Sophia’s eyes fluttered open, a soft groan escaping her lips as consciousness slowly returned. Sunlight streamed through the half-open curtains, casting a warm glow across the rumpled sheets. She felt deliciously sore, every muscle in her body aching in the most satisfying way.
Jake’s arm was draped over her waist, his breath warm against the back of her neck. Memories of the previous night flooded back, sending a shiver down her spine.
“Mmm,” she murmured, stretching languidly. Her movements stirred Jake, who tightened his grip and nuzzled closer.
“Morning, gorgeous,” he mumbled, voice rough with sleep.
Sophia turned in his arms, wincing slightly at the twinge between her thighs. “Morning, surfer boy.”
She studied his face – the stubble darkening his jaw, the sleep-tousled hair, those piercing blue eyes still heavy-lidded. God, he was beautiful.
Jake’s lips formed a lazy smile. “Sleep well?”
“Like the dead,” Sophia replied with a smirk. “Though I’m not sure how much actual sleeping happened.”
He chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. “Guilty.” His hand skimmed down her side, coming to rest on her hip. “Any regrets?”
Sophia considered for a moment, taking stock of her body. She ached in places she didn’t know could ache, but it was a good kind of pain – the kind that reminded her of pleasure so intense it bordered on transcendent.
“Not a single one,” she said finally, capturing his lips in a slow, deep kiss.
When they broke apart, Jake’s eyes were dark with renewed desire. “Good,” he growled. “Because I’m not done with you yet.”
Sophia’s pulse quickened, a familiar heat pooling low in her belly. “Is that so?” she challenged, arching an eyebrow.
In response, Jake rolled them so she was pinned beneath him, his weight a delicious pressure against her body. “You better believe it,” he murmured, lips trailing down her neck. “I’ve got plans for you.”
Sophia gasped, arching into his touch. Whatever those plans were, she was more than ready to find out.
Sophia chuckled, her fingers tracing lazy patterns on Jake’s chest. As much as she wanted to lose herself in him again, reality was creeping in at the edges of her mind.
“As much as I’d love to stay in bed with you all day,” she said with a rueful smile, “the real world calls. I’ve got errands to run.” She paused, a mischievous glint in her eye. “But first… shower?”
Jake’s grin was positively wolfish. “Your wish is my command.”
In one fluid motion, he rolled off her and scooped her up, throwing her over his shoulder like she weighed nothing. Sophia squealed in surprise and delight, her world suddenly upside down.
“Jake!” she laughed, breathless, as he strode towards the bathroom. She could practically feel the smugness radiating off him.
Determined not to let him have all the fun, Sophia reached down, trying to land a playful slap on his perfectly sculpted ass. Her fingers just barely grazed skin before he shifted, dodging her attempt.
“Nice try, babe,” Jake chuckled, his free hand coming up to deliver a light smack to her own backside. “But you’ll have to be quicker than that.”
Sophia’s indignant yelp dissolved into giggles as they crossed the threshold into the bathroom. As Jake set her down on the cool tile, she caught a glimpse of their reflection in the mirror – hair mussed, skin flushed, eyes bright with shared laughter and desire.
Real world be damned, she thought. This moment was what mattered.
Steam began to fill the bathroom as Jake adjusted the shower temperature. Sophia reached up, tugging the elastic from her hair. She shook her head, feeling the weight of her chestnut locks tumble down her back.
Jake stepped under the spray, rivulets of water tracing the defined planes of his body. He extended a hand, eyes locked on hers. “Coming?”
Sophia’s heart raced as she took his hand, allowing him to guide her into the warm cascade. His fingers tangled in her damp hair, tugging gently to tilt her face upwards. Their lips met in a searing kiss, hard and deep.
“Fuck,” Sophia gasped when they finally broke apart. Her hands roamed over Jake’s slick skin, savouring every inch. “I should run errands more often if this is what I get first.”
Jake’s low chuckle sent shivers down her spine. “Oh, I’m just getting started, babe.”
Sophia’s mind whirled. How had she gotten so lucky? Part of her wanted to pinch herself, to make sure this wasn’t some vivid dream. But the heat of Jake’s body against hers, the taste of his lips – it was all deliciously, gloriously real.
“Less thinking,” Jake murmured, nipping at her earlobe. “More feeling.”
Sophia grinned, pressing herself closer. “Yes, sir.”
An hour later, Sophia stepped out of the bathroom, wrapped in a fluffy towel. Her skin tingled pleasantly, flushed from both the hot water and Jake’s attention. She ran a hand through her damp hair, catching Jake’s appreciative gaze in the mirror.
“See something you like?” she teased, arching an eyebrow.
Jake, already half-dressed in jeans and an unbuttoned shirt, crossed the room in two long strides. His arms encircled her waist, pulling her close.
“You know I do,” he murmured, his breath hot against her neck.
Sophia shivered, desire coiling low in her belly. “Careful,” she warned playfully. “Or we’ll never make it out of the bedroom.”
Jake chuckled, releasing her reluctantly. “Rain check?”
“Definitely,” Sophia promised, turning to her closet. She dressed quickly, opting for a casual sundress that highlighted her curves.
As she slipped on her sandals, Jake finished buttoning his shirt. He looked effortlessly handsome, as always. Sophia fought the urge to mess up his hair, to drag him back to bed.
