“Don’t humor yourself; you’re just getting in my way and you can make your own tea…” Sophie trailed off as she heard footsteps approaching the kitchen. She backed away from Ashton.

“I see you found my grandson.” Margaret smiled as she entered the kitchen. Her bright eyes came to settle on Ashton with much pride.

“Yes, I have,” Sophie affirmed, hoping Margaret didn’t catch the conversation between Ashton and herself before she had walked in.

“Isn’t she wonderful?” Margaret beamed.

“She is quite something,” Ashton agreed. The words rolled off his tongue casually.

“I was just making sure you weren’t having any trouble finding your way around. I’ll go back and rest these old bones.” Margaret turned her warm gaze on Ashton. “Go wash up, dear. I will send for dinner soon and you can join Sophie and me.”

Ashton leaned down and kissed Margaret on the forehead lovingly. It was a gesture that surprised her. “As you wish.” He smiled before turning to leave the kitchen. “I’ll take that tea in my room,” he called behind him.

“Yes, of course,” Sophie answered politely for Margaret’s benefit.

Sophie prepared the teapot and delivered the tray to the living room where Margaret was shuffling through papers. “Here you are.” Sophie set the tray of tea down on the table and served Margaret. “Where would I find Ashton’s room?” Sophie asked, holding his tea in her hands after stirring a copious amount of sugar into it.

“Second room on the left at the top of the stairs.” Margaret had watched Sophie add the sugar to Ashton’s tea with a curious expression but did not comment on it.

“I’ll be right back.” Sophie climbed the grand staircase leading to a wide hallway. Oversized wooden trim bordered the doorways and walls. Many pictures covered the walls that showed Margaret with a man of similar age. Sophie knew it was her late husband. One picture in particular caught her attention. It was not a staged photo like most of the others. It was a candid moment between them. The result was breathtaking and told of their love. It was beautiful.

Sophie continued toward Ashton’s room. She knocked on his door that was left slightly ajar, allowing her to peek inside. She did not see Ashton, so she decided it would be appropriate to leave his tea on his desk. The space was very masculine, with dark colors and wood accents. It was also considerably neat with only a few articles of clothing thrown over the furniture. After setting his tea down, Sophie picked up a framed picture of Ashton on his desk. He was probably close to the age when she had first met him, when the emotional roller coaster began.

She heard a sound in an adjoining room, realizing it was an attached bathroom. She quickly tried to replace the frame so it looked undisturbed. In her panic she knocked over a small box that was sitting on his desk. Papers fell out, scattering on the floor. Sophie gathered them and placed them back in the box.

Turning quickly to retreat, she bumped into Ashton, who was standing directly behind her. A gasp escaped her as she made contact with Ashton’s damp, impossibly hard flesh. “Find anything of interest?” Ashton asked with cool humor.

Sophie hoped that Ashton didn’t notice how her hands lingered on his tantalizing skin. She had to force herself to step back. He smelled of body wash mixed with his own alluring scent; it was intoxicating.

“I…I brought your tea.” Sophie forced her voice to sound casual.

Ashton picked up the tea and brought it to his lips. Sophie tried not to smile when he sipped it. A look of disgust crossed his beautiful features when the amount of sugar registered. He looked up at Sophie with his icy blue eyes. Sophie wasn’t sure how he was going to react. He set the tea on his desk before leaning in close to her ear. It took all of her conscious effort not to lean into him.

“I will definitely play this game.” She could feel his breath against her neck.

“Bring it on. This time you don’t have your evil girlfriend to hide behind.”

Her body was oversensitized from being so close to him. A swirl of emotions assaulted her and she tried to push them away.

“Oh…there will be no hiding, Smelly,” Ashton taunted.

Sophie’s eyes immediately narrowed when Ashton called her by the nickname that Lucinda so graciously bestowed upon her. Sophie clenched her jaw and tightened her fists to control the anger that surfaced with the unpleasant rumors.

“Yeah…I don’t go by that name anymore,” Sophie said with heavy sarcasm. “I had a few names that I used to refer to you back then as well, but I fear it would not be appropriate for me to speak those words in your grandmother’s home. See you never.” Sophie turned quickly on her heel and left the room so she could catch her breath.

The memory of when she became known as “Smelly” for the remainder of her high school years unfortunately remained clear in her mind. It was one of the rare moments that she had been alone with Ashton. He had pulled up a chair and sat down at the table across from Sophie in the back of the library. Hidden away in the corner where people seldom ventured, it was her usual spot, a place that gave her comfort in solitude. Other times she hid out in the art room when her teacher would allow her to use the supplies and she would pass the time painting. Those days were her favorite, when all she had to think about was what color to dip her brush in to create the pictures in her mind.

Sophie looked up at Ashton. “Are you lost? This is called the library. These things are called books.” She held up the book in her hand as she whispered sarcastically. Sophie stared back at him with narrowed eyes. He was quiet. Suddenly nervous as to his intentions, she looked around to confirm they were alone. Lucinda rarely let Ashton out of her sight.

“It’s just me. I wanted to…” Ashton said quietly.

“There you are!” Lucinda’s shrill voice made Sophie jump in her seat. Lucinda’s eyes quickly found Sophie and narrowed in contempt. “I knew I smelled something foul,” she seethed.

“Always a pleasure, Lucinda,” Sophie responded flatly.

“What are you doing back here with Smelly? We were looking for you.” She trailed her fingers sensually down his arm.

Sophie wanted nothing more than to return to the pages of her book, but it was impossible with her current company. Normally she knew exactly what to expect from Ashton, but for a reason unbeknownst to her she had seen softness in his eyes before Lucinda arrived. Sophie found herself wondering what would have happened had they not been interrupted. A couple of Ashton’s friends rounded the corner to see what was happening. I will not cry! I am strong! They are just words…

He stood up and kicked his chair back into the table with more force than necessary. “Let’s go get some air.” Ashton turned on his heel and walked away. “See ya never,” he called out.

Sophie looked up at Lucinda, who was glaring at her with narrowed eyes suspiciously. “Bye, Smelly.” Her laughter lingered behind her as she left the library. It wasn’t long after that that her new name circled the school. Who was she kidding—words hurt!

Chapter Eight

Sophie sat at the enormous rectangular table in Margaret’s dining room. The table seated twelve easily with the large wooden ornate chairs neatly arranged around the table. It was the most beautiful dining room Sophie had ever been in, with its hand-painted ceiling and lavish woodwork on the walls.

Margaret had ordered food to be delivered to the house, insisting Sophie join her and Ashton for supper. As much as she wanted to go home and gain some much needed distance between Ashton and herself, she did not want to offend Margaret.