THE BILLIONAIRE’S BABY

(THE FULL SERIES)

HELEN COOPER

This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is
entirely coincidental. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents
either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

Copyright © 2012 by Helen Cooper

Chapter 1

“Come on Sophie.” Ella called out to her friend. “We can’t miss the train. Maxwell will kill me if we
do.”

“I’m coming. I’m coming.” Sophie grabbed her backpack and chased after her friend. “You didn’t
really give me much time to get ready.” She was breathless as she ran down the path to the train
tracks. She looked down at her shoe and saw her laces were untied but she didn’t dare stop to tie it
up. “Don’t fall, don’t fall.” She mumbled to herself as she followed her best friend.

Sophie and Ella had been best friends for 15 years; ever since their first day at boarding school when
they were 7 years old. Ella had marched up to Sophie and linked her arm through hers and that was
all it had taken. They had been inseparable ever since. Unfortunately for Sophie, she was still treated
like the lost little girl she had been when they first met and Ella bossed her around like nobody’s
business.

“Run Sophie. Run.” Ella screamed at Sophie as she jumped onto the train, her blond hair flying. She
reached her hand out to Sophie and grabbed her arm as she came running up to the train. “Jump.”

Sophie ran and jumped into the train, tripping over her shoes and falling into the carriage. She stood
up as gracefully as possible and saw the other passengers in the train looking at her as if she were an
alien from outer space. She grabbed her bag from the ground and sighed when she saw 3 more people
get on the train casually.

“The train wasn’t leaving Ella.” She hissed at her friend embarrassed.

“Well, it might have started to leave and you’d be stuck here if you hadn’t run.” Ella spoke matter of
factly and walked into the main carriage. “Let’s find our seats. I hope Maxwell hooked us up.”

Sophie sighed and followed her friend. She hadn’t wanted to come home with Ella for the break; in
fact, she never wanted to go to Ella’s home again but she had found herself emotionally blackmailed
into accompanying her friend to her childhood home in Iowa, instead of going to stay with her Uncle
and Aunt in Florida. It had become a tradition for Sophie to stay with Ella’s family every Spring
Break and sometimes in the summer as well. They had grown up together and after High School, they
had both gotten into Columbia University in New York. Ella’s family had been kind enough to rent
Ella a beautiful apartment in the Upper West Side and allowed Sophie to live there for free.

Sophie loved Ella’s parents as if they were her own but she was dreading seeing Maxwell: gloriously
handsome and brilliant Maxwell. He was Ella’s older brother, by 8 years and Sophie had been in
love with him for years. Only he didn’t know. And she wanted to keep it that way. He looked at her as
his younger sister’s annoying best friend and Sophie knew she had no shot with him. He was the heir
to a billionaire’s fortune, handsome as a model and as intelligent as Einstein. He was also the one
who had provided comfort to Sophie as a youngster, when she had been homesick. She smiled to

herself thinking about their midnight snacks and scary story nights. What she wouldn’t do to get him in
her bed now. She laughed to herself; mocking her fantasies and sat down next to Ella.

“What were you laughing at?” Ella looked at her curiously, twirling her long blond hair in her hands.

“Nothing.” Sophie sighed. She wanted to ask Ella if Maxwell had a girlfriend but she didn’t want her
friend to know about her crush.

“Sophie, thanks soo much for coming home with me. It just wouldn’t have seemed right without you
there. You know you are more like my family, than just a friend.” Ella clasped her hands and brought
them towards her. “I am so lucky to have a best friend like you.”

Sophie’s heart warmed and she felt her eyes moisten. Ella really knew how to make her all warm and
fuzzy inside. “It’s okay Ella. It will be a Christmas to remember I’m sure.” She checked the latest text
message from her Aunt and smiled. “And it will allow my Uncle and Aunt to go on that cruise that
they have been talking about for years.”

“Yay. I am soo excited. Let’s go shopping tomorrow. We only have a few days left until Christmas. I
hope Maxwell talks my parents into buying me a new car.”

“I doubt it.” Sophie laughed. “Not after you totaled the last 3.”

“It wasn’t my fault.” Ella pouted.

“3 Mercedes totaled in 3 months is your fault!”

“Stop you start up as well Sophie. Wouldn’t you rather be driving right now, than in this stuffy train?”

“Not really.” Sophie laughed, happy that she didn’t have to drive with crazy Ella. She was scared for
her life every time she got in a car with her friend. “But hey, I never have enough money saved for a
car so maybe you can drive with me.”

“Oh Sophie, that’s great.” Ella smiled at her friend. “That will be awesome.”

“I know it won’t be a Mercedes but it will still be 4 wheels.” Sophie beamed at her friend. One of the
things she loved about Ella was that she didn’t judge her because she didn’t have as much money as
her friend. Her Uncle and Aunt had been able to send her to boarding school because of the insurance
money and she had gotten a scholarship to college. The $3000 she had in her account was from her
part time job working at a pet shop and she was looking forward to buying the 2004 Toyota Corolla
that her professor was going to sell her.

“A car is a car. Soon we will be college graduates and we will be able to travel the country at our
will.” Ella squealed with excitement.

“Well, I don’t know about that.” Sophie frowned at her friend. “You know I’m looking for a job. If I

want to stay in the City, I need to have an income coming in.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Ella looked down at her phone. Jobs meant nothing to her. Having grown up in a family
that was in the Forbes top 100 richest families in the country, Ella had never had to worry about
things like money and jobs. “You should just ask Maxwell to hire you as an executive in one of our
companies, then you won’t have to worry so much.”

“I can’t do that.” Sophie smiled at her friend and sighed. She would love to work for Maxwell, it
would be heavenly to see his face everyday and to smell and touch him. “Anyways Maxwell would
never want to hire me.”

“Yes he would. He knows how smart you are.” Ella grins at her friend. “Do you know how many
times he has told me that he wishes you were his sister instead?”

“Yeah, you told me.” Sophie faked a smile and tried to keep her disappointment to herself. She didn’t
want Maxwell to see her as a sister; she wanted him to see her as a sex God and lust after her. She
wanted him to push her into a room and ravish her quickly before Ella came down the stairs. She
wanted them to have romps in the car and in the fields and laugh at how naughty they were. But no, all
Maxwell did is peck her on the cheek and talk about what a good friend she was to his sister before
he hit the town and had fun with a bunch of other girls. The last time Sophie had stayed over at the
Van Harkel’s she had seen Maxwell making out with a girl in the garage. He had seen her peaking at
him and had winked at her before he had continued ravishing the beautiful blond and Sophie had gone
to her room and cried. She had managed to skip going with Ella for over a year now but hadn’t
managed to bail out of this visit. It was the last Christmas that they would be in school and Ella had
managed to emotionally blackmail her into coming.

“Sometimes I think he likes you more than he likes me.” Ella grinned and with her blue eyes sparkling
Sophie knew she was just kidding.

“Well, he knows I can cook a better pie.”

“Ooh, does that mean you will make one for Christmas? I’m sure Mrs. D won’t mind.”

“I guess so. I don’t want Mrs. D thinking I’m after her job again. Though that would be a job.” The
two girls laughed together and relaxed as the train left the station.

***

“Ella, wake up. We’re here.” Sophie shook her friends shoulder and stood up stiffly. She brushed her
long hair back, hopeful that it didn’t look as frizzy as it felt and smoothed her skirt flat. She wanted to
whip out a mirror to make sure her makeup was still intact but she knew that Ella would wonder
when she became so vain. She certainly didn’t want to tell her friend that she wanted to look good for
Maxwell. There were enough girls who tried to befriend Ella just so that they could get an
introduction to Maxwell Van Harkel. She didn’t want Ella to think she had gone over to the dark side
as well.

“Oh wow, I can’t believe I fell asleep.” Ella yawned. “It’s all that studying I tell ya. It makes a girl
tired.”

“Sure, that’s it.” Sophie rolled her eyeballs and laughed. Ella never studied. She was one of those
people who was naturally smart and who did well without spending hours studying.

The girls grabbed their bags and walked off the train. They had arrived to Winterside in a little over 4
hours and the train station was as sleepy as ever. Sophie looked around her and smiled. It was as
picturesque as she remembered it to be. Mitch, the trainmaster sat on a table inside and beamed at the
girls as they walked through the small station. He was listening to Christmas carols on the radio and
the Christmas tree was sparkling with at least 10 different bulbs of lights wrapped around it.

“Good Afternoon Ms. Van Harkel and Ms. Bloomwood.” Mitch stood up as they passed. “Great to
see you both back home for the holidays. Mr. Van Harkel is sitting outside waiting for you both.”

“Thanks Mitch.” The girls chorused in unison. They ran outside and up to the big Range Rover that
was parked outside the station. Sophie’s breath caught as she spied Maxwell standing next to the
driver’s door talking on the phone to someone. Their eyes met and he beamed at the girls, quickly
hanging up the phone.

“Max.” Ella dropped her bag and went running up to her brother. “I thought Dad was going to meet
us.” She hugged her brother tightly and stood back and observed him. “You are looking way too
handsome for a hard working man. It’s not fair. Why did I not get your gorgeous thick hair?” She
teased her brother and he rubbed her head.

Sophie walked up to them slowly and stopped shy a few feet away from them. “Hi Max.” She spoke
shyly, trying not to gaze at him with adoration. He looked as handsome and perfect as ever. Being 6
foot tall, he towered over Sophie, but his sparkling blue eyes always made her feel comforted and at
ease. He had jet-black hair, with a slight curl and an always-tanned skin tone.

“Sophie.” He stared at her and smiled. “Don’t I get a hug?” He reached over to her and held her in his
arms. She felt her breasts crush against his chest and a warm feeling ran through her body. He held
her for a few extra seconds and she felt his lips on her cheek, soft and firm at the same time. She
wondered if she turned her mouth towards his, if she could pretend it was a mistake. That way she
could feel his lips on hers and she would have something to savor for the whole holiday.

“Come on guys.” Ella interrupted them. “It’s only been a year since you’ve seen each other, not a
decade.”

Sophie reluctantly stepped back from Maxwell’s arms and smiled up at him. She noticed him staring
at her and frowning.

“Well, it seems like a lot can happen in a year.” Maxwell’s voice was gruff and Sophie could feel his
eyes on her. “Sophie, you will have to fill me in on everything you have done in the last year.”

“She’s not going to tell you who she slept with bro.” Ella punched him in the arm.

“I said everything she has done, not who she has done, sis.” Maxwell grimaced at her. “I can see that
I don’t want to ask you about your love life.”

“Don’t be a hypocrite Max. You must sleep with a woman a week. I can have some fun too.” Ella
teased him.

“I’m 30 Ella and you are 22. Big difference.” Maxwell’s voice was gruff. “And I don’t want to hear
about my little sister having sex.”

“Oh Max.” Ella laughed and got into the front seat. “Shotgun.” She smiled back at Sophie. “You can
get shotgun next time.”

“That’s fine Ella.” Sophie jumped into the backseat, hoping that Maxwell would talk some more
about his love life. She was curious as to whether he had a girlfriend or not.

Sophie sat back and allowed herself to be mesmerized by the beautiful familiar sites on their drive to
the Van Harkel manor. There was something about the lush greenness of the countryside that always
delighted her. She smiled as she saw the cows munching away on the grass. She always wondered
what cows thought about all day. It couldn’t possibly be about how delicious the grass tasted. She
laughed to herself at the thought and looked up to see Maxwell watching her through the rearview
mirror.

“What are you laughing about Sophie?” He smiled at her curiously.

“I was just thinking about the time Ella and I decided to feast on grass to figure out why cow’s
enjoyed eating it soo much.” She laughed. “And then we spent the whole night throwing up green stuff
and we pretended we were monsters.”

“I remember that. And Max stayed up the whole night with us, making fun of us.” Ella laughed.

“I called you both the Gobble-Geeks and I was the master Gobble-Gook.” Max grinned. “And I got
you both to do my chores for the next few days.”

“Grr. You really took advantage of us.” Ella hit him in the arm. “You made me sit on my hands and
knees chanting, “I am your servant master Gobble-Gook.” You should be ashamed of yourself for
making fun of a little kid.”

“Oh I am sis. I am.” Maxwell grinned and then winked at Sophie. “I’ll never make fun of your snotty
nose again.”

“Max.” Ella stuck her tongue out at him and looked back at Sophie. “I’m so glad you came home with
me Soph. This way there will be two of us to gang up on Maxwell.”

“I’m sure he’ll be too busy for us.” Sophie smiled weakly. She didn’t want Max to think of her as
pukey gooble-geek Sophie but more as beautiful siren Sophia.

“Oh yeah. I forgot he’s helping dad run a multi-billion dollar company. Best not lose my fortune big
bro.” Ella smiled and Sophie noticed that Maxwell’s shoulders tensed a little bit.

“Maybe you will join us when you graduate and actually help earn the dollars you spend.” Maxwell
smiled at his sister but Sophie could hear the seriousness in his tone.

“Yeah, sure. One day.” Ella paused. “Oh, but if you have any positions going Sophie’s looking for a
job.”

Sophie groaned under her breath and tried to stop the flush from creeping up in her face as Maxwell
looked at her with interest. “Are you really Sophie?”

She nodded slowly, not sure if she could stand working around the man she loved.

“We do have an internship program starting in January, that leads to a job starting this summer, if you
are interested.”

“Well, I guess so. When would my application have to be in?” She asked hesitantly, knowing that all
the top corporations had stopped accepting new interns to their programs a long time ago.

“I guess that’s a perk of knowing the boss. No application needed.” Maxwell parked the car and they
got out of the Range Rover. Ella went running into the house to greet her parents and Sophie stood
next to Max as he locked the car doors. “I’m serious Sophie. Come and talk to me after dinner if you
want to start.” He looked deep into her eyes and Sophie was worried that he could see her true
feelings for him radiating out of her.

“Thanks Max. That would be great.” She fiddled with her skirt and put her backpack on. It ruffled
against her tee shirt and pulled it up a bit, exposing her stomach. She pulled the tee shirt down quickly
and looked back up again. Maxwell was staring at her intently and he had a dark smile on his face.

“It’s good to see you Sophie. You have definitely grown into a beautiful young woman.” He licked his
lips and walked away from her and Sophie counted to ten before she followed him into the house. The
man was sex on legs and Sophie had wanted to feel his tongue on her lips as he had licked his. She
sighed. It was going to be a long two weeks if she lusted every little thing that Maxwell did.

Chapter 2

Beautiful young woman. Beautiful young woman. Sophie couldn’t stop smiling to herself as she
replayed Maxwell’s comments in her mind. He thought she was beautiful. She studied herself in the
mirror and thought about how she could make herself look sexier. She felt that she had a boring look:
long dark brown wavy hair, green eyes and a spattering of freckles across her cheeks and nose. She
was 5 foot 6, an average height, and she weighed about 145lbs. While she knew she wasn’t fat, she
also knew she would never qualify to be a model. She enjoyed food and didn’t say no to deserts. As
she looked at herself, she thought glumly that while she was not a plain Jane, she would never be a
striking beauty either. Not like Ella.

Ella was the type of girl that men flocked to; she was tall and slender, with long blond hair and
sparkling blue-green eyes that looked like the Pacific Ocean. She also had that confident that most
rich girls had and she was irresistible to men. Sophie never stood a chance with any guys in college
because they all wanted to be with Ella. But she didn’t mind as her thoughts were always with
another. Sophie sighed. She was starting to feel like a bit of a loser. She’d only ever casually dated
and she had never had sex. Not that she wanted to sleep with any of those silly college guys; not after
she’d seen what a real man looked like.

She closed her eyes and thought back to that evening the last time she had stayed at the Van Harkel’s.
Not only had she seen Maxwell making out with some girl, she had also spied him in the shower. It
had been late at night and she had stumbled into the bathroom to wash her face just as he had been
stepping out of the shower in all his glory. She could still picture his magnificent penis in her mind, it
had looked long and thick and wonderful. And she blushed just thinking about it.

Bang. Bang. Ella barged into her room without waiting for an answer to her knocks. “Want to go out
tonight?” She questioned Sophie before flopping down onto her bed. “I’m bored already.”

“Where are we going to go El?” Sophie looked away from the mirror and sighed, exasperated at her
friend and propensity to easy boredom. “It’s not like we are in the big city anymore.”

“We can go back into town. There’s a small pub there.” Ella looked at Sophie eagerly. “Judging by
the amount of women Max picks up down there, there should be plenty of guys.”

“Max picks up girls there?” Sophie was surprised. She figured all the girls Max got were from the
city or daughters of other millionaire’s who had family homes in Winterside.

“Oh, he gets girls everywhere. Look at him.” Ella laughed and jumped up. “Tonight we are going to
go out and paint the town red.”

“Uh sure.” Sophie groaned. “I didn’t even bring any party clothes.”

“I have plenty. You can wear something of mine.”

“Ella, I love you but you are size 2 and I am size 8. Not much that you own will fit me.” Sophie
laughed. “Plus, I have a bust and you are as flat as a pancake.”

“Hey, no need to insult me.” Ella laughed. “Let’s go check out my wardrobe and see what I have.”

“Okay.” Sophie followed her friend out of the room and sang along with her as they walked to Ella’s
room. “Tonight’s going to be a good night.”

“What are you two hooligans singing about?” Maxwell stepped out in the corridor and Sophie
gasped. He was standing in a pair of basketball shorts with no shirt on. She could see that he had a
thin mat of hair on his chest and she wanted to run over and rub his chest to see how smooth it is.

“Nothing dear bro. Sophie and I are going out tonight and we are checking out some outfits.”

“Oh yeah?” He looked at Sophie and winked. “Maybe I’ll come as well.”

“Won’t we be cock blockers?” Ella laughed and Maxwell groaned.

“Ella, where do you get your language from?” He rolled his eyes at her. “And no, I’d love to spend
the night with my sister and her best friend. I can make sure that you guys don’t get into any trouble.”

“Oh no.” Ella groaned. “You’re going to cock block me.”

“You have a cock dear sis?” He raised his eyebrows and Sophie laughed at him.

“You’re gross, you know that.” Ella hit him in the arm. “Anyways, how should we dress? I’ve never
been to the pubs in town.”

“This may be the country but people still need to look nice girls. Dress as you wish. We can grab
dinner there as well. I’m going to hop in the shower now. We can leave in about 2 hours.”

“Yay.” Ella squealed with happiness and hugged her brother. “Sometimes I love you big bro.”

“And sometimes I love you two dweeb.”

“And sometimes I think you both act like you are 15 years old.” Sophie interrupted them and they all
laughed.

“I know that none of the board of directors would have faith in me if they saw me and Ella’s
interactions.” Max laughed. “But I guess you never grow out of teasing your little sister.”

“Who can resist me?” Ella twirled around and Sophie pushed her into the room.

“Okay, what clothes do you own that will kind of fit me?” All of a sudden Sophie was excited to go

out. She had a plan forming in her mind and she didn’t want to analyze it too closely. She was hoping
that Max would see her all gussied up and would be unable to resist himself. She felt her heart racing
just thinking about it. Her and Max, rolling around on the ground. His strong arms around her, his lips
firm on hers, his hands on her breasts. She felt giddy just thinking about it.

“So what about this?” Ella interrupted her daydreams. “Earth to Sophie.”

“Oh sorry.” Sophie grabbed the dress from Ella’s hands and looked at it carefully. “I’m not sure if
this will fit me but I guess I can try. Any other dresses that I can try on?”

Ella handed her 2 more dresses and Sophie went into her bathroom to try them on. “Okay, cross your
fingers that at least one of these fits and doesn’t make me look like a skank.”

“You’ll be fine Sophie.” Ella turned back to her closet to decide what she was going to wear.

“Yeah. We’ll see.” Sophie studied the dresses in her hand. The first one was sparkly silver that was
more appropriate for a 70’s disco. She was not sad when the dress would not even slide over her
hips. The second dress seemed more promising, it was a simple black dress and she slid it on
eagerly, hoping that it would fit.

“Argh.” She groaned as she looked down at herself. The dress barely fit. It was extremely snug and
short. It barely covered her ass and she felt like her boobs were popping out. It was definitely not a
dress made for a girl with curves and boobs. The cut of the straps also made it so she wouldn’t be
able to wear a bra. Sophie groaned again. She wanted to catch Maxwell’s eye but she didn’t want him
to think she was the local hooker. She pulled the dress off and tried on the next one. It was a slinky
red and she was able to slip it on easily. She looked at herself in the mirror. The dress looked awful
on her, something about the cut emphasized all the wrong parts of her body. She’d never seen her ass
look soo huge.

“How’s it going Soph?” Ella called out, while singing along to the music blasting out of her iPod.

“Okay.” Sophie sighed. It was going to have to be the black dress then. One way or the over she was
going to have someone noticing her tonight. There was no doubt in her mind. “Are you sure you have
no other dresses that may fit me?” Sophie popped her head out of the bathroom door and cringed.
“These are all way too small for me.”

“Sorry Sophie.” Ella frowned. “Will none of them fit?”

Sophie sighed. “I guess I’ll wear the black one then. Argh.”

“You’ll look great. Let me do your makeup.”

“Uh ok.” Sophie was scared at what Ella was going to do to her face. She usually wore very simple
makeup and didn’t think Max was going to be attracted to a scarecrow. “Just don’t make me up too
much Ella, I don’t want to look like I have a black eye please.”

“That was only once Sophie. And it was your fault, you rubbed your eye and the mascara and eyeliner
became a big blob.”

“I looked like a hot mess Ella!” Sophie growled at her friend. “Just make sure it doesn’t happen
again.”

“Yeah, yeah. Go shower and change and come back here when you are done.”

“Yes boss.” Sophie ran out of the room laughing. She and Ella were more like sisters than best
friends. She bit her lip as she walked to her room; she wasn’t sure what was going to happen when
they graduated. She was scared to lose her best friend, the person closest to her in the world. She
honestly didn’t know how she was going to survive without Ella there to talk to everyday.

“Hey Sophie, a penny.” The low voice behind her made her jump. “Hey, it’s just me.” Maxwell put
an arm around her shoulder. “No need to jump.”

“Oh sorry.” Sophie smiled up at him shyly. “I was thinking.”

“Yes, you did look deep in thought. Want to talk about it?” He looked at her in concern. “You looked
like you have a lot on your mind.”

“Hey, just a lot of college graduation thoughts.” She smiled at him, surprised by his concern.

“You know I meant it about the internship and job right?” He looked at her sternly. “I’m not joking
Sophie, Van Harkel Enterprises would be lucky to have you.”

“I know. And thanks.” She sighed unconsciously.

“Something tells me that’s not all that’s on your mind.” He followed her into her room and sat on the
bed as she went to her bag to take out her underwear. “You know you can always talk to me right.”

“Yeah.” She tried to ignore her beating heart. Maxwell Van Harkel was in her bedroom, and he was
sitting on her bed. Breathe Sophie, breathe Sophie. She willed herself to calm down.

“What’s this?” He picked up her journal and it took every ounce of her being to not scream and snatch
it out of his hand. Please God; do not let Max open my journal. She sent up a silent prayer. She
would die if he saw any of her posts talking about how much she loved him.

“My journal.” She held out her hand and grabbed the journal from his hands.

“Ah.” He grinned. “Mopping around for your boyfriend are you?”

“I don’t have a boyfriend.” She answered quickly.

“Unrequited love?” He cocked an eyebrow at her. “He’d be a fool to turn you down.”

“Thanks.” She stared at him sitting on her bed and wondered what he was waiting for. “I don’t even
think he knows I exist.”

“Then he’s an idiot.” Max patted the spot on the bed next to him. “Don’t worry about him Sophie.
There will be plenty of other guys.”

“Yeah.” She went and sat next to him, careful not to sit too close. It didn’t matter. Maxwell still
grabbed her hands and held them in his. “You are a beautiful girl. Any guy would be happy to date
you.”

Don’t you want to date me then? She stared at him, willing him to gush of his true love for her. Isn’t
that how movies always went? She stared at his lips and wondered what he would do if she just
reached over and kissed him. She licked her lips and thought about just going for it.

“This reminds me of old times.” Maxwell’s words broke her mental pep talk.

“Huh?” She looked at him confused.

“When you’d come running to my room because you were scared of the creaks.” He grinned at her.

“I don’t remember that.”

“It was the first couple of times you stayed over. You were scared of the noises. I would comfort
you.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.” He lay back on her bed and closed his eyes. “It seems like such a long time ago now.”

“Yeah.” She leaned back and felt her shoulders rubbing next to his. “We were just kids then.”

“Well, you’re still a kid. I’m an old man now.”

“I’m not a kid.” She answered him indignantly. “I’m 22 you know.”

He turned to face her on the bed and she turned to face him so that their eyes were gazing into each
other’s. She held her breath as he stared into her eyes deeply. “22 is still a kid.”

“No, it’s not.” She pouted at him.

“If you are still pouting, you’re still a kid.” He laughed.

“I’m not a kid.” She licked her lips and moved closer to him.

“I’m too old for you Sophie.” He stared at her mouth.

“I’m not a kid.” She moved her face so close to his that she could feel his breath on her mouth. “I’m
not…” Her voice trailed off as Maxwell moved in closer to her and kissed her on the lips.

She closed her eyes and sighed. His lips felt warm and sweet and perfect. She moved closer to him
and pushed her tongue into his mouth hesitantly. He devoured her tongue and she felt him groan before
he brought his arms around her and brought her into him. She opened her eyes and saw him staring
down at her. He was now on top of her and she felt the weight of his body crushing down on her. She
wriggled beneath him, delighting in the feel of his body on hers. She brought her hands up and rubbed
his bare back; it felt smooth and hot to the touch. She ran her hands down his back until she came to
the top of his shorts. She paused for a second before running her hand down to his ass. She heard his
gasp of surprise and grinned up at him as she squeezed his butt. He reacted by pushing himself into
her and she spread her legs so she could feel him closer to her sweet spot. She felt her skirt ride up a
little bit and she wrapped her legs around Maxwell, willing him to push himself into her closer. He
responded by slowing grinded himself into her and she could feel his hardness push up into her
mound.

She sighed happily and his lips left hers to kiss down her neck. She squirmed underneath him hoping
he would pull her top off so that she could feel his naked chest on her skin.

“No Sophie. I can’t.” He pulled away from her and sat up. “This is not a good idea.”

“But I want to.” She looked at him uncertainly. “I’m not a kid.”

He smirked as he stared at her. “That I know Ms. Sophie.” He licked his lips. “I shall never call you
a kid again.”

She stared at him wanting to reach out touch his chest. “Kiss me.” She whispered.

“What?” He sat there still.

“Nothing.” She looked down at her lap unable to keep his gaze. His blue eyes seemed to pierce right
through her.

“Okay.” He sat there next to her and they listened to the grasshoppers outside the windows.

Finallyshelookedupandhewaswatchingherwithadarkandbemusedlook.“Youcanleave
nowMaxwell.”

“Iknow.”Heremainedonthebed.

“Thengo.”Hervoicesoundedangry.Shewasupset.Shefeltlikeshehadbeenrejectedand
wantedtowallowinhermisery.Anotherpartofherwantedtodelightinthefactthatshehad

kissedMaxwellandthatithadbeenaswondrousasshethoughtitwouldbe.

“I’mnotgoingtoleavethisroomwithyouangry.”Hefrowned.“Whyareyouangrybythe
way?”

“I’mnotangry.I’mfine.Ineedtoshowerandgetreadyfortonight.”

“Isitaguy?”

“What?”

“Don’tletaguygetyoudownSophie.”Helookedatherwithconcern.“Trustme,whatever
putzhasyoufeelingsodownwillregretit.Mostcollegeguysdon’thaveaclue.”

Sophiesighedloudly.“Mostmenperioddon’thaveaclue.”

Helaughedandnoddedhishead.“I’llagreewithyouthere.”Helookedoveratthejournalshe
hadplacedonthebed.“Sodoyouwriteabouthiminthere?”

“Maybe.”

“Whathaveyouwritten?”
“I’mnotgoingtotellyou.”Shelookedathimlikehewascrazy.

“Iwasjustcuriousastowhatgoesonina22yearOld’shead.”

“ThengoandaskEllawhatshe’sthinking.”

“Idon’twanttoknowaboutElla.”Hisvoicewassoftandhelookedatherintently.

“Oh.”Shewantedtoaskhimwhathemeant.Ifhewassayingthathecaredaboutherasmore
thanasisterbutshewasscaredtoaskhim.“Well,IguessIcanreadyouanentry.”Shepaused
andlookedathimcarefully.

“Thatwouldbegreat.”HelaybackonthebedandSophiewantedtorunherhandsthroughhis
hair.Lyingdownlikehewas,madehimseemsomuchyoungerthanhisage.Shereachedfor
herjournalquicklyandopenedittoapagerandomlyandstartedreading.

“Iwonderwhathe’sdoingtoday.Ifhehasthoughtaboutmeatall.I’vethoughtabouthimso
muchthatthelawofaverageswoulddictatethathehastohavethoughtaboutmeatleastonce.
MaybeifIthinkabouthimonehundredtimesinthenexttwodaysthatwillmakehimthinkofme
atleastonce.Ihadadreamabouthimlastnight.Wewereintheoceanandhiseyesblendedwith
thewaterandIaskedhimifhewereamermaid.AndthenhelaughedandIlaughedandIwas
soohappybecauseweweretogether.I’mgoingtogolookatthestarstomorrow.I’mhopingIsee
ashootingstarandthenIcanmakeawishonit.I’llwishforhimtolovemeasIlovehim.

