“Thank you,” Sophie said softly.

“My pleasure. Do you have any bags that you need assistance with, dear?” The man was probably in his forties with graying hair and a perfectly trimmed mustache.

“Got it, Alfred,” Ashton answered before Sophie could. He had already retrieved Sophie’s small duffle bag from the back of the car. Sophie was surprised to have a doorman assisting them. He seemed to be on familiar terms with Ashton, anticipating that Ashton would toss his keys. He grabbed them easily when they soared through the air in his direction.

“Very well. Have a good evening, miss.” The doorman bowed respectfully.

“You too. It was nice to meet you. I’m Sophie, by the way.” Sophie offered her hand. The man seemed amused as he accepted her hand.

“Charles, but you can call me Alfred if you like. Ashton seems to think it more fitting. I won’t tell you what I call him. I fear it would not be appropriate for a lovely lady such as you to hear. Though, I will tell you it is definitely not Bruce Wayne.” He winked.

“Hey now. Be nice. Don’t scare her off.” Ashton reached over and grabbed Sophie’s hand, pulling her along with him. Another man was holding the main doors open for them as they walked toward the entrance.

“Where are we?” Sophie whispered, walking into the grand building. A beautifully decorated lounge presented before them—it looked professionally decorated with exquisite art covering the walls and a large desk made of marble stretched out to the left with a woman sitting behind it. The building was impressive.

“Good evening, Mr. King.” The woman behind the counter practically salivated as they walked past. Sophie watched the woman’s eyes linger on Ashton.

“Evening.” Ashton nodded as he kept his pace quick. Ashton seemed oblivious to her interest. Sophie decided against acknowledging the woman, whose thoughts were written all over her face.

“This is where I live. Well, on the top floor, actually.” He pressed the elevator button impatiently.

When the elevator doors opened, Ashton pulled her inside. Sophie looked around the mirrored interior. She looked up and caught his darkened eyes locked on her in their reflection, his jaw clenching. Her face heated from the intention that was painted on his expression. As soon as the doors closed completely his hands were on her. Her bag dropped to the floor and he lifted her up easily, pinning her between his hard body and the cool mirrored wall. He greedily roamed her body with his hands. His fingers reached under the hem of her shirt and browsed her sensitive flesh teasingly.

“Should we be doing this? There might be cameras in here or something.” Sophie panted from the desire that now coursed through her, robbing her of breath.

“There are cameras but I don’t fucking care. I can’t wait to touch you.”

“Ashton!” Sophie gasped, trying to pull her shirt back down and right herself. The elevator beeped and the doors began to open. Ashton reached down for her bag before he turned around and grabbed Sophie, throwing her over his shoulder.

“What are you doing?” Sophie couldn’t help the laughter that spilled from her.

“Taking you to my bed,” Ashton announced. Sophie looked around at the beautiful foyer that presented before two grand white doors. Ashton pushed a sequence of numbers into a keypad before he opened the door and walked in.

His hand cupped her bottom under her shorts and she squealed out in laughter. “Ashton! Put me down. I want to see your place.” From what Sophie could see from her view over Ashton’s shoulder the place was wonderful. Full height windows ran along the outside wall, giving an incredible view of the city below.

“Sure. You can see my place but we start with my room,” he said playfully. Sophie screamed when he dropped her on the bed.

“Is this how you bring all the girls into your place?” Sophie laughed as she sat up on his bed.

“I have never brought another girl to this place before. You are the only girl I want in my bed.” Ashton leaned down to kiss her lips. The city lights shone in the massive window that covered an entire wall in his room, casting a glow over his body. She ran her fingers over the magnificent bone structure of his cheek. She couldn’t help but appreciate his perfection.

Sophie pulled away from the kiss. Reaching down, she pulled her shirt up over her head. “I want you,” Sophie whispered as she let him take in her flesh. She pulled the straps of her bra down off her shoulders before reaching back and unclasping it.

“I want you more,” he whispered, watching her. Sophie was driven by the heat and the desire to be with him that overcame her.

Sophie slipped off his bed and stood in front of the window so she was cast in the lights that shone upon them. She unbuttoned her shorts and slid them down the length of her legs. Her panties followed. She stood in front of him completely naked and heated with the need for his touch. “Don’t move,” she whispered as she approached him.

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.