“Why would you possibly be jealous of my ice cream?” she asked in mock innocence as she seductively licked it and moaned in enjoyment.
“You’re gonna get it now,” Ashton teased.
“What are you gonna do, because you already threw me in the water.” Sophie raised her brows.
“This.” He leaned over and bit Sophie’s bottom lip. The pull caused heat to rupture within her. She reached up to stop him from pulling away and kissed him deeply.
“Get a room!” Mel yelled.
***
The intense heat shone down upon them as Sophie lounged on her towel. Ashton had lain down next to her and his breathing had slowed to a deep, even pace. She watched his peaceful physique, the perfect lines of his muscles and how they moulded his skin in the most enticing ways. Will I ever tire of looking at him? I can’t imagine.
“Who’s that walking this way?” Mel asked.
“Xavier.” Sophie frowned in surprise. “I met him at the charity auction the other night.”
“Wow. Another hot admirer?” Mel whispered with her eyes locked on his approaching form. His skin glistened from the lingering water upon his tanned flesh. His wet dark hair hung around his face. Sophie thought it suited him more than the swept back style he had sported at the charity auction. His features were almost menacing but he was definitely handsome, and his smile softened his features. Sophie heard Mel’s hum of approval as he neared their towels.
“Ladies.” He welcomed them before turning toward Sophie. “What a pleasure seeing you again, Sophie.”
“You too.” Sophie offered. “These are my friends Mel and Dustin.” Mel flashed one of her brilliant smiles. Dustin, who was lying on his stomach, only lifted his hand in a lazy wave, nowhere near as enthusiastic as Mel’s welcome. “And you know Ashton.”
“You’re blocking our sun with your fat head. Why don’t you move to the other end of the beach, or better yet leave?” Ashton said suddenly. He turned over and sat up.
“I came to speak with Sophie. I didn’t have a chance for a proper goodbye when we met the other night.”
“Goodbye,” Ashton bit off coldly, wrapping his arm possessively around Sophie.
Sophie gently hit his arm before turning to address Xavier. “That was my fault. I wasn’t feeling well,” Sophie said, fully aware of the tension between the two.
“Well, I’m glad to see that you’re feeling better now.” Xavier smiled sinfully, watching the interaction between Sophie and Ashton.
“Yes, I am, thank you.”
“Well, I’m off to take advantage of the waves. If you care to join me…” Xavier’s words were cut off by Ashton.
“Not gonna happen.” Ashton gave him a cold stare that translated even through his dark sunglasses.
“Another time then, Sophie.” Xavier winked at her before turning to leave.
“Fuck off,” Ashton added.
“Oh, Ashton, I hear that you and Lucinda have been spending time together recently. Just can’t get enough of her, I guess, right?” Xavier grinned slyly. “Well, I’m sure you would be interested to know she just arrived.” Xavier nodded toward the parking lot. Everyone turned to see where he indicated. Sure enough Lucinda was heading toward the beach. Sophie hadn’t seen her since the day she had graduated high school. After all that time she still got a bad taste in her mouth at the very sight of her. She suddenly felt sick to her stomach. Sophie looked at Ashton, whose eyes were watching Lucinda approach, his expression unreadable as he stood up. Her high that she had been experiencing since last night was suddenly brought to an abrupt end. What did Xavier mean by spending time with Lucinda?
Lucinda sauntered up the beach, her figure barely concealed under a very revealing string bikini. “X,” she called to her cousin. She dropped her bag and wrapped her arms around Xavier. When she pulled away her eyes fell on Ashton. “Hey, Ashton.” She snaked her arms around his waist. Sophie couldn’t stop the shocked expression on her face. So many scenarios ran through her mind and the one that stood out above all others is maybe this had all been a sick joke played on her. In her mind it was suddenly high school all over again.
Ashton stayed rigid in Lucinda’s hold. “You know Sophie.” He waved his hand toward Sophie. “And these are her friends, Mel and Dustin.”