Perhapswe’llwishonthesamestartogether.”

Sophiestoppedreadingatthatpoint.Shefoundithardtokeepreadingwhilesittingnextto
themanwhohadinspiredsomuchwriting.

“Soyoulovehimhuh?”Helookedathercarefully.“Howdoeshefeel?”

“Idon’teventhinkheknowsIexist.”Sophiesighedandsmiled.“It’squitethelovestoryhuh?”

“Itsoundslikelife.”Hesmiledatherwistfully.“Butdon’tworry,tonightwe’llhaveagoodtime
andyoucanforgethim.”

“Yeah.”Shesmiledathimandthenleanedforwardandkissedhimagain.Thistimeshewas
theaggressorandshepushedhimdownonthebed.Shesawhiseyeswidenasshenibbledon
hisbottomlipandshesatontopofhim.Shefelthishandscaressingherlegsandshewriggled
inhiseyessothatherskirtrodeup.Shenowhadeasyaccesstositonhimandsherubbed
herselfagainsthiscrotch.Hefelthardbeneathherandsheenjoyedthefeelingofhishardness
rubbingagainstherwithonlyherpantiesandhisshortsactingasabarrier.Thistimeshe
kisseddownhisneckandtohischest.Sherubbedhercheekagainsthischestanditwassoft
andwarm.Shekissedovertohisrightnippleandtuggedonitbeforekissingdownhischest
tohisstomach.Shestuckhertongueinhisbellybuttonandthenlickeddownhishappytrail
tothetopofhisshorts.Shepausedandlookedupandshesawhimwatchingherwithdesire
inhiseyes.Excitedandhorny,shecontinuedkissinghimandpulledhisshortsdown.She
gaspedasshesawhiscockflopoutrightnexttoherface.Shewascertainthathewouldhave
hadonboxershortsandwasshockedtoseehismanhoodrightthereinfrontofher.She
pausedforasecond,unsureofherself.Butthensheclosedhereyesandtookhimintoher
mouth,shewasawkwardandslowatfirst,suckingonthetiplightly,scaredthatshewould
hurthim.Asshegrewmoreconfident,shetookmoreofhimintohermouthandsucked
harderandharder.ShewasrewardedwithagutturalgroanemanatingfromMaxwell’sthroat
andthisdelightedherandproddedhertokeepsuckingharderandharder.Shetookhimso
deeplyintohermouththatshethoughtshewasgoingtogag,butsheenjoyedthetasteofhim
andshelovedfeelinghimgrowasshepleasuredhim.

Afteracoupleofminutes,Maxwellpulledheroffofhimandshefrowned,worriedthatshehad
beendoingsomethingwrongbutshefelthimmaneuveringheronthebeduntilherfacewas
inhiscrotchandherlegswereupbyhishead.Shetookhimbackinhermouthandshewas
rewardedbyadeepgroanfromwithinhim.Shefelthishandsgoupherskirtandfeltherheart
beatingquicklyasshefelthishandspullingdownherpanties.Shetrembledasshefelthim
pullherdowntowardshimandwhenshefelthisbreathonherpussy,shealmostscreamed.
Andthenshefeltthetipofhistonguerunningalongherclitandshecouldn’tstopherselffrom
grindingintohisface.Sheneededtofeelhimonherharderanddeeper.Unwittinglyshe
startedsuckinghimwithmoreintensity,assheconcentratedmoreonwhathewasdoingto
herpussy.Whenhestuckhistongueintoher,shemoanedwithdelightandfoundherself
suckingonthetipofhiscocklikealollipop.Ashefuckedherwithhistongue,shefeltthe
passionbuildingupinsideofherandshesatuprightasshecameinhismouth,buckingback

andforthonhisface.Maxwelldidn’tseemtomindbecausehekeptlickingandsuckingher
pussyasshecameandflippedherbodyaroundafterafewminutes.

Thistimeshefelthisbarecockbetweenherlegsandonhernakedpussy.Shestartedrubbing
upanddownonhiscock,lovingthefeelofitbetweenherlegs.Thetipofitwasmakingdirect
contactwithherclitandshegrindedonithard,delightinginthemoansemanatingfromhis
body.Sheadjustedherbodyslightlyandfelthimpullherupsothathecouldkissher,she
couldtasteherselfonhislipsandshekissedhimpassionately.Shefeltthetipofhiscockin
herpussylipsandshefelthishandadjustinghiscocksothathecouldslideintoher.She
couldn’tcontrolherexcitementandsoshemovedupquicklyandthetipofhiscockfelloutof
her.Shecouldn’ttogrindonhimandafewminuteslater,shefelthishotspermspurtallover
herpussyandlegs.Herolledheroverandpulledawayfromher.

“Sorry.Ididn’tmeantocomeonyou.”Hesmiledathergoofily.“DoyoumindifIwipeitoffof
youwithyourpanties?”

Sheshookherheadshylyandhewipedhiscumoffofherpussyandfrombetweenherlegs
withherpanties.Hethenpushedherpantiesinhispocketandkissedher.

“Ihopethathelpedtotakeyourmindoffofthatstupidguy.”Helookedself-consciousandshe
leanedforwardandkissedhim.

“Itdid,thanks.”Shewantedtopushhimdownandsitonhislapandfuckhimbutsheknew
shedidn’twanttheirfirsttimetoberushed.“ButIbettershowernow.Weneedtogetready
fortonight.”

“Isthataninvitation?”Hegrinnedatherandshefeltherheartthumping.Shehopedthathe
couldn’thearit.

“Ifyouwanttojoinmeyoucan.”Shesmiledathim,hopinghewouldsayyes.

“Ibetternot.”Hesighed.“WemaynotmakeitouttonightifIdo,”Hestoodupandtuckedhis
cockbackinhisshorts.“I’llseeyouinacoupleofhours.”Hegaveherakissontheforehead
andwalkedoutofherroom.

Sophielaytherefeelingrelaxedandsatiated.Shecouldn’tbelievethatshehadjusthadoral
sexwithMaxwellVanHarkelandthatithadfeltsogood.Shehuggedherselfandhummed
songsfrom‘TheSoundofMusic”asshetookashower.Tonightwasprovingtobeaverygood
night.Forthefirsttimethatday,Sophiefeltlikeithadbeenagoodideatocomehomewith
EllaforChristmas.

Chapter3

SophiemetagiddyEllainthehallwayandtheywentdownthestairsarminarm.Bothofthem
excitedfordifferentreasons.

“YoulookgreatinthatblackdressSophie.”Ellagrinnedather.SophiewasgratefulthatElla
hadforgottenthatshehadwantedtodohermakeup.Therewasnowaythatshewasbanking
onEllanotmakingherlooklikea2bitwhore.

“Thanks,youlookgreattoo.”Sophiespunaroundinherdress,giddywithhappinessand
anticipation.Shewashappynowthatshehadtheblackdresson;itemphasizedherample
breastsandshefeltasecretthrillknowingthatshehadonnounderwearunderthedress.She
washopefulthatMaxwellwouldseeherandimmediatelyhavetohaveher.Sheevenpictured
themgoingintothebathroomstallforaquickshag;thoughthatwasn’treallythewaythatshe
wantedtolosehervirginity.

“Ido,don’tI.”Ellalaughedandtwirledaroundaswell.Shewaswearingametallicgolddress
thatemphasizedthegoldtonesinherblondhairandshehadappliedadarkblueeyeshadow
thatmadehereyespop.“Wearetotallygoingtopickupsomehotguystonight.”

“Ihopeso.”SophielaughedandEllagrabbedherhands.

“WhySophie.IdobelieveIamrubbingoffonyou.”Theyrandowntherestofthestairsand
waitedinthefoyerforMaxwelltojointhem.“MaxwellVanHarkel,hurryup.”Ellashoutedup
thestairsasthetwogirlswaited.

Sophieknewhewascomingbeforesheevenheardhimonthestairs.Shehadsomesortof
sixthsensewherehewasconcernedandherbodyknewwhenhewaswithina100feetofher
withouthavingtoseeorhearhim.Sheturnedtolookathimashecamedownthestairsand
shefeltablaringinherearsasshewatchedhim.Hewasgorgeousandhelookedenigmatic.
Hewasdressedinallblack:blackjeansandablackshirtandhehadneverlookedsodivine.
Shesmiledupathimandwasmetwithafrown.

“Yougoingtoafuneralbro?”Ellateasedhim.“Inoticedyouhadgainedalittleweightbutyou
didn’thavetowearallblackforaslimminglook.”

“Areyougirlsready?”MaxwellignoredElla’scommentandwasallbusiness.“Wecan’tstay
outtoolate,Ihavetoworkinthemorning.”

“What?”Ella’svoicewassad.“Thatsucks.”

“That’slifeElla.”Maxwelllookedunconcernedatherfrustration.“Let’sgo.”

Sophietriedtocatchhiseyebutheignoredher.Shesuddenlyfelttenseandtriedtoignorethe
feelingofforebodingthatshefeltinherstomach.

“HiMaxwell,youlooknice.”Shesmiledathim,willinghimtolookatherandsharean
intimatemomentwithherwithhiseyes.

“Thanks.”Heanswereddismissivelywithoutturningaround.Hewalkedquicklyoutofthe
maindoorandEllaandSophiefollowedhim.

“Whatasourpuss.”Ellasighed.“Whatisitaboutadultsthatmakethemsogrumpyallofthe
time.”

“We’readultstooElla.”Sophie’svoicewassharp.

“Iknow.Iknow.ButyouknowwhatImean.Careerpeople.Businessmen.Workers.They
alwaysseemtobesoserious.That’swhyIpreferbeinginschool.Seemstobealotless
stressful.”

“LifeishardintherealworldElla.”

“Ok.Don’tbitemyearoff.”EllalookedatSophieinsurprise.“Let’sgogetdrunkandhave
somefun.”EllawalkedoutofthedoorandSophiefollowed,allofasuddenshewasn’tso
happytobegoingout.ShewantedtotalktoMaxwellandseewhatwaswrong.Couldhebe
regrettingtheirpassionateencounteralready?Washemadather?Shefrownedandbither
lip.Therewasnowayshecouldcrynow.Itwouldruinhermakeupandmakeherlooklikea
baby.

“YoucansitinthefrontseatthistimeSophie.”Ellacalledoutbeforesheslidintothebackseat
oftheRangeRover.SophiegotintothecarandlookedoveratMax;hishandswereonthe
steeringwheelandshesawhisgoldRolexshiningonhiswrist.

“NicewatchMax.”Sheattemptedtotalktohimagain.

“Huh?”Helookedatherannoyedandsheshirkedback.

“Isaidnicewatch.”Shepointedathiswrist.“That’saRolexright?”

“Ohyeah.”Helookedathiswrist.“Thanks.”Hepulledthecaroutofthedrivewayandthey
drovetothepubinsilence.

“Whatagirlwants,whatagirlneeds.Whatevermakesyouhappysetsmefree.”Ellastarted
singingfromthebackseatandSophiehummedalongwithher.“ComeonSophie,youchoose
thenextsong.”

SophiethoughtforamomentanddecidedtosingoneoffeelgoodsongsbyFun.“Tonight,we

areyoung.Solet’ssettheworldonfire,wecanburnbrighter,thenthesun.”

“OhIlovethatsong.”ElladancedaroundinthebackseatandSophienoticedMaxwellglaring
atthem.“Yay,wearehere.”Ellaopenedthedoorassoonasthecarstoppedandjumpedout.
SophietookthatopportunitytoturntowardsMaxwellandspeaktohim.

“Iseverythingokay?”Shetouchedthearmofhisshirtandhejumpedback.Shetriednotto
showthehurtinhereyes.

“I’mfine.”Hesighed.“LookSophie,whathappenedearlierwasamistake.I’dappreciateitif
youdidn’ttellElla.”

“Iwasn’tgoingtotellElla.”Shecouldn’tpreventthewhinefromhervoice.

“Good.Youneedtofindaguyaroundyourownage.Havesomefuntonight.Getoverthe
assholefromcollege.”

“But,”shetriedtointerrupthim.

“ButnothingSophie.”Helookedathersternly.“Iamaprofessionalbusinessmanrunninga
multi-billiondollarcorporation.Idonothavetimeforlittlegirlgamesordalliances.Doyou
understandme?”

Sheglaredathimandfeltherbloodboilhot.ShehadjustabouthadenoughofMaxwellVan
Harkel.“GetoveryourselfMax.Youare30,not65.Ijustwantedsomefun,andifyoucan’t
providethat,thenmaybesomeelsewillbeableto.”Withdaggersdartingfromhereyes,she
jumpedoutofthecarandslammedthedoor.ShewasdonewithMaxwell.Shehadlovedhim
foryearsandhadhopedthatperhapstheywouldhavesomethingspecial,butshewasn’t
downfordealingwithsomebipolarmaniac.SheranintothepubafterEllaandordereda
scotchontherocks.Itwasn’tadrinkshenormallygotbutsheknewthatsheneededsome
hardliquortogetherdrunkasquicklyaspossible.

“YaySophie.Timetogetdrunk.”EllalaughedasshedownedhersecondRum&Cokeinabout
tenminutesandshewasdancingaroundthebar.Allofthemeninthepubwerestaringat
themininterestandSophiecouldseeseveralofthemwerecheckingheroutwithlustintheir
eyes.

“Let’sgetskunkanddrunk.”Sophielaughed,feelingthealcoholburnawayallofher
inhibitions.“Anotherorderofshotsplease.Let’sgetblowjobsthistime.”Shelaughedather
jokeandwalkeduptoMaxwell.Helookedatherwithfuryinhiseyesandshewhisperedinhis
ear.“NoblowjobforyouMaxwellVanHarkel.”Andthensheturnedaroundanddowned
anothershot.
EllawasbusychattingtoayoungblondguyatthebarsoSophiedecidedtodancearoundthe
room.Shewaspleasantlysurprisedwhenayoungmanwithlightbrownhairandgreeneyes
tappedherontheshoulderandaskedherforadanceandshesoonfoundherselfgrinding

withhiminthemiddleofthepubtosomehip-hopmusic.

“Sowhat’syournamehon?”Theguywhisperedinherearasshebackedherassuponhim.
Hisarmswerearoundherwaistandshetriedtoignorethestenchofhischeapcologne.

“Sophie.”Shesmiled.“You?”

“Mitch.”Hegrinnedatherandshefelthishandsrunningupanddownherbody.Shefelt
slightlyuncomfortableathisfamiliartouchbutshedidn’tpullawaybecauseshesawMaxwell
standingatthebartalkingtoacuteblond.Shedidn’twanthimtothinkshewassomesortof
loser.

“SodoyoucomehereoftenSophie?”Mitchhadsomehowpositionedtheminacornerandshe
feltherselfpushedupnexttoawall.Shecouldfeelhimhardbehindherandhewasgrinding
himselfintoherass.Shethenfelthishandsrunningupanddownherbreastsandshestarted
tofeeluncomfortable.

“Uhm,notreally.”Hervoicewaslowandshetriedtostophishandsfromtouchingher
breasts.Allofasuddenshedidn’tfeelsohappytobewearingsuchatightandrevealingdress.

“That’sapity.”Mitch’shandseasilybrokeawayfromhersandnowhehadthemonher
breastsandwassqueezinghernipplesthroughherdress.“I’dliketoseeyoueveryFriday
nightforaquickbang.”

“Excuseme?”Shesqueakedout,unsureifshehadheardhimright.Shewasstartingtofeel
queasyfromallthealcohol.

“Isaid,I’dlovetohavetheopportunitytofuckyouonaweeklybasis.”Hewhisperedinherear
andlaughed.Shefelthimpopherrightboobupoutofthedressandshecouldfeelhisfingers
squeezinghernippledirectly.“Iloveawomanwithbigbreasts.Andyoursfeelnaturalas
well.”

Sophieswallowedhard,unsureofwhattodo.Shecouldfeelthebackofherdressridingup
andshewasscaredthatherbareasswouldberubbingagainstthemanscrotchaswell.She
wasabouttopushthemanawaywhenshefeltsomeonejerkMitchawayfromher.

“Getoffofheryoujerk.”MaxwellstoodtherefumingandstaringdownatMitch.

Mitchfrownedathimandwenttopunchhim.“What’sittoyou?”
“You’llfindoutifyoudon’tbackoffin5seconds.”Maxwellgrowledatthemanandstepped
towardshimmenacingly.Sophielookedathiminshockandquicklypushedherboobback
intothedress.“Sophie,goandgrabEllaandmeetmebythecar.”

“What?”Shelookedathimfuriously.“Idon’twanttogoyet.”

“Idon’tthinkyouknowwhatyouwant.Go.”Hegrowledather.

“No.”ShestoodthereobstinatelyandMitchwalkedovertoher.

“Leavemeandmyladyalonepunk.”MitchpushedMaxwellandreceivedarighthookinthe
face.MaxwellgrabbedSophieandheldhertohimclosely.

“ListentomeSophie.GoandgetEllaandmeetmebythebarnow.”

“Orwhat?”Sheslurredathim.

“OrIamgoingtotakeyouovermylapandsmackyouuntilyougetsomesenseintoyour
head,doyouhearme?”

“Yes.”Sophiesmiledathimandflushed.Shewouldlovehimtotakehimoverhislapright
now.Sheleanedclosetohimandwhisperedinhisear.“Iunderstand.”

Maxwellsighedashelookedatherandthistimehisvoicewasgentler.“PleaseSophie,justgo
andgetEllaandgotothecar.”

“YesMaxwell.”Sophie’sheartporedoverwithloveforMaxwellandshewantedhimtotake
herintohisarms.However,shelistenedtohiswordsandwalkedovertoElla.“Wehavetogo
now.”

ForsomereasonElladidn’tobjectandshefollowedSophietoMaxwell’scar.Theywaitedby
thecarpatientlyandSophie’sheartcaughtinhermouthwhenshesawMaxwellwalking
towardsthemwithabloodynose.Helookedatthemfuriouslyandsilentlyandopenedthe
door.

“AreyouokayMax?”Ellalookedathimwithconcern.

“I’mfine.”Hewipedhisnoseonhisshirtsleeveandgrimacedattheblood.“Idon’tknowwhat
youtwowereplayingat.”

SophiekeptquietbutEllatookhimon.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?Wejustcametohave
somefun.”

“Andfuniswhatyougavealloftheguys.”Maxwellstartedupthecarandwentspeedingoutof
theparkinglot.

“What?”Ellaexclaimedandsatbackintheseat.“WhatisyourproblemMax?Isawyou
cozyinguptothatcuteblondatthebar.”

“Icantakecareofmyself.”

“SocanI.”

“WellSophiesurecan’t.”HelookedsidewaysatSophieandsheshiveredathisstare.

“Sophieisfine.”Ellashouted.“Shewasjustdancingwithaguy.”

“Ithinkshewasdoingmorethandancing.”

“Whatdoyoucare?”Ella’svoicesoundedexasperated.

“Let’sjustgetyoubothhome.”Maxwell’svoicewaslowandtheydrovetherestofthewayin
silence.EllahuggedSophieandranuptoherroom.

“Hey,IthinkIneedtothrowup.I’llseeyouinthemorning.”Ellagrimacedandmadeherway
upthestairsquickly.

SophiestoodinthefoyerandwaitedforMaxwelltowalkinfromparkingthecarinthegarage.
“I’msorry.”Shemutteredassoonashewalkedinthedoor.Hisnosewasfullofdriedblood
andhisshirtwasaredmess.

“YouneedtothinkaboutwhatyouaredoingSophie.”Heglaredather.“Youcan’tgoaround
actinglikesomesortofinnocentfool.”

“Iwasn’t.”Sheprotestedangrily.

“Yes,youwere.Thatguycouldhaverapedyoutonight.”Hegrowledather.

“Buthedidn’t.”Sheswallowedhard,knowinghowcloseshehadcometobeingviolated.
“Thanks.”

“Ican’tbethereeverytimeyoudecidetoletamanviolateyouSophie.”

“Ididn’taskhimtoviolateme.”Shehithiminthearmmad.“Whydoyoutalktomelikesome
sortofdimwittedkid?”

“Becausethatishowyouact.Whatdidyouexpecttohappenwhenyoudecidedtogotoalocal
pubwithashortblackdresswithyourtitsandasshangingout?”

“Theyarenothangingout.”Sheglaredathim.

“Wereyoulookingtogetfuckedtonight?Isthatit?Youdidn’tcarewhohadyou,justsolongas
youforgotyourcollegebeau.”

“No.No.”Shecriedout,sadthathewouldthinkthat.“That’snottrue.”

“Youcouldhavefooledme.”Hegrabbedherwristsandheldherarmsaboveherhead.She
staredathim,herchestheaving,unabletostopthequickbeatingofherheart;Hestaredback
ather,hisblueeyesdarkwithfury.Shecouldseeanerveinhisneckthrobbing.Shetriedto
moveherarmsfromhisgraspbutshecouldn’t.

“ItseemstomethattherewasonlyonethingyouwantedtonightSophie.”Hegrowled
menacinglyandhebroughthisotherhandtothebottomofherdressandyankeditup.She
feltthecoolaironherassandshegaspedwithshock.

Maxwellstoodinfrontofherstaringathernakedpussyandsteppedtowardsher.“Youhave
noshameSophie.Youdidn’tevenbotherwearingathong.”Hestaredintohereyesand
casuallypushedhishandsbetweenherlegs;hisfingersrubbedagainstherpussyandshe
shivered.“Yup,that’sabarenakedpussyI’mfeeling.”Heranonefingerupanddownherslit
andpusheditintoher.Shestoodtheregaspingwithshockanddesireandstaredathimashe
playedwithher.

“Andtotopitoff,you’rehornyashell.”Heremovedhisfingerandbroughtituptohismouth
andsuckedonit.“YourpussyisslickandwetandIcantasteyoursexachingtobetaking.”His
voicewaslowanddeepashesuckedonhisfinger.

Shestoodtherestaringathimsuckingherjuicesoffofhisfingersandshefeltherselfwetten
evenmore.Shewassoturnedonbythisman.Hepulledhertowardshimwithherwristsand
hestaredatherwithdesire.“IguessI’llgiveyouwhatyouwant,seeingasImadeyouleave
thebar.”Hegrowledinherear.Hereleasedherarmsandreacheddownandusedbothofhis
handstopullherdressoffofher.Shestoodtherenakedinfrontofhimandswallowed.She
wasscaredthatEllaorherparent’swouldcomedownstairsandseethemstandingthere.

“DoyouwantmetofuckyouSophie?”Hegruntedintoherearbeforegrabbingherbreastsin
hishands.Atfirstheheldthemsoftly,caressingthemintohishandsandthenhestarted
squeezingthemharderandharderuntilheeventuallypinchedhernipples.“Doyouwantme
tobendyouoverandfuckyousohardthatyoucan’twalkstraighttomorrow?”Hebenthis
headandtookherrightnippleinhismouthandsuckedhard.Shefelthimnibbleandtugonit
andsheheldontohisshoulderstightlybecauseshethoughtmightfaintfromtheextreme
pleasurerunningthroughherbody.Hepulledawayfromherandstoodupstraight.“No
answerhuh?”Hemadetowalkawayfromher.“IguessI’monepersonyoudidn’twanttofuck
tonight.”

“Nowait.”Shewalkedtowardshimhesitantlyandpushedupagainsthisback.Thefabricof
hisskirttickledhertenderbreastsandshegiggled.
“What’ssofunny?”Heturnedaroundandglaredather,heputhishandsaroundherwaistand
pulledhertowardshim.

“Nothing.”Shegazedupathimandmoanedashishandsreacheddowntoherassandpushed
herupagainsthim.Helefthishandsthereandsqueezedherbuttcheeks,slippinghisfingers
betweenherlegseverynowandthen.

“DoyouwantmetofuckyoutonightSophie?”Hestaredatherintentlyandshenodded.
“Answerme.”Heordered.

“Yes.”Shewhispered.

“Yeswhat?”

“Yes,Iwantyoutofuckme.”Shesqueakedout.Shewasrewardedbyablazinglookinhiseyes
andhereacheddownandkissedherroughly.Hislipscrushedintohersandshefelthistongue
invadehermouth,seekingsomesortofrefugeinthedarkcorners.Sherespondedbysucking
onhistonguefirmly,wantingtoshowhimthatshecouldgiveasgoodasshegot.Heinhaled
swiftlyasshereacheddownandsqueezedhiscockthroughhisjeans.Hewasalreadyhard
andthrobbinganditexcitedherthatshehadbeenabletomakehimthathorny.

Shereachedovertohisshirtandstartedunbuttoningit.Sherippedthelastcoupleofbuttons
inherhasteandeagerlytookitoffofhim.Shepressedherbreastsintohischestanddelighted
inthefeelofthewarmmatofhairagainsthernipples.Herbudsweresosensitivethatitmade
herfeelevenhornier.Shebitdownononeofhisnipplesandheyelpedattheroughnessofher
bite.Shesuckedandnibbledonbothofhisnipplesandhegrabbedherassandsqueezedit
firmly.

MaxwellundidhisbeltandpulledhisjeansoffandSophiequicklygrabbedhisboxershorts
andpulledthemoffofhimaswell.Shestoodbacktoadmirehisengorgedcockandthentook
himinherhandsandstartedtorunherfingersupanddownhisshaft.Hegruntedandputhis
headbackbeforepullinghertowardshimagainandkissingher.Theythenheardacreakfrom
thelandingatthetopofthestairsandtheybothstoodtherefrozen.

“Comeon.”Maxwellgrabbedherandpulledheralongwithhimtothekitchen.Heopenedthe
doortothepantryandtheystoodthereinsilenceastheyheardsomeonewalkdownthe
stairs.“Shit.”Hestaredatherwithdesireinhiseyesandpulledhertowardshim.

Sophiemeltedagainsthimandkissedhimandfrozeagainsthimastheyheardsomeoneturn
onthekitchenlight.“Let’shopetheydon’tneedtousethepantry.”Maxwellwhisperedinher
ear,hiseyessparkling.SophiestifledalaughandMaxwellplacedhishandoverhermouth.He
pushedherdowntothegroundonherkneesandhefollowedsuit.“Ssh.”Hewhispered.She
felthimpushherhandsontotheflooraswellandhebroughthimselfupagainstherfrom
behindastheylistenedtosomeoneopeningthefridge.Sheturnedherheadtolookathimin
fearbuthejustgrinnedatherandstartedrubbingthetipofhiscockagainstherclitandthe
entrytoherpussyhole.Shegroanedasshefeltthetipofhimpushinandoutofherandhe
onceagaincoveredhermouth,tostifleanynoisesshewasmaking.Shepushedbackagainst
himandbithishandashepushedhimselfintoherallthewayandstartedtofuckher.She
screamedintohishandatthesharppainbutsoongotintotherhythmofhimslamminginand
outofher.

Sophiefeltherbodytremblingashefuckedherandshemoanedwithpleasure.Herheartwas
thuddingquicklyinfearthattheywouldbecaughtbutshewasovertakenwiththebuildupof
pleasureinherstomachandpussyashepoundedintoher.Shehadwantedtoloseher
virginitytoMaxwellbutshewouldneverhaveguesseditwouldbeundersuchcircumstances.
ShefeltherselfabouttocomewhenMaxwellstilled.Therewerefootstepswalkingtowards
thepantryandSophiebitherlipinpanic.Maxwellonceagainstarteduphismovements,this
timemovinginandoutofherslowly,shecouldfeelherpussylipsclingingtohiscockashe
slidinandoutofherandtheybothsighedinreliefasthefootstepswentpastthepantryand
tosomeotherpartofthekitchen.Whoeverwasinthekitchenturnedoffthelightsandleftthe
kitchenandMaxwellincreasedhispacesothathewasslamminginandoutofherlikehewas
inarace.Sophiefeltherbodymovingandshehadtoholdherselfsteadyonthefloorasshe
climaxedferociouslyontohiscock.Sheheardhimstarttomoanasheslammedintoherafew
moretimesandthenhiscockstilledinsideofherandshefeltawarmsputteringofcumfill
her.Maxwellwithdrewfromherslowlyandstoodup,pullinghertiredbodyupwithhim.He
grinnedatherandopenedthepantrydoorslowly;hestuckhisheadoutandthenpulledher
outwithhim.

“Allclear.Comeon.”HeranacrossthekitchenandupthestairsandSophiegrinnedwhenthey
ranpastherroomandbargedintohis.Helockedthedoorandpushedherupagainstitand
bentdownandkissedher.“ThatwasthehottestfuckI’vehadinawhile.”Hemutteredinher
earandSophieblinkedupathim.Shetriedtoerasethesuddenimagethatpoppedintoher
mindathiswords;shedidn’twanttohearorthinkabouthimwithotherwomen.She
wrappedherarmsaroundhisneckandkissedhimback.

Hepulledbacksuddenlyandswore.“Shit,Ifuckedyouwithoutacondom.Sorry.”Hegrimaced
ashelookedatherandtriedtopullaway.

“It’sokay.”Shesmiledathim,sadthatshenolongerfeltthewarmthofhisbodynexttohers.

“Areyousure?”Helookedatherwithafrownonhisface.

