“Yeah. I know he wasn’t all that keen, but I’d be willing to bet Mr. Hawes or Miller talked him to it.”
A warmth spread through me at Brock’s reasoning, yet it wasn’t enough to alleviate the queasy feeling I’d had since breakfast.
“It’ll be fine,” he said, as we pulled up to the theater. “Ashton talked to Alan and he’s okay with me sitting in the back throughout rehearsals.
“Sounds good to me.”
Brock stepped out of the car first and helped me out. “Don’t worry, he’s still in jail. We’ll know if and when he gets out.”
“Okay.”
I had no idea what Dominic was capable of. He’d never put a hand on me before, but the crazed look in his eyes didn’t leave me with a whole lot of comfort. It was clear that he was far from stable; especially now the three months were up and I hadn’t returned home. But Brock’s presence made me feel safe, and I had to trust that he would look out for me.
For the next few hours I tried to push all of it from my mind. If my performance was affected, Alan didn’t mention anything. But when rehearsal ended, he pulled me aside.
“Is everything okay? I heard you and Ashton disappeared after the police let him go.”
I forced a smile. “It is. I’m still getting used to the idea of living with Ashton permanently. Obviously, the last time I agreed to live with a man things didn’t turn out so well.”
“Ashton is nothing like that piece of shit you were married to. Besides, he needs someone like you in his life.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Ashton is consumed by his work. He needs someone to remind him that life isn’t all about money.” He smiled.
I flung my arms around his neck and placed a quick kiss to his cheek. “Thank you. I needed to hear that today.”
“You’re welcome. Now get going, before Brock goes crazy.”
I practically danced up the aisle, finally feeling more confident. For the first time since we’d met, I could be something more for Ashton. I was beginning to believe that we had potential, that we could make it. And not only that; other people could see it too. It was a heady feeling of content mixed with excitement. It was unfamiliar, but definitely not unwelcome.
Brock watched me prance out to the car while he walked behind me, muttering something unintelligible under his breath. But I didn’t care. My good mood was infectious. He’d soon be smiling again.
Not that I’d ever seen Brock smile . . . not that I could recall.
When I arrived back at the house there were still a few hours before Ashton came home, so I decided on a hot bubble bath. The steam from the warm water relaxed my tired muscles as I sunk lower into the water. My eyes slid closed and I inhaled deeply, the scent of lavender washing over me. It was bliss.
A soft knock at the door brought me out of my daze. There in the doorframe stood Ashton, his heated gaze glued to the receding bubbles at my chest.
“Fuck. If we didn’t need to be somewhere, I’d climb in with you.” A salacious smiled curved his lips.
Swirling my fingers through the bubbles, I teased him. “Wouldn’t that be fun.”
“Get out of the tub, before I spank your cute little ass again.”
I’d let him try that one night a few weeks ago and his words evoked a memory that made my core ache. Needless to say, I hadn’t been disappointed.
Sinking my teeth into my bottom lip, I stood and stepped out of the tub, making sure every movement was slow and exaggerated. We didn’t have time, I knew that, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t have some fun.
He groaned and took a step back. “I’ll be downstairs. If I come anywhere near you, we won’t be leaving the house tonight.”
Ashton knew exactly how to boost a girl’s courage. “In that case, I’ll be down in a few,” I said, batting my eyelashes. He shook his head, a smile on his lips before he headed through the door, mumbling all the way.
As soon as he left I raced to get ready, grabbing a salmon sundress from the closet and plucking matching accessories from my ever expanding closet. I had more clothes now than I’d had my entire life. Ashton really needed to stop spending money on me. But we’d talk about that later.
When I was finally ready, I went downstairs to meet Ashton, who I found in the foyer, keys in hand. He paced the floor to the point he could have worn a hole in it. The sound of my shoes hitting the floor must have caught his attention, because he turned around and froze.
“Damn. Wet and naked you were edible. That dress . . .” He blew out a long breath through pursed lips, “I could bend you over the nearest surface and fuck you until you can’t walk tomorrow.”