Page 38 of Saving Sophia

“Sophia.” He would growl out my name, making me squirm against his hand as his fingers plunged deeper.

“Sophia.” He would demand my attention as I gave myself over to him, releasing a cry of satisfaction.

“Ethan,” I sighed out loud, my legs shaking, my whole body trembling.

“Sophia? You okay?” He called again from the other side of the bathroom door. His real voice, not my fantasy, calling me.

My eyes flew open, and I dropped my hands to my sides like a guilty child.

“Umm … yes, sure, be right out!” Did I actually call out his name? I rinsed the last of the soap off and watched it swirl down the drain, envious of its escape.

So what if he did hear?

The new little voice challenged me. Maybe it was Amber Jade, and maybe she was right. He wanted to kiss me. He hadn’t allowed me to be embarrassed, even after I clung to a sandwich then threw myself into his arms. If I wanted to do the things he had in mind, if I wanted to do complicated, I would have to be bold. Maybe this was a good start.

12

ETHAN

I made my calls, but my mind kept wandering to her, wet and naked in the shower. Nothing but a flimsy bathroom door between us. I wanted to be in that hot water with her, learning more about her body than the first sample I got when she jumped into my lap and kissed me, her sweet mouth opening and letting me in.

When she pressed tight against me, I knew.

No hesitation.

She would be mine.

Based on her reading preferences and all of her reactions, I was even more convinced she had a delightful Little side longing to be coaxed out. But she also seemed vulnerable and alone, for reasons I didn’t yet fully understand. If I was going to pursue this, I needed to be careful. She needed gentle handling.

She opened the bathroom door, fresh-faced and dewy, and my heart skipped. She wore a navy-blue, slouchy T-shirt with a minimal outline of a sleeping cat’s face and matching blue drawstring shorts edged with white scalloped lace.

“Sorry … I was just taking a shower,” she said. “No need to worry or anything. If you thought you heard something.” Her cheeks turned that delicate pink that delighted me. She was flustered. And sorry. Always sorry. That was something we’d need to work on.

“What do you think I heard?” I asked.

“I … we …” She twisted her hands together, looking around the living room, avoiding me.

Suddenly it clicked.

Had my naughty little Sophia been replaying our kiss in the shower? My dick roared to life at the possibility. Her sweet embarrassment only made it hotter. She was so fucking adorable. I smiled at her without comment, letting her suffer for one more delicious moment before letting her off the hook.

“Wine?” I offered.

“Yes, wine would be good.” She trotted over and sat on the couch, tucking her feet beneath her and clutching onto the armrest like a shield while I grabbed one of the bottles Evie brought over. I poured two glasses, the dark red liquid sparkling in the late afternoon light.

I sat on the other end of the couch, leaving space between us, stretching my legs out toward the coffee table and crossing my feet at the ankles.

She clutched her glass, taking a big swig then grimacing and offering me a comically fake smile. “This is yummy,” she gasped out.

Adorable little fibber. I stifled the urge to call her out and threaten a spanking. Patience.

“So …” She swirled the wine around in her glass, watching it like a kitten watching a twirling feather. She was exquisite.

“Would you like to play a game?” I asked. Her eyes flicked to the stack of old board games on a nearby bookshelf. My lips twitched up. “A getting-to-know-you kind of game. Sometimes it’s easier to learn about someone with games. And wine.” I tipped my glass at her and took a drink.

“Okay.” She mimicked my sip then wrinkled her nose.

“Have you ever played Would You Rather?” I rested my elbow on the arm of the couch. When she shook her head, I continued. “I’ll give you a choice, and you have to say which you’d rather. Then we switch.” She clutched her glass and held it up to her mouth, watching me, not drinking. I forced my face to stay serious. “Want to try a practice round?”

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