Until Then : Book 1 - Until Then Series

by Victoria Ashlee

“Fine.” I sighed, and handed him the wine opener. “There should be some stuff in the refrigerator to make a small cheese plate.” I left him in the kitchen, and sat back down on the couch.

  After a few minutes, Stefan entered the living room carrying a small black slate cheese board. He placed it on the coffee table in front of me. I couldn’t help, but smile. It consisted of a cut up green apple, some grapes, and a few slices of kids American cheese. He returned moments later carrying two glasses of wine.

  “Couldn’t find the cheese?” I told him as I took the glass from him.

  “Listen, I worked with what I had. We didn’t have any other kind.” He said as he sat down next to me.

  “Did you look behind the milk?”

  His face was blank; I could tell he was trying to remember if he did in fact look behind the milk. “I did.” He shot me a look, with a half smile. “What are we watching?”

  “A horror film. Don’t worry; we can leave the lights on if you’re scared.” I joked.

  “You think you’re funny don’t you.”

  “Tell me about your mom.” I picked up a piece of cheese trying not to look at him. I knew it was a touchy subject, but I wanted to know.

  “What about her?”

  “Like what does she do?”

  “She doesn’t work if that’s what you’re asking.”

  “Ok.”

  He looked at me, his eyes half squinted. I was holding my ground; I kept my concentration on him, waiting for him to continue.

  He sighed, “She’s my Mum, I don’t know what there is to tell you about her. She’s involved in a bunch of charity organizations. Partially for the image that it puts off. She’s on the board of some ladies organization for all of the elite women of New York. If I never had to hear again why some poor girl couldn’t be accepted because she didn’t look good on paper, I would be ok. They critique those girls down to the bone. Anyway, other than that, she shops a lot and goes on vacation quite often.”

  I leaned back into the couch, “She might not have a proper job, but it sounds like she works.”

  “I guess that’s true. She is always busy.”

  “Are you close with her?”

  “I love my Mum, but when my father involves her in his schemes, she’s different. I try to stay as far away from my father’s games as possible.”

  “Including your mother?”

  “Sometimes. I would say besides my Nan, I’m the closest with my Mum.”

  “And Jess? Your Mom is close with her?”

  “Jess?”

  “She’s not shy to tell everyone she talks to your Mom all the time.”

  He let out a sarcastic laugh, “Yeah, they talk. I don’t know what I would call them. I’d say my Mum talks to her partially because she’s a business deal to her, but yes they do talk a lot.”

  I let his words sink in. I felt like there was a wall standing between me and him, keeping us from making this work. A wall that isn’t going to fall down anytime soon.

  “Don’t worry about Jess.” He put his hand on my knee, turning to face me. “I see you thinking.”

  “I’m not worrying.” I lied. “We should probably start the movie.” I picked up the remote. Even though I started the conversation, I wanted it to end. I didn’t want to think about Jess and Stefan.

  The irony kicked in, half way through the movie, and almost both bottles of wine, my knees were tucked up to my chest and my face nuzzled into the top of my knees. Why did I pick a scary movie again?

  “Who was supposed to be scared now?” He pulled me into the nook of his arm.

  “Mr Edwards, I can do whatever I want.” I said, as I slid my hand up toward his belt. His eyes connected with mine, I felt him shift back into the couch from my touch.

  “I want to listen to music.” I stood up; the wine had filled me full of confidence.

  I walked over and turned on the Bluetooth speaker, switching it to my favorite playlist, the music filled the room. Stefan stayed seated, watching me while he leaned on his arm. He muted the TV when the music started. I picked up my glass, and finished off the last sip. I began to slightly dance around the room, doing an occasional spin. His eyes were locked in on me, he was running his thumb about his bottom lip, and something came over me.

  I set my glass down, my cheeks were flushed from the wine. My eyes locked on his, I slowly I removed my shirt over my head, revealing my lace pink bra. His dark eyes quickly transformed into lust, as he took in the length of my body. He was intrigued and I had his full attention.

