7. Sophia
7
SOPHIA
My heart pounds as I walk out of the school. The entire night yesterday, I just tossed and turned in my bed, unable to get Asher and his kiss out of my mind. That man is a wizard, and I’m slowly turning to putty in his hands. All the talks of confidence and self-esteem I impart on my students leave my mind when it comes to him.
I hear the giggles of my students before I see him. Leaning against his Fiat, in black jeans and a pullover, he looks so regal. He might not be rich, but Asher possesses the polished charm of a king. Before my brain starts to doubt, I mumble to myself, “He works in the hospitality industry, for God’s sake, Soph.”
Once the sidewalk is empty and all my students are gone, I walk out of the gate.
“I was getting worried that you planned to stay hidden the whole night.” He gives me that bewitching smile and opens the passenger seat.
Jesus. Why can’t I be better at sneaking around? “I don’t want my students to get any wrong ideas.”
“What if those ideas are true?”
I look out the window, hiding my smile. I don’t need to inflate his ego by telling him how much I like his cockiness.
“Hey, where are you going?” I turn to face him as he takes the highway out of the city.
“This is going to be such a memorable night for you that you’ll ask me to take you out every evening.”
“Aren’t we ambitious?”
His rich laugh fills the car. “Don’t challenge me, firecracker. The more you play hard to get, the more irresistible you become to me.”
My breath hitches at his playful words. “Asher…”
“Yeah?” He pulls his gaze away from the street for a second.
“I might say big words sometimes, but… this is all new to me.” I gulp back the nervousness. “I don’t know what you think of me, but I’m not playing games.”
Like the other night, he holds my hand in his free one and places it over his thigh. “I think of you as a girl with a sassy mouth and a soft heart. My favorite combination.”
I freeze in the warm car when Asher parks in the vast, open parking lot of the Cherrywood Christmas Market. My heart squeezes in pain, and I’m unable to look around or get out of the car.
“You don’t want to be here.” He brings my cold hands to his lips. Even though it wasn’t a question, he waits for me to respond.
“My parents met here for their first date. It was tradition for us to visit the market every year on the twentieth of December, the anniversary of their first date.” Emotion fills my throat, choking my words. I can’t believe he brought me here, and on the twentieth, too. “Every year, my parents bought an ornament for our tree.”
Asher is quiet for several moments, until he places a finger under my chin. His eyes are soft, without a touch of his usual cockiness. “Do you want to go someplace else?”
I shake my head. This isn’t just a lucky coincidence; fate has brought us here tonight.
Asher doesn’t let go of my hand as we walk around the market. He’s been cocky, yes, but also considerate and thoughtful. We eat hot dogs, potato pancakes, and roasted almonds, while sipping mulled wine. Asher jokes with people around us in the food lines, but I always feel his sharp attention on me.
“How is it so far?” He squeezes my hand in his tight grip.
“Unexpectedly great.” I smirk.
“Did you doubt my abilities to take you on a great date, firecracker?” He brings my hand to his lips and kisses it, sending shivers through my body. “So, are you up for some more adventure?”
“Bring it on, big guy.”
He laughs and pulls me toward the exit.
But a few minutes later, I’m groaning loudly. “I’m really reconsidering why I said yes to this adventure.”
“It’s not far,” Asher says in that perfectly balanced voice, while I struggle to catch my breath as we hike up the hill.
“What’s in that?” I ask, pointing toward the basket he pulled from the trunk of his car before we started.
He throws me a wink and continues his walk. “Something you’ll thank me for later.”
“Mysterious.”
It doesn’t take me long to see another side of Asher as he spreads a blanket under the tree and lights a fire with the wood he brought along.
“Is that even allowed?” I ask, warming my hands around the orange flames.
“Don’t worry, we’re not breaking any rules. It’s open to the public. This place has the best view of the market.” He settles behind me, and when he pulls me closer to his chest, I go willingly.
