Текст книги "Truth Or Dare"

Автор книги: Aimee McNeil

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Текущая страница: 14 (всего у книги 20 страниц)

“When my grandfather died.” Ashton’s voice was low when he spoke.

“Margaret told me about him. He sounds like he was such a wonderful man.” Sophie smiled thoughtfully.

“He was. He used to say it a lot. It reminds me of him.”

Sophie sat up and slid her leg over his waist, straddling him. His smile was beautiful and his eyes were shining with emotion. She wanted to paint him like this, capture this moment on a canvas for her to always be able to gaze upon. Ashton ran his hands over her breasts and down her stomach. “You’re perfect.” He whispered.

Sophie’s eyes widened when she felt him harden beneath her. The sound of the door opening caused them both to still.

“Mel.” Sophie breathed against his neck. Ashton wrapped his arms around her and pulled the blanket over their heads.

“Hey, Ashton,” Mel called.

“Hey, Mel,” Ashton returned with a chuckle.

“I’m glad you guys finally did it. The sexual tension between you two was unreal.”

“Mel!” Sophie gasped from under the blanket.

“What? It’s true and you know it.”

Ashton’s laughter ruptured from his chest and Sophie loved the sound and feel of it as he lay under her. Her whole life Sophie tried to believe that she didn’t need love but Ashton had always made her doubt it from the first moment she met him. She could no longer deny that it had any hold on her. She had been swept up in the frenzy of emotions Ashton caused in her. She was in love with him. She wanted to listen to his song forever, remember all the words, and set her life to the beat.

***

When Sophie opened her eyes the next morning she found herself alone in her bed. She sat up holding the sheets over her chest, Ashton was gone. She slid out of bed, retrieved a night shirt, and pulled it over her head. She walked into the living room separated only by a partial wall, allowing a couple of minimal archways to separate the apartment into designated rooms. Mel was still asleep on the sofa. She looked so innocent, not at all like the firecracker she was when she was awake. Sophie couldn’t help the ache that twisted her insides. Ashton had left her without saying goodbye. She picked up her phone, hoping he left a message explaining his departure. There was nothing.

Last night she shared something with Ashton that she thought was truly the most beautiful thing she had ever experienced. She wondered if Ashton had meant the words he’d said to her last night. She wanted it to be real, wanted to believe every word that he said.

Thoughts of Margaret began to trouble her. Fear that something happened made her fingers dial her number in a hurry. It rang twice before Charlotte answered. “Miss Sophie. How are you?”

Sophie was washed with relief at Charlotte’s pleasant tone. “Hello, Charlotte, just making sure that Margaret doesn’t need me today.”

“Her daughter, Bridgette, Ashton’s mother, is in town visiting her. She and Marcus are taking her out to lunch today,” Charlotte informed her.

“Wonderful. Tell her to call me if she needs me.” Sophie was relieved that Margaret was well but it didn’t ease the sadness. She had always tried to convince herself that her attraction to Ashton was only physical but she knew she had been wrong. Last night only revealed how deep her affections for him ran. What if Ashton realized it was just sexual attraction for him? What if that’s all he wanted?

Sophie turned her music on and tucked the iPod into her panties. She slipped onto her stool in front of her easel and set to work finishing her painting for Margaret. Painting always cleared her head and she needed it now more than ever. Before long the world faded and she was completely focused on her painting.

Sophie startled when someone slid their hands around her waist. She relaxed when Ashton’s delectable scent suddenly enveloped her. She leaned back into him as his lips skimmed her neck. His hand reached down into her panties where her iPod was. Thank god! After taking his time retrieving it he pulled it out and turned it off. “You look so hot right now,” he whispered in her ear.

“Where were you?” Sophie relaxed.

“Getting breakfast.” He smiled against her neck. “What’s this?” he asked when he noticed what she was painting.

“Oh…” Sophie suddenly felt guilty for having stolen Margaret’s photo. “I was going to surprise Margaret. To say thank you for letting me stay and for giving me a job…” Sophie trailed off.

“It’s incredible.” Ashton looked at the painting. “I was there that day when this picture was taken. My grandmother arranged us all to get together to have a family portrait done. The photographer took this picture when they were wrapping up. I guess she saw something…”

“Beautiful,” Sophie finished.

“Yeah. She’ll love the painting, Sophie.” Ashton kissed her on the cheek. A sad smile graced his lips and she wondered if it was painful looking at the picture of his grandfather. It was obvious they had been close before he passed.

“Something smells delicious,” Mel moaned from the sofa. Ashton and Sophie smiled at each other. Mel tumbled off the sofa and dragged her feet to the kitchen.

“I went to the bakery around the corner. I didn’t know what you ladies would want so I got some of everything.” Ashton said, rubbing the back of his neck.

Mel opened up one of the bags sitting on the counter. “Holy fucking shit, that smells like heaven.” Mel reached in the bag and pulled out a croissant. “Still warm,” she squeaked. Taking a big bite, she looked in the other bag. “Oh Sophie, there are blueberry turnovers. Your favorite,” Mel said with her mouth full. She grabbed one out of the bag and passed it to Sophie.