  My hips swayed as I walked toward him, unbuttoning my jeans when I stopped in front of him. I slipped them down to my feet; thankfully I matched my bra and panties today. Oh gosh, what am I doing? This isn’t me. But his reaction was making me feel things. Things I wanted him to do to me. Stefan placed his hands on my hips pulling me closer. The confidence had run over, as I straddled him. I removed his shirt, and he pulled me into a kiss. He quickly grew under me. Yep, he was turned on.

  “Baby, the wine has gotten to you.” He whispered against my lips.

  “Shh...” I placed one finger on his mouth. “Don’t speak.”

  “Mmm, demanding.” His eyes went down to my chest which was just above his eye level.

  He placed a kiss on top of my chest, as he removed my bra. He took my nipple into his mouth, I bit my bottom lip. Oh no, how is he so good at this? I pulled his head back to face me, aggressively pressing my lips to his.

  Even through the wine, I was nervous. He gripped both hands on my butt, as my body involuntarily started to rock back and forth; his hard length pressing up against his pants; begging to get out. The way he reacted to my movements was addicting.

  “You don’t know how badly I want to fuck you.” He said against my lips, and bit my lip.

  I rocked my body harder against him, “I need you too fuck me.”

  His dark eyes searched mine, “If we do this, I won’t be able to stop. You’ll be mine.”

  “Fuck me, Stefan.” I pressed my lips to his again. He groaned against my mouth.

  His breathing had begun to rise; he pulled his hands away from me, and then returned to gripping my butt as my body moved. It was as if he were trying to decide if this was a bad idea. His hands gripped me tighter almost guiding my motions, teaching me the way he likes to be pleased. I looked up at him, and he locked into my gaze.

  “Fuck this.” He grabbed me by the hips flipping me to my back, as he towered over me. He pressed forward against my body rubbing himself against me. Oh fuck yes, this is what I need. He unzipped his pants, pulling them down. Yep, he was still as large as I remembered. His hand reached down into my panties. His jaw clenched, as he took in a deep breath when he felt me. I pulled my panties down, he looked up at me.

  He placed another sensual kiss against my lips, “Are you sure?”

  I nodded my head as I wrapped my arms around his neck pulling him down on top of me.

  He reached down taking himself in his hand, lining himself up with me. Then in one gentle motion he thrust into me. I gasped as his length filled my aching need for him. Oh my fuck this feels good. Please don’t let this be a dream. He started to move back and forth, he was being gentle. The man above me was so beautiful in this state. He lifted my left leg, going deeper. My back arched as he took me. Our heavy breathing was matching the way he was taking me higher. My entire body suddenly tingled as an organism ripped through me. I looked up as I cried out, he was watching me. Then it was as if it were on cue, he slammed into me one...two...three times, he reached his peak, and buried himself into me as he finished. I had never seen a more intoxicating sight.

  The next morning I woke up alone in Stefan’s bed. As I leaned up on my elbows, I heard the shower running from the bathroom. I noticed a glass of water on the nightstand, and I gulped it down like I was in the desert for an entire month.

  As I set the glass back down, I noticed Stefan’s phone. Temptation ran through me, I do want to know who the multiple calls were
from yesterday. I decided against it, I left the phone where it was, and then suddenly the phone illuminated; Jessica’s name plastered across it, with a simple message. “I can’t wait.” A small knot formed in my stomach. What does that even mean?

  Fear ran over me, did I just sleep with a guy who is still involved with his ex? He was honest and told me about his weird ass arrangement with Jess. He also said that they broke up over a year ago. He’s done nothing to make me not trust him. The phone went dark again. I sighed leaning back against the headboard, covering my face with my hands. Did I just become a slutty roommate? I heard the shower turn off, and pulled the covers up against my chest, realizing I was still naked. I looked around for my clothes, but they were nowhere to be found.

  He walked out of the bathroom drying his hair with a towel. “Good Morning, beautiful girl.” He leaned onto the bed, placing a kiss on my lips. Ok, I could get used to this.

  “How was your shower?”

  He pulled a pair of jeans on, with a smirk. “It was nice. I needed one after how dirty you were last night.”

  I laughed, rolling my eyes, “I think you were just as dirty, Mr. Edwards.”

