by Nina Levine
“Hang on.” I get up, go to the fridge, and take out the bottle of wine. I open the cupboards. Shit. Why didn't I ever take the time to buy some wine glasses? Now I have literal hotel royalty in my apartment, and all I have is a standard drinking glass.
I pour her a wine and take it to her with the bottle.
“Sorry.” I wrinkle my nose. “I don’t have wine glasses.”
She accepts the glass and takes a sip. “Still tastes the same.” She smiles at me, taking my hand into her lap as I sit down closer to her.
“So, I started an online clothing business. I had the know-how and the means to do it, and it took off right away. Being I didn't want it to be successful just on my name, I never told anyone I was behind the company.”
“Would I have heard of this business?”
“Maybe. Have you heard of Gold Apparel?”
“Actually, I have. You have that catchy ad on the radio?”
“Yes, that’s us.” She squeezes my hand, her face lighting up. “When my father didn’t employ me, my mother had me helping her with her charity events. She was grooming me to be a trophy wife. I did that for a few months, but after a while, I found I needed more. I needed to work. So, I put my business degree to use and started the online clothing store. Online, you can be anonymous, and I used that to my advantage. When the business started picking up, I tried to get out of playing the dutiful daughter and going to all the events with my parents, but they brushed my business off as nonsense. I had to hire a manager to help me out so, that times I couldn't be there, my business was still moving along. When Thomas proposed, my parents were over the moon, and talk of us taking over the hotel empire when my father retired began. But I found out a few days ago that he actually wanted Thomas to take over and not me, his own flesh and blood.”
She shakes her head and drinks the rest of her glass. I lean over and top it off for her.
“I think running has been in my head for some time. I know what you must be thinking, poor little rich gir—”
I don't let her finish and pull her into my lap, her legs straddling mine. Her eyes go wide, so I rub her back, making sure she doesn’t move. Her hands seem to automatically go to my chest, like we’ve done this for years and not only a day.
“I don’t think that at all. Keep going.”
She takes a deep breath, relaxing a little on the exhale. “Growing up, I always wanted to be an adult, to be able to do what I want to, when I want to. But growing up hasn't been like that at all. My mother and father expect me to be just like them. They were the ones who pushed Thomas to propose, and I thought that's what I wanted too. I was so busy this past year, planning my wedding because my mother tried to take over, and it would have been a massive affair if I didn’t step in, and nothing at all what I wanted it to be. Between running my business, keeping up with appearances for my parents at events, and planning my wedding, that hardly left any time for Thomas and me to spend together.” She tenses in my arms, her eyes looking over my shoulder. “Maybe that's why he… and walking down those stairs… I didn’t want to be married to someone who could—”
I gently grip her chin and bring her face down so her blue eyes are on me.
“I know my father has had mistresses, and mother just looks the other way, but I can’t do that,” she finishes in a mumble.
Anger boils inside of me; what drop kick would cheat on a woman like this?
“Babe—”
“We haven't made love for nearly a year. He never touches me, says it's me, that I’m frigid.”
She is anything but. The way she responds to me, the passion I see in her eyes whenever she’s in my arms. I’m going to show her that she is a very passionate woman.
7
Sofia Winters
Oh God. I have known this man for all of a day, and I’ve just blurted out my life story to him. I try to get off his lap, but he tightens his hold on me.
“No, you don’t. I like you right here.”
When I stop trying to move away from him, his hands move to my hips, his thumb rubbing the exposed skin just above the waistline of my jeans. It feels nice, familiar. Which seems so odd considering I’ve only known this man for a day.
“Now, we both know there is nothing wrong with you. Your fiancé is the loser here for blaming you.” He shakes his head.
“Ex,” I say.
“He was the problem, not you, babe. I didn't burn up those sheets on my own last night.”
My cheeks start to heat.
Jett's hands cup my face. “You are a breathtakingly beautiful, seductive, sensual woman, and don’t let any guy tell you any different.”
