“I’ll be fine. Just need to sleep.” Mel let her shoulders collapse into Sophie. “A motel would be heaven right now.” She sighed. “Thank you for coming to my rescue, Sophie and knight in shining armor guy.”
“Anytime, Mel.” Sophie smiled. “I’m just glad it’s over. No more Corbin, right?”
“Right,” Mel confirmed whole-heartedly.
Ashton pulled up in front of the motel Mel requested. Sophie was relieved to see it didn’t look like the place Mr. Cleary had recommended. Ashton parked the car and told the girls to wait while he checked on availability. He came back a few minutes later with a room key in his hand.
Sophie flicked on the lights, flooding the room with a warm, low light. It smelled freshly cleaned, with inviting décor and crisp looking linens on the bed. Ashton set her bags on the bed before he excused himself to make a phone call.
Mel was in the shower when Ashton returned with a couple bottles of water and food from the vending machine. “These were the healthiest options,” he said, placing them on the table. “I didn’t know if she would be hungry.” Sophie folded the last of Mel’s clothes that had been thrown in her bag and placed them neatly on top of the dresser.
“Margaret called and asked if everything was all right. Charlotte must have mentioned that we both took off in a hurry.”
“What did you tell her?” Sophie asked curiously.
“I told her we were on a date.” Ashton looked at her as if he was curious what her reaction would be.
“What? Why?”
He shrugged. “Seemed better than the truth.”
“Was she mad?” Sophie asked nervously.
“She actually told me not to mess it up. Apparently she has little confidence in my moves.” Ashton shook his head in disbelief.
“Actually I was going to mention something about that,” Sophie teased. “I mean truth or dare…come on.”
“As I recall, you enjoyed yourself.” Their light conversation suddenly turned intense. His penetrating blue eyes looked as if they were undressing her, causing Sophie to practically melt to the floor. Mel opened the bathroom door and the moment dissipated. She narrowed her eyes suspiciously at Sophie and Ashton. She was wearing pajama pants and an oversized sweatshirt that floated on her small frame, making her seem so much younger. “I thought you two would be making out or something. Your sexual tension is suffocating.”
Sophie left the comment alone. “How are you feeling?”
Mel crawled into the bed. “I feel like I could sleep for days.”
“Ashton got you some food in case you’re hungry.” Sophie offered a bottle of water and a granola bar from the table.
“Thanks, I can’t remember the last time I ate.” Mel pulled back the wrapper and devoured the bar.
Sophie climbed onto the bed and snuggled in next to Mel.
“Thank you.” Mel smiled sadly, tears clouding her eyes.
Sophie wrapped her arms around Mel and leaned back against the headboard of the bed and let Mel shed all of her tears while rubbing her back. Mel eventually drifted to sleep, completely exhausted.
Ashton sat quietly in the armchair. He was quiet as time passed into the late hours. “Are you thinking this is the worst date you’ve ever been on?” she whispered.
“No.” His voice was sleepy, his features relaxed and handsome. He had run his hands through his hair a few times, making it messy and irresistible at the same time. “You can go home. I’m going to stay in case she needs me,” Sophie offered.
“This chair is actually very comfortable.” He smiled lazily back at her.
Sophie wasn’t sure when she had fallen asleep, but when she woke up the lights were off and Ashton was asleep in the chair. Mel was still curled up against Sophie’s side, her breathing deep and even. Sophie slowly slipped out from under Mel, pulling the covers up over her shoulders.
She quietly opened the closet, removing an extra blanket that was neatly folded on the shelf. She quietly walked over to Ashton, unfolded it, and laid it over his long legs that were stretched out in front of him. He looked so peaceful in sleep. The streetlights cast a soft glow into the room, highlighting his relaxed features. He was breathtaking. She couldn’t think of a face more flawless than his. The memory of his kiss caused her mouth to tingle with recollection. His full lips knew how to dance with hers expertly, like they knew all her secrets. He really was a knight in shining armor tonight, saving both of them from the horrible situation that Sophie would have walked blindly into.
Sophie looked up, noticing his eyes were now open. She froze, wondering how long he had been watching her gazing at him. He lifted his hand and gently touched her fingertips with his. It was the lightest contact but the effect was immobilizing. He intertwined his fingers with hers, pulling her down against him. Sophie didn’t resist, climbing onto his lap and laying her head against his chest. He smelled of everything wonderful as she melted against him. “Thank you for tonight,” she whispered. He didn’t say anything, only pulled the blanket up over them, wrapping her in his warmth. She fell asleep to the rhythm of his heartbeat.
Chapter Thirteen
Sophie woke when she felt a gentle touch brushing her hair from her face. She slowly opened her eyes, remembering where she was. Her body was curled around Ashton’s in the chair. “Sorry…I didn’t mean to fall asleep.” Her voice barely cooperated in her drowsy state.
“Don’t apologize,” Ashton whispered.
“What time is it?” Sophie pulled herself up.
“Still early, but we should get going.”
Sophie wasn’t certain what to think of her night curled up in Ashton’s lap. She didn’t question why he pulled her close. She took comfort wrapped in his arms and fell into a deep, satisfying sleep. She wondered what he thought having her curled around him the entire night. She was in unknown territory with Ashton. Ever since he came back into her life she had been trying to figure out the new set of rules when it came to him and her.
Sophie woke Mel to tell her that she had to leave, promising to call later to check on her. She slipped out of the room and followed Ashton to his car. The sun was relentlessly bright and intense for the early morning, promising a clear and beautiful day.
“Mel is a colorful character,” Ashton said when Sophie hopped in the car.
“That’s a good way to describe her.” Sophie tilted her head thoughtfully. “Most people say she’s brash, crazy, and even scary.” Sophie chuckled.
“That description works as well.” He nodded thoughtfully. “How did you guys become friends?”
“She lives in my apartment building, which is why she’s also temporarily homeless. I think we should be able to move back home tomorrow. Then you will be rid of me, at least during the evenings.” Sophie hated how nervous she sounded. It was one thing to be a mess on the inside but she didn’t want Ashton to know.
Ashton grew quiet for a moment before he spoke again. “You wouldn’t have just been another notch on my belt.”
Sophie wished she had her sunglasses to hide behind. She was terrified her emotions were written all over her face. She was surprised there was no more humor in his eyes. “Why? Is there no more room left?”
He tilted his head and bit his lip in a very sexy expression. “Do you think me some kind of man whore?”
“Does it matter what I think?”
“Yes.”
Sophie didn’t know how to respond to his words. She found herself freefalling without any way to save herself from the inevitable impact.
“I think…that I don’t know what I would have done without you last night. Thank you.” She smiled at him. Suddenly too shy to hold his gaze, she turned away and watched the landscape change as they drove.
“I’m glad I could help.”
Sophie was relieved when they got back and Margaret was still asleep. She didn’t want her thinking they were out all night, especially if Ashton actually did tell her they were on a date. Sophie showered and dressed quickly with the hopes that she would be able to speak to Margaret before she left for the day.
Margaret came down into the kitchen as Sophie was helping Charlotte clean up some dishes from breakfast. Margaret shook her head with a laugh.