LOGINSophia’s POVGarvey brings the car to a stop.Still in Alexander’s lap, I fix my eyes on the right window, staring at a fancy cream building.GEORGIA ‘N’ GEORGINA.I know this place. It’s a fine dining establishment. I’ve been here once with my parents. It was an experience of a lifetime.Alexander’s hands lazily drop in my lap. He sits upright, bringing his face to my right ear to whisper, “It’s time to feed you.” I lean into his chest, slipping my hands into his and staring at his lips without shame, unable to hide that the whole drive here had me in my feels. He prods my ribs and kisses my cheek instead, tickling me again. “Let’s go have lunch.”I push myself forward, smiling silly and wide as I get off his lap. I wish I didn’t have to.He scoffs with a smirk and exits the car first. I smooth my hair and dress inside the car, watching as he adjusts my purse on his body. Then he stretches a hand to me. I take it and let him help me out of the car.Unable to stop blushing, I twist
Sophia’s POVAlexander nods in response.The female attendant turns to me, wearing a pleasant smile, “Hello, Miss Sophia.”“Hello,” I mutter.“This way, please,” she says, ushering us inside with her hands.Alexander puts his arm around my waist and takes the first step after the attendant, who leads us somewhere.Shoppers stop to stare at us; uniformed attendants pause to smile and greet Alexander, then greet me. Our path is cleared faster than I can blink. Heat prickles my cheeks as I’m filled with an awareness of how much attention my man commands.He turns to meet my eyes. His fingers strum on my waist as he holds my gaze, sending light, tickling sensations through me. He doesn’t care that eyes are on us. A tiny giggle escapes my lips. I put my face against his arm, and he shifts his fingers to my elbow, giving it a gentle stroke.Always tickling me every chance he gets.The attendant pushes a door for us. It’s labeled: VIP. She holds the door open, we go in, and she shuts it.Pri
Sophia’s POVHe stands still, eyes fixed on mine, with a black medium-sized suitcase in his grip. My purse still hangs across his body. His eyes drop to the picture frame in my hand, and tears finally leak out of my eyes.Choking, I palm my face with my right hand, breaking down in tears.“Sophia?” He calls softly.In a few seconds, my head is pulled against his hard chest. I shut my eyes and pull the frame to my chest.“What is it?”I shake my head, sobbing. Frame still in my grip, my arms go around him. He does the same, pulling me closer with his arms wrapped around my back. He strokes it with gentleness as I keep sniffling.A memory rushes into my mind: that CEOs and Business Owners Charity Gala—the words he uttered when he dedicated his CEO of the Year Award to me.‘Without knowing, she gave me the push I didn’t know I needed… You’re my reason and will to keep going forward… When I thought I’d drown, life gave you to me…’I couldn’t make sense of it at that time. I thought I didn
Sophia’s POVIt’s pitch black. My heart pounds with reckless excitement mixed with slight unease as I touch my fingers to the blindfold. The fabric is soft against my skin.Alexander quietly ties it behind me.“How many fingers do I have up?” He asks.A strained chuckle slips out of me. “I can’t– I can’t see anything… um…”My hands tremble just a little.Heat from his body caresses me as he moves. I feel him standing very close, right before me.“Soph?”“Mm?” I mumble, swallowing hard.His fingers go around my wrists and peel my hands off the blindfold. Then, they slide to hold my shaky hands. “You’re safe with me.” He utters in a calm, sad tone, lifting my hands to his lips. He kisses my right knuckles first, then the left ones, and keeps his mouth on my hand. His breath is warm against my hands.I nod, hoping he doesn’t feel too bad that I panicked.“If you’re not comfortable, I can take off the blindfold and have you just close your eyes.”“No,” I shake my head and go close, tight
Sophia’s POVMy chest keeps swelling, fists tightening behind him. His eyes hold mine with uncertainty. But in his gaze is a look I’m seeing for the first time—pure, sincere desire. Not the one where his eyes darken with something I can never name.Without thinking, I press my lips on his.And everything stands still.No movement. Just the feel of gloss and soft, warm lips parted slightly against mine.Sensations crawl in my stomach.I release a sigh, pressing my bottom lip between his.His hands fall to the small of my back. I shut my eyes, ready to go all the way.Slam!I pull away with a gasp, dropping to my seat and turning sharply to see where that noise came from. God forbid someone saw us.My eyes widen. My heart pounds.It’s Garvey!He’s just shut the door to Alexander’s G-wagon, grinning from ear to ear with a sunflower bouquet in his grip.Reluctantly, I turn to Alexander. He stares into space like he’s lost. Instantly, he meets my eyes. I quickly avert my gaze, but don’t f
Sophia’s POV“Bye, Mom!” I say to her, waving and grinning so much that my cheeks hurt. She stands at the door and waves back. Ava stands behind her in the shadow, still teasing me with winks while pointing at Alexander, who walks ahead with my small duffel bag and purse hanging across each of his shoulders. I simply roll my eyes and wave at her.Oddly enough, my mom didn’t question my little luggage. Although she did stare at it with a suspicious look the whole time I carried it, until Alexander took it off my shoulder.“Bye, my darling! Have fun and see you soon.”Giggling with happiness, I raise my second hand to wave with more vigor while backing away. “See you soon…”See you tomorrow. I turn around when I get to my new car, still smiling as I watch Alexander. He shuts the door after dropping my white duffel bag on the back seat. Then goes around to get my door.All the roses have been taken out and kept in the garden for now because there were too many. He gets to me, wearing
Sophia’s POVAlexander’s calmness fills the elevator like gravity. I stare at my reflection against the panel—blonde hair secured in a neat bun, my teal silk skater dress falling perfectly—a 360-degree improvement from the last time I was here.He slowly holds my hand and locks our fingers with gen
Sophia’s POV⁓August 25, 2025: Dimitri & Lena’s Wedding Day⁓It’s exactly one week since my failed attempt at running away. One week since my second and best kiss ever. One week since I got reintroduced to Alexander Thorne as his fiancée. And one week of receiving large rose bouquets from him daily.
Sophia’s POVHe’s got nipple piercings, a back half-full of tattoos, smokes cigars, swore never to get married, but says he’s marrying me in October.I’m the first woman he’s invited into his penthouse and bedroom; he kisses like a sinner and promises to show me things I can’t handle yet. He lies ef
Alexander Thorne’s POVPhone in hand, I tap a slow rhythm against the steering wheel, my gaze fixed on the pristine lineup of cars in my private garage. My mind is elsewhere.Dimitri left thirty-five minutes ago. I sent Garvey home, too, yet I’ve been seated inside the darkness of this car, waiting.







