She looked at the painting of Ashton, still half covered by the cloth she had thrown over it. She slipped off her bed and walked over, removing the cloth to reveal the painting in its entirety. A pain twisted in her chest looking at his handsome face. She remembered what it felt like to have her lips against his. To feel his rough unshaven face against her soft skin, his hands playing her like a beautiful song, making her want to scream out and sing along at the same time. Never again.
Sophie’s phone rang, jolting her from her thoughts. She went to retrieve it from her purse, knocking over a bolt of red fabric. “Hello?” Sophie didn’t recognize the number.
“Hello, Sophie…it’s Sam. I know it’s early but I just wanted to check to see if you’re feeling better. I noticed on your schedule you’re not in till Monday night, so I just wanted to call since I won’t see you till after the weekend.” Sam’s voice seemed nervous on the other line.
“Yes, actually I am doing much better. I’m going to my mother’s this weekend to help her with wedding plans.”
The conversation flowed easily with Sam once he warmed up. Sophie thanked him for calling, trying to keep the direction of their exchange as innocent as possible until she figured out if she could actually give Sam a fair chance. Could she date someone she worked for? It was probably against the rules, despite the fact that no one else seemed to abide by them with all the hook ups that happened at the restaurant. Sophie wondered if she actually cared for Sam enough to enter into a relationship with him. She had avoided relationships her whole life, should she give one a chance? She knew that deep down her main reason would be to distract her from Ashton. Ugh. Why does my IQ plummet when it comes to the male species?
Hanging up her phone, she unconsciously began playing with the red fabric that she had bought weeks ago. A smile spread across her lips. She had no idea what she was going to do with Sam, and absolutely no idea how to forget about Ashton, who haunted her every waking thought, but at least she could always figure out what to do when it came to fabrics and paints. It was a language she knew how to speak fluently—she needed to create. She needed to purge the energy that had been building within her.
Pulling the fabric from the bolt, she grabbed her scissors and set to work. She was inspired by the new intense emotions that she had discovered—she had met desire on an entirely new level and she wanted to give it form. Sophie worked away the rest of the morning.
It was nearly noon when Mel came bursting into her apartment. “It’s so good to be home!” she bellowed. Sophie was in her kitchen eating a bowl of cereal, wearing dress pants and a sleeveless blouse with a very delicate pattern only appreciated on close inspection.
“Where are you off to, hot stuff? Going to entice a well-to-do business man into leaving his family to run off with you?” Mel asked, wiggling her eyebrows. She grabbed a bowl and joined Sophie.
“Close. I’m going to work and make my own fortune.” Sophie smiled.
“Not as exciting and definitely not as fun,” Mel replied with an evil smirk.
“Yeah, the funny thing is I have this thing called a conscience. It makes me do things that are morally right,” Sophie said with light sarcasm.
“Conscience,” Mel drew out slowly, rolling the word around in her mouth. “Never heard of it. Anyway, if Joe talks to you tonight, make sure you say no to whatever he asks you.”
“Who is Joe?” Sophie asked tentatively.
“My boss. Just saying if he approaches you with anything, just say no. Like asking you to entertain certain guests, or I don’t know…get up on stage, join the payroll. Just make sure you say no,” Mel ordered.
“Don’t worry. The only thing I plan on saying tonight is no,” Sophie assured her.
“Good. I’ll keep an eye on you, but if at any point you want to leave, go ahead. I’ll make sure you still get paid.” Mel patted her arm. “Thanks for coming tonight.”
“Sure. Did Corbin try to contact you?”
“I learned from my last relationship to avoid telling them where I live.” Mel’s shoulders dropped.
“Good. Hopefully that was the last of him.”
“We both know that would be way too easy.” Mel looked up at Sophie. There was fear in her eyes, a fear that Sophie felt as well. “Let’s just hope that he won’t be sober enough any time soon to try and find me.”
“What if he comes to your work?” Sophie asked nervously.
“They’re used to dealing with crazy there. That’s where I’m probably the safest.”
“What about the police? Can they do anything…?” Sophie let her words trail away with the glare that Mel gave her. “Nevermind.”
Mel had told her before that she would never go to the police for help. When she was younger, she’d tried to file a complaint against someone at the police station. When she divulged the fact that she was a stripper, the officer made it seem like she deserved the trouble. She’d walked out and never looked back.
Sophie took Margaret to the doctor again that afternoon. When Sophie asked about her appointment, Margaret dismissed any reason for concern, saying it was just for routine test results, putting Sophie’s mind at ease. Luckily she didn’t run into Ashton while she was at the house. The longer she went without seeing him the better, allowing the memory of him on her skin to fade. She needed time.
Standing in front of her mirror in her apartment that evening, Sophie pulled the red fabric over her head and slipped the dress that she made down over her curves. The material had just enough stretch to hug her body, stopping just above the knee. Her hair was curled in long, loose flowing waves, cascading over her shoulders. Her makeup darkened her eyes, making them smoky and sexy. Grabbing her red lipstick, she drew it over her lips, finishing the look. She felt devious, like she was breaking all the rules. She was unleashing the part of herself that came alive with Ashton’s touch. She wanted to be daring, strong, and take back her confidence.
Picking up her phone, she erased all the messages from Ashton telling her not to go tonight. Her fingers lingered over the buttons before she decided to send him a message.
Sophie: F**K OFF!
Ashton: You can’t even swear in writing?
Sophie: Go to hell.
Ashton: I’m already there.
Sophie: Good. Stay there.
Ashton: Don’t go tonight.
Anger fueled Sophie’s steps, throwing her phone into her clutch she shoved her feet into her heels before walking out her door. Mel was on her way down the stairs from her apartment when she met her.
“Definitely say no to everything anyone says to you tonight,” Mel said with wide eyes. “Where has this girl been hiding? I like her.”
“Too much?” Sophie questioned, suddenly unsure if she should have glammed herself up so much.
“Hell no! I like this side of you, but I won’t be making any tips tonight because all eyes will be on you.” Mel beamed. “Let’s go.”
When their cab pulled up in front of their destination, Sophie’s heart fluttered madly in her chest. The exterior was sleek, black, and discreet, other than the silhouettes of females in the windows. A large bouncer dressed in black with a fierce expression on his face stood at the door eyeing everyone that approached. Mel jumped out of the car and skipped toward the front door. The bouncer’s scowl melted into a smile as he watched Mel approach.