THE SIN OF WANTING YOU

Kensington, London — September Sophia Roses had three rules for surviving life in her father’s house. Never argue with William Roses before breakfast. Never ask why his best friend had a key to every door in the house. And never let Nathan Jordan know he was the most inconveniently attractive man she had ever met. The first two rules were easy enough. The third was a problem. After three years in New York, Sophia had returned to London with a business management degree and a determination to build something of her own. Her dream was to establish a luxury event management company known for creating unforgettable experiences for private clients and prestigious brands. She had the ideas, the ambition, and a notebook full of plans. What she didn’t have was a permanent home. Her apartment was still being prepared, leaving her with six to eight weeks at her father’s Kensington residence. William had welcomed her home with enthusiasm, affection, and enough questions to make her consider booking another flight. Then came the message that threatened her peace of mind. Dad: Nathan is coming for dinner. Be downstairs by seven. Sophia stared at her phone. Sophia: Is he coming for dinner or moving in permanently? Dad: Don’t start. Sophia: I haven’t started anything. Dad: That’s what concerns me. She laughed and returned to her mirror. At twenty-two, she was determined to be treated like an adult. She could manage her own life, make her own decisions, and build her business without her father hovering over every detail. Unfortunately, being an adult hadn’t cured her weakness for Nathan Jordan. At forty, Nathan was a successful businessman with interests in luxury real estate, international finance, and exclusive hospitality. He was confident, controlled, and difficult to impress. He was also William’s closest friend. Sophia’s crush had begun years ago, when she was sixteen and convinced that Nathan was the most fascinating man alive. She had assumed growing up would make the feeling disappear. It hadn’t. Tonight, she intended to behave normally. She would greet him politely, eat dinner, and avoid embarrassing herself. A perfectly reasonable plan. Until she walked into the drawing room. Nathan stood beside the fireplace in a charcoal suit, his white shirt open at the collar. He was listening to William speak when he turned towards the doorway. His gaze settled on Sophia. For a brief moment, neither spoke. She had known him for most of her life, but something about seeing him now made her suddenly conscious of herself. Perhaps it was the way his attention lingered before returning to her face. Or perhaps she was imagining things. “Well,” Nathan said, smiling faintly. “Look what London has returned to us.” Sophia lifted her chin. “London was perfectly fine before I left.” “I’m sure the entire city was waiting for your return.” “At least someone understands my importance.” “Still modest, I see.” “Still unnecessarily observant, I see.” William sighed. “Five minutes together, and you’re already arguing.” “We’re catching up,” Sophia replied. “Is that what we’re calling it?” Nathan asked. She shot him a warning look. He smiled. “Come here, sweetheart,” William said, opening his arms. Sophia hugged her father, who immediately began inspecting her as though she had returned from New York in need of medical attention. “You look thinner.” “Dad.” “Are you eating properly?” “Yes.” “Sleeping?” “Yes.” “Working?” “I’m planning my business.” William sighed. “You never make anything easy.” Nathan chuckled. “Don’t encourage him,” Sophia warned. “I wouldn’t dream of it.” “You’re enjoying this.” “Very much.” “You’re a terrible person.” “That’s a serious accusation.” “And I stand by it.” His laughter followed her as she sat down. Sophia reminded herself that she was a grown woman. She could survive dinner with Nathan Jordan. Surely. Dinner soon turned into a discussion about business. “So, Sophia,” William said, “tell Nathan about your plans.” She put down her fork. “I’m developing a luxury event management company. Private celebrations, corporate events, exclusive experiences. I want to create events that feel personal rather than predictable.” Nathan regarded her thoughtfully. “Who are your target clients?” “High-end private clients, boutique brands, and corporate executives.” “What makes your company different from the established firms already doing that?” Sophia considered the question. “I want to understand what a client wants before they can explain it themselves. Luxury isn’t just about spending money. It’s about making people feel that every detail was designed specifically for them.” “And your experience?” “I’m building my portfolio.” “That wasn’t quite what I asked.” “I know.” “Then answer the question.” She narrowed her eyes. “Do you interview everyone like this, or am I receiving special treatment?” “Only people who announce plans to enter competitive industries without explaining how they’ll compete.” William laughed. Sophia ignored him. “I know I don’t have years of experience. I’ll start with smaller projects, establish relationships with reliable vendors, and build my reputation. I’m not expecting anyone to hire me simply because of my surname.” Nathan nodded. “Good.” She blinked. “Good?” “Your surname might get someone to take your call. It won’t make them hire you twice. The quality of your work will.” For a moment, she had no reply. She had expected criticism, perhaps even a lecture about how much she still had to learn. Instead, Nathan had taken her ambitions seriously enough to challenge her. She appreciated it more than she wanted to admit. William leaned back in his chair. “You know I can introduce you to people who could help.” “I appreciate that, Dad. But I want to build something myself. I don’t want every opportunity to come with the assumption that someone opened the door because I’m your daughter.” “I’m only trying to help.” “I know. But I need room to do this my way.” Nathan set down his glass. “She’s right.” William turned to him. “You’ve suddenly become an expert on parenting?” “No. Just business.” “Convenient distinction.” “Very.” Sophia hid a smile. Nathan continued, “Give her advice when she asks. Introduce her to people when it makes sense, but let her build the company herself.” William studied his friend before looking at his daughter. “Fine. But if you need help, you ask.” “I will.” “And don’t work yourself into the ground