Page 41 of Stormswept Colorado (Hart County #3)

THIRTY-FIVE

Ayla

Paul finally backed down, agreeing not to press charges against Teller. In exchange, I agreed to give Paul a few days to prepare before I called the heads of the label and the media.

My stance hadn’t changed. I would not be working with Paul again, and I refused to be silent about it. But if Paul needed a long weekend to figure out what to tell Papa Ruxton of Ruxton Records, he could have it.

If only I could use this to get out of my contract. That was less likely. The label would probably assign me a different executive.

But in the meantime, recording my new album was on hold. I planned to spend every minute of the next few days with Teller. And I was going to enjoy it. That meant putting Paul out of my mind.

Same with the stalker. River was working on tracing the new email from Biggest Fan, and he would let Teller and me know when he had any new updates.

In the secured parking lot behind the studio, Bryan greeted Teller with a huge smile and a firm handshake.

“Chief Landry. Good to see you again. Especially since I’m not in handcuffs.

” I knew Bryan didn’t bear him any ill-will since Teller had let him off the hook after that street fight thing.

Also, I’d dropped plenty of hints that Teller and I were more than friends.

“I’m off duty and way outside my jurisdiction. You can call me Teller. How’s the concussion? Giving you any problems?” Teller’s brows drew together with concern.

“It’s better, thanks. I’m not a hundred percent. But you know how it is. I had to get back to work.” Bryan lowered his voice. “My boss is kind of a monster. She’s working me to an early grave.”

“I believe it. High maintenance, this one.” Teller’s hand trailed from my hip down to my butt and squeezed.

“Hey,” I protested. “You’re both spreading lies.” In fact, I’d offered to help Bryan with money so he could rest at home for longer. When he refused, I offered a loan. But the man wouldn’t accept.

Laughing, Bryan opened the back door for us to climb inside the vehicle. “My other problem is that Ayla’s man keeps sending heavy boxes for us to lug inside her house. The guy is obsessed with her.”

“You’d better be talking about me,” Teller joked in a grumpy voice. “I’m definitely obsessed.”

Bryan put up the privacy screen as we drove home. Probably because Teller and I couldn’t stop kissing.

“This reminds me of being in the backseat in that snowstorm,” I said. “Remember?”

Teller smirked. “When you almost made me come in my pants? Yes, I believe I do remember.”

I walked my fingertips up his jeans-clad thigh. “Want to try again? Let me finish the job this time?”

He picked up my hand and kissed my knuckles. “I do love it when you’re bad, but doing that on a busy highway in Southern California seems a touch riskier than a rural, snowed-in road in Hart County.”

I pretended to pout. But I’d been teasing him. My house wasn’t that far from the recording studio. Just a quick drive up the PCH. “Then I’ll have to drive you out to the middle of nowhere the next time I’m in Hart County. See if I can make you lose your mind.”

His eyes softened, and he stroked my cheek, his thumb brushing over my lips. “I would love that.”

A thrill of both excitement and nervousness lifted my chest.

Teller was throwing around that L word an awful lot.

When we reached my house, I introduced Teller to the other security guys on duty. And then we headed inside. He’d brought a duffel as an overnight bag, which he had slung over his shoulder while his other hand held tight to mine.

“Well, this is it,” I said, tugging on his hand. “My place. Let me show you around.”

The entrance led into a sunken living room with spacious, low sectional couches. Currently dominated by the bookstore delivery. A gourmet kitchen, butler’s pantry, formal dining room and guest rooms occupied one wing of the main floor. My bedroom suite occupied the other side.

Downstairs was my home recording studio, media room, and workout room. And along the length of the house, huge spans of windows overlooked the cliffside decks and the ocean below. The glass was tinted on the outside for complete privacy.

“I bought the house for myself when I first hit number one on the billboard charts.” I couldn’t remember if I’d mentioned that before. “My big indulgence. Plus, the gated neighborhood is nice.”

“You deserved it. This is even more impressive in person than on video.”

I studied his expression, wondering what he was thinking.

I’d put a ton of time and effort into decorating here. Making it mine. Yet I’d never had anyone to share it with except for a few friends. The O’Neals in Silver Ridge hadn’t visited yet, mostly because Ashford was such a stick in the mud about leaving Colorado.

Maybe it was silly, but I wanted Teller to like it.

“It probably seems extravagant,” I said .

“It’s beautiful. It suits you.”