Sophie and Ashton both looked at each other before they laughed. “I had one a few years back that was the best thing I had ever tasted and since then I can’t get enough.”

A crooked smile pulled at Ashton’s lips before he leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips, pulling gently on her bottom lip. “I know what you mean.”

When all three of them had their fill and were sipping on their tea, Mel announced anxiously that she had some news. “I just want to say that last night was my last night as a stripper and today is my first day—well, technically unemployed, because I haven’t actually gotten a new job yet—but it’s a start, right?”

Sophie smiled. “Cheers.” They all toasted Mel’s announcement with their tea. “We should celebrate.”

“Let’s go to the beach!” Mel suggested excitedly.

Sophie looked at Ashton. “Do you want to go to the beach with us today?”

“I can’t think of a better way to spend the day.” Ashton said, putting his arm around Sophie’s shoulder. A smile spread across her face that she couldn’t undo. She was ridiculously happy and Ashton was the cause of it.

Chapter

Twenty-One

The sun was gloriously hot as its rays spilled heat down upon them. Not a cloud was brave enough to occupy the same sky on the bright beautiful day. The beach was full of bodies soaking up the heat and cooling themselves off in the waves that splashed upon the shoreline. The beach was massive and stretched as far as Sophie could see. She couldn’t remember the last time she had enjoyed the ocean and the beautiful sand of its shores.

Ashton stuck his surfboard into the sand near the water before pulling his shirt off over his head. Sophie couldn’t help but stare at his sinful body. She noticed she wasn’t the only one enjoying the view. Mel gave her a nudge. “Good god.”

“Yeah, I know.” Sophie said.

Dustin joined them for their adventure to the beach. He dropped Mel’s bag on the sand. He noticed the girls watching Ashton and decided to pull off his own shirt. Mel and Sophie smiled at each other. “Dustin, you are definitely the hottest guy on this beach.” Mel patted him on his muscled arm. Dustin was fit and obviously no stranger to the gym.

It was the first time Sophie had actually seen Mel and Dustin together for any amount of time. She could see the romantic relationship developing between them despite the fact that Mel claimed them still to be only friends. They had known each other for a long time and it showed in the way they trusted each other. He grabbed Mel into a hug, picking her off the ground. “I love this girl.” He squeezed her playfully. Mel screamed in delight before settling in a fit of giggles.

Ashton looked over at Sophie from under his blonde waves of hair and dark lashes. He looked mischievous and sexy when a smile formed on his lips. “Come here.” Sophie pulled off her sun dress and laid it on her bag, revealing her mismatched bikini. The top was a pink and white floral halter style and the bottoms were pink with mint green stripes. It was her favorite bathing suit and she hoped Ashton would like it. It wasn’t as sexy as Mel’s deep red barely there bikini, but she loved the way it played her curves. He stared at her as she approached, making her feel a little self-conscious. His eyes followed her every move.

“You look delicious.” Ashton said when she stopped in front of him. He reached down and scooped Sophie up in his arms before she could respond, heading for the water. She screamed as he splashed through the waves. Sophie clung to Ashton’s neck as he walked in deeper.

“You wouldn’t throw me in,” she said with wide eyes. The waves splashed, sending water to spray over them.

“Wouldn’t I?” Ashton laughed.

Sophie tightened her grip around his neck, holding herself tight to his body as they playfully struggled. “That’s it.” Ashton dropped down in the water, submersing them both completely into its cool embrace. They both came up laughing. Sophie brushed her hair out of her face as Ashton held her close. He looked down at her with eyes the same color as the water that surrounded them. His tanned skin begged for her touch as she ran her fingers over his chest. “Can I do that to you?” He smiled. Sophie giggled before Ashton leaned down and kissed her slowly at first, testing her reaction of the display of affection in public. He deepened the kiss when she responded to him. He tasted of salt and his own enchanting flavor.

Their moment of sweet indulgence was broken when they both turned toward the shore where Dustin was chasing Mel into the water. They both crashed into the waves and went under the water only to resurface, splashing water on each other.

All of them enjoyed the water until the girls decided to lie in the sun for a while. Dustin asked Ashton to show him how to surf and the girls were entertained watching Dustin struggling to stand on the board. Ashton’s movements were so controlled on the board. Sophie found herself mesmerized by him. Since she had met him she wanted to know what it would be like to be his object of affection and now, since last night when they finally told each other how they felt, he looked at her like she was the most beautiful girl in the world. Every time their eyes met he grinned like an excited kid and it made exhilaration course through her, making her feel weightless, like she could float away in the slightest breeze.

“You got it bad,” Mel said as she sat up to flip over.

“Look who’s talking. I see you flirting with Dustin every chance you get.” Sophie sipped her water bottle while watching Ashton.

“I flirt with everyone, remember? But with you…you look at him like he’s everything you have ever wanted wrapped up into a very attractive package,” Mel said dreamily. “It’s magical.”

Sophie turned around to see Mel’s face. Her large sunglasses covered most of her face. “Magical? Okay where did my Mel go?”

