It’s four thirty p.m. by the time I park the car in the drive and I would have to admit I feel exhausted and hungry. Neither of us managed any lunch and very little breakfast. So it comes as no surprise.
“Are you okay?” Sophie asks.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Although we should’ve gone shopping today, we have very little in.”
“I think we should order take-out for dinner and go online and do some shopping.”
“We could, but we don’t even have milk or bread,” I tell her.
“I’m sure we have wine in the fridge, that’s all we need for tonight. Now, come on let’s get inside. I don’t know about you, but I want to shut myself away from the world until tomorrow and then I want to spend the day with just you and Lucy,” she tells me with a kiss.
We go inside and I phone for Chinese whilst Sophie opens the wine. I’ve probably ordered far too much for just the two of us.
“You want to pick out a movie or find something on the TV to watch and I will go grab a quick shower before dinner arrives?”
“On you go up. Me, and this bottle of wine we will still be here waiting on you,” she says. It would be all too easy to ask her to join me in the shower. But I think a few minutes on my own is what I need to wash the day away.
“Thank you,” I say giving her a kiss before leaving to have my shower.
“Hey,” I say walking into the living room.
“Dinner is in the kitchen. Are you feeling better?”
“Yes. Sorry I needed to wash away the day.”
“I understand, don’t apologise to me. Now I’m going to go grab a quick shower if you want to put out some food?”
“Go, but be quick.”
I go into the kitchen; Sophie has left the bags on the table. I was right, there is far too much food here for us. Oh well, it can go in the fridge for tomorrow. It feels strange not having Lucy here, but I’m looking forward to a quiet relaxing night. Especially given everything that’s happened in the last thirty-six hours.
I quickly text Michael because I don’t want to bother Libby;
How is Libby? Any positive news about Alex?
Straight away he replies;
No change with Alex and that is frustrating and Libby well you know her better than me. She is insistent on going to work tomorrow. But at the moment she is in her room and won’t speak to anyone including Joan.
Me; Maybe it’s the best thing for her to do. It would give her something to occupy her mind.
Michael; You might be right. Try not to worry about Libby Joan and I are here.
Me; Thanks I owe you a beer or two.
I finish what I was meant to be doing and take two plates into the living room, just as Sophie walks down the stairs wearing just shorts and a vest. She looks fucking great. Her smile is really cute. Yeah, I’m going to enjoy our night.
“Did you find anything for us to watch?” I ask.
“Nothing just now. There are a couple of movies on later we could watch,” she says switching the television on. The early evening news is on and guess what is on? Yeah, the press conference from earlier. On a positive note, it does look good for us, although they are questioning the reporter that fired all the questions at Sophie. It seems he’s in for a rough ride with the media. The other positive from watching this is there is no mention of Alex’s accident.
“This is good,” says Sophie as she eats. The food and wine is good, but my company is better. “Why is this the first time I’ve had Chinese here?”
“I don’t know, but it won’t be the last.”
“No, it won’t. I’m thinking about going for lunch with my parents, or at least my mom tomorrow.”
“Okay, that will give her something to look forward to with everything going on with Libby and Alex.”
“It might, although she won’t be happy with what I am going to tell her.” I have an idea of what that is; the same thing she wanted to tell them both the other night. About her staying here in Scotland with me.
“Are you sure?” I ask. I want her to be totally sure she’s doing the right thing.
“Of course I am. My life belongs with you and Lucy, so it’s time I told them. I’m sure after today they both already know it’s coming.”
“I suppose you’re right.”
We carry on eating in an understanding comfortable silence, until we are both full. There is a lot of food going in the fridge until either later tonight or tomorrow. We both clear everything away to the kitchen; Sophie knows I hate getting up to a mess in the morning. I take another bottle of wine from the fridge and take it with me when we go back into the living room.
Sophie curls up on the couch. I switch off all the lights bar one, a small table lamp in the corner. It provides a soft glow in the room. Sophie moves, I sit down and she tucks herself in beside me.
Snuggling in.
Moments like this between us, I crave. Maybe it’s because this has been missing in my life for so long. Even with Lindsay, moments like this never came around.
With Sophie settled in my arms, we decide to watch a movie. I twist a few strands of her hair through my fingers over and over. I need this tonight.
Me and Sophie.
Just the two of us.
I’m more than happy just to hold her close to me for the rest of tonight and not worry about a thing. The rest of the world can wait until tomorrow.
I’M SITTING AT THE TABLE with my coffee cup in hand reflecting on these last three weeks. It’s going to take more than one cup to keep me alert for the rest of the day. This is going to be a hard day for everyone.
Sophie, Lucy and I have fallen into a routine these last three weeks. Or rather we have got Lucy into a great routine, her bedtime is back to normal now, meaning we get a few hours to ourselves most nights. I say most nights because there is still the whole situation going on between Libby and Alex.
It’s great going to bed every night with Sophie and waking up with her arms and legs tangled around me. She has even started getting up a little earlier so we can enjoy some quality time together before we both start our day.
And I love how we now start our days.
