“Ashton,” her soft voice called from down the hall.
“In here.”
A few seconds later, her head popped around the corner, her glossy dark hair falling to the side. “I’m getting ready to head over to the theater. Are you sure you want to come?”
Elena might want to play it off like she wasn’t nervous as hell about her opening night, but after so many weeks together, I could see it. The small fidgety things she did: wringing her hands, trying to make it look like she was cracking her knuckles, or continually tucking the same strand of hair behind her ear. They were like a bright flashing neon sign to me, even as she did everything in her power to hide them.
I moved from my desk and took her hand, pulling her into the room with me and cupping her face in my hands, I traced my thumb across her cheek. The words I love you almost slipped from my lips but I realized that if on the small chance she didn’t want to hear them, I’d ruin whatever calm she’d built up for the performance. Whatever my feelings, they could wait until afterward.
“I told you, I can’t wait to see you perform. Are you sure you want me there?”
“Yes,” she breathed. “It’ll be nice to have support in the audience, besides Gretchen.”
What she didn’t know was that I’d arranged for her parents to fly out and see the show, as well as my own. Mr. and Mrs. Brighton had been staying in a hotel for the last two days, doing everything they could to hide their presence from their daughter until later tonight at the party I’d arranged at La Tratoria.
“Then I’ll be there.”
Bending down, I brushed my lips over hers. If I couldn’t tell her that I loved her, I’d at least show her before she left. A shudder ran through my body at the touch of her fingers as they brushed over my abs and up my chest, eventually finding their way into my hair. The moment her tongue slipped into my mouth to tangle with mine, I lost all control of what had started out as a gentle kiss. Breathless and disappointed it had to end, I broke the kiss. She narrowed her eyes at me.
“If we keep going we’ll end up in the bedroom, and then you’ll never make it to the theater.”
I reached down and adjusted myself, making it clear just how serious I was. She blushed and started to back out of the room. “I’ll see you at the theater, then I’m all yours.” With a wink, she turned and walked back down the hall.
I heard the front door open and close. Lewis should be waiting for her out front. Not once had she questioned why whenever she went somewhere she was always accompanied by someone, but I was just grateful that she was. I needed her to be safe, and if that meant being a tad on the cautious side, then that’s what I’d do.
Moving back to my desk, I dropped down into the chair. The whole situation was frustrating the hell out of me. Used to being in control, I found it hard to have so little control when it came to Elena.
My phone vibrated on my desk. Swiping my finger across the screen I answered. “Why hello, my dear, I haven’t seen you in so long.”
Her laugh was melodic. “I figured this was the safer way to talk since you can’t keep your hands to yourself.”
“I can’t keep my hands to myself,” I scoffed. “I seem to remember you being the one to push things further that time.”
“What can I say? You’re irresistible.” I heard a smack. “Oh God, did I just say that out loud?”
I pictured Elena, smacking herself in the head, her face the color of a stoplight. “That’s okay. I find you pretty irresistible myself.”
She sighed but the sound was joyful instead of annoyed. I did everything in my power to focus on what she was saying instead of the image of her naked beneath me, screaming my name as orgasm overtook her.
“I . . .” her voice sounded husky. After clearing her throat she continued. “I wanted to tell you that I heard from one of the lawyers. They attempted to deliver the papers yesterday, but Dominic didn’t answer the door. They’ll try again on Monday, starting with his work.”
Those were words I wanted to hear. “Good. The sooner the better.”
“I couldn’t agree more. I figured you could use another positive thought while you work your way through that mountain of paperwork on your desk.”
The mountain was higher than it needed to be, mostly contracts for a new liquor distributor. “You can say that again. Why didn’t you tell me before you left?”
She laughed. “Umm . . . did you forget your threat to take me upstairs and make me late?”
“Good point. But just think of the fun we’d have had.”
“We will later.”