My head snapped around.

“Dominic?” I squeaked. It pissed me off that I let him affect me like this, but the shock of seeing him sent my mind into a frenzy. He yanked my arm and I was trapped, caught in his gaze. His eyes were cold. “Maybe I need to remind you who you belong to.”

Before I had a chance to respond, his mouth came down on mine in a bruising kiss. It might have been the first time Dominic had kissed me in at least five years, but it wasn’t done out of love. That kiss was meant to punish and degrade me. Shock held me immobile, until he tried to stick his tongue in my mouth. Shoving at him with all my strength, I managed to push him off of me.

“What are you doing?” I wiped my hand across my lips, trying to get rid of his touch.

He sneered. “Reminding you who you’ll be coming home to in two weeks.”

I shook my head, taking a step back. “No.”

“No, what?” he snapped.

Wrapping my arms around myself, I took another step back. “I’m filing for divorce.”

“What?” he shouted, a vein pulsing at his temple.

The sight of his hands clenched into fists kicked in my fight or flight response, but when I tried to move I couldn’t because I was backed into the wall; the sound of cheers erupting in the stadium drowned out by the sound of the pounding of my heart.

Dominic grabbed my arms, pulling me toward the exit.

“You’re mine. There will be no divorce.” His voice sent chills down my spine and everything instinct I’d fought so hard to quash during the two months I’d been away returned in full force.

“What are you doing?” someone yelled from behind me.

“We’re not done,” he snarled, giving me a shove and I fell backward, hitting the ground awkwardly. I wrapped my arms around myself, watching him take off as two guys ran over.

“Are you okay,” the taller one asked.

“I am,” I answered, carefully hiding my trembling hands. “Just an ex who doesn’t understand he’s an ex.”

“Do you need us to walk you back to your seat?” the other chimed in.

I shook my head. All I wanted was to get back to Ashton as quick as possible. “No. I’m pretty sure you guys scared him away. Thank you.” I forced a smile, hoping to make it more convincing.

The tall one looked around, scanning the crowd. “If you’re sure. Can I at least walk you to your section?”

“I’m right across the concourse.”

Forgetting about the ladies room, I let them lead me across the way to my section, my eyes darting everywhere, wondering if Dominic had really left, or if he was somewhere nearby, watching me.

“Be careful,” they said and I nodded before walking through the entry and down the stairs toward my seat.

“You missed—” Ashton looked over at me and froze. “What happened?” His eyes searched mine.

“Nothing.” I linked my fingers through his. “Let’s watch the game.”

“Don’t pull that shit, Elena. Look at you—you’re shaking. Something happened and I want to know what it is.” His tone left no room for argument.

I swallowed and my voice shook as I said, “I ran into Dominic.”

“Jesus Christ.”

He lifted his hands to touch me and I couldn’t help it; I flinched.

“Fuck.”

His hands dropped to his sides but I could see the tension in his body. He took a deep breath then asked, “Are you okay?”

I shook my head.

“Okay,” he said, but his voice was so low I knew he wasn’t talking to me. “I’ve dealt with him enough to know that you don’t just run into Dominic without him saying something stupid. Want to tell me what he said?”

“He . . . umm . . .”

Ashton reached up and pushed the stray hair out of my face and behind my ear. I wasn’t entirely comfortable but I allowed it, knowing that he wouldn’t hurt me.

“Elena, it’s okay. I’m right here. I won’t let him get to you again.”

Needing the comfort, I leaned into his side. “At first he yelled at me for kissing you on screen, then he kissed me.”

Ashton was out of his seat and halfway up the stairs before I could stop him. Leaving our things by our seats, I raced after him. He beat me to the concourse.

“Ashton!”

He stood about ten feet in front of me. The reflection on his glasses from the lights above was not enough to mask the cold determination in his eyes. Needing to be close to him, I ran over and slipped my hand in his.

“Don’t leave me,” I begged. I didn’t care how desperate I sounded. I didn’t want to be alone. And I definitely didn’t want him doing anything stupid.

When he turned to me his features softened. “I won’t leave you, but I also won’t stand by and let that prick put his lips on you.”

“I told him I was filing for divorce.”

“You did?” Ashton’s face was a mixture of confusion and wonder. He paused for a second, thinking something over before he asked, “How did he take it?”

“He said he wouldn’t allow that and pushed me up against the wall near the ladies’ room.”

He ground his teeth together. “I’m going to kill that bastard when I get my hands on him.”

I was still freaked out and just wanted to push it out of my mind. Focusing on the fun we’d had would help. “It’s been a perfect day. Can we just watch the game and worry about Dominic later?”

Ashton took my face in his hands, placing the sweetest, softest kiss ever on my lips. “Okay. Let’s go.” He took my hand and walked me back to our seats. I could see the tension in his shoulders, but knew he was trying to hide it—for me.

The second we sat down, Ashton pulled out his phone. His fingers flew across the keys as he sent text after text. A few minutes later, he put it away and sighed.

“We’re getting you self-defense lessons.”

I thought about arguing, but it couldn’t hurt. Even if I never had to use the skills I’d learn, knowing that I’d be able to overpower Dominic if he ever came at me again would give me some comfort. Ashton wouldn’t be around forever. It was the smart thing to do.

I nodded and Ashton turned his head back to the game.

There was only one inning left so it ended pretty quickly. Since it had been such a close game, people stayed all the way through, it took longer to get out of there. Once we reached the exit gate, I noticed Brock standing there waiting for us.

“Ashton. Elena. I hear you had some trouble tonight.”

“A bit,” I answered.

“Brock will drive us home. In case we have to deal with Dominic again, I don’t want you left alone.”

All of it sounded so possessive and protective. Ashton and I climbed into the backseat of the car and waited for Brock to pull out of the lot. Ashton sat so rigidly that it made me want to scream in frustration. I couldn’t let my problems ruin an absolutely wonderful day. I knew talking wouldn’t solve anything, but there was one thing that would help ease the tension.

I ran my hand up his leg, knee to thigh, my palm coming to rest over his zipper. His sharp intake of breath told me I was doing something right and I let my fingers slide down his other leg, then retraced my path. His hand covered mine.

“If you keep that up, we’ll give Brock a show,” he whispered in my ear.

The heat rose to my cheeks but was quickly forgotten as Ashton cupped my jaw and took possession of my lips. Opening my mouth, he slid his tongue inside, tasting every square inch. Absorbed in the kiss, I didn’t notice when we pulled up in front of the house until Ashton released my seatbelt and lifted me out of the car.

We made our way into the house and up the stairs. Heat blazed in his eyes when he finally set me down and I knew I’d succeeded in making him forget about Dominic, if only for the moment. Ashton’s mouth returned to mine as he lowered me to the bed.

The perfect end to the perfect day.

CHAPTER 23

Elena

Ashton made sure to come out and show me to the table himself, and it was obvious it was the best table in the house. Secluded for private conversation, but still in the midst of everything. I looked down at my watch.