Sophie helped Margaret confirm all the last minute particulars for the fundraiser that was taking place in a couple of weeks. Everything was planned out to the smallest detail once the meeting commenced. Sophie was surprised how much thought and planning went into one of these events. The menu sounded fabulous and well-known bands were booked for entertainment. The grandness of the event seemed surreal.
“Sophie dear, could you please get us some tea?” Margaret requested once the event planner left. Margaret sat down on the sofa to rest. She looked tired from their long meeting.
“Of course.”
Sophie was still reeling through the decisions they had made for the event. The details came together beautifully in her mind. Margaret had told her it was an annual event she held to raise money for heart and stroke research since her husband died of a heart attack three years ago. Sophie gathered from Margaret’s kind and loving words that Mr. Darcy had been an exceptional man and loved by many.
When Sophie rounded the corner into the grand kitchen she couldn’t stop the yelp of surprise that erupted from her. Her hand immediately went up to silence herself. She hoped Margaret was far enough away to not have heard.
“What are you doing here?” Sophie gasped at the sight of Ashton casually leaning against the counter. A glass of water was raised to his lips and his skin glistened with sweat. Dear lord! He had taken off his shirt and thrown it over his shoulder, leaving him dressed only in low riding jogging pants that hugged his narrow hips. She couldn’t help her gaze from taking in his tall form. His hard flesh was carved in all the right places, exactly how he had stayed in her thoughts. His perfection would not fade from her mind.
“I should ask you the same thing.” If he was surprised by her presence he didn’t show any sign of it. Only the hint of his amused smirk graced his features. “But if you must know, Margaret is my grandmother.”
“Oh my god! But?”
“My mother’s side,” he clarified.
She could not believe that the sweet woman she had recently come to know was related to the arrogant, self-serving Ashton King. Now that she knew, it made perfect sense. Ashton was from a very well-to-do family, even referred to by some as local royalty with family ties in politics and involvement in the community. His family owned multiple companies that provided a foundation for the district. It would only make sense that his grandmother would be the graceful, well-known Margaret Darcy.
“This is great…” Sophie mumbled. “I’m just getting tea for Margaret because I’m her new assistant.” Sophie forced a smile that she knew did not come across as sincere. Sophie began shuffling through the kitchen looking for the tea cups and tea. The kitchen was huge, and she was making little progress, moving from one cupboard to the next. She glanced occasionally at Ashton, who was watching her with an amused expression. She envisioned punching him in his arrogant face, but her thoughts quickly jumped into running her hands down his lean stomach. This is insane!
“You wouldn’t happen to know where the tea and cups are, would you?” Sophie tried to force sweetness in her voice.
Ashton straightened up and slid himself further down the counter, revealing the neatly placed tea cups and tea set out on a tray, concealed behind him.
She narrowed her eyes. “How long were you going to make me search before you told me?”
Ashton shrugged his shoulders before turning to place his glass in the sink. “You didn’t ask, so I didn’t tell.”
“Lovely.” Sophie rolled her eyes. Grabbing the kettle, she walked toward the sink to fill it up. Ashton refused to move when she glared at him, forcing her to lean in around him. “You really should go shower. You stink,” Sophie lied. He didn’t smell terrible at all. His musky masculine scent filled her senses, enticing her.
“Tea actually sounds good. Make me a cup too.” Ashton leaned down close, making her splash water on the counter.
“Ashton!” Sophie grabbed a dish towel and wiped up the water. “Did you ever hear of personal space?”
“Yeah, and I’ve noticed that you like to get in mine.” His beautiful, wicked smile spread across his lips. Sophie wondered if it was his dimples that made his mouth so entrancing.
“Don’t humor yourself; you’re just getting in my way and you can make your own tea…” Sophie trailed off as she heard footsteps approaching the kitchen. She backed away from Ashton.
“I see you found my grandson.” Margaret smiled as she entered the kitchen. Her bright eyes came to settle on Ashton with much pride.
“Yes, I have,” Sophie affirmed, hoping Margaret didn’t catch the conversation between Ashton and herself before she had walked in.
“Isn’t she wonderful?” Margaret beamed.
“She is quite something,” Ashton agreed. The words rolled off his tongue casually.
“I was just making sure you weren’t having any trouble finding your way around. I’ll go back and rest these old bones.” Margaret turned her warm gaze on Ashton. “Go wash up, dear. I will send for dinner soon and you can join Sophie and me.”
Ashton leaned down and kissed Margaret on the forehead lovingly. It was a gesture that surprised her. “As you wish.” He smiled before turning to leave the kitchen. “I’ll take that tea in my room,” he called behind him.
“Yes, of course,” Sophie answered politely for Margaret’s benefit.
Sophie prepared the teapot and delivered the tray to the living room where Margaret was shuffling through papers. “Here you are.” Sophie set the tray of tea down on the table and served Margaret. “Where would I find Ashton’s room?” Sophie asked, holding his tea in her hands after stirring a copious amount of sugar into it.
“Second room on the left at the top of the stairs.” Margaret had watched Sophie add the sugar to Ashton’s tea with a curious expression but did not comment on it.
“I’ll be right back.” Sophie climbed the grand staircase leading to a wide hallway. Oversized wooden trim bordered the doorways and walls. Many pictures covered the walls that showed Margaret with a man of similar age. Sophie knew it was her late husband. One picture in particular caught her attention. It was not a staged photo like most of the others. It was a candid moment between them. The result was breathtaking and told of their love. It was beautiful.
Sophie continued toward Ashton’s room. She knocked on his door that was left slightly ajar, allowing her to peek inside. She did not see Ashton, so she decided it would be appropriate to leave his tea on his desk. The space was very masculine, with dark colors and wood accents. It was also considerably neat with only a few articles of clothing thrown over the furniture. After setting his tea down, Sophie picked up a framed picture of Ashton on his desk. He was probably close to the age when she had first met him, when the emotional roller coaster began.
She heard a sound in an adjoining room, realizing it was an attached bathroom. She quickly tried to replace the frame so it looked undisturbed. In her panic she knocked over a small box that was sitting on his desk. Papers fell out, scattering on the floor. Sophie gathered them and placed them back in the box.
Turning quickly to retreat, she bumped into Ashton, who was standing directly behind her. A gasp escaped her as she made contact with Ashton’s damp, impossibly hard flesh. “Find anything of interest?” Ashton asked with cool humor.
Sophie hoped that Ashton didn’t notice how her hands lingered on his tantalizing skin. She had to force herself to step back. He smelled of body wash mixed with his own alluring scent; it was intoxicating.
“I…I brought your tea.” Sophie forced her voice to sound casual.
Ashton picked up the tea and brought it to his lips. Sophie tried not to smile when he sipped it. A look of disgust crossed his beautiful features when the amount of sugar registered. He looked up at Sophie with his icy blue eyes. Sophie wasn’t sure how he was going to react. He set the tea on his desk before leaning in close to her ear. It took all of her conscious effort not to lean into him.
“I will definitely play this game.” She could feel his breath against her neck.
“Bring it on. This time you don’t have your evil girlfriend to hide behind.”