Ashton

Something flashed through Elena’s eyes, but just as quickly, it was gone. She pasted a smile on her face and asked, “What should I wear?”

“Semi-casual.”

I’d made reservations at my favorite steakhouse earlier in the day. I planned on taking her to see a movie afterwards. Elena hadn’t been to the movies in God knew how long and I wanted to take her. So many times we’d watched something that I’d seen a million times but she hadn’t even heard of it. And they weren’t smaller indie films but huge box office, blockbusters.

“Okay, give me about fifteen minutes,” she smiled.

“Take your time. I want to get changed too.”

Nodding, she started up the stairs and I followed a little slower behind. Watching her ass sway as she walked made me hard. Memories of the shower that morning took over all of my thoughts. Never in a million years had I expected her to do that, but damn did the woman know how to use her mouth.

Stopping about halfway up, I watched her disappear into the room and I took the time to adjust myself. Only a few more hours then I could have her. She deserved to not be treated as a sex slave, but I had every intention of showing her a world of pleasure, and that would require lengthy lessons.

By the time I made it through the doorway Elena had finished changing and was in the bathroom fixing her hair. Probably a good thing—if I saw her naked we’d never leave the house.

My tie was the first thing to go. While it might make good bondage later, I had other plans for that in one of my dresser drawers. Stripping down to my boxers, I dug out a pair of jeans and a gray button down. I changed quickly and went downstairs to remove myself from temptation. About another ten minutes passed before Elena joined me. I held my breath when I saw her. The way they accentuated her curves, the jeans looked custom made.

We needed to get out of the house before I ruined all my plans for the night and ravaged her right there on the living room floor. Around her, all of the self-control I prided myself on went flying out the window. With Elena it was never enough. No matter how many times I had her, I still wanted more.

In every position.

In every room.

Over and over.

Normally I could wait; anticipate, pour my attention into one session, taking hours bringing a woman to unparalleled heights of passion. Not with her. With Elena, I found myself lucky if I didn’t come in my pants. Watching her crash over the edge was just . . .

My dick twitched uncomfortably.

Tonight, that would change. I didn’t care how hard it was, I would hold out and show her it all.

Holding out my hand to her, I said, “Let’s go.”

“Where are we heading?”

Once she was seated in the car, I went around to my side to climb in and answer her question. “I have reservations at my favorite steakhouse, then I’m taking you to a movie.”

Her eyes lit up. It still amazed me how the simple things in life brought her a world of joy. “What movie are we seeing?”

I pulled out onto the street. “I figured I’d let you decide when we get there.”

She settled back into her seat. “I think that sounds like the perfect night out.”

We pulled into the parking lot and I made sure to beat her around the front. I always enjoyed the way her eyes lit up when I opened a door for her, or did something any gentleman should be doing. Not that I was always a gentleman, but Elena was different. The minute we walked into the door we were shown to our seats. Ever the gentleman around her, I pulled Elena’s chair out.

“Thank you.”

By the time I took my seat the waiter had appeared. Knowing Elena hated to order wine, I browsed the selections.

“We’ll have a bottle of the Chateau Montelena Cabernet 2010.”

“Excellent choice. I’ll be back to take your orders.”

I nodded to the waiter and he left. I and turned my attention back to Elena, who was studying the menu. “I have no idea what to choose,” she laughed.

“Not a surprise.” I chuckled. “Is there a type of steak you like?”

She shrugged and her eyes shadowed. “I haven’t really had much steak.”

The statement, simple and honest, reminded me why I did things like this for her. She’d missed out on so much in life. It made me want to grind my teeth, but I held myself in check to avoid upsetting her.

“Want me to pick for you?”

The smile returned to her face. “I would. You always have better taste anyway.”

“Not always. Look at the swordfish?”

She giggled. “That’s true.”

“All right,” I said, opening the menu. “Let’s see what you’ll like.”

“Okay.”

Guys like you don’t deserve girls like her.

The thought burned in my brain. It was true. The kind of guy I wanted to be deserved this woman. Elena deserved someone who could give her good, clean, and stable—everything I was not. But the kind of guy I was wouldn’t give her back. That kind of guy didn’t extend his chivalry that far. I was going to take her, even if she deserved more.

I closed the menu. “Pick out what sides you want and I’ll order the steaks.”

She pinned me with her gaze, waiting for more. When I didn’t answer and continued to stare, she rolled her eyes and looked down at the menu. The waiter brought back the wine. I took the glass he offered me, taking a sip and giving the waiter a curt nod. He poured us both a glass.

The waiter took our orders left the table. Before I could ask Elena about her day, my phone vibrated. I held it up and jerked my head away from the table.

“Go ahead.” She nodded at the phone. “It could be someone from one of the restaurants.”

Unlikely.

I flicked the screen on as I walked away from our table and there was a text from my dad. What a way to ruin a good day.

Dad: Did you want to use the box tomorrow?”

“Shit,” I muttered under my breath.

Me: Sure. Thanks.

I hit the phone to silent like I should have done before we left the house.

“Is everything okay?” Elena asked when I returned. Concern creased her brow.

“Dad needs me to meet with a client tomorrow night.”

“Okay, don’t you do that all the time?”

The time had come to lay my cards on the table and see her reaction. “Not by choice.”

She gasped. “You mean your father makes you do it?”

“No.” I rubbed the back of my neck, massaging the muscles there. “Not exactly, anyway. After Dad finished paying for me to go to culinary school, he asked me to take over this part of the business. He’d given me so much, I felt like I couldn’t tell him no.”

Lifting her glass, she took a sip and set it back down. “I’ll be honest, I don’t understand that. Every day you push me to make my own choices—to do what makes me happy. Yet you don’t do the same.”

“It’s not the same. I do it because I love my dad, and he loves me.”

Her head twisted to the side as she slid back in her chair. “That was low.”

“Shit.” I reached out toward her. “That’s not what I meant.”

She pulled away and her eyes focused on something to the side of the room. “Then explain, because it really sounded like you were reminding me how stupid I was to do all of those things for Dominic when he treated me like crap.”

“Elena, look at me.”

She glanced over at me. “Don’t you dare think that’s going to work on me here. You can talk to me like that in the bedroom, not in the middle of an argument.”

I’d been reaching for my glass, when her words froze my hand. No one, man or woman, had ever spoken to me that way, and while it shouldn’t have it made me rock hard it did. “Excuse me?”

Crossing her arms over her chest, she snapped, “What, didn’t think I had it in me?”