I returned his handshake. “I am. It’s a pleasure to meet both of you.”

Mrs. Brighton stood when her husband let go of my hands, wrapping her arms around my waist, practically squeezing the air from my lungs. “Thank you so much for helping us to share this with our daughter. We couldn’t be happier she found a wonderful man like you. I’m sure things will be easier, now that the papers have been filed.”

I had to remind myself they knew nothing of the circumstances surrounding Elena coming to live me, including what I did for the family business—and it would stay that way. Her parents didn’t need to know how bad it had become with Tolley, or that I was involved in illegal activities. I wanted them to like me. They’d worried about their daughter for long enough. I wouldn’t give them any further reason.”

The lights flashed above us. “You’re welcome. We’ll get more time to talk at dinner.”

She nodded and we took our seats. It might not have been me up on that stage, but my heart started to race nonetheless. Elena still hadn’t let me hear her sing, telling me I had to wait for opening night.

The curtain opened on the stage and the music began. I was captivated by the whole experience. Then a woman broke out in song. I didn’t need to see the singer to know that the unbelievably gorgeous voice belonged to Elena. She stepped onto the stage and I wanted to jump to my feet and applaud.

I glanced around at the awed expressions on the faces of my family. They were just as surprised as I was at how beautifully she sang. It took a moment to reconcile this Elena with the pathologically shy woman who first came to stay with me.

The only two people not in a state of shock were her parents. Tears streamed down her mother’s cheeks, her face filled with pride. Her father’s look was almost identical. They were proud, and not afraid to show it.

And I was too. I was simply awestruck at the amount of raw talent Elena possessed. No wonder Alan had yelled at me.

“Ashton!”

I spun around, looking for the source of the voice to see Alan coming toward me. We were standing in the lobby waiting for the second act to begin. “Alan. Great show.” I reached out to clasp his hand in mine.

“Thank you. She’s amazing isn’t she?”

My eyes were still wide with surprise. “I had no idea.”

“Please tell me she’s going to stick around for a while? I keep thinking of different shows I could do with a voice like hers.”

“That’s the plan.”

He watched me for a moment. “Ashton, we’ve known each other for a long time, and I can tell when something isn’t right with you, so spit it out.”

He was right. Alan and I had known each other for forever. We didn’t really have secrets between us. “I’m asking Elena to move in with me. I really think she’s the one.”

“Holy shit. Really?”

“Tell me about it. Never saw it coming until she hit me like a freight train. If she says yes, she’ll be around as long as I can keep her here.”

“Wow, that’s a big step. Elena’s good for you, though. In all the years I’ve known you, I’ve never seen you so relaxed.”

“She is.”

The lights inside the theater flashed. “I’ve got to get back up there. We’ll talk more at the party.”

I nodded and made my way back to my seat.

The second half of the show was even better than the first; almost like she’d been building her confidence through the first act and found it by the second. When the show ended, everyone quickly left to head over to the restaurant. They didn’t want to give away anything by being seen at the theater.

I waited for Elena in the back hall by the dressing room. It was my turn to fidget as I paced back and forth outside her door. After about fifteen minutes, it swung open to reveal Elena in a sapphire blue strapless cocktail dress. The color gave her skin a healthy glow.

“Hi,” she said, a bit on the shy side.

Wanting to take away her fear, I quickly wrapped her in my arms. “You were fantastic. I’ve never seen anything like that.”

A blush rose on her cheeks. “I’m so glad you liked it.”

“I loved it.” Taking her hand, I led her to the front of the theater and down the steps, all the while recounting my favorite parts of the show.

I brought her to the fountain across the street. She looked around, confused.

“There’s something I want to talk to you about,” I said, and she nodded, taking a seat at the edge of the fountain, staring down at the coins resting on the bottom. Taking the seat next to her, I used my finger to lift her chin to face me, tucking a small strand of hair behind her ear and saying, “Elena, remember how I told you that you could stay with me as long as you needed to get yourself on your feet again.

She swallowed hard. “Yes.”

“I don’t want that anymore.”

Her eyes instantly filled with tears and she tried to stand up and walk away, but I took her hand in mine and stopped her, urging her to sit back down. “That didn’t come out right. Please stay and listen.” I was annoyed with myself. Not once in my life had I had trouble talking to women, but right now I sounded like a tongue-tied idiot. “What I’m trying to say is that I don’t want you to leave. Even when you get back on your feet, I want you to stay and be mine.”

Her eyes widened and I watched as her body went tight.

“I love you, Elena.”

CHAPTER 25

Elena

“What?”

My voice came out all breathy, so much so that I questioned whether or not it was audible. Did Ashton just say he loved me? Pieces of the conversation I had with Miller a few weeks ago came back to me.

“He was already falling for you.”

“I am completely in love with you, Elena,” he said, his gaze never leaving mine.

The words both scared and excited me. They were the ones I’d longed to hear from Ashton’s lips, but I knew I couldn’t return them. Even though he’d never shown me anything but care and compassion, the fear of rejection still festered, buried deep within me. As much as I willed them to come, no words would leave my mouth. I didn’t know what to say.

Did I want to stay with Ashton? More than anything. But would he still want me if I couldn’t utter those three little words? There was only one way to find out. I was tired of living in fear.

“I want to stay with you, more than you can even imagine . . . but I need more time—”

His fingers covered my lips.

“You don’t have to say it back. Take all the time you need.”

Cupping my face in his hands, he slanted his lips over mine in a passionate kiss. The soft, slow movements were more about sharing ourselves than lust. When his tongue slid across my lips, tasting every inch, I groaned. There, on the ledge of the fountain, I ignored the world around us. The only thing that mattered was Ashton, and the happiness he’d brought to my life.

Our lips parted, the corners of his mouth pulling up into a smile. He stood and reached a hand out to me. “Come on. I believe I owe you a celebration dinner.”

“You do.” I winked and placed my hand in his.

On the way back to the car, I noticed Ashton’s shoulders had relaxed. Even his breathing seemed lighter.

I glanced over at him as he pulled the car out onto the road. “Ashton?”

He took hold of my hand and linked our fingers together, bringing my hand up to his lips. “Yes?”

“Were you afraid to ask me to stay? I noticed you seem more relaxed now that it’s out in the open.”

He smirked. “A little. I didn’t think you’d tell me no, but with everything you’ve been through I wasn’t sure. Plus, I wanted to find the perfect time to tell you.”

“I didn’t need the perfect time. I just need you.”

“You may not have needed the perfect time, but you deserved it.”

“Thank you. And I—”

Once again he cut me off. “Not until you’re ready. I can wait.”