There’s no better feeling in the world than having both Sophie and Lucy in my life. I count myself a very lucky man. I’ve been given a second chance at happiness and I’ve grabbed it with both hands. What’s the point in worrying about what others think?
My motto; Live life for now.
I’ve been up for a few hours now. I couldn’t sleep, too much going through my mind. Sophie tossed and turned all night, so I’m leaving her sleeping. Lucy stayed at my parents’ last night, they’ve not had her much these weeks with one thing and another. Alex’s memory hasn’t returned and he is going home with his parents. It’s a bloody awful situation for everyone. Michael is going to stay on here for a bit, to run the business for him. I know Sophie isn’t looking forward to seeing Alex. She has avoided visiting him and Libby. She says she doesn’t know what to say to Libby and as for Alex she is angry with him.
Well, it has to be said Libby is now not coping, she was up until a few days ago. She paid Alex a visit and it didn’t go well. If I thought for one minute he was treating her this way on purpose I would fucking kill him for what she is going through. These last few weeks she has kept herself busy and hopeful. Busy with work and sneaking into the hospital at night to sit with Alex when he’s been sleeping. But now she has nothing to be hopeful for.
He wants a divorce. He doesn’t see the point in delaying the inevitable.
I suppose it’s the only way either of them will be able to move forward, but I hate seeing my beautiful sister looking so miserable. I have no idea how to help her through this. I’m not strong enough for this.
Sophie has also told her parents that she intends staying here. They both expected it, but Sarah is still upset about it.
My phone rings, picking it up, Michael’s name flashes across the screen. My thoughts go to Libby and the babies.
�
�Michael, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing to worry about.” I draw in a deep breath and relax again. “Look I thought I should tell you, Alex’s memory has returned and he just left hospital to go to Libby.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I said a lot of things I shouldn’t have said to him. I’ve completely overstepped the mark and had taken Libby’s side in everything. He wasn’t happy and got really angry and then suddenly everything started coming back to him. I just wanted to let you and Sophie know,” he tells me.
“So, is it safe to say he’s not going to New York?”
“No, I’ve just cancelled the flights. I think they need time on their own, to try and work this out.”
“I agree, but I need to see Libby and given this turn of events, I hope Sophie will want to see them both now.”
“I’m sure she will. Listen, I will drop you a text maybe we could go over there later. I’m sure your parents will want to see them both as well.”
I laugh. I know my dad will have trouble keeping Mum away. “I’m sure they will. Okay keep me up-dated.”
We end the call.
That has to be the best news I’ve heard in weeks. Libby is getting her happy-ever-after, after all. I put my coffee down and almost fly upstairs, I’m walking that fast. I rush into our bedroom and walk slowly over to the bed. I’m not sure I want to wake her up. I settle myself beside her, propped up on one elbow and just watch her sleeping.
She’s beautiful. Absolutely perfect.
I see the slight flicker of her eyelashes as she starts to wake up.
“Good morning,” Sophie says with a yawn as she stretches. The bed covers fall revealing her naked skin.
“Morning, did you sleep well?” I ask.
“Yeah, when I finally fell over, I did. But now would you care to explain to me why you are up and not in here beside me?”
“I couldn’t sleep, so thought it was better if I didn’t disturb you. You didn’t have a great night.”
“Okay, so that explains why you are up. Now I think you should come back into bed and start my day the right way, with you being buried deep within me.” I gulp hard, I want nothing more right now, but first I have to tell her about Alex. “Well, I’m waiting and not patiently.”
“Sophie, I have news before we do anything.” She now sits up anxiously, pulling the covers up around her waiting to hear my news. “It’s about Alex.”
“What’s wrong? Has something happened? I knew I should’ve gone and visited him . . .”
“Stop, Alex is fine. More than fine.” She looks at me for a split second before realisation hits her. Her eyes light up.
“Really?”
“Yes, Michael called I’m sure he can give you all the details later. All you need to know is that Alex has left hospital to return home to Libby.”
“Oh, my God.” She throws her arms around me and I can feel her wet tears fall on my shoulder. I can only hold her close and she lets her tears fall. “Are they going to be okay?” she asks through her tears.
“I’m sure they will,” I tell her, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. “We can hopefully go and see them both later on.”
“Can we? Because I really need to make up with Libby,” she sobs. I tilt her chin, so that I can see clearly in her eyes. I wipe away the last of her tears.
“You have nothing to make up for. She understands how difficult it has been for you these last few weeks. If anything, she has been worried about you. That’s the thing about my sister she is very understanding.”
“Yeah, I know she is. But she shouldn’t be worrying about me.” She draws in a deep breath and slowly her sadness and fears of only moments ago seems to be vanishing. Only to be replaced with something very different. “Okay, I still want you, Ethan.”
“I always want you,” I tell her, because it’s the truth. Right now I can’t imagine her not being in my life.
Her arms are still around me, she pulls me down toward her and I feel her lips press against mine in a light kiss. Then another and another. Each one becoming deeper and more passionate than the last. I groan into her mouth and push her back onto the bed, before rolling on top of her and crushing her into the mattress.