trying to prove a point.” Sophia smiled innocently. “Of course not.” William looked unconvinced. Nathan laughed. For once, Sophia felt understood. Nathan recognised the difference between supporting her and controlling her, something she had struggled to explain to her father. It made her admire him even more. Which was becoming increasingly inconvenient. After dinner, William disappeared into his study to take a business call. Sophia remained in the drawing room, looking out at the garden. “New York must have changed you,” Nathan said. She turned. “Why?” “You seem more certain of yourself.” “Is that your polite way of saying I used to be annoying?” “You were annoying.” “Nathan!” “You asked.” “I was sixteen!” “And determined to have the last word.” “I still get the last word.” “Do you?” “Yes.” He folded his arms. “Then I’ll let you have it.” Sophia opened her mouth, realised he had trapped her, and closed it again. Nathan laughed. “That’s unfair,” she complained. “You’re the one who insists on winning every argument.” “Only when I’m right.” “Naturally.” She shook her head, smiling. “Have you missed London?” he asked. “Some parts of it.” “Your father, presumably.” “Of course.” “And?” Sophia hesitated. She had missed familiar streets, the comfort of home, and people who knew her beyond her achievements. She had also missed Nathan, though she would never admit that aloud. “I missed having people around who know me,” she answered. His expression softened. “New York can be a lonely place.” “Only if you let it be.” “Is that what happened?” For a moment, his question felt more personal than she expected. “No. I learned how to be alone without feeling lonely.” Nathan studied her. “That’s an important distinction.” “Look at you, being wise.” “Don’t spread it around. I have a reputation to maintain.” She laughed. Nathan found himself watching her longer than he intended. Sophia was no longer the girl who followed him around family gatherings, desperate to be included in conversations she barely understood. She had grown into a woman with her own ambitions, opinions, and unmistakable independence. He had always known she was beautiful. What unsettled him was the way he was noticing her now. He was William’s best friend. He had known Sophia for years, and he had no intention of crossing boundaries that could destroy a friendship he valued. He needed to remember that. “Sophia?” William called from the doorway. “Your room is ready, sweetheart. Don’t stay up too late.” “I’m not made of glass, Dad.” “I didn’t say you were.” “You implied it.” “I implied that I know you.” Sophia sighed before turning to Nathan. “Goodnight.” “Goodnight, Sophia.” She headed towards the stairs, then paused. “By the way, I’m glad you’re still around.” Nathan looked at her. She quickly added, “I mean, it would be strange if Dad’s best friend suddenly disappeared after all these years.” “Naturally,” he replied. She smiled and went upstairs. Nathan watched her disappear before turning back to William. “She’s happy to be home,” William remarked. “She seems to be.” “She’s determined to prove herself. Sometimes I worry she’ll take on too much just to show everyone she can manage alone.” “She’ll learn.” William nodded. “That’s why I’m glad you’re here. She listens to you, Nathan. If she gets in over her head with this business, I hope you’ll help her see sense.” Nathan felt the weight of the request. William trusted him with almost everything that mattered. Their friendship had survived difficult years, professional disagreements, and personal challenges. Nathan would never deliberately betray that trust. “You know I’ll help if she needs me,” he said. “I know.” William clapped him on the shoulder. “And Nathan?” “Yes?” “Look after her while she’s here.” It was an ordinary request between old friends. “I will,” Nathan promised. Yet as William returned to his study, Nathan found himself looking towards the staircase again. Upstairs, Sophia closed her bedroom door and leaned against it. Her heart was beating far too quickly for someone who had done nothing more dangerous than eat dinner and have a conversation. She had imagined returning to London as an adult, confident enough to stand before Nathan without feeling like a foolish teenager. Apparently, growing up hadn’t made her immune to him. She sat at her dressing table and removed her earrings. Nathan had listened to her business plans. He had taken her seriously and supported her independence when her father tried to protect her from every possible difficulty. Those things shouldn’t have mattered so much. But they did. The problem was that Nathan had given her no reason to believe he saw her as anything other than William’s daughter. He had smiled, teased her, and treated her ambitions seriously. All perfectly ordinary things. She was the one giving every glance meaning. The one remembering every word. Sophia looked at herself in the mirror. She was twenty-two, not sixteen. She had a future to build and a business to establish. She had far too much pride to embarrass herself over a man who probably still remembered her as the girl who followed him around. Six to eight weeks. She could survive that long under the same roof as Nathan Jordan. She would concentrate on her business, keep her feelings to herself, and stop imagining possibilities that didn’t exist. Downstairs, Nathan finally picked up his jacket. He had meetings to attend, decisions to make, and an empire demanding his attention. Instead, he found himself remembering Sophia’s smile. He had spent years believing he understood the boundaries of his life. His work came first, his friendships mattered, and he didn’t pursue anything that risked destroying what he had built. Sophia was an independent woman with her own ambitions and choices. But she was also William’s daughter, and William trusted him without reservation. That trust meant something. Nathan stepped outside and closed the door. Six to eight weeks. He could maintain his distance and behave as he always had. He could remind himself that some lines existed for a reason. It should have been easy. He had built an empire by exercising control over his decisions. He wasn’t about to lose that control over a woman who had only just come home. Especially not Sophia Roses. Yet, as he walked towards his car, one inconvenient thought followed him into the night. For the first time, Nathan wasn’t entirely certain he wanted those six weeks to end.