Sophie walked toward Ashton, who stood watching her, unmoving with clenched fists. His gaze followed her like a predator watching his prey. She stepped behind him and reached for his shirt, pulling it up. Ashton reached back over his shoulder, pulled his shirt off over his head, and dropped it on the floor. Sophie’s hands skimmed his waist as she ran her hands around to the hard rippled flesh of his stomach. She loved all the grooves that her fingers dipped into. She reached for the button of his pants as she pressed her breasts against his back and his breathing became deep and labored.
Sophie slipped his pants and underwear down, freeing him of any confinements of clothing before she circled him and took in his body. “Have you figured out what this is between us?” Sophie whispered.
“What do you want it to be?” he responded, watching her closely, his hands still by his sides.
“When I walked into that classroom when I saw you the first time, I wondered what it would be like to kiss you…I wanted to. I wanted to be the girl that held your hand and cheered you on from the sidelines as you played. I was jealous of Lucinda for having you.”
“You should never have been jealous of Lucinda. Every time I kissed her I imagined it was you. You were out of my reach but it didn’t stop me from wanting you. Now that I know what it’s like to be with you I don’t ever want to be with anyone else.” Sophie ran her hands down his lean hard stomach, causing Ashton to take a sharp intake of breath. “Let’s forget about the past and concentrate on the future.”
“That sounds like a good plan to me.” Sophie whispered. “I want you to touch me.”
“Good, ’cause I was going out of my fucking mind.” Ashton pulled her naked body against his as he lowered her onto the bed. Sophie delighted in the feel of his lips all over her. If this was love then she was now a believer. She wanted him, she needed him, and he had become a part of her heart.
Sophie’s head spun as he moved down her body, teasing her with his lips and explorative hands. He continued until he met the over-sensitized skin between her legs. His tongue explored and his hands caressed until Sophie lost touch with reality. She fell deep into a pool of pleasure and came undone.
***
The next morning Sophie woke with a smile on her face. When she opened her eyes she felt Ashton’s arm wrapped around her. She could hear his soft even breathing, indicating that he was still asleep. As much as she wanted to remain wrapped in his comfortable embrace, it was getting late and she was scheduled to work at the restaurant. When she moved, Ashton’s arm tightened around her. “Are you trying to sneak out on me?” His voice was thick with sleep and he sounded so incredibly sexy.
“As much as I would love to spend the day with you in bed, I have to work.” Sophie laughed as he pulled her closer to him.
“Do you still not believe in love?” he whispered against her neck.
“Are you trying to make a believer out of me?” Because you already did! She wasn’t ready to make that kind of confession yet. Sophie turned around to see his face. He leaned up on his arm to look down at her. His hair was messy and it made her smile how delectable he looked. His eyes were so bright blue and she wanted to know everything about him, all his secrets.
“Maybe.” He leaned down and kissed her arm before looking up at her from under his thick dark lashes. Sophie ran her fingers through his soft hair. “You look so beautiful in my bed,” he confessed as Sophie played with his hair.
“I like your bed.”
“I also want to know what you look like in my shower,” he said with a mischievous tone.
Sophie’s eyes widened before he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her off the bed. He carried her out of his room toward the shower. “Ashton! What are you doing?” Sophie laughed as he hugged her against his chest. Sophie wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her. She couldn’t resist taking the opportunity to nibble on his ear as she leaned in close to him. He grabbed his toothbrush off the counter and slathered it with toothpaste before he stuck it in his mouth and went to turn on the shower, all while refusing to let her down. Sophie laughed and squirmed in his hold as he kissed her with his toothpaste covered mouth. She grabbed his toothbrush from his mouth and placed it in her own and proceeded to brush her teeth. “That’s so fucking hot. I am never getting a new toothbrush,” Ashton commended. Sophie kissed him back, making him laugh deep. It was the perfect sound and it melted her insides. He walked them into the hot water of the large tiled shower. Under the soothing stream of water he kissed her passionately, deeply like he could never get close enough. She knew because she felt the same about him. This has to be real! I want to stay here forever.
After the shower that Sophie knew she would not soon forget, Ashton offered to drive her to work. She gladly accepted because it meant she could have that much more time with him.
When they got in the car, Ashton reached over and ran his hand over the bare skin of her leg. She was wearing her black skirt and white button up blouse, which was pretty much a standard for her work attire.
“Don’t start something you can’t finish, sir.” Sophie stopped his hand from reaching under her skirt.
“The backseat is roomier than it looks.” Ashton raised his eyebrows suggestively.
“You know you never did tell me how you ended up posing nude for my art class,” Sophie said when the question suddenly came to mind.
Ashton smiled. “Truthfully…I found out you were in that class and the opportunity arose. So I decided to go for it.”
“You did it to see me?” Sophie was shocked at his confession.
“You sound surprised.”
“Well, I am. Were you hoping that I would see your hot body and not be able to resist?”
“Yes. I told you I always had a thing for you,” he stated wickedly.
“What about the girl?”
“I was trying to make you jealous. Did it work?”
“That depends on if you slept with her.” Sophie raised her eyebrows.
“Naw. Not my type. She practically threw herself at me. I like girls to pretend they hate me.” Ashton pulled up to the front of the restaurant. “Do I need to go in and tell Sam that you’re off limits?” His mood turned suddenly serious as he looked past her into the restaurant.
“Nope. Not necessary. Things are good between me and Sam now that he knows I don’t want anything more than friendship.” Sophie leaned over and gave Ashton a kiss before she opened her door.
“Do you want me to pick you up?”
“No. I don’t know what time I’m getting off, but I’ll call you tomorrow before I go visit Margaret.”
“Sounds good.”
When Sophie walked into the restaurant she could see the beginning of the lunch rush start to accumulate, filling up the tables. She walked into the back room to put her bag in her locker when she was intercepted by Lori, who seemed slightly anxious.
“You look like you are going to say something I won’t like,” Sophie stated before Lori had a chance to speak.
“There’s something I wanted to tell you before you hear it from someone else.” Lori twisted her apron in her hands.
“Okay…” Sophie encouraged hesitantly.
“Well…I know Sam has had this thing for you. Lately he’s been sulking around. I’m not sure what exactly happened between you two but last night I asked him out for a drink. I felt bad for the guy…I had a great time and I think he did too. I just want to make sure it’s okay with you before I ask him out again. I’m not rushing into anything, especially since I know he’s still hung up on you, but I thought maybe I could win his attention if we spend time together…” Lori looked up at Sophie with an awkward smile, unsure of how to continue the conversation without some feedback from her. “I need to know that I’m not competing with you, because if that’s the case, I wouldn’t have a chance.”
“Nothing happened between Sam and I, and nothing will happen. We’re friends and that’s all it will ever be,” Sophie insisted. “I think it’s wonderful that this might be the beginning of something between you two. I want you both to be happy.”
“I feel so much better. I didn’t want you to get mad at me. There’s already enough drama with Megan having the hate on for you right now.” The relief was evident in Lori’s posture. “She’s convinced that you stole Ashton King from her, by the way.” Lori shook her head. “I have no idea what’s going on, but from the way that Ashton looks at you, I wouldn’t blame you for falling for him.”