Alex's POV.
“Blake?” Sophia looked up at the guy who had caught her.
How the hell did she know Blake Williams?
And he knew her too? He was smiling down at her in his arms and I resisted the urge to smack his face.
Hello, my rose girl... He said to her, causing her to chuckle. My rose girl?
She wasn't his. How dare he?
I cleared my throat to interrupt and Sophia looked back at me. A feeling of pride took over me when she stepped away from him and came to stand beside me.
“Alex, meet Blake—”
“Oh, no need for all that darling, we go way back.” Blake cut her off in a mocking tone.
Stepping closer, he extended his hand in my direction and I shook it firmly. “Happy birthday Alex.”
“Thank you, Blake.” I was feeling possessive as I snaked my arm around Sophia's waist, feeling her stiffen.
“It's obvious you've met Sophia O'Brien, my girlfriend,” I murmured, noticing the shocked look that Sophia gave me but decided to ignore her.
Maybe I'd try to explain my behavior later. That's if she'd still want to talk to me.
“I'm surprised,” Blake said, smirking as he turned to Sophia. “You said you didn't have a boyfriend.”
She said what?
I thought she agreed to go along with the plan!
My head turned in her direction to find her mouth slightly open.
“I didn't say that. I mean, I didn't make any comments when you inquired if I had a boyfriend or not.”
He chuckled. “Relax, I'm just messing with you, darling.”
Call her darling one more time and I'll fucking rip your tongue out!
“See you two later.” He winked at her before walking away.
Immediately he was gone, Sophia quickly untangled herself from my arms.
“Did you have to do that?” She whispered.
“Do what? Stick to the plan? Or do you have feelings for Blake?” I fired back. “Of course not! That's not the point and you know what I'm talking about.” “He gave you that rose?” I asked.
She nodded, scrutinizing my face. “It meant nothing.”
I looked around the room and spotted Harvey Hamilton, Blake's big brother.
I still don't understand why they both decided to go with different last names.
Who invited him? Because I sure as hell didn't!
And what was his arm doing draped over Stephanie? Is there something I'm missing?
The brothers were known to be troublemaking assholes. I can still remember when in middle school, Harvey used to bully Steve. One day, when I'd had enough, I simply punched him and that was when Steve became my best bud.
After that, Harvey started going after Nicole, Steve's sister. But she was not the one to take shit from anyone and I was kinda proud of her when it came to that. Even though she was a bit bitchy to me, I always treated her like my own little sister for the sake of my friendship with Steve.
Luke Williams, Harvey's father, was my dad's business rival and my dad was never on good terms with him. The only reason we tolerated them was because of Luke's wife, Angela Williams, who was my mother's best friend since they were practically kids.
“Alex,” Sophia called.
I needed to shield her from these brothers.
“Are you mad at me? Because I don't want to see you like this on your birthday.” She frowned, her forehead creasing up.
My feet advanced in her direction and she didn't move back. Leaving barely an inch of space between us, I held out my arm for her to take. “Dance with me?”
My heart warmed when a smile reached her lips and she placed her small hand on my palm. “Sure.”
“Although, let me warn you again, my dancing skills suck.” She chuckled.
“We'll see about that,” I muttered as I pulled her close, my hand behind her.
Suddenly, a slow song started playing and the lights dimmed. Confused, I looked ahead at the glass window of the music control room and found Dad. He winked at me.
Holding back a laugh, I mouthed ‘thank you’ and brought my gaze back to Sophia.
She wasn't a bad dancer at all, unlike what she thought. I was matching my steps with hers and the rhythm felt nice. I loved the way her body swayed to the music under my touch. “Shit!” She muttered to herself.
“What's wrong?”
Surprised that I had heard her, she let out a nervous laugh. “Nothing.” “Sophia.” I raised a brow.
“It's just... Your gift. I left it in the room. Oh, I'm such an idiot.”
She got me a gift? I couldn't wait to know what she had gotten me. “Another gift?” She lifted her face in confusion.
“Another? I never gave you one.”
“I thought the hug from this morning was my gift.” I rubbed circles on her waist.
At the mention of that, her cheeks turned red and she shifted her gaze to the ground in embarrassment. I stifled a laugh.
“You're dancing with me but the floor has all your attention? I feel used right now.”
She angled her face upwards, her mouth slightly open in a smile.
I couldn't help but stare at her lush lips remembering the last time I kissed them. It has been so long!
Don't think about it, Alex! Don't think about it! Clearing my throat, I reluctantly tore my gaze away from her lips. She looked away, biting down on her lower lip.
“Hey, lovebirds!”
I turned around to find Andrea walking up to us, a frown on her lips.
“Listen up, Alex.” She pointed a finger at me.
What did I do now?
“You can dance with her all you want, you've got the rest of the vacation. But for now, just come cut the damn cake already! It's been sitting there and it looks tempting.”
She licked her lips while eyeing the large fudge cake in the corner. I wouldn't blame her though. It did look tempting.
“Now go and make yourself a little useful, birthday boy.”
I couldn't help but burst out laughing. “What are you high on this time, Andrea?” She didn't look amused.
“Fine.” I rolled my eyes. “Where's Dad?”
“Why? Do you need someone to hold the knife with you?”
“Don't make me hold that knife to your throat, Drea.”
This made Sophia chuckle.
“Whatever. Just cut the cake and let's get this party over with.”
“Let's go.” I turned to Sophia just in time as I heard my mom's voice behind me. “Alex, it's time to cut the cake.”
“Finally.” Andrea sighed.
“Come on,” I muttered to Sophia and cautiously put my arm around her waist, half expecting her to push it away. But she didn't as she kept on walking beside me.
She looked really beautiful in that gown. The skin of her neck was slightly more exposed and I wanted to raise the dress from under her and bury my face in her deep depths like I did the last time, giving her insurmountable pleasure.
A wave of heat surged through my body as I recalled that night.
“If you keep looking at me like that, the next headline over our picture might say ‘Alexander Hayes in love with his secretary.’” She muttered to me, catching me staring.
I laughed and turned ahead.
We were now standing in front of the cake and my family and close friends were gathered around.
“Thank you so much. All of you, for being here.” I fixed a smile on my face for the pictures, when picking up the knife and cutting a slice from the cake.
There was a round of applause. Dad was smiling proudly and engulfed me in a hug. “Happy birthday, son.”
“Thank you, Dad.”
“I can't believe you're thirty already! Jeez, I'm getting so old.” He joked. I chuckled.
“That's okay. Even when you're a grumpy old man, I'll love you still.”
He tightened his arms around me in another hug.
“I'll leave you to enjoy the night now.” He said to me, walking away.
Shaking my head, I looked back but was surprised to not find Sophia there. I stood on my tiptoes and looked around the large halls but couldn't find her anywhere.
Where the hell was she?