“Yeah.”Shepulledhimtowardsher.“I’mfine.”

“You’reprotected?”ThewordsweresosimpleandpureandSophiecouldseethereliefin
Maxwell’seyessoshelied.

“Yeah.I’monthepill.”Sophiefeltaburdenofguiltatthelieweighdownonher.Butshe
figured,shewouldmakehimwearacondomfromhereonoutandsheshouldbeokay.Itwas
reallyunlikelythatanythingwouldhappenfromonesexualencounterwithnoprotection.

“Great.”Hegrinnedatherandpulledherovertothebed.“ThatmeansIcanravishyouall
nightlongthen.”Hepushedherdownontothemattressandgotontopofher,shefelthis
cockstirringagainstherpussylipsandsherealizedthatshewaseagertofeelhiminher
again.

“Butwecanuseacondomfromnowonifyouwant.”Shewhisperedupathim.

“Hellno.Iwanttofeelskinonskin.”Hegrinneddownatherandtookhermouthinhisbefore
guidinghisonce-againhardcockintoher.“Nowdoesn’tthatfeelgood?”

Sophiegruntedinreply,toooverwhelmedtothinkstraight.Shecouldfeelhiscockdeepinside
ofherandherbreastsjiggledagainsthischestashefuckedheronceagain.Maxwelllaughed
atherresponseandproceededtofuckhersenselessandcomeinheronceagain.

Chapter4

Sophiewokeupfeelingsoreandachy.Shelookedaroundherandrealizedshewasin
Maxwell’sroom.Shestretchedandgrinnedtoherselfrememberingthepreviousnight.
Maxwellhadmadelovetoher5moretimesaftertheyhadcomeupfromthekitchenandeach
timehadseemedmorepassionateandurgentthanthenext.

“MorningSophie.”Maxwellemergedfromhisbathroomfullyclothedandlookedatherwitha
distantlook.“Itakeityousleptwell.”

“Yes,thanks.”Shesmiledathimshylyhopingthathewouldcomeandkissherinthebedand
makelovetoheragain.

“”Good.”Hesmiledbrieflyandthenwalkedtowardsthemaindoor.“Ihavesomeworktodo
nowandwillbeinthestudy.Comefindmeafterbreakfastandwecantalkaboutthe
internshipposition.”

“Uhok.”Shelookedathimconfused.Washereallygoingtopretendlastnighthadn’t
happened?

“IthinkyouwilllikeworkingatVanHarkelEnterprises.Wehavealotofgreatopportunities
forcollegegrads.”Hewasabouttowalkoutofthedoor,whenshejumpedoutofthebed.

“WaitMaxwell.”Shestoodtherenakedandwalkedovertohimslowly.“What’sgoingon
here?”

“Whatdoyoumean?”Helookedathercasuallybutshecouldseehispupilsdilateashelooked
athernakedbreasts.

“Imean,areyoujustgoingtopretendlastnightneverhappened?”Shepressedherselfup
againsthimbravely,tryingtoignorethebutterfliesinherstomach.

“ItwasamistakeSophie.Itshouldn’thavehappened.”Helookedathercoollybutdidn’tmove
awayfromher.

“Really?”Shepressedherlipsagainsthisandkissedhim.“Itdidn’tseemlikeamistakewhen
youfuckedme6timeslastnight.”Sheslippedhertongueintohismouthandputherhandsin
hishair.Hekissedherbackandshefelthisarmsaroundherwaist.Hebroughthishandsupto
cupherbreastsandsqueezedthem.Shesighedwithhappinessandreacheddowntohispants
andslippedherhandintograbhiscock.

Hegroanedandpickedherupandcarriedhertotheedgeofthebed.Hepulledhispantsdown
andlaidherflatonherback.Shefelthimliftherlegsupandrestthemonhisshouldersand

thenhepushedhimselfintoherhard.Helookeddownatherasheslammedintoherandshe
feltherbreastsbouncingupanddownashefuckedher.Hecamequicklyandshesawhim
grabanapkintocleanhimselfupbeforehegrabbedhiscockandputitbackinhispants.He
zippedupagainandstoodlookingathernakedonthebed.

“LikeIsaid,itwasamistake.”Helookedatherwithcloudedeyesandwalkedtothedoor.She
laytherefeelinglikeatrampanddidn’tbotherwipingthetearsthatfellfromhereyes.She
showeredandwenttoherroomtochangeandthenwentdowntobreakfast.Shefeltnumbas
sheateandwhenEllawalkedin,itwasallshecoulddotofakeasmile.

“Hey.”Ellabeamedather.“Lastnightwassoocrazyhuh?”

“Yeah.”IfonlyEllaknewjusthowcrazyithadbeen.Sophiethoughttoherselfandsighed.“It
wasreallycrazy.”

“Ican’tbelieveMaxbeatupthatguy.”Ellaexclaimedagain.

“Yeah.”

“SometimesIfeellikeIdon’tevenknowhim.”

“Metoo.”Sophierespondedglumlywhileeatinghercereal.

“ImeanIthoughthewasoverthatcraziness.”

“Whatcraziness?”SophielookedatEllacuriously.

“Oops,”Ellalookedtakenaback.“IforgotI’mnotmeanttosayanything.”

“What?”Sophielookedatherinshock.“Youmeanyouhaveasecretfromme.”

Ellalookedatherguiltily.“Well,IpromisedmyfolksIwouldn’ttellanyone.It’saboutMaxand
well,ifpeopleknewitcouldruinthefamilybusiness.”

“I’mnotpeopleElla.I’myourbestfriend.”Sophiespokesharply,wonderingwhatEllaknew
aboutMaxwellthatwastoodarktosharewithherbestfriend.Maybeitwouldexplaintheway
hehadtreatedher.

“IknowSophie.It’sjustreallybad.”Ellapleadedwithherfriend.“Pleasedon’tpressmenow.
I’lltellyoulater.”

“Okay.”Sophieknewnottopressit.ButshewasreallyhurtthatEllawouldholdbackonher.
“Tellmewhenyoucan.”

“ThanksSophie.”Ellasmiledathergratefully.

TheyfinishedbreakfastprettyquicklyandEllawentbacktobedbecauseshewasn’tfeeling
well.SophiedecidedtogoandseeMaxwellinhisofficetotalkabouttheinternship.She
walkedinwhilehewasonthephoneandhemotionedforhertositdown.

“No,I’mnotgoingtojustsellyou4millionsharesChuck.Theyareworth$100Million,not$25
Million.”Maxwellshoutedintothephone.“IwillnotbeblackmailedintothisChuck.”Andwith
thatheturnedoffthephone.

“Sorry,isthisabadtime?”Sophielookedatthemanshehadlovedforsolongandwondered
toherselfwhatwerethedeepdarksecretsthathewashidingthatmadehimactthewaythat
hedid.

“It’sfine.”Hesatdownacrossfromherandpulledoutafileandhandedittoher.“Iwantyou
toreadthisnowandletmeknowwhatyouthink.”

“Ok.”Shetookitfromhimandthefirstformwasaconfidentialityagreement.Shefrowned
withsurprise.“What’sthisformfor?”Shelookedathimandhewasstaringatherintently.

“Youhavetoreadtherestofthefoldertofindout.”

“Ok.”Sheswallowedhard.Thisdidn’tseemlikeanyordinaryinternshiptoher.Thenextpiece
ofpaperwastitled,‘TheRulesAndConditionsOfBeingMaxwellVanHarkel’sPersonal
Assistant’.Shelookedupathimandspoke.“Ithinkyougavemethewrongfile,thisisthe
paperworktobeyourassistant.”

“Iknow.”Henoddedandgotupandclosedandlockedthedoorbehindher.“That’sthe
positionIwantyoutotake.”

“ButIthoughtyouwantedmetobeanintern.”Shelookedathimconfused.

“Ichangedmymind.”Hesmirkedather.“I’mabillionaire.Icandothat.”

“Isee.”Butshedidn’t.Shehadnocluewhatwasgoingon.“YouknowIstillhaveasemester
leftinschoolright?”

“You’llpostponeit.”

“What?”

“Iwon’trepeatmyselftwice.”Hefrownedather.“SolistenverycarefullySophie.”

“Ok.”Sheswallowed.ThiswasaverydifferentMaxthanshewasusedto.

“Readthroughthepapersandtellmeyouranswer.”Hesatonthetableinfrontofherand
unzippedhispants,pullinghiscockout.Shelookedathiminsurpriseandwithlust

wonderingwhathewantedtohappennext.“ReadthepapersSophie.”Hecommandedher
whileplayingwithhimself.

Sophienoddedherheadandtriedhardtoconcentrateonthewordsashegruntedand
moanedwhilejerkinghimselfoff.Shecouldbarelyreadthepaperswhenhepattedheronthe
shoulder.“Whatdoyousay?”Hegruntedandforsomereasonunbeknowntohershe
muttered,“Yes.”

Thenextthingsheknewhewaspushinghiscockinhermouthandcoming.Shetriednotto
gagashisspermfloodedhermouth.Shemanagedtoswalloweverythingandlickhiscock
clean.

“Goodgirl.”Hesmiledatherandgotup.“Ithinkwearegoingtohaveanexcellentworking
relationship.”

Shesattherefeelingstunnedandconfused,unsureofwhatshehadjustagreedto.

“Besuretogoonthepatch.”Heorderedher.“Thepillistoounreliable,waytooeasyto
forget.”

Shenoddedherheadinagreement,suddenlyfeelingqueasy.

“Wedon’twantyoufallingpregnantnowdowe?”Helaughedatthelookoffearonherface.

“No.”Shetriedtosmileathimbutfeltherhearttickingquickly.“Notatall.”Hecameoverto
kissherandshekissedhimbackpassionately,happytobeinhisembrace.Butshecouldn’t
stopworryingandthinking:WhatifI’mpregnantalready?

Chapter5

Thepieceofpaperflewawayquicklyinthewind.Shewatcheditgowithouttryingtocatchit.
Itwasn’tthatshedidn’twanttorunafteritwithallofhermight.Shedid.Herheadtoldherto
goandgrabthepaperandholdontoittightly.IttoldhertoleaveWintersideandtonever
comebackagain.IttoldherthatMaxwellVanHarkelwasbadnews.Butshedidn’tlistentoher
head;shelistenedtoherhead.Shewatchedthepaperthatcontainedherschoolschedulefor
thenextsemesterfloatawayandshewalkedbacktothehouse.

Sophiehadmadeadecision.Oneshewasn’treallysureof,butitwasafinaldecision.Shewas
goingtoworkforMaxashisassistant,nomatterwhatthepositionentailed.Sheoweditto
herself.Shelovedhim.Andshealwayssaidthatlovewouldcomebeforeeverythingelseinher
life,evenhereducation.HerpreciousColumbiaeducation.Whatwouldherauntanduncle
say?Couldshebreakittothem?Theywouldn’tunderstandwhatpossiblereasonshecould
havetotakeherlastsemesteroff.Shedecidedthatshewasn’tgoingtotellthem.Theywere
toooldtohavetoworryaboutherfuture.Sheknewthattheyusedtheirretirementmoneyto
helppayherlivingexpenses;nolifeinsurancepolicylastedthatlong.

Shewalkedintothehouseandstoodinthelobby,thinkingbacktothenightafewdaysbefore
whensheandMaxwellhaddoneunspeakablethingstoeachother.Shewalkedovertothe
largemirrorthathunginthehallwayandstaredatherselftoseeifshelookedanydifferent.
Darkbrownfrizzyhair.Check.Greeneyes.Check.Freckles.Check.Averagebuild.Check.Look
ofterrorintheeyes.Thatwasnew.Shewasterrifiedthatshewasmakingamistake;that
somehowshewasabouttoembarkonapaththatshehadbeenluckytoavoidbutwastoo
weaktostopgoingdown.Allofasuddenshewishedmorethananythingthatshecouldrunup
thestairsandaskEllawhatsheshoulddo.HerwonderfulbestfriendElla.Theonewhoalways
hadthebestadvice.Theonepersonshecouldn’task.Shewasn’tevensurehowshewasgoing
totellheraboutthetimeoff.ShewasscaredthatEllawouldguessthatshewasinlovewith
herbrother.TherewasnowayshecouldtalktoEllaaboutthewayshewasfeeling.

“HeySophie.”Thehuskytimbreofhisvoicemadethehairsonherarmstandonend.She
turnedaroundslowly,notwantingtoshowhereagernesstoseehisface.

“Hi.”Shesmiledbriefly,takinginhisappearance.Hisfacelookedunkemptandunlikethe
Maxwellsheknew.Hehadn’tshavedinafewdaysandhadathicklayerofstubble,which
madehimlookevenmorebroodingandforeboding.

“Wherehaveyoubeen?I’vebeenlookingforyou.”Hiswordswereharshandtheymadeher
jump.

“IwasjustoutsideMax.”Herwordscameouthighandannoyed.“Iwasjustenjoyingtheday.
AmIabletodothat?”Shewasmadatherselfforallowingherselftotakehisbait.Couldthey
neverjusthaveanormalconversation?

“Youdidn’ttellanyone.”Helookedatheraccusingly.“IaskedElla.”

“Ella’snotmykeeper.Icangoforawalk.”

“DoyouwantMitchtocomeandrapeyou?”

“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”

“We’llbetargetsnowSophie.Afterwhathappenedatthepub.Youneedtobemorecareful.”

Shelookedathiminshockandastonishment.Hewascrazy.Reallycrazy.WhywouldMitch
stalkherdownjusttorapeher?

“Well,I’mfine.”Shelookedathimcoldly.“Ifyoudon’tmind,I’dliketogotothekitchenand
haveaglassofwaternow.”

Hisgazesoftenedandhesighed.“That’sfine.Comefindmeinmystudyafterwardssowecan
talk.”

“About?”Shewasprettysureshealreadyknewtheanswer.

“Thejob.”Hefrownedather.“DidyoufinishreadingallofthepapersIgaveyou?”

“Yessir.”Shethoughtaboutbowingbutdidn’tthinkhewasinthemoodforajoke.

“Good.”Hestaredintohereyesandshefeltherselfgettinglostinthebluenessofhiseyes.
Howfunnythattheylookedasblueastheskytodaywhenthepreviousnighttheyhadlooked
almostblack.Therewasaglintofexcitementinhereyesthatwasreflectedinherstomach
andshefeltaballofnervousanticipationwellupinsideofher.

“I’llseeyouinaboutanhourthen.”Hebroketheirgazeandstrodeofftohisstudy.Sophie
staredafterhimbreathingdeeplybeforeshewenttothekitchen.Partofherwasstillunsure
ofwhatshewasgettingherselfinto.Sheclutchedthegoldcrossthathungfromthenecklace
aroundherneckandsheprayedthatshewasn’tmakingahugemistake.

ShewalkedtothekitchenslowlythinkingabouthowquicklyherrelationshipwithMaxwell
hadchanged.Hehadbeenherrockgrowingup.Hehadn’tknownitbuthehadbeenthe
catalystthathadhelpedhertohealfromherheartbreak.Whenherparent’shaddied,shehad
becomenumbinside.HerAuntandUnclehaddonetheirbesttowelcomeherintotheirhome;
buttheyhadn’tknownhowtounderstandandcomforther.15year-oldMaxwellhadbroken
throughherbarrierswithhisbrutishandcockyteenageselfinwayshewouldneverbeto
know.ShehadlookeduptohimasateenageGod;handsomeandconfident,yetstillunsureof
himselfasteenagersare.Andinthedaysandeveningswhenitwasjustthetwoofthem,he
wouldbesoftandgentleandkind.KindertoherthanhewastohisownsisterElla.Maybeit

wasbecauseheknewthatshewasanorphan,andshealwayshadalostlookinhereyes.Her
friendsusedtoteaseherandsayshecouldgiveLittleOrphanAnniearunforhermoneybut
Sophiehadneverrealizedthesadairshegaveoff.

Maxwellhadbroughtheroutofherselfwithhisgamesandstories.Hehadtoldherofdates
andprankshehadpulledbecauseheneededaconfidanteandhewastooscaredthatElla
wouldtelltheirparents.Theirfriendshiphadblossomedthroughouttheyears,asshehad
spentmostofhersummerswiththeVanHarkels.Buteverythinghadchangedinher17

th

year.

ShehadbeenexcitedtoshowMaxwellthatshehadfinallyblossomedandhadimmediately
rantohisroomwhensheandEllahadarrivedatthetrainstation.Hehadbeensittingathis
deskwritingsomethingandshehadsquealedandhuggedhimfrombehind.Hehadgottenup
andtwirledheraroundandshehadgiggledashekissedheronthecheek.At25Maxwellwas
alreadyonhiswaytobeingthebrilliantbusinessmanthathecurrentlywasandhehad
alreadyembarkedonhistripdownstonyjunction.Hehadanalmostimpenetrablewall
aroundhimtomostpeopleandhedidn’tletpeoplegettooclose.

“Sophie.”Hehadsmiledatherwithgenuinehappinessinhiseyes.“It’sgreattoseeyou.”

“Youtoogoof.”Shehadhithimonthearm,pleasedthatshehadcaughthimgivingherthe
onceover.

“You’llhavetotellmehowthesemesterhasbeen.”Helookedawayfromherquickly.“Butnot
now,I’mbusy.”

“Oh,okay.”Shejumpedupquicklyfromhisbed.Shehadsatdowneagerly;readytotellhim
aboutherfirstkissandhowboyshadstartedtonoticeher.“IwantedtotellyouaboutHarry.”
Shespokeeagerlyasshewalkedtothedoor.

“Who’sHarry?”Helookedatherwithafrown.

“Myquasi-boyfriend.”Shegrinnedathim.

“Boyfriend?Aren’tyoutooyoungforaboyfriendSophie?”

“No.”Shetwirledanddancedaround.“Notatall.”

“Wellwecantalklater.I’mbusynow.”Hewalkedheroutofhisroomandshefeltasliverof
disappointmentrunthroughher.Sophiedidn’tseeMaxwellagainthatsummer;hehadgone
toLondononanemergencybusinesstripandstayed.Andtheyhadneverhadthesameeasy
friendshiponanyofhersubsequentvisits.Shedidn’tknowwhatmadehimdistancehimself
fromherlikethat.Onthesurface,theyhadthesamecasualeasyfriendshipbutitwasstrained
withtensionandoddcomments.

Sophiesighedasshethoughtbacktotheirrelationship.Nowtheyhadaddedawholenew
layertotheirdynamicandshewasn’tsureifitwouldbringthemclosertogetherordrivean

evenbiggerwedgebetweenthem.Especiallyifhefoundoutthatsheliedaboutbeingonthe
pill.Sheresolvedtoherselfthatshewouldneverlethimknowthetruth.

Chapter6

Sheknockedonhisstudydoorhesitantly.Shewasscaredtomakeadecision.Scaredtomove
forwardinhiscrazyworldwithhiscrazycontractandplans.Shewalkedintotheroomwhen
hebeckonedherinbecausesheknewshewastooscaredtowalkaway.

“Didyougetyourwater?”Hesmiledathersoftly.Helookedcalmandgentleandhereminded
heroftheMaxwellfromherchildhood.

“Yes.Thanks.ItwashighqualityH2O.”Shegrinnedathimandhelaughedatherquotefrom
‘TheWaterBoy”.TheyhadspentmanyaweekendwatchingAdamSandlermovies.

“That’sgoodtohear.Iwouldn’twantyoudrinkingnonhighqualityH2O.”

“Yeah.”Shelookedathimcautiouslynotsurewhattosayorifsheshouldsitdown.

“SitSophie,youaremakingmeuncomfortablejuststaringdownatme.”

“Ok.”Shesatoppositehimandlookedathisdesk.Itwasstrewnwithpapersandfoldersanda
MAClaptop.“IsthatthenewMacBookPro?”

“Yes,Igotitafewweeksago.”Henoddedandhisexpressionchanged.Suddenlyhelooked
seriousandannoyed.“Butthat’snotwhatyoucametotalkabout,isitSophie?”

“No.”Hervoicewasquiet.“Itisn’t.”

“Let’scuttothechaseSophie.Whatwehavedonecannothappenagain.”Helookedather
harshly.“Doyouunderstandme?”

“What?”Shelookedathimfurtively,tryingtonotlethimseethepanicandhurtinhereyes.“I
thoughtyouwantmetobeyourassistant?”

“ImadeamistakeSophie.”Hegrimacedandlookedawayfromher.“Itwon’thappenagain.”

“What?”Hervoicewasangry.

“There’snoneedtobeupsetSophie.Iwillstillgetyouintotheinternshipprogram.”

“Idon’twanttobeintheinternshipprogram.”Hervoicesoundedlikeshewaspleadingand
shewinced.“Iwanttobeyourassistant.”

“Noyouhavetofinishschool.”Helookedathercoolly.
“IalreadywithdrewfrommyclassesforthesemesterMax.”Hervoicewasstrong.“Thiswill

beagoodexperienceforme.Itwillhelpmeinmycareer.”

Hegrinnedather.“Well,whoknewyouhaditinyoutobecalculatedSophie?”Hefrownedto
himself.“Maybeyouaren’taspansyasIthought.”

“Excuseme?”Sheglaredathim.“I’mnotapansy.”Exceptaroundyoushethoughttoherself.

“WellIhopenot.Notifyouwanttosucceedinthisbusiness.”

“So,amIstillgoingtobeyourassistant?”Shelookedathimpassionately,prayingwithallof
hermightthathewouldsayyes.

“I’llhavetothinkaboutit.”Helookedathercuriously.“I’veneverseenanyonesoexcitedtobe
anassistantbefore.”

“YouweretheonewhotoldmeIwasgoingtodothepositioninthefirstplace.”Shecriedout.

“Thatwasadifferentkindofassistantposition.”Helookedatherandlickedhislips.“Butthat
isnolongeronthetable.”

“Oh.”Shewantedtoaskhimexactlywhatthatpositionwouldhaveconsistedofandaskhim
tostillconsiderherbutshewouldn’tresorttobegging.Shewasn’tthatfargoneandshewould
dieofabrokenheartbeforeshewouldlethimknowjusthowdeeplyshecaredforhim.

“Sowe’llstartinaweek.”Hewrunghishandsashespoketoher.“Youcanhelpmehereinthe
studyandthenyou’llstartfulltimeintheCityin2weeks.”

“Ok.”Shetriedtoholdbackhergrinbutshecouldn’t.“Soundsgood.”

“OhandSophie.”Hecalledafterherasshewalkedoutofthestudy.

“Yes.”Sheturnedbacktolookatwithsparklingeyes.

“Don’tgetintoanytrouble.”

“I’lltrynotto.”Shelaughedashegroanedandranupthestairstoherroomtowriteinher
journal.Shelayonthebedandopenedanewpage.Shewasexcitedthatfinallyshehad
somethingtowritethatwaspositiveandhappyasopposedtogloomyandnaïve.Shewas
goingtowriteapoemtoexpressherfeelingsbutshebitherlipandpaused.Everythinghadn’t
goneexactlyasshewanteditto:shewantedMaxwelltowantherandloveher.Shehadhoped
thataftertheyhadslepttogetherhewouldhaverealizedthathehadfeelingsforherandthat
hewantedtobewithher.Buttheoppositehadhappened.Notonlydidhenotdeclarehislove
forher,hedidn’tevenwanttosleepwithheragain.Hadshebeenthatbad?Maybeshehad
beentooeager.Shesighed.Shedidn’tevenknowwhattheothertypeofassistantpositionhad
reallyconsistedofbutshewantedtoknow.Shewasalsoworriedthathewouldgetsomeone

elsetofitthatrole.Pangsofjealousyreverberatedthroughherandshewantedtocry.She
neededtothinkofawaytogethimbackintoherbedandmaybethenshecouldtryand
reconnectwithhimagain.Breakthroughtheshellhehaddeveloped.Shealsowonderedwhat
Ellahadbeentalkingaboutthepreviousevening.

WhathadMaxwelldonethathadbeensobad?BecauseithadtohavebeenreallybadifElla
wouldn’ttellher.Ellatoldhereverything;shewasincapableofkeepingasecret.Sophieknew
thatsheneededtofindout.ShewantedtoknowaboutMaxmorethanshewantedtowrite
aboutherfeelingssosheputherjournaldownanddecidedtogoandseewhatshecouldget
outofElla.

***

“Ella?”Sophieknockedonherdooracouplemoretimesbeforewalkingintoherbedroom.
“Ella?”

“Sophie.”Ella’sfacepoppedoutfromunderneaththecovers.Hereyeswereblotchyandred
andshelookedlikeshehadbeencrying.

“Areyouokay?”Sophierushedacrosstheroomtocomfortherfriend.“What’swrongElla?”

“Nothing.”Ellasmiledweaklyandbrushedhereyes.“I’mfine.”

Sophiepausedasshereachedthebedandsatdown.“Youdon’tlookfine.”Shespokesoftly
andtookherfriendshand.“Butifyoudon’twanttotalkaboutitrightnow,Iunderstand.”She
smiledatherfriendwithloveandsqueezedherhand.“I’mhereforyouwheneveryouwant.”

“OhSophie.”Ellaburstintotears.“Youarereallythebestfriendagirlcouldaskfor.”She
placedherfaceonSophie’sshoulderandsobbed.Sophiedrewherfriendcloseandhuggedher
asshecried.Sherubbedherbackandprayedthatnothingtooseriouswasbotheringher
friend.

“Ssh.It’llbeokayElla.”Sophiesoothedherfriendandpulledbacktostareather.“Whateverit
isElla,wecangetthroughit.”

“It’llneverbeokaySophie.”Ellasniffed.“Ican’ttalkaboutitnowbutit’llneverbeokay.”Her
eyeswelledupandSophiecouldseethatshewasabouttostartsobbingagain.

“ItwouldhavetobesomethingabsolutelydreadfulforittoneverbeokayagainEl.”Sophie
smiledatherfriendsoftlyandEllalookedatherwithabjectmisery.

“LifeasweknowitwillbechangedforeverSophie.”

Sophiefeltasuddenjabofworryhitherstomach.HadsomethinghappenedtoMaxwell?Was
thisrelatedtothestorythatEllacouldn’ttellherabout?“IsthisaboutMaxElla?”Shegasped

out,unabletocontainherself.

“Huh?”Ellalookedatherinconfusion.“Max?Whatdoyoumean?”

“Doesthishavetodowithwhatyoutoldmeaboutyesterday?Thetroublehegothimself
into?”

Ellalookedatherlikeshewascrazy.“Huh?No.”

“Ohokaysorry.”Sophie’sbreathingwentbacktonormalandshefeltthetensionreleasefrom
herbody.

“IthastodowithmeSophieandhowmylifewillneverbethesameagain.”Ellawailed.

Sophiepausedandtriedtocomposeherself.ShehadafeelingthatwhateverEllawasupset
abouthadtodowithaguy.SheknewthatEllahadbeenseeingsomeonebeforetheyleft
schoolbutshehadbeenverysecretiveabouttheguy.Sophiewonderedifperhapssomething
hadn’tgonewrongwiththerelationship.“Well,ifyouwanttotalkaboutit.Justletmeknow.”

“Ok,thanksSoph.”EllasmiledweaklyandSophiestudiedherfriend.Eventhoughherfacewas
redandsplotchyshestilllookedbeautiful.Ifonlyshecouldlooksoserenewithfrizzyhair.

“SocanyoutellmewhathappenedwithMaxwellnow?”Sophiegrinnedatherfriend,she
knewthatiftherewaseveratimetogetinformationfromherfriend,itwasinanemotional
period.

“Sophie!”Ellafrowned.“ItoldyouIcouldn’ttellyou.”

“IknowbutI’mgoingtobeMaxwell’sassistantnextsemesterandIwantedtoknowwhatto
lookoutfor.”Sophiefrowned;madthatthisishowshehadtotellEllathatshewastakingthe
nextsemesteroff.

“What?”Ellashrieked.“Omg,you’renotcomingbacktoColumbiawithmenextsemester?”

“No.”
“Icannotbelievethis.”Ella’svoicewasfulloftheatrics.“ThereisnowayI’mgoingback
withoutyou.”Shepausedandsmiled.“Infact,IthinkI’llworkforthefamilybusinessnext
weekaswell.”

“What?”Sophielookedatherinshock.

“MaxwellisalwayssayingIshouldtakeagreaterinterestinthebusiness.Andneitherhenor
myparentscansayno,nowthatyouaredoingittoo.”Shegrinned.“Infact,Ithinkthiswill
solvealotofproblems.”

“Uhok.”Sophiestudiedherfriendandfrowned.“Ifyou’resure.”

“I’mpositive.”Ellajumpedupsuddenlyfullofverveandvitality.“Whatshouldwedotoday?”

“Whatdoyouwanttodo?”

“MaybewecanconvinceMaxwelltotakeusoutontheboat.”Ellagrinned.“Thatwouldbe
awesome.”

“Yeah,thatwouldbefun.”Sophiesmiled.She’dlovetospendthedaywithMax.

“AndIcanmakesurehegivesmeapositionthatdoesn’trequiretoomuchwork.”Ellagrinned
andSophielaughed.“OhSophie,thanksformakingmefeelbetter.”Ellagaveherahug.

“NoproblemEl.”Sophiepaused.“Butdoyouthinkyoucouldtellmesomething,anything
aboutMaxwell?”

