Chapter 3
Michael was immensely impressed by Anelise’s ability to keep Ollie occupied and entertained as they gathered their luggage before being picked up by the company representative and taken to the hotel they would be staying at for the summer.
They finally pulled up to a beautiful, posh hotel located in one of the business districts of London, and their driver highlighted all the things they should do nearby, including visiting the museums, the gardens, and the Royal Albert Hall.
The bellhops helped them inside with all their bags, leading them to check-in. Ken and Craig each had a small room on the third floor, whereas Michael had a large suite on the fifth floor.
The suite was beautiful, with three rooms and a small kitchenette. Ani loved it, snapping pictures to send to Leslie. Michael had the master bedroom, and Anelise and Ollie had the smaller rooms on the other side of the suite.
“Ani, is this ok? I feel like I’m practically on the other side of the world, and I’m not sure if I’ll hear Ollie if he gets up,” he admitted, feeling guilty.
“Michael, you said you could be up really late or out early. We don’t want to wake Ollie up, so don’t worry about it. We’ll be just fine,” she assured.
Michael nodded, hanging up his work clothes. He took out his computer and other work devices to charge. Anelise was in Ollie’s room putting away his clothes and toys how he wanted them.
It took a good hour to settle in, and Anelise was giggling with Ollie most of the time. This little boy was already wiggling his way into her heart.
After they got everything sorted in their suite, they met Craig and Ken in the lobby to walk to a pub down the road. Over the meal, the four grown-ups got to know each other a little more and toasted to their first day in London. Even though the men were older than her friends, Anelise felt comfortable in their company. They didn’t treat her like a kid.
On their way back to the hotel, they let Ollie run and play around to his heart’s content, hoping to tire him out so his sleep schedule would adjust to English time.
When they finally made it back to the lobby, Anelise’s phone rang. She cursed under her breath and then licked her lips. “It’s my parents. I have my key. I’ll meet you up in a few minutes.”
“Take your time. You aren’t on duty yet,” said Michael.
She smiled weakly and then picked up the call. “Hi, Mom.”
“Anelise! You were supposed to call after you got settled!”
“Again. Hi, Mom. We were just getting back to the hotel after some dinner,” Anelise said, trying not to sigh.
“Don’t get mouthy, young lady!” She heard her father add over speakerphone, causing her to roll her eyes.
“How was the flight? Are the accommodations at the hotel good enough? Do you have your own room?” Kim rattled off.
“The flight was good. Ollie slept for a few hours, and Michael and I got to know each other better. Yes, the hotel is great, and of course I have my own room. Where else would I be sleeping?” Anelise asked, barely hiding her annoyance.
“Well, things happen, and although Michael promised you’d have your own room, I—”
“Mom! Michael is not that kind of guy, and you know it! If you thought for one second that he was, you wouldn’t have given him my number.”
“You don’t get to yell at your mother!” Neil chimed in. “If you continue taking that tone, you will be on the next flight home, young lady!”
“Actually Dad, no I won’t,” Anelise said quietly.
“What did you just say?”
“I said, no I won’t. I’m an adult, and I made the choice to be here and work for Michael, and that’s what I’m going to do.” She continued, “I’m sorry if you don’t like that, or think I’m being disrespectful. I’m not trying to be. I just don’t think you realize that I’m almost twenty-one years old and graduating college in a few months.”
There was silence for a few moments, then her mother spoke, “You think we don’t treat you like an adult?”
“Not really. But I really don’t want to have this conversation an ocean apart. Can you both please just trust that everything is going well and that I’m ok?” she pleaded.
“Fine. We can continue this conversation when you get home. You’re going to come home for a few days before going back to school, right?” Neil asked.
“That’s the plan as of now. Michael said that the end date could be up in the air, depending on how the negotiations go. I’ll keep you posted,” Anelise promised.
“But Anelise, we haven’t seen you in months!” Kim sniffled.
