Page 128 of Stormswept Colorado

“Is it worth it, though?”

“That’s a decision only you can make for yourself.”

“I know. Doesn’t make it easier.” She sighed, looking out at the ocean. “I’ll go to Silver Ridge with you tomorrow. I’m going to take some time to think. And be with you. More than anything, I want to be with you.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do. I can’t wait to take you home.”

FORTY

Ayla

The mediastill hadn’t found out I was dating Teller yet. It was inevitable they would. But I wanted to keep that secret for as long as possible. To have a sliver of peace and privacy for while it lasted.

That meant only a small circle of people could know I was leaving LA.

Before dawn on Sunday, we grabbed our bags and sneaked over to Hayleigh’s house. She was the one who drove us to the private airport, where Dane’s jet would take us back to Colorado. She was giddy as she drove with Teller and me in her backseat.

“Maybe I should try being a ride-share driver,” Hayleigh said, tapping the steering wheel to the rhythm of the stereo. “I would be good at this.”

I exchanged an amused glance with Teller. The windows were tinted, so we didn’t have to worry about being spotted in the backseat.

I’d told Bryan I would be gone for a few days, but I hadn’t wanted to bring any bodyguards with me. I would be sticking close to Teller and keeping out of sight in Silver Ridge. No strolls along Main Street. We were going to be careful.

I didn’t want to spend my life in hiding, but I could handle it for a few days. Especially given what we had learned about Paul.

I was still trying to get over the shock of learning he was Biggest Fan. But in a way, he’d done me a favor. His behavior had been so egregious there was no way the label could refuse to let me out of my deal. Stalking me in order to push me into a romantic relationship had to count as a breach of contract.

I was full of nervous excitement as the jet landed, and we got into Teller’s SUV, which he’d left at the airport a few days ago.

After so many weeks, I was finally heading back to Silver Ridge. It felt like no time at all, and yet it also felt like forever. Because so much was different.

I had a wonderful man who loved me, and I was quickly falling for him.

Ducking down in my seat, I waited for Teller to give me the go-ahead that we’d passed through the town. “There’s Dixie,” he murmured. His arm moved. I guessed he was waving.

“People must know you were gone for the weekend. What are you going to tell them?”

“The truth, if you’re okay with it. That I went to see you. I’ll just leave out the part where you came back with me.” His hand ventured over and rested on my arm. “You sure you feel comfortable being alone while I’m at work?”

“Totally.”

We’d already discussed this, and I’d given it a lot of thought. Teller lived in a quiet, woodsy area without any visible neighbors. No reason for anyone to know he had a guest. He’d also told me he had a security system. Since very few people even knew I’d left LA, we had nothing to worry about.

I was taking a break from recording, but I planned to work a lot on my next album. In fact, I was already bursting with ideas, my fingers itching to get them down.

If Ruxton Records agreed to let me go without a long legal fight, then I would befree. That also meant no record deal to distribute and promote this album. But I hadme. My own determination. I had direct links to my fans through social media.Plenty of other artists had released independently, so why couldn’t I?

And I had Teller. It was going to be amazing waking up next to him every morning. Enjoying a quiet dinner together and making love in his bed.

Maybe the world would figure out where I was sooner rather than later. We would deal with that when it happened.

But no matter what, this album was going to belong tous. Nobody else.

“Okay.” He patted my shoulder. “We’re clear.”

When I sat up, we were just pulling onto a long driveway with pine trees on either side.

“Teller,” I breathed. “This is…stunning.”

---