Page 40 of Mayfair Madame

“Oh, you are temptation itself, but I could eat.”

“Then let’s go.” I took her hand. “I hope you don’t mind vegetarian.”

“I don’t mind at all.”

“Good, because this cafe serves the best vegetarian food for miles.”

“I didn’t know you were a vegetarian, but then I don’t think we got around to that last night.”

“We were busy with other things, but I’m not a vegetarian. I just love this place and their food.”

It wasn’t far, and fortunately, there was no queue. We got a table pretty easily.

“Naomi, how lovely to see you. It’s been a while.” The owner, Nigel, came over to greet us.

“I’ve been busy, but it was such a lovely day, I invited my friend Ellie to breakfast. I told her you served the most amazing food.”

“Your usual, or do you want to see the menu?” He took out his notebook, ready to take our order.

“Ellie? I usually have the Italian-style breakfast egg muffins. Fresh basil, salty feta, sun-dried tomatoes, and sweet cherry tomatoes. They really are to die for.”

“Sounds good to me. I’m up for anything.” She smiled at Nigel, then at me.

“Oh, and we’ll have the cranberry apple smoothies too, please. They’re so damn good.”

“Coming right up.” He walked away, leaving us alone.

“Did you sleep well after I’d gone?”

“It wasn’t great, but, Ellie, about last night.” I needed some reassurance from her that she was okay with what we’d done.

“You know, I’ve been thinking about that.” She glanced down at our joined hands.

Here it came. I steeled myself, waiting for what she would say.

“I didn’t mean to unload all that onto you, but I guess it gets it all out in the open. You called, so it couldn’t have been that bad.” And there was her smile.

Thank God for that. My smile in return was one of relief more than anything else.

“It wasn’t bad at all, Ellie. I’m actually pleased you felt comfortable enough to tell me. But actually, I wanted to apologise.”

“What for? It should be me doing that.”

“No. No, you shouldn’t. I’ve had a heavy feeling in my stomach all night and this morning. Did I…? Did you feel like I coerced you last night?”

“Um, no. What’s all this about, Naomi? I did nothing I didn’t want to do.”

“I begged you to undress. Had I known about your body issues, I wouldn’t have dreamt of asking. You told me no, and I insisted. I forced you into it.”

“No. I don’t accept that. I’m a grown woman, and you didn’t force me to do it. I asked you not to look too closely, and you didn’t. You respected my wishes. ”

“To be fair, I had other things on my mind. You’re pretty good with that tongue of yours.”

“Well, despite my ‘issues’, I have been with other women.” She smirked. Sometimes, Ellie seemed shy. Other times, a cheeky side appeared. One I hoped to see more of.

“Men too?” I asked.

“They never interested me. I realised early on I liked girls. Fielded the usual questions from my parents asking if it was a phase. I initially thought maybe I was bisexual, but when a guy friend said I could touch his dick, I almost ran a mile.”