“Thank you.” I gently touch my lips to his. “I don’t know what I’m going to do. I just need time away from them. My father was furious on the phone earlier today, especially when I said I needed time. If my being here is too much, I can go and stay at a hotel. But if I do, they'll be able to track me down.”
Jett’s hand grips my neck as he pulls our faces close enough our lips are just touching. “I am happy with you staying here as long as you need.” His mouth is back on mine, his tongue pushing my mouth open as he gains entry, our tongues dancing together. But he pulls apart abruptly and leans his forehead against mine as I try to slow down my breathing. I have never had such a need for another person as I do with him. He makes me lose control, and I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.
“Do you want the first shower?” he asks.
I sit up straight. “Um… sure.” I bite my lip as thoughts of Jett's strong, wide, naked chest with water slicing down…
He stands up, his hands sliding under my thighs as I wrap them around his waist.
“If you keep looking at me like that, I’ll end up in the shower with you.” He taps my ass, and I drop my legs down. He spins me around, pushing me into the bathroom before closing the door behind him.
I have the world's quickest shower and jump out. Jett only has shampoo. Who doesn't have conditioner?
Wrapping a towel around my hair, I secure a second towel—that only just covers me—around my body. And that’s when I remember I didn't bring any clean clothes in here with me. The thought of putting on my dirty ones makes me shudder. My only option is to go out there, where Jett’s hungry eyes will devour me.
You can do this, go out there, grab your bags and come back. No eye contact. In and out.
I open the door and peek out. Not seeing him, I tiptoe, holding onto the towel just above my breasts. I cannot afford to lose this towel.
When I get to the sofa, I see the bags are not there. I spin around and don’t see any of them.
“Hey.”
I spin around, and Jett’s eyes drop down to my chest, then slowly down my legs and back up before they land on my face.
“I put your bags in my room. Thought they would be better in there.” He stays where he is, so I take a step forward and hear him groan before he walks quickly into the bathroom, slamming the door closed.
A smile forms on my face at the heat I felt coming from Jett. He makes me feel sexy in a way no one has before.
I find a pair of sleep shorts and a matching shirt and put them on. Then I find some strawberry lotion in one of the bags. I rest my foot on the bed and lather my leg up. When I’m on to the other leg, Jett walks in. I abruptly stop, frozen by the view in front of me. Wow! He only has on PJ pants. His feet and chest are bare. He’s drying his hair with a towel, and a few droplets of water that I want to lick fall onto his chest.
My eyes trail the droplets. He grins, knowing where my mind went.
“Bathroom's free. I put the hair dryer on the counter for you. And before you ask, it’s old and belongs to my mom.”
Trying to seem unaffected by his partial nakedness, I rub some lotion on my arms. “Thank you.”
“Meet me on the sofa; I’ll find a movie we can watch.”
“That sounds great.”
I rush through drying my hair, then step back into the living room, wh
ich now smells like popcorn.
Hearing me approach, Jett pats the couch. “Come on, princess, sit down.”
A glass of wine, a beer, and a soda sit on the coffee table, a huge bowl of popcorn rests on Jett’s lap. How sweet.
I walk around the couch and laugh as I take a seat on the opposite end.
“What are you doing over there?”
I look at him, and he pats the spot beside him.
I shuffle over, tucking my legs underneath me, and he wraps his arm around my shoulders. Pulling me into his side.
Lifting the remote, he flicks through some shows and comes across one of my favorite movies. “Oooh The Wedding Singer.”
He turns his head. “You want to watch a wedding movie?”
“Yes, it’s a good movie.”
“Okay, but if anyone asks, I didn't watch this.”
“Okay, Mr. Tough Guy.” I chuckle and scoop a mouthful of popcorn.
I have to say, having never snuggled up to a man, watching a movie on the couch is fun. I don’t know why I've never done this before. It’s relaxing.
