LOGINThorne’s POVThe papers in front of me had been waiting for my signature for nearly twenty minutes.I had read the same paragraph four times. Each time I closed my eyes, I saw Sophia and the taste of her lips.That night had been a mistake for her but not for me, I had promised I’d take things slow with her but she was driving me crazy, I wanted her so much… I needed her to remember but to no avail. After the incident in the kitchen I decided to give her space,yet a week of avoidance was driving me out of my mind.I hissed through my teeth and dropped the pen onto the desk.“Fuck!” I grunt in frustration.Enough.I needed to know whether she was frightened, confused, or determined to stay away from me.I picked up my phone and opened our messages. My thumb hovered for a moment before I typed.Come to my office. I sent it set the phone beside the papers, and leaned back hoping she’d come.The office door slipped open. I looked up, already preparing to speak but the woman stepping ins
Sophia’s POVFor the past week I had made it my personal mission to avoid Mr Sinclair.Ever since the incident in the kitchen, I had gone out of my way to ensure we never found ourselves alone together again. I changed my routine, took different routes through the mansion, and made sure I was always occupied whenever I heard his voice at work.It wasn’t easy especially when we lived under the same roof but somehow I had managed to keep my distance.I couldn’t forget that night, no matter how hard I tried. The memory of his lips against mine kept returning at the most inconvenient moments, and whenever I remembered how naturally I had responded to him embarrassment washed over me.What had gotten into me?He was Mr Sinclair, my employer, my contractual husband and according to Ashley a man with whom I shared a complicated and disturbing past.I shook the thoughts away as I finished wiping the last table in the executive section. My shift was finally over and all I wanted was to have so
Sophia's POVThe mansion was very quiet with the darkness thick and heavy as I crept down the stairs. My bare feet were silent against the cold marble, and the only sound was the soft hum of the refrigerator as I padded into the kitchen.I couldn't sleep.I'd been lying in bed for hours staring at the ceiling my mind spinning with everything Ashley had told me. The words echoed in my head, relentless and suffocating.He was your stepfather, your professor and the man who took your virginity.I shook my head trying to dismiss the thought. It was crazy. It had to be crazy. There was no way I could have done something like that I wasn't that kind of person even in my past life I doubted I'd ever do something so reckless, so forbidden.I poured myself a glass of water, leaning against the counter as I took a sip. The cool liquid did nothing to calm the storm raging inside me.Stepfather. Professor. Sin.How could I have been so stupid? How could I have let myself get involved with
Sophia's POVThe restaurant was small and cozy tucked away on a quiet street.Ashley had chosen it claiming it was her favorite spot for lunch whenever she visited the company this was to her go place.The walls were lined with bookshelves filled with worn paperbacks and the smell of freshly brewed coffee and baked bread hung in the air. We sat at a corner table our plates half-empty, our conversation flowing more freely than I'd expected. Ashley had a way of making me feel at ease like I'd known her my whole life maybe I had and that was the problem."So," Ashley said leaning back in her chair, her eyes fixed on me. "I don’t know if it’s okay for me to ask but then, how was life been for you all these years”I hesitated with my fingers wrapping around my coffee cup unsure of what to say, I mean life has been anything but fair to me "It's not that interesting.""I doubt that." She smiled but there was a softness in her eyes. "Come on Sophia, please just let me in… just like old days
Sophia's POVI barely made it down the hallway before I heard footsteps behind me"Sophia."I froze the voice sharp dripping with barely concealed contempt.I turned slowly Martha was standing there with her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed into slits. She was wearing a designer dress that probably cost more than I made in a year with her blonde hair perfectly styled and her makeup flawless. She looked like she'd stepped out of a magazine but her expression was anything but picture-perfect."I know what you're doing," she said her voice low and venomous. "I know the game you're trying to play."I blinked confused. "I don't know what you're talking about.""Don't play dumb with me." She stepped closer, her heels clicking against the marble floor. "You think I don't see it? The way you look at him? The way you act all innocent and helpless hoping he'll feel sorry for you?""Martha—""You're trying to seduce him." Her voice was sharp, cutting. "You're trying to get your hooks into him
Sophia's POVI walked into Thorne's office with my heart pounding my hands shaking. I could feel the tension radiating off him before I even closed the door behind me. He was standing behind his desk with his back to me and his shoulders rigid with barely contained fury.The door clicked shut the sound echoed in the silence like a gunshot.Gosh Sophia! What did you do this time?"Just because you asked me to keep our marriage low-key," Thorne said his voice cold and sharp, "doesn't give you the damn reason to be playing around with other men."I stared at him my mouth falling open in shock. "Playing around? Are you serious right now?""Dead serious." He turned to face me his eyes blazing. "I saw him and I heard him too… he was asking you out and you didn't say no.""Because I didn't get a chance to say no when you interrupted us!""Convenient.""Convenient?" I laughed a sharp incredulous sound. "You think I planned that? You think I wanted to be cornered by a security guard while







