I returned his handshake. “I am. It’s a pleasure to meet both of you.”
Mrs. Brighton stood when her husband let go of my hands, wrapping her arms around my waist, practically squeezing the air from my lungs. “Thank you so much for helping us to share this with our daughter. We couldn’t be happier she found a wonderful man like you. I’m sure things will be easier, now that the papers have been filed.”
I had to remind myself they knew nothing of the circumstances surrounding Elena coming to live me, including what I did for the family business—and it would stay that way. Her parents didn’t need to know how bad it had become with Tolley, or that I was involved in illegal activities. I wanted them to like me. They’d worried about their daughter for long enough. I wouldn’t give them any further reason.”
The lights flashed above us. “You’re welcome. We’ll get more time to talk at dinner.”
She nodded and we took our seats. It might not have been me up on that stage, but my heart started to race nonetheless. Elena still hadn’t let me hear her sing, telling me I had to wait for opening night.
The curtain opened on the stage and the music began. I was captivated by the whole experience. Then a woman broke out in song. I didn’t need to see the singer to know that the unbelievably gorgeous voice belonged to Elena. She stepped onto the stage and I wanted to jump to my feet and applaud.
I glanced around at the awed expressions on the faces of my family. They were just as surprised as I was at how beautifully she sang. It took a moment to reconcile this Elena with the pathologically shy woman who first came to stay with me.
The only two people not in a state of shock were her parents. Tears streamed down her mother’s cheeks, her face filled with pride. Her father’s look was almost identical. They were proud, and not afraid to show it.
And I was too. I was simply awestruck at the amount of raw talent Elena possessed. No wonder Alan had yelled at me.
“Ashton!”
I spun around, looking for the source of the voice to see Alan coming toward me. We were standing in the lobby waiting for the second act to begin. “Alan. Great show.” I reached out to clasp his hand in mine.
“Thank you. She’s amazing isn’t she?”
My eyes were still wide with surprise. “I had no idea.”
“Please tell me she’s going to stick around for a while? I keep thinking of different shows I could do with a voice like hers.”
“That’s the plan.”
He watched me for a moment. “Ashton, we’ve known each other for a long time, and I can tell when something isn’t right with you, so spit it out.”
He was right. Alan and I had known each other for forever. We didn’t really have secrets between us. “I’m asking Elena to move in with me. I really think she’s the one.”
“Holy shit. Really?”
“Tell me about it. Never saw it coming until she hit me like a freight train. If she says yes, she’ll be around as long as I can keep her here.”
“Wow, that’s a big step. Elena’s good for you, though. In all the years I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you so relaxed.”
“She is.”
The lights inside the theater flashed. “I’ve got to get back up there. We’ll talk more at the party.”
I nodded and made my way back to my seat.
The second half of the show was even better than the first; almost like she’d been building her confidence through the first act and found it by the second. When the show ended, everyone quickly left to head over to the restaurant. They didn’t want to give away anything by being seen at the theater.
I waited for Elena in the back hall by the dressing room. It was my turn to fidget as I paced back and forth outside her door. After about fifteen minutes, it swung open to reveal Elena in a sapphire blue strapless cocktail dress. The color gave her skin a healthy glow.
“Hi,” she said, a bit on the shy side.
Wanting to take away her fear, I quickly wrapped her in my arms. “You were fantastic. I’ve never seen anything like that.”
A blush rose on her cheeks. “I’m so glad you liked it.”
“I loved it.” Taking her hand, I led her to the front of the theater and down the steps, all the while recounting my favorite parts of the show.
I brought her to the fountain across the street. She looked around, confused.
“There’s something I want to talk to you about,” I said, and she nodded, taking a seat at the edge of the fountain, staring down at the coins resting on the bottom. Taking the seat next to her, I used my finger to lift her chin to face me, tucking a small strand of hair behind her ear and saying, “Elena, remember how I told you that you could stay with me as long as you needed to get yourself on your feet again.
She swallowed hard. “Yes.”
“I don’t want that anymore.”
Her eyes instantly filled with tears and she tried to stand up and walk away, but I took her hand in mine and stopped her, urging her to sit back down. “That didn’t come out right. Please stay and listen.” I was annoyed with myself. Not once in my life had I had trouble talking to women, but right now I sounded like a tongue-tied idiot. “What I’m trying to say is that I don’t want you to leave. Even when you get back on your feet, I want you to stay and be mine.”
Her eyes widened and I watched as her body went tight.
“I love you, Elena.”
CHAPTER 25
Elena
“What?”
My voice came out all breathy, so much so that I questioned whether or not it was audible. Did Ashton just say he loved me? Pieces of the conversation I had with Miller a few weeks ago came back to me.
“He was already falling for you.”
“I am completely in love with you, Elena,” he said, his gaze never leaving mine.
The words both scared and excited me. They were the ones I’d longed to hear from Ashton’s lips, but I knew I couldn’t return them. Even though he’d never shown me anything but care and compassion, the fear of rejection still festered, buried deep within me. As much as I willed them to come, no words would leave my mouth. I didn’t know what to say.
