He spit out his toothpaste and spun around, drinking her in without any words. She succeeded in the impossible task of making Ashton King speechless. Score for me! Ashton couldn’t take his eyes off of her as she wrapped the towel around her wet body. He seemed completely awestruck by her actions. “It’s not polite to stare and you have a little something right there.” Sophie pointed to his chin. Stepping forward, she wiped it away with her thumb. “Good night, Ashton,” she called behind her as she left him frozen in place. She had no idea what he was thinking, but she felt triumphant that she’d caught him off guard. A smile played on her lips as she walked back to her room.
***
Sophie dressed quickly the next morning and went downstairs to find a washroom to brush her teeth and straighten herself up for the day. There was no way she was going anywhere near Ashton’s room again. When she heard someone in the kitchen, she decided to see if Margaret was up. She wanted to thank her for allowing her to stay the night.
When she walked in, Charlotte was pulling freshly made muffins out of the oven. “It smells delicious in here, Charlotte,” Sophie praised.
“Good morning, Miss Sophie. Want some tea?” Charlotte’s warm smile was contagious.
“Don’t trouble yourself. I’ll get something on the way to class. I just wanted to say good morning before I left,” Sophie declined politely.
“No trouble dear, I already made it. Ashton told me you prefer tea over coffee, so I put a pot on for you.” She moved to grab the teapot from the counter.
“Ashton told you that I prefer tea?” Sophie was surprised Ashton even knew that. A strange twinge pulled at her insides. Did I wake up in The Twilight Zone?
Charlotte gathered a cup from the cupboard. “Here, Charlotte, let me get that. I feel strange having you wait on me when I can get it myself.” Sophie took over the task.
“Do you like blueberry muffins?” Charlotte asked, removing them from the hot pan.
“They look delectable, but I really don’t feel right about you feeding me as well. Just the tea is wonderful, thank you.” Sophie lifted the warm tea to her lips and sipped the soothing heat.
“I can tell you aren’t used to being taking care of.” Charlotte looked up at her with a look that only a mother could deliver.
Sophie smiled in response. It was true. She had felt it necessary to be independent at an early age. She didn’t like to see her mother struggle. “Do you have children, Charlotte?” Sophie asked, leaning against the counter. She saw Charlotte’s shoulders stiffen in response and Sophie immediately regretted asking. “You don’t have to answer me. I was out of line. Sorry, Charlotte.”
“I had a son and he was the light of my life.” A sad smile formed on her thoughtful face. “He was killed many years ago in a car accident.” Charlotte pulled a picture from her shirt pocket that was well worn on the edges, showing she had carried it close to her heart for many years. She held it up for Sophie. The young man in the picture looked very much like his mother. Charlotte’s sadness pulled at her. Sophie could not fathom the loss of a child and the weight that it would have on one’s soul.
“I am so sorry, Charlotte. He was very handsome.” Sophie passed the photo back to Charlotte.
“Mrs. Margaret is my family now, she is good to me.” Charlotte said, picking up a muffin and passing it to Sophie. “Eat. Taking care of people is what I’m good at. You’ll have to get used to it.” Charlotte’s smile had renewed strength.
“Is she trying to refuse your good food, Charlotte?” Ashton’s voice was deeper than usual as he leaned against the ornate door frame leading into the kitchen. His hair was mussed from sleep and he looked adorably beautiful. Thoughts of how it felt to run her fingers through its silky strands assaulted her.
Ashton stalked into the kitchen without a shirt to cover his sinful body. Sophie turned her gaze away from him so he didn’t become suspicious of her ogling. Regretfully she was sure that the flush of her cheeks made it obvious.
Sophie gasped when he continued to walk toward her, leaning over her to reach in the upper cabinet behind her. “Hey!” Sophie complained. His scent enveloped her. She was trapped against his body and the counter behind her. He leaned down to look into her eyes. “You have a little something right there.” He reached up and brushed her bottom lip with his thumb. Sophie’s eyes widened from his intimate touch that was meant to throw last night back in her face. She retreated quickly from Ashton, wiping the back of her hand across her lips to erase the sensation of his touch.
“Thank you, Charlotte, for the tea and muffin. I have to leave for class now.” She said to Charlotte before heading out of the kitchen.
“I’ll drive you,” Ashton called as he followed her out into the hallway.
“Definitely not…it’s not necessary,” Sophie corrected herself for Charlotte’s benefit as she left the kitchen and headed toward the front door.
“Great,” she muttered as she realized it was pouring. She pulled up her hood before stepping outside. When she started walking she heard Ashton’s car roar to life from the open garage bay. Sophie quickened her pace.
When she heard the car pull out she held her breath, waiting for it to pass by, but Ashton pulled up beside her in his sleek black car. “Come on, get in. You’re getting soaked.”
“Like you care if I get wet.”
“Regardless of what you think, I am a gentleman,” Ashton insisted.
“On what planet?” Sophie stopped in her tracks and glared over at him. “I don’t need you to drive me around.” Sophie fumed. Ashton opened his door and hopped out of the car to pursue her on foot. Sophie tried to run away from him but he was much quicker. His arms closed around her waist and picked her up off her feet, carrying her back to his car despite her protests.
“Why are you doing this?” She complained as he sat her down in the passenger’s seat.
“Because my grandmother likes you and she likes to take care of the people that she cares about. I want my grandmother to be happy.” Sophie stared at him across the car. “And I figure if I’m nice to you, you might show me your tits again.” He raised his eyebrows at Sophie.
“Never!” Sophie gasped. “I can’t believe you are related to Margaret. She is such a wonderful person and you are—”
“Sexy?” he offered.
“No! More like…”
“Gorgeous?” He grinned.
“No! More like arrogant and pig-headed,” she spat out.
“Funny, that is not what every other girl tells me. They seem to find me irresistible.”
“I’m not like every other girl then,” Sophie proclaimed, crossing her arms across her chest.
“No, you’re not.” The humor fell away from Ashton’s tone as he kept his eyes forward on the road.
“Can we just not talk? I have a headache.” Sophie turned to look out the window as Ashton drove.
“As you wish.” Ashton did not speak a word the entire way.
Chapter Ten
Sophie tried to concentrate on her work. She was trying to put the finishing touches on her art history project, but her mind would not focus on the words in front of her. Thoughts of Ashton clouded her mind to the point of suffocation. She didn’t understand this undeniable attraction she felt for him, knowing how destructive it was to her well-being.
Sophie’s phone started vibrating in her purse.
Jack: Did you sleep with him yet?
Sophie: Is that all you think about? Honestly…The idea might have crossed my mind but that’s it. I am such a mess right now. Where has my sanity gone?