Sophia’s Point of View
“You left the conference early.”
I didn’t turn at the sound of Mr Prescott’s voice instead I continued brushing out my hair, my eyes on the mirror.
“I thought you would prefer it that way. Besides, I didn’t want to intrude.” I said softly, my voice a sharp contrast to the swarm of emotions within me.
“Intrude?” Mr Prescott asked, his voice rife with confusion.
I left the vanity because there was only so long I could use brushing my hair as an excuse not to face Mr Prescott directly.
Even though I was angry at him, the sight of him still made me feel weak in the knees.
His dark hair fell across his forehead framing those intense gray eyes that saw through me every time, the shadows from the light played across his chiseled cheekbones and strong jawline. And the sight of that suit on him was enough to drive me to distraction.
Focus, Sophia.
“Being the third wheel between you and Daphne is not really my idea of having fun.” I said, meeting his gaze resolutely.
Mr Prescott frowned.
“Sophia, it was just a dance.”
I took a step closer to him, my voice dropping an octave.
“Would you feel the same way if I had been dancing with Jerry?”
At my words, Mr Prescott’s jaw clenched but he had no response for me.
“That’s what I thought.” I scoffed, shaking my head.
It wasn’t so easy for him to have a taste of his own medicine.
Mr Prescott placed both of his hands on my shoulders, his voice calm and soothing but it did nothing to dull the sting of his words.
“You are acting jealous, Sophia.”
I looked at his hands, the ones that had been around Daphne’s waist less than an hour ago.
I stepped out of Mr Prescott’s hold, brushing off his hands.
“You are my husband, not hers, I have no reason to be jealous.”
If only that was true.
Mr Prescott clenched his hands into fists but he made no move to touch me again.
“Then why are you making this an issue? I already told you there is no relationship between Daphne and I save from business.” His voice was clipped but I could still read his frustration in his gaze.
Why was I making this an issue? Because I was scared of losing him. The crazy part was I didn’t even have him to begin with.
“Your relationship with her is just like ours then. Just business.” I responded, our gazes still locked.
I waited for him to deny it. To say that our relationship was more than just business but he didn’t.
Tears sprung unbidden to my eyes.
“I hate you.” I cursed him, hitting his chest with my fists.
Mr Prescott took the blows stoically but that only made me angrier.
“I hate you. I hate you.” I cried, my angry words dissolving into sobs.
Mr Prescott’s arms came around me pulling me into a hug then I heard his voice in my ear.
“I know you don’t mean that, Sophia.”
I knew it too. But fighting him was easier than admitting that.
“Let go of me!” I demanded, struggling to get out of Mr Prescott’s hug. “You can’t tell me what to feel.”
It was fruitless, I couldn’t pull away from him. Maybe it was because he was way stronger than I was or maybe it was because I didn’t really want to let go.
One of Mr Prescott’s hands went up my neck weaving through my hair.
“I offered you more, Sophia,” His velvety smooth voice seemed to reverberate through me as I felt his breath on my neck causing me to shiver from more than just his words. “You didn’t want my offer.”
I had words to say in response, I was certain. But with Mr Prescott so close to me, my words left me.
“Or have you changed your mind?” Mr Prescott’s voice was thicker now, his hold on my waist tightening slightly.
My heart lurched in my chest, my breathing more labored.
“I…I…” I tried to speak but once more my words failed me.
Mr Prescott’s grey eyes darkened ever so slightly, his gaze dipping to my lips before he let out a small groan.
“Why are you so damn stubborn, Sophia?”
His thumb traced across the edges of my lips sending delicious sparks down my spine then he kissed me.
I was surprised at my reaction to the kiss. Not really, I wasn’t. If anything I was surprised by how quickly I responded to him.
My lips parted beneath his and I met his kiss stroke for stroke, bracing my hands on his shoulders. Mr Prescott fisted my hair, his other hand peeling off my night robe leaving me in my far too short night dress.
I arched into his touch, unable to help myself from reacting to him. I knew this was wrong. Dangerous even for me. But still I couldn’t stop.
Mr Prescott kissed me like he owned me. Like he owned every little gasp and moan that left my lips. Like he owned every inch of my skin that he touched.
And I shamelessly let him because it felt like if he stopped, I would cease to exist.
Mr Prescott’s suit jacket hit the ground, my fingernails clawing at his back, his hand hiking up my night dress and traveling up my thighs.
It felt so good. Why had I ever thought I could resist this? Why had I even wanted to resist this?
Because I wanted more than just mind blowing sex from Mr Prescott.
That thought startled me out of my lustful haze and I shoved Mr Prescott away putting some much needed distance between us.
“I’m not doing this with you.” I said, my voice was low and breathy but I got the words out.
“I haven’t changed my mind, Mr Prescott. I don’t want you to touch me unless you are ready to commit to something more.”
For a moment, Mr Prescott stared at me and I prayed he didn’t touch me again because if he did, I might not have the strength to push him away again.
I shouldn’t have bothered. Mr Prescott picked his jacket from the floor in a single fluid movement, his professional mask back on as though a moment ago we hadn’t been making out.
“As you wish, Miss Evergreen.” He said coldly then he walked right out of the room.
I was no longer Sophia to him, I was back to being Miss Evergreen.
It shouldn’t have hurt as much as it did. I collapsed on the floor next to our bed, tears streaming down my cheeks.
Why did it feel like each time I did something that was supposed to be right, it felt like I had somehow made things worse?
I should have followed our contract to the letter. I shouldn’t have fallen for Mr Prescott.