The Spectator

Chapter 21: Casa Casuawhata?

     Suffice to say, the ride back to the hotel on South Beach was quiet. Dan was tuckered out, sleeping with his head on Serena's chest. Ella would have laughed. Except, you know, she'd just made out with Nate Archibald.

     Her thoughts were racing as she maintained a polite distance from him. Her mind continued supplying the usual bullshit about how wrong all of this was and how she should just go home before anything even more stupid happened. There was another part of her, however, which she'd been forcing down for a long time now that had suddenly gotten very loud. It wasn't exactly the rational part of her. It just kept bringing up a slideshow of how Nate looked when he was turned on, pupils blown wide, mouth slightly opened. It also helpfully reminded her of how he sounded panting against her neck and how it felt when his hands squeezed her hips. You should have sex with him. Right now. The voice suggested.

     Stupid emotional side of the brain. They were in a limousine, they couldn't have sex right now! Then do it at the hotel. I can wait. How thoughtful. Ella looked at Nate, thinking maybe he was looking as panicked as she felt. He was staring back at her. They both jumped a little at the unexpected eye contact. Serena gave them a strange look, but didn't say anything. She was too tired for their nonsense right now.

     "Have a nice night everybody!" Sergio flashed them a grin as he opened their door. Ella's jaw dropped when she took in the hotel.

     "You guys have been staying at the Versace Mansion? Seriously?" She asked, mustering a little energy to be surprised.

     "It was Serena's idea..." Nate explained.

     "You mean Casa Casuarina? Versace sold this years ago," Serena dismissed. "I figured, when in Miami..."

     Ella had no idea how the logic followed that staying in Miami equated to staying at the Versace mansion, but she shrugged as she followed them into the lobby. She looked up at the frescoed ceilings in awe.

     "Might want to shut your mouth or they'll know you're a plebe," The now conscious Dan teased tiredly. "So, what's the plan?"

     "The plan?" Nate and Ella asked in unison. Dan and Serena raised their eyebrows at them.

     "Yeah, for Ella... Are you staying here or coming back in the morning to hit up the pool?" Serena asked.

     "Staying here?" Ella swallowed.

     "Yeah, Dan and Nate could share a room, we could take the other..."

     Seeing Dan's face contort at that suggestion, Ella rapidly shook her head.

     "Oh, no, it's okay, I'll head home and come back tomorrow."

     Dan mouthed a thank you.

     "Okay, we'll order a cab for you then," Serena pulled out her cellphone. Nate stopped her.

     "Why don't you guys go up to bed? Dan's dead on his feet," he laughed.

     "I'm fine!" Dan protested weakly. Serena shook her head, letting him lean on her.

     "Seriously, I'll wait with her until the cab comes. Don't worry about it," Nate insisted.

     "Well. He's getting heavy so alright, then. Come here you two!" She wrapped them both in a hug, not noticing how they tensed when they came in contact with each other. "Happy new year my loves. I'll be seeing you tomorrow!"

     She lead Dan onto the elevator. When the gilded doors shut, Ella and Nate looked at each other. Ella rubbed at the bridge of her nose, just to break the eye contact.