Did I want to stay with Ashton? More than anything. But would he still want me if I couldn’t utter those three little words? There was only one way to find out. I was tired of living in fear.
“I want to stay with you, more than you can even imagine . . . but I need more time—”
His fingers covered my lips.
“You don’t have to say it back. Take all the time you need.”
Cupping my face in his hands, he slanted his lips over mine in a passionate kiss. The soft, slow movements were more about sharing ourselves than lust. When his tongue slid across my lips, tasting every inch, I groaned. There, on the ledge of the fountain, I ignored the world around us. The only thing that mattered was Ashton, and the happiness he’d brought to my life.
Our lips parted, the corners of his mouth pulling up into a smile. He stood and reached a hand out to me. “Come on. I believe I owe you a celebration dinner.”
“You do.” I winked and placed my hand in his.
On the way back to the car, I noticed Ashton’s shoulders had relaxed. Even his breathing seemed lighter.
I glanced over at him as he pulled the car out onto the road. “Ashton?”
He took hold of my hand and linked our fingers together, bringing my hand up to his lips. “Yes?”
“Were you afraid to ask me to stay? I noticed you seem more relaxed now that it’s out in the open.”
He smirked. “A little. I didn’t think you’d tell me no, but with everything you’ve been through I wasn’t sure. Plus, I wanted to find the perfect time to tell you.”
“I didn’t need the perfect time. I just need you.”
“You may not have needed the perfect time, but you deserved it.”
“Thank you. And I—”
Once again he cut me off. “Not until you’re ready. I can wait.”
We pulled
up outside La Tratoria. Every time I saw the place, it always amazed me with it elegance. “A special dinner for two?”
“Something like that.”
He hopped out of the car and opened my door before I had a chance to unbuckle myself. We walked into the restaurant hand in hand and it felt nice to be on the arm of a man who cherished me—who loved me. I felt strange just thinking it. The man holding my hand was in love . . . with me. The feeling of pride that swelled in my chest was like nothing I’d ever felt. It was a delicious sensation; one I knew I’d never tire of.
Bypassing the main dining room, I was confused. We’d eaten at the same table each time we’d dined there so, naturally, I assumed we’d be sitting there. I didn’t question him, just went where he led. When we came to a door in the back, Ashton opened it with a flourish. We stepped into the room and I froze.
My parents.
My parents.
Oh my God.
The air left my lungs in a whoosh, the hand not in Ashton’s now clasped over my mouth. My knees began to buckle and I felt him slide closer, knowing that if he hadn’t been holding me, there was no way I would still be on my feet. I hadn’t seen them in so long, yet it felt like yesterday. Mom’s hair was shorter, her eyes more tired, but she was still the same woman who’d blown on my cuts and grazes, talked to me about boys, and helped me curl my hair for prom. Dad was slightly grayer, but it suited him. He’d filled out a bit too. But his smile was exactly the same. I loved that smile nearly as much as I loved my dad.
Mom ran up to me crying, wrapping me in the tightest hug imaginable. The back of my throat burned as I tried to hold onto my emotions, but it was impossible and the tears fell down my cheeks. Ashton quietly stepped away, giving me a few minutes alone with my mother and father.
Mom leaned back to look me in the eye. “You were amazing tonight, Laney. We are so very proud of you.”
She pulled me in close again, her face tucked into my neck, and her arms around me were joined by Dad’s. “I’m so happy we got to see your first performance.”
“How?—when? Oh my God, I can’t believe you’re here,” I squealed when I eventually moved out of their embrace, my head bouncing back and forth between the two of them.
Mom’s smile warmed me all the way to my toes. “Ashton called us and asked if we wanted to come.”
“But you guys can’t afford to come here for just a weekend. I’m thrilled you’re here, but you didn’t need to do that.”
“Don’t worry, babydoll, Ashton covered all our expenses.”
My hand flew to my chest. “He did?”
I searched the room for Ashton. I didn’t know if he’d come back, but I wanted him to know how thankful I was. Before my eyes could find him, Dad took hold of my shoulders and turned me to face him. “You’ve got yourself a good man there. I’m glad to see you so happy.”
“Ashton makes me happier than I’ve ever been.”
“That’s all we could ask for.”
A tap on my shoulder made me turn. “You were amazing,” Mrs. Hawes gushed.
“Thank you so much, Mrs. Hawes.” She lifted her brows and waited. “Sorry, Faith.”
“That’s better.” She smiled. “I’m so excited to see it again next week.”
“You’re coming again?”
“Absolutely!”
Mr. Hawes stepped up behind his wife, resting his hands on her shoulders. “Don’t try and deter her. She wouldn’t miss it for the world.” He wrapped me in a hug of his own. “You were excellent.”
“She was, wasn’t she?” Ashton slid his arm around my waist, pulling me tight to him. “The kitchen should be ready with dinner, if we want to take our seats.”
Everyone moved toward the dining room, but I held back. Not wanting to hold up dinner I didn’t speak. I just placed a gentle kiss to the corner of his mouth and said, “Thank you . . . so much.”
And then I went to eat dinner with my family.
