Jack: You are amazingly beautiful. Everything about you is too good for him. Don’t cry tears for his worthless ass. He probably is so in love with you it scares the shit out of him and he knows he will never be good enough for you.
Sophie: Is it too early in our textual relationship to tell you that I really do love you, all jokes aside? You seem so much different from when we met. I have to confess that I had you pegged all wrong on our first encounter.
Jack: How did you see me?
Sophie: I don’t know but I am so glad that things became textual between us.
Jack: Me too.
Sophie: When do you get back?
Jack: Not sure yet.
Sophie: I think we need to meet for coffee or something. Especially after I confessed my love for you.
Jack: Thought you didn’t believe in love?
Sophie: For you I made an exception.
Jack: I’m a lucky guy then.
Sophie: Thank you for making me feel better. Night .
Jack: Goodnight Sophie. xox
Sophie scrolled to her other message on her phone. She didn’t recognize the number but she knew who it was as soon as she read it.
Meclass="underline" You totally hate me, don’t you? I can’t live without your sense to my chaos. I miss you. Talk to me!
Sophie: Disappointed is more like it. But I would never hate you. You are like an annoying sister that always gets me into trouble. How could I possibly go on without you? ;)
Sophie turned over and stared up at the ceiling. Her phone lit up, drawing her attention from the swirl of thoughts haunting her.
Meclass="underline" Thank god u r still speaking to me!
Sophie: How is everything with Corbin? Are you all right? Whose phone is this?
Meclass="underline" It’s Lips’ phone. Things are good. He has been so sweet. Can I just enjoy now?
Sophie: Lips? Stripper friend? You know that I will always be here if you need me even when I don’t agree with your questionable decisions. We are not done talking about the Corbin situation.
Meclass="underline" Yes. I know. And you are the best. Gotta be on stage in 5. Are you in for Friday?
Sophie: Argh…fine. I better get paid good. And my clothes stay ON.
Meclass="underline" Thanks!
Sophie pulled herself from the bed and grabbed a few things from her bag before opening her door and walking across the hall toward Ashton’s room. She knocked quietly; after a moment the door swung open, startling her. He stood in front of her with his jeans riding dangerously low on his hips, his bare chest exposing his male perfection. His eyes were dark and caused a nervous sensation to twist inside her.
“Sorry to bother you but I was just wondering what bathroom I should use to have a shower?” Sophie tried to smile, like the tension between them didn’t feel crushing. He stepped back and motioned toward the bathroom leading off his room. “Ah…isn’t there another washroom I can use?” Sophie asked nervously. She ran Jack’s words through her head. There was no way Ashton King was terrified of her. She was just another plaything for a spoiled rich boy to poke and prod to satisfy his curiosity before he moved on to his next experiment.
“No. Not if you want to shower.” Ashton walked back toward his bed, turning on the television and tuning her out.
“Okay. I’ll be quick.” Sophie locked the bathroom door once inside and turned on the water. She brushed her teeth and waited for the water to start steaming. She was nervous having Ashton so close to her while she stripped down. Even with the locked door between them she still felt edgy. When she stepped into the stream of hot water any reservations she had washed away. The water felt wonderful on her skin, the heat seeped into her tense muscles. Picking up Ashton’s shampoo, she could smell the familiar aroma that mingled with his own masculine scent. The smell intensified the memory of their kiss and the feeling of him pressing his body into hers. She squeezed a small amount onto her hand and quickly washed herself.
Turning the water off, she moved to open the glass door but noticed Ashton leaning against the counter brushing his teeth. “What are you doing in here?” Sophie gasped, standing behind the frosted glass door. Thankfully it covered her naked body from his view with the exception of her feet and above her shoulders.
“This is my bathroom.”
“Yes, but when you said I could use it and I locked the door I was under the impression that I would be alone,” Sophie complained.
“You were wrong.” He shrugged his shoulders casually, looking at her through the reflection of the large mirror covering the entire wall above the vanity.
When Sophie realized that he was going to take an exceptionally long time brushing his teeth she became cold and restless. “How long are you going to be?”
“I am a strong believer in maintaining good dental health,” he said around his toothbrush.
“Can you at least pass me my towel?” Sophie grumbled.
“I’m busy,” he responded.
After a few more minutes of Ashton’s painful display Sophie opened the door. She watched his eyes widen in surprise from her brazen act. She wasn’t even sure what had gotten into her—this was far from the person she knew herself to be. The Sophie she had been her entire life was modest, focused, and for the most part, avoided all drama. This was technically the first time that she had ever been naked with a guy, but she refused to stand there until he was done playing his game of torment. It was about time she tipped the scales in her favor. She walked up beside him, grabbing her towel from the counter.