Halfway through the movie, Jett places the empty popcorn bowl down. When he sits back, he shuffles us so he is lying down on the sofa, me on my side, half-splayed over him. His body moves in laughter, and I’m happy he seems to be enjoying the movie.
After not getting much sleep last night, and a night of drinking, my eyelids start to close. I have no idea how much time passes when I’m lifted into his arms and carried to the bedroom. My arms tighten around his neck, my nose tucked into his chest. He places me onto the bed, his body wrapping around mine before he kisses me on the head. And then nothing as I drift into a peaceful slumber.
I lean back in Jett’s office chair, my phone in my hand. I spent yesterday in the garage’s office. After spending the first hour going through my emails, I couldn't take the mess anymore. So, I spent all morning sorting through the piles of paperwork, dusting, and cleaning. Jett came in with lunch and shook his head, saying I shouldn't have. But when I work, I like to have a clean space.
My phone beeps again, alerting me to yet another text message. Looking down at my phone, I see it's Thomas again. His messages started yesterday. They’ve been getting angrier and angrier with a side of meanness. Not one message asks if I’m okay. I mean, I know I’m the one who left, and I may have only spoken to my father and maybe that makes me a chicken, but I knew he would try to talk me into going back, and I want to avoid that. I know what I want now, and it’s not the life I would have if I chose to marry him.
I read the messages and frown, two arriving consecutively.
Thomas: Listen here, Sofia, you need to come back. TODAY!!
Thomas: This isn’t funny. We had plans. Plans where I became CEO of Winters Hotels. CALL ME!!
Urgh, what an ass. Did he ever love me? Or the whole time we were together, all he saw in me was dollar signs and a way of becoming CEO?
I lock my phone, not wanting to deal with him. All he cares about is how me leaving looks for him. How it affects his future at Winters Hotels.
I scream out loud as I turn my phone facedown on the desk.
“Well, hello, beautiful.” Jett walks in, taking a seat across from me. He's changed his clothes from the jeans and tee he was wearing this morning. He now has on leather pants, a white tee, and a leather vest.
“Hi.” I take a sip of my water, keeping my eyes on him.
He leans forward, nods to my phone. “Anything I can help you with?”
I shake my head and lean back in the chair. There’s something different about him. I may have only known Jett a few days, but this guy holds himself differently.
“You're not, Jett.”
“What makes you say that?” He raises his eyebrows and starts wiggling them, making me laugh.
“You hold yourself differently, and Jett doesn't dress like that.”
“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?” He stands up, posing with his hand on his hip, before turning around. He is well-built like Jett, but this isn’t him.
I laugh out loud. “You look fine and you know it. Shall we add cockiness to your differences?”
He sits back down, chuckling in a deep baritone.
“Maybe you should kiss me, you know, to prove to you I'm Jett.”
My cheeks warm, and he grins at me, knowing exactly what he’s doing.
“Nice try, but no, thank you. Is there something I can help you with?”
“Mm, I can think of several things you could help me with.”
I roll my eyes; he really is incorrigible.
“So, what’s your name, Casanova?” I finally ask him.
Leaning across the desk, he offers his hand. “Name’s Declan, the better-looking brother.” He winks as he shakes my hand, tugging me forward as he brings it to his lips.
My phone buzzes again, both our eyes zeroing in on it.
“Hey, Sofia, sorry I was gone for so long.” Jett walks in, eyeing his brother, and makes his way to my side. “Declan.”
“Jett. I was just enjoying this sexy woman you’ve been hiding here.”
“Dec,” Jett warns, his tone a little tense.
I rub his arm. “Declan here was trying to convince me he was you.”
He looks down at me and smiles. “Was he?”
Declan grins. “And if you had come in a few minutes later, I would have convinced her too. By kissing her, I could have swayed her.”
“There was not going to be any kissing. I bet you guys pulled this sort of thing in high school, didn’t you?”
