“Your pants,” Sophie breathed quickly. Her own desire made her words heavy in her mouth.
Ashton stood up and disposed of his pants. His hardness strained against his boxers, struggling to free itself from confinement.
Ashton leaned back on his stool and reached down with a powerful arm and pulled her stool as close as it would move against his. Sophie reached out and touched his chest—the bare flesh felt unreal under her fingers as she traced his lines. He was the embodiment of all of her desires.
Ashton’s heavy lidded gaze watched her. He looked as if he was drunk on the lust that flowed all around them and through them. She couldn’t imagine anything she wanted more than having him against her. Ashton tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, running his fingers down her neck. It caused a rush of goosebumps to cover her skin. His finger continued slowly down her chest and over the swell of her breasts before he hooked his finger under her bra, pulling her toward his lips. He lifted her onto his lap, molding her soft curves to his hard body. Her flesh was overly sensitized and everywhere she touched him felt incredible. It was mind blowing and completely new territory for her. Her hips moved of their own accord, driven by her primal need.
Sophie moaned against his lips. “I want you,” she said into her kiss. He groaned in response as if he took pleasure in her words.
Sophie pulled back from the kiss. “What are we doing?” Sophie whispered, looking into his eyes.
“What feels right,” he whispered back.
“Does it? Feel right to you, I mean?” she asked with searching eyes. His hand cupped her cheek, holding her close.
Footsteps down the hallway startled them. Sophie slid off Ashton’s lap and she grabbed her clothes off the floor before she darted toward the pantry door, shuffling inside before she swung the door closed. She tried to even her breath and slow her wild heart. I can’t believe I was making out with Ashton in Margaret’s kitchen! Holy hell! What am I doing?
Sophie peered through the narrow opening that still allowed her to spy into the kitchen. Ashton stood, shrugging on his pants before sitting back down on the chair. He acted like he couldn’t care less if he was caught making out in his grandmother’s kitchen. Was this normal behavior for him?
“Charlotte? You’re up late.” Ashton turned to acknowledge her entrance.
“Just getting a glass of water, dear. How are you?” She tilted her head in concern as she noticed Ashton’s flushed appearance. Ashton shrugged his shoulders and glanced toward the pantry door. Sophie stepped back from the opening. “Do you want to talk about it?” Charlotte asked as she patted his shoulder.
“No, not right now.” Ashton smiled at her.
“Later then,” She said before walking toward the hall. Once her footsteps faded, Sophie stepped out of the pantry.
Ashton ran his fingers through his hair and downed the rest of his glass. They both just stared at each other. Did he regret what just happened? What the hell just happened? I am terrified!
“I guess we owe Charlotte for saving us from doing something we would have regretted.” Sophie sighed. She wasn’t expecting the sharp look he threw her way, like she had wounded him with her words.
“Yeah,” Ashton responded coldly, “but it never hurts to put another notch on my belt.” He tilted his head with his familiar steely, cold gaze. The old Ashton was standing in front of her. Now looking into his eyes, all she could see was the person that only felt passionate about hurting her.
Sophie narrowed her eyes angrily. “You won’t be adding my name to your list of conquests, Ashton King. Whatever this is between us was just a momentary lapse in judgement.”
“We’ll see. You did just admit that you wanted me, after all.” He leaned against the counter smugly.
Sophie stormed out of the kitchen, leaving him to gloat in his annoying victory. He finally got her to admit that she wanted him. She wanted to crawl under a rock. How could she not see what he was doing? Her chest ached as she was suddenly racked with sorrow. When she got to her room she crawled on the bed, pulling the covers up over her head and cried until she had nothing left. Her phone vibrated; reaching for it, she noticed Jack had sent her a message.
Jack: Are you asleep?
Sophie: No. You’re up late. Work stuff or late night partying?
Jack: Couldn’t sleep. I wanted to talk to you.
Sophie: I’m glad you want to ’cause I need you right now.
Jack: Rough night?
Sophie: You could say that. I wish you were here. I really need a friend to tell me that everything is going to be okay.
Jack: If I was there with you I would wrap my arms around you and not let go until I saw a smile on your beautiful face. Even if it took hours, days even…
Sophie: What about months?
Jack: Um…months? Joking. As long as it takes.
Sophie: Do you know why I don’t believe in love?
Jack: Why?
Sophie: Because it doesn’t believe in me. What is wrong with me? There is too much bad history between me and Ashton. I would be a fool to think it would turn out as anything other than a complete disaster. I just don’t know how to stop wanting him and I don’t think he knows how to stop hating me. I am so confused!
Jack: He doesn’t hate you. You will probably find out that he has been secretly in love with you from the first moment he saw you.
Sophie: Ha! If only you knew, you wouldn’t say that.
Jack: You’d be surprised.
Sophie: Have you ever been in love?
Jack: Yes.
Sophie: And? What happened?