“How do you find dinner, Sophie?” Margaret asked as she elegantly reached for her glass of wine with her well-manicured hands.

“It’s delicious. Thank you.” Sophie smiled. Sophie did not remember tasting food so excellently prepared. Every morsel of food upon her plate was seasoned and cooked to perfection. Sophie glanced over at Ashton, who stared back at her shamelessly. Sophie tried not to squirm under his gaze, but his presence was so potent and his confidence so intimidating. “Could you please pass the salt?” Sophie asked, hoping to ease the awkward moment.

“Sure.” Ashton picked up the shaker and then slid it across the table slowly, a smile pulling the edges of his perfect lips.

“Thank you.” Sophie studied him suspiciously as she sprinkled the salt over her plate. A loud clanking sound startled her as the top of the shaker fell onto her plate, dumping the contents of the shaker on her remaining food.

“That’s not good,” Ashton commented with a mischievous expression upon his face. Sophie shot him an accusing look.

“We’ll get you some more dinner, dear,” Margaret assured her.

“That won’t be necessary. I’m already full. I just didn’t want to waste anything.” As much as Sophie enjoyed her dinner, she didn’t think she could eat another bite.

“Mrs. Margaret, there is a phone call for you in the parlour,” Charlotte politely informed Margaret. Charlotte was a short round woman with graying hair. Her white apron was crisp and clean, despite the constant work she seemed to undertake. Although Sophie had only known her very briefly, she knew Charlotte never stopped shuffling around the house, making sure things were in order. Her familiarity with the house told of her many years working here.

“Thank you, Charlotte.” Margaret excused herself from the table.

As soon as Margaret left the room, Sophie turned toward Ashton. “You think you’re really funny, don’t you?” Sophie asked, throwing a cold glare toward him.

“I know I am.” He leaned back in his chair with a satisfied grin on his face.

Sophie tried to reach under the table to kick him, but the massive table was too big. A chuckle erupted from Ashton when he realized her intent. Evil can be so seductive. Don’t let him get to you! Sophie leaned back to stretch her leg further, but he still evaded her determined assault. She sat up and stared at him across the table.

“Must suck to be short,” Ashton teased, pushing out her chair easily with his foot.

“That’s it!” Sophie threw her napkin down on the table before climbing under the table.

“Now this is more like it,” Ashton said with enthusiasm.

Ashton moved quickly for his size, dropping down under the table to meet her. They came face to face underneath. Sophie raised her hand with the intention of slapping his face. He grabbed her wrist before she could follow through. He intercepted her other hand as well. Holding both her wrists hostage, he pulled her closer.

“What are you going to do now?” he asked in a breathy voice. His laughter died away and his mood turned serious. The question lingered in the air. Sophie found herself mesmerized by his entrancing eyes and her gaze lingered on his lips. She couldn’t think of anything she wanted more than to feel his lips on hers again, teasing her flesh. Her anger was forgotten. She moistened her lips with her tongue as she leaned closer. She looked up into his seemingly hungry eyes. If she didn’t know better she would have thought that he wanted to kiss her as well.

“Ashton? Sophie?” Margaret called out. Sophie was so wrapped up in the moment she hadn’t heard Margaret return. Sophie jumped in alarm, bumping her head under the table.

“Ouch…I dropped something under the table.” Sophie retreated quickly. Sophie could not understand why her body continuously betrayed her in Ashton’s presence. All her hard work to keep a level head escaped her when he looked at her with those bottomless blue eyes.

Sophie climbed out from under the table, straightening her clothes. She could feel the blush heavy in her cheeks. “I dropped my…my…”

“Bracelet,” Ashton finished for her, tossing her small silver bracelet on the table. She hadn’t even realized that it had come off.

“Yes…my bracelet.” She retrieved it off the table.

“If you will excuse me, Grandmother.” Ashton nodded affectionately toward her before he left the room. He didn’t even acknowledge Sophie as he left, leaving Sophie to cringe at her ridiculous behavior. She was making the situation worse by not being able to control her emotions.

Sophie quickly changed the subject to ease her guilty conscience. “I should mention that my apartment building is being resolved of its current…rodent problem.” Sophie admitted, embarrassed. “I will be staying at a motel for a few days. I am hoping that it doesn’t affect my schedule but I have to figure out the bus route from where I’m staying. I am hoping to sort it out this evening.”

“Why don’t you stay here, dear? We have more than enough room in this big house.” Margaret beamed.

“I appreciate the offer but I couldn’t possibly impose,” Sophie demurred. “You have already been too good to me. Dinner was wonderful. I feel confident that I will sort things out. I can be here first thing tomorrow morning. I just wanted to let you know just in case an unforeseen problem does arise.”

“Well, the offer remains open, should you change your mind.” Margaret smiled and patted Sophie affectionately on the shoulder. “We would love to have you stay with us. Ashton is gracing me with his company for the time being, keeping an old woman company.” Ashton was fortunate to have such a wonderful grandmother. She wondered what her life would have been like if she had extended family that consisted of more than just her mother and her. She immediately thought of Mrs. Martin and how much she loved the short amount of time they had together. Sophie returned her smile with genuine feeling.

“Thank you again for the lovely meal, Margaret.”

Charlotte shuffled in the room and began clearing the dinner plates.

“Hold on, dear.” Margaret placed her hand on Sophie’s arm and turned toward Charlotte.

“Could you collect Ashton for me, Charlotte, please?”

“Of course.” Charlotte left the room with a nod and tender smile, her soft humming lingering behind her.

“Ashton will drive you where you need to go tonight. That way you don’t have to catch a bus at this hour,” Margaret informed Sophie.

“That’s not really necessary. Besides, I’m used to taking the bus at all hours. It comes with the territory of not having a vehicle.”

“Nonsense. He will meet you out front.” Margaret waved away Sophie’s excuse. “It’s not safe for a girl like you to be out unescorted so late.”

Sophie decided not to argue the point with her. “Thank you. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Good night, Sophie.”

Sophie stepped out onto the front step and breathed in the cool night air. She pulled her phone from her pocket and realized it was later than she had realized. The afternoon had flown by. A smile graced her lips as she noticed a recent message from Jack.

Jack: I can’t think of another option. I am sticking with my original idea of sleeping with him.

Sophie: Argh…remind me never to get you to help me devise any evil schemes. You are a typical man that thinks that all problems can be solved with sex.

Jack: You mean they can’t?

Sophie: Funny…BTW Ashton is the grandson of the woman that I am working for! He is staying with her. Did you know that?

Jack: Actually yes. Sorry about that. I didn’t think it would involve Ashton. I knew you would have probably not taken it had you known. I didn’t want you to miss the opportunity. Sorry I didn’t warn you ahead of time.