Page 111 of Stormswept Colorado

“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 ofnowhere 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 wouldlovethat.”

A thrill of both excitement and nervousness lifted my chest.

Teller was throwing around thatLword 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.Neverdo 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. Ihadknown. 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 mysilky panties beneath.

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