Ellasighedandstaredatherfriend.“OhSophie.LookIdon’treallyknowexactlywhat
happenedbutmyparentshadtogetalawyerand…”Shepausedtolookaroundtheroomand
loweredhervoice.“Iknowthathewenttojailforabit.”

“Jail?”Sophie’svoicewasshocked.

“Ssh.”Ellalookedatherwithconcern.“Bequiet.No-onetalksaboutitandI’mnotsureexactly
whathappenedbutmyparentssentMaxtoLondonforthenextyeartoleteverythingdie
down.”

Sophiefeltherhearttickingrapidly.“WhendidthishappenElla?”

“Ican’trememberexactly.Alongtimeago.”

“Whenwewere14?”

“What?Iguess,maybe.”Ellalookedathersuspiciously.“Didyoualreadyknow?”
“No.”Sophielookedatherfriendthoughtfully.“Ididn’tknowbutitexplainsalot.”

“Huh?”Ellanarrowedhereyes.“Whataren’tyoutellingmeSophie?”

“Nothing.IjustfeltthatMaxwellchangedafterthatsummer.”Hervoicesoundedwistful.
Insideshewasbubblingwithcuriosity.WhathadhappenedtoMaxwell?Whathadhedone?
Anddidshereallywanttoknow.

“Yeah.Hedid.”Ella’seyesglazedover.“Idon’tknowwhatitwasbutfromthatpointonit
seemedlikethelighthadgoneoutofhiseyes.”Shesighed.“Andnowhe’ssoobusyrunning
thecompanywithDad,it’slikehedoesn’thavetimeforanythingelse.”

“Buthestilldates.”ItwasastatementoffactbutSophiereallywantedtoaskitasaquestion.

“Iguessso.Iwouldn’tcallitdatingsomuchasfucking.”Ellagrinned.“Youknowmen.”

“Yeah.”Sophiesighed.

“You’llmostprobablymeetsomeofthemashisassistant.”

“Oh.Youthinkso?”Sophie’sheartsunk.

“Yeah.”Ellalaughed.“I’msurehe’llhaveyousendflowersandstuff.Justdon’tsleepwithhim.”

“What?”Sophiegasped.

“Isaidjustdon’tsleepwithhimoryou’llloseyourjob.”Ellalaughedagain.“Ihearddadtelling
himthathehadtostopsleepingwithhisassistantsbecauseapparentlyoneofthemstarted
leakingcompanyinformationafterhedumpedher.”

“Oh.”SophierememberedtheconfidentialitycontractthatMaxwellhadaskedhertoreview
andsign.“Wow.”

“Yeah.Itwascrazy.Apparently,shetriedtosellastorytoatabloidabouthimspankingher
andhandcuffingher.”

“Really?Thatdoesn’tseemtabloidworthy.”Sophietriednotopicturehimwithsomeoneelse.
Thechurninginhergutwasmakingherfeelnauseousandshefeltaheadachecomingon.

“Well,“Ellaloweredhervoiceagain.“Supposedlyhedidsomethingextra.”

“What?”Sophieleanedinwithherheartinhermouth.

“What’sgoingongirls?”Maxwellknockedonthedoorandthegirlsjumpedapartguiltilyand
forthefirsttimeeverSophiewasdisappointedtoseeMax.

“Nothing.Iwasjustcomingtoseeyouactually.”Ellawassmoothandranupandgavehera
brotherakissonthecheek.

“Ohyeah?”HeraisedaneyebrowatherandlookedovertoSophiewhosecheekswere
flushed.

“Yeah.Wewantedtoknowifyou’dtakeusontheboattoday.”Shegrinnedupathim.“Please.”

“I’mprettybusytodayElla.”HelookedatSophieasshespokeandshetriedtomaintaineye
contactwithhimwithoutlookingtooembarrassed.

“PleaseMax.”Shepleadedwithherbrotherbattinghereyelidsupathim.

“WellJosephismeanttocomeovertogooveracontractwithmethisafternoon.”

“Oh?”Ellalookedsurprised.

“Youcouldinvitehimtoo.”Sophieaddedinhertwocents.ShelikedJoseph,hewasoneofthe
VanHarkel’slawyersandshehadmethimandhiswifeseveraltimes.

“Idon’tknow.”Maxlookedlikehewasdebatingitinhismind.

“IthoughthewasgoingtobeintheCitythisweekend?”Ellainterrupted.

“No,hegotintoWintersidewithLilylastnight.”Maxspokedistractedlyanddidn’tnoticethe
Ellaflinch.ButSophiedid.Thoughshewasn’tsurewhyEllacared.

“Isee.”Ellafrowned.“WellIdon’tthinkJosephandLilywillwanttocome,let’spostponeit.”

Maxlookedathissister’ssadfaceandsighed.“No,no.I’llcancelwithJoseph.Thecontractcan
waittoberevieweduntiltomorrow.Ihaven’tgottentospendanafternoonwithmysisterand
herbestfriendinages.”

Ellalaughed.“Youmayaswelljustsayyourtwosisters.”

SophiefrownedatElla’swordsandlookedatMax’sface.Therewasanevilglintinhiseye.

“Idon’tknowifthat’ssuchagoodthingtosay.”HewinkedatSophieandturnedaround.“Let
megoandfinishupsomeworkandwecanheadoutafterlunch.”
“Yay.”Elladancedaroundandrantohercloset.“Okay,Ineedtochooseanoutfit.Wanttohelp
meSophie?”

“No,IthinkI’llgoandseeifMaxneedsanyhelp.”

“What,hehasyouworkingalready?”

“No,butIfigureImayaswellgetstartednowbeforehechangeshismind.”

“OhSophie.Youareaworkaholic.”Ellalaughedandturnedbacktoherclothes.“Seeyoulater.
Don’tforgettowearaswimsuit,wecanhaveaswiminthelake.”

“Won’titbecold?”

“Don’tbeababyit’llbefine.”

“OkayElla.Seeyouinabit.”Sophiewalkedoutoftheroomandsmiledtoherself.Shewas
excitedtospendtheafternoonwithMaxwellandshewashopefulthatshecouldtryandfind
outsomemoreinformationabouthispast.

Chapter7

SophiestoodoutsideofMax’sofficeandcountedtothreebeforesheknocked.Shedidn’twant
toseemtooeagerpartiallybecauseshewasn’tsurehowhewouldreactandpartiallybecause
herinnerconsciouswastellinghertorunawayasquicklyasshecould.

“Comein?”

“HeyMax,Iwaswonderingifyouneededanyhelp?”Shelookedathimcheerfully,unsureifhe
wouldbehappytoseeherornot.

“Really?”Helookedatherinsurprise.

“Yes.IknowIdon’tofficiallystartuntilnextweekbutIwouldlovetohelpoutnowifIcould.”

“Actuallythatwouldbegreat.”Hebeamedatherandshefeltherheartflutter.“Josephisstill
comingoverthisafternoon.He’sgoingtogoontheboatwithusandwantstotalkbusiness
afterwards.SoIneedtomakeacoupleofchangestothecontractnowbeforeweleave.”

“Ohok.HowcanIhelp?”

“IwanttoreadthecontractandI’lltellyouthechangestomakeintheopendocumentok?You
canusethislaptop.”Hepointedtoasecondclosedlaptoponhisdesk.

“Okay,sure.”Shesatdowneagerlyandreachedoverforthelaptoptoturniton.“Ohwhat’sthe
password?”Sheaskedhimasshewasstoppedfromgoinganyfurther.

Hefrownedatherandreachedforthelaptop.“Oh,Icanputitin.”

“Don’tyoutrustme?”Shelookedathimwithasadface.“I’mnotgoingtostealanycorporate
secrets.”

“No,Iknow,it’snotthat.”Hesighedandletgoofthelaptop.“Sophie.”

“Yes?”

“That’sthepassword.”Hesighed.“Sophie.”

“Sophieasinme?”Shelookedathiminsurpriseasherheartpoundedaway.

“Yes.Butitwasn’tchosenbecauseofyou.Imean,EllawastalkingaboutyouthedayIwas
settingitupandIthoughtitwouldmakeaneasypasswordtoremember.Youknow?”

“Yeahsure.”Shesmiledshylyathimandwonderedwhatitmeant.Hehadusedhernameas
hislaptoppassword,alaptophehadhadforatleastacoupleofyears.

“Openwordandopenthefilecalled“SoundgardenContract.”

“Okay.”Herfingersmovednimblyacrossthekeyboard,sherealizedthatshewasnotgoingto
begettinganyanswersrightnow.

“Okay,wearestartingatsectionA,Iwanttoincludeafewmorenamesasguarantorstothe
loan.”

“Okay.”Shetypedawayandtheyworkedinsolidarityforthenexttwohourswiththeirminds
onnothingbutwork.SophiewasjustifyingaparagraphandfrowningbecauseWorddidn’t
wanttocooperatewithherwhensheheardMaxwelllaughing.

“What’ssofunny?”Shelookedupwithhimandbrushedherhairoutofhereyes.

“You.”Hesmiledatherwithmirthinhiseyes.“Whowouldhavethoughtyou’dturnouttobe
suchagoodassistant?”

“Aren’tyougladyouhiredmenow?”Shegrinnedathim.

“Yes.YesIam.”Hiseyestookinherheavingbosombarelycontainedbyhertanktopandhe
lickedhislips.“Ithinkitwasaverygooddecision.”

Sophiefeltherskinstartingtowarmandherstomachstarteddoingflip-flops.“I’mgladas
well.”

“WhyareyougladSophie?”

“BecauseIgettoworkwithyou.”Shelickedherlipsasshestudiedhisface.Hehadamanly
squareface,hisdarkhairwasstillwetfromhisshowerandhiseyesboreintoher,thebrilliant
bluenessremindingherofthenightsky.“Youknowyoureyesaresoomanydifferentkindsof
blue.”Shemumbledtohim.

“Really?”Hestaredintohereyes.“Didyouknowthatyouhaveenchantingeyeslikeacat?
Theychangefromgreentobrownandbackagainbuttheyneverseemtobequitethesame
color.”

“Oh.”Shegazedathimbreathless.

“Youreyesremindmeofsunnyhillsandthemorningdewonthegrass.Theyremindmeof
hotchocolateonahotnight.Theyremindmeofmagic.”

“Magic?”Shewascaughtupinhiswords.

“Themagicofanotherday.Themagicofbelievingandoftrust.”Heleanedintoher.“WhenI
gazeintoyoureyes,Ifeellikeanotherperson.”

Theystaredintoeachother’seyesforthenextfewminutes.Eachhopingtoseetheanswerto
anunaskedquestion;toseethesalvationtheybothsought.Sophiefeltlikeshewasgoingto
drown;herthroatchokedupandshefeltoverwhelmedwithemotionstaringintoMaxwell’s
eyes.Shefeltlikeshewantedtotellhimsecretsthatnooneelseknew,thatshehadn’teven
addressedwithherself.

“Kissmebeautiful.”Heleanedwithininchesofhersothatshecouldalsotastehislipsonher.
Sheleanedforwardandmethislipsandreturnedhiskiss.Itwassoftandsweetandfullof
passion.Sheurgentlypushedhertongueintohismouthwantingtotasteandfeelmoreof
him;wantingtobeconsumedandtoconsume.

Hesuckedonhertongueandpulledbackfromher.Shelookedupathimsurprisedandhurt
butwasdelightedtoseethathehadjustbrokentheirkisssothathecouldcomearoundthe
tableandgrabherfromherchairsothattheycouldkissproperly.Sheputherarmsaround
himandplayedwithhisslickhair.Shefelthimbringherinclosertohimsothattheirbodies
weremeshedtogether;andtheywereessentiallytwohalvesofthesamewhole.Shefeltlike
thiswastheirfirstkiss;sosweetandpowerfulweretheemotionsrunningthroughher.

“YouaresuchasweetsexythingSophie.”Maxwellgroanedintoherear.“Weshouldn’tbe
doingthis.”

Sophiewantedtoaskhimwhathishesitationwasbutshedidn’twanttoruinthemoodsoshe
justpushedherselfintohimharderandkissedhimmorepassionately.Shereachedherhands
downtothetopofhisjeansandunbuckledhisbelt.Shesmiledwhensheheardhimgroanbut
hedidn’ttryandstopher.Shepulledhisbeltoutofhisjeansandundidthebuttonandpulled
hiszipperdownverycarefully.Hestaredatherintentlyandshesmiledupathim.Shepulled
hisjeansandboxersdownandwasrewardedbyanalreadypeniswaitingtogreether.Shegot
downonherkneesandsuckeditforafewsecondsbeforetakinghiminherhands.Hegasped
andgrabbedherheadasshegavehimahandjob.Shegrinnedasshelookedatthedeskand
sawhehadaglassofwaterwithsomeicecubesinit.Shepushedhimdowntothecouchthat
wasatthesideoftheroomandgotupquickly.

“Whereareyougoing?”Hepoutedather.

“Holdon.”Allofasuddenshefeltverymuchincontrolandshelovedit.Shegrabbedoneofthe
icecubesfromtheglassandputitinhermouthandsuckedonit.Shewalkedslowlybackto
himandsawhimpleasuringhimself.

“Ohnobigboy,that’smyjob.”Shegrinnedathimandpushedhishandaway.Hesatbackand
grinnedather.

“Iwashopingyouwouldsaythat.”

Sheleanedforwardtokisshimandtransferredtheremainderoftheicecubeintohismouth.
Thenshebentdownandtookhiminhermouth.Hegaspedfromtheintensecoldnessonhim
butasshecontinuedbobbingupanddownonhiscock,shefelthimrelaxandstartgroaning.
Shecouldfeelhimgrowingharderandharderinhermouthandshecouldtastehisprecumas
shesuckedonthetipofhiscock.

“OhfuckSophie.Youarekillingmehere.”

Shelookedupathimandshesawthedesireshefeltreflectedinhiseyes.Shejumpedupand
pulledhershortsandpantiesoffandloweredherselfintohim.Sheyelpedashetookcontrol
andgrabbedherasspushingherdownontohimhard.Sheleanedovertokisshimasshe
bouncedupanddownonhiscockenjoyingthefeelofhim,stillslightlycold,insideofher.He
squeezedherassassherodehimandhepulledawayfromhersothathewasstaringintoher
eyesastheybothcame.Shewantedtoclosehereyesastheorgasmsrippedthroughherbut
theintensityofhisgazeheightenedherpleasure.Shestilledandcollapsedagainsthimashe
slidoutofherandsherestedherheadonhisshoulder.

“Now,thatisonereasonwhymid-afternoonsexisn’talwaysgood.”Hegrinnedather.“It
makesyoutired.”

“I’mnottired.”Sheyawnedasshespokeandtheybothlaughedastheyrelaxedonthecouch.

“Really?”Hesmiledathertenderly.

“Really.”Shefelthappycurledupontopofhim.Hisbodyfeltsowarmandcomfortableandhe
wasstillinagoodmood.Shedidn’twantthismomenttopass.

“WellSophie,youhaveworkedveryhardthisafternoon.Isupposeyoudodeservealittle
nap.”

“Really?”Shesmiledupintohiseyesandwasrewardedwithanothersweetsmile.

“Yes.”Hepulledherupandgatheredhertowardshimsothattheywerebothlyingonthe
couchspooning.Hewasbehindherwithhisarmsaroundherandshecouldfeelhiscocknext
toherass.“Wecantakeaquicknap.”
“Oohthatsoundsnice.”Shesmiledandbreathedindeeply.Hisscentwasallovertheroom
andshewantedeveryoneofhersensestoenjoythismoment.Sheclosedhereyesandstarted
hummingtoherself,somethingshehaddonesinceshewasalittlekid.

“Thesonggame?”Maxwellwhisperedintoherear.

“Ifyouwant.”Shegrinned,delightedthatherememberedthegamefromtheirchildhood.
Whenshehadbeenunabletosleep,theyhadsometimesplayedthesonggame.Agameshe

hadlearnedfromherparents.Basicallyonepersonsangorhummedasongandtheotherone
hadtoguessitandsingalongandthenitwastheirturntochoosethesong.

“Who’sfirst?”

“Youcangofirst.”Shewaseagertohearhisvoicesingingagain.

“Ok,hmm.Letmethink.”Hishandscaressedherstomachandshepushedbackintohim.“Ok,I
haveone:

“Sweetbaby,whywon’tyoucomearoundmyway,

Sweetbaby,whatdoIhavetosay?

I’vebeenmissingyourloving,

I’vebeenmissingyourheart,

Tellmethatwecanhaveanewstart.”

“Ooh,Iknowthisone.Iknowit.”Sophiesquealed.“It’s‘TheFrapp’s’.”

“Smartgirl.”Hegrinnedandsnuggledclosertoher.“Yourturn.”

“Okay,butyouknowIcan’tsingaswellasyou.”Shestarted.

“YouhavealovelyvoiceSophie.”

“Yeahright,”Shelaughed.“Saidnooneever.”

“Well,it’slovelywhenyouspeak.”Helaughedandsheturnedaroundtofacehimandhithim
ontheshoulder.

“You’reanass.”Shelaughedathim.

“Goon,Iwanttohearthis.”Theystaredintoeachother’seyesbothhappytojustbeinthe
moment.

“Ok,heregoes:

“Tellme,whendidyouknowIwasn’ttheone?

Whendidyoufeelthewindpassbythesun?

Whendidtheskydropoffofahill?

Tellmewillourloveeverbereal?

Willourloveeverbereal?”

Sophiesangsweetlyandwithconviction,thewordshersasmuchastheoriginalsingers.She
stoppedsingingandshelookedintoMaxwell’seyessearchingly,hopingthatmaybesomereal
magicwouldhappenandhewouldtalkofhisloveforher.

“Hmm,I’mnotsure.”Hebrokeeyecontactwithherandlookedaway.“TheBeatles?”

“No!”

“BobMarley?”

Sophieburstoutlaughing.“No,it’snotBobMarleyyougoof.”

“MickeyMouse?”

“No,butyouareclose.”Shegrinnedathim.

“Minnie?”

“Ohboy.”

“Ohboy.ItawghtItawapuddycat.”HejoinedinwithherDisneyimitations.

“Idid,Idid.IknowItawapuddycat.”Shelaughedhappytohavebrokentheoddmoodthat
hungintheair.

“Andhe’llhuffanhe’llpuffandhe’llblowyourhousedown.”Heleanedtowardsherand
whisperedbeforehekissedher.“YoushouldwatchoutforbigbadwolvesSophie.”

Beforeshecouldrespondshefelthisfingersopeningupherlegsandhiscockplunginginto
her.“Ooh.”Shesaideyeswidewithdelightandsurprise.Herespondedbyrollingheroverand
gettingontopofher.Shewrappedherlegsaroundhiswaistsoshecouldfeelhiminher
deeperandherespondedbymovingfasterandfaster.Shefeltherorgasmbuildingupwhen
hewithdrewfromherandspurtedhiscumalloverherstomach.Shelaytherehopinghe
wouldfinishoffthejobwithhishandsormouthbuthejustgrinneddownather.Shemoaned
andwriggledaroundunderneathhimbeforehebentdownandwhisperedinherear.

“Youseethetroublewithwolvesistheyonlycareaboutgettingwhattheywantandneed.”He
winkedatherandjumpedupoffofthecouch.

Chapter8

Theboatridefeltuncomfortable.Sophiecouldn’tputherfingeronitbuteveryonewasacting
weirdandstilted.ThecompanylawyerJosephhadarrivedwithhiswifeLilyaboutanhour
beforetheyhadleftandEllahadnotseemedhappytoseeeitherofthem.Maxwellwasalso
actingdistanttowardsher.Somethingsheshouldhaveexpectedafteralltheothertimesthey
hadhadsex.Shehadjusthopedthatthistimewasgoingtobedifferent.Shehadfeltlikethey
hadreallyhadaconnectionandshedidn’tunderstandwhyhealwaysbecamesocoldtowards
her.Shesighedandstaredoutonthelake,itseemedsoemptyandvastandsheshivered.
SometimesshefeltlikeMaxwellwasalake:coldandsolitarywithhiddendepths.

“Apennyforyourthoughts.”Ellacameuptoherlookingmiserable.

“Oh,they’renotworthapenny.”Sophiesmiledatherfriend.“What’swrongElla?”

“Nothing.”Herfriendgrimaced.“Ijustthoughtthatitwouldbeafamilyouting.You,meand
Maxwell.”

“Oh.”Sophiefrowned.“ButJosephislikefamily,we’veknownhimsolongnow.”Shelooked
overatthehandsomelawyerwhowasdrinkingabeerandstaringatthem.Hewavedand
smiledastheymadeeyecontactandshewavedback.

“Iguess.”Ellaturnedaway.“ButwebarelyknowLily.”

“ButLilyishiswifeandseemssweetenough.”

“Shejustdoesn’treallyseemhistypethough,doesshe?”Ellaraisedaneyebrowathefriend
andSophielookedatLily,whowasslightlyoverweightbutalwaysverycheerful.Itwastrue,
JosephlookedlikeablondHollywoodstarandLilylookedlikeshecouldpayweightwatchersa
visit.

“She’swonderfulthoughElla,don’tbeabitch.”Sophiechidedherfriend.Shewasslightly
peevedbecausesheknewshewasnostickeither.

“Yeah.She’sawonderfulleech.”Ellabitbackbitterly.“Youknowsheisonlywithhimforhis
money.”

“Asopposedtohisgoodlooksyoumean?”Sophielaughedandputherarmaroundherfriend.
“Don’tbebitteraboutlovehon.”

“What?”Ellalookedathersuspiciously.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”

“Nothing.”Sophiesighed.“Noneedtobitemyheadoff.Itjustseemedlikeyouwerebitter
havingtowitnessaperfectcouplewhenwearebothherealone.Trustmeit’snoteasyforme
eitherwatchingtwopeoplewhoaresoverymuchinlove.”
“Yeah,they’reaperfectcouple.”Ellalaughedbitterly.“He’sthedotinghusbandandshe’sa
properCinderella.”

“We’llfindourPrinceCharming’sonedayElla.”Sophiesmiledweaklyatherfriendworried.
She’dneverseenEllalooksoblue.

“Yeah.Perhaps.”Ellaturnedawayfromher.“I’mgoingtogetabeer,doyouwantone?”

“Sure.”Sophiewatchedherfriendwalkawayandpulloffherteeshirtandshorts,sothatshe
wasjustinaskimpybikini.Ellawastrulybeautifulwithaperfectbody.Sophiesighedwhile

lookingatherfriend;itjustwasn’tfairthatsomeoneseeminglyhadeverything.Shewas
beautiful,smart,richandhadagreatfamily.Howdidsomeonegetsoolucky?

“That’saverycontemplativelook.”Maxwellstoodtherenexttoherwithhisshirtoffandshe
drunkinhispresence.Hischestseemedtoradiateagoldtoneduetothesun’sraysandthe
lightmatofhishairchestcalledouttoherhands.Shewantedtoreachoverandstrokeitlike
onewouldstrokeapuppy.

“Justthinkingaboutlife.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah.”

“Areyougoingtoexpoundonthat?”

“WhydoyoufreezemeoutMaxwell?”

“What?”Helookedatherinsurpriseandtookastepawayfromher.“Idon’tknowwhatyou
aretalkingabout.”

“Afterwehavesex.YouactlikeIdon’tevenexist.”Shewhisperedtohim,makingsurenoone
wasclose.ShenoticedthatEllaandJosephwerenolongeronthedeckandLilywaslyingback
gettingsomesunonherskin.

“NoIdon’t.”Hefrowned.“AndItoldyou.Idon’tthinkit’sagoodideaforustohavesex
anymore.”

“Whynot?”Shesteppedtowardshimangrily.“Youdon’tseemtobesayingnowhenitis
happening.”

“Itjustis.”Hegrabbedherhands.“LookSophie.Thisisnotagoodidea.”

“Why?”
“Youaretooyoung.Youaremysister’sbestfriend.I’mnotagoodguy.”Heraspedather.

“Whyaren’tyou?”Shesquintedhereyesathim.

“Itdoesn’tmatter.”Hishandssqueezedherstightlyandhesteppedtowardsher.“Iam
warningyouthatyouneedtostopthisnowSophie.”

“Orwhat?”Shespokedefiantly,upsetthathewasn’tjustbeingstraightwithher.

“Oryouarenotgoingtolikewhathappenstoyou.”Hepushedhimselfintoherandshewas
trappedbetweenthesideoftheboatandhisbody.“Oryouaregoingtowishthatyounever

metme.”

“Youdon’tscaremeMaxwell.”

“ThenyouareafoolSophie.”

“Maybe.”Shewhispered.MaybeI’mafoolinloveshethoughttoherself.

“IplayhardandfastSophieandIdon’tcarewhogetscaughtinthecrossfire.”

“NeitherdoI.”Shelied.“Iplayhardandfasttoo.”

“Really?”Hiseyesglintedather.

“Yes.”Sheswallowed.

“Turnaroundandbendoverthen.”Hegruntedintoherear.

“What?”Shelookedathiminsurprise.

“Iwanttofuckyourighthereandrightnow.Ifyoutrulyplayhardandfastbendover.”

“ButwhataboutLily,shenoddedovertothewomanwhowaslyingonthedeckjustafewfeet
away.”Sheswallowed.“AndEllaandJoseph.”

“Iknewyoudidn’tplayhardandfast.”Heturnedawayfromherandlaughed.

“Wait.”Shegrabbedhisarmandpulledhimtowardsher.ShelookedovertoLilyonceagain,
sheappearedtobesleepingandSophiebitherlip.Shequicklyturnedaroundandbentover
thesideoftheboat.SheliftedherskirtupandturnedbacktowardsMaxwhowatchedher
withawickedsmile.Hemovedintowardsherandpulledthefrontofhisshortsdownand
removedhiscock.Shefelthisrubitupanddownonherclitforwhatseemedlikeaneternity
beforehepushedhimselfintoher.Shecriedoutfromtheshockofhisthrustandheputahand
overhermouthandwhisperedinherear.“Youhavetobequietmydear.”Hekepthishand
thereasheplungedinandoutofher.Sophieleantforwardunconsciouslyandthisallowedhis
cocktoplungeintoherevendeeper.Shebithishandashethrustintoherharderandharder;
shefelthiminhersodeepthatshefeltthathewastryingtobecomeonewithher.Hegroaned
intoherearandreachedhishandsdowntograbherbreasts.Hegropedthemsensuouslyand
squeezedhernipplesashefuckedherrelentlessly.Sheshudderedasshecameandhe
increasedhispaceuntilshefeltthewarmnessofhisspermfillher.Hepulledoutofher
immediatelyafterhecameandpulledherskirtdown.

“Weneedtomakesureyougetonthepatchimmediately.Idon’tknowhowmuchItrustthe
pill.”Hestaredatherintently.“YouseemtobeadrugIcan’tquitsowebettermakesurewe
aretakingbetterpreventativemethods.”

“Yeah.”Sophiesmiledweaklyasherstomachchurned.Shesuddenlyfeltverysickandfaint.

“IfyouwanttogodownthisroadwithmeSophieyouwillneedtofollowmyrules.”He
assessedhercoolly.“Youneedtoknowwhatyouaregettingyourselfinto.”

“Iknow.”Shestaredbackathimcoolly.ShesawEllaandJosephwalkingbackonthedeckand
shesawJosephpattingherfriend’sass.Allofasuddenshefeltashiverofcoldinsideofher.

“Wecanmakethisanewarrangementifyouwant.”Hepaused.“Youcanbemyspecial
assistant.”

“Liketheone’syouhadbefore?”Shespokecasuallybuttherewasurgencytoherwords.

Helookedathercarefully.“Whatdoyouknowaboutmyotherassistants?”

“Iknowyou’vefuckedthemaswell.”

“How?”

“Ijustknow.”Shelookedathimunflinchingly.

“Thenyouknowhowthearrangementsended?”Helookedatherwithahalfsmile,thoughhis
eyeswerehard.

“No,notreally.”

“TheyallwantedmoreandIfiredthem.”Helaughed.“Thisisn’taforeverarrangement.When
I’vehadmyfillI’mdone.”
“Isee.”Thoughshehadabillionquestions.Howlongdidittakeforhimtobedone?Anddid
heseethemoutsideofwork?Didheeverdateanyoneregularly?

“Idon’tthinkyoudo.”Helaughedandlookedoutatthelake.“I’mnotagoodguySophie.You
shouldwalkawaynow.Icanhurtyou.”

“Noyoucan’t.”Shelied.Shewouldtakeanyhurtjustforthechancetobewithhimforany
lengthoftime.

“Ican.”Helookedatherwithpaininhiseyes.“Iamcapableofhurtingyouinwaysyoudonot
evenknowabout.”

“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”Shewhispered,scaredbuthopefultolearnmore.

“Alongtimeago,Ididaverybadthing.”Hisvoicewaslow.“Icanneverletithappenagain.”

“Whatdidyoudo?”Sophiequestionedhim,herheartbeatingrapidly.Shehadafeelingthis
wasrelatedtotheinformationEllahadbeentalkingabout.

“Ilovedsomeoneverymuch.”Hisvoicewasfilledwithemotion.“Icouldn’tcontrolmyself.”

Sophiefeltherheartrippingapart.“Whatdidyoudo?”Shewhispered.

