REFINED ROMANCE

I found out the truth

Chapter 10

1284 Word Update date:2023-08-11 10:15:18

Wow. He had pride. I liked it. "I mean, I don't want to come out and say it because it's this code I'm living by at the moment. But say something to me that will most likely send me a message."

"Tap into your inner fountain of courage and speak up, Sophie," he said in that hoarse voice of hers. "You're already aware of how bold I am with my intentions, because I never back down. So equal me or climb above my expectations and say what's on your mind. Go on."

This is a good time to confess that there is a chance for someone to get into your heart by just speaking.

I took a deep breath. "Why do you react that way when I..." it was that point where you lose most of the air in your lungs and you need a refill. "When I touch you," I said after inhaling again, my head dizzied by her face, "why do you...move away or behave like I've got a deadly virus?"

"What a dumb question." he smirked.

I stared back. "Mixed signals I guess?"

"There is only one reason," he assured me. A step was taken closer.

"And what's that?" I swallowed hard.

"So you're the type that needs to hear the truth first?"

"Yeah, I'm that type." I seriously felt myself slightly tremble inside. I was loving his authoritative stand on this.

"Quite unlike the male species who jump after the bat of eyelashes."

My space was invaded. An inch of distance between us that burnt me up so much, I could feel his warmth. I could feel how he was radiating for some reason and it was killing me.

"So go ahead and give me reasons," I urged. "Why do you react like that? I want to hear it."

"The same reason I hired you," he said hoarsely. I stared back. "The same reason I specifically called tonight, knowing Lucas wouldn't be in the office. Hastings, I never dialed his number."

I couldn't breathe. Brain, work brain. Don't fail me now.

He never looked away from me. "Had you not suggested, I would have waited until tomorrow to see you. Because I always do. Even when you're not aware of my presence. I've seen you...countless times. I've specifically avoided you for six months. And it sounds rather ridiculous but everything that you're worried about, everything you're questioning, we're most likely sharing the same thoughts."

Oh my God.

Sophie you just lost one of your nine lives and you're born again. Obviously I was speechless! Wouldn't you be? Out of your mind, most likely. But to form a reply? To actually say something? I think my tongue ran away. My eyes were probably bulging because no one had ever said something like that to me. No man. And I couldn't believe it.

"Specifically...avoided me?" I stared back

Yes. Guess why."

"Because..." I swallowed, "because you..." I couldn't continue.

"Is that enough to work with?" He could actually offer a small smile then blink two times too fast. "Please tell me that I'm not insane."

"No," I choked.

"I have obviously...stunned you," his chest heaved.

"You have no idea," I managed to say hoarsely.

He leaned in, keeping that one inch distance between our bodies. And brown eyes fluttered close. Teasing me. Lips parted, I waited for something and it wasn't given. Instead, his warm breath kissed my mouth instead and I grew so weak in the knees.

"I divorced Kate because I didn't want her at all ," he whispered, never touching me.

I squeezed my eyes shut and couldn't breathe.

"I never wanted her Sophie. Not in this lifetime. I don't believe in labels but as you would wish to hear, yes." His lips grazed upon my left ear and I trembled. "I'm seriously attracted to you no one else . And right now, there's only one woman..."

Just as I was about turn my face, he mirrored my move. Both of us moved in dangerously close, so close, our lips brushed together. And I gasped. So did he. Immediately trembling slightly from what I felt, my body sparking up. My heart racing so fast. Our noses nudged together and I waited for the move. Without wasting a second, he kissed me.

Let's just say that my mind exploded.

I took my time, the smell of him making me dizzy. Apples and a perfume that was etched in my memory. We didn't touch except for the kiss. A kiss that was fresh and amazing. But it was such a slow pace for me, barely capturing my lips and still keeping distance. It was driving me insane!

Taking a hold of his shoulders, I pulled our bodies together and moved in. Deeper. Kissing him exactly matching the way I felt. A moan was unearthed from within his throat, and he mewled. Biting his bottom lip and sucking, feeling warm breath on my face. He ran fingers through my blonde hair, nails tingling my scalp. Oh my God it was the best kiss ever. Tilting my head sideways as the wind whipped around us, our bodies pressed together. And I swear, I couldn't stop because I didn't want us to stop.

I was kissing a man for the first time.

And he was my boss.

Liam freaking Abbort!!!....

The fact that my mind barely reminded me of that turned my body on more because this was like a freaking wild spark of my imagination or something. The thrill of having an older man find interest in me. Wanting me. This gorgeous, hot man.

I could feel the softness of his chest , the way we fitted perfectly together. So close, it was mind-blowing to feel how warm he was. Both of us burning up. I wanted so much more and couldn't wait. Tilting his head sideways, the softness of his neck was tasted, inhaling deeply. Savoring the smell of everything, the tickle of black hair upon my nose.

"Sophie ,we're being..." his chest heaved. I felt it. "We're being watched."

"What?" still dizzy, I studied his face and followed brown eyes that were lowered immediately after pinpointing the onlookers.

The three Stooges.

Thomas was glowering, a huge grin on his face. He showed me a thumbs up. Peter rolled his eyes but smiled. Max was just gawking.

"Pay up," Peter outstretched a hand in Thoma's direction. "I told you she likes the guy .

"I already paid for two rounds of beers that you drank half of already," Thomas said defensively. "Get a grip, yeah."

"You still owe me."

"I don't owe you shit."

"Why does that woman look like...Sophie" Max swayed on the spot, eyes dazed now.

"Easy there buddy," Thomas patted his back. He winked at me. "So I guess we're not walking each other home tonight, huh?"

I shook my head and smiled. Liam's kiss still intoxicated me. I couldn't compose myself as he would say.

When they walked off, heading for the stairs again, I waited until they were out of sight and turned to him once more. Smiling, he nudged our noses together and blinked brown eyes at me.

"I hope I didn't come across as a stalker when I said you were watched by me," he said hoarsely, "did I?" a frown was offered.

"Actually no," I smiled. "Come to think of it, it makes me feel more special because I felt invisible to you. I never saw you but once. Not fully. But from the back. And I felt as if I was working for a voice on a phone only."

"Well now that voice has a face attached to it."

"And a body too."