When Sophie got home from the restaurant, Mel wasn’t home. She had left a note on the counter saying that she wouldn’t be back until tomorrow, complete with a winking smiley face at the bottom. The smiley face confirmed she was with Dustin. Sophie placed the business consultant card on the counter with their business plan and other paperwork they had gathered. A smile lightened her face; she was excited with the possibility of owning a business. She knew it wouldn’t be easy but she didn’t mind the challenge. Work was something she was always willing to throw herself into.

Sophie called the clinic. She wanted to check up on how Margaret was feeling. Her surgery was scheduled for tomorrow and Sophie was nervous. The nurse informed her that Margaret was sleeping and didn’t want to disturb her. Sophie tried to call Ashton as well and was only met with his answering machine. Sophie decided to distract herself with a painting she wanted to finish.

Sophie turned her iPod up as loud as she could stand it and sat in front of her painting. She wanted to drown out the worries that haunted her. Warmth pulled at her skin to the point of discomfort—the day had been relentless. Sophie hopped off her stool and checked the air conditioner. The air that was being pushed into the room was warm. “Come on!” Sophie complained as she turned it on full but it only continued to push warm air through its vent. “Great. I guess I have a date with Mr. Cleary tomorrow,” Sophie mumbled to herself. Sophie struggled to open the old wooden case window that groaned as she managed to pry it open. “That will have to do.” Sophie sighed. Unfortunately there wasn’t even the slightest breeze.

Sophie pulled off her shirt and pants. It brought some relief without her clothes. She tucked her iPod in her bra and went back to her stool. Taking down her finished painting, she grabbed a new canvas and set it up. Ideas flashed through her mind. She loved looking at a blank canvas and letting her mind get inspired to transform it. Sophie became lost in her creation. A gentle caress against her shoulder startled her and her paintbrush slipped from her hand, luckily missing the canvas as it dropped to the floor. Sophie pulled out her earphones and turned around.

“Ashton!” Sophie cried out. His arms wrapped around her tight, his lips teasing the sensitive flesh of her neck.

“I am so turned on right now,” he whispered against her ear, sending shivers through her.

“How did you get in?” Sophie looked up into his face. His eyes were dark and beautiful. It always amazed her how handsome he was as he looked at her hungrily.

Ashton nodded toward the open window. “You weren’t answering your phone and I saw your light was on, so I climbed up.”

Sophie’s eyes widened. “Guess I better not leave my window open anymore. I don’t want strange guys climbing in my window.”

“No, you don’t.” Ashton’s smile melted her. “I needed to talk to you. You scared me yesterday.” The fear in his words tore at her. Sophie reached up and ran her hands over his hard chest. His hands cupped the sides of her face before he brought his lips down to kiss her forehead and pull her close.

Sophie pulled back and saw the desperation in his eyes. She never expected to have this much of a hold on Ashton. It was a new concept for her and she still expected to wake up from this dream. The elation of this realization made her head swim and her need burn in white hot fury. She pulled herself up and crushed her lips against his. Sophie grabbed handfuls of his shirt, pulling him closer even though there was no space between their bodies. Ashton lifted his shirt over his head and let go of his hold only long enough to discard it before his hands found her again.

Ashton lifted Sophie, pressing her against his hard body, and walked toward her bed, laying her down. “You are so fucking beautiful.” He stood up to discard his jeans on the floor. She could feel her skin heat under his gaze. He leaned over her and kissed her lips softly before trailing down her neck. “I’m yours,” he whispered against her skin, making a smile blossom on Sophie’s swollen lips. This has to be a dream! Don’t wake up. Don’t wake up!

“And I am yours,” she whispered in response. Ashton leaned up to see her face.

“That’s the best thing I ever heard.” His happiness was infectious. Sophie touched his face. “And you are the best thing I have ever seen.” Ashton reached behind her to unclasp her bra. “I feel like I’m going to wake up any minute, because this feels too fucking good to be real.”

Ashton slid his hand down her body, discarding her underwear on the floor with the rest of his clothes. Sophie was addicted to the feel of his body against hers. She loved the taste of him, his smell, and his touch. Her fingers played every line of his body as she took advantage of the sensuality he embodied. Ashton pressed himself between her legs. “You feel so good.” Everything he did brought her intense pleasure, as if he knew the secrets of her body.

“Knowing I was your first makes me very happy.” Ashton looked into Sophie’s eyes. “The other night was the best night of my life…thank you.”

“I know how you feel.” Sophie ran her fingers over his hard stomach and let her touch wander further. She was intrigued by how beautiful his manhood was as it pulsed with desire. She leaned down and kissed him there, inviting him into her warm mouth. Sophie began to slowly explore him, memorizing the feel of him as she found pleasure in giving Ashton pleasure.

Ashton growled as she released him and then climbed over his body to straddle him. His hands never left her skin as she eased herself onto his steely length. “Say you’re mine,” Ashton whispered heatedly.

“I’m yours.” Sophie leaned down and whispered against his lips. “Only yours.” A moan escaped Ashton’s mouth as Sophie began to move against him, his body wound tight underneath her. Sophie responded to the pleasure he gave her, losing herself to the intense feeling that captured her. When Sophie cried out in release, Ashton followed immediately and they both collapsed against the bed.

The feelings she had for Ashton were magical, beautiful, and captivated her beyond anything she ever imagined. She lay beside him and ran his fingers over his tanned, perfect skin.

“I think I am addicted to you.” Ashton’s voice was raspy from their passionate exchange.

“I can live with that.” She moved closer to him and nuzzled his neck. His smell was so enticing, his heat comforting, and everything about him enchanted her. She knew without a doubt that she was addicted to him as well but admitting how deep her feelings ran scared her. A part of her was still scared of getting hurt. “I’m glad you broke into my apartment tonight.”

“Me too…let’s go get an ice cream.” Ashton looked at her playfully. “It’s hot as shit in here.”

“Now?” Sophie giggled at his sudden playful mood.

“Yes, right now. I want to take you out for ice cream.” He stood up and pulled on his pants. Sophie watched the way his muscles rippled. It was sinful how strong and attractive his body was.

“Ice cream does sound good, but so does staying in bed.” Sophie smiled wickedly.

“Oh, we’ll be going back to bed after, just not this bed. I want you in my bed.” He grabbed Sophie’s hand and helped her stand, pulling her against his chest and kissing her on the top of the head.

“Your place?”

“Yes, my place. I want to see what you look like in my bed.”

***

Ashton had taken Sophie to a late night diner that had a ridiculously large selection of flavors. Sophie stared through the glass, trying to narrow down her choice. “Wow…I think I will go with the…cookies ’n cream…or no, make that mint chocolate chip.” Sophie looked up to see Ashton watching her with an amused grin on his face. “What?”

“You look so adorable right now.” He winked as he leaned against the counter.