“I had fun,” Jake said suddenly, his voice soft. “I’d love to do it again sometime.”
Sophia’s heart skipped a beat. She crossed to him, rising on her tiptoes to whisper in his ear. “We’ll set something up, sir.”
The gleam in Jake’s eyes sent a thrill through her. Whatever came next, Sophia knew it would be one hell of a ride.
Jake’s lips curved into a wicked grin. “I’ll hold you to that,” he said, voice low and husky.
Sophia felt a rush of heat at his tone. She watched as he gathered his things, admiring the way his muscles moved beneath his shirt.
“Enjoying the view?” Jake teased, catching her stare.
“Maybe,” Sophia shot back with a smirk. “Just making sure you don’t forget anything… like your clothes.”
Jake laughed, a rich sound that made her toes curl. “As tempting as that offer is, I think I better get going.”
He moved towards the door, Sophia following close behind. As he stepped into the hallway, she leaned against the doorframe, drinking in the sight of him one last time.
“Text me later, surfer boy!” she called after him, her voice playful.
Jake turned, walking backwards for a few steps. “You can count on it, babe,” he replied with a wink before disappearing down the stairs.
Sophia leaned back against it with a contented sigh. “Damn,” she muttered to herself, a grin spreading across her face. “What have I gotten myself into?”
A piercing car horn yanked Sophia out of her reverie. She blinked, realising she’d been staring at the empty stairwell like a lovesick teenager.
“Shit,” she muttered, glancing at her watch. How long had she been standing there?
Sophia’s gaze snapped to the street, where Emily’s car had pulled up at the curb. Emily leaned out the window, her normally composed face twisted into an exasperated scowl.
“Any day now, Soph!” Emily called, tapping her fingers impatiently on the steering wheel.
In the backseat, Freya and Evelyn peered out, curiosity and amusement warring on their faces.
“One minute!” Sophia shouted back, her cheeks flushing. She darted back inside, cursing under her breath. “Where the hell did I put my bag?”
Her eyes scanned the living room, landing on her handbag peeking out from beneath a discarded shirt. Memories of how that shirt ended up on the floor flashed through her mind, and she felt a fresh wave of heat.
“Focus, Bennett,” she chided herself, snatching up the bag. “You can daydream about Jake’s abs later.”
Sophia rushed back outside, her curls bouncing wildly as she jogged to the car. She yanked open the passenger door and slid in beside Emily.
“Sorry, sorry,” she panted, flashing an apologetic grin. “Lost track of time.”
Emily raised an eyebrow. “I bet you did. Surfer boy looked like you two had a lot of fun last night.”
Sophia felt her face flame. “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she lied, badly.
From the backseat, Freya let out a snort. “Please. We all saw that kiss.”
“Alright, alright,” Sophia groaned, hiding her face in her hands. “Can we please just go before I die of embarrassment?”
Emily chuckled, putting the car in drive. “Fine, but don’t think you’re getting out of spilling all the juicy details later.”
As Emily drove towards the shopping centre, Evelyn leaned forward, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “So, Soph, on a scale of one to ‘oh my God,’ how was it?”
Sophia twisted in her seat, shooting daggers at her friends. “You two are worse than a pack of gossip-hungry vultures, you know that?”
Freya grinned, unrepentant. “Come on, we’re living vicariously through you. Throw us a bone here.”
“Fine,” Sophia huffed, a small smile tugging at her lips despite her best efforts. “It was… pretty fucking amazing, alright? Happy now?”
The car erupted in cheers and whoops, causing Emily to swerve slightly.
“Jesus, warn a girl before you start screaming,” Emily laughed, gripping the wheel tighter.
Sophia rolled her eyes, but couldn’t help the warmth blooming in her chest. These women were ridiculous, but they were hers.
“I was going to say I missed you girls,” she said, trying to keep a straight face. “But now I don’t.”
Freya and Evelyn burst into laughter, the sound filling the car. Freya laughed so hard she had to wipe tears from her eyes, her short auburn hair bouncing with each giggle.
Sophia fought to maintain her scowl, but felt it cracking. She thought about Jake, about last night, about the way her friends’ laughter wrapped around her like a warm blanket. Despite her mock annoyance, she wouldn’t trade this for anything in the world.
Emily glanced over, her green eyes sparkling with mischief. “Oh, look at that,” she teased, her voice lilting with amusement. “Soph’s got that glazed look on her face again. A tenner says she’s thinking about Jake’s abs.”
Sophia’s cheeks flushed crimson. “I am not!” she protested, but her voice lacked conviction.
“Bullshit,” Evelyn called from the backseat. “You’ve got ‘I just got laid’ written all over your face.”
Sophia groaned, covering her face with her hands. “You lot are impossible,” she muttered, but there was no real heat behind her words.
She couldn’t deny the truth of it. Her mind kept drifting back to Jake – his tanned skin, his easy smile, the way his muscles rippled as he…
“Earth to Sophia,” Emily’s voice cut through her reverie. “We’re here. Unless you’d rather sit in the car and daydream about your surfer boy?”
Sophia blinked, realizing they’d arrived at the shopping centre. “Fuck off,” she grumbled good-naturedly, unbuckling her seatbelt.
As they climbed out of the car, Sophia couldn’t help but smile. Despite their relentless teasing, she knew her friends were genuinely happy for her. And honestly? She was pretty damn happy herself.