Chapter 6 You're The First Woman

Sophia's POV

My heart strums.

Do they hurt when touched? Has he been hurting or feeling... I don't know. But I want to see them so badly-his piercings.

"Sophia?" He calls.

I snap out of my daze. My eyes lift from his chest, away from those outlines. I swear on my late grandparents that this is going to live rent-free in my head until I see them.

"Your father?"

"Huh? What?!" I jolt, already crawling off him.

"Come here," he drags me back fast. "Don't go until I say so."

I lose half a second of air, processing his hoarse tone and words as I'm forced back in his lap.

"It's just me and you here, Baby girl... where are you running off to?"

His lips spread into a sinful smile. Then he leans in. I shut my eyes, folding when he kisses my nose.

The bell rings again.

I open my eyes to see how calm he remains, holding his phone.

My father's name floats on the screen.

"Should I answer it? Your call."

I stare at it until it stops ringing. Heat knots in my chest. The heat of guilt.

My eyes shift to his. They're filled with delicious rebellion.

The bell rings longer this time.

All of a sudden, we hear the door click open and slam shut.

"Alexander, I should get up," I mutter, not liking the idea of someone seeing me like this-on his lap, wearing his clothes, and having no bra on. Even if it's just his chauffeur, whom I don't know.

He releases his grip on me.

"Alex?!" A voice suddenly echoes. A familiar voice.

I wheeze out a broken sound, locking my eyes back with Alexander's.

"Dimitri?" His eyes round for a second.

"Oh my God!" I fly off him in a flash, rolling onto the floor.

Why is Dimitri here?

"Alex? Where are you, Man?" Dimitri calls, getting close.

I scramble to my feet, grabbing my phone and slippers, trembling with fear.

"In there." Alexander hisses, pointing to a dark space.

I run on the tips of my toes.

"Soph?"

I look over my shoulder to see him throwing my purse.

I catch it surprisingly and keep running for my life and sanity.

My clothes!

But it's too late.

I catch a glimpse of Dimitri before I slip into the dark room.

My chest thuds rapidly as I lean against the wall. I press a hand over my mouth, stifling my quick breaths.

"Dimitri?" Alexander greets.

"Hey, Man! Why didn't you come get the door?"

"I keep forgetting to change my passcode," Alexander replies.

It grows silent for a moment, then Dimitri speaks:

"I'm interrupting something. Am I not?"

No response.

"I saw a pair of ladies' shoes at the door... are those her clothes?"

I palm my eyes, praying silently.

"You're being nosy, Man," Alexander responds dryly.

"Because you've never brought a woman into your penthouse."

What?

"And it looks like you've been up to no good," Dimitri adds.

"I'm always up to no good."

I hear them slap their hands together.

"You didn't inform me of your coming,"

"I did. You were probably busy getting all... wow! Is she someone we know? I'm so curious-"

"Don't you have a wedding to plan, Dimitri?"

"You invited her into your space? God, Alex... this is-this is new. Is she in here somewhere?"

The bell rings.

"Is that her?" Dimitri is unrelenting.

My eyes roam in the dark, sweat prickling my skin. I listen to their slippers hitting the ground.

"That's Garvey."

"That means she's here!"

"Why are you so hyped? You're not drunk." Alexander evades confirming anything.

"Being mysterious again, huh?" Dimitri murmurs.

He says nothing.

I hear their retreating footsteps. Then Dimitri continues,

"I'm marrying Lena next week-"

"For the THIRD time. Don't tell me you're nervous?"

"You swore never to get married, so you'll never know how it feels..."

I slowly slide down the wall to crouch, releasing my mouth and a long breath. Their voices get muffled and fade.

Alexander swore never to get married?

My heart races. My mind is processing a lot at the same time. A lot about Alexander and how pathetic I feel hiding in here.

Time passes. And the last thing I recall is Dimitri making time out of his busy schedule to call me, all because of a cropped photo of his good friend and me from that party last year.

"Alexander is not the type of man you'd want." That was the third thing he said.

******

My body aches like I've been climbed and hit. My injuries sting softly. I let out a breath, turning on the comfortable bed. Pillows so soft and clean. Fresh, amberwood, cocoa...

I blink my eyes open.

