Sophie wrapped her fingers around the whiskey bottle and pulled it toward her. She let the amber liquid fill her cup. The smell made her stomach turn but she wanted to do exactly what Ashton was doing and take the edge off her emotions.

“Ask me truth,” Ashton broke the intense silence.

“No. I don’t want to play.” Sophie tipped her cup up and swallowed the harsh liquid.

“I do. Ask me why I was with Luce.” He grabbed the whiskey and filled his own glass.

“I don’t want to know.” Sophie shook her head. She didn’t want to know anything that involved Lucinda.

“Please.”

Sophie slipped her robe off her shoulders and laid it over the back of her chair. She walked over to Ashton, who was watching her without a word. She slid her leg over him and straddled him in his chair. Looking into his eyes, she ran her fingers through his hair. He closed his eyes and a single tear slipped down his cheek. Sophie leaned in and kissed it away softly. He stayed still beneath her. Opening his eyes, he studied her through a haze of stormy blue.

“I dare you to kiss me,” Sophie whispered. His eyes fell to her lips before he leaned in and took them. Ashton stood up abruptly, taking her with him. Pressing her body into his, he deepened their kiss. He started walking out of the kitchen with Sophie in his arms.

“Where are you taking me?” Sophie whispered.

“To my bed,” Ashton said with purpose.

“Why do you always feel the need to carry me?”

“Because I don’t want to let you go.”

When Ashton laid her upon his bed she was surrounded by his scent like a warm blanket. Ashton slipped her night dress over her head, exposing her. His lips rained her with pleasure as he savored her.

Leaning over her, Ashton looked at her with his mesmerizing blue eyes, searching for answers. Sophie ran her fingers over his cheek and touched his full lips. Her body responded to every touch he gave her. He was a musician and she was his instrument. His expert fingers played into her pleasure like a beautiful song. He took her with sad longing, like he knew that she would still not open her heart to him.

Ashton held her close as he entered her, his usual playful demeanor far from reach. They were both falling apart.

Sophie lay against Ashton’s chest, her body satisfied beyond measure but her heart already mourning him. She’d only given in to her desires one last time. Ashton was quiet as he ran his fingers gently along her back. Sophie didn’t even realize she was crying until Ashton reached down and wiped the tear from her cheek with his thumb.

“I was offered a job contract overseas for an undetermined amount of time,” Ashton said quietly.

“What about your new place?” Sophie turned her body to look up at his face, running her hand along his body, memorizing the feel of him beneath her.

He became quiet for a moment as he trailed his fingers along the curve of her shoulder. “Tell me to stay here with you and not take it.” Ashton reached up and ran his fingers through her hair.

“I can’t do that,” Sophie whispered, another tear escaping her. She sat up and grabbed her night dress and slipped it over her head. Ashton raked his hands over his face and sighed.

“Can’t or won’t?” He leaned up on his elbows.

“Both.”

“Sophie.” Ashton grabbed her wrist, stopping her from climbing off the bed. “I’m in love with you.”

Sophie leaned in and kissed him, desperately savoring his taste with tears blurring her vision. When a sob escaped her lips, she pulled away and from his bed. “I can’t do this if Lucinda is a piece of the puzzle. Can you guarantee me that you will never see Lucinda again and that she doesn’t mean anything to you?”

He didn’t respond immediately. Torment crossed his features. “Tell me you love me and we can figure everything else out. It’s not what you think it is with Lucinda. I just need you to trust me for a little while longer.”

“I can’t.”

“Love me or trust me?”

“Both.”

“Then I guess this is it.” His eyes dropped to his lap. Sophie needed to leave, the room suddenly felt suffocating. Walking across the hall, she closed and locked her door. She climbed into her bed and checked her phone to make sure Margaret didn’t need her before she pulled the covers over her head. She cried until her body gave way to exhaustion and she fell into a sleep consumed with dreams of Ashton.

The next morning Sophie felt like a ghost of herself as she crawled out of bed. She went to check on Margaret, who was still asleep. She pulled the door closed and walked quietly down the stairs and entered the kitchen where Charlotte was baking bread. The smell made her mouth water.

“It smells amazing in here.”

“Are you feeling all right, dear? You look pale.” Charlotte looked at her with concern. “I will put some tea on for you.” Charlotte plugged in the kettle.

“Yes. Just didn’t sleep very well.” Sophie smiled half-heartedly.

“Seems to be a trend this morning. Ashton left a short while ago. It looked like he hadn’t slept at all.” Charlotte shook her head.

“He’s gone?” Sophie frowned.

“Yeah. He said he had to take care of some things before he caught his flight later. He took a job offer that started immediately. He’ll be back for goodbyes later. He didn’t want to wake Margaret too early.”

Sophie suddenly had no appetite. Ashton mentioned a job overseas but she didn’t realize it was so soon. She knew that she should be relieved because this is what she wanted. Ashton admitted that Lucinda still meant something to him but she couldn’t help but feel sick to her stomach. The more she was with him the harder it was to let go.

Charlotte understood Sophie didn’t want to talk, saying no more about it as she set tea in front of Sophie and went about her business. When Sophie finished she went to wake Margaret to ready herself for the nurse’s arrival for a routine checkup.

The day flew by as Sophie’s thoughts were consumed with her pain of knowing that Ashton was leaving. It made her question everything she was doing. His confession of love wound so tightly around her heart. She only wished it was enough for him to walk away from Lucinda but apparently it wasn’t.

Sophie had a meeting with Mr. Heshman midafternoon to view her artwork. She made sure she was back at her apartment with enough time to lay out all her paintings to view easily.

“These are incredible. I would like to display them all,” Mr. Heshman commented as he stood before the work spread out around her apartment. “The colors and the details are amazing. This is exactly what my gallery needs to give it a fresh look.” Mr. Heshman was a tall man with a slim build. His facial hair was trimmed in a very unique manner that gave him an artsy look with his thick framed glasses. He was excitable by nature and warm in his approach. Sophie knew immediately that she liked him. He had a very endearing energy about him.

“Sophie, you are such a pleasure. Thank you for this opportunity. I will arrange someone to pick up these paintings over the next few days and then we will be in contact to discuss appropriate pricing for each piece. I assume you are willing to part with everything should the price meet your satisfaction?”

“Of course. Except for one painting. I don’t wish to sell this piece.” Sophie indicated the painting of Ashton that drew her eye no matter where she was in her apartment.

“Ah…this one holds special meaning,” Mr. Heshman acknowledged with understanding. “Well, I would love to display it regardless. If you are willing to part with it temporarily, that is?”

“Yes. That would be fine,” Sophie agreed.

“It was a pleasure, Sophie. I would be interested in showing any future pieces that you create. Please be in touch. I think this arrangement will suit us both very well if your work is received as well as I anticipate. I have been in this business long enough to recognize unique and wonderful talent when I see it. I would also like to set up a photo shoot to get your picture taken. People are always interested in discovering the artist behind the canvas and you my dear, are too lovely not to show off.”