Helookedintohereyesandherheartachedforhim.Shecouldseethedeeppainthatlingered
thereandhelookedlikealostsoul.“Ididitforlove.Iwasblind.Ididn’tknow.HowcouldI
know?”Hisvoicebrokeashespoke.

“Doyoustillloveher?”Sophie’sheartwasbreakingandshedidn’tknowifshewantedtoknow
theanswer.

“Yes.I’llalwaysloveher.“Hisvoicewaslow.“She’sallIeverthinkabout.”

“Oh.”Sophiefeltcrushed.“Andshedoesn’twantyou?”

Helookedatherandhelaughed.Adeepdarklaughfilledwithpainandsorrow.“Shemust
neverknowofmylove.Nothinggoodwillevercomeofit.”

“Oh.”Sophiedidn’tunderstandandshefeltmoreconfusedandupsetthanever.“Isee.Soyou
don’twanttodateher?”

“Therearesomepeoplesopreciousanddelicateinlifethattheymustbeprotectedfromallof
nature’sdarkside.”

“Ok.”
“Shedeservesbetterthanme.”Helaughed.

“Soyou’lljustdatesomeoneelsethen?”Sophiewantedtobreakawayfromhimandjumpinto
therivertodrownhersorrows.

“Idon’tdate.”Hepaused.“I’llneverloveanyonethewayIloveher.”Hereachedoverand
pinchedhenipple.“Ijustfuckinstead.”

“Oh.”Sheswallowed,ashamedathowgoodhishandmadeherfeel.

“Yeah.I’vehad10assistantsinthelastyear.”Helookedatherintentlyasherolledhernipple
betweenhisfingers.“I’mabadboySophie.”

“I’mabadgirl.”Shelied,desperatelyhopingthatshecouldsomehowcomeoutofthis
unscathed.

“Noyou’renot.”Helookedouttothelakeagain.“ButIthinkyouneedtoseewhoIreallyam

foryoutofinallyleavemealone.”

Shegaspedandpushedhimawaydeeplyhurtbyhiswords.Shewalkedawayfromhim
quicklyandstoodbyElla,whowasdrinkingabeerwithasmirkonherface.

“Hey,whatwereyouandMaxdiscussingsointently?”

“Justworkstuff.”Sophiepaused.“SohasMaxeverhadaseriousgirlfriend?”

“Huh?”Ellagulpedbackthebeershewasdrinking.“Strangequestionbutyeah,heusedto
datethisgirlcalledAlexis.Theyhavebeenonandoffforyears.”

“Oh?”SophierackedherbrainstoseeifshecouldrememberwhoAlexiswas.

“Yeah.Ithinktheywerereallyseriousagesago,backbeforethingswentbad.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah,thatsummerwhenhewenttojail.”Ellawhispered,delvingmoresecretsnowshewas
drunk.“Ithinkithadsomethingtodowithher.I’mnotsurewhatthough.”

“Wait,wasshethegirlthatusedtohavethehousenextdoor?”Sophiethoughtofabeautiful
girlwithlongblackhairwhousedtocomeoversometimes.“Theoneweusedtocallmodern
daySnowWhite?”

“Yup.”Ellalaughed.“Wasshebeautifulorwhat?Ifit’spossiblesheisevenmorebeautiful
now.”

“Oh.”Sophiefrowned.“Sowhathappened?”
“Idon’tknow.”Ellawhispered.“Butayearorsoago,shecametothehouseandIheardher
talkingwithMaxinhisstudy.Shetoldhimsheforgavehimandhopedtheycouldputitbehind
them.”

“Ohyeah?Putwhatbehindthemthough?”Sophiefeltanxious.

“ItoldyouIdon’treallyknow.”Ellafrowned.“ButMaxtoldherhewasn’tgoodforher.Hesaid
heregrettedwhathappenedmorethanlifeitself.Hesaidthatthebestthinghecoulddofor
thosehelovedwastostayaway.”

“Wow.”Sophiescratchedherforehead,willingherselfnottocry.“Hemusthavereallyloved
her.”

“Yeah.Iguess.”Ellasighed.“Loveisfuckedup.”

“Yes,yesitis.”Sothereshehadit.MaxwellwasinlovewithbeautifulAlexis.Shewondered

whathadhappenedtomakehimthinkthatthebestthinghecoulddoforherwastostay
away.Ifhehadlovedhershewouldhaveputupwithanythingjusttobewithhim.“Whywas
JosephtouchingyourassElla?”Sophiewhisperedtoherfriend,tryingtogethermindoffof
Maxwell.

“What?”Ellalookedatherinshock.

“IssomethinggoingonbetweenyouandJoseph?”Sophietriedtokeepthejudgmentoffofher
face.

“Idon’tknowwhatyouaretalkingabout.”Ellagotupandswayedovertothecoolertoget
anotherbeer.“AndIdon’tappreciatetheinsinuationeither.”Sheshoutedback.

Sophielaybackandclosedhereyeslettingthesunbeatdownonher,hopingitsrayswould
erasehermindfromalloftheinformationthathadputinitthatafternoon.

Chapter9

TherestoftheirvacationinWintersidewastenseandawkward.SophieandEllalaughedon
thesurfacetogetherbuttherewasanobviouswedgebetweenthem.Ellawentoutmost
nightswithoutinvitingSophieandtheyonlyreallysaweachotheroverlunch.Theytalked
aboutsuperficialtopicsandneitheroneofthemmentionedwhathadbeensaidontheboat.

SophiehadinsteadfocusedonherworkwithMax.Theyhadn’tmadelovesincethatdayor
talkedabouttheirconversationeither.WhathurtSophiethemostwasthatMaxwellhadnot
evenattemptedtomakeamoveonher.Shelayinherbedeverynight,hopefulthatshewould
hearaknockbutitnevercame.Thedayswerelongandtheworkwashardbutshefoundthat
shewasbeginningtounderstandthewaythatheworkedandwhatheexpectedofher.Hewas
alsoverykindtowardsher,somuchsothatshefeltthattherewashopeforthemtobecome
friendsagain.

Andasmuchasshefeltsorrowforherself,shefeltsorrowforhimaswell.Whatawickedtrick
GodhadpulledonthemtohaveherlovehimdeeplyandtohavehimloveAlexisdeeply.She
wishedeverynightthatbysomemiraclehewouldforgetAlexisandloveher.Buteveryday
shewokeuptoaprofessionalMaxwellandtheywentalongwiththeireverydaytaskswithout
mentioninganyoftheirpersonalfeelingsordilemma’s.

She’dcomebacktoNewYorkbyherself.Ellahaddecidedthatshewasgoingtotakeamonth
tovacationinFranceandItalybyherselfbeforeshestartedherinternship.Sophiesupposed
thatwasoneoftheperksofactuallybeingaVanHarkel,youcoulddowhatyouwantedwhen
youwanted.Sophiesighedasshetriedonheroutfitforthenextday,theskirtdidn’tzipup
properlyandthejacketfelttightonher.Shefiguredshehadgainedsomeweightin
Wintersidebutshehadn’trealizeditatthetime.

Shelookedinherclosettoseeifshehadanyothersuitstowear;eventhoughshealready
knewtheanswer.Shewantedtolooksmartonherfirstofficialdayatworkbutitlookedlike
shewouldhavetowearherblackpantswiththeelasticwaistandanuglywhiteshirtshehad
gottenforHalloweenafewyearsbeforewhenshewenttoapartyasTomCruisefrom
‘Cocktail’.Shetriedontheoutfitandgroaned,shelookedlikeanoldmaid,nota22-year-old
girl.NowonderMaxwelldidn’twanttobewithher.Shecollapsedontothebedandcried.She
letoutallofherfrustrationsandpainsandsobbedforagoodtwentyminutesbeforeshe
jumpedupandrantothebathroomtopuke.

Shesatonthefloorwithherheadinthestomachandshetriedtothinkaboutwhatshehad
eatenthenightbeforethatmightberesponsibleformakinghersick.She’donlyhadasliceof
pizzaandsomesalad.Shesatthereandstartedretchingagainwhenshefeltherbodystill
withshock.Shejumpedup,flushedthetoilet,washedhermouthoutwithsomewaterandran
tohercalendar.Shefeltpanickedwhensherealizedshehadmissedherperiod.

“Ohshit,shit,shit.”Sherantoherroomandgrabbedherpurseandrantotheelevator.She
neededtogotothestoretogetapregnancytest.Shefelthotandcoldflushesrunthroughher
bodyandsheleanedagainstthewall.“PleaseGod,no.”

Shebought3differenttypesoftestsandranbacktoherapartment.Shefeltherpatience
runningthinasnourinecameandrantothekitchenanddrank3largeglassesofwater.
“Pleasepleaseplease.”Shemumbledasshepeedonthesticks.Shefeltliketimehadstood
stillasshewaitedandjumpedupwhenheralarmwentoffindicatingthatthewaitingperiod
wasover.Shewalkedslowlytothebathroomtocheek,tellingherselfthateverythingwas
goingtobeokay.Shelookedatthefirststick,andthenthesecondandthirdandpressedher
headagainstthemirror.Shewalkedbacktoherbedroomslowly,unsureofthefeelings
runningthroughher.Partofherwasextremelyscaredandworriedbutanotherpartofher
wasdelighted.Shesatonherbedandbitherlip,shewasn’tsurewhatlayaheadbutonething
shedidknowwasthatshewasgoingtokeepthebabygrowinginsideofher.

***

Sophiearrivedatworkearlythenextmorning.Itwasherfirstofficialdayandshewantedto
showeveryonethatshewasn’thiredjustbecauseshewasbestfriendswiththebosses’sister.
Shewaspleasedwithherappearance.Shehadbeenabletoletouttheskirtanddecidedto
skipthejacket;shedidn’tthinkshehadtobethatformalanyways.Ithadbeenaweeksince
shehadseenMaxwellandshewaseagertoseehisface.Shealsoknewthathedeservedto
knowaboutthebaby.Shewasscaredatwhathewouldsay.Thatmaybehewouldaskherto
getanabortionorthinkshewasagold-diggerafterthefamilyfunds.Sheknewhewouldbe
angryandwouldn’tunderstand.Shedidn’tknowhowshewasgoingtotellhimthatshehad
liedaboutbeingonthepill;whodidthat?Shewouldthinkthatshehadtriedtotraphim.

ThereceptionistwalkedhertoherdeskoutsideofMaxwell’sofficeandshesatthereand
waitedforhimtocallherin.

“He’sintherewithsomeonerightnowdear.”Theelderlyladysmiledather.“Butassoonas
he’sfinished,youcangoandwalkrightin.”

“Thanks.”Sophiesmiledweaklyattheladyandsatthereplayingaroundwithsomepaperclips
onthetable.Shetriedtofigureoutwhattosaytohimwhenshesawhim,“HeyMaxwell,I
haven’tseenyouinaweekbutguesswhat?I’mpregnant.”Ormaybe,“MaxwellIwantyouto
knowthatIamhavingyourbabybutdon’tworryIcanstillbeyourassistant.”Shehitherhand
againstherheadandsighed.Therewasgoingtobenoeasywaytotellhim.

“SoI’llseeyoutonight?”ThedooropenedandSophiesawthebackofaladycomingoutofhis
office.“I’llmakereservationsatBarbuzzafor8yeah?”Hervoicewashighandwhinyand
somehowsoundedfamiliartoSophie.

SophieheardamuffledreplyfromMaxwellbutcouldn’tunderstandhim.“Wecandiscuss
everythingelsetonightMax.Ithinkthisisonedinneryoudon’twanttomiss.”Thelady

steppedoutandclosedthedoor.

Sophielookedatherandgasped,thecolordrainingfromherface.

“HellodearSophie?”Theladysmiledcoldly.“Iunderstandit’syourfirstdaytoday?”

“Yes.”Hervoicewaslowandstrained.“Andyouare?”

“Youdon’trememberme?”Theladylookedatherwithnarrowedeyes.“I’mAlexis,Maxwell’s
specialfriend.”

“Oh,yes.SorryIforgot.”Sophiestoodupandsmiledandheldoutherhand.

“Sure.”Alexisignoredheroutstretchedhand.“Iwouldn’tgettoocomfortablehereSophie.I
don’tthinkyou’llbeinthispositiontoolong.”

“Oh?”

“Idon’treallylikeyou.Neverdid.”Shelaughed.“AndIthinkIcanconvinceMaxwelltoletyou
go.”

“Isee.”Sophiestaredattheladyunsureofwhyshehatedherso.Shealsodidn’tunderstand
whatMaxwellsawinher.Yes,shewasbeautifulbutshewaslikeanicequeen.

AlexisleanedinclosetoSophieandwhispered.“I’dwatchyourbackSophie.Youdon’twantto
seeMaxbackinjaildoyou?”

“What?”Sophielookedatherinshock.“What…”

Atthatmoment,Maxwellopenedthedoorandwalkedout.“Sophie.”Hesmiledbrightlyather
untilhenoticedAlexisrightnexttoher.“You’relate.”Hefrowned.“I’llseeyoulaterAlexis.”

“Yesdear.”Shelookedbackathimandsmiledsweetlybeforewalkingaway.

“Intheoffice.”MaxbarkedatSophieandshestoodthereinconfusion.

“I’mnotlateMax.”Shespokeangrilytohim,upsetthathehadspokentoherthatwayinfront
ofAlexis.

“LookI’mdoingyouafavorhereSophie.MylifewouldbealoteasierifIdidn’thireyou.”

“I’mnottryingtoputyououtMax.Infact,Icanleaverightnowifyouwant.”Shespunaround
andwalkedtothedoorandhechasedafterher.

“Stop.”Hebarked.Hereachedaroundherandclosedthedoorandlockeditbeforepushing

heragainstitandreachingdowntocrushhislipstohers.Shekissedhimbackpassionately
andviolently,lettingallofheremotionsandworriescomeoutinthekiss.Heunbuttonedher
shirtquicklyandpushedherthecupsofherbradownsothatherbreastswerehangingout.
Hereacheddownandtookoneofherbreastsinhismouthandsuckledonhernippleashe
pushedherskirtupwithhishands.

Shereachedoverandundidhisshirtandpulleditoffofhimsothathestoodtherebare-
chested.Hegroanedandrippedhershirtoffandthrewitonthegroundnexttohisbefore
unclaspingherbra.Hepushedheragainsthimsothatherbreastswerecrushedagainsthis
chest.Hereachedunderherskirtandpulledherpantiesoffandpulledherskirtuptoher
waist.

“Fuckit.”Hegrowledandpulledherskirtoffaswellsothatshewasstandingtherenaked
asidesfromherheels.Shereachedoverandpulledhispantsdownandcaressedhispenis
untilitwashard.Heliftedherupagainstthewallandmutteredintoherears.“Putyourlegs
aroundmywaist.”

Sheobeyedandwrappedherlegsaroundhimandwasrewardedbyhishardcockpushing
deepintoher.Shegroanedashefuckedher;theirbodiesgyratingtogethersothatherbreasts
bouncedagainsthischest.Heliftedherovertotheblackleathercouchinhisofficeandpulled
outofher.Shesattherelookingupathimandhepushedherdownontothecouch.

“Spreadyourlegs.”Hecommandedbeforeusinghishandstoopenthemwide.Shefelthis
breathonherpussysecondsbeforeshefelthistongueinvadeher.Shebuckledunderthe
pressureofhislipsastheysuckedonherclitandshefeltherselfcumintohismouthashe
lappedupherjuices.“Good.”Hegrinnedatherbeforeflippingheroverontoallfours.Hethen
cameupbehindherandslidhimselfintoheroncemore,shefeltherpussylipswelcomehim
homeandtheyclungontohiscockasheslidinandoutofher.

“ThereissomethingdeliciousaboutfuckingawetpussythatIcan’tresist.”Hemuttered
beforeslammingintoherafewmoretimesandthencoming.Heturnedheroverand
collapsedontothecouchnexttoher.Shecradledhiminherarmsandtheysmiledateach
other.Hisheadwasrestingonherbreastandshefeltarushofpleasurerunthroughherand
shehopedthatshewasgoingtogivebirthtoaboysothatshecouldalwaysberemindedof
hisgloriouswonderfulangelicface.Hereachedoverandsuckledonherbreastandshe
rubbedhisheadfeelingsatiatedandcomplete.Thisiswhereshewasmeanttobe:withthis
man,inthismomentforever.

“ItoldmyselfIwouldn’tdothis.”Hemutteredashepulledhimselfawayfromher.“Youarea
witchSophie.”

“No.I’mnot.”Shesmiledathimsweetlyanddecidedthatthiswastheperfecttimetotellhim
thenews.“IneedtotellyousomethingMaxwell.”

“Yeah?”Helookedathersidewaysashecaressedherbreastswithhistongue.

“Yeah.It’skindaimportant.”

“Ok.”Shefelthishandslipdowntoherpussyandherubbedonherclit.

“Yes.”Shemoanedandwiggledagainsthim.“I’mpregnant.”Shespurteditout.

Shefelthimfreezeandlefthismouthfromherbreast.Helookedatherinshock.“What?”

“I’mpregnant.”Shegaspeditoutasheslidtwofingersintoher.“Pleasedon’tdothat,Ican’t
think.”

“Youcan’tthink?”Helookedatherharshlyandcontinuedfingeringher.“Whatdoyoumean
youarepregnant?”Hegotupandremovedhisfingersfromher,insteadrubbingthetipofhis
cockupanddownherslit.

“Maxwellpleasestop.”Shepleadedwithhimasshefeltanotherorgasmbuildup.

“Whoareyoupregnantfor?”Hestaredatherintently,slippingthetipofhimintoherslowly
andthenwithdrawingit.

“You.”Shegroaned,achingtofeelhimfullyinsideofhim.

Hestaredatherwithamurderouslookinhiseyesandslidthelengthofhiscockinandoutof
herslowly.Shegrabbedhisasstogethimtomovefasterbuthewithdrewfromherand
rubbedhiscockonherclitafewmoretimesbeforegettingupandwalkingawayfromher.He
silentlywalkedovertogethisclothesandhegotdressedasshesatthereonthecouch.He
walkedbacktohisdeskandsatdownandstaredatherstilllayingonthecouch.

Hisnextwordswerelowandcontainedhisanger.“Whatdoyoumeanme?Ithoughtyoutold
meyouwereonthepill?”

“I’msorry.”Shesatupandcoveredherbreastswithherhandssuddenlyashamedand
embarrassed.

“IcannotbelievethisSophie.”Heputhisfaceintohishands.“Iknewfuckingyouwasa
mistake.”

Sophiecringedathiswordsandwipedawayatearthathadformedinthecornerofhereye.
“I’msorryMax.”

Heslammedthedeskwithhisfist.“Youshouldbefuckingsorry.Youhavejustcomplicated
mylifefarmorethanIneedatthispoint.”

Sophielookeddownatthefloorscared;shehadneverseenhimsoangrybefore.

“Icannotbelievethishashappened.NotknowthatAlexishascomebackintomylife.”He
sighedandlookedatherangrily.“Doyouknowwhatyouhavedone?”

Sophienoddedherheadoverwhelmedbytheguiltinherheart.Shewascostingthemanshe
lovedtheloveofhislife.“I’msorrybutI’mkeepingthebaby.”Shebitherlipandrubbedher
stomach.

Helookedatherandallofasuddenhisfeaturessoftened.Hegotupandpickedupherclothes
andwalkedovertoher.Heliftedheroffofthecouchandredressedher.Shelookedintohis
eyesandsawanemotionshehadneverseenbeforereflectedthere.

“ItoldyouIwasawolfSophie.”Hesighed.“Ijustdon’tthinkyoulistened.”

“Whatarewegoingtodo?”Shelookedathimfearfully.

“We’regoingtomakesureyoudon’tgeteaten.”Hefrownedatherandwalkedbacktohis
desk.“We’regoingtomakesurethatnaturedoesn’thaveitsway.”

Chapter 10

Sophie decided to go to the movies after work to think. They always made her feel calmer, even
horror movies. She thought that it was because the best memories she had of her parents were related
to movies. She could remember watching 'Mary Poppins' and dancing around singing A Spoonful of
Sugar with her dad. He would throw her up into the air and then sneak her a candy behind her
mother’s back. She would nibble at the candy and suck it slowly, savoring the sweetness in her mouth
as she continued to watch the movie. She had developed a love of pigeons from the movie and
whenever she walked around Times Square, she would always try to take some bird seeds so that she
could feed the birds. It was something that she was sure her father would do with her if he were still
alive. As Sophie studied the movie listings she sighed, there was nothing that she wanted to sit
through, nothing that would take her mind off Maxwell and his dinner with Alexis.

She knew that this was going to be a long lonely night for her. She'd had some hope when she had gone
into the office that morning that she had a chance. But as soon as she had seen Alexis she had known.
The love of Maxwell's life was back and she wasn't going to be taking his rejection so easily. No
matter what he had to say. Sophie felt a twinge of guilt in her heart, didn't loving someone mean letting
them go? Maybe she had ruined Maxwell's life by getting pregnant. Maybe his one chance at happiness
was forever gone because she had lied. She didn't blame him for being upset—he had asked and she
had lied. She was a bad person, an evil person. She didn't deserve happiness. Not after what she had
done. But she knew she didn't regret it, she would always have a piece of Maxwell now. It didn’t
matter if he never wanted to see her again she would still have the baby. And she knew deep in her
heart that Maxwell wouldn't desert his own baby. He wasn't made like that. No, he would take care of
his baby, even if he didn't want to see her. She was confident of that.

She sighed and decided to find a coffee shop to go and relax in, maybe being around a hustle of people
would stop her from feeling alone. Just as she was about to go into a Starbucks, she had an idea.
Something was still puzzling her and she hailed down a cab to take her to the local library.

"Do you have newspaper archives?" She smiled at the lady behind the counter as she walked into the
library. "And if so, how far back do they go? And which newspapers do you have? Big and small?
And newspapers from other cities?"

The lady looked at her with a bored expression. "No ma’am. We just have book circulations here."

Sophie felt her stomach drop and the excitement seeped out of her.

"Why don't you go and try NYU's or Columbia's library? Though you may need a student id or guest
pass to get in."

"Of course, of course. Thank you." Sophie felt like slapping herself across the forehead. Of course,
she should go to the library at school. She couldn't believe that she hadn't thought of it herself. It
seemed that she was experiencing pregnancy brain already. "I'll go to Butler," she spoke aloud to
herself unable to stop the excitement racing through her. She wanted to know Maxwell's big secret. It
just didn't make sense, if he loved Alexis so much what had he done that was so bad that he wouldn't

allow himself to be with her? She figured if he had been arrested, there might be a newspaper clipping
about it somewhere. He was a Van Harkel, the only son of a billionaire. People cared about what
happened to the rich and famous, it would likely be in magazines and newspapers galore. She laughed
almost giddy at the thoughts running through her mind, she was positive that she was going to find out a
lot more information.

Her phone rang as she was about to walk into the library and she took it out and paused. It was
Maxwell. She wasn't sure why he was calling her. He never called her, not even to communicate about
the job. He had had an office secretary call and to give her all the details. She chewed on her lips as
she watched the phone ring. Did he want to tell her to give up the baby? Maybe Alexis was willing to
still be with him if the baby was no longer in the picture. She cringed at the thought of having to have
an abortion, she clutched her stomach knowing that there was no way she would abort her child. She
wondered if he would try to convince her to give the baby up for adoption? Maybe he'd find a family
somewhere in the Midwest, maybe even someone in Iowa close to her aunt and uncle. And he would
offer to be the child's benefactor, so he could make sure the child was financially taken care of without
having to actually be in the child's life. She would never let that happen either. There was nothing he
could offer her that would make her give up her baby. No amount of money, not thousands or millions.
She wouldn't even do it for a billion dollars. She sighed as the phone started ringing again, he was
insistent that he wanted to talk to her. She answered the phone nervously. "Hello?"

"Sophie? Where are you?" Maxwell growled into the phone and Sophie relaxed. Whatever he was
calling about was not related to the baby. She knew that his voice would have been super sweet if he
had wanted to try to persuade her to get rid of his baby.

"I'm at Columbia." She sighed having to tell him her whereabouts.

"What?" His voice held disbelief and confusion. "I thought you decided that you weren't going to go to
school this semester."

"I had," she mumbled.

"You can't just bail out on me now. You are my assistant and you have a duty to me and the position."
He sounded angry. "We need to talk, Sophie."

"I don't owe you anything." Her voice was loud and annoyed. "I have to go now."

"Don't you hang up that phone, Sophie.” His voice was bossy and obstinate and Sophie grinned and
promptly pressed the end button before powering off her phone. She walked into the library, flashed
her student id and then took the elevator to the fourth floor.
As she was about to walk into the newspaper archive room, she realized that she didn't actually know
what Maxwell had called her about because they had gotten into a stupid argument before he could
even bring it up. She sighed and told herself that no news was good news and she was probably better
off not knowing.

“I want to look up some newspaper articles from about five years ago, please.” She spoke to the

librarian and tried to contain her excitement. This could be it: she may finally find out what had
happened all of those years ago that had turned Maxwell from the welcoming, friendly man to the cold,
austere, bipolar man that she would never understand.

“Go to that computer there,” the lady pointed to a computer in the corner. “You can choose the search
terms and the years you want to search through. Every article that mentions the search terms will pop
up. Write down the numbers attached to the articles and we can find the microfiche and you can look it
up.”

“Sounds good, thanks.” Sophie walked over to the computer quickly, typed in Maxwell Van Harkel
and selected the years 1992-2012. Over 28,000 corresponding articles popped up on the screen and
she sighed. This was going to take a lot longer than she thought. As she was about to enter a new
search term and narrow the years, she saw an article titled, “Billionaire Maxwell Van Harkel to Wed
Socialite Alexis Gold” and she clicked on it with her heart in her hands.

Thiswasacompletelynewstorynow.Shelookedatthedateofthearticleandsawthatitwas
fromthreeyearsbefore.Shecouldn’trememberEllaevertellingherthatMaxwasengaged.
Thatwassomethingthatshewouldhaveremembered.Sheperusedthearticlequicklyand
therewasnomoreinformationinit,otherthantheirnamesandthenamesoftheirparents.It
wasmoreofaPRannouncement.ShequicklysearchedforMaxwellVanHarkelandAlexisGold
inthesearchengine,distractedfromheroriginalsearch.Thistimeonly150articlespopped
upandtheyallseemedtoberelatedtotheengagement,thoughnoneofthemmentionedthe
endoftheengagement.

Shesighedandknewthatthatwassomethingshewouldhavetofigureoutlaterandlooked
overthearticletitlesonemoretimetoseeiftherewasanythingthatshehadmissed.And
thenshesawit,“MitchGoldNotSoHappytoWelcomeMaxwellVanHarkeltotheFamily.”
Suddenlyshewasalert.MitchGold.Thenamesoundedfamiliar,hewasobviouslysomeone
relatedtoAlexisbutshewasn’tsurewhom.Shedidn’tthinkthatshehadmetanyother
membersfromtheGoldfamily.Sheclickedonthearticleandgasped.Therewasaphotoof
MitchGoldandAlexisGoldcuttingtheribbonatsomeevent.Shestudiedhisfaceandcringed.
ThereonthescreenstaringbackatherwithahugegrinwasMitch,theguyMaxwellhad
gottenintoafightwithatthePubonherfirstnightinWinterside.Theguythatshehadbeen
dancingwiththathadgottenalittletoohands-onforherliking.

Shebitherlipandtriedtothinkbacktothatnight.Theyhadn’tactedliketheyhadknown
eachother,shehadn’tseenrecognitionintheireyesbutshehadbeensodrunkshewouldn’t
evenhavenoticed.ShethoughtbacktothebloodonMax’sfaceandwonderedifthefightthey
hadthateveningwasaboutalotmorethansomedirtydancing.Shelookedatherwatchand
sighed.Thelibrarywasgoingtobeclosedsoonandshedidn’thavetimetodillydally.She
decidedtotrytofindoutmoreinformationfromEllaaboutMitchwhenshegotbacktotown.
ShewantedtofindoutmoreaboutMax’spastnowandsheneededtofocusonthat.

Shespentthenextthirtyminutesfurtivelylookingatnewspaperarticlesbutnoneofthem
mentionedanythingabouthisbeinginjail.Thelibrariangaveeveryoneafive-minutewarning

andSophiestartedpackingupherthings.Shewasabouttoshutdownthecomputerwhenshe
sawaheadlinethatmadeherheartstop.“DoesMaxwellVanHarkelHaveanAngerProblem?”
SheclickedontheheadlinethatbelongedtoasmallnewspaperfromUpstateNewYorkand
peruseditquickly.ThearticlestatedthatMaxhadbeatenupaguysobadlythathehadtobe
hospitalizedduetotheseverityofhistrauma.ItalsostatedthatMaxwellhadbeensent
abroadtoevadejailtimeandthatheshouldhavebeensenttoamentalinstituteinstead.
Sophiefrownedunsureofwhattothink.Atthebottomofthearticle,therewasalinkto
anotherarticle.Sheclickedonitquicklyandsawaretractionstatingthattheauthorofthe
previousarticlenolongerworkedforthepaperandhadwrittenthearticleinerror.Maxwell
VanHarkelhadtravelledabroadtolearnthefamilybusinessandhehadnomentalissues.

