“I’m attending a conference here in town,” I finish for her. “or I was. I’m heading back to Seattle in the morning.”
My eyes don’t leave Sophie’s face as I speak, so I see the look of disappointment that immediately clouds her features. A small frown steals into her face. I feel an unfamiliar surge of concern. I try to pay attention while her friend introduces his companion.
“I’m sorry for your loss Sophie,” he says to Sophie, giving her a smile that makes me want to give him a job somewhere very far away. “I’m sorry I haven’t tried to see you before now.” He adds.
“You were away at school,” She replies, “and I’m okay.”
He gives her another smile before moving away from our table. I watch him go, jealousy eating at me. “Old boyfriend?” I ask, turning back to Sophie, the coolness in my voice hiding the fact that I really need her to deny it.
“No,” her eyes widen, and she shakes her head. “Of course not. I don’t have any old boyfriends.”
I’m almost ashamed of the relief I feel. “Young one
s then?” I probe, looking intently at her.
She shakes her head, filling me with an insane and inexplicable feeling of exultation.
“You didn’t tell me you were leaving.” She says in a small voice. The thought that she doesn’t want me to go is selfishly elating. I lean back on my chair and watch her face.
“I was leaving this afternoon,” I say with a small shrug, “and yet when I saw you, I stopped to ask you to dinner.”
A blush steals into her cheeks. “Oh.”
I smile ruefully. “But then I left anyway.”
“I don’t understand.” She says, puzzlement creeping into her face, “You’re here.”
But I shouldn’t be, if I had any sense I would be far away from her. I suppress the voice of reason. “I was going to call the shop and apologize to you, but I came back, and now here I am, back in Ashford, on a date with an eighteen year old.”
For a moment, she looks incredibly sad. “I’m glad you changed your mind.” She says finally, her voice intense.
The passion in her response surprises me. God, I want her. The desire I felt earlier has turned into an acute craving, I want to take her away from this godforsaken town and put a mark on her that’ll make her unquestionably mine, but I know that I’m not what she needs. I’m no romantic hero, and if she’s cast me in that role, I would only disappoint her expectations.
“Somebody should have warned you to stay away from men like me.” I’m warning her now.
Her eyes never leave my face. She studies me intently, as if weighing me for my faults and surprisingly finding none. “What kind of man are you?” She asks.
I don’t pause. “The type that’s bad for you.”
She ignores the warning in my voice. “I wouldn’t have listened.” She tells me, her eyes burning. I take a deep breath. Somehow, I know I’m already lost.
“I should take you home.” I say, signaling for the bill.
She keeps looking at me. I would give a lot to know what she’s thinking. “Let’s go.” I say, as soon as I’ve settled the bill. I help her out of her chair and lead her outside to the car. Silently, I open her door and then go over to my side.
“Will you come back here?” Her voice is barely higher than a murmur.
“I’m not sure.” The sooner this is over, and she is safely at home, away from me, the better for all concerned. I shrug. “You’ll be in Bellevue anyway.”
Her silence gets to me. Her face is turned away, looking towards her lap. Regret washes over me. I wish I were a different man. I wish a lot of things.
“Are you okay?” I ask, placing my hand under her chin as I turn her face towards me. Her eyes are covered with a sheen of tears, and her lips are trembling. Everything in me, everything in my life suddenly takes second place to the need to take away those tears. I don’t know what I’m doing. I just find myself leaning forward, and in the next moment, I’m kissing her.
Her skin smells delicious, and her lips are soft and warm, just like I knew they would be. I lose the ability to think, as I get lost in the taste and feel of her. She lets out a soft moan, opening her lips to me. I can’t help myself. I plunge into the warm sweetness of her mouth, letting my tongue explore her.
I undo her seatbelt, needing to feel her against me. When she’s free,I pull her towards me and feel the softness of her breasts against my chest. The ache in my groin intensifies, spreading all over my body, until I’m almost mad with the desire to touch every inch of her skin.
Still kissing her, I allow my fingers to explore the softness of her body, cupping a breast and finding a nipple through her dress. I rub it until it’s swollen, clearly outlined through the fabric.