“It does.” I let go of a sigh. “At the risk of inflating your ego, I didn’t think tonight would end like this.”
His grip tightens around my waist. “Our real date has just started, firecracker. At the risk of getting another slap from you, I want to kiss you. I’ve wanted to since I saw you outside your school.”
I turn around and meet Asher’s hot gaze locked on me. The shadow of red-hot flames on his face and the reflection of fire in his eyes are powerful, but nothing can compare to the inferno that unleashes inside me when his lips touch mine.
He kisses me without restraint, and molten fire spreads throughout my veins. When his tongue sweeps along my sealed lips, requesting access, I give in without thought. A sigh of pleasure slips from my mouth when his grip on my hair tightens. My gasp gets lost in him as he nibbles at my bottom lip.
“You taste as good as I remember.” Asher’s rough voice skims over my skin. “No woman has the affect you continue to have on me, Sophia. One look and I knew my life was going to change. One taste and I feel like I can’t live without you.”
“Those are big words for a first date.” As much as I want to bask in his attention and celebrate that this tenacious pull I feel toward him isn’t one-sided, I don’t know if this is how every date goes for Asher.
“That’s the problem, firecracker. I’m out of my element here. I’ve never felt like this for a woman, and I don’t know what the right pace is. What I want is you in my home, my bed, my library. I want to show you off on my arm, but at the same time I want to keep you away from the lecherous looks of men who ever thought they had a chance with you. I want to fuck you and claim every part of your body, mind, and soul. I want to love you so hard that we bring every classic love story to shame.”
My body comes to life with his every word and the way his grip tightens on my face. An ache forms between my legs, making me aware of how close we are. Sitting on his lap, I can feel his hard erection digging against my thigh.
Vulnerability peeks on his face, and it crashes into my heart when he says, “This is new for me too, Sophia. I just want you to follow my heart and not hold back.”
After spending another hour watching the market, we return back to St. Peppers. Tonight, Asher parks outside my house, but I make no effort to step out. I wring my hands unwittingly, only realizing the action when he puts his hand over mine.
“My roommates are gone for the holidays,” I blurt in a dash. “Would you like to come in?” His thumb grazing over my fingers comes to a sudden halt. The air hums in the enclosed space, and blood roars so loudly in my ears that I can’t hear anything else. Asher’s smoldering gaze locks with mine, and he asks, “Are you sure?”
It isn’t a simple question. He knows it. I know it.
And when I nod, he holds my face in his. “I would love to come inside.” My eyes widen when his lips twitch. “I promise it wasn’t a planned innuendo.”
We walk inside my house, and I’ve barely closed the door when Asher tugs on my hand. “Are you sure about this?”
I nod, because I might be confused about why I feel so much for this man after knowing him for such a short time, but there isn’t a doubt in my mind that I’m immensely attracted to Asher.
When I think he might kiss me once again, Asher takes a step back. He slowly works on the buttons of his winter coat. “You’re overly dressed, Soph.”
His hands don’t stop as he takes off his coat and carefully places it on the couch before going for his green pullover. His eyes don’t leave me as I place my red coat next to his and then unwind the scarf. Asher is wearing a white shirt underneath, and for a second, my gaze wanders to his watch, which looks vaguely familiar, but his soft command sizzles every molecule in my body. “Everything.”
My mouth dries up, once again reminding me that Asher isn’t a normal guy. The level of fire and power he exudes is rare. I remove my boots and stockings and peel off my dress. I don’t know if it was hope or wishful thinking when I put on my sexy black lingerie today, but I’m glad I did as Asher’s eyes flare with admiration.
“What do you want, firecracker? Do you want me to make love to you and pamper you with sweet nothings when I’m inside you, or do you want me to fuck you so hard that there’s no escaping me and this night?”
Jesus!
I was embarrassed before about how wet I was, but his words have fresh moisture sticking against the insides of my thighs. I’ve had sex in the past, but I know whatever I choose tonight, it’ll be different with Asher. And because I want to see this man unbridled and unleashed, I reply, “I want to be fucked. I don’t want you to hold back.”