  “Mmm we can get dirty again if you’d like?” He climbed onto the bed, bringing himself over me.

  I giggled pulling the sheets over my head, “Nope.”

  He pulled the sheets down just under my nose, placing a soft kiss on my forehead. “Why are you hiding, Little one?”

  I pulled the sheet down under my chin, and pressed my lips to his. “You make me nervous.”

  He smirked, “You weren’t nervous last night?”

  I made a face, “I had wine in me.”

  A door shut down stairs, and Keira’s voice called out stating that she was home.

  My eyes went wide, “Oh no.” I pushed him off of me as I scrambled out of bed, tripping over the sheets as I attempted to rush toward the door.

  “What are you doing?” He laughed, and leaned on his side.

  “She can’t find me up here. Not like this.” I rushed out his door, and down the steps; making it to my room, just in time to slip a shirt over my head and shorts on.

  Keira appeared in my doorway, “Want to get lunch?”

  My eyes shot behind her. I felt like a deer in headlights, as Stefan walked up, fully dressed. “Hey Keira.” Stefan said. He looked at me not keeping his smirk a secret at all.

  I gave him a death stare when she looked in his direction. Keira looked back and forth between the two of us. I could see her mind going through every scenario.

  Stefan bit his bottom lip, and laughed. “You ladies have fun; I'm going to meet up with Leo.” He said, and walked down the stairs.

  Keira looked back at me, like a suspicious mom when her child arrived home late. “Oh hell yeah, we are getting lunch. Also, why do you have a couch for a bed?” She laughed, and threw a pair of my jeans at me.

  At lunch I ordered a sandwich and iced tea. Keira ordered a salad and water. Once the waiter disappeared, she looked dead at me with a smile.

  Keira raised an eyebrow, and leaned into the table, “So, Soph. What did you do all weekend?”

  “Well,” I laughed nervously, “you could say it was interesting.”

  I go on to explain what happened with Thomas and Jess. The contract. Then how one thing led to another with Stefan and I. The Helicopter ride. The cheese board. Oh and the wine. All the wine.

  “So basically you got to play sexapades all weekend, and I had to hang out with Leo’s parents.” She leaned back in her chair.

  I covered my face, “I’m the slutty roommate. What did I do?” I cringed saying it out loud.

  “Apparently you did Stefan.” She laughed.

  I eyed her, “Not funny.”

  “Why are you freaking out?”

  I sighed, “Because I want to do it again.”

  She threw her head back and laughed, “Atta girl.”

  She put her hand up next to her mouth, “Also what the actual hell is this contract? People still do stuff like that?” her voice was low.

  “You’re telling me.” I rolled my eyes.

  “I mean I always knew that Jess had some weird obsession with him. I didn’t think it was because of something like a contract. What do you even do about that?”

  I started fiddling with the straw in my cup, “I don’t know. His family sounds crazy and Jess is even worse.”

  “They’re just trying to scare you. Stand your ground, stick it to the man,” she held her fist up and her voice rose, “Grab the bulls balls, or whatever it is they say.”

  “I’m not grabbing anyone's balls,” I laughed, “but do you really think so?

  She waved her fork around, “Yes. Screw all of them. They’ve controlled him long enough.”

  Stefan

  I leaned on my arm, as Leo tried on another jacket. “Why are you getting another suit? Didn’t you just get one last week?”

  Leo turned to look at me, moving his arms to feel out the suit, “My Mother has me going to this stupid dinner, and I was cooped up with them all weekend. I needed to breathe.”

  I laughed, “Yeah, I saw Keira when I was leaving.”

  “She was as ready to get away from my parents as I was.” He rolled his eyes, turning back around.

  I ran my thumb over my bottom lip, “I might have done something stupid.”

  He looked at me in the mirror, “What could you have possibly done?”

  “I had sex with Sophia.”

  His eyes went wide, “You did what?”

  “You heard me.”

  “You literally were just telling me the other day that you regretted kissing her, and now you went for a home run?”

  I waved my hand, “You don’t understand. I can’t stay away from her.”

