Page 15 of Chasing Sophia

“Thank you.” There’s a clear satisfaction in her voice. “I told her about you today, so of course she now wants to meet you. I thought, what better way than over Christmas dinner?”

“I love the way your brain works, firecracker. Now about tonight…”

***

Sophia lies in my arms against the fireplace in her living room. As soon as we stepped inside the house, I couldn’t wait, and from the way she tugged on my clothes, she felt the same. I took her against the door, on the couch, on the thick rug, and now I’m loving the feel of her naked skin against mine as we lie peacefully before the soft crackling of burning wood.

“I love this.” I take a deep breath.

She burrows herself more into me, and her words muffle against my skin. “Don’t get too comfortable. My roommates will be back after the holidays.”

“I’m not looking forward to it.”

She chuckles and looks up. “I love your pout.” Her finger traces my lips, and I kiss it.

“Men don’t pout.”

She laughs some more. “Don’t worry, your masculinity isn’t being called into question right now. Even Miss Tee was asking about you today.”

“You met with Miss Tee?” I jerk up, sitting straighter.

She nods. “It seems the time of mingling is over.” Her hands twist the side of the throw blanket spread over us. “They invited all the contestants for an impromptu performance.”

I tighten my hold on her. “I’m sure you were great.”

“How do you know? You haven’t even heard me play.” Even though her words are lighthearted, the expression on her face is serious.

“That’s true. But if I know one thing, babe, you don’t do things half-assed. As much as I admire this quality, it also scares the hell out of me.” I throw my head back and stare at the roof, dreading the day when my reality is exposed to her.

“Scare?” She turns around to face me fully. “I have a hard time believing anything scares you, Asher.”

“It didn’t used to.” I bring my gaze back on her face and clear my throat once to get rid of the foreign, cold heaviness gripping my chest. “But for some reason, I’m scared at the thought that if you ever chose to hate me, I might never get you back.”

“Asher! Why would you say something like this? I love…” Her eyes widen, and my grip on her tightens.

“Finish the sentence, Soph.”

She swallows hard and her blue eyes gleam, matching the burning fire before us. “I… I love… everything about you.”

“And I love you.”

“Ash.” She closes her eyes, leaving me bereft of her tender gaze. “This is too fast.”

“I don’t care. I’ve never felt anything like this before. If you need time, take it. But I’m sure about you—about us, Soph.”

Her breath hitches, and her hands lock around my neck. “You sure?”

“I don’t have a single ounce of doubt.” But I understand her hesitation. This isn’t just fast. Our attraction is like a rolling snowball, growing every second. “Now, tell me about this impromptu performance.”

“I think I played well.” She releases a sigh. “I’m sure they’d have already selected the performers. I really want this part, Asher.”

“You’ll be in it, baby.”

The next day,I’m sitting in my office with the invitation letter in my hand, staring at the contact number of the organizing committee printed in gold ink. I hesitate for a few seconds, my brain screaming at me,Don’t do it.

I’m just asking the results for fuck’s sake. It’s harmless.

“Hello, this is Jurgen Kaufmann. How can I help you?”

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