want him to think I’m insecure… or controlling. But it hurts.”
---
Mid-day, Michael called her to his office.
“Ms. Hayes, my office, please.”
She walked in, pretending to be annoyed, but he pulled her close, kissing her cheek teasingly, whispering jokes that made her laugh. Then, before she could protest, his lips found hers — long, heated, teasing. She pulled back slightly, panting.
“Weekend,” he said suddenly, pulling her gaze to his, eyes glinting with something soft but determined.
“My family… they want to meet you. My mother, my sister, my grandmother. They’ve been asking for weeks.”
Ella froze, heart fluttering. “Your… family?”
“Only if you want to,” he added quickly, voice gentle. “No pressure. But I… want you there.”
She smiled shyly. “Okay. I’d like that.”
He grinned, satisfaction lighting his face.
---
After work, they drove home together. Ella kept murmuring about Alina — how she always flirted, how she made things awkward.
Michael laughed. “You don’t have to be angry. I am a handsome man, so…”
“What?! You’re annoying, Michael!” Ella said, rolling her eyes.
“I’m just joking, you know… I love only you.” Michael leaned to her, kissing her cheek.
At home, they cooked dinner together, bumping hips, stealing bites, laughing over spilled sauce and playful smacks on the arm.
“Who exactly will be there?” Ella asked, stirring the pasta.
“Mother, sister, her fiancé, and grandmother,” he said.
“And your father?”
A flicker crossed his face. He changed the subject instantly. Ella noticed, feeling a strange pull of concern, but let it rest.
After dinner she wanted to take a shower while he watched TV.
She entered the bathroom without closing the door.
The shower ran. Steam curled in the warm, enclosed space. Ella stepped in, closing her eyes as water ran over her shoulders. She relaxed — until she felt it: the door clicked, and Michael entered, completely naked.
Her eyes widened.
“Michael…!” she gasped, cheeks flaming.
He didn’t answer, just kissed her — slow, teasing, then deeper, more urgent. His hands roamed, tracing her curves, fingers brushing over the places that made her gasp. She moaned, arching into him, pressing herself against the heat of him.
He whispered dirty, teasing words against her ear, hands tracing her back, hips, her thighs. She gasped, fingers in his hair, pulling him closer, moaning her surrender.
Hours blurred into whispers, moans, gentle gasps, and shared laughter. Exhausted, they collapsed together, limbs entangled, hearts pounding, skin flushed.
---
The next morning, sunlight and the city greeted them. Michael’s arms wrapped around her as she woke. He put soft kisses along her face and hair, pressing her close.
“Good morning,” he murmured, brushing lips over her ear.
Ella smiled, sleepy but radiant, snuggling closer. “Morning…”
Today was that special day.
---
Ella stood in front of the mirror, hands trembling slightly as she brushed her hair. Excitement fluttered in her stomach, but fear curled right beneath it.
What if they don’t like me?
What if I say something wrong?
What if I’m not enough for them… for him?
Michael leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching her with a soft smile tugging at his lips.
“You look beautiful,” he said simply.
Her cheeks flushed. “I’m nervous.”
He walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder. Their reflection looked like a puzzle that finally fit—his tall frame, her soft posture leaning into him.
“What if they don’t like me?” she whispered.
He kissed the back of her shoulder. “I love you,” he murmured against her skin. “That’s what matters. They don’t have to like you—”
She spun around, eyes wide. “Michael!”
He smirked. “I’m joking… mostly.”
She hit his chest lightly. “You’re terrible.”
“You’re perfect. And they will like you,” he said, pulling her in. “How could they not? You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Her breath caught. Even after everything, those words shook her.
“Tell me about them,” she said quietly, buttoning her coat. “Your mother… your sister… her fiancé… and your grandmother. I don’t want to look stupid.”
Michael exhaled softly, leaning against the table.
“Well… you know my mom. She’s sweet. Calm. Very protective. She’s excited to meet you… like, too excited.”
Ella smiled nervously. “Okay… that sounds good.”
“My sister, Eliza — she’s loud. Annoying as hell. But funny. And she will definitely ask you embarrassing questions.”
“Oh God…” Ella covered her face.
He laughed. “Don’t worry, I’ll shut her up if she goes too far.”
“And her fiancé?”
“Daniel. He talks too much, but… he’s okay.”
“And your grandmother?” Ella asked softly.
His expression softened. “Ah… Grandma Nora. She’s my mother’s mother. She’s the queen of the house. She’ll judge you for ten minutes straight and then probably fall in love with you.”
Ella’s heartbeat sped up. “That makes me even more nervous.”
Michael stepped in front of her, cupping her face gently. “Hey. Breathe. I’ll be with you the entire time.”
She nodded.
Then, quietly, she asked:
“And… your father? Will he be there too?”
Every emotion drained from his face.
His jaw tightened. His shoulders stiffened. The atmosphere shifted instantly, heavy and sharp.
“No.”
The answer was clipped. Cold.
She swallowed. “Okay… but—”
“No.” He cut her off harder this time. “Don’t ask.”
Ella blinked. “Michael… I wasn’t— I just wanted to know if—”
“What difference does it make?” His voice rose a little, startling her.
“He’s not coming. He won’t be there. That’s all.”
Her stomach twisted. He wasn’t mad at her — she knew that — but the wall he just threw up between them felt like ice.
“Okay,” she whispered. “I understand. I didn’t want to upset you.”
He breathed out harshly, running a hand through his hair. “You didn’t upset me. I just… I don’t want to talk about him.”
“Because it hurts?” She asked gently.
His eyes snapped to hers, flames sparking.
“Ella, stop.”
She froze.
He saw the hurt in her eyes immediately — it softened him, guilt flickering across his face, but the anger or pain he carried about his father was deeper than he wanted to admit.
He stepped closer, touching her arm carefully.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, voice lower. “I didn’t mean to snap at you. It’s just… not a topic I’m ready for.”
Ella nodded, but the worry in her chest didn’t fade.
“Okay… I won’t ask,” she said quietly, though her eyes looked wounded.
He pulled her into his chest, holding her tight.
She leaned into him but her heart squeezed painfully.
“Let’s just have a good day,” he murmured into her hair.
“No past. No drama. Just us.”
Ella nodded.
But deep inside…
she felt the first crack forming — small, but sharp.
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