Lucinda turned to observe the three of them. “How cute.” She waved dismissively.
“You didn’t mention you were coming to the beach.” Lucinda ran her hand down his chest, with the sweetest of smiles that Sophie had only ever seen Lucinda direct at Ashton.
“Come on, Luce,” Ashton stated irritably, pulling her hand off his stomach.
“Well, I’m suddenly feeling like maybe I got enough sun today.” Sophie stood up.
“Sophie, wait,” he said, stepping out of Lucinda’s embrace.
“Let her go. We have so much to talk about and she was always such a bore, anyway. Don’t you remember what you used to call her? What was that again?” Lucinda didn’t even turn around to look at Sophie.
“What the fuck are you doing, Luce?” Ashton said impatiently.
“Now that you mention it, Sophie…” Mel grabbed her towel and flung it up into the air, spraying sand over Xavier, Lucinda, and Ashton. “I’m ready to go now.” Mel smiled evilly.
Lucinda screamed out, “You bitch!”
“No, actually, I think you have proven to be the bitch here.” Mel stalked forward. Dustin grabbed her by the waist before she could get too close.
“Time to go,” Dustin said quickly. “Come on, little firecracker.”
“Let me go.” Mel struggled against his hold.
“Sophie, don’t go.” Ashton tried to wipe the sand out of his eyes.
“The beach is too crowded for me and I really would like to be alone right now.” Sophie tried to keep the tears from falling, taking deep breaths. She took off across the beach toward Dustin’s car. Luckily the door was open and she slid into the backseat.
She heard Mel’s angry bellows float in the air around the car. “I will gouge your eyes out if you come any closer.”
“Better listen to her, man. Just give her some time,” Dustin offered. His strengths as a bouncer surfaced and he tried to find a peaceful resolution.
“Fuck!” Ashton cursed. “Sophie, just let me talk to you!”
Sophie grabbed the door handle and pulled it open. She stepped out of the car and captured Ashton’s frantic gaze. They all stopped talking and watched her.
“That was just Xavier being the ass he is. I didn’t know she was gonna be here,” Ashton called to her.
“I don’t think I can trust you, Ashton. The scars are just too deep.” Sophie slid back into the car before her eyes started to water.
Mel slipped in next to Sophie. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah…I just want to go home. I have seen enough Lucinda to last a lifetime.” Sophie sighed.
Dustin started the car without a word. “Thank you, Dustin. Sorry about the drama,” Sophie spoke quietly.
“I had four sisters. That was drama. This is just keeping it real.” Dustin flashed her an easy smile.
Mel grabbed her hand. “You were too kind when you spoke of Lucinda before. That girl is a supremo bitch.”
“What have I gotten myself into? I should had stuck with my original plan and intended on being a spinster for the rest of my life. Stayed far away from Ashton and all the trouble he brought into my life. I knew I was gonna end up being hurt. Seeing them both together again just set me off.”
“He was a very enticing package.” Mel squeezed Sophie’s hand. “I must admit he seemed pretty upset just now.”
“Good,” Sophie said, deflated, as she watched the scenery pass by her window. The only place she wanted to be was home. “I guess maybe I overreacted but what are the chances that Lucinda would just show up today?” Sophie looked out the window. “Ashton makes me act like a crazy person and that scares the hell out of me.”
Sophie floated through work that evening. Things with Sam seemed somewhat normal except for the sad smiles she received on occasion but it didn’t feel awkward. She was just grateful he wasn’t angry with her. Megan, on the other hand, refused to speak to her. She suspected Sophie and Ashton had become more than the enemies they had claimed to be. Sophie didn’t bother trying to engage to deny or confess anything to Megan. She let her think whatever she wanted because Sophie lacked the heart and energy to deal with it. Everyone else was oblivious to the chaos in Sophie’s life, making them all the more appealing to deal with. Time flew by and before she knew it she was heading home to her apartment.