Page 10 of Chasing Sophia

I pull her close inch by inch, determined to see past the tall walls of self-preservation. Everyone hides their true self, and I’m eager to see Sophia’s, a woman who is making a permanent place for herself in my heart.

When I pull back, she whimpers, inflating my ego a bit more. I caress her chin and then her slender neck, stopping at the soft fabric of her red scarf. “I don’t want you to think I’m only here for sex.”

Her breath hitches at my words, pink drifting across her cheeks.

“I want more with you.” It takes all my courage and strength to lean across her seat and open her door. But she makes no effort to step out, as if she doesn’t want to leave me either. “My control is razor thin when it comes to you, Soph. If you keeplooking at me with thatplease, fuck melook on your face, I won’t take the blame for my next actions.”

She sucks in a breath, her wide eyes focused on me for a second before they close. My lips twitch when I notice her counting to ten on her fingers. Those blue orbs latch on to me once again, her fire back. “You have too much ego, Asher.” Despite her words, there’s an underlying tremble in her voice, telling me she’s equally affected.

Sophia steps out, and I watch her amble toward her home. When she reaches the iron gate of the last house, she gently waves at me under the golden glow of the streetlight. I leave her street, reminding my pounding heart that I’ll see her tomorrow.

I waitin my dad’s office at The Queen’s, a room reserved for meetings that need extra privacy. The faceted Scotch glass sits before me, untouched. Tonight, I’m high on my firecracker, and no drink can compare to that.

There’s a knock on the door before William walks inside. “I hope my Fiat helped in your quest, sir?”

“It was extremely helpful. So much so, I’d like to loan it for a longer time. You can pick any of the cars from my garage in exchange.”

After I motion for him to take a seat, he sits on the leather armchair. “I don’t go out much, Mr. Miller, and when I do, I prefer walking.”

“You can call me Ashcroft, William. In fact, I’d prefer it.”

“I’m more comfortable with Mr. Miller, sir.”

“Why am I not surprised?” I chuckle and William’s reply is a small grin. “She’s agreed to go out for dinner tomorrow, but Ihave no clue where to take her. The places I usually go are not a good fit. For some reason, she hates rich men.”

My jaw clenches both in frustration and displeasure. The moment I saw her, I knew she would prove to be a challenge. What I didn’t realize was how big of a challenge. All my strengths are turning out to be a weakness with her.

William clears his throat. “I’m sorry if I’m overstepping, sir, but my mother used to say that a lie has no legs. It cannot go far.”

“My mother would have said something similar.” I let go of a sigh. “But before I tell her my truth, I need to know the reasons behind her belief.” I change my line of depressing thoughts because they’re simply raising my self-doubt. And it’s confidence that has taken me where I am today. “Where would you take a girl for a good time, William?”

Unexpectedly, William lips purse and I spot a chink in his calm demeanor. “I’m of no help to you on this matter, sir. I wouldn’t know where to take a girl for a good time.” His sharp gaze tells me more than he’s saying with words. “It’s been years since I went out… with a guy, and those days are past me.”

I’m surprised by William’s uncharacteristic verbosity, but it’s clear how important it is for him that I know about this part of his life. I pick up another glass from the drink table and pour him some Scotch.

He doesn’t hesitate before knocking it off in a gulp. “This isn’t something I share with people. But you’re my employer, like your parents, and in case you have a problem—”

“The only important thing for me is that you are loyal to the Miller family, and the impression I’ve gotten so far is that you’re an asset. My mother knew it, and so did my father.”

William’s bunched shoulders drop, and he says, “Then about your date tomorrow… I might have some thoughts.”

7

SOPHIA

My heart poundsas I walk out of the school. The entire night yesterday, I just tossed and turned in my bed, unable to get Asher and his kiss out of my mind. That man is a wizard, and I’m slowly turning to putty in his hands. All the talks of confidence and self-esteem I impart on my students leave my mind when it comes to him.

I hear the giggles of my students before I see him. Leaning against his Fiat, in black jeans and a pullover, he looks so regal. He might not be rich, but Asher possesses the polished charm of a king. Before my brain starts to doubt, I mumble to myself, “He works in the hospitality industry, for God’s sake, Soph.”

Once the sidewalk is empty and all my students are gone, I walk out of the gate.

“I was getting worried that you planned to stay hidden the whole night.” He gives me that bewitching smile and opens the passenger seat.

Jesus. Why can’t I be better at sneaking around? “I don’t want my students to get any wrong ideas.”

“What if those ideas are true?”

I look out the window, hiding my smile. I don’t need to inflate his ego by telling him how much I like his cockiness.

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