Sophiequicklywentbacktotheoriginalarticleandwrotedowntheauthor’sname.Shewasn’t
surewhatshewasgoingtodowiththeinformationbutsomethinginsideofhertoldherto
writeitdown.Shegritherteethwonderingwhatshewasgettingherselfinto,Max’sworldwas
startingtoseemdarkeranddarkerandshedidn’tknowwhethershewantedtobeapartofit
nowthatshewasgoingtohaveababy.

Shewalkedoutofthelibrarycaughtupinherthoughts.ShelovedMaxwellbutshedidn’tthink
shereallylikedhim.Hehadtreatedherhorriblyandshedidn’tthinkthiswasahealthystate
ofmindforherorherbaby.

Chapter11

Sophiearrivedhomefeelinghungry.Shehadn'teatendinner,she'dbeentoodepressedbut
nowshewasfeelingravenous.Shewalkedintotheemptyapartmentandsighed:shemissed
Ellaandwishedthatshewerebackhomealready.Shewalkedintothekitchenandpoured
herselfaglassofwaterbeforepickingupsometakeoutleafletsandwalkingtothelivingroom
tocheckthemout.Hermindfeltnumbfromalltheinformationshehadreadatthelibraryand
shejustwantedtovegoutandforgetabouteverythingfortheevening.

Herheartfrozeasshewalkedinthelivingroomforthere,sittingonthecouchinthedark,was
Maxwell.Hewassittingbackcasuallybuthiseyeswereonherlikeahawk.Helookedangry
andshestoodstillwonderingwhathewasdoingthere.

"Itwasniceofyoutocallmeback."Hisvoicewaslowandfullofvenomashestoodupand
walkedtowardsher.Thestreetlightsshiningthroughthewindowsilluminatedhisbody,
thoughhisfacestilllookeddarkandthunderous.

"Ohsorry."Shesmiledathimweaklyandreachedintoherbagtograbhercellphone."Itwas
off."Shepowereditbackonandsixvoicemailsandtextmessagescamethroughfrom
Maxwell.

"Youhunguponme."Hewasstandinginfrontofhernow,soclosethatshecouldfeelhisbody
heatradiatingontoherskin.

"Ihadtogetoffofthephone."Shelookedupathisfaceandmadeeyecontactwithhim."I
figuredwecouldtalklater."

"Didyounow?"Hegrabbedherhandandtooktheleafletsoutofit."You'rehungry?"

"Yes."That'swhyIhavetheleafletsinmyhand,shethoughttoherself.

"Youdidn'teat?"

"Notyet."

"That'snotgood,Sophie."Hesoundedangryagain."Youneedtoeat."

"What?"Shewasconfusedastowhyhewassoupsetthatshehadn'teatenasofyet.

"Youareeatingfortwonow.Youandmychild."

"Yourchild?"Shelookedathiminresentment."Sincewhendidyoustartcaringaboutthe
baby?"

Helookedatherwithincredulityonhisface."Iwillalwayscareaboutmychild.Nomatter

howmuchthemotherliesortriestomanipulateme."

Sophielookedathiminshock."Howdareyoucallmealiar?"

"Well,aren'tyou?"Helookeddownather,histonesardonicandsheturnedaway.Hiseyes
onceagaincaptivatedher.Heseemedtohavethisuncannyabilitytolookdirectlyintoher
soul.

"No."Shewalkedtothecouchandsatdown,needingtodistanceherselffromthismanwho
madeherfeeltoomanyemotionsatonce."Howdidyougetin?"Shechangedthesubject.

"Ihaveakey."Hewalkedovertothecouchandsatnexttoher."Idoowntheapartment."

"IthoughtVanHarkelCorp.ownedit,"shetriedtosoundassnarkyaspossible.

"Actuallyno,"hesmiledather."Iowntheapartmentpersonally."

"Oh."Sophiewonderedwhyheboughtanapartmenthedidn'tlivein.Sheknewhewasn't
makingenoughfromherrenttomakeitworthitasaninvestmentproperty.

"Iwantedtotalktoyoutoday,Sophiebutyoudidn'tgivemeachance."

"HowwasdinnerwithAlexis?"Shelookedathimhungrily,takinginhissmartappearance.He
waswearinganavybluePolopulloveroverawhiteshirtwithgreytrousers.Shecouldstill
smellhiscologneandshehadanoverwhelmingurgetopushherfaceintohischestand
breathehimin.

"Itwasfine,”heansweredcurtly."Whatdoyouwanttoeat?"

"I'lldecidewhenyouleave."ShereachedfortheremoteandturnedontheTV.

"I'mnotleavingtonight."Heturnedtowardsherandmovedcloser."Infact,notonlyamInot
leaving,Ialsohaveplansforus."

"Plans?"Shelookedathimsuspiciously."Youwanttotalkallnight?"

"No.TheplansIhavedon'tincludetalking."

"WhataboutAlexis?"Shelookedathimincredulously.

Hefrownedather."Shedoesn'tmatterrightnow."

"Butyouwenttodinnerwithher."

"And?"

"Whydidn'tyouspendthenightwithher?"

Helaughedandlookedaway."She’snotwhoIwantedinmybedtonight."

Sophieswallowed,dismayedathowhappythatmadeherfeelbutthehappyfeelingwas
fleeting.Whatreallydidhiscommentmean?Onlythathewantedtohavehiscakeandeatit
too.MaybehewouldgotoAlexis'sbedtomorrow.Maybeheonlywantedherbecauseshehad
ignoredhisphonecall.

"Idon'twantyouinmybedtonight,"shelied.

"Idon'tcarewhatyouwant,"hechuckledandcameclosertowardsher.Shemoveddownthe
couchuntiltherewasnowherelefttogo.Shesattherelookingupathimandsighedasshefelt
hislipscrushdownonhers.Theytastedsaltyandshefoundhertonguedartingoutofher
mouthtolickhislips.Hegroanedandcaughthertongueinhismouthandsuckedonitslowly.
Shefeltherselfmeltingagainsthim.Shecouldn’tresisthim.Hewasherdrugandshewastoo
dopeduptocareabouttheconsequences.Shefelthishandreachuptoherbreastandhis
fingersranaroundhernipplesbeforehecuppedthem.

“Seemsliketheyaregettingbiggeralready.”Hegrinnedatherashepulledbacktopullupher
t-shirt.

“What?”Shestaredathim,mesmerizedbythechangeinhisfacewhenhesmiled.

“Yourpregnancybreastsaredivine.”

“Idon’tthinkI’vebeenpregnantlongenoughtohavepregnancybreasts.”Sheblushed.She
alreadyhadbigboobs;shewasn’tsurehowshewouldfeeliftheygrewevenbigger.

“Icanalreadytellthedifference.”Heleanedtowardsherasheunclaspedherbraandbenthis
headtosuckonhernipples.Shemoanedashenibbledonthemandthenpushedhimaway.
“Whatisit,Sophie?”Helookedatherwithconcern.

“Idon’twanttodothis.”Shecrossedherarms.“Youdon’teventhinkit’syourbaby.”She
turnedawayfromhimandfeltatearfallfromhereye.“Iwantyoutoleave.”

“Sophie,thereissomethingIneedtotellyou.”Hisvoicewasgruffandfullofself-
condemnation.

“What?”Shekeptherbacktohim.Shedidn’twanttolookathisface.Sheknewitwouldonly
makeherweaker.

“Iknowthatit’smybaby.”

“What?”Sheturnedaroundandlookedathim.“How?”

Hesighedandthistimehelookedaway.“Ididn’twanttobelieveit,youknow.Icouldn’t
believeit.”Heshookhishead.“Iknewwhenwemadelovethatyouwereavirgin,Sophie.”

“Oh.”Sheblinked,feelingembarrassed.

“I’msorrythatItookyourvirginity.”Heclaspedherhandsanddrewthemawayfromher
breasts.

“It’sok.”Shepaused.Shewantedtotellhimthatshewasgladitwashim.Thatshedidn’twant
tosleepwithanyoneelse,ever.Thatshelovedhimandthefeelofhim.Butshekeptquiet.

“No.No.It’snot.”Hesighed.“Ishouldhaveknownbetter.Beenbetter.”

“Waitasecond.”Shestaredathimpuzzled.“WhydidyouthinkIwasonthepill?”

“Itookyourwordforit,Sophie.”Helookedatherseriously.“Manywomengoonthepillto
helpthemregulatetheirmenstrualcycle.”

“Oh.”Shelookeddownfeelingashamed.

“Ididn’tthinkyouwouldlietome.”

“I’msorry.”Sheblinkedupathim,lettingherhaircoverherface.

“Showme.”Hedroppedherhandsandsatbackonthecouch.Hiseyesteasedherand
beckonedheratthesametimeandshefeltawaveofdesirehither.Inthatmoment,therewas
noonebutthetwoofthemintheworld.Nooneelsemattered.Nothingelsemattered.And
Sophiewasgoingtotakeadvantageofthesituation.Shewalkedovertothestereointhe
corneroftheroomandturnediton.Shehadbeenlisteningtosomejazztheeveningbefore
andthesmoothnotesfilledtheroom.Shewalkedbacktohimslowly,heartbeatingand
breastsbouncingbutshewouldnotletherselfbenervousorembarrassed.Shepulledher
skirtoffsothatshewasstandingthereinjustathong.Shegotonthecouch,straddledhim,
andstartedunbuttoninghisshirt.

Maxwellstaredbackatherwordlessly,allowinghertomakeallthemoves.Shepulledhisshirt
offandwaitedforhimtodosomethingbuthejustsmiledather,asiftotellherthattheshow
wasallhers.Shepushedherbreastsupagainsthischestandleanedforwardtokisshim.She
kissedhislipsandthenalloverhisfaceandfinallydownhisneckandtohispecs.Shelicked
hisnipplesandkisseddownhisstomachtothetopofhistrousers.Shemovedovertotheside
ofhimandundidhispants,fumblingwiththebuttonandrubbinghiscrotchthroughhis
pants.Shesmiledassheheardhisintakeofbreathandthenpulledhistrousersoff.Hewas
wearingawhitepairofboxerbriefsandhiscocklookedhardandstiffasifitwerefightingto
breaklooseofhisCalvinKlein’s.Shedecidedtokeephisbriefsonfornowandgotbackontop

ofhim.

Helookedatherwithnarrowedeyesandmovedtopullhisbriefsoff.“No.”Shestoppedhim
andmovedhishandaway.“Thisismyturn.”Shesmiledathimshylyandleanedtowardhim
tokisshimagainasshepositionedherselfontopofhim.Shefelthiscoveredcockbetween
herlegsandstartedgrindingherselfagainsthimasshekissedhimhard.Afterafewminutes,
Maxwellcouldnolongercontainhimselfandshefelthishandsonherass,movingherupand
downonhimfasterandharder.Shefeltherpussypushedintohimsohardthatshecould
barelystandnotactuallyfeelinghimskintoskin.Shequicklystoodupandpulledherthongoff
andpulledhisbriefsdown.Shegotbackdowntostraddlehimandpositionedhisnaked
throbbing,hardcockbetweenherlegsandcontinuedgrindingonhim.

Hegroanedandpulledhertowardshimassheteasedhimwithhernakedbody,slidingalong
hiscock.“Sophie,”hemoanedintoherearandshepausedasshefeltthetipofhiscockenter
herpussy.“Please.”Hegrabbedherasstopushherdownonhimbutshewriggledawayand
smiledathim.Shecontinuedslidingupanddownonhimandfeltherpussygrowheavyand
wet.Shewantedtofeelhiminsideofherbadlybutshealsowantedtoteasehim.

Beforesheknewwhatwashappening,Maxwellhadflippedherontoherbackandhislong,
hardcockwasslidingintoherwithforce.“Wrapyourlegsaroundmywaist,”hegrowledinto
herearandshecompliedrelishingthefeelingofhiscockinherhardanddeep.Hefuckedher
withabandon,thrustinginandoutofherwithsuchforcethatshefeltlikeshewasgoingto
burstintoamillionpiecesfromthewonderfulcompletefeelinghewasgivingher.Hethen
rolledoversothatshewasontopandgrinnedupather.“Fuckme,now,Sophie.”

Shelookeddownathimandstartedtoswivelherhips.Shefelthiscockindifferentpartsof
herbodyandshestartedmovingwithevenmoreabandonuntilshewasbouncingupand
downonhiscockwithfervor.Sheclosedhereyesashereachedbetweenherlegsandrubbed
herclitassherodehim.Shehadneverfeltsuchintensitybeforeandscreamedasshefeltone
hisfingersalsopinchinghernipples.Herwholebodyfeltfrazzledandshefeltherpussy
tremblingonhiscock,asshewasabouttocome.Hisfingersstartedrubbingherclitfervently
assherodehiscock.Shefoundherselfslammingdownontohimharderandharder,wanting
tofeelhiscockandhisfingersbetweenherlegsasshecamefuriously,collapsingonhimfrom
exhaustionasherjuicesflowed.Shelaythereforafewsecondsbeforefeelingherselfgetting
wetagain.Hisfingerswerestillplayingwithherclitandhegrinnedatherashemovedher
hipsbackandforthonhisstillhardcock.Hepushedheroffhimandpushedhertotheground
onherkneesbeforehecameupbehindherandenteredheragain.Shefelthimslamintoher
frombehindwhilegrabbingherbreasts.Thenshefelthimpulloutofher,flipherontoher
backandspurthiscumalloverhermouthandbreasts.

Shelickedherlipsandwassurprisedthatsheenjoyedthetasteofhiscumonhermouth.He
lookeddownatherwithadevilishsmileandmovedhiscocktowardshermouth.“Whydon’t
youlickitclean?”Hegrunteddownatherbeforehestuckhiscockinhermouth.Shetookit
eagerlyandsuckedthetiplikeitwasalollipop,tryingtogeteverylastdropoutofhim.She
felthimgrowinghardinhermouthandshecontinuedtosuckhard,hopingtomakeloveto

himagain.Hepulledhimselfoutofhermouthandbentdowntokissher.

“No.”Hesmiledather.“Nomore.”

Shepoutedandlookedathimindisappointment.Shewasstillfeelinghorny.

“I’vebeenabadinfluenceonyou.”Hegrinnedhalf-heartedly.“Let’sjustwatchsomeTVand
chat.”

“Idon’twanttowatchTV.”

“Putthison.”Hegaveherhisshirtandhepulledonhisbriefs.Hegrabbedherpantiesaway
fromherasshewenttoputthemon.“No.”Hesmirked.“Youdon’tneedthose.”Hethrew
themacrosstheroomandgrabbedhisphone.“Let’sordersomefood:Italian,Chineseor
Sushi?”

“Idon’twantfood.”Sophieglaredathim,whiledelightinginthefeelofhisshirtnexttoher.

“Sophie.”Hisvoicewaslowandwarning.

“Chinese,please.”Shesighedandherstomachgrowled.“Sweetandsourporkwithfriedrice
andeggdropsoup.”

“Thatsoundsgood.”Hekissedheronthenoseandcalledintheorder.

“HeyMaxwell,”shecalledhimovertohimsoftly.“Whatdidyoucallmeforearliertoday?”

“Itdoesn’tmatter.”Helookedathergrimly.

“Iwanttoknow.”Shecaughthiseyeandkeptit.

“I’lltellyoutomorrow.Let’sjustenjoythenight,okay?”Hepulledhertowardshimandkissed
herforehead.“Nowlet’swatchTV.”

TheysettledinfrontoftheTVandwatchedChopped.SophiesnuggleduptoMaxwelland
picturedthisbeinghereverydaylife.

“Eww,thatlooksgross.”Maxwell’svoicejoltedheroutofherdaydreamofthemasahappy
family.

“Yeah.Ihateliver.”Shelookedatthescreenandsmiled.Thecontestantshadtomakeadesert
withliverandwhitechocolate.

“Iknow.”Hesmileddownatherandstrokedherhair.“Irememberthatsummeryougrabbed
abigbiteandstuffeditinyourmouth.”

“OnlybecauseIthoughtitwassteak.”Shelaughed.

“Only,itwasn’tabigjuicyfilet.”Helaughedalongwithher.“Itwasanastypieceofliver.”

“AndIspatitintomyserviettewhennoonewaslooking.”

“Andthenyouthrewitintothetoiletandcloggeditup.”

“Andyouliedformeandsaiditwasyou.”Shesmiledupathim.“Thatwassuperniceofyou,
Maxwell.”

“Well,Ididn’twantyoutogetintrouble.”Hesmileddownather.

“Iknow.”Shegrinned.“Andthenthatnight,IsnucktoyourroomandsharedmySnickersbar
withyou.”

“Andscaredmygirlfriendoutoftheroom.”

“Youweren’tsupposedtohavegirlsinyourroom.”

“Well,whenyouarenineteen,youwillsneakinasmanygirlsasyoucan.”Helaughedand
startedticklingher.“Ishouldreallygetyoubackforallthegirlsyouscaredoutofmyroomby
sneakingupinthemiddleofthenight.”

“Well,maybeyoushouldn’thavebecomemyconfidant.”Sheshriekedwithlaughterashe
tickledunderherarmsandrolledaroundonthecouch.Shefelthishandsstillandhepulled
hertowardshim.

“AmIstillyourconfidant,Sophie?”Hestaredintoherbiggreeneyes,searchingforananswer.

“No.”Shebitherlip.“Well,kinda.”

Hesighed.“Iwanttoknowsomething.”Heplayedwithherhairandtuckeditbehindherear.

“Ok.”

“SotheguyyoutoldmeaboutbackinWinterside.Doyoustilllovehim?”

Shelookedathiminconfusion.“Whatguy?”

“Theguyyouwroteabout.Theonewhomadeyousad.”

“Oh.”Shelookedawayandplayedwiththehaironhischest.

“Isthatayes?”Hisvoicesoundedsadandsheturnedtolookathim,somethinginhisvoice
madeherheartstartracing.

“No.”Shepaused.“Well,yes.IstilllovetheguyIwroteabout.”

“Oh,okay.”Hepulledawayfromher.“He’safool.”

ItwasinthatmomentthatSophiedidwhatsheshouldhavedonethatfirstnight.Shepulled
himtowardsherandcaressedhisforehead.“Heisafool,Max.Butthatfoolisyou.”

Helookedatherinconfusionandsuddenlyalightappearedinhiseyesasherealizedwhat
shehadsaid.“Youloveme,Sophie?”Hisvoicewasdisbelieving.

Shelookeddown,embarrassedthathersecretwasnowout.“Yes.Yes.Iloveyou.”

Sheheardhissharpintakeofbreathandfelthimpullawayfromher.Shefeltbereftand
saddenedathiswithdrawalfromher.Hestoodupandstartedpacingbackandforth.

“Ihavetogo.”Heturnedtolookatherwithbleakeyes.

“Whatever.”Sheturnedawayfromhimtoohurttopretendanymore.

“Sophie,please.”Hisvoicewaspleading.

“What?”shescreamedathim.“Whatdoyouwantfromme,Maxwell?Yousleepwithme.Treat
melikeshit.Sleepwithmeagain.TreatmelikeshitagainandnowyouwanttoleaveafterI
tellyouIloveyou.”

Hestoodtherewithascaredlookonhisface.Shelaughedmanically.“NowyouthinkI’m
havingabreakdownorsomethingright.WellyoucanfuckoffMaxwellVanHarkel.Fuckoff
anddon’tcomeback.”Shescreamedathimwithtearsrunningdownherfaceandshestarted
hittinghischestashewalkedtowardsherandtookherintohisarms.

“I’msorry,Sophie.Ididn’trealize.”Helookedatherwithpaininhiseyes.“Ididn’twantthisto
happen.”Heheldherclosetohimandshesobbedintohischest.Shefeltexhaustedandtired
andshenolongerwantedtodealwithallthethoughtsinherhead.

“It’sokay.”Shefinallyliftedherwearyheadandstaredathim.“Youcangonow.I’mokay.”

“I’mnotgoinganywhere,”hewhisperedinherear.

“Idon’twantthisanymore,Max.”Shesighed.“Youmakemefeelused.”

“What?”Helookedatherlikeawoundeddeer.“That’sneverbeenmyintention,Sophie.”

“Itdoesn’tmatter.PleaseMax.”SheyawnedandMaxfelthisheartsoftenashestaredatthe
helplessandtiredgirlhehadlovedforaslongashecouldremember.

“No.I’mnotgoing.”Hepickedherupintohisarms,hishandsrestingagainsthernakedpussy
andcarriedhertothebed.

“Max.”Shesquirmedinhisarmsuntilhisfingerswerecrushedagainstherclit.Shesighedand
triedtostopherselffromrubbingherselfgentlyagainsthisfingers.Thetouchofhiminher
mostintimatespotwasalmosttoomuchtotakeandshefeltherselfgrowingwet.

Maxsmiledtohimselfashecarriedhertoherroom.Heknewwhatshewasdoingbut
pretendedtoignoreit.Heshiftedherinhisarms,pretendingtogetabetterbalanceonher
buthewasreallyreadjustinghisfingerssotheyweresplayeddirectlyagainstherpussy.The
nexttimesheshiftedtoadjustherself,oneofhisfingerspushedintoherpussyopeningand
shesquealedout.“Max.”

“Yes?”Heshiftedheragainandthistimehestuckanotherfingerintohersothathewas
slowlyfingeringherashecarriedher.Hecouldhearherstarttomoanandhelayherdown
carefullyontheedgeofthebed.

“Nothing.”Shelookedupathimwordlesslywaitingtoseewhathewasgoingtodonext.

“Closeyoureyes.”Heorderedherandstuckhisfingersinheragain.Sheobeyedhimand
spreadherlegsopen.Hefingeredherandpulledhisbriefsdown,allowinghishardenedcock
outofitscage.Heremovedhisfingersandslidhimselfintoherandhereyespoppedopen.
“Oh.”Shemouthedathimasheslowlypushedhiscockintoherdeeplyandthenwithdrewit
again.Shewatchedashepulleditoutandallowedthetiptorestonherclit.Herubbedthetip
ofhisdickupanddownonherclituntilhecouldfeelitthrobbingandthenheslowlyentered
heragain,allowingherpussylipstotightenaroundhimashepushedhiswayintoher.He
continuedenteringherslowlyandwithdrawingfromheruntilshegroaned.Shereachedup
andpulledhimdownonthebed.

Shesatontopofhimandguidedhiscockintoherandthensherodehimhardandfast,until
thistimetheybothexplodedinpassiontogether.Shecollapsedontopofhimandkissedhis
chestasshefellasleep.Hewaiteduntilshehadfallenasleeptowraphisarmsaroundherand
holdherclosetohim.

“Iloveyoutoo,Sophie.”Hewhisperedtohersoftly.“Iloveyou,too.”

Chapter12

Sophiekepthereyesclosedwhensheawoke.Shehadhadthemostmarvelousdreamandshe
didn’twanttowakeupoutofthatworld.Shehadbeensittingonthefrontporchofahousein
arockingchairwithababygirlonherlap.Inthefrontgarden,thereweretwoyoungboys
throwingaballwiththeirdad,herhusband—Maxwell.Afterthegame,theyhadallcome
runninguptotheporchtobegforcookiesandmilkandMaxhadtakenthebabyfromherand
kissedher.Shehadkissedhimbackwithpassionandseentheloveanddevotionshiningfrom
hiseyesbeforetheyhadwalkedintothehouse.Andthenshehadwokenup.Shewantedtogo
backtotherealityofherdreams.Ifonly,therewasawayforhertodothat.

ShefeltanarmsnakearoundherstomachandshestilledassherememberedthatMaxwell
washerewithher.Onlythecircumstanceswereverydifferentfromherdream.Shewondered
howlongitwouldtakehimtoactlikeajerkthismorning.Shecouldalmostlaughattheshock
inhisfacelastnightaftershehadtoldhimshelovedhim.Hehadlookedlikeadeerin
headlights.Shewouldalwaysrememberhisfacethenighthebrokeherheart.Shewasafool.
Shewishedshehadn’ttoldhimshelovedhim;atleastthen,shewouldstillhaveherself-
respect.

Asshefelthishandmoveuptoherbreast,shejerkedawayfromhimandjumpedoutofthe
bed.Shewalkedquicklytothebathroomwithoutlookingathimandturnedontheshower.
Thedreamhadmadeherrealizethatshedidn’twanttoplaythiscatandmousegamewith
Maxwellanymore.Itwasn'tfairtoher.Shewasn'tgoingtolethimsleepwithherandtake
Alexistodinner.Shedeservedbetter.Shevowedtoherselfthatshewouldbestrongfromhere
onout.Asshewashedherhair,shethoughtaboutEllaandwishedthatshecouldtalktoher.
Elladidn'tevenknowthatshewaspregnant.ShehadafeelingthatEllawouldn'tbeshocked.
Sheseemedtobeinthemiddleofherownscandalousaffair.SophiefeltpositivethatEllawas
sleepingwithJoseph,anditmadeherimmenselysad;herfriendwastoosweettobea
mistress.

“Sophie.”Maxwellbangedonthedoor.“Areyounearlydone?Ihavetoleavesoon.”

“Ofcourseyoudo,”shemumbledasshewashedtheshampoooutofherhair.

“Sophie.”Hebangedhardagain.“Pleaseopenup.Ihavetoleaveinfiveminutes.”

Sophieignoredhimandstartinghummingtoherself.Afterafewminutes,thebanging
stoppedandtheroomwentsilent.Afewsecondslater,sheheardthefrontdoorbangshutand
shescrubbedherskinuntilitwasatinglingred.Shefeltthetearsrunningoutofhereyes.
Tearsthatshedidn'tevenknowshewasholdinginuntiltheywerestreamingdownherface.
ShehadsecretlyhopedthatMaxwellwouldtryharder,thathewouldwaitforhertogetoutof
theshowersothattheycouldtalk.Thatmaybehewouldtellherthathelovedhertoo,maybe
evenproposetohersothattheycouldbeafamilylikeinherdream.Hermindflashedbackto
theheadlineshehadseenthedaybeforethatdeclaredthathewasinengagedtoAlexis.

Asshewalkedbackintoheremptyroom,shestaredatthetousledsheetsandclothesonthe
floorandsheknewthatsomethingwasn’taddingup.IfhelovedAlexissomuch,whywashe
comingtospendthenightwithher?Andtheyhadn’tyethadaconversationaboutthebaby,at
leastnotaseriousone.

ShesighedasherphonestartedringingandshesawitwasMaxwell.Shewasgoingtoignore
itbutangergotthebetterofherandshegrabbedthephone.“What?”shesnarledupset.

“Whoa,whathappenedtoyou,Soph?”Hisvoicewassoft.

“Nothing.I’mjustsurprisedyouarecallingmesosoon.Younormallyfuckmeandbailforat
least24hours.”

“What?”Hesoundedconfused.

“Afteryoubedme,youdon’ttalktomeforatleast24hours.”Shespokeslowly.“Comprende?”

Maxwellsighed,“Sophie,it’snotwhatyouthink,waitholdonasecond.”Maxwellcoveredthe
phonewithhishandandSophiecouldhearawoman’svoiceinthebackground.Shepressed
thephoneashardasshecouldintoherearsothatshecouldheartheconversationbetterbut
allofthewordssoundedmuffled.

“Sophie?”Maxwellcamebacktothephone;thistimeistonewasbrusque.“Weneedtotalk.
Therearesomethingsweneedtosortout.”

“Okay.”Shewasprettysurethatthebabytalkwasabouttohappen.

“Meetmeforlunch?”HesoundeddistractedandSophiewonderedwhatwasgoingon.And
thensheheardthewoman’svoicesay,“Maxwell,come.Wehavesomeunfinishedbusiness.”
Andthenshelaughed;aloudsilkylaughandSophieknewthatitwasAlexis.

“You’rewithAlexis?”Sophie’svoicehelddisbelief.“Youhurriedoutofmybedtogoandsee
Alexis?”

“It’snotlikethat,Sophie.”Hisvoicewasurgent.“Pleasemeetmeforlunch.”

“Youcanfuckoff,Maxwell.”Shespokeangrily,thewordstrippingoutofhermouth.“Idon’t
wanttoseeyouagain.”

“Sophie.”Hisvoicewasstrained.“Look,Ihavetogo.I’llpickyouupin3hours.”
“Whatever.”Sophiehungupthephoneandscreamed.Shethrewthephoneatthewalland
lookedaroundforotheritemstothrow.Shegrabbedabrushandthrewthatandthenwent
andbangedherfistsagainstthewall,tearsstreamingoutofhereyes.

“Ihateyou,Ihateyou,Ihateyou.”Shescreamedandshoutedasshebangedherfists.“Ihate

you.”Shecollapsedontothegroundandsobbed,unabletokeepinherfrustrationand
sadness.Aloudbangmadeherjumpandshesatonthegroundfrozeninfear.

“Sophie?”Ella’svoicecalledouttoherandSophieheardherwalktowardsherroom.
“Sophie?”EllapeakedintotheroomandsawSophiesittingthere,wide-eyedandteary.“Omg
Sophie,whathappened?”Sheranovertoherfriendinconcern,“Areyouokay?”

Sophienodded,unabletotalk.ShestaredatEllaasifshewasastrangershewasseeingforthe
firsttime.Shelookeddifferent.Shehadcutoffherlongblondhairandnowherfacewas
surroundedbyapixiecut.Shelookedolderandsadder.ButSophiewastoodistraughttoask
herwhatwaswrong.

