Page 45 of Saving Sophia

“Yes,” I breathed, the tiny hairs along my neck charged with his electric touch. That glorious whoosh of acceleration rushed through me, heady and strong, but then a nervous laugh bubbled out followed by my most random thought.

“It just sounds too good to be true.”

I opened my eyes, sucked air through my teeth, trying to take it back and cursing my stupid mouth.

“Does it?” His hand slipped from my neck to my waist, and he pulled his body back an inch. An inch that felt like a chasm opening between us.

“Well ...” I hesitated. “Isn’t that the fantasy? To be taken care of by a big, strong, handsome man?”

His low laugh filled the chasm. “Giving up control is a gift.” He stroked my cheek. “A precious one. Not always easy.” He pulled me snug against him again, his fingers stroking my tummy and sending the butterflies flying everywhere. “Letting someone else take control takes a different kind of strength.”

I rested my hands on his, our fingers barely interlacing. His thumbs continued tracing my skin. I almost swooned at the feathery touch.

“Are you ready for another step?” He leaned in, close to my ear again. I stopped breathing.

“Yes,” I whispered.

He kissed my temple and let me go, turning to go back inside. “Then it’s time for bed, baby girl. Aunt Carol needs you early tomorrow. If you’re good, I might have a little surprise for you after your shift.”

Dazed at his abrupt change, I could only repeat one word. “Surprise?”

“Yep, but only if you behave,” he said over his shoulder. “Now, go make up the couch for bed.”

The couch? I was sleeping on the couch? What just happened? I wanted to spend the night in his bed. I stood in the doorway, blinking back my disappointment.

“See?” His rich chuckle brought my eyes to his. “It’s not so easy to submit when you have other ideas.” He took my hand, pulled me into a warm hug and whispered, “There’s plenty of time for fun and games. Now go and do as I said.” He kissed me quickly, enough to make my heartbeat double up but not offering anything further. “If you hurry, we can get a chapter or two of A Ruthless Choice in before lights out.”

I scurried to comply, my mind churning. I wanted to argue. To complain. To pick up where we left off. But the lesson wasn’t lost on me. Taking control was about more than taking me to bed. Not what I expected, but I had to admit I liked it.

14

SOPHIA

I was still thinking about Ethan’s lesson the next day in Aunt Carol’s back office when her cheerful voice broke through my thoughts. “Finishing up, Sophia?”

I stared at my notebook. There were at least a million things we needed to do to get the café up and running. Being a waitress had been hard, physical work. This was hard too, but different. Keeping track of things. Managing details. And I was starting to suspect I might actually be good at it.

“Yes, ma’am,” I said as I tucked my notes in a desk drawer and joined her in the kitchen.

“Just in time,” Aunt Carol said. “Ethan’s here for you.”

I couldn’t stop the grin from expanding across my face.

“You guys look happy together,” she commented, her hands tucked into the back pockets of her jeans.

“Oh,” I said quickly, “I’m not sure if we’re … together.”

“Well, you should check a mirror. It’s written all over your face,” she said kindly. “And I can’t remember the last time he’s looked so happy.”

“He wants to take things slow.” I blushed and picked at the drawstring of my cropped, black-and-white-striped pants.

“That’s wise.” She shifted on her feet. “But don’t you worry, honey. Ethan’s a good man, and I’m not only saying that because he’s my son.”

“It’s amazing that you took them all in.” I meant it, and it was a convenient way to steer the conversation away from Ethan and me.

“Those boys are our pride and joy. Joe and I were lucky to have them.” Her bright blue eyes went soft when she spoke her late husband’s name. No more than a moment, and then she blinked, giving me a shooing motion. “Now get out of here. Go have some fun while the sun’s still shining.”

I surprised myself by giving her a hug on my way out to the front of the café. She hugged me right back, warm and full of affection I didn’t even know I’d been missing.

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