Sophie was so embarrassed she couldn’t bring herself to speak. Instead, she left the laughter behind and stormed out of the class.

It was the first time that Sophie’s anger at Ashton bloomed within her, along with many other confusing feelings that always pulled taut in the pit of her stomach. It was impossible to breathe when he was near, impossible to think—he was a force that pulled and pushed her past her limits. It was also her first experience with Lucinda Jones, the perfectly fashioned queen of the school who held sway over everyone. She was Ashton’s girlfriend. Lucinda had made it her personal mission to make Sophie’s life hell for the rest of their high school years. Sophie had quickly become a social pariah because Lucinda deemed her an outcast, leading to the loneliest years of her life.

Based on the lustful looks that Ashton was now giving the other model, thoughts of Lucinda were currently the furthest things from his mind. Lucinda had always claimed that she and Ashton were soulmates and would always be together. It was nice to think that for once something finally didn’t go Lucinda’s way, but the thought immediately made her feel guilty.

Sophie tried to hide herself behind her canvas as Ashton and the strawberry blonde positioned themselves in their suggested pose. She watched Ashton’s confident demeanor and wondered how he could be so casual about stripping down in front of a room full of strangers.

Sophie’s excitement began to build in the pit of her stomach with the thought of seeing Ashton naked. She completely loathed him for the years of hell he and his horrid girlfriend put her through, but was curious how far his perfection reached.

Ashton discarded his robe and Sophie took a sharp intake of breath before she could stop herself. Ashton’s eyes met hers briefly before she slipped behind her canvas. Her face flamed so hot she thought it would melt off. The room became too hot, stifling. Just breathe. Just breathe. Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes and noticed Sally watching her. They had become familiar over the weeks of their course, but that was the extent of their friendship. Outside the classroom their lives took two very different paths.

Sally smiled at her and mouthed, “I want to lick his entire body.” Sally gave her a wink before diving into her paints. If only it were that easy for Sophie. She felt like a complete mess. Please let me get through this.

Sophie considered just leaving the class with the little dignity she had left. The only thing stopping her was the fact she needed the credit for this class. The sitting was important for her final mark. Her hands shook with embarrassment as she reached for her brush. It was amazing how many old emotions began to stir now that she was in Ashton’s presence again. She had hoped with the passing of time those intense feelings would dissipate and be nothing more than some weird twisted high school attraction.

Sophie kept her body sheltered behind her canvas until the last possible moment before she had to begin. He’s a jerk. He’s a jerk. You don’t even like him. In fact, you despise him. Then her eyes found him. His tall, hard body was chiseled into a perfect male specimen, complete with deliciously golden skin. Goddamnit! The sight of him made her stir with hot need. Now she was turned on and overwhelmingly angry at herself. Why am I such a sucker for punishment when it comes to Ashton King? She was truly a pathetic disaster and cursed herself for letting him have that power over her.

Consciously making an effort to slow her breathing and her racing heart, she angled her body to more effectively view the models. Sophie refused to let her eyes travel close to Ashton’s face. The two of them were posed in a passionate embrace to portray love. Sophie focused her efforts on the girl’s form, trying to do justice to her curves. Denying even the slightest glance toward Ashton, she knew his face was angled toward her so she dared not look at him. I am strong. I am not the same pathetic girl I was in high school. I can do this.

When the end of class approached, Sophie hastily began packing up her supplies before anyone else. She wanted to make a quick getaway to avoid any interactions with Ashton. She wondered if Ashton and Lucinda kept in touch. He would probably call her up and tell her how laughable Sophie still was three years after high school. Sophie cringed at the thought of the two of them having another thrill at her expense. Physically, Ashton was the most attractive guy she had ever seen. He was tall with a robust athletic build, beautiful bone structure in his face, and a strong defined jawline. His eyes were stormy blue and he had full lips that were made for kissing. He looked like how she always pictured Prince Charming in all the fairytales from her childhood, but he was actually the villain in every other sense.

The sound of his voice as he spoke to someone in the room gave fire to her steps and she gathered her belongings and quickly headed toward the door. She let out a breath of relief as she made her way down the hallway.

“Hey, Sophie.” Sophie ignored him, continuing down the hall. “Wait up.” Ashton rounded on her. He had his robe thrown on, exposing his tanned, carved chest.

“What?” Sophie surprised herself by her abruptness.

“I noticed that you didn’t paint me in your picture. You can’t have a picture of love without two people.” He raised his eyebrows at her.

“I don’t believe in love. I figured I would make a statement.” She tried to push past him but he didn’t let her pass.

“I know you liked what you saw.” He gave her a boastful smile. God, those stupid dimples!

“Always the modest one. Actually, I was shocked that you would actually show yourself in public. I gasped because I thought I was going to throw up.” Sophie narrowed her eyes. He was taller than she remembered; he now towered over her. “Why are you even here? Don’t you have some stuffy college to attend before you settle into your privileged lifestyle?”

“Ouch.” His hand went up to his bare chest and her eyes followed. Shoot! Heat immediately filled her cheeks when lust-filled thoughts entered her mind. “That would hurt if I didn’t know you were lying.”

“I’m not,” she said stubbornly, looking past him at her escape route.

“I know you’re lying, you always bite your lip after you tell a lie.” His eyes lingered on her lips. Sophie brought her hand up to cover her mouth.

“You don’t know anything about me.” She could feel her emotions swell inside her, choking her.

“If I didn’t know any better I would say it was the first time you saw a guy naked. Your cheeks couldn’t have turned any redder.” He chuckled.

“I have seen plenty of naked men, in fact more than I can count, not that it’s any of your concern,” Sophie spat out angrily.

Ashton smiled and pointed to her lips. Sophie covered her deceiving mouth again and pushed past him, ignoring the electrical current that seemed to pulse through her with the contact. A tingling sensation lingered where her shoulder had touched him.

“See you never!” she called out behind her, using the words he had always said to her when they were in school.

“Actually, you will see me again. You have to finish that painting, after all,” he called down the hall to her retreating form. She would not let him get to her.

Chapter Two

Sophie tried to get the key out of her pocket as she balanced her art supplies. She could hear her phone ringing inside her purse as she stood before her apartment door. Fumbling her things, she managed to kick the door open as everything scattered across the wooden floor. Goddamnit! “Hello?” she sighed into her phone. “Mom?”