I sometimes amaze myself. How I managed to keep a strong voice, when inside I’m a shivering mess, is a mystery in itself.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” The grin on his face is unlike any I’ve seen. If I thought his lip twitch was bewitching, the seductive smirk he’s giving now holds a promise of dangerous and delectable things.
Asher looks toward the hallway to the three bedrooms, and I reply, “The last one on the right.”
He swoops me up into his arm and marches toward my room, and with a gentle kick, he opens the door. His stride wavers for a second as he looks around, halting briefly at my piano and the wall where I have a picture of Mom, Dad, and me. But the fire once again crackles between us when he places me on the bed. He then steps back and watches me as if I’m the most beautiful woman on earth.
I love the attention and don’t make an effort to hide. Asher sheds off his clothes, and I struggle to breathe at the sight of his broad chest and that sexy V-cut, until he pulls down his boxers. His cock is a thing of beauty. I shiver in hope and nervousness of that long, thick, and hard shaft filling me.
I wanted to be fucked, and I know that thing will do wonders at the job.
“Turn around.”
I follow Asher’s command without thought, and he unhooks my bra and slides my panties down to my knees. My butt clenches when his large palms graze my ass cheeks before they skim above my waist, my back, and then he flips me once again onto my back. Throwing my underwear behind him, his hand grazes my thighs.
“You’re exquisite, Soph. You don’t know how many times I’ve thought if I wasn’t at The Queen’s that night, it might be that asshole Jeremy doing this to you.” The rawness in his voice startles me, confirming that I like Asher with confidence and not vulnerable.
“Are you really thinking about me and another man while I’m naked before you?” I turn my head to the side, raising an eyebrow in question.
“I love your fire,” he says before his hand drifts over to my sex. Without effort, his thumb finds my clit, rubbing on it until I’m whimpering in need. His finger slips inside me with ease, working deeper, faster. Soon, he works another finger inside me, and I can’t resist closing my eyes. The clenching sounds mix with my soft cries and chants of his name.
“Ash.” I’m on the verge of having the best orgasm of my life, when he pulls away. “No!” My whine echoes in the bedroom, but it’s followed by a rip of a condom. Asher’s cock nudges my entrance as if for permission, and my eyes open. I watch as he slides inside me.
“You’re beautiful.” His words are so soft that I think he’s forgotten about my choice and is giving me sweet nothings.
“I want to be fucked, Asher. Hold the sweetness for tomorrow.”
His chuckle is loud against my ear. “Remember you said that, baby.” And he slams inside me in one hard thrust. Air leaves my lungs, pain and pleasure mixing as I try to get accustomed to his size. “You’re so fucking tight. Let me know you’re okay.” His hands graze my cheeks, and I open my eyes and nod.
He waits for the count of three before pulling back and slamming into me once again. Foreign pleasure bursts through me as he gives me what I asked for. He’s relentless, one hand holding my hip and the other around my shoulder. My bed squeals under the weight of his thrusts, mixing with my moans and his grunts.
“You feel better than I imagined, Soph.” His movements are brutal, and I want this man no other way.
His hand drifts down to my breast, and when he squeezes it, I see stars. I shatter into a million pieces, wanting him to be the man who’d pick me up and make me whole, always. Asher’s pounding, which has slacked for a beat, resumes, and my eyes open. He isn’t fighting for his release, and when his fingers thrum against my sensitive clit, I know he’s asking me for more.
“I can’t. Not again.”
He shakes his head, not accepting my answer. “You will. If I don’t make you come at least five times tonight, I’m not doing my job right, Soph.” His palms rest on either side of my face as he rubs my nose with his, making my heart beat hard against my rib cage. I realize these soft moments in between the unrestrained sex are far more dangerous.
“You’re a vision when you come.” His lips land on mine before he gives me another earth-shattering orgasm.