For a few seconds, I keep my gaze on the white ceiling, struggling to arrange my fuzzy thoughts and see clearly. Nothing registers yet. Until,

"Good morning, Sleeping beauty,"

My whole body tightens with awareness. It's immediate.

I turn my head sharply. Dark eyes are already locked on me, blurry, but I see. And everything comes rushing back-my failed escape, his penthouse, treating my wounds, our hot kiss, Dimitri.

Now, I'm waking up beside him?

My heart taps against my ribs like a nervous knock.

What is going on?! Why are we in bed together? Under the same sheet.

The same sheet?!

An alarm goes off in my head.

I grab the sheet, about to lift it to see if I'm undressed. But he's faster. He grips it, stopping me.

My pulse stumbles into a fast rhythm.

"I'm naked." He utters.

What?

"Oh my god!" I plaster my eyes with both hands, coiling away from him in panic.

He moves toward me, and I feel the heat from his body.

Oh, God.

My eyes open to see him rising. The sheet falls.

No!

I turn away, eyes closed, squeezing the sheet tightly. But without failing to glimpse black clothes.

He breaks into a short chortle. Nothing else.

Slowly, I turn my head, opening my eyes halfway.

He's seated, looking over me.

I stare now, breathing rapidly.

He's fully clothed, not naked, not smiling either.

I should punch him in the face, but he's so sinfully gorgeous, I forget to breathe.

"Can't take a joke, hm... thought you were about to cry." He says softly, lifting his hand to my face.

He brushes hair from it, and I shiver from his hand brushing my skin.

"Did the thought of being naked with me scare you?"

I swallow hard, my brain booting like Windows 7 on a bad day.

"You fell asleep in that room... so I brought you to my bedroom." He slowly leans toward me.

I blink, determined to keep my eyes open.

"You're the first woman." He whispers in my ear.

I've still not breathed.

Then he locks his gaze on mine. "I wouldn't have sex with you without your consent."

My stomach dips, heat spreading within me.

"And just so you know," he lifts himself above me, under the sheet, eyes not moving from me. "No sex until we get married."

He doesn't drop his weight on me, but he plants his legs between mine, hovering above.

The heat slides up my neck now. I exhale audibly, struggling with what to do with myself.

"We're not kissing again, too." He announces, his small, pink lips forming a beautiful pout when he says 'too'. "But we'll do other things..."

A soft flutter of breath escapes me when he inches close, face above mine, body above mine. However, he keeps his weight suspended. My heartbeat punches through my chest, wanting.

"Other things you're not ready to handle yet..." His voice is barely a whisper-sultry, low, dark.

I feel his knee brush my thigh, where he bandaged, and my eyes close finally with a sigh. I turn my head away, suddenly aching to feel his weight on me as I'm hypnotized.

Soft lips press under my left eye, kissing my mole.

I let out another sound.

"You've got beautiful, hazel eyes... can I see them?"

I oblige him, slowly opening my eyes. His face blurs, but I know he's staring-into my soul, my mind-a mind I might be losing soon.

"Want a teaser?"

My pulse slams hard, aching with desires I didn't know I possessed.

He breathes, waiting.

After a long breath, I give him a slow nod, curling my fingers around the sheet in anticipation.

He adjusts. Then I feel his hands gently part my legs, spreading.

I gasp, shutting my eyes.

"Open your eyes," he commands softly.

I do, trembling, breath rapid in his face.

My chest swells.

Then, "That's all for today, Love." He slowly withdraws his hands. "We've got breakfast at your house."

"Breakfast?" I whisper, still swimming in what he's just made me feel.

He replies with a nod, then withdraws completely.

I watch him roll off the bed. He stands tall and huge, moving around freely like he owns the place. He does.

"Your phone was turned on." He begins, walking away. His voice is calm and controlled. "The love of your life called. Thought it was your boyfriend. Was going to tell him you're engaged... turns out it was your father."

"What?"

"Your father believes you spent the night at your boyfriend's. That's the story we're going with."

"W-what? H-how?" I sit up, shocked.

"We leave in thirty minutes. Your clothes are in the guest bedroom." He says, opening a door. He slips in.

As if on cue, his shirt falls off his back. And so does my mouth-to the ground.

Just before the door shuts, I glimpse a back so broad and toned. A masterpiece of ink and muscle.