They have matching grins.
“You guys are terrible.” I log off of Jett’s computer and stand, taking my phone in my hand. “I should let you guys catch up.”
Jett stops me by taking hold of my arm. “You don't need to leave.”
“That’s okay, I’ve done enough work for today.”
Declan stands too. “I didn't mean to chase you away; I was just playing around.”
“You’re not chasing me away, but I do need to make a phone call.” I shake my phone as I walk around the desk.
“Well, in that case, it was nice meeting you, Sofia. I hope to see you again soon.” He puts his hands on my arms and pulls me in closer, kissing me on the cheek.
Oh wow! These guys could charm the panties off any woman they want, let alone back when they were younger. But now, all muscled-up, with facial hair, they are both eye-catching. But when I look at Declan, I don’t get the same butterflies I do when I see Jett. Which is weird because they have to be identical twins.
“It was lovely to meet you too.”
I open the door as Jett says, “I’ll see you upstairs.”
I smile and make my way into the apartment. Deciding to check my phone later, I take a quick shower and put on my pajamas.
After filling up a glass of wine, I take a seat on the sofa, feeling more relaxed, so I check my phone and see Maya has messaged me, checking in. I send her a reply, then take a sip of my wine.
The door opens. “Hey, Sofia.” He looks down at my pajamas. “I see you're ready for a night in?”
“Yeah, sorry, did you want to go out?”
“Yes. I told Declan we’ll meet him for dinner and drinks at Roxie’s. But I can cancel.” He pulls out his phone.
I place my glass on the coffee table and stand up, my hands going over his as he unlocks his phone. “No, don’t do that. You should go.”
He tilts his head down. “I’m happy to stay.”
“I've already disrupted your life enough by crashing here for a few days. You should go, hang out with your brother.”
“Okay. I’ll go get you some dinner before I go.”
I put my arms around his neck, and his hands come to rest on my waist. “Jett, I can look after myself for a night. We stocked the fridge yesterday, remember?”
“You sure?”
I touch my mouth to his, sliding my tongue against his lips until he opens up. He takes over, deepening the kiss, my hands t
hreading through his hair as his hands slide down to squeeze my ass. He smells like motor oil, and his body is wonderfully warm and hard, pressed against mine.
As much as I want him again, I break the kiss. “I’m sure.”
He kisses me again, this time short and quick, then rests his forehead against mine. “I’m going to jump into the shower and then I’ll go have a quick dinner and beer with the boys. I want to come home to you in my bed, naked. And if you’re not naked, I’ll be forced to punish you.”
His commanding but gentle tone sends a shiver running down my body. I’ve never had a man talk to me in that way, and I feel myself getting wet at the thought of being naked like he asked and waiting for him to come home. I have never felt such an attraction to a man before. It’s almost as if I need to have him more than my next breath.
As a reminder of his threat, he playfully smacks my bottom before walking away. I pick up my glass and sit back down, my body still tingling. As a distraction, I pick up my phone.
I shouldn’t have.
Thomas: I have had enough, Sofia. You WILL come back, or I will leak that sex tape we made.
And just like that, all my good feelings are gone.
8
Jett Reed
“Whoa, what did that wrench ever do to you, boss?”
I throw the offending tool down. “What the fuck do you want, Ryder?” I stand up to my full height, only slightly taller than him, my eyes go to his but not before I see the other guys duck for cover.
“The guys voted for me to come talk to you. They're all too scared to go anywhere near you. What’s going on?”
“Nothing. And we’re too busy for you girls to be wasting time gossiping,” I grumble, not caring that I’m being rude. I know I’ve been clanging and banging the tools all morning; nothing's going right for me.
I storm off to my office, needing to get away from him and all the other glaring eyes on me. I slam the door shut and pull down the blinds. After I walk to my desk, I take my hat off, slapping it down. I sigh, sitting back in my chair and closing my eyes.