She looked down at their intertwined hands, marveling at how natural it felt. How right. “So… what now?” she asked, her voice small.
Jake squeezed her hand. “Now? We finish our drinks, tell our asshole siblings to fuck off, and maybe… see where this goes?”
Sophia met his eyes, seeing the mixture of hope and vulnerability there. It mirrored her own. “Yeah,” she said softly. “I’d like that.”
Sophia squeezed Jake’s hand back, a surge of warmth flooding her chest. She took a deep breath, then turned her head towards the rest of the restaurant.
“Amy!” she shouted, her voice carrying across the room. “I know you’re still listening, you nosy bitch. You can bugger off now!”
A chorus of cheers erupted from a nearby table, and Sophia swore under her breath as she realized Emily, Freya, and Evelyn had been in on the whole thing. Jake’s deep chuckle rumbled beside her, and she shot him a playful glare.
“Oh, you think this is funny, do you?” she challenged, but couldn’t keep the smile from her lips.
Before Jake could respond, Amy, Oscar, and Emily materialized at their table, their faces split with shit-eating grins. Sophia rolled her eyes, raising one eyebrow at her sister.
“You can go away now,” she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “Mission accomplished, or whatever the fuck this was.”
Oscar chuckled, leaning against the table with an air of smug satisfaction. “What can I say? My little bro was so far up his own ass, he couldn’t see daylight. Someone had to do something.”
Jake’s face flushed. “Oscar, I swear to God-”
“Oh, don’t get your panties in a twist,” Oscar cut him off. “I only went through your phone to get Emily’s number. Sue me.”
Sophia’s jaw dropped. “You did what?”
Emily at least had the decency to look a little sheepish. “In our defence, you two were being impossibly stubborn.”
Sophia shook her head, a mix of exasperation and fondness washing over her. “I can’t believe you all conspired against us like this.”
Jake squeezed her hand. “To be fair, I think they conspired for us, not against us.”
Sophia met his eyes, seeing the warmth and affection there. She couldn’t help but smile. “Yeah, I guess they did.”
“So,” Jake said, his voice low and husky. “My place?”
Sophia raised an eyebrow. “You sure Oscar’s not lurking around, ready to pop out with more relationship advice?”
Jake laughed, the sound sending a shiver down her spine. “I solemnly swear,” he said, holding up his pinky finger. “No nosy big brothers allowed.”
“Pinky promise?” Sophia asked, a playful glint in her eye as she linked her finger with his.
“Cross my heart and hope to die,” Jake replied, pulling her close.
The cool night air hit Sophia’s flushed cheeks as she and Jake stumbled out of the restaurant, their fingers intertwined. Her heart raced, a mix of anticipation and lingering nerves fluttering in her chest.
The taxi ride to Jake’s flat was a blur of stolen glances and barely contained desire. Sophia’s mind raced, replaying the events of the night. She couldn’t believe how quickly everything had changed.
As soon as they stumbled through Jake’s front door, he spun her around, pressing her against the wall. His lips crashed into hers, hungry and desperate. Sophia melted into the kiss, her hands fisting in his shirt.
“Fuck,” Jake breathed against her mouth. “I thought I’d fucked this up for good.”
Sophia pulled back slightly, meeting his intense gaze. “We both did,” she admitted. “I was so scared of getting hurt again, I almost ran away from the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Jake’s eyes softened. He brushed a stray curl from her face, his touch achingly tender. “I’m not him, Soph. I’d never hurt you like that.”
“I know,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. “God, I know. It just took my stupid brain a while to catch up.”
Jake grinned, that cocky, heart-stopping smile that had first drawn her in. “Well, I’m glad you finally came to your senses. Now, where were we?”
He leaned in to kiss her again, but Sophia placed a hand on his chest, stopping him. “Wait,” she said, her heart pounding. “Before we go any further, I need to know. What is this, Jake? What are we doing here?”
Jake took a step back, running a hand through his tousled hair. His blue eyes locked onto hers, serious and intense.
“I want you in my life, sweetheart,” he said, his voice low and husky. “In every single way, not just in my bed.”
Sophia’s breath caught in her throat. She’d dreamed of hearing those words, but now that he’d said them, a part of her wanted to run. Old fears clawed at her chest.
“Jake, I-” she started, but he cut her off.
“No, let me finish,” he said, cupping her face in his hands. “I know you’re scared. Hell, I’m terrified too. But Soph, you’re it for me. The way you laugh, how you call me on my bullshit, even the way you hog all the blankets. I want all of it.”
Tears pricked at Sophia’s eyes. “But what about-”
“Oscar?” Jake chuckled. “Babe, that was fun for one night, but it’s you I want. Only you.”
Sophia’s mind raced. This was everything she wanted, so why was she hesitating?
“I’m a mess,” she whispered. “I’ve got more baggage than Heathrow.”
Jake’s laugh rumbled through his chest. “Good thing I’m great at heavy lifting then.”
Jake pulled her against him, his strong arms enveloping her in warmth. Sophia breathed in his familiar scent – salt and sunscreen, with a hint of the whiskey he’d had at dinner. Her heart raced as he leaned in close, his breath tickling her ear.
“I know you’re scared, little one,” he murmured, his voice low and intense. “And I can’t blame you for that. But I won’t hurt you, and everything that ever came out of his mouth was a load of bullcrap. You’re perfect, Sophia Bennett. Perfect.”
Sophia’s breath hitched, tears threatening to spill over. She wanted to believe him, desperately. But Alex’s voice still echoed in her head, reminding her of all her perceived flaws.
“Jake, I-” she started, her voice wavering.
“No,” he said firmly, pulling back to look her in the eyes. “I know what you’re thinking. That asshole got in your head, but he was wrong. You’re talented, funny as hell, and sexy as fuck. And I’m not letting you go without a fight.”
His words sparked something in Sophia – a fierce determination she thought she’d lost. She surged forward, crashing her lips against his. Jake responded immediately, one hand tangling in her hair as the other pulled her flush against him.
When they finally broke apart, both breathless, Sophia managed a shaky laugh. “Fuck, surfer boy. When did you get so smooth?”
Jake grinned, that cocky smile that never failed to make her knees weak. “Must be all that salt water. Does wonders for the ego.”
Sophia rolled her eyes, but couldn’t keep the smile off her face.
Sophia’s heart raced as she gazed into Jake’s deep blue eyes, the colour of the ocean he loved so much. She took a deep breath, steeling herself.
“I love you, Jake Summers. More than I thought possible.”
Jake’s face split into that brilliant, heart-stopping grin of his. “Fuck me,” he breathed, pulling her close. “I love you too, Sophia. God, I love you so fucking much.”
Relief flooded through her, followed quickly by a giddy sort of joy. She laughed, the sound bubbling up from somewhere deep inside her.
“Well, shit,” she said, grinning up at him. “What the hell do we do now?”
Jake’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Well, little one,” he drawled, his hands sliding down to her hips. “I’ve got a few ideas.”
Sophia’s breath caught as he leaned in, his lips brushing her ear. “And none of them involve leaving this bedroom for at least the next 24 hours.”