“OhSophie.”Ellasatdownnexttoherandhuggedher.“Areyourauntanduncleokay?”

Sophienoddedonceagainandcriedintoherfriendsshoulder.Theysatthereforafew
minutesbeforeSophie’sphonestartedringing.Ellareachedover,grabbedit,andhandeditto
her.Sophiedidn’trecognizeitandsosheansweredit.

“Hello.”Shespokeslowlysoshecouldregulateherbreathing.

“Hello,thisisMildredHubblefromTheGottesmanLibrariesatTeacher’sCollege,Columbia
University.”

“Okay?”Sophie’svoiceshowedherconfusion.“HowcanIhelpyou?”

“Youleftanotepadatthedeskyesterday.Ithoughtyoumightneedit.Youseemedtobevery
caughtupinyourresearch.”

“Oh.Thanks.”Sophiedidn’treallycareanymore.Shedidn’tcareaboutMaxwell’spastorat
leastshetriedtotellherselfthat.Whatwasthepoint?

“Also,youdidn’tshutthecomputerdownproperlylastnight.”Theoldladysoundedmiffed.

“Sorry.”

“Well,asIwasshuttingitdownforyou,Inoticedthatyouhaddonethesearchincorrectlyand
hadonlyaccessedcertainwebsites.Ifyoucancomeintodaybefore5pm,Icanshowyouhow
toaccessallthesitesandgovernmentfiles.”

“Governmentfiles?”Sophie’sbreathcaught.

“Yes.”Theladysoundedexcited.“Icanhelpyouaccessfilesthatpeopledon’tevenknow
exist.”

“Oh?”

“Ithinkyoushouldcomein,Sophie.”Theladyspokewithurgency.“Idon’tknowwhyyou
werelookingupthisMaxwellVanHarkel,butthereissomeinformationIthinkyoushould
see.”

“Oh,ok.”Sophie’sheartstartedbeatingfast.“I’llcomeinrightaway.”

“Good.”Andwiththat,theladyhungup.

SophielookedupandsawEllastaringatherinconcern.“Areyouokay,Sophie?What’sgoing
on?”

“I’mfine.I’lltellyoulater,okay?”Sophiedidn’twantEllatoknowthatitwasherbrother,
Maxwellthathadmadeherfeellikethis.

“It’saguy,I’mguessing.”Ellalaughedbitterly.

“Yes.”Sophiepausedasshestoodup.“Areyouokay,Ella?Whendidyougetback?”

“Igotbacklastnight.”Ella’svoicecaught.“Iwenttoseehim.Wespentthenightinaseedy
hotel.Ithoughtthingsweregoingtochange.Thathewouldhavemissedme.Butheisstillthe
same.”Tearswelledupinhereyes.“Ineedtogetoverit.”

“You’rebetterthanhim,Ella.”Sophiespokeearnestly.“Youdon’tneedamarriedman.”

“Whosaidhewasmarried?”Ellaansweredherangrily.

“Noone.”Sophie’svoicewassoft.Shecouldn’thelpherfriendifshedidn’twantto
acknowledgethetruth.

“Helovesme,”Ellamumbled.“HetoldmeI’mthemostbeautifulgirlintheworld.”

“Don’ttheyall?”Sophiemumbledback.Maxwellhadmadeherfeellikeamilliondollarswith
hiswonderfulwords.

“Hemeantit,”Ellashotback.“Hecouldn’thavemadelovetomethewaythathedidwithout
lovingme.”

Sophieremainedsilent,notwantingtoburstherfriend’sbubble.Sheknewshehadtoleave
soonbutshecouldn’tjustwalkoutonherfriend.Notinthismoment.

“Ilethimtakemycherry,Sophie.”ItwasElla’sturntocry.

“Youwereavirgin?”Sophie’svoicewasshocked.

“No,silly.”Ellalaughedthroughhertears.“Myothercherry.”

Sophielookedatherinconfusion.“Huh?”

“Ilethimdoanal,Sophie.”Ellasighedwithexasperation.“Hefuckedmefrombehind.”

“Oh.”Sophietriednottolookatherfriendinshock.

“HesaiditwouldbeawaytoshowhimhowmuchIlovedhim.”

“OhElla.”SophiewantedtogoandslapJoseph.

“Hehadtouselubethere,”Ellakepttalking,“alotoflube.”

“Ok.”Sophielookedatherfriendandhuggedher.“I’msorry.”

“Itfuckinghurt,Sophie.”Ellahalfcriedandhalflaughed.“Anditwasgross.”

“Why?”

“Ihadanaccident.”Ellamadeafaceandburstoutlaughinghysterically.

“Oh?”

“Youdon’twannaknow.”Ellascrewedherfaceup.“Hetoldmetheywereseparated,you
know.”

“Joseph?”Sophie’svoicewassoft.

Ellalookedatherindismayandsighed.“Yeah.I’msoashamed,Sophie.”

“It’sokay,Ella.”Sophiestrokedherfriend’shair.“Hetookadvantageofyou.”

“Yeah.”Ellalookedatherwithblazingeyes.“ButIdon’twanttotalkaboutitanymore.”She
stoodupandbrushedherclothes.“Wannagrablunch?”
“Canwedoanearlydinner?”Sophieasked.“Ihaveanappointmentnow.”

“Sure.”Ellahuggedherfriendquicklyandwalkedtothedoor.“Imissedyou,Sophie.”

“Imissedyoutoo,Ella.”Sophiesmiled,herfirstgenuinesmileindays.Shewashappyher
friendwasbackandwasbeinghonest.“I’llcallyouaboutdinner.”

“Soundsgood.Letmegoshowernow.”EllaranoutoftheroomandSophiecouldhearher
singingaRihannasong.AsEllasangaboutlikingthewayithurts,Sophieclosedhereyes.She
wouldneverlovethisfeeling.Sheprayedthatwhensheopenedhereyes,shewouldfind

herselfinadifferentplace,atadifferenttime,andwiththisallbeingadream.Shecountedto
threeandopenedhereyes.Ellawassingingaboutlovingthewayheliedandshesighedand
walkedoutofthedoor.

Chapter13

“Ihavetoleaveinanhour.”Mildred,thelibrarianlookedathersternly.“Icalledyouhours
ago.”

“Sorry,”Sophieapologized.“Iwashelpingafriend.”

Mildredstudiedtheyounggirlinfrontofheranddecidedtokeephercommentstoherself.
She’dseentoomanyyounggirlsgetcaughtupbymeninthecitytonotknowwhathadcaused
thedarkcirclesunderthisgirl’seyes.Shenormallywouldn’tcarewhatthestupidgirlsgot
caughtupinbutthisoneseemedsmart.Thefactthatshehadcometothelibrarytodosome
researchshowedthat.Andshelookedtobeanaïveone.Toonaïvetobecaughtupwith
someonelikeMaxwellVanHarkel.Mildredhadspentthepreviouseveninglookinghimup
aftershehadshutdownthelibrary.Herbridgegrouphadn’tbeenabletomeetandshehadn’t
feltlikegoingtothebookstore.MaxwellVanHarkellookedveryrich,veryhandsomeandway
toooldforsomeonelikeSophie.

“Well,comeandletmeshowyouthedatabasesyoudidn’taccessyesterday.”Mildredhurried
herovertothecomputer.Shedidn’twanttodoalltheworkforthegirl.“Lookhere.”She
pointedtooneofthetabsandwalkedbacktoherdesk.

“Uh,thanks,”Sophiecalledbacktothelady.Herphonerangandshegrabbeditquickly.She’d
forgottentoturnitofforputitonvibrate.ShesawMax’snameonthescreenandshequickly
pressedend.

“Pleaseputthatphoneonvibrate,”Mildredscreechedather.

“Sorry,”Sophiemutteredbacktothelady.Shereallydidseemtofitthestereotypeofanolder
sourlibrarian.Sheputthephoneonvibrateandstuffeditbackinherbag.Shequicklygotto
searchingthedatabasesandawholeslewofnewarticlespoppedup.Mildredwasright,she
hadn’tseenanythingyesterday.Shelookedattheclockandrealizedshedidn’thavemuch
timeleftandshedecidedtoprintoutallthearticlesthathadinterestingtitles.

“Youhavefiveminutes,”Mildredcalledovertoher.

“I’malmostdone.”Sophiequicklykeptpressingprintandhopedshehadenoughmoneyon
herprintaccount.Shejumpedupquicklyandwentovertothecomputertoreleasetheprints
andwaitedforthemtoprintout.Shestoodtherewithabout100articlesinherhandand
quicklystuffedthemintoherbagbeforegoingbacktoturnoffthecomputerproperlythis
time.ShesawMildredstaringatherassheshutitdownandshesmiledatherassheleftthe
library.

“Thankssomuch.”

“Hopefullyyoucanconcentrateonyourstudiesnow.”MildreddismissedherandSophie
walkedoutofthelibraryandtriedtoholdinherlaughter.Sheknewthathersituationwas
horriblebutsomethingaboutMildred’sholierthanthouattitudehadherlaughing.Whata
mess!

ShegrabbedherphonetocallEllaandseewhereshewantedtogofordinnerwhenshe
noticedalimobytheSubwayentranceon116

th

Street.Thatwasstrange;shedidn’treallysee

manylimosbythecampus.ButshesupposedalotofrichkidswenttoColumbia,maybeone
ofthemhadadateorsomething.Shewalkedpastthelimo;deliberatelynotlookinginside
whensheheardthedooropenandsomeonejumpedoutandtouchedherontheback.

Shescreamedandlookedback.Maxwellwasstandingthere,lookinghandsomeandstern.She
heldbackasmileandtriedtostopthehappyfeelinginherstomach.Idon’tlikethisman
anymore.Idon’tlikehim.Iwillnotbehappytoseehim.Shekeptberatingherself.

“Sophie.”Hegrabbedherbyarmandshejumpedback.

“Don’ttouchme.”Sheglaredathimbuthedidn’tremovehishand.

“Youdidn’tanswermycalls.”Heglaredbackather.“ItoldyouthatIwantedtomeetyoufor
lunch.”

“Ididn’tsayyes,”shemuttered.

“Itriedcallingyouandsentyoutextmessages.”

“Ididn’tseeanymessages.”

“Yourphonewasn’toff.”

“Whatareyou?Mystalker?”Sheglaredathim.“HowdidyouknowIwashere?”

“Ihadafeeling.”Hepaused.“Whatwereyoudoing?”

“Noneofyourbusiness.”Shepulledherarmawayfromhim.“Anyway,Ihaveatraintocatch.”

“Comewithme.”Helookedatherwithafrown.

“No.”

“Sophie,IsweartoGod,IwillpickyouupandputyouinthecarifIhaveto.”

Sophieswallowedandfeltherfaceflush.“Whatever.”Butshewalkedandgotintothelimo.
Thedriverdidn’teventurnaroundtolookather.

“Driveusaroundforabit,Miles.I’llletyouknowwherewewanttogoinabit.”Maxwell
orderedthedriverashegotintothecarafterher.

“Yes,Mr.VanHarkel.”Withthat,theyweregone.

“Wherearewegoing?”Sophiespoketothewindow.

“Iwashopingwecouldtalk.”Maxwellreachedoverandgrippedherfacesothatsheturned
towardshim.Heleaneddownandkissedherstaringintohereyesashedidso.“God,I’ve
wantedtodothatallday.”

“What?”Shestaredathimwithwideeyes.

“Kissyou.”Hesmiledatherandkissedheragain.Onlythistimethekisswasharderand
deeperandheslippedhistongueintohermouth.Shefoundherselfmeltingagainsthim.He
pulledawayfromherreluctantlyandplayedwithherhair,tuckingitbehindherears.“Youare
sobeautiful,Sophie.”

“No,I’mnot.”Shedismissedhiswords.

“Yes,youare.”Heplayedwithherear.“Evenyourearisperfect.”

“No,it’snot.”Butshefeltherbodyflushingasshespoke.

“Yes,Sophie,youare.”Hekissedherearandthenhernose.“SometimesIwonderifyouknow
justhowbeautifulyouare.”

“That’swhateveryguysays.Youdon’thavetolie,Max.We’vealreadyhadsex.”Shetriedto
pullawayfromhimrememberingthatJosephhadsaidthesamesortofflowerywordstoElla.

Maxwellsighedandtookherhandsinhis.“Yourhandsarecold.”Herubbedtheminhisand
thenstaredintohereyes.Sophietriedtoaverthergazebutshecouldn’t.Somethingaboutthe
emotionsreflectedtheremadeherholdherbreath.“Iloveyou,Sophie.”Hiswordswerelow,
asifheweretryingthemoutforthefirsttime.

“What?”Shelookedathiminamazement,unsureifshehadheardhimcorrectly.

“Iloveyou,Sophie.”Hepaused.“Iloveeveryhaironyourbody,everysinglepartofyouandI
cannotlivewithoutyou.”Heheldafingeruptohermouth,asshewasabouttospeak.“No,let
mefinishfirst.I’msorryformyreactionlastnight.Yousee,Ididn’tthinkyoucouldlovemeas
Iloveyou.IknowthatsomecollegeguybrokeyourheartandIdidn’twanttobesecondbest.
ButI’mokaywiththat,Sophie.Ijustneedtobewithyou.Andmaybeoneday,youcangrowto
lovemeasIloveyou.Maybeoneday,we’llbethefamilythateveryonewants.You,meandthe
baby.IthinkIloveyouenoughtomakeithappen.Iloveyouenoughtobehappywith
whateveryoucangiveme.ButIcan’tstayaway.Notanymore.I’vetried,byGod,I’vetried.But

Ican’tdoitanylonger.Idon’twantto.Iwantyoutomarryme,Sophie.Please.Iwantyoutobe
mywife.”Heremovedhisfingerandstaredathershockedface.“Youcantalknow.”Hehalf
laughed.

“Youtoldmeyoudidn’twanttogetmarried,”shespokethefirstwordsthatcametoher
mouth.

“TherewasareasonformysayingthatSophie,notsomethingIwanttogetintonow.ButI
thoughtthatitwouldbebestifIstayedsingle.”Hepausedasshespokeagain.

“ButyouwereengagedtoAlexis?Andisn’tshetheloveofyourlife?”Sophie’svoicebrokeas
shespoke.“Youdon’thavetomarrymejustbecauseIgotpregnant,Max.”Shelookeddownto
herlap.

“Idon’tknowhowyouknowIwasengagedtoAlexis.”TherewasafrowninMax’svoice,“But
thatendedalongtimeago.Andno,shewasneverandwillneverbetheloveofmylife.”

“Idon’tunderstand.”Sophielookedupathim.“Ithoughtyoulovedher.”

“Oh,Sophie.”Maxwellgrabbedherintohisarms.“Iloveyoumorethanlifeitself,pleaseknow
that.I’velovedyouforalongtime.”Hestaredintohereyes.“It’snotsomethingI’mproudof
Sophie,butI’velovedyoufarlongerthanyouknow.”

“Really?”Sophie’sheartwasbeatingrapidlyandshesuddenlyfeltlikeelectricitywasrunning
throughherveins.“Youreallyloveme?”Shesoundeddeliriousandhopeful.

“Yes,Sophie.Iloveyou.”Helookedatherfurtively.“AndIhopethatonedayyouwillloveme
halfasmuchasIloveyou.”

“But,IalreadytoldyouyesterdaythatIloveyou,Max.”

“You’restillgettingovertheguyyouwrotethepoemsfor,Sophie.Idon’tknowifwhatyouare
feelingisrealorareboundcrush.”Hesighedandlookeddejected.

Sophielaughedandthencaressedhisfaceashestaredatherwithpaininhiseyes.“Ohmy
darlingMax,youaretheguyinmyjournal.It’salwaysbeenyou.Onlyyou.”

“What?”Helookedatherinshock.

“I’velovedyouforever,Max.MaybebeforeIwasevenborn.”Shegrinnedathim.

“Areyoujoking?”Helookedathersearchingly.“I’mtheguyinthejournal?”

“Yes.”Shelaughed.“Youarethesubjectofmanypoems.”

“Noway.”Helaughedandsatback.“Tellmeone.”

“Adarkoneorahappyone.”Shesatbackandsnuggledintohisarms.

“Yourfavoriteone.”Heputhisarmaroundheranddrewherinclosertohim.“Tellmeyour
favoriteone.”

“Okay.”Shebitherlip.“It’sabitdarkbutitalwaysmakesmethinkofyou.”

“I’mwaiting,”heteasedherandkissedherhead.

“Ok,heregoes.”Shelickedherlipsandtriedtorememberallofthewordsbeforesherecited:

Hewalkslikeajaguar

Proud,beautiful,sleek,

AndallIcanthinkishowIwanthimtojump,attack,prowl

Holdmecaptiveunderneathhim,

Eyesglaring,heartbeating,salivadripping.

Iwanttobehisprey,

Worthyofhisappetite,

Delicioustohissmell,

Tastytohistouch,

Iwanthimtodevourmewithhisteeth.

Andifforjustonemomentoureyesconnect,

Iwanthimtopause,tothink,towonder

WhoIam,whereIam,howIam,

Andforjustonesecondhewillwaitanddebate

Beforehesinkshisteethinandtakesmetobehisforever

Hervoicetrailedoffasshefinishedrecitingthepoemthatheldherdeepestanddarkest
thoughtsaboutthemansittingnexttoher.ThecarwassilentforthenextminuteandSophie
startedtofeelembarrassed.

“Sorry,”shemumbled.

“Thatwaswonderful,Sophie.”Heturnedtoherwithadmiration.“You’reabrilliantwriter.I
lovedtheimagery.”Hegazedintohereyes.“Iwanttowanttoeatyourightnowtofigureoutif
youareassweetasyouseem.”

Sophieflushedathisinnuendobutrepliedwithasmirk.“YouknowhowsweetIamalready.”

Hegrinnedatherandlickedhislips.“Ohyes,Ido.AndI’mhungryforsomeofthatsweetness
rightnow.”

“You’llhavetowait.”Shesmiledsweetlyathim.

“Youthinkso?”Hearchedaneyebrowather.

“Yes,”shesqueakedout,hopinghewouldhoponthefloorandspreadherlegsandgototown.

“Maybeyou’reright.”Hegrinnedatherandmovedhishandtoherbreast.“I’lljusthavetoget
adifferentkindofsweetnessinstead.”Heliftedhert-shirtupandpoppedherbreastsoutof
herbrabeforebendinghishead.Hesuckedononenipplewhileherolledherothernipple
betweenhisfingers.Shegroanedandthrewherheadback.Herbreastswereespecially
sensitiveandshecouldfeelherselfgrowingwet.

“Iloveitwhenyoumoan,”hewhispereduptoher.“Itmakesmegrowhardjusthearingyour
voice.”

“Really?”Sophiewhisperedbacktohim.Maxtookherhandandplaceditonhiscock;she
couldfeelhowharditwasthroughhispants.Sherubbedherhandbackandforthandgrinned
asshefeltitwiggle.

“Don’tdothatunlessyouwantmetofuckyouinthebackseat.”Hegrowledatherandshe
continuedrubbing.“Iseewhatyouwant.”Hereachedoverandpulledherontohislapandshe
laughedwithdelight.“Situpasecond.”Heorderedherandshesatforward.Hereached
around,unzippedherpants,andpulledthem,alongwithherthongdowntoherankles.He
thenunbuckledandunzippedhimselfandsatherbackdown.Shefelthishardcockbetween
herlegsandshemovedbackandforthonhimslowly,enjoyingthefeelofhishardnessnextto
herpussy.“Thisfeelslikeheaven,”hewhisperedintoherearashereachedupandgrabbed
herbreasts,squeezinghernipplesbetweenhisfingers.

“Yes,itdoes,”shewhisperedbackandstartedmovingbackandforthalittlebitfaster.

“Iwanttomakelovetoyounow,”hegrowledandmovedherforwardquicklybeforepushing
hiscockintoher.Shesatupslowlyandguidedherhipsbackandforthsothatshewasriding
himslowly,anddeeply.“Ohthatfeelssogood,Sophie.”
Shefelthimstarttomovehishipsbackandforthsothathiscockwasslammingintoher
fasterandhisfingerswerepinchinghernippleswithintensity.“Touchyourself,”heordered
her.

“What?”shesquealedunsureofwhathewasaskinghertodo.Hegrabbedherhandand
placeditnexttoherpussy.Hegrabbedtwoofherfingersandrubbeditoverherclit.Shefelt
herbodytrembleasheguidedherfingersbackandforthonherclit.Thepressureofhiscock
insideherandtheintensefeelingofbothoftheirfingersrubbingagainstherwastoomuch
andSophiefeltherselfcomehardonhiscock.

“Don’tstop,”Maxwellgroanedintoherearandgrabbedherhips,bouncingherupanddown

onhiscockhard.Shefelthisbodytrembleandhiscockstillasheburstintoher.“Ohmy.”he
groanedassheslidoffhim.“Thatwasfantastic.”

“Itwasalright.”Shegrinnedathim.

“Justalright,huh?”Helaughed.“Justwaituntiltonight,mydear.You’llregretthosewords.”

“We’llsee.”Shelaughedalongsidehim,deliriouslyhappy.“We’llsee.”

“Whatdoyouwanttoeat?”heaskedhersoftly.“IthinkMilesisfedupwithdrivingrandomly
aroundthecitybynow.”

“Ohshoot.”Sophiegrabbedherbagandpulledoutherphone.“IwassupposedtomeetEllafor
dinner.”Shequicklylookedthroughhermessagesandsighed.Ellahadcalledherandtexted4
times;thelasttextinformedherthatEllahadspokentoJosephandwasgoingtomeethimfor
dinnerinsteadandthattheycouldcatchuptomorrowinstead.

“Everythingokay?”Maxwelllookedatherinconcern.

“Yeah.”Shesighed;shedidn’twanttotellMaxaboutEllaandJoseph.Shewasn’tsurewhat
wouldhappen.

“Areyousure?”Hepaused.“ItwasEllayouweregoingtomeetfordinnerright?”

“Yes,Max.”Sophieturnedtohimandkissedhimonthelips.“Let’sjustorderinapizza.”

“Okay.”Hegrinnedather.“Maybewecangotomyplace?”

“Yes.”Shegrinned.“Thatwouldbegreat.”ShehadneverseenMaxwell’sapartmentandshe
hadalwaysbeencuriousastowhatitlookedlike.Shealsodidn’twantEllatowalkinandsee
Maxinherbed.Sheneededtotalktoherfriendfirst.

“Great.”Hesatbackandsmiledatherandforonce,hisfacelookedrelaxedandhappy.“We
canwatchamovieaswell.”

“Uhhuh.”Sophierolledhereyes.“I’msurewe’llgettowatchamovie.”

“Wecanmakeoneinstead,ifyouprefer?”Maxpulledhertowardshim.“Iwouldn’tminddoing
thatinstead.”

“I’msureyouwouldn’t.”Shelaughedandhithimontheshoulder.Shedroppedherphoneback
intoherbagandpromisedherselfthatshewouldhaveaserioustalkwithEllathenextday
aboutJosephandherandMax.

“WecouldcallitSophiedoesMax.”

“OrMaxdoesSophie.”

“I’mdownwiththat.”Helickedhislipsandshesnuggledbackintohisarms,happyand
excitedthatforonce,thingsseemedtobegoingherway.

Chapter14

Maxwell’sapartmentwashuge.Though,thatdidn’tsurpriseher.Hehadthepenthouseina
gorgeousbuildingoverlookingCentralPark.Shesighedasshelookedattheview.Itwasso
peacefulandserene.

“Doyoulikeit?”Hewalkedovertojoinherbyoneofthewindows.

“Iloveit.”Shesmiledupathimshyly.“We’reintheheartofthecitybutIfeellikeI’minthe
country.”

“I’mgladyoulikeit.Iwasthinkingyoucouldmoveinherewithme.”Hisvoicesounded
unsureallofasudden.“Orwecouldwaituntilwearemarried.”

“Youdon’thavetomarrymebecauseI’mpregnant,Max.”Shelaughedalittleself-consciously.

“Iwanttomarryyou,Sophie.Iloveyou.”Hegazedatherinadoration.“Iwantustohaveareal
family.Ifyoudo.”

“I’dlovethat.”Shebeamedathim.“AndI’dlovetoliveherewithyou.”

“Youdon’tknowhowhappythatmakesme.”Hegrinnedather.“Nowlet’sgoeatsomepizza
beforeitgetscold.”

“Okay.”Shefollowedhimtothekitchenandgrabbedaplate.Maxhandedhersomeserviettes
andtheygrinnedateachotherlikedopeyfools.Sophiepausedassheheardakeyinthedoor
andshelookedatMaxinfright.Hefrownedatherandwalkedtothedoor.

“Stayhere,”heorderedherbutshefollowedbehindhim.

“Whatthefuck?”Maxwell’svoicesoundedangryandSophiefeltthebloodleaveherfaceas
shesawAlexisatthedoor.

“Max,darling.Ididn’tknowyouwereworking,”Alexis’svoicetinkledthroughtheapartment.
“Ijustcametogetsomethings.”

“Youhadtocomenow?”Maxlookedatherwithnarrowedeyes.

“Yes,Ididn’tknowitwouldbeaproblem.”Sheraisedaneyeathim.“Isit?”

“No.”Heswallowed.“Justgetwhatyouneed.”

“Thanks,darling.”ShecameuptohimandkissedhimonthelipsbeforeturningtoSophie.“I
swearyoumustbethehardestworkinggirlinNewYork.Comeandhelpmegathersomeof

mystuff.”

SophiestaredatherinconfusionandshookoffMaxwell’sarmashetriedtoholdherback.She
followedAlexisintowhatappearedtobeMaxwell’sroom.Shedidn’tunderstandwhatwas
goingonhere.AlexiswenttoachestofdrawersandopeneditbeforeturningbacktoSophie.
“Ileftsomeofmythingshere.Ionlymovedoutafewmonthsago,yousee.Maxdidn’twant
metotakeeverything,ashedidn’twanttothinkitwasreallyover.”Shepulledoutsomesexy
brasandpanties,andhandedSophieabag.“I’llhandyouthestuff.Beadearandpackitaway
forme,willyou?”

SophiestoodtherefeelinglikeshewasinsomesortofhorrormovieandthenMaxwellbarged
intotheroom.“Alexis,youneedtoleavenow.Thisisridiculous.”Hisvoicewasangry.

“ButMaxhoney,Ineededtogetsomeofmystuff.Shethenpulledoutabutterflyvibratorand
helditup.“Rememberthenightwegotthis?”Shelaughed.“Icamesomuch,Iwasn’tsureifit
wasbecauseofyourbigcockorthislittlemachine.”SheturnedtoSophie,“SoofcourseMax
didn’twanttothinkthislittlecontraptioncouldmakemecomemorethanhim,sohe
proceededtospendthenightgoingdownonme.IthinkImusthavecomefivetimesthat
nightfromhistonguealone.”ShelaughedandSophiejuststaredatherinshock,tellingherself
toholdinthetears.

“That’sit,Alexis.Youneedtogetout.Iwantmykeyback.”Maxwalkeduptoherandgrabbed
herbytheshoulder.“Youneedtoleavenow.”

“OhMax,Irememberthelasttimeyouroughedmeuplikethis.Wasn’titattheshareholders
meeting?Youpulledmeintothebathroomandwefuckedlikerabbits.”Alexislookedupat
himwithlust.“Idon’tthinkyoursecretarywouldmindtakingabreakifyouwantedtohavea
quickfucknow.Iquitemissedyourcockafterdinnerlastnight.”

“Alexis,Iamnotgoingtotellyouthisagainbutweareover.Idonotwanttoseeyouagain.I
donotwantyoucomingtomyofficeormyapartmentagain.Doyouhearme?”Max’svoice
wasfuriousandhepulledheroutoftheroom.“Givemebackmykeynow.”

“Areyousurethisishowyouwanttodealwiththings,Max?”Alexis’svoicewasdeadly.“I’m
notsureifMitchwilllikehearinghowyouhavetreatedme.”

“FuckMitchandfuckyouAlexis.I’mdone.”Maxpushedhertowardsthedoor.“Ineverwantto
seeeitherofyouagaininmylife.”

“Doessheknowaboutwhatyoudid?”AlexispointedatSophieandsnarled.“Doesthatstupid
littletrampknow?”
MaxlookedatSophie’sashenfaceandsighed.“Leaveheroutofthis,Alexis.”

Alexislaughedadeepandevillaugh.“Ihopeshe’sworthit,Max.Whenyouloseeverything.”

“Leave,”hegrowledandwalkedtowardsher.

“Orwhat?You’llbeatmetoapulp?Orrapeme?Ormurderme?”Alexisstaredathim.“Allyour
secretsareabouttocomeout,Maxwell.”

“Leave,”hesnarledather.

AlexisopenedthedoorandturnedtolookatSophie,“Youbetterwatchyourself,Sophie.You
donotknowMaxwellVanHarkel.Trustme.Hecanandwilldoverybadthings.”Andwiththat,
shedroppedherkeysonthefloorandwalkedout,lettingthedoorslambehindher.Silence
reverberatedintheapartmentandSophieandMaxjuststaredateachother.

Maxwellwalkedtowardsherandsighed.“I’msorry.”