  He had a side smile, as he unbuttoned the coat, “I do actually understand.”

  “How?”

  He turned to face me again, “Do you not remember when Keira and I first got together? She was the girl from Brooklyn who was Jess’s drug dealer; I was the rich kid in a relationship. It was a pretty fucked up situation, but I couldn’t stay away from her.”

  I sighed, “Yeah that was a pretty rough time. Fuck, everything was a fight back then. That was the same time I knocked Tristen out. Not that I’m proud of it.”

  He stepped down off of the stand, “Tris deserved it though.”

  I let out a small laugh, “Thanks.”

  “So, what are you going to do?” He asked.

  I shrugged my shoulders, “I don’t know. I just don’t want her to get hurt.”

  “Life fucking sucks, Stef. You can’t protect her from everything. If you don’t hurt her, someone else will. Why give someone else the option, when you guys might work out anyway?”

  I stared at him, “I’m a control freak that’s why.”

  He laughed, “You get that from your parents.”

  I clenched my jaw, “Don’t I know it.”

  Chapter Twenty One

  Sophia

  On the way to work I spilled my coffee when I was caught in a day dream about the past weekend. Thankfully I missed my shirt, but not the angry old lady’s foot that was standing next to me. I made it to work early, but some days I feel as if I broke a mirror, and I’m serving seven years of bad luck. It’s all about what you make it though. Ms. Franklin wasn’t at work, which internally made me want to throw a dance party.

  When I got to my desk, Cam convinced me to go on a coffee run with him. It was as if he were psychic, and knew I lost my entire cup on the train. Our office was more relaxed when Ms. Franklin wasn’t there. We walked onto the elevator, and Cam pressed the star button for the lobby. We had a little small talk, but when he asked me what I did all weekend, I instantly became uncomfortable, and quickly changed the subject. Stefan and Cam are friends. I wasn’t ready for that conversation yet.

  The elevator stopped on the fifth floor, the doors opened, my heart stopped. My eyes went wide when we saw the person standing in f
ront of us. Evelyn Edwards. Stefan’s beautiful regal mother was standing there in a blue pinstripe dress, sunglasses in one hand, phone in the other. She looked up from her phone at Cameron and I, then smiled. Almost as if she knew we would be there.

  “Hello, Sophia.” She said, as she stepped onto the elevator, taking the space between Cam and I.

  “Hi.” I chirped. It was fine, I totally wanted to be stuck on an elevator with my semi boyfriends intimidating mother.

  “Sophia, we will do tea now.” She told me. She didn’t even make eye contact with me, she just kept adjusting her hair in her reflection on the wall.

  I gave her a strange look, “Right now?”

  “Yes, is that a problem?” She finally turned to me, and I instantly regretted asking. Her stare made me shrink three sizes.

  “I...I have to get back to work.” I nervously told her. She reminded me of a praying mantis, but like if she was royalty. She’d totally be the queen of praying mantises. I might have just sentenced myself to death.

  “No mind your work.” She waved her hand. “I will take care of that.” She turned back facing the doors.

  I looked over at Cam, and his eyes were wide. He mouthed W.T.F. Which was my exact train of thought.

  “Cameron Jones, I want no trouble from you. Know your place.” She snapped.

  My mouth dropped open; she swiftly went from the beautiful woman in front of us, to a complete bitch in 2.5 second. Cam rolled his eyes, and leaned against the elevator wall.

  The doors finally opened, and I felt like I could breathe again. Evelyn walked out first; she stopped almost immediately, and turned to face me. Causing Cam and I to run into each other. I was paralyzed as she turned to face me.

  “Dear, please don’t dilly dally.” She told me, then proceeded in the direction of the front doors.

  I looked at Cam, “What do I do?” I pleaded, hoping he knew how to deal with her.

  “Soph, I don’t think you have a choice. I’ve only met her a few times, but from what I’ve heard, she’s scary. She will ruin your life. Trust me.”

  “I don’t even have my phone.”

  He gave me a look, and then looked at the doors, “I don’t think she is going to wait on you to go back upstairs. She’s not the type of person you make wait.”