“I know, Mom. School and work got in the way at breaks.” She felt a little guilty about it as their only child, but she had to keep up the progress she had made on losing weight, coming out of her shell, and living an unsheltered life. Going home to be smothered by her parents would be a huge step back.
“I love you both, and I’ll send pictures and updates, ok?”
They agreed and said their goodbyes. Anelise went up to the suite, thinking about the last few years of her life.
She remembered how stunned she was when she first went to college. Leslie had shown her how big the world really was. Once she’d gotten the taste of it, she couldn’t get enough.
She had no clue how much her parents had restricted her in their bubble. She had never dated or gone out with friends. Leslie had brought her up to speed on pop culture, introducing her to shows like Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad.
The first time a sex scene came across the screen, Anelise almost lost her mind! She was so embarrassed she had no clue about sex other than the mechanics of it. But Leslie was unfazed, and they talked honestly about it.
That’s when they came up with the Matt Douglas Scale. Matt was a hunk on campus who had it all—great body, wits, charisma, a friendly vibe, and money.
They noticed him early on, along with the rest of the female population, and they often giggled and fantasized about him. So Leslie came up with a scale that helped them rate other men against Matt, who was a ten in their eyes.
Anelise had thought no man could compare to Matt. Until she met Michael.
Michael was everything she could have dreamed of! Rich brown hair, beautiful green eyes that sparkled, and a smile that made her panties wet. He was tall with broad shoulders and muscular arms. She hadn’t seen his legs other than in jeans, but he had a perfectly squeezable ass. Just thinking about it made her blush.
He obviously had a sharp mind, which was so sexy to Anelise. When he described all the numbers and accounts he dealt with and the work he was going to be doing, she sincerely hoped that she wasn’t drooling.
Just as the elevator doors opened on their floor, Anelise’s phone pinged. Groaning softly, she looked at the screen and was relieved to see Leslie’s name.
Leslie 💬 You get to the hotel ok?
Anelise 💬 Yep, all good! This place is awesome!
Leslie 💬 Remember to wear a raincoat if you’re going to play in the rain 😉
Anelise 💬 R U insane?! I’m not going to sleep with him!
Leslie 💬 Y not? Hot, available man who has destroyed our Matt Douglas Scale is perfect to pop your cherry!
Anelise 💬 Not gonna happen! He doesn’t see me that way.
Leslie 💬 Pull up your big-girl thong, and just do it!
Anelise 💬 Good night, love you.
Leslie 💬 Love you too.
As Anelise opened the door, a little boy streaked past her naked, laughing with his father hot on his trail, wearing a soaked t-shirt. She could clearly make out the contours of his chest as the wet fabric clung to him.
Michael caught Ollie, wrapped him in a towel, and threw her a lopsided smile. “Bath time got a little out of hand!”
She laughed. “I can tell. Does this happen every time? Will I be needing my bathing suit?” Michael instantly envisioned her full breasts in a bikini top and swallowed back a groan.
“Not usually. I let him get a little rowdy to try and wear him out. Plus, have you seen the size of the tub? I think all three of us could get in there together!”
Anelise loved the thought of her and Michael in there, naked and slippery, but fought back the desire by squeezing her thighs together. “Can’t wait to check it out. Can I do anything to help?”
“Not yet, but in about twenty minutes you could do his bedtime routine with me so you know it.”
She nodded in agreement.
“Everything okay at home?”
Her face dimmed at the mention of home, but she nodded. “Yeah…”
Letting it go, Michael took Ollie to get him diapered and in his pajamas. Anelise sat in the living room to watch some TV before Ollie crawled into her lap and demanded her attention.
She was more than happy to give it to him until he felt sleepy. She helped Michael put him to bed. He closed the door partly and looked at her. “I’m gonna get some work sorted. The rest of the night is yours, Ani. Enjoy and sleep well.”
“Good night, Michael,” she replied and watched his perfect ass as he walked down the hall to the master suite.
“Shit, I’m gonna dream about him for years to come,” she mumbled as she made her way to her room.