Sophielookedathimwordlessly.AllshecouldthinkaboutwashimgoingdownonAlexis.
“Youhadsexwithher?”

Helookedatherwithpaininhiseyes.“Itmeantnothingtome.Notlikeitdoeswithyou.”

“Shelivedwithyou?”Hervoicebetrayedthepainandhurtshewasfeeling.

“Forafewmonths.”Hesighed.“Iwasn’theremostofthetime.”

“Longenoughtobuysextoystogether,”hervoicebroke.

“Ihaveapast,Sophie.”Hegrabbedherhands.“I’msorrythatthishappened.I’msosorry.I
loveyou.Pleasedon’tletthisstopyoufromlovingme.”

“Istillloveyou,Max.”Shesighedandatearrolleddownherface.“I’mjusttiredandsad.AndI
don’twanttobehere.Inthisplace.”Shelookedaround.“It’sbeautifulbutallIcanseeisthe
twoofyou,here,together.”

Hebroughtherclosetohimandheldher,kissingthetopofherhead.“Iunderstand.”Hetook
herhand,“Iwanttoshowyousomething.”Hewalkedtowardshisbedroomandshefollowed
reluctantly.Hewalkedovertothebedandpointedtoaphotoonhisnighttable.“Look.”She
lookedandsawaphotoofherandElla.

“Ok,”shemumbled.“Sowhat?Youhaveaphotoofyoursisternexttoyourbed.”

“It’saphotoofyou,Sophie,”hewhisperedinherear.“Lookcarefully.”
Andsoshestudiedthephotoagain.Itwasfocusedonher,andEllawasamereblurinthe
background.Byallaccounts,itwasaphotoofher.Shelookedhappyandwassmilingintothe
cameraandblowingakiss.Allofasudden,Sophierememberedthedaythephotowastaken
abouttwoyearsago.Maxwellhadspentmostofthesummerworkingbutoneweekendhehad
takenthegirlsontheboatandSophiehadhadthetimeofherlife.

“Butyouignoredmethatsummer.”Shelookedathimcuriously.“Justlikeeverysummer
sinceIwasseventeen.”

“Imademyselfignoreyou,Sophie.”Hesmiledather.“I’vehadthisphotoheresincethat
summer.EvenwhenAlexiswashere.”

“Thatseemsabitmean.”Sophiesmiledhalf-heartedly.

“AlexisknewIneverlovedher.”Max’svoicewasfirm.

“Butyouwereengagedtoher.”

“Notbychoice.”Maxsighed.“Idon’twanttotalkaboutitnow,Sophie,butpleasebelieveme
whenItellyouthatyouaretheonlyoneforme.”

“I’lltry.”Shelookedawayfromhim.“Canweleavethisroomplease?Idon’twanttothink
aboutthetwoofyou,inhere,youknow.”

Maxsighedandtheywalkedoutoftheroom.“I’vehadsexwithotherwomen,Sophiebutthey
meannothingtome.”

“Yeah.”Sophiesighedandlookedawayagain.“Let’seat.”

Shewalkedbacktothekitchenandwentbacktothesliceofpizzashewassoeagertoeat
before.Butshecouldbarelyeat.Shecarriedtheplatetothelivingroomandsatonthecouch.
Maxwellcameandsatnexttoher.“Forgiveme?”Helookedathersearchingly.

“Yes.”Shesighedasshelookedintohisworriedface.“I’lltry.”

“Iloveyou,Sophie.”

Shechewedonherpizzaandlookeddown.ShelovedMaxwellwithallofherheartbutshe
couldn’tstopthejealousythatwasgnawingather.“IsMitchtheguyIwasdancingwithatthe
bar?”

“What?”Helookedatherwarily.

“AlexisjustmentionedaMitch.That’sherbrother,right?Ishetheguyfromthebar?Theone
youfoughtwith?”

Maxwellsighedandtookherhand.“Yes.Mitchisherbrotherandthemanwhonearlyraped
you.”Hesqueezedherhandsotightlythatshethoughtherbloodcirculationhadstopped.

“Ok,Max.”Sheyankedherhandbackfromhim.

“Sorry.”Helookeddownatherhand.“Mitchisnotaniceguy.”

“Yeah.Especiallyifheisanythinglikehissister.”SophiemadeafaceandMaxwelllaughed.

“Oh,Sophie.”Hegatheredherinhisarmsandkissedalloverherface.“Iwillneverstoploving
you.”

“Yeah.Ok.”Sheclosedhereyes,tryingtostopthinkingofhimgoingdownonAlexis.“Sowas
shesweettoo?”

“What?”Maxlookedatherinconfusion.“Waswhosweet?”

“Alexis.”Sophiestaredintohiseyesunflinchingashestiffened.“Shesaidyouwantedtomake
suresheknewyouweretheonewhopleasuredher.Ifiguredifyouwentdownonherforthat
amountoftime,shemusthavebeenreallysweet.”

“Sophie,wedonotwanttohavethisconversation.”Hesighed.“Idon’tseewhatgoodcan
comeofit.Youdonotwanttoknowaboutmypastsexualexperiences.”

“Iwonderhowyouwouldfeelifmyex-lovercameandgushedaboutmesuckinghiscock.”
Sophiewasdeliberatelycrude.

“I’dkillhim.”Maxwellgrimaced.

“MaybeIshouldsleepwithsomeoneelsesoyouknowwhatit’slike.”

“Don’tyoueventhinkaboutit.”Maxwellgrabbedher.“I’mtheonlyonewhowilleverknow
yourbody,doyouhearme?”

“We’llsee.”Sophieturnedawayfromhim.

“Yourbodyismine,Sophie.”Heturnedherfacetolookathim.“Nomanwilleverknowyou
intimatelylikeIdo.”Hepushedhishandtoherbreastandcuppedit.“Thesebreastsare
mine.”Hepulledhert-shirtupandunclaspedherbra.Hethenreacheddownandundidher
pantsandpulledthem,alongwithherthongoffherlegs,sothatshewassittingonhisblack
leathercouchnaked.“Yourpussyisminetoo.”Heranafingerupherlegandrubbeditagainst
herclit.“Noothermanwillhaveaccesstoit.”Hebenthisheaddownandsuckedonherclit.
Sophiefeltherheartbeatingfast.Shewasn’tsurehowherbodycouldbetrayherlikethis.She
hadwantedtoremainmadathimforafewdaysbutherbodywasgivinginafterafew
minutes.SheadjustedherlegsandfeltMax’stongueslipintohersilkyfolds.Shethrewher
headbackandgyratedintoMax’sfaceashelickedandnibbledonherpussylips.Hepushed
hisfaceintoherdeeperandkeptsuckingandlickingasshecameinhisface.Whenhefinally
pulledaway,hereachedupandkissedher.“Youaremine,SophieandIamyours.Thatwill
neverchange.”

Sophiestaredintohiseyesandsawthelovethatshehadalwayshopedtoseereflectedthere.
“Iloveyou,Maxwell.”

“Idon’tknowwhatIdidtobesoblessedtohaveyourlove,Sophie,butIwillneverevertakeit
forgranted.”Hethenbentdownandkissedhernakedbelly.“AndIwillloveourbabyforever.”

Sophierubbedhisheadashecaressedherbellyandshelaydownonthecouch.“Let’ssleep
heretonight,”shemurmuredintohisear.

“Ok.”Hejumpedup.“Letmegoandgetablanket.”Heranoffandreturnedafewminuteslater
withabigblanketandnoclothes.“Ifiguredwemightaswellbothbenaked.”Hegrinnedat
herandshesmiledbackathimashejoinedheronthecouch.

Chapter15

SophiewokeuptoMaxwellplayingwithherbreasts.Shesmiledtoherselfandturnedaround
tofacehimonthecouch.“Morning.”Shesmiledathimsweetlyandkissedhislips.

“Morning,sweetness.”Hegrinnedather.

“Wow,you’retalkingtome;youhaven’tjumpedupandleftmeyet.”

“OhSophie.”Maxsmiledather.“Ididn’tleavebecauseIdidn’twanttobewithyou.”

“Sowhydidyouleave?”

“Iwasscaredofmyfeelings.”Heclosedhiseyes.“I’mstillscaredbyhowmuchIloveyou.”

“Youdon’thavetobescared,Max.I’mnotgoinganywhere.”

“Thankyou,Sophie.”Hekissedhershoulder.“ShallImakeussomebreakfast?”

“Yes,please.”SophiesatupandgrabbedherbagasMaxwalkedtothekitchen.Shepulledout
herphonetoseeifEllahadcalledbuttherewerenonewmessagesfromher.Asshewentto
putherphonebackinherbag,shesawsomepapershadfallenoutofthebag.Shegrabbed
themupandstoppedbeforeshepushedthembackinthebag.Theywerethenewspaper
articlesthatshehadprintedout.Shefiguredthatitcouldn’thurttolook.Sheperusedthem
quicklyandfeltherheartbeatingfastasshereadtheheadlines.Shecouldn’tbelievewhatshe
wasreading.TheMaxwellthatthereportersdescribeddidn’tsoundliketheMaxwellshe
knew,butthenshethoughtbacktothewordsAlexishadusedthenightbefore.Rapeand
MurderWasMaxwellcapableofeitherofthosethings?

“Breakfastisalmostready,hun,”Maxwellcalledoutfromthekitchen.

“Okay,”shecalledbackandstuffedthepapersbackinherbag.Sheneededtothink,everything
washappeningsofast,shejustcouldn’tkeepup.ThereporterssaidthatMaxwellhadraped
AlexisandthatMitchhadbeatenhimoffhissister,onlythingwasMaxhadbeenstrongerthan
Mitchandhadbeatenhimtoapulp.Supposedly,itwassobadthatMitchhadbeeninthe
hospitalforacoupleofweeks.TheonlyreasonthatMaxhadn’tstayedinjailwasbecauseboth
AlexisandMitchhaddeclinedtopresschargesortotellthepolicetheirsideofthestory.Max
hadbeensenttoEuropeonbusinessandhadbeenassignedtoangermanagementclasses.
Mr.VanHarkelhadpaidaboutahundredthousanddollarstokeepthestoryoutofthepapers
butsomesmallerpresseshadstilldecidedtorunthestory.

Sophiecouldbarelybelievewhatshehadread.Itdidn’tseemtomatchupwithwhatsheknew
aboutMax.Thatwasn’ttheguywhohadbeenthereforherwhenshewasakid,ortheman
whohadmadelovetohersosweetly,orthemanwhohadtoldherhelovedher.Butthen

again,didshereallyknowMax?Maybetherewasasidetohimthatwassodarkthatshedidn’t
wanttobelieveitexisted.Maybehewasrighttostayawayfromher?Whatifhetriedtohurt
herandsomethinghappenedtothebaby.Shebitherlip.Herbabycamefirstnow.

“Ready,”Maxcalledtoherfromthekitchen.“Comeon,sleepyhead.”

“Coming.”Sophiebentdown,pickeduphisshirt,putiton,andsaunteredintothekitchen.
“Hmm,thissmellsgood.”Shewentuptohimandhuggedhimandlookedattheomeletand
fruitsaladhehadmadeforthem.“Thankyou.”

“Eatup.Youandthebabyneedfood.”

“Yes,pops.”Sophiegrinnedandbitintosometoast.

“Maybehe’llcallmepapa.”

“Whosaidit’saboy?”

“Maybeshe’llcallmepapa.”Hesmiled.

“Ordoodoohead.”Sophielaughed.

“Oryourmajesty.”

“OrRightSaidFred.”

“Why?BecauseI’msosexy?”

“Yeah,that’swhy.”Shelookedathimandraisedhereyebrows.“Becauseyou’resmexy.”

“Notassmexyasyou.”

“IthoughtIwassexy?”Shegrinned.“Idon’twanttobesmexy.”

“IhaveafeelingthatIdon’tknowwhatsmexymeans.”Hecamebehindherandkissedher
headbeforewrappinghisarmsaroundher.“Isthissomenewyoungterm?”

“Yeah.Youoldfogieswouldn’tknowit.”Shegrinnedathim.

“I’llgetyouforthat.”Hestartedtotickleher.“Oldfogey,myfoot.”

“Stop,”shesquealed.“Stop.”Shecouldn’tstoplaughingandshegotupandranfromhim.

“Ohnoyoudon’t.”Hechasedafterherintothelivingroomandsheranaroundthechair.He
caughtupwithherandtheycollapsedontotheflooringiggles.Sherolledontohimandsaton

topofhim.

“I’vegotyouwhereIwantyou,Mr.Smexy.”Shegiggledashewriggledbeneathher.Hewas
stillnakedandshecouldfeelhiscockbetweenherlegs.

“You’rerightwhereIwantyouaswell.”Hegrinnedupatherandshewaitedforhimtoadjust
himselfandenterher.Shebentdownandkissedhimandwhensherealizedhewasn’tgoingto
stickitin,shereacheddownandadjustedhiscocksoitwasattheentryofherpussyandthen
satdownontopofhim.

“Emmm,thatfeelsgood.OhSophie,”Maxwellgroanedasshebouncedonhiscock.“Youfuck
mesogood.”

“Ilovethefeelofyouinsideofme,”shemoanedasshefelthimslideinandoutofher.She
madesuretogrindherselfontohimsothatshefelthimdeepinsideofher.Andthenshe
heardherphonering.Andshepaused.WhatifitwasEllaandshewashurtorupset?She
pulledherselfoffMaxandgrinnedathimashegroanedandgrabbedherphone.ItwasElla.

“Ella?Areyouokay?”

“Oh,Sophie.”Ella’svoicesoundedlikeshehadbeencrying.

“What’swrong?”SophiegaspedasshefeltMaxwellenterherfrombehind.Sheturnedherface
andtriedtoshakeherheadasMaxslidinandoutofherbutshedidn’twanttostopthe
marvelousfeelingthatwasfillingherbody.

“Canyoucome,Sophie?”EllagaspedandSophierealizedthatshehadn’theardthelastfew
sentencesEllahaduttered.

“Uh,sure,”SophiegaspedoutasMaxfuckedherhardanddeep.Shecouldfeelhisballs
bangingagainstherass.“Onesec.”Sheputthephonedownandgroaned,“OhMax,please.”
Shescreamedashecontinuedtoslamintoherandreachedhishandaroundtorubherclitas
hecameinher.Hepulledoutofher,laidheronherbackandgotontopofher,hiscockstill
hard.Shespreadherlegswideandheenteredher,pullinghiscockinandoutofherslowly
untilshecouldnolongertakeit.Shesqueezedherlegstogetherandclenchedherpussyand
Maxgroanedandfuckedherfaster.SheimmediatelycameandMaxcollapsedontopofher.He
grinnedatherandshereachedoverandgrabbedthephoneagain.

“Ella?”shewhisperedintothephone.

“Sophie?Areyouokay?”Ella’svoicesoundedmuffled.

“Yes,yes.What’stheaddressIshouldmeetyouat?Textittome,andI’llcomerightnow.”

“Thanks,Sophie.”EllahungupandSophiesighed.

“Max,Ican’tbelieveyoudidthat.”Shegiggledathispoutyface.“IhavetogoandmeetElla.”

“I’mcomingwithyou.”Hejumpedup.

“Idon’tthinkthat’sagoodidea.”Shetriedtokeephervoicecasual.

“I’mcoming.”Helookedathersternly.“I’mnotlettingyououtofmysightforthenextcouple
ofweeks,Sophie.”

“Don’tyoutrustme?”

“IloveyouandI’mcoming.”Hekissedheronthelips.“Getdressedquicklyandlet’sgosee
whatElla’supto.”

“Ok.”Sophieshrugged.ShehopedthatEllawasn’tgoingtobemad.

MaxwelldrovethemtotheaddressthatEllahadtextedandtheyarrivedwithinfifteen
minutes.“Weird,Iknowsomeonewholiveshere.”MaxfrownedandSophieswallowedhard.
ShehopedthatthepersonMaxwasthinkingaboutwasnotJoseph.ShealsohopedthatElla
hadn’tbeendumbenoughtogotoJoseph’shouse.

“I’mhere,”SophiecalledEllaandprayedthatherfriendwouldjustcomedownstairs.

“Comeup,please.Apt.10F.”EllaspokequicklyintothephoneandhungupbeforeSophie
couldtellherthatMaxwellwaswithher.

“I’lljustgoandgether.”SophiesmiledatMaxandfrownedashegotoutofthecarwithher.
“Youdon’tneedtocome.”

“I’mcoming,”hisvoicewaswaryandhisfacelookedstrained.Sophiesuddenlyfeltworried
buttriedtohideit.

“Okay.”
Theywalkedtotheelevatorandwhenshepressedthebuttonforthe10

th

floor,shecouldsee

Max’sbreathingchange.Hewasalsoclenchingoneofhisfists.Buthedidn’tsayanything.
TheywalkeddownthehallinsilenceandSophieknockedonthedoorofapt.10F.

SophienearlygroanedwhenJosephansweredthedoorandsheknewhewasshockedtosee
them,especiallyMax.Ellacamerunningtothedoorinat-shirtandshorts.“It’sjustSophie.I
toldhertocome.”Shelookedoutthedoorandherfaceblanchedwhenshesawherbrother.
“Max?What…whatareyoudoinghere?”

“Whatthefuckareyoudoinghere,istherealquestion?”Maxwellpushedopenthedoorand

theysawthatJosephwasstandingthereinonlyhisboxershortsandEllawasobviouslynot
wearingabraunderhert-shirt.“WhereisLily?”

“Outoftown,onbusiness.”Josephwipedhisbrow.“LookMax,I’msorrybutit’snotasit
looks.”

“Itlookslikeyouarecheatingonyourwifeandfuckingmysister,Joe.”Maxpushedhisway
intotheapartmentandSophiefollowedhim.

“LookMax.Itwasamistakebutsheisinsatiable.Whocanresistwhenahotyoungthing
wantstofuckyou?”

Ellagaspedandstaredathim.“Youaretheonewhomadethemoveonme.”

JosephlookedatMaxinworry.“Lookdude,yoursisterisahornball.Idon’twanttoberude
butshe’sabitofaslut.Sheturnedupherewithaboxofcondoms.”

Beforehecouldsayanythingelse,Maxhadswunghisfistintohisfaceandhefelldowntothe
ground.“Ohshit.Myeye,myeye,”JosephscreamedandMaxsteppedback.

SophieandEllalookedateachotherinshock.“IfIeverseeyounearmysisteragain,Iwill
comebackandmakeitsoyounevertouchanyoneelse’ssisteragain.Doyouhearme?”Max
growledatthemanwhowasonthefloorcoweredinfear.“Ellagetyourstuffandcomewith
menow.”

Ellarantogetherbagandcamebacktotheroom.“I’msorry,Joe,”shewhisperedasthey
walkedout.SophiehookedherarmthroughElla’s,tooscaredtowalkwithMax.She’dnever
seenhimthisangrybeforeandshewasscaredathoweasyitseemedtobeforhimtoresort
toviolence.Maybethearticlesshehadreadwerecorrect.

“Max,howcouldyoudothattohim?”Ellacriedtoherbrotherastheygotintohiscar.

“Heisamarriedman,Ella.Ithoughtyouknewbetter.”Heglaredatherandsighedashesaw
SophiegetintothebackseatwithElla.“Idon’tknowwhatyouwerethinking,goingtothe
apartmentheshareswithhiswife.”

“It’snotwhatitlookslike,”Ellasigheddefensively.“Youdon’tunderstand,Max.”

“Idon’twantyouseeinghimagain,Ella.”

“Whatever.”Shespokedefiantlybutsoftly.“Whydidyoucomeanyway?”ShelookedatSophie
suspiciously.“Whathappenedtoyouyesterdayanyway?”Shepaused.“Omg,youweren’t
upsetoverMaxyesterday,wereyou?”Sheslappedherhandacrossherface.“Omg,you’re
sleepingwithmybrother.”

Sophielookedatherfriendandbitherlip,unsureofwhattosay.

“Max,youasshole.Howcouldyoustartbangingmybestfriend?Youcouldn’tfindanyone
else?”Ella’svoicesoundedangry.“AndSophie,whatareyouthinking?YouknowMaxisa
sleazeball.Heisalwayshookingupwithwomen.”

“Ella,enough.”Maxpulledupinfrontoftheirapartmentcomplex.“Goandhaveashowerand
wewillbebacktotakeyououtforlunchandtotellyoumore.”

“Aren’tyoucomingup,Sophie?”

SophielookedtoMaxandthenshookherhead.“No.I’llseeyoulater.”Shegotoutofthecar
andwenttothefrontseatandtheydroveoff,aftertheymadesureEllawentintothe
apartmentcomplex.TheydroveinsilencebacktoMax’sapartmentandSophiestudiedthe
faceofthemanthatsheloved.

“Ican’tbelieveyoudidn’ttellmeaboutEllaandJoseph.”Maxlookedatherangrily.

“Itwasn’tformetosay.”Sophiewasannoyed.Sheranintotheapartmentandthengrabbed
herbag.

“Whatareyoudoing?”Maxwelllookedatherinsurprise.“Areyouleaving?”Hisvoicewassad
andsoft.

“What?”Shelookedathiminsurprise.“I’mgoingtoshower,Max.”Shesighedasshedropped
thebagandwalkedovertohim.“I’mjustgoingtotakeashower.”Shekissedhimonthelips
andgavehimhug.

“I’msorry,Sophie.”Maxstaredather.“I’mjustsoscaredthatyouaregoingtochangeyour
mind.”HewalkedovertograbherbagandSophiesawsomepapershadfallenoutofitagain
whenshedroppedit.SheprayedthatMaxdidn’tlookatthem,asshewassureitwasthe
articlesabouthim.

TheroomwassilentasMaxpickedupthepapersandglancedatthembeforeputtingthemin
thebag.Hedroppedthebagashelookedatthepapers.Heturnedaroundtofaceher,allcolor
gonefromhisface.“SoIguessyouaregoingtoleavemenow?”Hisvoicesoundeddejected.

“No.”Sophie’svoicewasstrongandcalm.

“Youaren’tevengoingtoaskmeaboutthearticles?”Max’svoicewasincredulous.“Youaren’t
evengoingtogivemetheopportunitytotellmyside.”

“No.”SophiestaredatMaxandstudiedthefaceofthemanthatsheloved.

“Soyouarejustgoingtojudgeme?Justlikethat?”Maxsatdownonthecouchandhelooked

crushed.

Sophiewalkeduptohimandsatnexttohimonthecouch.Shetookhishandsintohersand
staredintohiseyes.“Max,I’mnotgoingtoaskyouaboutthearticlesbecauseIdon’tneedto.I
loveyouandIknowthekindofmanthatyouare.Youaretheteenagerwhoplayedwithakid
becauseyoudidn’twanthertofeelaloneafterherparentsdied.Youaretheguywhosnuck
memidnightsnacks.YouaretheguywhotoldmeIwaspretty,evenwhenIwasageekykid.
Youarethemanwhospenthourswithmeteachingmealgebra.YouarethemanIdreamof
everynightandIknowandtrustthatyoucouldneverhavedonethosehorriblethings.Ilove
yousomuchthatIdon’tneedtohearyousayanything.Therearenowordslefttosayto
convincemethatyouareawonderfulperson.IalreadyknowthatandIloveyou.”Shestopped
talkingasshesawtearsfallingfromMax’seyes.“Oh,mylove.”Shedrewhimtowardsherand
heheldherclosetohim.

“I’mnotdeservingofyourlove,Sophie.”Hepulledbackfromher.“Thankyouforsayingthe
wordsthathavemadeeverythingrightinmyworld.I’vebeensoscaredthatyouwouldhear
thesestoriesandbelievethem.”

“Iwouldneverbelieveyoutobecapableofsuchthings,”shespokesoftly.

“Youmustreallylovemetobelievethat,evenafterIjusthitJoseph.”

Sophielaughed.“Thatcertainlydidn’thelpmatters,butanyguywoulddothattoamanwho
wasdisrespectinghisfamilylikethat.”

Maxsighed.“Yeah.I’llhavetodealwithhimnextweek.ButnowIwanttotellyouwhat
happened.”

“Youdon’thaveto.”Shesqueezedhishand.

“No,Ido.”Hesmiledather.“PleasereservejudgmentuntilI’mdone.”

“Ok.”Shesmiledathimwarmly.

“SoSophie,I’vebeeninlovewithyousinceyouwereaboutsixteen.”Hesighed.“Ididn’t
realizeituntilthatsummeryouwereseventeenandstartedtalkingaboutboys.Ifeltso
jealousandupset.Ididn’twanttoacknowledgeit.I’dbeenseeingAlexisthatsummerandhad
goneovertoherplacetogetyouoffofmymind.”

“Oh.”Sophietriednottofeeljealous.

“Sowehadsex.I’msorry.”Hefrownedather.“AndasIcame,Icalledoutyourname.”

“Oh.”

“Iwasembarrassed.ButI’dbeenfantasizingaboutyouasIfuckedherandwelllet’sjustsay
thatshewasn’ttoohappyaboutit.”

“Ibet.”Sophiefeltaweirdthrillinside.

“ThenextthingIknowsheisscreamingandherbrotherMitchrunsintotheroom.Shetells
himthatIrapedherandhestartsbeatingmeup.Thenshescreamsandgrabshimandtells
himthatIhadn’trapedherbutthatIwasapedophileandhadbeencallingoutyourname.
Wellthen,Mitchmadesomereallycruderemarksaboutyouandthethingshewantedtodoto
you.Ijustsawredandhithimbackanditbecameafull-fledgedfightandwell,heendedupin
thehospital.”

“OhMax.”

“SoIcouldn’tfaceyouagain.AndIsworethatIwouldstayawayfromyou.Iwastoooldtobe
inlovewithaseventeen-year-oldgirl.Itwaswrong.Youweremysister’sbestfriendandyou
lookeduptome.AndallIcouldthinkofwaswhatitwouldbeliketohaveyouinmybed.”

“Ithoughtaboutyoutoo,”Sophiesaidshyly.

“What?”Helookedupatherinamazement.

“Iwastryingtomakeyoujealousthatsummer.”Herfaceflushed.“I’velovedyouforalong
timeaswell.”

“OhSophie.”Hepulledhercloseandkissedher.“You’renotdisgustedbyme?”

“Ofcoursenot.”Shesnuggledintohim.“ButwhydidyoudateAlexisagain?”

Hegroaned.“I’maman.She’sabeautifulwoman.ShewantedtotryagainandIfiguredwhy
not.IhadalreadytoldmyselfthatIcouldneverbewithyou.”
“Oh.”Sophiefeltatwistofpaininhergut.

“Butthissummer,IknewIcouldn’tstayaway.IfeltmyloveforyoustrongerthaneverandI
wasscaredthatitwoulddisgustyou.”

“OhMax.Youcouldneverdisgustme.”

“There’sneverbeenanyoneelseformebutyou,Sophie.I’veneverlovedorwantedanyone
else.Pleasesayyou’llmarrymesoon.”

“Ononecondition.”Shelookedathimsternly.

“Anything.”Hestaredatherwithloveandconcern.

“Sellthisapartmentandlet’sgetahousesomewhere.Somewherethatishomeforusandthe
baby.”

“Ohofcoursemylove,ofcourse.”Hefloodedherfacewithkisses.“Youhavemademethe
happiestmaninalltheworld.”

“You’vemademethehappiestwomaninalltheworld.”Sophiegrinnedupathimandkissed
alloverhisface.“Iloveyou,MaxwellVanHarkel.”

“Iloveyou,Sophie.”Theystaredintoeachother’seyesandbothvowedthattheywould
alwaysbehonestwitheachotherandneverletanythingcomebetweenthem.

Sophie’sphonebeepedastheylaythereonthecouchandshesawatextmessagefromElla
andsighed.

“What’swrong,mydear?”Maxlookedatherinconcern.

“I’mjustworriedaboutElla,”shesighed.

Hekissedherlipssoftly.“Don’tsigh,mylove.Wewillseewhatwecandotohelpher.Maybe
we’llmatchherupwithsomeoneelse.”

“Thatsoundslikeagreatidea,”SophiesquealedasMaxreacheddownandslidhishand
betweenherlegs.“Oh,Max.”

“Oh,Sophie.YouknowIcan’tgetenoughofyou.”Hegrinnedupatherasheslidherpants
downandsilencedherwithhislips.

Sophieclosedhereyesandgrinnedinecstasy.ShewasnevergoingtogetfedupofMaxand
thewayhemadeherfeelwhenhemadelovetoher.Andshewasgoingtomakesurethatshe
alwaysgaveasgoodasshegot.

Thanksforreading‘TheBillionaire’sBaby’–TheFullSeries.Iwillbereleasingonemorebook
intheseriescalled,‘NewBeginnings’.Itwillbeastand-alonebookfocusedonSophie,Maxwell
andthebabyandwillalsofeaturemoreofElla’sstory.

Please feel free to like my

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is available.

All Books Available By Helen Cooper

How To Catch A Billionaire

A Baby For The Millionaire

The Billionaire’s Unlikely Bride

For Love or For Revenge

The Millionaire’s Assistant

The Professor’s Student

The Accidental Stripper

The Erotic Files Vol. 1

The Erotic Files Vol. 2

The Millionaire’s Club (Both Millionaire’s Series)

The Professor and the Nanny

The Millionaire’s Games