“I’m equally comfortable in Ashford’s guest room in Silver Ridge, though. Just in case you’re thinking…”

Teller spun me to face him, holding my waist and looking into my eyes like I was the only thing that truly mattered.

“Ayla, don’t make yourself smaller. Never do that, especially not for me.

I know you have more money than I ever will.

A hell of a lot more talent too. I see who you are, and that’s exactly who I want. ”

I sighed, and Teller swallowed up the sound with a kiss that stole my breath away.

He picked me up and set me on a counter. We were downstairs, in the open lounge area with the view of the ocean spread out behind us.

“You’re who I want too,” I said, feeling more vulnerable than I maybe ever had.

It was such a relief to know he wasn’t jealous of my money or anything like that. Men could be weird about that kind of thing, as I’d experienced the times I’d dated a guy with a lower income. Or even men who were richer than me. They’d felt a constant urge to prove it.

Of course, I should’ve known Teller was different. I had known. He was so impressive in his own right. Confident, intelligent, charismatic. His dominance had nothing to do with money and everything to do with his inner strength.

His kisses went from heated to downright steamy. My breaths came faster, shallower. He lifted the edge of my slouchy top to run his warm fingers over my skin beneath.

I wrapped my legs around him to draw him closer, while my hand worked between us to cup his growing erection.

Suddenly, we were both desperate. Kisses urgent. I fumbled with the buckle of his belt, and he took over, opening it and unbuttoning his jeans with quick movements.

I tilted my hips so he could pull off my linen pants. Then my silky panties beneath.

I cried out when his cock pushed inside me. My hands braced against the counter. He grabbed my hips and held on as he thrust.

It had been weeks since I’d felt him inside me, and I’d so needed this.

It didn’t matter where we were. Nothing else mattered but the two of us. This intense connection that had somehow only been increased by the time apart.

This was where I belonged. With Teller kissing me, treasuring me while we gave each other pleasure.

When we both came, Teller hunched over me with his forehead pressed into mine. Then he kissed me again as he caressed my face and we panted to catch our breaths.

“How did I get this lucky?” he whispered against my lips.

“I’m asking myself the same thing.”

Now that Teller had seen my home, I wanted to show him more of my life here. “Would you be up for meeting some of my friends?” I asked.

“Absolutely. I can’t wait.”

We’d cleaned up and were upstairs now, cuddling on my living room couch with books surrounding us. “You might want to brace yourself for Hayleigh, though.”

“Your neighbor? You said she’s enthusiastic, but I’m sure I can handle it. I’ve got Piper for a sister.”

“We’ll see. Hayleigh’s sweet, but she can be a lot.” Ayla spoke with pure affection. “She’s one of a kind.”

Within five minutes of receiving my text, Hayleigh barged in through the front door. “Where are you, Maxi-pad?”

Teller snorted.

“We’re in the kitchen making snacks,” I called out.

Hayleigh swept in wearing a zebra-print caftan and waving a giant bottle of white wine.

It was only half full. “Like, good snacks? Or healthy crap we have to pretend to like? Oh .” She stopped in her tracks when she spotted Teller.

“Hello there. So this is Mr. Bookstore. We finally meet.” Turning to me, her eyebrows pumped, and she mouthed, Hot .

I know , I mouthed back.

Teller’s face flushed. But he smiled and greeted Hayleigh warmly. “Nice to meet you.”

“Sauvignon Blanc?” She held up the wine bottle. “It’s good. I’ve sampled it thoroughly.”

I wondered if Teller would ask for beer or whiskey instead. Except for a few sips of champagne at the wedding, I’d never seen him drinking wine. But he didn’t. “Sure. I’ll have a glass. Why not?”

Within thirty minutes, Ricky and some others had arrived. They exclaimed over the bookstore explosion in my living room and insisted on helping organize. I couldn’t wait to order some new shelves to house my collection, so it would really feel like a bookshop in here.

The afternoon went by in a blur of laughter, and our happy hour turned to dinner.

Roasting a chicken, sipping white wine, and telling stories about life in LA.

We invited the security guys too, and they took turns grabbing plates of food while the other manned the gate. No alcohol, since they were on duty.

Teller hadn’t left my side for more than a few minutes at a time. His fingers trailed down my arm, or he dropped a kiss at my temple, or slid his hand over the back of my neck. Small touches that gave me chills every time.

