Traded(26)

Standing in the kitchen, downing a drink of water after a run on the treadmill, I heard the garage door open and a minute later, Ashton stepped through the door. Seeing him made me almost swallow my tongue. What I wouldn’t give to be the kind of sexy that brought a man like him home to me each night; the kind of sexy that drove men wild enough to think of spending the night with me. I’d long ago accepted that men like Ashton Hawes weren’t meant for someone simple and homely like me, but that didn’t make the disappointment burn any less each time it reared its ugly head.

“Ready for tonight?”

His question caught me off guard and I pulled the band out of my hair, letting it fall around my shoulders as I tried to buy some time. “Are you sure you want me to meet your parents? You have to admit, ours isn’t the most conventional situation.”

He stepped forward into my space, crossing his arms over his chest, a dark look crossing his face. “Elena, we’ve been through this. My parents already know the situation. This isn’t about you meeting them—it’s about you getting the help you need.”

“I already know Dominic needs to treat me better, Ashton. You’ve helped me figure that out.”

“Except the only thing you’ve learned is that he shouldn’t treat you as a slave. Are you ready to leave him?”

I shook my head, the urge to drop my eyes to the ground almost too much, but I caught myself just in time. Ashton had taught me that if I wanted to keep people from taking advantage of me, I needed to show that I wasn’t afraid. “How can I? He’s the only one who wants me.”

“He’s not.”

His voice was firm; his eyes cutting to me, turning molten, raking over my body, and although I wore a simple outfit of a tank and a pair of running shorts, the way he was staring at me, I may as well have been in my underwear. I froze in place. Men didn’t look at me that way. He was just trying to be nice.

“Dominic may need work, but I can help him change.”

He clenched his jaw. “He’s an asshole and you need to understand he doesn’t want to change.”

“And how would you know?” The muscles in my body tensed. I hadn’t fought back in years and it felt good. Ashton’s eye went wide for a second. He was shocked. Then his jaw relaxed and he reached forward to cup my cheek.

“Good to see you have a backbone, even if I won’t agree. Now go get ready. We need to leave soon.”

And just like that, he walked away. Ashton was one confusing man. One minute he looked fit to jump me, the next he was angry, then he was walking away.

I contemplated his varying moods as I climbed the stairs, going in search of the dress I’d picked out to wear. It was the first time in forever that I’d had more options than I knew what to do with and so choosing had taken some time, and even then I wasn’t sure I’d made the right decision. My hands shook as I attempted to apply the make up like the girl at the spa showed me; partly because I wasn’t sure if I was doing it right, partly because I was going to dinner at crime boss’s house. I had no idea what to expect. I had a feeling that my stereotypical ideas, all from TV, were completely wrong. Which left me feeling lost as to what I’d be walking into.

Taking one last look in the mirror, I examined my outfit once again to make sure it worked for the night. The black sheath dress complimented my figure—according to the personal shopper Ashton sent. With its deep V at the neckline and lace capped sleeves, it was nicer than anything I’d ever owned. I took in my appearance in the full-length mirror, seeing my transformation from top to toe. I left my long hair loose, curling the ends, resisting the temptation to pull it away from my face in my normal ponytail. Even with the nerves about the impending dinner, I felt beautiful.

Satisfied that everything was in its place, I grabbed my black purse and left my room. I turned the corner and waiting at the bottom of the stairs was Ashton, his black suit fitting him perfectly, outlining every muscle in his body. I was so busy staring I almost stumbled down the stairs but, luckily, I caught myself before I went down in a heap.

Damn these heels.

My fingers gripping the handrail tightly, I straightened my spine and did my best to take each step carefully. My mouth was dry. When I reached the bottom stairs, Ashton took my hand and spun me around.

“You’re gorgeous.”

I felt the heat race to my face. “I’m not, but thank you for saying that.”

He pulled me in and lifted my chin to meet his gaze. “I wouldn’t lie to you. I’m not the type of man to give empty compliments.”

Very true. Since I’d arrived, Ashton hadn’t sugarcoated anything. He was honest, almost to a fault.