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.