6. Ashcroft
6
ASHCROFT
“I don’t know what to say,” Sophia whispers at she waves a goodbye to Miss Tee from the passenger seat.
I turn on the ignition of William’s Fiat. “You can say you’d like to go out with me tomorrow.”
“What?” The rest of her words are locked inside her throat as she looks at me with wide, surprised eyes.
“Didn’t I tell you that tonight was for you to realize I’m not a jerk? And I also think we’re great together.”
A small grin appears on her lips. “Here I was worrying to death that you’d lost your charming, cocky personality.”
“I’ll never let you worry to death, firecracker. Now tell me you’ll accompany me for dinner tomorrow.”
“I can’t. I have plans.”
“I’m sure you’ll change them for someone who pushed Miss Tee to accept you into her program.”
“That was so slick of you.”
The broad smile on her face gives me confidence, and I grab her hand. “Say yes, Soph. You know you want to.”
Instead of replying, she tilts her head to the front. “Take a left from here.”
“I have never begged for a date in my life.”
She turns in her seat, looking out the window, but not before I catch a grin spreading on her face. Her soft hand is still in my grasp as I navigate through the modest living area. There are Christmas decorations—stars, fresh wreaths, and lights adorn the yards and houses, reminding me of those days with my parents.
She turns to face me again. “What is that sigh for?”
“This is all… very homey. I just realized how much I miss my parents.”
Her voice has a careful alertness when she asks, “Do they live in another town?”
“I lost them a few years ago. Car crash.”
“Oh, Asher.” Her fingers intertwine with mine. “I’m so sorry. I lost my dad two years back. Heart attack.” The forlorn expression on her face feels more sincere than any sympathetic words I’ve heard related to my parents’ death. “Holidays have never been the same.”
When her eyes meet mine, there’s sadness in them. My grip tightens around the steering wheel for two reasons. One, I realize there are things beyond my power that will challenge the promise I made to myself to always keep her happy. Two, how much I hate this fact, even though I met her only last week.
“My home is the last one,” she instructs and I stop immediately. During dinner, she told me she lives with roommates, and I want some more alone time with her. “Why did you stop?”
“About tomorrow… Where shall I pick you up from?”
A small smile pushes her bee-stung lips upward.
Say yes, firecracker.
My battle buddies would be laughing at me if they could see me right now, on the verge of begging.
“Outside the school.” She’s about to leave when I grab her hand.
“You’re forgetting something.”
“What?” Her eyes widen as I give her hand a tug, and she falls against my chest.
“How did I say this night was supposed to end, Sophia?” As much as I love the fire in her, I’m enjoying her speechless for a change. “If I kiss you tonight, will I feel the gentle touch of your hand against my cheek, or will it sting like it did the other night?”
She gulps loudly, and when I think she might back away, Sophia squints for a fraction of a beat. My lips twitch in anticipation of her one-of-a-kind reply. “Aren’t some things worth a risk?”
That’s my girl.
“You’re worth every risk, firecracker.”
I don’t hesitate in planting my lips over hers as I pour everything into the kiss. I aim to show her how much I crave her touch. How I need her more than my next breath. When her hands tangle in my hair, I let go of a low groan. Fisting her hair, I slam my mouth hard against her.
I pull her close inch by inch, determined to see past the tall walls of self-preservation. Everyone hides their true self, and I’m eager to see Sophia’s, a woman who is making a permanent place for herself in my heart.
When I pull back, she whimpers, inflating my ego a bit more. I caress her chin and then her slender neck, stopping at the soft fabric of her red scarf. “I don’t want you to think I’m only here for sex.”
Her breath hitches at my words, pink drifting across her cheeks.
“I want more with you.” It takes all my courage and strength to lean across her seat and open her door. But she makes no effort to step out, as if she doesn’t want to leave me either. “My control is razor thin when it comes to you, Soph. If you keep looking at me with that please, fuck me look on your face, I won’t take the blame for my next actions.”
She sucks in a breath, her wide eyes focused on me for a second before they close. My lips twitch when I notice her counting to ten on her fingers. Those blue orbs latch on to me once again, her fire back. “You have too much ego, Asher.” Despite her words, there’s an underlying tremble in her voice, telling me she’s equally affected.
Sophia steps out, and I watch her amble toward her home. When she reaches the iron gate of the last house, she gently waves at me under the golden glow of the streetlight. I leave her street, reminding my pounding heart that I’ll see her tomorrow.
I wait in my dad’s office at The Queen’s, a room reserved for meetings that need extra privacy. The faceted Scotch glass sits before me, untouched. Tonight, I’m high on my firecracker, and no drink can compare to that.
There’s a knock on the door before William walks inside. “I hope my Fiat helped in your quest, sir?”
“It was extremely helpful. So much so, I’d like to loan it for a longer time. You can pick any of the cars from my garage in exchange.”
After I motion for him to take a seat, he sits on the leather armchair. “I don’t go out much, Mr. Miller, and when I do, I prefer walking.”
“You can call me Ashcroft, William. In fact, I’d prefer it.”
“I’m more comfortable with Mr. Miller, sir.”
“Why am I not surprised?” I chuckle and William’s reply is a small grin. “She’s agreed to go out for dinner tomorrow, but I have no clue where to take her. The places I usually go are not a good fit. For some reason, she hates rich men.”
My jaw clenches both in frustration and displeasure. The moment I saw her, I knew she would prove to be a challenge. What I didn’t realize was how big of a challenge. All my strengths are turning out to be a weakness with her.
William clears his throat. “I’m sorry if I’m overstepping, sir, but my mother used to say that a lie has no legs. It cannot go far.”
“My mother would have said something similar.” I let go of a sigh. “But before I tell her my truth, I need to know the reasons behind her belief.” I change my line of depressing thoughts because they’re simply raising my self-doubt. And it’s confidence that has taken me where I am today. “Where would you take a girl for a good time, William?”
Unexpectedly, William lips purse and I spot a chink in his calm demeanor. “I’m of no help to you on this matter, sir. I wouldn’t know where to take a girl for a good time.” His sharp gaze tells me more than he’s saying with words. “It’s been years since I went out… with a guy, and those days are past me.”
I’m surprised by William’s uncharacteristic verbosity, but it’s clear how important it is for him that I know about this part of his life. I pick up another glass from the drink table and pour him some Scotch.
He doesn’t hesitate before knocking it off in a gulp. “This isn’t something I share with people. But you’re my employer, like your parents, and in case you have a problem—”
“The only important thing for me is that you are loyal to the Miller family, and the impression I’ve gotten so far is that you’re an asset. My mother knew it, and so did my father.”
William’s bunched shoulders drop, and he says, “Then about your date tomorrow… I might have some thoughts.”