Page 114 of Stormswept Colorado

“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 feltadored.

THIRTY-SIX

Teller

I could kissAyla like this all night. All month.

For the rest of my life.

But her friends were waiting for us in the dining room with dessert. Even though the sweetest thing in the world was already here in my arms.

“We should call Ollie next,” she said.

“Yeah, he’d love that.” My nephew had a little crush on her. “We’ll make it quick.”

Ollie was excited to hear from us, getting shy when Ayla asked him questions. Piper said hi as well. Ayla was bubbly with smiles and happiness as we talked to them, and hell, so was I. The glow in my sister’s eyes suggested she could see it.

Ayla was supposed to be with us. Part of our family as much as she was part of the O’Neals’. It felt so obvious to me now.

After ending the video call, we returned to her guests, socializing for another hour or so. I enjoyed seeing Ayla in this new context with her LA friends. She seemed a little hesitant with them, like these friendships were still new. She’d told me how difficult it could be to find true friends given her fame. How people had betrayed her in the past. I was proud of her for lettingHayleigh, Ricky, and the others into her life, despite the fact that she’d been hurt before.

Of course, I was also scrutinizing her friends in my own way. Making sure they deserved her. They were completely different from me in almost every way, but they had good hearts and good intentions.

And hey, they seemed to think I was an okay guy too. Imagine that.

After they left, we confirmed with the security team that we were in for the night. I went around to double-check that all the doors were secured. No more interruptions tonight.

I looked forward to having Ayla all to myself.

The more stubborn parts of my brain drifted back toward Silver Ridge. I was used to worrying about the town’s residents. My sister and nephew. I was used to themneedingme. It took some faith to trust that other people in Silver Ridge could step in and take my place.

But Ayla needed me too. And with her, I wasn’t okay with being replaceable. I intended to be her number one.

There were a few dishes left, so I rinsed while Ayla loaded the dishwasher. A simple domestic task that I enjoyed sharing with her.

Then I placed her in front of me, with her facing the kitchen island, and massaged my thumbs into her shoulder muscles to work out the tension of the day. Her head lolled back. “That’s nice. Should we go to bed?”

“Soon.” But there was something else I’d been wanting. “I enjoyed hearing you sing with Maisie. I’d love to hear more.”

That four-letterLword kept slipping into my sentences. Making it obvious how I felt. I wanted her to know, and at the right moment, I planned to tell her.

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