“Come on. You fell in love with the guy when you first met him without even knowing it and then you find out that he felt the same way all this time. What’s more magical than someone who was supposed to be the enemy to be the one to prove love exists for the girl who never believed?”

“Quiet, and he didn’t say he loved me, by the way. He just told me he didn’t hate me.” Sophie gave her a warning look.

Mel rolled her eyes. “Oh Ashton, you have shown me the light,” Mel said in mock dramatization, her hand against her heart. “I love you soooooo much.”

“Stop before he hears you.” Sophie tackled Mel to try and silence her. Sophie tried to cover Mel’s mouth but she was too evasive. They both ended up in a fit of giggles, tangled on the towels.

“As much as I hate to break up this incredibly hot display, your ice creams are melting,” Ashton said from the edge of the towel. “And I think you’re drawing a crowd.”

“Yum!” Mel lit up as Dustin passed her a cone and sat down next to her.

“Thank you,” Sophie said, taking the cone.

“So I saw you watching us out there, do you want me to give you a lesson?” Ashton sat down beside Sophie and leaned back on his elbows. He looked sexy with his large muscular form stretched out beside her. It made her picture him back in her bed and the wonderful evening they had shared together. Sophie looked over when Mel screamed because Dustin had made her smear her ice cream on her face.

“I think I’m better on the beach. It looks like it could be potentially dangerous for me.” Sophie laughed.

“I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.” Ashton nudged her with his shoulder.

“Oh yeah? Well, I have a confession to make. There is a reason that I practice the arts and not physically demanding activities. I’m not the most coordinated person,” Sophie admitted. “It looks like it takes more skill than I am capable of.”

“I have a confession to make as well.” He moved closer to her so their shoulders touched and it sent a tingling heat through her. “I am jealous of your ice cream.”

“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.

Sophie shuffled through her text messages as she opened the door to her apartment. There was a voicemail from her mother asking her to call and a handful of texts and voicemails from Ashton asking her to call him. She took a deep breath when she walked in her apartment.

“What’s that smell? Is it…”

“Cookies!” Mel finished Sophie’s sentence. She rounded the corner from the kitchen covered in flour. It was streaked across her cheeks and dusted on her clothes. The display brought a smile to Sophie’s face.

“Come try them.” Mel skipped back toward the kitchen. “I thought it would be a good idea to have a stock pile of comfort food after today.”

“They smell delicious.” Sophie praised as she observed the cookies spread out over the counter. “How many did you make?”

“Didn’t know what you would feel like so I made lots of options.”

“Wow.” Sophie took a bite of the cookie Mel waved in front of her. It was a buttery shortbread with an icing glaze that melted in her mouth. “Wow. These are amazing,” Sophie gushed.

“I know. Wait till you try the double chocolate.” Mel made Sophie try every kind, which she obliged eagerly. They were all delicious and Sophie found it hard to pick a favorite.

“How did I not know that you could bake like this?”

“I am a girl of many talents.” Mel winked before her smile fell from her face. “I worked in my parents’ bakery for years until my Dad decided to treat himself to one of the girls that worked there. She was actually younger than me. After that everything went to shit. I haven’t spoken to my piece of shit father since and my mom is angry at the world. I can’t stand to be near her. My family is all around, upside down, inside out, and all colors of fucked up.” Sophie hated seeing the pain in Mel’s expression. Mel slowly started opening up to Sophie more and more and Sophie looked forward to the moments when Mel let her close.

“We all have our issues. Sometimes a messy past makes us better equipped to handle the future. When I look at you I see someone who has the strength to take on the world.”

“What would I do without you, Sophie?”

“We make a good pair, don’t we?” Sophie smiled. “Why don’t you sell your cookies? These are so amazing.”

“I have always loved to bake. It makes me happy.” Mel looked lost in thought for a moment. “You really think I could sell them?”

“Yes. They’re delicious.”

“You’ve given me something to think about.” Mel twisted her lips. “Mel the baker? Oo la la. I like it, especially if I get to wear a hat. Maybe I should work on my French and try and pull off the whole French pastry chef persona with a cute little outfit.”

“Maybe you should start with a business plan first and pick out the outfit later.” Sophie laughed.

“You’re no fun, but you have to admit I would look cute in a baker’s hat.”

“Of course. No argument there,” Sophie agreed with a smile, taking another bite of cookie.

After Sophie had eaten an obscene amount of cookies for her supper, she decided she should respond to Ashton’s messages that had repeatedly lit up her phone.

Sophie: I just need some time.

 

Ashton: I promise that I didn’t know she was going to be there.

 

Sophie:…I want to believe you.

 

Ashton: Don’t let it ruin last night. It meant a lot to me. You mean a lot to me.

 

Sophie: Then give me time.

 

She just needed to unwind from the events that had taken place in the last twenty-four hours. It was a whirlwind of highs and crashing lows and she needed to sort through the emotions. She told him she needed to finish her mother’s dress and that they would sort things out later. He didn’t seem very pleased, but finally accepted her request.