Traded(59)

An idea formed. I just needed to see if I could pull it off. “I didn’t realize the flights were that expensive,” I said lamely, hoping she wouldn’t catch on to what I was thinking.

The waiter returned, bringing her salad. He noticed my glass and by the time I looked back at it again, it was full.

The rest of our meal arrived, and we began to eat in silence. Halfway through, Elena set her fork down and watched me. “I think if you talked to your dad and told him how you felt, he wouldn’t be mad that you wanted to stop. All you need is the courage to talk to him. And if I can talk to my dad, you can talk to yours.”

“Drop it, Elena.” It was impossible to keep the annoyance out of my voice.

Her jaw dropped, likely at my tone, but she replied, “Fine. It’s your life,” and went straight back to eating.

Great. Now she was pissed at me.

As dinner progressed, Elena and I made small talk, which eventually helped us both settle somewhat. When the plates were cleared and coffee brought to the table, I finally began to relax for the first time since the text from my dad.

I checked my watch. “Should we go? We can do dessert on the way home from the movies?”

“That sounds perfect,” she said. “I don’t think I could eat another bite right now. The steak you chose was perfect.”

After paying the bill, I stood and walked around to pull out her chair. “I’m glad you enjoyed dinner,” I whispered in her ear, feeling her shiver.

We drove over to the theater and stood in front of the marquee while Elena chose a movie. There was only one romantic comedy listed. I didn’t expect her to pick it, but there was a first time for everything.

Thankfully, she didn’t.

I stepped up to the counter and ordered the tickets. Even though Elena swore she was full at the restaurant, she still wanted chocolate covered raisins. Who was I to tell her no?

She would be my dessert later.



* * *



“That was better than I expected it to be.”

She looped her arm through mine and smiled up at me. “Really? I loved it.”

“When there’s that much hype surrounding a movie, you never know whether the trailer had all the best parts.”

“Oh, don’t be a downer,” she said, and her laughter was such a beautiful sound. I wondered if I’d ever get used to hearing it.

“A downer?” I turned to face her, the car at her back. Using my body, I pushed her up against the door. “Aren’t you full of spunk tonight.”

“Can you blame me? Any movie with Matt Damon is a winner in my book.”

“Matt Damon? Is that what has your attention,” I asked, crowding her body with my own.

“No,” she rasped. “I definitely have other things on my mind.”

Her hand gripped me through the fabric of my jeans. Such bold behavior had my hips jutting forward to get closer to her as my mouth came down on hers, possessive and needy. The second her lips parted, my tongue dipped inside needing to taste her.

Oh, how much more I’d taste later.

“Mr. Hawes?”

The unfamiliar voice pulled me out of the lust-induced haze Elena had a way of creating. Adjusting the obvious hard on, I spun around to face whoever had interrupted my night and froze. My shoulders tightened.

Schooling my features, I replied, “I’m sorry, I’m not sure we’ve been introduced.”

“Ashton?” Elena stood right behind me.

The voice took two steps forward, letting the lights from the parking lot cast down on his face. “Mr. Hawes, it’s me, Drake Palmer. I owe you money, sir.”

Motherfucker.

No matter what, I couldn’t react and beat the ever-loving piss out of the moron. Fists clenched at my side, I faced off with the idiot. “You have the wrong guy.” Reaching back, I took hold of Elena’s trembling fingers.

He took another step forward, his hands shaking visibly under the yellowing light. “I’m sorry to interrupt your night out, but I’m having trouble making my payment.” His voice was low, nervous. And he had every reason to be.

“Not me,” I growled, but he kept talking.

“I heard you might be willing to trade.” He nodded toward where Elena stood.

No. I wasn’t doing this here. Sure, Elena knew what I did, but this was my time. We were on a date, for fuck’s sake. I worked hard to keep that side of my life contained. There was no way I was letting it spill over.

Not now.

Not ever.

Letting go of her hand I took two steps forward, putting myself directly in front of him. I had at least a few inches on him and by the looks of his scrawny figure, there would be no contest. He was the kind of guy I usually punted to Brock.