She is right where I want her.
“I think you are wearing too many clothes,” she smirks, and her eyes go downward. She must feel how hard I am beneath these jogging bottoms. She reaches down and runs her fingers under the waist band.
“Let me worry about that.” I move quickly removing the jogging bottoms before returning to her.
My mouth crashes back against hers and the heat flares between us. I push the covers down, revealing her totally naked body. Nothing separating us. Skin on skin. She wraps her legs around me, pulling me closer. She sucks on my bottom lip, drawing it deeper into her mouth. God, this isn’t where I want to be yet.
Her breasts press hard against my chest, nipples firm. I can’t drag my mouth away from hers. Our kiss is deep and passionate and full of fire.
She grinds her hips against my erection. She wants me inside her. Her breathing has changed, to soft unrecognisable pants. Sexy. That’s how she sounds, sexy as fucking hell.
“I want you inside me,” she says breathlessly.
“Not yet.”
“Please . . .” she pleads with me. I always want to give her exactly what she wants and needs, but right now I think I know what she needs more than herself.
Crawling down the bed, I stop when I’m where I need to be. Because I need to taste her.
“Open your legs,” I say, my breathing becoming faster in anticipation, as she does exactly that.
Lowering my head between her thighs, she groans. God, I’ve not even touched her yet. I steel a glance at her, head back, eyes already closed. Starting slowly, I trace her swollen folds, teasing. Back and forth. I run my tongue up one side of her entrance and back along the other, over and over. She moans and arches her hips closer to my mouth.
She tastes so fucking sweet.
I drive slowly inside her. In and out. Over and over. She wriggles and moans. Each moan getting louder. She grabs my shoulders, her fingernails digging in deep. That is going to leave a mark, but I don’t care. I’m getting too much enjoyment from her enjoyment.
“Oh, God!”
God can’t help her but I can.
Each thrust grows quicker and deeper with each moan she makes. She is so close. But I’m not finished with her yet.
I move my mouth from her entrance, sliding two fingers deep inside. She gasps. My tongue swirls around her clit as my fingers thrust deeper and deeper. Her legs start to tremble and her walls tighten around me. She’s panting now above me; all her control is gone.
I suck hard. She thrusts hard against me, digging her heels into the mattress as her orgasm tears through her. Calling my name loudly. I reach out and hold onto her hips keeping her firmly in place. Holding her still as I continue licking and sucking, as she rides out the aftershocks.
“Ethan, no more,” she whispers. I don’t listen to her words, I carry on licking and sucking until I feel her hands pull tight on the bed sheets underneath us. And her soft whimpers fill the air.
My desire to be inside her now is too much. She is so fucking addictive.
I move myself up and over her trembling body, position myself just at her entrance, where she’s hot and wet. Just how she should be.
I groan into her mouth as my all too eager lips meet her. I slide my tongue in allowing her to taste.
She wraps her legs around my hips and that’s all it takes for me to slide inside. She squeezes my hips tighter, urging me to go deeper. There’s nowhere else left to go.
I’m so deep.
I pull back and slam slowly into her over and over. I grab her hips tilting them toward me, as I continue to thrust against her. Each thrust comes quicker than the last as desire overtakes my mind.
I can’t think.
I only want everything she has to offer and more.
She matches the rhythm I’ve set, eagerly or greedily thrusting against me. In and out. In and Out. Over and over.
All the warning signs are here, she’s so close. I change the pace again, thrusting once, twice, three times before she cries out as my own release comes thick and fast. Satisfaction floods through my veins as I finally still and collapse on top of her.
I roll onto my side bringing her with me. We are both still breathing fast, as we gaze into each other’s eyes.
Sophie Mathews is perfect. The most amazing girl I’ve ever met and I never want to let her go.
“You are so beautiful,” I say watching her unable to remove my gaze away from her. Her cheeks are flushed, her eyes are glazed and her hair . . . I try to smooth it behind her ear.
She smiles.
With my arms wrapped tight around her, holding her close, she closes her eyes with a smile still on her face. Her chest rises and falls against me, as her breathing evens out. I lie just watching as she drifts off to sleep and it’s not long until I close my eyes and let sleep take me.
I write a note and leave it on the bed.
I tidy up downstairs after I’ve had my shower. I had called Michael because I had a missed call from him. He wants us to go to Libby and Alex’s for dinner. I do hope it’s a takeaway and they’re not going to any bother. Mum called and asked if Lucy could go to Tom and Moria’s tonight. I told her that was fine, but I would be picking her up. I want her home with Sophie and I. It means we can go to Libby’s and maybe talk in peace. Mum and Dad are going as well, as I knew they would, there’s no keeping mum away. She and Libby are really close.
I hear movement upstairs. That means I should start to make us something to eat, it will still be a few hours before dinner. I’m sure Sophie is hungry, because I know I am. Putting the kettle on first, I look through the fridge. Salad it is.
I’ve just finished setting the table when I look up and see Sophie standing in the doorway. Fucking perfection.
She's Captured my Love (Captured #4) Page 24