“I’m wondering why you’re speaking to me that way,” I countered, mimicking her pose.

Her shoulders remained tense, like she was preparing for battle. “Your point?”

Fuck, she isn’t going to give me an inch.

“I was trying to tell you before you bit my head off, that wasn’t the way I meant it.”

“Then how did you mean it?”

I ground my teeth together, trying to keep some semblance of control. The rational part of my brain knew that she needed to stand up for herself. That didn’t matter when my temper was in play. It had been set loose and it was looking for blood. With all of my effort to rein it in.

“My dad gave Miller and I everything, so when he asked us to take over parts of his business, we may not have liked it, but we couldn’t say no. His family has been doing it for decades. Right or wrong, it’s all I know.”

“You know how to cook. Very well, I might add.”

“Yes, but he’s my dad.”

Silence stretched between us. I swilled my wine around in my glass, taking a sip then looking for the waiter to refill it. The tension slowly leaked from her body.

“I called my parents today.”

Holy shit. I didn’t see that one coming. “What did they say?”

Her eyes filled with tears. “That they missed me, and were so happy to hear that I wasn’t living with Dominic right now.”

Thoughts of her living with me assaulted my brain. “Did you tell them about the show?”

Her smile broke through the tears. “I did. They’re really proud of me. Said they wish they could see it.”

“Why can’t they? Where do they live?”

“Delaware. It’s an expensive plane ride for just one show.”

“But they’re your parents?’

“Yeah. You have to remember my parents don’t have the kind of money yours do. A ticket like that would cost over six hundred—each. And that’s not including hotel.”

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.

“Listen here you motherfucker, I have no idea who you’re talking about but if you don’t get out of here in the next five seconds, I’m going to consider it a threat. And trust me when I say you do not want to threaten a guy like me.”

His eyes went wide and his body jerked. I went to open my mouth but he’d vanished, racing off into the night. My body still on alert, I looked around but there was no one else there.

With an effort, I unclenched my fists. I needed to see if Elena was okay.

She was white as a sheet, trembling from head to toe. I reached out my hand but she recoiled, which hurt worse then I’d imagined it would.

“Elena, look at me.”

Her eyes panned up to mine, unfocused, and I knew nothing would get through to her. I had to get her home, away from the bullshit.

I placed my hands on her shoulders and gently maneuvered her into the car. She didn’t speak a word as she mindlessly buckled her seatbelt and waited. I stood at the back of the car, whipping out my cell and shooting a text to Brock.

Me: I need a favor. Meet me at mine in 20?

Brock: I’ll be there

His reply didn’t surprise me. I paid him and paid him well to be available wherever, whenever. Palmer would understand how to contact me correctly by the time Brock finished with him. Under normal circumstances, I’d do it myself. If he’d stopped when I’d asked him to I would have let it go, but he pushed it. There was nothing I’d enjoy more than seeing to it that the guy never upset another woman as much as he’d upset Elena, but my attention needed to be with her, so Brock would have to relay the message on my behalf.