My friends had noticed, too. They kept giving me pointed looks. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much.

They grilled him with questions about Silver Ridge and police work, while Teller asked about their lives and listened attentively to their answers. He laughed off the predictable jokes about him being older than me and gave them hell right back.

I couldn’t believe how easily he fit in with them. Like the hard edges of the man I’d met in Silver Ridge, the grumpy police chief, had smoothed out and softened.

Yet he was still Teller. He went quiet at times, all broody and intense. He stood with his back ramrod straight and hid his sense of humor beneath a deadpan tone. He chivalrously topped up wine glasses and carried heavy pans. And his butt looked great in those jeans while he did it.

How was I supposed to survive without him again at the end of this weekend?

Partway through dinner, I noticed the time. “Hold on, everyone. I need to take ten.”

“For what?” Teller asked.

Hayleigh propped her elbow on the table, leaning over. “Video call with Maisie. Shouldn’t you know that?”

“I should know that. You’re right.”

I pushed my chair back and stood, then held out my hand to Teller. “Want to come? We could call your nephew too.”

He arched an eyebrow, asking a silent question. You sure ?

I nodded, so he got up with me. A murmured awww went around the table.

“Be right back,” I called out as we left the room.

“We’ll get dessert going,” Hayleigh said. “If you take too long, we’ll eat it all.”

“They might be filling up on other things,” Ricky quipped.

Laughter followed us down the hall. I pulled Teller into my office. Not that I did a lot of “office” work here. But I kept important papers in the stylish desk I’d bought in Denmark during my last European tour.

The door snicked closed, and I held on to both of Teller’s hands. “Can I tell the O’Neals about us? Would you be okay with that?”

Teller laced our fingers. “Much more than okay. But, ah…” He looked sheepish. “They may not be surprised. Emma and Ashford, I mean.”

“Why? ”

“Rumors have been going around about you and me since the wedding. Someone saw us kiss in the inn’s parking lot before you left Hartley.”

I clapped my hands over my mouth. “Everybody knows?”

“Not everybody .”

“So, not all of Hart County, but everyone who was at the wedding and all their friends?” I asked sardonically. “Like Callum and Dixie and that guy with the ponytail who’s dating the woman from the market?”

“Jimmy and Rosie? Yep, they definitely know. Plus my officers, the fire department… Susan’s been giving me shit about it. I’ve never confirmed anything, but people think what they want to.”

I snorted a laugh. He’d mentioned earlier that his sister knew about us too. I guessed that made it easier. Fewer people to tell.

Though I wasn’t even sure what we should tell them. That we were dating? In a long-distance relationship?

Then my phone started ringing, and I pulled him toward the loveseat.

“Aunt Ayla!” Maisie exclaimed when we appeared on the screen. “And Uncle Teller. What’s he doing there?”

“He’s visiting me. Teller is…” I shot a glance at him. “My boyfriend.”

He twined our fingers together again.

Maisie erupted in giggles, and Ashford’s head popped into view behind her. “So we’re talking about this now?”

“You don’t know anything about it, Ford,” I protested, using Lori’s old nickname for him.

“Not anything I can mention in front of my daughter.”

“Daddy, it’s not your turn.” She pushed him out of view.

Maisie told me about her day, and we sang a song together as usual. Then she dashed off to brush her teeth, and Emma and Ashford popped on. They were curious. I could tell they both had a lot more questions than they were asking .

But I was grateful Emma kept the conversation light. She kept saying, “It’s fun to see you two together,” eyes sparkling.

“We didn’t expect you to take off for LA, Teller,” Ashford said, a slight accusation in his tone.

“It was last minute. Just for the weekend. But I couldn’t stay away.”

“Thank goodness you didn’t,” I whispered.

After the call finished, I turned off my phone screen. “Ashford’s the closest thing I have to a brother.”

“I’m aware. I expect him to interrogate me when I get home. Which should be amusing.”

I grinned, snuggling into his arms. “Will he ask for your intentions?”

“If he does, I’ll tell him I’m serious about you.”

“Yeah?”

“Very serious.” Teller pressed kiss after soft kiss to my lips. I loved how affectionate he was. The tenderness in his touch and in those pale irises as he gazed at me. Kissed me like I was the most captivating thing he’d ever encountered.

I had millions of fans who screamed my name at concerts. Followed my every move on social media.

But this was the first time I’d ever truly felt adored .