* * *
Dinner passed in a blur of wonderful conversation and celebration. It was more than I could have ever asked for, and I told Ashton as much on the drive home.
“I still can’t believe you flew my parents all the way out here.”
He lifted our linked hands to his lips. “Haven’t you figured out yet that I’ll do anything to make you happy.”
“It’s occurred to me once or twice.” I laughed.
“Keep up your cheek and I promise you’ll pay for it.”
“Oh really,” I said, trying to egg him on. Like he’d actually have enough self-control to hold back long enough to make me pay.”
The second we parked in the garage Ashton was out of the car, ripping open my door, picking me up, and throwing me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. I squirmed, but nothing helped.
“Put me down, Ashton.” I tried to sound stern but my giggles were a dead giveaway.
Still trying to wriggle my way down, I let out a sharp yelp when his hand connected with my ass. Liquid heat pooled at my core. All I could think about was him, pressed between my thighs. Twice more on our way up the stairs his hand landed on my ass. By the third time, I let the moan escape—one hundred percent positive Ashton knew what he was doing to me.
When we made it to the bedroom. Ashton let me slide down his body, and immediately after my feet touched the floor he gripped the hem of my dress and pulled it up and over my head. My underwear followed right behind. Then Ashton’s mouth was on mine, as he lowered me to the bed and all conscious thought left me. His right hand caressed up and down my side, eventually gliding up my arm to my wrist, holding it in place until something cool and leather wrapped around it.
Swiftly, and before I spoke a word, Ashton had my other arm up and closed the leather cuff around my wrist. “I told you teasing me wouldn’t be a good thing,” he said as his fingers tickled down my side, caressing over my breast until he pinched my nipple between his fingers. Sensation shot through my body, my lower half squirming on the bed.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. I think you can move too much,” he whispered in my ear.
I had no idea what he was talking about. The idea of begging crossed my mind for one brief moment but the reality was, I wanted to see how it would play out. His hands continued their path down my chest and through my core. God, I needed his fingers to stay there longer. But they moved slowly down my thighs, capturing one of my ankles, his thumbs digging into the arch of my foot.
“Ashton,” I sighed.
That’s when I felt the cool leather again and heard the click as my ankle was attached to the bed and just like with my wrists, Ashton wasted no time cuffing my other ankle. I looked up. His eyes were hooded, his pupils dilated so wide that I could barely see what color his eyes were.
Lust.
“Oh, Elena. How fucking sexy you look spread-eagle on my bed.” His hands grazed down my exposed stomach. “Now I want to see how much you can handle.”
I trembled at his words and watched to see what he would do. Somehow, without me seeing, Ashton had managed to get a vibrator out onto the bed. The sound alone made the anticipation grow. “Please,” I begged.
“Oh don’t worry, it’s all for you.” His voice was husky as he touched the vibrator to my clit.
I’d never felt anything like it. Desire poured through me like wildfire. Within minutes I was crashing over the edge. “Oh God, don’t . . . don’t stop,” I managed to pant out.
“I don’t plan on it.”
The speed increased, making the vibrations come quicker and long before I expected it, my body built up again to that peak where it’s a choice: let the torture continue or fall off the cliff. This time when the explosion came, my vision grayed out and my body tightened almost to the point of pain.
As my body started to come down, I noticed my muscles tightening up again. Ashton had left the vibrator in place, except this time, he plunged two fingers into my wet heat, letting my body ride and clench them.
“Again. I love watching you come. The way you
r back arches as your mouth drops open . . .” He made a noise and it was quite possibly the most erotic sound I’d ever heard. Unsure how much I could handle before my body became too sensitive, I braced, my core quivering in anticipation.
On and on it went.
I begged Ashton for relief, but I didn’t mean it. The combination of pleasure and pain was utterly overwhelming—and I loved every minute.
After my third or fourth orgasm—I’d lost count—my ankles were freed, followed by my wrists. Ashton took the slightly chafed skin in his hands, rubbing some of the feeling back into them.
“You did so well, babe, but now I need you.”
Somewhere in the midst of everything, Ashton had removed his clothes and glasses. He placed me over his lap, and I sank down, his swollen shaft sliding into me easily. The tiredness that had begun to claim me left hurriedly the minute he started to move inside me; my body and mind lost to the passion. Soon, I pushed everything aside and took over, riding him like I’d never get enough of being with him that way.
“Fuck, Elena, please tell me you’re close,” he pleaded, and I could feel his cock hardening, stretching my walls.
I dropped my head to his shoulder. “I can’t come again.”
“You can and you will.” The demand in his tone and his thumb on my clit forced my body into action, my body tightening around his, pulsing over and over again.
“Oh God!”
Ashton grabbed my hips, thrusting himself up into me until he shouted out his release. Exhausted, we both dropped to the bed and curled up in each other’s arms.
“I love you, Elena,” he whispered softly into my hair. “Welcome home.”
The three words were so poignant, they brought tears to my eyes. After many years, I’d finally found my place.
A place I could call home.
CHAPTER 26
Ashton
“I told you she was ready,” Miller said laughing, his ass on the couch on the other side of my office. “Did you two even leave the house this weekend?”
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