My eyes snapped to his.
“Because we’re not.”
My stomach settled and filled with excitement; the same excitement I’d felt the first night I thought I’d get to see a game. I pushed those thoughts aside. Had it not been for that night I wouldn’t be with Ashton now.
“Then, I’m very ready.”
He held his hand out for me. “Let’s go.”
The entire ride to the stadium, my knee bounced up and down, only stopping when Ashton lay his hand on my thigh, sliding it up to the hem of my shorts. The air was still hot, and my body grew even hotter with each one of Ashton’s caresses.
Walking into the stadium was even more nerve-racking than I’d expected. Even knowing we were heading to different seats, I couldn’t stop the slight tremble of my hand. Ashton gave my hand a reassuring squeeze as he led us down the stairs.
He led me passed rows and rows of seats until I finally realized where he was taking me.
“We’re sitting behind the dugout?”
The corners of his mouth curved up. “I figured if you’ve never been to a game then you needed to have the perfect view.”
We took our seats directly behind the dugout on the first base line, or at least that was how Ashton described it to me. For me, someone who didn’t really understand baseball, they were just seats but Ashton went out of his way to explain things.
As great a view as we had, I was having more fun watching the Jumbotron; at least, until the kiss cam started. Not in a million years did I expect the camera to end up on us, but with the way Ashton made sure to lean toward me the entire night, I should have.
The second our faces appeared on the big screen, Ashton ran his hand up around my nape, bringing my lips to his. The moment his tongue slipped into my mouth the stadium around us fell away. His thumb lightly tickled my neck, sending sparks everywhere. It wasn’t until the catcalls started around us that we finally broke the kiss.
Ashton’s face didn’t move far from mine. “Now the whole world knows how badly I want you.”
Emotions I didn’t want to acknowledge filled me. How I wished that Ashton felt more than a desire to have me in his bed. In reality, it was a pipe dream. I wouldn’t let it ruin what happened to be the best day of my life. Ashton had planned the perfect date. Smiling, I stole a brief kiss and cuddled into the crook of his arm to watch the game.
After the seventh inning stretch, I excused myself to head to the ladies room. The Rockies were only ahead by one run and I didn’t want to miss too much of the game. Dodging the people heading for beer and food, I was a few steps away from the restroom when someone grabbed my arm, jerking me to a stop.
“When I said you should spread your legs for Ashton, I didn’t mean you should practically fuck him in public,” a familiar voice snarled in my ear.
My head snapped around.
“Dominic?” I squeaked. It pissed me off that I let him affect me like this, but the shock of seeing him sent my mind into a frenzy. He yanked my arm and I was trapped, caught in his gaze. His eyes were cold. “Maybe I need to remind you who you belong to.”
Before I had a chance to respond, his mouth came down on mine in a bruising kiss. It might have been the first time Dominic had kissed me in at least five years, but it wasn’t done out of love. That kiss was meant to punish and degrade me. Shock held me immobile, until he tried to stick his tongue in my mouth. Shoving at him with all my strength, I managed to push him off of me.
“What are you doing?” I wiped my hand across my lips, trying to get rid of his touch.
He sneered. “Reminding you who you’ll be coming home to in two weeks.”
I shook my head, taking a step back. “No.”
“No, what?” he snapped.
Wrapping my arms around myself, I took another step back. “I’m filing for divorce.”
“What?” he shouted, a vein pulsing at his temple.
The sight of his hands clenched into fists kicked in my fight or flight response, but when I tried to move I couldn’t because I was backed into the wall; the sound of cheers erupting in the stadium drowned out by the sound of the pounding of my heart.
Dominic grabbed my arms, pulling me toward the exit.
“You’re mine. There will be no divorce.” His voice sent chills down my spine and everything instinct I’d fought so hard to quash during the two months I’d been away returned in full force.
“What are you doing?” someone yelled from behind me.
“We’re not done,” he snarled, giving me a shove and I fell backward, hitting the ground awkwardly. I wrapped my arms around myself, watching him take off as two guys ran over.
“Are you okay,” the taller one asked.
“I am,” I answered, carefully hiding my trembling hands. “Just an ex who doesn’t understand he’s an ex.”
“Do you need us to walk you back to your seat?” the other chimed in.
I shook my head. All I wanted was to get back to Ashton as quick as possible. “No. I’m pretty sure you guys scared him away. Thank you.” I forced a smile, hoping to make it more convincing.
The tall one looked around, scanning the crowd. “If you’re sure. Can I at least walk you to your section?”
“I’m right across the concourse.”
Forgetting about the ladies room, I let them lead me across the way to my section, my eyes darting everywhere, wondering if Dominic had really left, or if he was somewhere nearby, watching me.
“Be careful,” they said and I nodded before walking through the entry and down the stairs toward my seat.
“You missed—” Ashton looked over at me and froze. “What happened?” His eyes searched mine.
“Nothing.” I linked my fingers through his. “Let’s watch the game.”
“Don’t pull that shit, Elena. Look at you—you’re shaking. Something happened and I want to know what it is.” His tone left no room for argument.
I swallowed and my voice shook as I said, “I ran into Dominic.”
“Jesus Christ.”
He lifted his hands to touch me and I couldn’t help it; I flinched.
“Fuck.”
His hands dropped to his sides but I could see the tension in his body. He took a deep breath then asked, “Are you okay?”
I shook my head.
“Okay,” he said, but his voice was so low I knew he wasn’t talking to me. “I’ve dealt with him enough to know that you don’t just run into Dominic without him saying something stupid. Want to tell me what he said?”
“He . . . umm . . .”
Ashton reached up and pushed the stray hair out of my face and behind my ear. I wasn’t entirely comfortable but I allowed it, knowing that he wouldn’t hurt me.
“Elena, it’s okay. I’m right here. I won’t let him get to you again.”
Needing the comfort, I leaned into his side. “At first he yelled at me for kissing you on screen, then he kissed me.”
Ashton was out of his seat and halfway up the stairs before I could stop him. Leaving our things by our seats, I raced after him. He beat me to the concourse.
“Ashton!”
He stood about ten feet in front of me. The reflection on his glasses from the lights above was not enough to mask the cold determination in his eyes. Needing to be close to him, I ran over and slipped my hand in his.
“Don’t leave me,” I begged. I didn’t care how desperate I sounded. I didn’t want to be alone. And I definitely didn’t want him doing anything stupid.
When he turned to me his features softened. “I won’t leave you, but I also won’t stand by and let that prick put his lips on you.”
“I told him I was filing for divorce.”
“You did?” Ashton’s face was a mixture of confusion and wonder. He paused for a second, thinking something over before he asked, “How did he take it?”
“He said he wouldn’t allow that and pushed me up against the wall near the ladies’ room.”
He ground his teeth together. “I’m going to kill that bastard when I get my hands on him.”
I was still freaked out and just wanted to push it out of my mind. Focusing on the fun we’d had would help. “It’s been a perfect day. Can we just watch the game and worry about Dominic later?”