Fallen for Her Read Online Free Page A

into a booth with Ray and their eyes locked once again.  Ella felt herself beginning to perspire.
    “Wow, is it hot in here or is it just me?” she laughed fanning herself with the menu.
    “Yeah, it’s hot in here,” Ray smiled and shot her that bad boy look, the one she noticed in the photograph.  
    She looked down at the menu for a moment and the server approached the table.
    “I’ll have the Wisconsin scramble and a side of bacon.” Ella said softly.
    “I’ll have coffee and a blueberry muffin.” Ray added.
    The server left and Ella put her hands on the table in an attempt to calm herself.  She was jittery and sensed Ray noticed.
     
    ~ Ray ~
    It was impossible to take his eyes off Ella, but he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable so he tried not to stare.  She was beautiful beyond words.  And she smelled so damned good.  Whatever fragrance she wore smelled sweet.  Her eyes were a shade of hazel green and brown, fringed with dark lashes.  She wore little make-up except the rose lipstick.  Her skin was porcelain; her nose dainty, her lips were full and sexy.  He couldn’t stop thinking of what it would feel like to kiss those lips.
    He tried to get her attention but she seemed incredibly shy.  She waved and said hello to several people in the diner as they walked by the table.  She was a regular.  When she rested her hands on the table, he covered her feminine hand with his and her eyes finally rested exclusively on him.
    “I’m sorry for your loss.” He said, noticing she didn’t pull away.
    “Thank you,” Ella whispered and he tried to hold her gaze.
    “I know you’re grieving the loss of your father, but I’m sorry you lost, Maverick, too.” He whispered.
    There was a moment of disbelief on her face. But once his words registered, she opened up.  Her eyes warmed and became filled with expression.
    “How did you know ?” She asked.
    “I saw Maverick on your Facebook page.” Ray replied.
    “My father gave him to me as a pup.” Ella looked down at his hand holding hers.
    “I know, you miss him…terribly.” Ray added. His thumb stroked her hand and he noticed her demeanor became more relaxed.
    “Do you want another dog?” Ray inquired cautiously, “because, I understand if you don’t just yet.  It takes a long time to get over something so painful.”
    “I’ve been thinking about it,” Ella’s eyes locked with his again.  When she looked into his eyes he thought he might faint.  Her eyes were a combination of innocence, intelligence, and kindness.  He felt overcome with something he couldn’t describe.  He had never felt it before.  Was it understanding?  Empathy?  Sadness?  No, he had an overwhelming urge to comfort her .
    The server arrived with their food and Ray’s hand moved to his plate.  Her hand, however, remained on the table and she smiled at him.  He thought his heart would melt.
    “Thank you, Mr. Adriano.” Ella’s eyes lit up.
    “For what?” Ray smiled back. 
    “For saying that about Maverick,” she whispered. “I do miss him terribly.”
    Good Lord, she was beautiful.  All of a sudden he didn’t care about coffee or a muffin.  He couldn’t tear his eyes away from her.  He watched every move she made, willing her to look at him again.  When her eyes met his as she spoke, he felt hypnotized.  He watched as she sliced up her food and slipped each bite between her lips.  She even drank her coffee in a ladylike way that fascinated him.  The imprint of her lipstick was left on the rim of the white coffee cup. 
    “We’ll start with the commercial properties in Portland,” Ray suggested. 
    “Sure, that sounds fine.” Ella murmured as she finished her coffee.  He could barely wait to be seated next to her in the car again.  He was giddy with the thought of spending the entire day with her.  He could think of nothing else but looking into her eyes.
    He opened the door of the vehicle for Ella and she smiled at him, “Thank