“Yell at you for what?”
“I don’t know, wasting the day when I should have been cleaning or making you lunch and dinner.” My heart rate was thundering, galloping like a whipped horse as I began wringing my hands.
There was nothing for a beat, then Ashton took ahold of my fingers and pulled them apart, holding them firmly in his own. “I told you earlier, I don’t expect you to take care of me. Somehow, someway, I’m going to teach you how wrong that line of thinking is. Now, did you enjoy your day?”
“Yes, thank you.” The urge to look away was almost overpowering but I fought it. Doing what Ashton said was my goal.
“What was your favorite part?”
What if I picked the wrong thing? My hands began to sweat, which succeeded only in reminding me that he was still holding them. There was no chance he wouldn’t notice it. “I really liked the shopping.”
He smiled and let go of one of my hands, lifting the other above my head, causing me to twirl around where I stood. “I can tell. This dress looks fantastic on you.”
Could the desire I’d seen in his eyes have been directed at me? After only a day away from home my world was upended, and I had no idea which way was up. My hands began to shake. I was so far out of my comfort zone, I didn’t know where to begin. He was a man, like Dominic, but their thoughts were polar opposites.
Which of them is right?
As if sensing my increasing nervousness, Ashton changed the subject. “I want to show you around the house, but I just need ten minutes to finish up some paperwork.”
“That’s okay, I can head on up to my room.” I tugged at my hands. He still hadn’t let me go.
“Are you going to hide, or for another reason?”
His tone, coupled with the tilt of his chin and his assessing eyes, made it clear he wouldn’t let me go if he didn’t like my answer, but for once, that didn’t scare me. What the difference was I couldn’t say, but I answered honestly. “I want to put the new clothes away and change before dinner.”
He took a step forward and lifted my hand to his mouth, touching his lips against my skin. “Your new clothes, Elena, and I think that’s an excellent idea. But keep the dress on. You look great in it.”
Heat rushed to my face and I nodded, taking my hand from his as soon as he let me, and scurrying out the door. In the safety of my room, I took deep gulping breaths. No man had ever had an effect like that on my body. Every part of me felt like flames were burning paths down every nerve ending in my body. Then I remembered what brought me here in the first place. Dominic was my husband. I loved him. I’d sworn to love and obey him until death and I’d meant it. So why, for just one moment, did it feel like everything with him was wrong.
A knock against wood interrupted my thoughts, the hinges creaking as the door opened slowly. Ashton stood in the doorway, leaning against the jamb, his eyes on the bags at the foot of the bed. I hadn’t managed to put anything away. My face flushed.
“Ready for the tour?”
I nodded, not trusting my tongue to work correctly. Being near him sent my heart into overdrive and made me breathless.
“Then let’s go.”
It turned out the house was even bigger than I’d imagined. All the bedrooms were on the second floor and each had its own bath. The first floor had everything from a pool to a game room, a small library to a kitchen bigger than my whole apartment. Thoughts of ways to spend my days rushed through my head before I had a chance to push them aside like I normally would.
“Your home is beautiful.”
Ashton smiled. “Thank you. For the next few months it’s your home as well. Every room in this house is for your use. You don’t need to spend the whole time hiding in your bedroom.” He winked and I felt a flutter deep in my stomach. I might have lied and said I would do that, but that wouldn’t help Dominic. Then again, he had just handed me over.
“I’ll try not to, but unless I’m cooking or cleaning, I really don’t know what to do with myself.”
“I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” He placed his hand at the small of my back, leading me toward the kitchen and dining room. The touch was intimate and unfamiliar but he left no room for me to question it. “Let’s have dinner.”
The guilt for not contributing to dinner overwhelmed me, yet I kept silent. My stomach clenched, waiting for permission. Ashton had already made it very clear that I didn’t need to cook for him and I didn’t want to risk upsetting him by going over old ground. When we reached the dining room, I saw the table was set and covered with food. Ashton led me to a seat and pulled out the chair for me. Again, I wasn’t used to such a gesture. Dominic usually just sat down and began eating.